We usually get our groceries at Aldi for $40 a week. I was shocked when I tried using that same budget at Trader Joe's.

• I took my $40 weekly shopping budget that I usually spend at Aldi to Trader Joe's for a change.
• Nearly everything my fiancée and I buy weekly was more expensive at Trader Joe's .
• I liked the variety and quality of the products at the store, but I think I'll stick to Aldi's deals.

My fiancée and I heavily rely on our local Midwest Aldi for our grocery needs.

The store's affordability and simplicity help us keep our weekly bill below $40. It's also one of the fastest-growing grocery chains in the US, which should make the store more convenient in the coming years.

But I've heard so many people rave about Trader Joe's , and eventually, my curiosity won out. I decided to test how well I could replicate my standard weekly shopping list at the rival grocer.

Here's how far my $40 budget got me at Trader Joe's.

Penne rigate: $1.20

I started by picking up some penne pasta, which I use for quick weeknight dinners .

Whether I'm making a classic tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan or simply tossing together some vegetables, pasta is a versatile staple that makes meal planning a breeze.

The cheapest bag of penne rigate I could find at Trader Joe's was $1.20. I can get the same size pack at Aldi for $1, so Trader Joe's was already $0.20 more expensive.

Mixed greens: $3.30

I love having mixed greens on hand for assembling quick salads or adding a fresh crunch to sandwiches. On busy days, I toss them with dried cranberries, walnuts, and a bit of blue cheese for an easy, nutritious lunch.

The freshness and quality of the greens at Trader Joe's make them a reliable choice for everyday meals. But the 5-ounce bag was $3.30, about $0.40 more than the same amount of a similar product at Aldi.

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.50

Shredded cheddar cheese is perfect for melting over scrambled eggs , adding to tacos, or sprinkling on sandwiches.

It consistently melts well and adds a rich flavor to various dishes, making it a go-to ingredient in our kitchen.

The bag at Trader Joe's was $2.50, while my usual (equivalent) pack at Aldi is only $2.20.

Tortillas: $2.50

Tortillas are great for making tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. They heat up nicely in the microwave or a pan, making them a convenient option for quick meals.

Trader Joe's offers a pack of a dozen corn tortillas for $2.50, whereas Aldi sells a 20-pack of flour tortillas for $2. This was one of the starker differences of the trip.

Potstickers: $3

I typically get a pack of Aldi's frozen stir-fry veggies for $2 for a quick side dish. Since I couldn't find an equivalent pack at Trader Joe's, I just stuck to the cuisine theme and went for a pack of frozen potstickers for $3.

They steam beautifully and are perfect when paired with a dipping sauce for a satisfying snack or addition to any meal.

This is more of an apples-and-oranges comparison, but Aldi only sometimes has frozen pork potstickers . And when it does, they tend to be priced closer to $4.

Ground turkey: $3.50

Ground turkey is a versatile protein that's ideal for tacos or pasta sauces.

I like to grab frozen varieties because they tend to be cheaper, but I could only find a fresh pound at Trader Joe's for $3.50.

I usually pay $2.75 a pound for the frozen meat at Aldi.

Black Beans (two cans): $1.80

Black beans are a pantry staple in our house. We use them in tacos, sprinkled over salads, or as a side dish as a nutritious, protein-packed addition to our meals.

I found a can of black beans at Trader Joe's for $0.90 and picked up two for $1.80. Two cans at Aldi usually costs me $1.60.

Coffee: $4.50

I'm a big fan of Café Bustelo , which I normally buy at Aldi, but the dark roast from Trader Joe's is pretty similar.

I make a strong cup in my Moka pot each morning (and sometimes a second one later) to keep myself energized throughout the day.

A 13-ounce pack of Trader Joe's ground beans is $4.50. I pay $3.85 for 10 ounces of Café Bustelo at Aldi, which is actually about $0.03 more if you break it down by ounce.

Whole milk: $2

I use whole milk as a coffee creamer, in my baking, or just for drinking. It's rich and versatile, making it a valuable addition to our grocery list.

Half a gallon at my Trader Joe's goes for $2, which isn't terribly far off from the $1.70 I pay for the same-size carton at Aldi.

Wheat bread: $2.50

Wheat bread is perfect for sandwiches or toast. The texture is hearty and satisfying, making it a dependable choice for various meals.

The wheat bread from Trader Joe's costs $2.50 a loaf, while I'm used to paying $1.25 a loaf at Aldi. The price difference was among the most striking on the list.

Peanut butter: $2

Throughout the week, I spread peanut butter on toast, add it to smoothies, or eat it straight from the jar.

I bought a jar for $2 and compared it to my $1.80 kitchen staple at Aldi.

The no-stir peanut butter from Trader Joe's seemed less dense than Aldi's, so I went through it faster.

Oats: $3.50

Oats are a great base for a hearty, nutritious morning meal. Oatmeal with honey, cinnamon, and brown sugar is one of my favorite breakfasts.

The 18-ounce carton of old-fashioned organic oats I found at Trader Joe's cost me $3.50, which is about $0.19 an ounce. I typically get a 42-ounce canister of rolled oats at Aldi for less than $4, or about $0.09 an ounce, which is a much better deal.

Bananas: $1.50

Bananas are always on my weekly shopping list. I typically use them for snacking, smoothies, and banana bread .

I picked up a bunch at Trader Joe's for $1.50 — pretty similar to the $1.40 bunches I get at Aldi.

Eggs: $3

Eggs are essential in my house for breakfasts, baking, and hard-boiling for salads. This is where I get the bulk of my weekly protein.

The cheapest carton of a dozen eggs available at Trader Joe's cost me $3, but I usually get a dozen at Aldi for $1.50. The price difference was staggering — along with the bread, my staples cost a lot more.

Mandarin oranges: $4

Mandarin oranges are a sweet and juicy treat, especially in the summer. I usually eat two at a time as a snack on hot afternoons.

Both stores sold similar bags of the tiny oranges, but the ones from Trader Joe's cost $4 while Aldi's cost $3.60.

Chocolate treat: $2.30

I get some form of dark chocolate as a treat every week. I went with a 16-ounce container of chocolate-covered almonds from Trader Joe's for $3.50.

I ate these a lot quicker than I care to mention.

Aldi stocks a similar, though slightly smaller, pack of dark-chocolate almonds for about $3 or $4.

I don't see myself becoming a regular at Trader Joe's.

My total at Trader Joe's, including tax, came to almost $50.

I opted not to get my usual green grapes and still spent nearly $10 more than I typically would at Aldi.

Though Trader Joe's offers a variety of unique products and high-quality options, it's just a bit too expensive to meet my weekly needs.

If you're on a tight budget, Aldi remains the more economical grocery choice .

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