"An economist is a man who states the obvious in terms of the incomprehensible." - Alfred A. Knopf

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing


Join Now or Login



Food / Groceries

Swapping Kroger For Aldi Foods: How They Compare

By Leave a Comment

Aldi foods comparison

Aldi is continuing to pop up in new locations around the United States and it has many people wondering about Aldi foods and how much they stand to save by shopping there. I’ve personally made the switch from Kroger-owned Harris Teeter to Aldi in recent months and am loving the savings. Is swapping out your grocer for Aldi the right move for you?

How Much Should You Be Spending on Groceries?

Many people look to their grocery bill when they need to start trimming their budget. It is one of the easiest expenses to control, especially if you are willing to shop around. You can collect the local flyers and compare sales prices across the board or look prices up online to determine where you can get the best deals.

However, there are some items that cost pretty much the same everywhere you go. So, how much should you be spending on groceries each month?

USDA Monthly Grocery Budget Guidelines

Each year the United States Department of Agriculture releases information about the cost of produce and other food items. According to the USDA, the figures below outline the average cost to feed yourself or your family.

Family Size  Thrifty Food Plan Low-Cost Plan Moderate-Cost Plan Liberal Plan
1 (Low) $197 $248 $359 $442
1 (High) $207 $287 $306 $391
2 (Low) $384 $491 $609 $763
2 (High) $384 $491 $609 $763
3 (Low) $465 $600 $731 $911
3 (High) $547 $721 $903 $1098
4 (Low) $546 $703 $854 $1061
4 (High) $693 $928 $1166 $1398
5 (Low) $621 $797 $972 $1204
5 (High) $817 $1107 $1390 $1660
6 (Low) $751 $979 $1190 $1463
6 (High) $964 $1302 $1644 $1955
7 (Low) $851 $1112 $1368 $1666
7 (High) $1053 $1419 $1797 $2132
8 (Low) $991 $1298 $1608 $1946
8 (High) $1176 $1591 $2004 $2378
9 (Low) $1141 $1481 $1830 $2218
9 (High) $1274 $1714 $2156 $2563
10 (Low) $1289 $1665 $2051 $2491
10 (High) $1508 $2023 $2538 $3022
11 (Low) $1436 $1849 $2273 $2765
11 (High) $1451 $1945 $2426 $2894

Kroger vs. Aldi Foods

Some individuals have completely swapped out their traditional grocer for Aldi. This has helped them better control their grocery budgets and, in the long-run, it helps them save money. How do Aldi foods compare to, say, Kroger?

Pros and Cons of Aldi

One of the biggest pros of shopping at Aldi is the prices. Because of the way the store is set up, you’re able to increase your savings.

There are some cons to getting those savings, however. If you are a “brand snob,” you won’t always be able to find name brand items at Aldi. Even if you do, they may not be there the next week. Some products are rotated within the store’s inventory. The store may not always have what you’re looking for either, especially if it is a unique food product.

Another thing to note is Aldi’s produce does not keep that long in the fridge and sometimes doesn’t seem to be that fresh. You may want to continue picking up items like lettuce or fresh greens elsewhere.

Also, keep in mind, Aldi does require you to insert a quarter into the shopping cart to use one. You’ll also need to purchase bags or bring your own. In some cases, the store may have extra boxes they are willing to give you to store your food for the ride home as well.

Pros and Cons of Kroger

Kroger-owned grocery stores are a bit more expensive than Aldi on most things. Unless you’re able to cash in on a specific sale or stack coupons, you can get almost everything cheaper at Aldi.

Personally, Kroger offers up a better shopping experience. Lines at Aldi can be a bit long and it is difficult to find someone to help you if you need it. That isn’t the case at Kroger. You’ll also be able to find everything you need in one store shopping at Kroger. Whereas, as mentioned above, Aldi may not have some specialty items.

Non-food items are cheaper at Aldi than Kroger but, in most cases, you’ll be able to get these items cheaper at a store that isn’t only selling groceries. More often than not, you’ll get a better deal on items like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and other non-food items at Walmart or Costco.

Are the Savings Worth It?

For many people, shopping at Aldi has been able to save them up to 50% on their grocery bill each month. When you consider those savings, swapping out Kroger (or your current grocer) for Aldi foods seems like a no-brainer.

Many people may try to argue that Kroger-owned stores offer up rewards and better promotions than Aldi. Keep in mind, most rewards programs are designed to get you to spend more money. You’ll pay a higher original price to get your $5 off or your gas rewards.

Aldi prides itself on not having to do those types of deals because their prices are always low. One Reddit user even mentioned the local Aldi store manager sending associates to local grocers to ensure they have the lowest price on staples like milk and eggs.

While there has been some negative feedback on some produce at Aldi, you can always shop there for most of your food and hit Kroger for specific items. Switching to Aldi for the bulk of your shopping stands to save you $100+ a month.

Readers, what do you think about Aldi foods and prices? Have you shopped there? 

Read More

Three Daily Servings of Dairy May Help Reduce Your Risk of Stroke

By Leave a Comment

servings of dairy

Many people have recently adapted to diets low in dairy. However, if you’ve been taking this approach to dieting, you may want to rethink your nutrition. A recent study found a link between the consumption of whole-fat dairy and cardio health. More specifically, researchers are suggesting at least three daily servings of dairy may help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Previous Health Recommendations

Previously both the United States Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association recommended that adults not exceed three servings of low-fat dairy each day. Both agencies believed the high levels of saturated fat found in dairy may raise bad cholesterol in your body.

The new research may challenge those guidelines because now researchers have evidence that fatty acids found in whole-fat dairy may help protect against heart disease and stroke.

The Latest Dairy Study

The latest study took a look at the dietary habits of 136,384 people across 21 countries and five continents over nine years. What they found was that the consumption of whole-fat dairy has a correlation with an overall lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Mahshid Dehghan, and his colleagues collected self-reported data via food questionnaires. Individuals surveyed were between the ages of 35 and 70 and consumed milk, yogurt, and cheese regularly. For the study, a portion of dairy was considered to be a glass of milk, a cup of yogurt, a 15-gram slice of cheese, or a 5-gram teaspoon of butter.

The team of researchers divided the study participants into four groups. The groups consisted of those who consumed no dairy, individuals who only consumed one serving of dairy each day, those who ate two servings of dairy a day, and people who consumed more than two daily servings.

What they found was that people with a higher dairy intake had lower mortality rates overall. They were also found less likely to die of cardiovascular disease or develop major heart disease. Individuals who consumed more dairy were also found to be less likely to have a stroke.

Full Fat vs. Low Fat Dairy

Furthermore, individuals who consumed full-fat dairy only had an even lower risk of mortality and cardiovascular health issues. This suggests that some saturated fats found in full-fat dairy products could be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Should the Recommended Daily Servings of Dairy Change?

Previous studies with similar findings have suggested the guidelines need to be revised, especially to benefit individuals in lower-income countries.

“Our findings support that consumption of dairy products might be beneficial for mortality and cardiovascular disease, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where dairy consumption is much lower than in North America or Europe,” said Dr. Dehghan.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean we need to change the guideline across the board or load up on cheese right now. Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, at the University of Hong Kong, and Anna M. Rangan, at the University of Sydney in Australia, don’t think we should be so quick with the eraser.

“The results from the study seem to suggest that dairy intake, especially whole-fat dairy, might be beneficial for preventing deaths and major cardiovascular diseases,” they wrote. “However, as the authors themselves concluded, the results only suggest the ‘consumption of dairy products should not be discouraged and perhaps even be encouraged in low-income and middle-income countries.'”

Overall, this study simply suggests we not discourage eating or drinking dairy products. By no means, it is a doctor’s approval or recommendation that whole-fat dairy is healthier than low-fat products. Keep in mind, this is just a study that provides evidence that may be worthy of consideration.

Readers, how many servings of dairy do you eat a day? 

Read More

Score Great Deals at These Restaurants on National Cheese Pizza Day

By Leave a Comment

cheese pizza day

Today (September 5) is Cheese Pizza Day. In honor of the foodie holiday, many pizza restaurants will be holding great deals on all kinds of pizza, not just cheese. Here are a few of the best deals happening around the United States today.

Cheese Pizza Day Deals

Brixx Woodfired Pizza: You can get a free cheese pizza at Brixx by showing them the tweet above.

California Pizza Kitchen: Sign up for CPK Rewards and get a free small plate.

Chuck E. Cheese’s: Join Chuck E. Cheese’s More Cheese Rewards and get a free personal one-topping pizza during your next visit.

Cicis: Cicis is offering customers a $5 large one-topping pizza to-go with the purchase of an offer in the MyCicis app. This National Cheese Pizza Day deal is valid through the month of September.

Domino’s: Domino’s is running a mix-and-match special. The special allows you to choose two items from a select menu for just $5.99 each.

Little Caesar’s: This pizza outfit has a great deal on its 5 Meat Feast pizza. For a limited time, it is priced at just $9.

Papa John’s: Papa John’s is offering two Cheese Pizza Day deals for customers. Using the code LG1TOP7 you can get a 1-topping pizza for $7. You can also use the code CHEESELOVER and get an order of cheese sticks for just $5.

Paragon Theaters: Paragon Theaters has a buy-one-get-one-free pizza deal in honor of National Cheese Pizza Day. All you have to do is buy one, and they’ll hand you a second for free.

Pizza Hut: Get two medium two-topping pizzas for $5.99 each (delivery and carry out).

Save Even More on Pizza

You may be able to save even more money on each of the deals outlined above by signing up for each pizza restaurant’s rewards program. Many establishments allow you to accrue points and, eventually, you’ll get perks like a free pizza or side item.

If you’re looking for more great deals on pizza, you can look forward to National Pepperoni Pizza Day on Sept. 20 and National Sausage Pizza Day on Oct. 11.

Read More

Back-to-School Lunch Ideas That Save Money and Time

By Leave a Comment

back-to-school-lunches

With the rising cost of school supplies, clothing, backpacks, and other items to get your children ready for school, finding a way to save money is a relief. One of the best ways to do that with your school-age children is packing their lunch. Below you’ll find 10 back-to-school lunch ideas that will save you money this year.

The Cost of School Lunch

According to the School Nutrition Association, the average prices for school-provided meals in the United States are as follows:

Lunch Breakfast
Elementary $2.34 $1.39
Middle $2.54 $1.47
High $2.60 $1.51

Only 8 million of the student in U.S. public schools pay full price, however. Individuals who meet the requirements are offered a reduced price lunch ($0.40). Of the 4.9 billion lunches served in public schools each year, 20 million are absolutely free.

Where breakfast is concerned, fewer children eat breakfast at school. They still manage to serve 2.4 billion breakfasts, more than 11 million of which are free.

However, if you don’t qualify for free lunch for your kids; the price of school lunch can stack up quickly, especially if you have a large family. For just one elementary school-aged student, you’ll spend about $45 per month on lunch alone (and $90 if you have two children).

10 Cheap Back-to-School Lunch Ideas

1. Lunch Kabobs

back-to-school lunch ideas

Lunch kabobs are an easy and fun lunch to prepare for your child. All you’ll need is cubed cheese, your choice of ham or turkey, and your child’s favorite veggie. With a pack of lunch meat averaging around $5, a block of cheese available for $2 and a single cucumber or tomato costs around $0.25. You’ll wind up paying less than $1 per lunch.

2. Quesadillas

lunch ideas for school

Cheese quesadillas are another great cheap lunch idea you can easily make at home and it will cost less than $1 per serving. You can get a pack of 8 tortillas for around $2 and shredded cheese for $2 as well. Each tortilla will provide a serving and there will be more than enough cheese for your child’s quesadillas through the week.

3. Egg Salad

back to school sandwiches

Egg salad is an extremely cost-friendly lunch idea as well. You can get one dozen eggs for around $1.30 and a loaf of bread around $2. If you don’t already have mayo in your fridge, you can also pick up a jar for less than $2, making each serving less than $1.

4. Pepperoni Bites

back to school lunch ideas

These pepperoni bites will take a little more effort than the options listed above. However, your kids will look forward to this meal in their lunch boxes. All you’ll need is a 4-count can of refrigerated flaky biscuits, a package of pepperoni, and pizza sauce. Altogether, the ingredients will cost around $7 and will make a single serving. You will have plenty of pepperoni and sauce leftover though!

5. Classic PB&J

back to school PB&J

Of course, there is always the trusty PB&J. A jar of peanut butter will cost around $2, and jelly and bread cost about the same. So, for $6 you can make as many sandwiches as a loaf will allow (less than $1 per serving).

6. Banana Burritos

back to school

You can buy a pound of bananas for about $0.56, peanut butter, jelly, and an 8-count package of cost $2 each, making each serving cost less than $1.

7. DIY Lunchables

back to school DIY lunchable

DIY Lunchables can save a ton of money too. Lunchables in the store cost about $3.50, while making your own version at home can cost less than $1 per serving.

8. Lunch Meat Rolls

back-to-school lunch

Lunch meat roll-ups are another great budget-friendly lunch idea. All you’ll need is ham or turkey, pickle spears, and the sauce of your choice. Each serving, as with the other options on this list, will cost less than $1.

9. Tuna Salad

school lunch ideas

Another classic back-to-school lunch idea is tuna salad. A can of tuna will run you about $0.50, a jar of mayo will cost you less than $2, and bread will also cost less than $2. A serving will cost less than $2.

10. Ants on a Log

school lunch

Ants on a log is another classic lunch/snack idea. You can buy a large bag of raisins for less than $3, peanut butter for around $2, and celery for less than $1. Each serving costs less than $1.

These are just 10 of many cheap and fun back-to-school lunch ideas. What would you add to the list?

Read More

The Time You Eat Dinner May Cut Your Risk of Getting Cancer

By Leave a Comment

time you eat dinner
Your sleeping and eating habits have a direct impact on your overall health, whether you realize it or not. In fact, a recent study found the time you eat dinner each day may decrease your risk of developing cancer.

The study, which was published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that individuals who ate dinner before 9 p.m. had a lower risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.

It is estimated that more than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year and nearly 30,000 men will die from prostate cancer. Although both carry a high death toll, it isn’t the reason researchers picked breast and prostate cancer specifically.

“We focused on breast and prostate cancer because these are the two cancers that have been mostly been associated with night shift work,” lead author of the study, Dr. Manolis Kogevinas, told Moneyish.

Previous studies have focused on the type and quantity of food intake and not necessarily what time people were eating. It has also been known that people who consume 25% of the daily intake of calories right before bedtime are more likely to have disrupted sleep patterns, which can lead to weight gain.

Individuals who work graveyard shift are more likely to eat at strange times. So, researchers wanted to see if this was directly correlated with health problems associated with working overnight, such as breast and prostate cancer.

Researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health took a look at 621 patients with prostate cancer and 1,205 breast cancer patients. A group of 872 males and 1,321 females without cancer were submitted to researchers as a control.

To determine the impact of dining times on risk of developing cancer, researchers examined what time people ate and what time they went to sleep. Each participant was asked about sleep patterns, activity levels, diet, and what time they ate their meals the year before diagnosis.

What was found were men who ate two or more hours before sleeping had a 26% decrease in prostate cancer when compared to individuals who ate right before bedtime. The same habits in women decreased the risk of breast cancer by 16%.

The exact time you eat dinner played a role in the findings as well. Participants who ate before 9 p.m. had a 25% decrease in prostate cancer and a 15% decrease in breast cancer when compared to individuals who ate after 10 p.m. This suggests the two-hour window before bed is better for your health, overall, but eating before 9 p.m. will serve you well too.

Study researchers also found that early birds (people who wake up between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.) have a lower risk of developing cancer as well, versus night owls. All in all, the lead author of the study Kogevinas said it best, “Food is best metabolized during that day. If you eat late and go to sleep, this can have an effect on obesity and cancer.”

Typically, you should try to eat your heaviest meals for breakfast and lunch. End your day with a lighter meal. The best tip for individuals who don’t have a choice in the hours or time of day they get to eat is leaving enough time to digest your food before going to bed. As mentioned in the study, a two-hour buffer between finishing your meal and your head hitting the pillow is best.

Readers, what do you think about this study’s findings? Are you considering changing the time you eat dinner? 

Read More

Free Slurpee Day is Here and 7-Eleven is Giving Away More Than Just Drinks

By Leave a Comment

Free Slurpee Day
Every year on July 11 people line up at 7-Eleven for Free Slurpee Day. Thanks to the store sharing a name with the date every year, it gives foodies something to look forward to.

“Free Slurpee day may be the most anticipated day of the year for millions of 7-Eleven customers and new customers alike,” said Raj Kapoor, 7-Eleven’s senior vice president for fresh food and beverages. This year, 7-Eleven has increased interest in the event by offering more than free drinks.

Free Slurpee Day Deals

7-Eleven gave birth to the Slurpee in 1966. A former employee froze a portion of some soda and it turned into a slush. In 2002, Free Slurpee Day came into existence.

As it did in previous years, 7-Eleven will be presenting a new, limited-edition flavor for Free Slurpee Day. You can get a small cup of Cap’n Crunch Berries Slurpee or any of the store’s regular drinks for free between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on July 11. You can get a Big Bite hot dog from July 11 until July 18 for $1.

And, like many other holidays, 7-Eleven’s birthday isn’t being celebrated for just one day. Be on the lookout for daily deals over the next week. The store is offering 7 Deals in 7 Days, according to Delish.

Promotions include various BOGO free deals such as a free Big Gulp fountain drink when you buy a share-size Snickers, free popcorn with the purchase of a Smartwater (20 oz.), and a free Coca-Cola when you buy a bag of CheezIts.

To gain access to all of these deals you’ll need to download the 7-Eleven app and become a rewards members. You can join here.

All of these awesome 7-Eleven freebies and deals fall during one of the most food-filled weeks of the year. Friday, July 13 is National French Fry Day and July 18 is National Hot Dog Day. Will you be taking advantage of any of these great 7-Eleven offers?

Photo: theimpulsivebuy

Join the Saving Advice forums and get regular updates to deals and freebies. 

Read More