Supermarket Sleuths: Aldi shoppers share their top money-saving tips and items to avoid

There's a reason Aldi has been named the best-rated supermarket in Australia for the seventh year in a row.

Shoppers voted for the discount supermarket in the Canstar Blue's Supermarket Satisfaction Ratings for 2024, with Aldi shoppers reporting they are the most satisfied.

Anyone who has shopped at Aldi knows there are savings to be had, but that isn't always a given.

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In this week's Supermarket Sleuths, two Aldi loyalists share their top tips to save and the pitfalls to avoid.

Eisha-Marie, Sunshine Coast

Sticking to a grocery budget for a family of five is a challenge, especially with three hungry boys.

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"We do our grocery shopping at Aldi every fortnight and spend on average $350," the Queensland mum tells 9honey.

Her local Aldi is at Meridan Plains and she only started doing full shops at Aldi earlier this year as the increasing cost of living continued to impact thee family budget.

"It was the best thing I did to save money on my groceries and has really helped our household," she says.

Anything she can't get at Aldi she'll grab at her local Coles, green grocery and butcher.

It's the Aldi home brands that save her the most.

"Aldi has a really good range of their own name products at really affordable prices so I can get all the things I need and every item is that little bit cheaper, which adds up overall," she says

She still finds herself being drawn to the Special Buys located at the centre of the store, saying she's "only human."

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"But thoroughly planning out our meals and bringing in a grocery list has really helped me make sure I stay on track and stick to my budget," she says, adding that sticking to "fruits and vegetables that are in season" also helps.

"I also try to utilise ingredients across multiple dishes so I can buy in bulk and save money. And lastly, make sure you're comparing the unit price of products rather than the product price," she adds.

Follow Eisha on Instagram Eisha: @eisha_eisel

Kim, Sydney

Kim spends "around $450 per week total" on groceries for her family of four.

"We do one large shop and two top ups per week," she tells 9honey. Like Eisha-Marie, she'll pick up anything she can't find at Aldi at Coles, Woolies, Harris farm "and some of my independent retailers."

"The everyday low prices mean I save on every shop, but I also look at the Super Savers to see what has been discounted each week as well," she says.

Kim always does a "quick stock take" of her fridge and pantry before writing her shopping list so she doesn't "buy things I already have."

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"Our household is very busy, so I particularly love the ready-to-eat meals that just need to be cooked at home," she says.

"The frozen cauliflower cheese, heat and eat butter chicken and marinated meats range are all great because they're super simple, affordable and the whole family love them."

She does avoid the fresh flowers at Aldi, favouring her local florist.

"I always do my shop on Sundays," she says. "Always shop for fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season."

For further savings, Kim also butchers meats herself.

"So I buy a whole chicken and then cut it up and portion it myself which saves a lot too. I also try to stock up on Super Savers and freeze what I don't immediately need," she explains.

Follow Kim on Instagram Kim: @madelikemums

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