Aldi or Lidl?

[lilibet]

We have both near here and I need to save some money over the next few months, so I'm trying them both

what do you recommend and what do you really avoid like the plague?

And are they really that much cheaper when you take into account two for ones and things like that?

When I go to Lidl I take 2 of those 50-75p proper shopping bags from Sainsbos, plus 2 bottle-carrier-bags from Sainsbos (I think they give them out now in place of cardboard carriers) which hold loads of tins and bottles, plus 2 huge Lakeland shopping bags, and that is plenty.

Lidl carriers have no gusset () and supermarket ones are weedy.

We have an Aldi here and regularly buy frozen cooked prawns, parmesan, honey in a squeezy container, washing powder, fabric conditioner, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, antibacterial spray, microfibre cloths, anti-pasti, tear and share brioche, flapjacks (though they have nasty fats in so try to avoid), the little chocolate stick things, pizza occasionally and DH has had their ready made lasagne and said it was as good as mine . We live very close to Aldi so often pop in for essentials, milk, yoghurt, milk, bacon, eggs, all very good but not keen on their own brand of bread and the wine can be a bit hit or miss but is very cheap, going to try the Sancerre next itme.

Oh and fruit and veg can be a bit hit or miss, spring onions and apples usually seem to be OK but bananas are often very bruised, definately need to have a good look at the stuff before you put it in the trolley.

From Lidl we buy:

Nappies
Dishwasher tablets
Apple juice
Washing powder
Washing up liquid
Pizzas (mozzarella ones are ace)
Frozen fish
Tinned tuna
Tinned tomatoes
Fig rolls
Wine (Pinot isn't bad)

I shall go this weekend and report back

I haven't been to either. To be fair I don't know where there is a Lidl and the Aldi isn't comvenient. But the reason I haven't been is fear. I have no idea what to expect inside.
I will face my fear and visit one next week when I get over this flippin virus

I went to Lidl for the first time yesterday. Remember to take plastic bags unless you want to pay for them.

Their fruit juice is good and very cheap. The packaged stuff like pizzas, biscuits and sweets looked nice. The deli sausages like bratwurst etc. were delicious. I didn't buy any of the other meat so I can't really comment on that!

I would also be ready to queue - they only had 2 checkouts open yesterday.

Lidl do an absolutely gorgeous Italian fizzy white wine in a blue bottle with string round the cork. Also, Lidl marmalade is chunky and yummy. Ciabatta ready to bake bread is wonderful and cheaper than Morrisons even. And I always buy my diet pepsi there too, way cheaper than any supermarket.

Aldi, think their yoghurts are fab.