Are these 'cheaper' shops really cheaper?

We have a couple of Aldis and a least one Lidl but none of them are huge. I think just having fewer choices saves you money.

You’d have to do a lot of shopping to save that much, grannyticktock - they start at £51,000!

I dashed down to Lidl on Sat when DH saw online that they were doing Champagne for 8.99 a bottle.

AnnH: perhaps frugal shopping was how the Maserati owner saved enough for his fancy car!

Haven't had time to read through the whole thread so apologies if being reptitive - but in my experiense Savers is consistently cheaper than or as cheap as other pharmacies.

Best be careful with these - you know what Storks bring

The label above a shelf in a local Lidl is for packs of Celery Storks!!

Cheap shops, eh? Only this morning I shopped in Aldi and parked next to a Maserati in the car park. Just sayin’

I'm an Aldi convert, although I admit I top up at Sainsbury's for items that Aldi don't stock. Aldi is great for excellent cleaning products and toiletries; I also buy their eggs, coffee, tea, biscuits, butter, cheese, salmon, coleslaw, icecream, milk, chocolate, beer, wine .... most things really. If they offer more than one range, I usually go for the pricier one - it will still be as cheap as Sainsbury's Basic but better quality. The meat and bread are a bit limited, and the fruit and veg not always as fresh, but OK if you check what you're buying. The main problem for me is the temptation of the assorted non-food items - I go in for groceries and may come out with a hairdryer or a wok as well!

Today I popped into Lidl, as I had a voucher. I ended up spending a fortune. My best buy was a toaster at £20. For months I have been trying to find a toaster which could take Warburton's bread, but the only ones I could find were extortionate. I couldn't believe it when I spotted it. We also bought excellent wines and champagne to give as gifts. I was delighted with my bargains.

I shop in Waitrose for my family food but also shop for a charity and have to be mindful of cost .
That ' basket' of shopping rarely changes and I have shopped in Tesco and Sainsbury's and Aldi . The Aldi basket is consistently 10% cheaper than the other 2 shops .
Whilst I'm there I stock up on washing powder , dishwasher tablets bleach etc and I can't see the point of paying Waitrose prices for non food items .

Two years ago i bought an apple tree in aldi which cost £3. (Similar size at the local nursery cost £30 ). There was a choice of tree and i chose a james greaves a favourite of my late mum. Well that same vyear we had 3 apples and this year a whole tree full. Very happy with it.

Flowers bought in Tesco last Friday - dead.
They usually have a 7 day guarantee at least Carol - go and get your money back!!

10 years ago when I lived in England I found Aldi to be better than Lidl but I couldn't gwt all my shopping from there. This summer we were in England and Aldi now sells so much more that I could do most if my shopping there. We bought bacon and gammon joints from Aldi to bring home and they were delicious and much cheaper than the equivalent in Tescos etc. The bacon did not give off that white liquid that so much bacon does when fried. Here in Portugal the Aldi and Lidl supermarkets have the same protection for the fresh baked goods that Spain has so no germs spread. The vegetables are very good and at least I can get brussel sprouts in Aldi and celery and English style cucumbers in Lidl. But I couldnt get all I want in them. Obviously the food here is directed the Portuguese although Aldi do a very good strong cheddar. My DH does like the middle isle though...

I bought a pack of Hovis crackers in Waitrose the other day and was very surprised to see how small it now is. About 25% smaller pack than it once was, I estimate. One thing from Aldi that has disappointed me. I am a fan of salted caramel and seized on a carton of salted caramel ice cream which turned out to be neither salted nor caramel, with a slimy consistency and small chunks of what might have been toffee. Beware! On the other hand, Waitrose's salted caramel choc ices are delicious and definitely not suitable for a low carb diet.

I think that certain chocolate bars are now down to 90g from 100g.

Mini choc ices are brilliant from Aldi and Lidl, just right for the GC (and me), the chocolate is good and it’s something like 10 for £1.59. And the big Cornetto type ones are handy to have in the freezer. We like them for a dessert. The fresh squeezed orange juice is good too. I’m a big fan of both L and A.

Flowers bought in Tesco last Friday - dead. Flowers bought in Lidl ten days ago - fine. I like Lidl for most things (it's a new one) bit I agree that the fruit and veg doesn't always last as well. I hate our Aldi (it's old and tired and the manager is rude!) but if the fresh meat is as good as everybody says I might just have to grit my teeth.

I also have a couple of Clematis from Aldi that have grown beautifully. This, unlike the expensive one of the same variety bought from Gardeners World Live ?

Re their garden plants: I bought a small clematis plant from Aldi about 6 years ago for £1.49. It's grown into a stunning plant that completely covers the porch over the front door in big beautiful purple flowers, twice a year. I've lost count of the number of people who ask me what variety it is and where I got it. Best £1.49 I've ever spent!

Aldi's granary loaf breadmix is really tasty and nobody has been coughing and sneezing over it ?

The candles don't spread the smell very far - but they do smell nice. Fine if you got small rooms like me.

I always find Aldi's flowers very good and their garden plants are usually great value.

Chewy I bought Number 2, which is called Blackberry Bay. I haven't used it yet, so can't say how good it is.

Nanna58 I've heard that the scented candles at Aldi are similar to Jo Malone before. They're numbered 1, 2 & 3 I think. Which is the one most similar to Jo Malone?

Love Aldi, shop there more than anywhere else, and quality is fine. I am VERY picky with my wines, yet have never been disappointed with a bottle from there. Also adore their candle and diffuser range, smells exactly like Jo Malone only £30 cheaper!