A penny saved is, well, in this economy who the heck knows?

Frugal is fashionable again, and I’m all over it. Where my writing is concerned, it means banking away a little extra for postage to mail my queries and (if I’m lucky) manuscripts; maybe even a trip to the publishing hub that is New York City. As long as we’re dreaming, living frugally means that I may one day afford to write full time – although according to current unemployment trends I may realize that dream sooner than expected.

Anyway, one of the ways I maintain my frugalosity is by shopping at Aldi. Here’s why:

(Bagging your own groceries) + ($.25 grocery-cart deposit) = 35 - 40% savings on your weekly grocery bill.

Seriously. Yes, their stores are the size of a McDonald’s dining room. Yes, they carry off-brands. My family has tested and loved most of them (except their paper products; might want to stick with Puffs). If you’re a stickler for a few name-brand products, it’s worth a trip to two stores; you’ll realize savings significant enough to more than recoup travel cost and time.

Bottom line, if you’re at all frugal-minded and fortunate enough to have an Aldi in your neighborhood, I challenge you to give it a try. I’ll bet you a box of Puffs you won’t be disappointed.