The Best Way To Save Money at ALDI, According to a Lifelong ALDI Shopper

I often run late. Sometimes, it’s my fault—I’ve misjudged traffic or tried to send one last email before I run out the door. Sometimes, it’s the fault of other household members, including the dog.

I’ve learned, though, that if I want to get in on some of the best bargains at ALDI, I have to get there early.

After shopping at ALDI my entire life and even writing a book of ALDI recipes, I’ve gotten to know the clerks at my favorite stores. One clerk let me in on a secret: ALDI has to sell all of its meats, fish, and seafood the day before its sell-by date.

Each night, someone marks down everything nearing its sell-by date, meaning the best bargains are available the next morning. To move the most perishable products out of the store, the meats and fish are marked up to 50 percent off.

How Shopping Early at ALDI Pays Off

Most ALDI stores open around 9 a.m. I try to get there right when the doors open, but I’ve found bargains as late as 10:30 a.m.

I initially discovered an item marked 50 percent off later in the day because I used to shop in the late afternoon, right after dropping my kiddo off at gymnastics. In passing, a clerk said, “Oh, usually, they’re gone by now.” That’s when she explained how they mark down their products.

Since learning that, I’ve bought whole organic chickens for $4, more than three pounds of ground beef for $5, and lots of chicken breasts and chicken thighs for $3 to $4.  I’ve also found fresh tilapia for $4 and ground lamb for $3. 

This is a huge money-saver for me—with a growing, athletic teen boy, my household goes through a lot of protein. 

I usually buy two or three packages of marked-down meat at a time. I try to leave some for other shoppers unless only one or two packages remain. If I’m not using all of the meat or fish for dinner, I toss the entire package into my basement freezer. That way, it stays fresh until I need it for a meal.

ALDI also marks down bread and baked goods 50 percent off or $1 to $2 off when they near their sell-by dates. I’ll buy extras and then toss them in the freezer, too. I have learned from ALDI staff that if there’s a $1-off and $2-off sticker on the same product, it’s $3 off.

You can get even better deals shopping after holidays when turkeys and hams are marked down, especially if the store over-anticipated the demand. That’s how I got an entire turkey for $16 and a giant ham for $10. My family didn’t mind celebrating an extra Thanksgiving in February or Easter in May.