How I Survived on $25 a Week for Groceries

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While I was finishing up my senior year of college, I had a grocery budget of $100 a month. When you break that down, that's $25 a week to feed myself at least two meals a day. Now that I'm living with my boyfriend, I upped that budget, but it's still only $100 a month per person. You might be thinking, how did she do that?

My secret is Aldi. It's actually not that much of a secret. Now, there are plenty of people who shop Harris Teeter with their coupons and can get stuff for almost free. I was going to school full-time and working three part-time jobs. Now I'm working one full-time job and preparing to return back to school. I don't have time to be a full-time couponer.

Here's what I buy at Aldi that I think is really worth it!


Meats 
 We buy chicken tenderloins and ground beef. I have had good and bad experiences with their bacon. You might just have to try it for yourself and decide. 

Sandwich Meat
We buy honey ham and oven roasted turkey for our sandwiches. 

Cheese 
We regularly buy shredded cheese from here, including cheddar and mozzarella. We also purchase slices of pepper jack cheese and I have enjoyed their cheddar cheese sticks. 



Snacks
They have a wide variety of snacks to choose from, including crackers, chips, granola bars, and more. I've even seen name-brand items like goldfish, at a cheaper price than what other grocery stores sell them for!



Yogurt 
I love their fit and active vanilla yogurt and my boyfriend likes their strawberry yogurt.

Cereal
I love their frosted flakes. They are a staple for us. I still have to try some others. As a Cheerio lover, however, I will recommend staying AWAY from their brand (Crispy Oats). They're not the same!

Bread 
Even my picky boyfriend likes their 12 grain bread. They've had sales where you can get a loaf for less than $0.50. I've also purchased bagels and croissants from Aldi. They've all been good quality, and I often freeze the bagels and croissants to make them last longer.

Baking Goods
I've bought chopped nuts, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar and more from Aldi. They've got great prices. 



Some Produce
I've had a fine experience with their produce. It's always a great price, but often bruised. If that doesn't bother you, then you should be fine. We've bought potatoes, bell peppers, bananas, and strawberries

Pasta
We buy pasta regularly from Aldi's as well as pasta sauces, including marinara and alfredo. 

Household Items
I've gotten toilet paper here that is pretty comparable to Angel Soft. I've also gotten car vent air fresheners (from Glade!) for a fraction of the price. I purchased outdoor seating pillows for $4 each! They practically paid me to walk out of there with them. They also typically have great storage items (like baskets) and gardening supplies

Things I tend to avoid:

Bagged Salad
It goes bad pretty quickly!

"Scoops" Tortilla Chips
The boyfriend says these don't quite stack up to the real Tostitos

All in all, Aldi is a great place to grocery shop. Remember to bring a quarter for the buggies and your own bags, as they are not provided!

I've also recently purchased a Costco membership, which I hope will allow me to stock up on pantry staples. Stay tuned for a post on that!





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About Post Author

Kalysha Clark is a recent graudate of North Carolina State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology and a minor in nonprofit studies. She is currently serving as a member of AmeriCorps and will return to NC State in January to begin her Master's program in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology.

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About me

I am a graduate of NC State University with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology and a minor in Nonprofit Studies.

I am currently a Master's Student at NC State studying Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Part of my thesis will focus on how state action plans and policies look at and incorporate climate change and land use change. I am highly interested in habitat use, movement ecology and behavior, and hope to study these during my Master's and, later, my PhD.

I am currently working on my North Carolina Environmental Education Certification.

My skills include: Radio telemetry, Camera Trap Installation and Calibration, Animal Handling, Data Entry and Management, Animal Husbandry, Animal Behavior, Wildlife Rehabilitation, Raptor Handling, Project Planning, Fundraising, Public Speaking, Time Management and Organization

Classes I'm Currently Taking

-Conservation Biology
-Quantitative Methods in Education
-Wildlife Seminar
-Resource Selection Functions

Current Projects

-Evaluating Efficacy of Conservation Planning in the Southeast
-Evaluating the Household Dynamics of Wildlife Value Orientations

Honors, Awards, and Certifications

-Bachelor of Science in Zoology, 2015
-Minor in Nonprofit Studies
-Dean's List, Spring 2012, Fall 2013
-Roots and Shoots Founders' Award, $100, 2012-2013
-Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification, March 2013
-Visionary Leader Certificate, Spring 2012

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