Eat on the cheap

Everybody knows about shopping for groceries at the local big chain stores. We all have been to a Super Wal*mart and gotten good deals on food. We all have also filled up the cart at Sam's Club with a pallet of TP but I am sure that there are quite a few people out there who have not shopped at some of the smaller chains such as Aldi (aldi.us) and Save-a-lot (save-a-lot.com).

Both Aldi and Save-a-lot are stores in which you don't have to buy a pallet of product to receive a deep discount.  I shop at these stores and have a weekly grocery bill that usually runs just over $80! For the same basket of groceries at a big chain you can expect to pay $120-$160.  This is no joke.

The reason that the food in these stores is so cheap is that they only sell generic/storebrand items (occaisonally you will find brand name items that they have bought in bulk).  Please, please do not let this frighten you off. I was sceptical at first as well but in the years that I have patronized these stores I have  consistantly found that the products are of superior quality.  I cook gourmet meals with this food and am never dissapointed.

These stores are smaller so you won't find the variety of each product that you find in a big chain, but you don't need the variety when buying generics.  Also, remember to bring bags, they are a dime a peice at the checkout.

I also buy groceries through a program called Angelfood Ministries (www.angelfoodministries.com).   With angelfood you place an order at a participating local church every month and pick up your food on a specific date (usually a Saturday).  Angelfood offers a box of food for $30 that is intended to feed a family of 4 for a week.  I have to say that this is true! You may buy as many boxes that you want but the menu will be the same for each box.  You have to take what is on the menu.  Angelfood also offers other boxes every month as well such as a meats box and fresh fruit and veggie box.  The menu does change monthly.  The food is generic restaurant quality food. My wife and I usually buy a classic box and a fresh fruit box every month as a supliment to our regular shopping. You do not have to show financial need to be involved with Angelfood, everybody is eligible for this program. If you are worried about being solicited for the religion, I have never had an issue with this. I have never been even approached.

For the cost of eating two family meals at a local bistro, my family can eat gourmet food for a week--That includes breakfast lunch and dinner!