Worked Examples
Theory is one thing; practice is another. Let’s translate these principles into a concrete example. Can we actually build a week’s worth of meals for two people from a $50 shopping trip at Aldi? And how do the savings from store brands really stack up on a per-meal basis? Here are two worked examples to show the math in action.
The $50 Aldi Weekly Basket for Two
Walking into Aldi with a crisp $50 bill, our mission was to buy a week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for two adults. The focus was on whole foods and versatile ingredients. Our cart started with proteins: a dozen large eggs (approx. $2.00), a 2-pound package of chicken thighs (approx. $6.00), a 1-pound bag of dry black beans (approx. $1.50), and a block of sharp cheddar cheese (approx. $2.00). Next came carbohydrates and grains: a 5-pound bag of Russet potatoes (approx. $4.00), a 2-pound bag of long-grain white rice (approx. $2.00), a loaf of whole wheat bread (approx. $1.50), and a box of old-fashioned oats (approx. $3.00). For produce, we focused on hardy, low-cost vegetables and fruits: a 3-pound bag of yellow onions (approx. $2.50), a head of garlic (approx. $0.80), a 2-pound bag of carrots (approx. $1.80), a large bag of fresh spinach (approx. $2.50), and a 2-pound bunch of bananas (approx. $1.20). Finally, we added dairy and pantry items: a gallon of milk (approx. $3.50), a large container of plain non-fat yogurt (approx. $2.50), a jar of marinara sauce (approx. $1.50), and a large can of diced tomatoes (approx. $1.00). Our total came to just under $49, leaving a small buffer.
From this single shopping trip, a flexible aldi meal plan for two emerges. Dinners could include roasted chicken thighs with carrots and potatoes one night. Another night could be a large pot of black bean soup, using the onions, garlic, and diced tomatoes, served with a bit of cheese. A third dinner could be a simple pasta dish using the marinara, bulked up with sauteed spinach and onions. Breakfasts are covered with oatmeal, eggs and toast, or yogurt with sliced bananas. Lunches are designed around leftovers from dinner, or a simple potato and egg hash. This isn’t gourmet dining, but it is a week of solid, home-cooked meals built from a very modest budget.
Is It Cheaper to Cook This? A Cost Breakdown
Let’s take a common weeknight meal: chicken tacos. A household shopping without a strict budget might grab familiar national brands at a conventional supermarket. That could look like: a pound of name-brand chicken breast ($7.00), a name-brand taco seasoning packet ($1.79), a package of 10 name-brand flour tortillas ($3.50), a bag of pre-shredded name-brand cheese ($4.50), and a jar of name-brand salsa ($4.00). The total for these core components is $20.79.
Now, let’s build the same meal using Aldi’s private label products. A pound of Aldi chicken thighs, which are more flavorful and cheaper than breasts, might cost $3.00. Aldi’s store-brand taco seasoning is around $0.59. A package of their flour tortillas is about $1.99. A block of their cheddar cheese, which you shred yourself to avoid anti-caking agents and save money, is about $2.00. A jar of their salsa is around $2.50. The total for the Aldi version is $10.08. That’s a savings of more than 50% on a single meal, just by switching stores and opting for the private label brand. Over the course of a year, these small decisions add up to hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in savings.
