While visiting Portugal several months ago, I noticed Lidl stores everywhere. When I finally entered one, I found that the German-owned grocery chain reflects a European sensibility with fresh bakery items, great cheeses, and large wine selections.
The extensive and inexpensive wines immediately struck me. Portugal has a thriving wine industry, so this was not surprising, but the pricing was. You could buy a good bottle of red for just $2.
I also noticed a wide selection of canned fish, which is a Portuguese gourmet product and tastier than what we have in the US. I found free-range eggs for less than $3 a dozen. Also, there were gourmet cheeses and crackers. Suffice it to say, I fell in love with the store.
When I learned there was a Lidl location near my home in Maryland, I couldn’t wait to visit. I didn’t expect it to transform my grocery shopping.
I used to swear by Trader Joe’s
We are a family of two — just my husband and me. Since we’re retired, my husband and I eat most meals and snacks at home, so we spend a lot on groceries. I also have extended family nearby, so I shop and cook for them frequently.
Before discovering Lidl, I shopped primarily at Trader Joe’s to save money. Although the brand is known for its cheaper prices, my grocery bill kept rising. It’s especially challenging to stay within a budget when preparing and cooking for guests.
My family likes fresh vegetables and fruits. Items like berries, avocados, apples, and leafy greens were costly, running me around $40 a week. Dips, cheeses, and crackers are also great for entertaining, but they got expensive, too. I spent around $30 a week at Trader Joe’s on these items.
I also purchased organic red meat and chicken for my family, which cost roughly $70 a week.
My average weekly grocery shopping was between $125 and $150.
Lidl has helped me save money on my weekly groceries
Once I finally made it to my local Lidl, I was able to save. Fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, were plentiful. We love avocados, and Lidl sells them for under $1 apiece. I sometimes buy a one-pound bag of French shallots for just under $3, and fresh berries are also well-priced at $3.99 for eight ounces.
I also save money on some meats. For example, I now purchase a pound of wagyu beef for $7 and a 32-ounce economy bag of frozen salmon filets for under $22.
I also purchase imported items like four-ounce jars of Italian anchovies for $3. This is less than what I spend on domestic brands, and the foreign brands taste better.
In the past six months since I started shopping at Lidl, I have saved a large chunk of what I spend in other stores for similar items. My weekly grocery bill is now around $90.
But Lidl isn’t perfect. If you rely on an item, it might disappear next visit. And while there are some brand names, Lidl will not meet your needs if you are a brand-name shopper.
Still, if you’re flexible, you will find products you want to try since prices allow experimentation.
My family has come to love Lidl, and I love the savings
My family appreciates several different products I have consistently purchased at Lidl. Specifically, they love avocados, the imported anchovies, the hummus, and the berries.
As grocery prices continue to rise around the US, I plan to continue shopping at this store. Just this Passover, I got free-range, organic eggs for $6 per dozen at Lidl, which is a $2 per dozen savings from other stores — if you can even find eggs at all.
I count this as a win for my budget.
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