On a budget - Aldi or Lidl?

[gchalix]

Money is tight this month and I don't have much to spend until I get paid next Friday. I have around £60 to spend on food until then.

I've come up with a meal plan for the week but need to go shopping today. I usually shop at Asda but it can turn out to be expensive doing a full shop there.

I have shopped at Aldi occasionally but I am now considering Lidl too as there is one near me also.

Where should I shop? I really want to feel like I'm getting a good amount for my money!

I find Aldi and Lidl prices much the same. In my opinion Aldi has more choice for general stuff but Lidl often has quirkier products that I like.

Depends what you plan on buying and each week will be slightly differnt prices in each? I often end up buying things from different shops, as they each have different sales on. I once compared the exact shop between asda and lidl and came out within 60p of each other! The basic range for frozen veg and the fresh fruit/veg specials in asda/tesco can be quite good.

Do you have any markets or stalls near you. I get lots of veg for £1 a bowl from local markets, but only the things that arent cheaper in the supermarkets.

@Finfintytint Thanks for replying! Do you find the fresh produce lasts longer from Lidl? When I've shopped at Aldi I've found that fruit & veg doesn't really last long at all

I think they're much of a muchness for basics but I always spend less in Aldi.

However, I think this is down to having much better access to Aldis and Lidl being a bit of a trek so when I go there I always go a bit mad for their posh ranges and come out with loads of deli meats and cheeses, the £6 fish roast, nuts, unusual gin and fresh bakery items.

If you're disciplined and stuck to your list, you'd be able to get everything for about the same price in either, providing that it's all in stock.

We found specific things were better in each so alternate and stock up. Mostly prefer Aldi but Lidl tempt me back with their excellent fake mini magnums

I think both stores stock short shelf life fruit and veg. I’ve certainly taken veg back to both stores. I think the over packaging doesn’t help. Market stalls are the best if you have one available.

I don't find Aldi or Lidl much cheaper than Asda if you stick to Asda home brand.

When I've shopped at Aldi I've found that fruit & veg doesn't really last long at all

People keep saying this and I've never found it to be the case, and I've been a regular Aldi shopper for about 25 years.

Both the same pricing imo, but Aldi wins on quality.

I always do our weekly shop in Aldi and used to find you have much more choice of food compared to Lidl. BUT our Lidl has really upped its game recently and has a fresh bakery, loads more veg and fruit on offer, branded items such as Heinz which Aldi doesn't offer so now I do most of my shop in Aldi but top it up with Lidl things like fresh bread etc.

Also, the only thing I find that doesn't last long from Aldi are the strawberries. You either have to eat them that day or the next before they go off. Otherwise, I have never had any problems with their veg and fruit.

I always spend less in Aldi. However food bill is going up past levels I'm accustomed too I've noticed, even in Aldi.

@gamerchick Yep, I have noticed this too!

£60 is plenty. Get frozen and vegetarian from Lidl; also basics like pasta and sauces. Lidl’s own brand of cheese is also good for cooking. Their pesto is a multipurpose sauce that can be used to make sandwiches (meat pastes), pasta (just mix) or soups/curries.
Their meat and fish range can see you through 2/3 days; use vegetarian recipes for the rest.
Their bakery is amazing for getting great bread at a very reasonable price. That bread with soups will go very well when thunderstorms hit us soon. Good luck!

I buy all tins, frozen food, jars and condiments (curry pasta sauces etc), fresh stuff in Aldi's, bakery goods, buy fresh meat there if you want , toilet rolls from
Also. They do cheap toiletries but a bit hit and miss on quality in those. . They do good cheap ready meals (89p for frozen curry meal and large family lasagne in fresh section for £2.89- we eat with garlic bread/or salad.

Lidl food is quirky

The pasta and pasta sauces , biscuits, snacks etc are cheapest in Aldi's . Don't buy crisps there they have no flavour

Go to Asda's for your fresh fruit and veg, (neither Lidl's nor Aldi's last long past a few days) and crisps
Also Asda for your plain frozen meat packs such as £3 cook from frozen 600g chicken & other meat packs

I buy toiletries or I can from homebargains- cheapest and best quality as branded but can behalf the price

I have always found Lidl better personally (Aldi is a 5 min drive vs 15 mins to Lidl, but it's worth it IMHO), but maybe switch some common fruits (berries) and veg (cauliflower, broccoli, beans, whatever your choice) to frozen to make them last.

The Lidl brand Batts Mayo and ketchup are superior to other supermarket brands. Their eggs are always good, and value for money. Kitchen towel is not quite as good as Plenty but given it is less than half the price it works out as far superior. Some of their cereals are as good as the leading brands. The cheese selection and quality is great: Wyke Farms cheddar is lovely.

Things like rice and pasta are much of a muchness so the cheap stuff is fine.

Incidentally, what is on your shopping list?

*aldis not also

Don't buy crisps there they have no flavour

Agreed. Apart from their knock off Pop Chips, which are the closest to actual Pop Chips of all the supermarket own brands. (DP loves those so I've tried them all.)

What about iceland. I find that good value with plenty of choice

Depends what you usually eat. We shop at Aldi for our big weekly shop due to the value for money compared to Asda etc.

But there might be certain bits and pieces you want which are cheaper in Farm Foods, Heron Foods etc.

I find both good, for different things. I find the meat better quality in Aldi, but someone on Mumsnet put me on to Lidl's blueberry muffins and now I'm addicted.

Never shopped routinely at Asda as I've never lived near one, but I now do 95% of my shopping at Aldi and Lidl as I actually find I prefer most of their produce even though I am not on a tight budget. I can't say that I've noticed that the fresh produce doesn't last as long as the stuff I get from Tesco or Waitrose.

The only downside for these shops is the lack of multiple choices of items, which for dithering me is actually a benefit.

I find them so similar I often don't know which one I happen to be shopping in. There is one I go to in Croydon that I couldn't tell you if it's Aldi or Lidl even though I have been there loads.

Go to whichever one is bigger. I have a Lidl near me that is small and like shopping a Co op or Tesco Express so it's no good for a 'big' shop.

Hey
Just in case its of any help, Lidl have just released an App and there's £5 off a £25 spend at the moment. There's also some coupons on it for up to 15/20% off things like frozen pizza, cheese etc :)

I personally prefer Aldi ,I'm lucky that I live on the edge of a large town centre so plenty of supermarkets to choose from and also a decent market, it's much of a muchness but I find Aldi better laid out, I do like the bakery stuff though from Lidl .

Aldi has better range and Lidl has some branded items.