Aldi: time to shop

One of my good friends who is German sent me this message about Aldi, "Aldi = Albrecht Discount. One of Germany's most popular stores. Initially reserved for the poorer population it has now become très chic for even the most affluent of people to shop there. Aldi plastic bags were considered "hip" to carry around in the late 90's. We were quite delighted to see one in Bethlehem when we moved here, but the product range sadly does not include the German yummies we thought it would..."

I went to Aldi today it $81 in my pocket. I thought I spent it, too, but we got to the register and imagine my surprise when the total was $63.53.

We bought:

1. 3 small cans of pumpkin, 79 cents each
2. fruit cocktail in pear juice, 2 small cans, 85 cents each
3. 4 tiny cans tomato sauce, 25 cents each
4. 2 cans black beans, 59 cents each
5. 2 12-ounce boxes of whole wheat rotini, $1.09 each
6. Two 8-ounce blocks of cheddar cheese and one of monterey jack, $1.69 each (earlier this year, these were $1.29. Sigh)
7. 34.5 ounces of coffee, $4.49
8. One large can chunk pineapple and one large can crushed pineapple, 89 cents each
9. balsamic vinegar, $1.99
10. 64 ounces of apple juice, no sugar added, $1.19
11. Small can of decaf coffee, $2.79
12. Three cans of large pitted olives, 99 cents each
13. reduced sodium soy sauce, 99 cents
14. five pounds of sugar, $2.39 (Wegmans price, $1.99)
    
15. steam easy frozen vegetables, two different kinds, $1.49 each
16. Unsalted butter, one pound, $1.69 (which I thought and just confirmed on the Wegmans website their regular price for one pound of butter is $1.49)
17. Salted butter, one pound, $1.69 (should have waited for Wegmans)
18. Bag of white flour, $1.62 (this is for my husband's papier mâché not baking)
19. small bag of spring mix for the tortoise, $1.69
20. 2 bags of tortilla chips, 99 cents
21. head of fresh cauliflower, $2.49
22. 2 small boxes of baking soda, 49 cents each
23. Honey, $3.79
24. Chopped pecans, 2 bags (I think with 1.5 cups each), $2.69 each
    
25. 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 49 cents each
26. 1 large jar mild salsa, $1.69 (my husband doesn't like the mango salsa my daughter and I eat)
27. maraschino cherries, 99 cents (Nutritionally void, but a well-placed cherry can sometimes make beverages disappear. With flu season upon us...)
28. Dried cherries, $3.49 (I hope to try a friend's pork with cherry-port sauce recipe)