So this isn't related to sensory issues, thank the lord.
     I have seen a lot of Facebook pages and friends posts about the grocery store Aldi. We have been going to this grocery store pretty much since we have been together. Over the years, we realized just how much money we are saving. Not to mention the time we save by not having 16 different brands of each items to sort through. I have two kids and it isn't easy to shop with them so going in and out of a grocery store quickly is a must.
   Here are few things to know before you pack your car and head out to the store. There are a few things that seem awkward at first, but realize these things are put in place to help you save money. These things are also set in place to help you out and have a quicker shopping experience. You will get used to these things, and in all honestly most employees will be happy to help you. (or at least they should) 

Bring cash or a debit card. They will not accept anything else. The employees will help out with storing your cart if they need too. you will need the pin for your debit card they can't send it through as credit. Using a credit care costs the company money so this is a thing they do to help you.

  Bring a quarter for the carts. There is a slot on the carts to slide a quarter in. Just slip the quarter into the slot, and pull the chain out.  The company does this, to prevent carts left in the lot and it helps the company with costs to pay more employees. It also leaves the employees more time to help you. you will slide the cart back into the slot later and get your quarter back.

   You can purchase bags at the store, but if you have any reusable bags at home you will want to pack them. You can also find boxes at the store if you are lucky. The boxes are great for canned foods. The store doesn't pay baggers, and the store employees do not bag groceries, This is also saves money and time. It can be hard to get used to, but you will get the hang of it. There is a shelf area at the end of the store and you can pack your groceries there. If you have little kids and it's nice outside, it can be easier to pack the groceries after you pack the kids in their seats. however don't pack them too tight because you will have to return your cart you will need the quarter right?

#  You will notice that the store starts on one end and you will follow it by asile until you get out. You don't have to but it's the natural flow of the store. I have gone against the flow and it isn't easy. you know if you miss an item and have to go get it. It's easier to memorize the aisles and make lists. but you will get used it. The store usually aren't that large and they are well organized.

# There are some items that are more popular than others. I am sure this varies by region. Here the veggies and the fruit go first. It's odd but people here don't want to pay more for organic fruit so those items tend to be easier to find. Then again, maybe they will go first. I have yet to find an item that tastes so horrible I can't stand it. most of the products at the store are better quality than what you are used to. I bet. Personally, I can't eat any other brand of chocolate other than the stores brand. Some of the Chocolate Is fair trade certified as well. If that's important to you, than you are in luck. Coconut oil is also one of my favorite things to buy at Aldi. The bottles of coconut oil are exactly the same as the ones at trader joes, however the labels are different. We will get back to my favorite things in a moment.
  # Did I mention trader joes? Oh yeah. Did you know that ALDI and Trader Joes are owned by  a set of brothers? I don't have the internet credits to prove it. I swear I read it. It makes sense to. You will see a lot of the items tasting the same. The product cases are different, but...... They taste the same. AT Christmas time I saw chocolate bars that were almost idenitical to Trader Joes.

# Watch the internet site and get the flyers for the next week while you are there. Aldi prides itself in getting unique items all the time. Last time we went we bought some character cups for the girls for 2 dollars a piece. These were the nice cups as well. sometimes housewares will have just about anything you can think of.  Over the holidays, the store will offer different types of foods that they do not normally. Wait until after the holidays and the items will be marked down extremely discounted.

#Aldi does sell alcohol. I only bought wine there once and it was gross. This was a long time ago and I have no idea what it is like now. They also sell beer. I haven't tasted it. However, I will tell you I see a lot of people go into the store just to buy wine. Some of these people look as if they are buying it for a dinner party or a restaurant. These are never shabby looking people buying it.

# At he end of the asiles by the cash register somewhere they will have cut flowers. These are high quality and greatly prices. It's like six dollars for a half a dozen roses. during holidays, they will actually buy more flowers for the store. I have also seen some potted flowers and herbs at times. I have seen people come in and buy a cart for of flowers as well.

# So, to top everything off here is a list of the things I absolutely love at Aldi, and the things I hate. I encourage you to search the internet for recipes based on Aldi items. Also check the specials. The website has a lot of amazing information and is very helpful. 

Anything organic at Aldi is almost a sure thing. Great quality and at least half the price of what's in the regular stores. Like I said before I love the coconut oil. love the dried fruits, and nuts. If you are watching sugars and want more natural items, these exists in the store. simple nature is the Aldi brand that is more health worthy, however you will need to watch these items as well. I have seen sugar free items and those with a ton of dye in them as well. Just read the labels. Thy have a choice or raw and unsalted nuts as well as those that are roasted. I found dried coconut chunks last week. I am not sure how healthy they are but they were yummy.  I did notice that dried fruit can contain a lot of extra sugar as well. so just be careful. I have found flax seeds, chia seeds, and specialty rices and grains as well. I have heard that most Aldi store do contain whole wheat flour but I have yet to see it here. I love the organic cane sugars the store has carried for about a year. These sugars are amazing and worth the extra price. We also but the maple syrup at Aldi. It seems to be a pretty high quality and it's not super expensive. The coffee is okay, it's not my favorite but they do have a fair trade brand, and they do have organic on occasion. I buy steal cut oats at aldi. I buy my dairy items at aldi. My kids don't do all dairy but we can have kefir. THey have Keifer at a great price. WE also buy almond milk and soy milk at Aldi. so my list isn't in order. but I just remembered we also buy out olive oil at Aldi it too seems to be a good quality. We buy spices here.  My daughter hit a stage where she would only eat protein bars and carbs. Those protein bars are expensive. SO before I weaned her off of protein bars I bought them at Aldi. The chocolate crunch ones are the best. We have also bought granola bars. Th cereal for the most part seems okay, however I don't buy a lot of cereal. There are also organic choices for those as well. THe graham crackers are better now than they used to be. THey are now closer to what the main brand taste like. 
   We on't buy the small snack packs but they are great. We ocassionally buy bottled water because it's so inexpensive here. We always buy treats and snacks for our car trips here. It saves a lot of money. We have also found some stores near where we vaction.
  SO, that's it for now. I have found a lot of typos but my page is starting to mess up and I can't fix it,  MAybe some day I will edit this. for now, it's here.