. . . for Lauren and Lauren: Why I should never go into Aldi again

August 24, 2015

Why I should never go into Aldi again

Now this happened awhile ago and I wasn't even pregnant, which would make it at least a tiny bit rational.  But I figure I should tell this story.  Which may make me look like a complete pyscho or highly relatable.  Let's hope for the second.  

I tutor most Mondays and we desperately needed groceries so I ran to Aldi, which is near the library where I tutor.  Now I used to shop at Aldi all the time.  It is way cheaper and they have most things you need.  But since Addilyn my money saving techniques have sadly stepped down a few notches as ease wins over and over these days.  Part toddler normal and part my fault I think, Addilyn sucks at errands.  She won't stay in the cart for long and the idea of having to bag my own groceries, maneuver tiny aisles and walk my cart back for my quarter sounds much harder than going to Target or Walmart.  So we usually only pick Aldi once a month when we all got together, or I go only. 

So to Aldi I went.  I had a long list and enjoyed the ease of shopping alone.  Got in the line, and just as the cashier was midway ringing up my groceries I realized I didn't have my debit card with me, which is all Aldi takes.  I frantically call Chris hoping maybe he can give me the numbers on the card and I can pay that way.  I call three times in a row and no answer.  (By this time he's home from work and with Addilyn instead of my mother in law so I feel like he should be answering).  I get to pay and tell the lady I don't have a debit card, to which she says she can't do anything and that's the only way I can pay.  I almost start crying and ask her what I'm supposed to do as if she should know.  

She said maybe there's an ATM at the bank, which if I was thinking wouldn't work because hello? no debit card.  I tell her I'll figure something out and be back.  Leaving my groceries in the cart I go to my car and start crying.  Like ridiculously crying after I call Chris three more times with no answer.  What if this was an emergency?  Why isn't he answering my phone?  I pull into Walgreens (banks are closed because it's after 5) thinking maybe I could use my credit card in the ATM.  Obviously I'm dumb but was smart enough to not even go inside.  

I call my mom, because of course you do that when you're in a real crisis.  I'm crying at this point as if I my dog died or found out some other awful news.  (Clearly there has to be something else bothering me. Let's just say there was something else.)  Now I absolutely love my mom and think she is the best but sometimes she is not the best at being sympathetic.  She tells me something along the lines of "you can either make this ruin your day or you can choose to just let it go."  Okay. Thank you mom.  

I pull into Target thinking I could use my Target card and get cash back.  Run in there and buy shampoo, only to find out the max you can get is $40.  So I almost start crying again to the lady when she says I can only do one transaction and leave with my $40.  I am right next to this smaller grocery store at this point, to which I just say forget it, I'll just start over with my list and shop here.  I walk in and right away see strawberries, which I needed 3 cartons of for a salad and dessert I was making.  They were $4 each.  As oppose to Aldi's $1.50.  I still have some sense of saving money and just couldn't do it.  Walk back out to my car and drive back to Aldi.  Probably still crying.  And probably calling Chris a million times, who still isn't answering.  

Go get my cart from Aldi, but know there is no way all my groceries cost $40.  So like a homeless person with no money (humbling, sure?) maybe still crying, I start putting back groceries that I don't absolutely need for the next few days.  When I get to the checkout near the end of the cashier ringing me up, I'm honestly staring at the total going, nope, can't get that one.  Okay, now add this one.  Until I'm at $40 and some change.  

It's pretty obvious I should probably never go there again.  And perhaps the most dramatic shopping failure ever.  Or not.  Please tell me something similar has happened to you.  

Just lie.  

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9 comments:

Alana Livingston said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh my! I would have driven home (in tears), handed Jacob the list and told him to go shopping since he couldn't answer my phone call haha

Denise said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

bless your dear heart.

Unknown said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Girrrrrlllll.... This happens daily.... I am constantly like,"I'm not going to take this..... Or this...... Or this..."

Mrs Gray said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

We don't have Aldi nearby, but we saw one when we were at my aunt's this weekend. I have always wanted to go scope it out, and we pretty much check out all the local grocery stores as if they're hot spots when we travel, but we never made it back. Let's pretend it was in protest to your bad experience that day.

Katie @ My Darling Days said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh that is the worst!! I recent started going to Aldi (OMG SO CHEAP!) I can get a whole cart of fruit for $15, crazy! Luckily, I've always had my debt card with me though, but I can see how easily that could happen. Poor thing! haha Don't stop shopping there though, it's too cheap :)

www.mydarlingdays.blogspot.com

Christine AKA Girl Versus Kitchen said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

yikes! What I want to know is .. why wasnt Chris answering his phone?!?! LOL .. hang in there!

Foxy's Domestic Side said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

OH man, I would have cried too...and why is it that they don't answer when we need them to?!

J and A said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

Oh Katie. You are the best. I loved this. I would have cried too. Aldi sounds great but only debit is a pain! ha ha Poor mama!

Carol Hines said... Best Blogger TipsBest Blogger Templates

"Back in the day" they only took CASH, not even debit. And the cashier didn't put your groceries in the cart for you - you had to just throw them in as she rang them up, praying you'd have enough cash. My friends and I thought it was so stressful . . . and were so glad when they finally took debit. And seriously, what would you want your mother to say???