Aldi v Commissary: Which saves military families more money?

**COMING SOON! I’m working on an updated price comparison.  So come back in a couple of weeks to see how prices have changed in the last 4 years & with a change in location.**

Every military family knows that the military commissary is a great way to make your paychecks stretch.  For most of the last 15 years, it has been our primary place to grocery shop.

But how do the prices compare to Aldi?

I started shopping at Aldi regularly while we were stationed at a national guard base in Indiana.  We hadn’t lived near one prior but it was now only three minutes away (perfect for last-minute dinner ingredients!).  Our commissary, on the other hand, was about 30 minutes away and in a direction we rarely went.  Needless to say, I didn’t shop there frequently–much of my savings would have been eaten up by gas & time!  Now we have both and they are equally convenient.  So how do the prices compare?

 

A few notes on my method

1. Aldi’s doesn’t sell many name brands, so direct comparisons are difficult.  As best as I could, I matched a similar quality of items.
2. When comparing Aldi’s brand v. name brand, I noted the name brand.  If nothing is noted, store brand is used for both.
3. A few items were in different sized packaging; on those, I made a note.
4. Prices do vary by store though I’ve found Aldi here in Georgia to be pretty similar to our store in Indiana.  Commissary prices can vary, as well.

How a cheap, brutally efficient grocery chain is upending America’s supermarkets

Aldi v Commissary…Which Will Save You More Money??

Are you surprised by the results?  I was!  I expected Aldi’s to win out in some areas but I didn’t expect to have a $20 difference on these items!  I shop at Aldi’s 1-2 times a month but I don’t always buy enough of these items to last between trips–that will change!

A few last notes…

• The parent company for Aldi’s & Trader Joe’s is the same and I have found many products to be identical.  So if you have a favorite TJ item, you may want to check for it on your next trip to Aldi’s.
• Be sure to bring a quarter & your own bags.  If you forget bags, you can buy them ($0.06/each for paper bags & $0.10/each for larger plastic bags) or use empty boxes from around the store (like at the warehouse clubs).
• Aldi’s has a lot of rotational stock.  If you see an item labeled seasonal or special buy, stock up because it may not be there on a return trip.
• Do you have a Lidl nearby?  Definitely check them out!  Their prices are comparable to Aldi and they have a fantastic in-store bakery.

Do you shop at Aldi’s?  Do you have another store near your base that saves you more money than at the commissary?