I’ll be at Aldi

DEAR STEPHANIE: I enjoyed your article on shopping at Aldi. I, too, have an Aldi in my neighborhood and specifically go there for their “Fit and Active” Ranch Salad Dressing. Not only is it healthy, but it also makes a great dip for raw veggies! I had never bought any meat there, but last year at St. Patrick’s Day, I tried their corned beef (both cuts) as it was significantly less expensive at Aldi’s than anywhere else (about 50 cents per pound less). It was delicious, very tender. And their chocolate cream wafer rolls are addictive and cheaper than Pepperidge Farms. I also find their produce selections to be sparse, so I don’t often buy that there unless it is a featured special in their weekly flyer that I really need. — Monica R., Hanover Park, Pa.

DEAR MONICA: I thought Aldi’s shopping-cart system was ingenious. I doubt there are many people who would go ahead and leave their cart in the parking lot if walking a few yards to return it meant getting their quarter back! Not only does it save Aldi’s employees time, but I’m sure that practice has also reduced the number of accidental dents in parked cars.

WHY SHOULD THEY BE FORCED TO CLIP?

DEAR STEPHANIE: I just want to comment about Operation Expiration (the military coupon program). I am appalled that our citizens are in a foreign land, in a scary environment — among enemies and away from families — and have to clip coupons to save on stuff they buy? Why aren’t we giving them everything they need so they can concentrate on keeping alive and keeping those around them, over there, and over here, alive and well? Is there no greater sacrifice than to leave the comfort of house and home and family to serve your country? Why do they have to worry about using coupons?” — Sheila W, Brockton, Pa.

DEAR SHEILA: I agree. Our servicemen and women shouldn’t have to worry about stretching their dollars, which emphasizes the importance of helping them. To find more information on Operation Expiration, readers can go to the “Help Others Easily” page at www.couponmom.com.

Sheila also shared her ingenious method of teaching the value of coupons to her children: “At 51, I’m pretty much done raising my son and daughter, as I did alone for the last 22 years. Savings was a way of life all those years, and has now turned into a hobby. And, proudly, I’ve taught my children well. They know no other way than to shop for sales, use coupons, recycle, etc. I used to crumple up a dollar bill and throw it in the garbage to show them, that’s what you just did when you bought this product without using freely available coupons! (Of course I retrieved the dollar and smoothed it out and used it!)

 

DEAR STEPHANIE: I wanted to tell you about a rebate program called Caregivers Marketplace at www.caregiversmarketplace.com. It is a rebate program for items like diapers, vitamins, Ensure, blood pressure monitors and other home healthcare items. You can print rebate forms for brand name items from their site and purchase the items from any store. You can also find rebate forms in Kmart stores. — From Andie J. in Grand Rapids, Mich.

DEAR ANDIE: I’ll add that you can combine these rebates with coupons, sales and automatic rebates at stores to save even more!

Stephanie Nelson shares her savings tips as a regular contributor on ABC News’ “Good Morning America.” You can find more of her savings tips in her book  “The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom” and on her website at www.couponmom.com.

 She can be reached at shoppingmom@unitedmedia.com.