A whole foods diet on an ALDI budget: How to save on real foods!

Saving money on whole foods diet aldi does not need to be complicated. Here is a clear, no nonsense rundown of what works and how to make the most of it.

Key Takeaways

• Follow the 80/20 rule to save on real food You guys know this one?
• Most of my shopping trips now look something like yesterday's ALDI visit (pictured above).
• Could I make my own, less processed hamburger buns?
• Does that fit into my life at the moment?

Where the Real Savings Hide

Those of you who have been near for a few years know that my shopping and cooking and eating patterns have changed dramatically since Mashup Mom first launched back in 2009. The 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto principle) basically states that, in numerous cases, about 80% of the effects (or outputs, or value) come from 20% of the causes (or inputs, or activities).

• You'll see the 80/20 rule pop up in articles on everything from time management to entrepreneurship to happiness to productivity, but here it works as a reasonable rule of thumb for shopping and eating well.
• Worth noting: here's my own 80/20 rule of thumb: Focus on eating and purchasing whole, unprocessed foods 80% of the time -- but the other 20% of the time, realize that life happens and that all of us are busy (and have our little vices).
• More importantly, could I make my own applesauce?

A Closer Look at Whole Foods Diet Aldi

Of course I could -- I have, and I will again -- but this week the unsweetened cups fit conveniently into my schedule, and I'm OK with that. So... in my own 80/20 interpretation of balancing out nourishing/healthy foods vs. convenient/less nutrient-dense foods: I'm not eating desserts or granola bars or sugary yogurt, but I am snacking on tortilla chips and salsa.

• I'm not eating McDonald's or Taco Bell, but I'm occasionally eating Chipotle.
• Remember that i'm not eating donuts, but may sometimes enjoy a homemade sandwich on an ALDI hamburger bun.
• Save on real foods when you shop near Shop near -- again, in all senses of the term. 😉 Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store for the majority (say...

What to Know About Whole Foods Diet Aldi

80%?) of your purchases, but also branch out into different stores for different purposes. But, there's a reason that we're almost all ALDI near here, rather than "all ALDI, all the time." If you're in the Chicago area like me, we genuinely have an embarrassment of riches to pick from in terms of grocery stores.

• As a rule, and if you're a reformed couponer like me, you can take the skills you honed over years of cherry-picking coupon deals and turn them towards cherry-picking reduce-case-w whole foods for your family.
• I do shop at ALDI each week, but I also shop at Caputo's and Pete's Market for a bigger variety of affordable fresh produce, I stop at Jewel occasionally for their meat and dairy deals, and I hit Costco each 4-6 weeks.
• I mix it up each week depending on what's in season, what's discounted, what stores I happen to be driving by on my various errands, and what products we require.

How Whole Foods Diet Aldi Really Works

Just as with couponing, you'll save the most on real foods when you're willing to spread your shopping trips out beyond just one store. In short, savings are fungible It's true: Not only are there fewer food coupons in circulation than coupons for non-food items, the proportion of coupons for "real foods" is vanishingly small.

• That being said, you can still save on produce, meat, and more with coupons plus cash back apps -- I frequently get cash back on produce and more.
• Keep an eye out for coupons in grocery store flyers and for tearpads and peelies on real food products.
• Money is fungible Not only that, money is fungible -- meaning that the savings you realize in one area can be applied to another area of your budget.

Getting the Most From Whole Foods Diet Aldi

Worth noting: so, if you coupon and save the heck out of aspects like toilet paper, deodorant, and cat food, you can shift some of the funds you otherwise would have spent on those products over to bulk up your food budget. Speaking of shopping near, let's talk organic Going back to this week's random ALDI trip: The spinach and tomatoes I picked up are organic, while the avocados, oranges, and grapes are not.

• While I'll pick organic produce over conventional when the organic variety is affordable (or sometimes for quality purposes on foods like strawberries), it's much more key to me to keep a colorful variety of produce on hand for myself and the kids.
• I've been reading some interesting articles on the methodology of the sought after "dirty dozen" list, and plan to hit the farmer's market more frequently this summer and work on eating more locally grown and in season produce rather than focusing solely on organic vs. conventional.
• More importantly, if you can't afford to eat organic produce all the time, it's much more key to eat a nice variety of produce.

Tips That Make a Difference

Try to focus on variety, planning your meals near fruits and veggies that are affordable and discounted or in season, and feeding your family real foods, and you're... 80% of the method there. 😉 But what about meat and dairy?

• That's a harder one, as I watch our backyard chickens and read and think more about how animals are raised and treated.
• Remember that we do have our farm fresh eggs now 🙂 -- and I've been eating more wild-caught seafood and beginning small by going meatless a couple of nights a week.
• Which, by the method, also fits well into healthier eating on a budget -- since meals tend to get much more affordable once you remove the meat piece from the equation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Note: The backyard chickens are no more -- plenty of aspects have changed since 2017 when this post was initially published! Eat at home It's no secret that I like to cook, although it was actually a pretty well-kept secret to me until a few years ago!

• As a rule, i at no point learned how growing up, and at no point realized how much I genuinely do enjoy it.
• I am, though, inherently lazy (and busy), and also love it when someone else cooks for me.
• So when I sat down a while back and looked at what we were genuinely spending on takeout and convenience foods, I was a little appalled.

Is Whole Foods Diet Aldi Worth It?

What are your best pointers for saving on whole foods? In short, i'd love to hear your concepts how how to save on whole foods as well!

And if you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends on Facebook -- I'd love to hear more viewpoints on this ongoing conversation. 🙂 ...

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on whole foods diet aldi?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. The 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto principle) basically states that, in numerous cases, about 80% of the effects (or outputs, or value) come from 20% of the causes (or inputs, or activities).

Is it worth shopping around for whole foods diet aldi?

Usually yes. You'll see the 80/20 rule pop up in articles on everything from time management to entrepreneurship to happiness to productivity, but here it works as a reasonable rule of thumb for shopping and eating well.

Smart Ways to Save More on Whole Foods Diet Aldi

• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
• Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.

Final Thoughts

Put these ideas to work and whole foods diet aldi gets a lot less expensive. Bookmark this page, check back for fresh deals, and let the savings do the talking.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.