One of them is almost always the discount grocer Lidl because it’s where I typically find the lowest prices. I wish I could get everything there, but it doesn’t always have all I need.
Bigger chain grocery stores near me might have over 50 types of cereal while Lidl has only a handful. My local Lidl only has one type of iced coffee — an essential on our grocery list — but my husband doesn’t care for it.
It would be easier for me just to settle for the coffee Lidl carries or to pick from the cereals available, but I’d rather go to another store after to get what I really want and still save money.
Although shopping at two grocery stores a week seems like a lot, I like getting the best of both worlds. I save money where I can and don’t have to compromise on the brands I can’t live without.
First, I get the more basic groceries on my list at Lidl
I know I won’t check off my entire list at Lidl, but I save money by going there first to try to get as many items as possible.
I can typically find 70% to 80% of my groceries at Lidl then I get the rest at a bigger chain like Wegmans or Publix.
The discount grocer is a pretty reliable spot to get common baking and cooking ingredients, basic produce, proteins, dairy, and canned goods. Many of these items are cheaper at Lidl, too.
On a recent trip, store-brand Dijon mustard was $1.45 at Lidl and $2.49 at Wegmans. Lidl’s store-brand packets of taco seasoning also cost about a third less than Wegmans’.
I’d get everything I need at my local Lidl if I could, but I know I’ll have to go elsewhere for less common ingredients, herbs other than parsley or cilantro, and some of our brand-name favorites.
It’s not efficient to take 2 trips, but I’ve found a few ways to optimize them
I usually do most of my grocery shopping at Lidl on Saturdays and then buy anything I didn’t find at a different store on Sundays.
Splitting the trips up makes the task seem less of a chore, and it gives me time to see if I forgot anything on my list. If I choose to shop at two grocery stores on the same day, I go to the one that’s directly on the way home from Lidl to be more efficient, even though it’s not my favorite.
Before visiting my second store I also rewrite my grocery list so it’s super clear and only includes what’s left to buy. Sticking to that list is also key — I don’t spend time in the stores browsing for any items not on it.
What works for me won’t be ideal for everyone. Going to more than one grocery store a week might not make sense if your time is more limited than your money or you don’t live near multiple chains.
But for me, spending a bit of extra time is worth it. I’d estimate I save about $20 to $30 a week on groceries by making two trips.