The 411 on Aldi...for all my DFW peeps!

So have you been seeing this place around town?

Aldi Foods is now open in several DFW locations. When we lived in Kansas, they were everywhere! I've been waiting for the one in Mansfield to open, but since it hasn't I went today and checked out the location at Wheatland & I-20. I have to say, I was pleasantly suprised! So...what is it? It's like a Jewel-T...from back in the day...remember those?

They had great selections on produce! I'm not sure if it's because the store is brand new or what. I don't remember the one in Olathe having produce at all, but like I said it's been a decade since I've been there. A couple of things you need to know about Aldi:

• You need to bring a quarter in order to use a basket. Don't flip out. You get it back. :)
• You have to bring your own bags or boxes.
• They will probably only have one selection on most items and it will usually be generic. Not always...they do carry some brand name items too.
• The prices are awesome.

Here's some of the items I purchased today:

Applesauce-$0.99/jar

Mandarin Oranges-$0.49/can

2%Milk $1.79/gallon

2lb. pkg Green Grapes $1.58

2lb. pkg Red Grapes $1.58

Black Beans $0.59/can

Cheese Sharks $1.29/box

Baby Carrots $0.89/bag

Oatmeal Cookies $0.99/pkg.

Brown Gravy Mix $0.35/pkg.

Taco Seasoning $0.35/pkg.

Cheese Curls $0.99/bag

I didn't buy eggs but they were only $0.89/dozen. These are all items that I don't usually have coupons for so, I was very pleased with the prices as well as the quality of the fruits/vegetables. I honestly went in thinking I'd walk out with little to nothing. When I checked out they gave me 2 reusable shopping bags...free:) It's the little things in life isn't it? Go check out an Aldi near you and let me know what you think. www.aldifoods.com

Garage Sale Friday

So. I have a little confession to make. I'm sort of a closet garage sale junkie. So there, I said it. Go ahead and turn up your little noses, but stick around and one day I will make a believer out you! Friday was such a pretty day! I was actually hoping to find some summer clothes for Little Miss. No luck there. She's 3 and built like linebacker. Her 4T's are begging for mercy. That being said, it is absolutely ridiculous that the child still sleeps in a crib. Low and behold I came across this AMAZING Pier 1 bed. It came with a mattress and box springs. But, it looked like a boys bed to me. So we bought it for Drew, my poor deprived middle child, who in his nine little years has never had a headboard. (*Disclaimer: I'm real funny about buying things like mattresses, shoes, basically anything you can't wash, at a garage sale. It's gotta be perfect. And the people have to look normal. Oh, don't hate. You know it matters!!!) Here's a shot after Co' Brown put it together. This isn't the mattress that came with it. We thought he should keep his own.

$100 bucks. For EVERYTHING. Love it!

These pics really don't do it justice. It's a great piece of furniture.

Moving on........

I bought this headboard at the same sale for ten bucks. I thought after a couple coats of white paint it would have LOTS of character. It was a trial run, but I adore the way it turned out! Take a look and see what you think:

A work in progress....

This is the mattress & box springs that came with the Pier 1 set...i think it looks brand new! (And, you guessed it...the people looked "normal" ha!)

Here is Macy's new big girl bed. Bedding courtesy of MoMo & Papa!

I apologize for such a crappy pic.

Next Stop...............

Boys size 10 Gap Jeans.

and all of these...

plus a brand new backpack (forgot to put it in the pic) for Little Miss. All for $2.50! For the record, I am slightly obsessed with Ramekins and firmly believe a girl can never have too many spatulas. For real.

Next stop. Okay, the girl having this sale was the cutest thing ever. Ex- Mansfield High Cheerleader who is now in college and was getting rid of some super cute stuff. I should have bought it all...but the sizes were off. Hate that!

Okay, these three shirts...

a new car charger for Co' Brown's ipod (Little Miss Toot broke his), sunglasses for Drew, and these cute little sandles. I know, I know...used shoes = gross. But honestly the bottoms look like they've never touched the ground.

TOTAL? 5 Bucks...for everything in both pics! Not bad!

On the way home, I stopped by a consignment store by our house and bought this pair of

Ralph Lauren jeans...

For this boy...

For $4.00

There you go. Garage sale Friday. I am anxiously awaiting spring and all of the Estate Sales! I am forever in love with a good Estate Sale! There is just something neat about looking through somebody's stuff. It kind of tells a little story of their life. Geez...I have issues.

Walgreen's Deal Scenario

Buy 3 participating items and get $5.00 in Register Rewards good on your next purchase. There are several items to choose from other than what I purchased, so grab an ad and match up your coupons! Macy actually needed Pull-Ups, so this worked out good for me.

Huggies Pull-Ups $8.99

(2) Kotex 18 ct. tampon $2.99

coupons used (printed from coupons.com) :

$2.00 off Huggies Pull Ups

(2) Kotex $1/1

Total: $10.97

+Tax: $0.91

---------------

$11.88 out of pocket

I recieved $5.00 RR......making each item $2.29!

The circulars for Wags and CVS look great this week. This is just an example of how you can get started. Like I said, I needed Pull-Ups, so it worked out in my favor. I will be SO glad when we are done with those!

P.S. You know, all of the Valentine's Candy is on clearance for 75% off right? This makes for great "Movie Candy" to go along with those FREE Red Box & Blockbuster rentals! I can't stop buying the bags of gummy bears at CVS! They ring up for a quarter each! Somebody stop me please!