
Here’s What to Do if You Forget Your Quarter at Aldi
I could turn this helpful article into a love letter to my favorite local grocery store, but I promise I won't. Aldi is the best for so many reasons. Low prices, quality products, no unnecessary dyes in food products, the Aisle of Shame, the list goes on.
The German-born grocery chain is super popular for all of those reasons. One way prices are kept lower than other stores is by putting us shoppers to work. I personally love bagging my own groceries. That way, I know my bread is smushed and can sort like items for when I get home to put them away.
Aldi Shopping Cart Return
Shoppers also "rent" shopping carts if they want to use one. You insert a quarter to release a cart for you to use. The quarter is returned to you as soon as you take the cart back to the corral. This keeps Aldi employees from having to collect them from all over the parking lot. I like to find someone going into the store to give my cart to. A "pay it forward" moment. Even though it's just a quarter, it always makes people smile.

Forgetting Your Aldi Quarter is the Worst
You never know who may have forgotten their quarter and needs help. I would say not bringing a quarter to Aldi is a rookie mistake, but I still forget on occasion. It is the worst feeling! Alanis Morrisette needs to update 'Ironic' to include it in the song. If you find yourself in that situation, there are things you can do to get that shopping cart.
Observe Your Surroundings
Sometimes "quarter fairies" will leave quarters around the cart return to help forgetful folks. How nice! Be sure to check on and around the railing and you may get lucky! Sometimes people also will return them and not get the quarter back out. Then, every once in a while, you'll find a cart out in the parking lot that someone sacrificed their quarter in. You can get some extra steps in and grab it.
Ask a Cashier
The last time I forgot my quarter at Aldi, I was not lucky enough to find a quarter. I decided to go inside and shoot my shot. I asked the woman working the checkout if I could borrow a quarter. She said "Sure!" and then I promised to return it to her.
Get an Aldi Quarter Keeper
When I got up to the register, I noticed keychains for sale by the conveyor belt. They are little pockets the perfect size to fit a quarter. That way you always have a designated coin for shopping.
Amazon Trolley Key
I ran across a blog that recommended "trolley keys" from Amazon. They are metal and attach to your key ring. These quarter copycats come in packs of two so you can gift one to someone else. Whatever you do, DON'T risk using your house key. They can apparently get stuck and break off inside the cart. Yikes!
Shop Aldi Pick-up!
This last tip is one I have been using more lately. Aldi Pick-up Ordering is SO EASY and convenient. My order is often ready quickly and so far, I haven't received shriveled produce or disappointing meat. AND I don't need a quarter or a cart at all.
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Gallery Credit: Stacker