I Used to Be a Snob But Now I Shop At Aldi

Aldi is not somewhere I would ever have shopped. I remember when I was on maternity leave, my Mum came over from Ireland for 9 weeks, starting from when Aaron was a fortnight old. We used to go for walks everyday. One day we passed a brand new Lidl, and my Mum asked if we could go in for a nosey. Not only would I not shop there I wouldn't even be persuaded to go in for a look around, even when we had bucket loads of time on our hands!

I went to an Ice Bar event with Aldi, at which they got me HOOKED on their Ballycastle (Baileys lookie likie which has won several industry awards). I didn't have an Aldi in the area so until last year I didn't personally go and buy it. 

Roll forward and when I became a SAHM I did start to shop at Lidl.

Fast forward again, and last year, Aldi sent me a nappy changing bag and a ten pounds voucher. I reviewed the bag, as below:

We found our nearby Aldi so that we could use the voucher and to cut a long story short we've shopped there every week since.

Along comes the #AldiChallenge and now I also want to shout about how much you/we have saved. This was the shop we did Saturday 31st January:

The last 3 times I have been in, I have walked around with free abandon and chucked in the trolley each and EVERY thing I wanted, and each time it has come to sixty something pounds, no matter what I do. There's always something extra in there. A couple of weeks ago it was a Sugar Free cookbook and two toys for Aaron. As you can see above, I got a box of bottles of World Beers at 3.99 for my birthday, yet that shop above still only came to 67 pounds. That lasts us over a week and always includes smoked salmon, and several other "meats".

Instead of putting the shopping away, I spread it all out for this photo, but I think I'd already put the toilet roll away - a nine pack in the downstairs loo and same for upstairs.

I think 67 pounds for all that is incredibly good value, and the ONLY top up shops I do mid week are bread and milk, and I stop myself at those (lately). I've become very strict with myself.

I no longer miss brands. I like Aldi's ketchup and I like their beans. There are a couple of things they haven't got quite right. Their copy of Warburtons Thins are crumbly with no elasticity like the real thing. Aaron hates their imitation Actimel, but I literally cannot fault them on anything else!

Their Lasagne in the chilled section is exceptional, but I forgot to buy one this week. I started getting their cuppa soups a fortnight ago. Only 45pence for a box which contains 4 sachets. They are so good I bought 3 different types this week and we're only on Thursday and I don't have that many left!

I know when people are cutting back they don't buy Pesto, but Aldi is so affordable I bought the green and red ones, as you see in the pic.

There are certain things I buy each and every week, but most weeks there's a few bits left over the next time we shop, so they don't need replacing. Sometimes we leave 10 days between a shop as at the point when a week has passed we often have a few bits left.

I love that I can pick up some nice bits within budget, which in the big 4 Supermarkets would most certainly put me well over. Things like this:

If you are yet to try Aldi, one of the things they're really popular for is there Special Buys Aisle. It's easy to plan, as they always have a magazine in the foyer which shows you forthcoming promotions. The Cycling event was super. The kitchen event was great. The Mother and Baby event had loads of bargains, back when I was sent the Nappy Changing Bag above.

Aldi have sent me some Valentine's Day bits. The range went instore on 1st February but I was rather busy that day (*birthday* coughs!). Fret yet not, as although I have taken too long to tell you about it, some of the stock will be in for a fortnight BUT, with the Special Buy Aisle, when it's gone, it's gone!

So, for Valentine's I have been sent

• A card, which is way nicer than it looks online - we have the black and white one from what you see here.
• A bottle bag covered in roses; they're only 79pence!!!
• Batman Lounge Pants for Daddy (eeeek, he doesn't do loud, but they'll find a perfect home with my nephew). I've tried to explain to Daddy that men DO wear things like that, as I have seen them when they put the bins out LOL, but he is convinced that they are so bright that they'll keep him awake at night ;-)
• Homer Simpson shorts and t shirt PJs, which are perfect because (1) Daddy gets hot at night and (2) he's a huge Simpsons fan - who isn't?!?!?!?

If you're buying your lover roses for Valentine's I have just been through Aldi's website looking to see what Special Buys are coming, and on Wednesday 11th February they've a wonderful selection of roses, which are way more affordable than elsewhere!

Anyway, I love our shops to Aldi, and it's made me so much more focused in my shopping, my meal planning and my cooking. I now buy food for meals, rather than wandering round a superstore buying what's on offer, so we no longer have any food waste! Gone are the days of me buying superfluous stuff. The store is so small, that I stay determined and easily navigate what I need. It's not boring as every week I fling something extra in (like the World Beers mentioned earlier) and it never puts me over budget. Even when Aaron comes in with me, and flings some bits in the trolley (I never let him do that more than 3 times in one shop) we still don't go over.

Fish cakes, their Nasai Goreng (it's like special fried rice and is in the chilled cabinet), their smoked salmon, etc... etc... they are several things I buy every shop without fail!

Where do you shop? Have you done the Aldi challenge?

I have not been compensated for this post and all opinions expressed are my own. I have however been sent a few Valentine's samples, as clearly outlined above.

Liska xxxx

What Would Be Your 3 Wishes for Your Kitchen? Sort Them on The Cheap

If you were a Genie in a Lamp, and you stood in my kitchen and asked me what my 3 wishes were I would straight away say

1. My toaster! Mine gave up the ghost a few months ago, so get me a new one, BUT, it would HAVE to be a 4 slice! Also, it'd have to be RED! Mine starting short circuiting the whole of downstairs so I stopped using it. How have I survived when we eat toast every morning? I use the grill, and I love the warmth that it chucks out, to just out of bed chilly me, so it's been a cloud with a silver lining. But, with Summer on the way, standing by a warm oven won't be so much of an early morning thrill ;-)
2. My kettle! Mine leaks if left full, or even half full, so I have got into this habit of making the right amount, and if not, always emptying it after every use, but usually using it for herbal tea, or  to soak a saucepan, or roasting tray etc.
3. I don't know what wish three would be... it'd probably be a biggie! Like granite worktops, as we have the laminated ones.

So imagine my joy when I hear from Aldi, that the special buys this week (instore from today Sunday 11th January) include 2 of my wishes. 

I am drooling over them as I type this.

It looks like a classy toaster yet is only 19.99 GBP, which I appreciate given that my dodgy one was 40 pounds! And the kettle is only 17.99 GBP.

My last two kettles have been the sort that you lift from above, so it'll be nice to go back to a jug style one that has less of a footprint on my precious counter worktop space, which although I have lots of it, gets quickly cluttered no matter what I am doing. I should be clearing it now, but am writing this instead ha h! But I HAVE tidied the sitting room AND all of Aaron's toys and his school uniform is 95% dry, so cut me some slack eh?!?!? ;-)

The world and his wife always start juicing every New Year. I already have a great one, and have my carrots, apples, pineapple, ginger etc in, but have yet to kick the New Year off. Best do so quick whilst they're okay!

The best thing to do if you are thinking of starting a juicing habit is to start off with a cheapie, and then, in 6 months to a year, if it has become part of your routine, scale up to an expensive one. If you are not so frequent a juicer you can stick with a starter model and Aldi this week has just the ticket. 

***

Look at this one pictured. It's 54.97 even on Amazon and yet Aldi is selling it for ONLY 39.99 - Aldi Russell Hobbs Juice Extractor. 

***

I am tired so am off to bed. Will snooze and dream about my new toaster and kettle as they will probably arrive tomorrow, as I am reviewing them. I know! Lucky me! There REALLY was a real genie with a lamp, and he's called Aldi, (or their PR department) he he! 

Night night

Liska xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Affordable Cycling Wear for the School Run #SchoolPedal

It's no secret if you follow me on Twitter that we cycle to and from school. We've been so blessed since he started on 3rd September that it's been clear and sunny every day. I have been able to cycle to and from school in just a t-shirt, even at 08:30 in the morning when it's not that warm yet. Yes I am warmer on the way back at 09:10 than I am at 08:30, but it's far from cold. The brisk cycle there certainly wakes you up if the coffee's not done it's job.

Today, for the first time I looked a bit LIKE a cyclist. Thanks to a press sample from Aldi. What do you think?

This is an Ultra Bright Cycling Shirt and is a penny short of only 10 pounds!

Every Sunday and Thursday special buys arrive in Aldi's stores. This Thursday the special buys aisle of the store will be dedicated to cycling.

I was thrilled to receive samples, and will be showing them all to you in this post. The above is the only one I have modelled thus far, so watch this space :-)

Just 3 weeks of cycling intensively and my silhouette is starting to change already, although you can see "wings" or a muffin top in the picture on the left above. Well it is a rather unforgiving skin tight top, but that just spurs me on to now watch what I eat. Yesterday I ate a quarter of a large pack of Rich Tea biscuits - naughty me, all that needs to STOP.

Until I finish this post, and model everything I have been sent, for now, have a looksie at the range on the Aldi Cycling Special Buys page.

Aha, I have now recorded what I was sent AND what I bought when the stock went live in store 25th September:


By the way, Aaron is in high top canvas "trainers" above as he reckons he can't cycle in his school shoes. I am learning FAST that cycling is ALL about the correct attire. One week into cycling we had to get a bike lock, that was long enough to thread through both of our bikes. Overall we are still UP on the cost of bus fares so we are in profit in a cost benefit analysis :-) and it's VERY good for my waist line. Cycling WAS aggravating my plantar fasciitis but my Podiatrist gave me advice on that - before and after cycling I have to STRETCH and I have to wear heels (wedges) when I am not cycling.

Okay, so today's (Wednesday 24th) #SchoolPedal was cancelled - first time we haven't cycled. Daddy gave us a lift in the car, and we collected Aaron by car last night too :-) Don't worry, I will be back on my bike tomorrow morning. 

I did do some modelling of some more Aldi bike wear for you in my garden. I even got the bike out and Daddy was my photographer. What do you think? 

By the way that is not my bottom, that is me showing you the pouches and zipped section at the back of the jacket. I think they're very handy! There are 3 open back pockkets and 1 zipped!

It's called a Winter Cycling Jacket - linked to there so you can check it out. All of this affordable cycling range hits Aldi tomorrow!

It's

• water resistant
• wind resistant and
• breathable

and might I add, very snug and comfortable!

Get Yourself Off To Aldi for the Baby and Toddler Event BARGAINS - Be a Frugal Thrifty Mum

I went to Aldi yesterday for the first day of the Baby and Toddler Special Buys event. It started 18th September and will be in store until the new CYCLING event starts on 25th. As with all Special Buys "when they're gone they're gone!"

What took me there was I was sent the Baby Changing Bag to review, which is rather scrumptious and only 14.99 GBP. Here is my extensive HONEST review of it:

I was amazed by the Baby and Toddler Event bargains I saw in the Special Buys aisle. I took a photo of the things that really struck me:

Above you'll see the colour me playhouse which I VERY nearly bought but decided to be frugal instead.

I thought the sport buggy and high chair were right bargains especially given that they are known brands!

I took a pic (bottom right above you'll see linen AND duvets there) of the bedding as we are just about to decorate Aaron's bedroom, and have received delivery of his bunkbed, just waiting to get it built! With the same thing in mind, as he'll no doubt sleep on the bottom bunk at first I was also eyeing up the Lindam Safety Toddler Bed Rail (bottom left above which comes in blue and pink).

If you are a New Mum, or pregnant, I would get yourself off to your local Aldi, to the Special Buys aisle, because as always "when they're gone they're gone". They have to be gone in time for the Cycling event on 25th September which I am also reviewing, due to Aaron and I doing the #SchoolPedal every day (6 miles a day for me and 3 for him, or on football days 7 for him and 10 for me)!

While I was there I did some food shopping and everything was extremely affordable.

Disclosure: I was given a voucher to spend instore and the Changing Bag to review, for the purposes of letting you know about this SUPER Baby and Toddler Event!

I will be uploading my You Tube video of the Changing Bag very soon!

What Do Me, Cocktails, The London Ice Bar, and Ski Wear Have in Common?

We were all in the same place today, Monday 2nd December, from 15:30 to 17:00.

I synchronised my watch with my Sister-in-Law's and dropped Aaron off with her, and my 2 nieces (well 1 as the other was yet to be collected from school but you get my snow drift), as I headed off to that West End, for an afternoon of cocktails and ski wear.  The fact that I have never been skiing was not going to keep me at home.  No Siree.

I never dreamed that Aldi (who are considered budget) and skiing (which is considered a pastime of the upper / middle classes) would have anything in common.  But, that is where you are wrong, or I, at least, am very wrong!

Ski wear is no longer something that has to cost hundreds of pounds, or it still is, unless you get yourself to Aldi this Thursday.  The range will hit stores on 5th December, but it will be on Specialbuy which means when it's gone, it's gone!  Don't come crying to me if you miss out.

Aldi's press release says:

With a range of quality gear starting from just £1.99, kitting out a family of four could cost less than £155 - representing a saving of 61% (around £245) on similar high street brands.

I got to see a big portion of the range today and took away a few samples.  They even wanted us to be able to recommend it, having put it through its paces, so we adorned Salopettes (£16.99) and Ski Jackets (£19.99) and wore them into the London Ice Bar which fluctuates between -5 and -7 degrees.  A session in there lasts 40 minutes and we weren't active at all, so we did get to feel the cold, or sorry, be surrounded in it - we were warm, the ski wear stood up to the test.  A few minutes in, I had to put my hood up, but I was nice and toasty.  The UK is threatened to go into minuses from this Friday onwards, so it seems Thursday is your perfect time to head for an Aldi near you and get suitably attired for the cold snap about to hit us.  You don't need to go skiing to dress up warm though.  There are fabulous CHILDREN'S and ADULT'S thermals in the range, which I think could see you through from this weekend to March, in the UK, or whenever it will be when it decides to get warm in 2014.  In 2013 it was late June (never known Spring to be cancelled before but it certainly was this year)!  I took away a fab pair of snow boots for Aaron today, which retail at an incredibly reasonable £8.99.

As the photo shows I also discovered an affordable Irish Cream - yum!

I will tell you more about the range in a post that I will write for The Family Panel, as Claire kindly introduced me to Aldi, which meant that I was able to go along today.

Night night,

AND HERE IS THE GUEST POST THAT I WROTE FOR FAMILY PANEL: Aldi's Affordable Ski Range.

Liska xxx