Trader Joe’s can be one of the most magical places to shop. It’s stuffed with fun new products to try, so it can be easy to come out from your grocery shopping way over budget.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 11 foolish ways you may be wasting money at Trader Joe’s without meaning to and some smart shopping hacks to save money.
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1. You don’t buy brand name dupes there
If you have a favorite brand-name snack, there’s a chance Trader Joe’s has made a similar knockoff that’s a little bit healthier—and usually less expensive—than what you typically get at big-box retailers.
Take, for example, the brand’s highly-touted Joe-Joes, which are almost identical to Oreos and come in seasonal flavors. They also carry a dupe of Pringles, Nutella, Cheetos, and more.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. You don’t read the Fearless Flyer
Did you know that Trader Joe’s has a monthly promotional booklet called the Fearless Flyer that tips off readers to upcoming deals, steals, recipes, and more?
Reading the weekly ads can absolutely get you set up for success on your Trader Joe’s shopping trip, but the Fearless Flyer might embed meal plans and drink ideas to help guide your spending — and savings
3. You don’t get your produce in the morning
Trader Joe’s stocks their organic produce every morning. In fact, if an item is popular, the store may have it stocked multiple times a day, depending on location and necessity.
Making sure you shop early in the day will often give you the best options and allow you the longest shelf life.
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are listed as the best days to shop at Trader Joe’s, as customer volume increases at other times and stock is lower.
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4. You try every trending Trader Joe’s product
TikTok influencers and bloggers aren’t being paid to advertise the most cost-effective or even the best-tasting products.
If you’re basing your Trader Joe’s shopping list on trending recipes and videos, you may want to step back. Check the price point for your budget, and see what the reviews are of the product.
5. You don’t work with a budget
Most items in that store are budget-friendly, and small price tags are easy to grab when it feels like such a good deal. But if you don’t have a strategy going into your grocery trip, you can miss the mark, budget-wise.
Grabbing products off the shelves without looking at the price is never a great idea, and going on your shopping trip without a price cap can really hurt your wallet.
6. You skip the prepared foods section
Trader Joe’s has one of the most unique prepared food sections of any grocery store, offering items like spinach and ricotta ravioli, macaroni salad, cheeseburger burritos, and tomato soup.
There are so many flavorful, culturally-inspired prepared foods you can impress your friends by saving money — and time — by getting one for the next event instead of crafting it from scratch.
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If you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s during peak hours, chances are you’ll stand in a line to checkout. And once you get to the cash wrap, there’s a bevy of eco-friendly chocolates, mints, candies, and more.
Sometimes, there are cute reusable bags, and sometimes, small plants. If you aren’t careful, you can end up with a dozen extra items at the cash wrap alone.
Grabbing things you don’t need is more common if you have people behind you in line and you think you have no time to make thoughtful decisions.
8. You don’t ask for a sample
Did you know that if you ask for a sample of almost any product in the store, a crew member will let you try it? Often, they'll open a box or package out on the sales floor, let you and anyone else who wants to try it do so and chat with you about it.
Of course, you don’t want to abuse this privilege. But it is an option if you are interested in trying something new before you purchase it. This can save you quite a bit of money on items that you are on the fence about.
9. You don’t bring your own bags
Trader Joe’s charges 10 cents for every paper bag used to bag up your items. The chain ended its use of single-use plastic bags in 2019 and was a leader in the industry in doing so.
Bringing your own bags can save you money in the long run. If you do that and spend at least $25 on groceries, Trader Joe’s will enter you into a raffle for a $25 gift card.
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Aside from wine (and the beloved “Two-Buck Chuck”), Trader Joe’s has a pretty stacked alcohol offering.
The brand has expanded into an array of wine, beer, and liquor, including canned margaritas, aperito spritzes, and handles of vodka – all at crazy reasonable prices.
Keep your eyes peeled for endcap deals and limited-time displays. If you’re in a city with a designated Trader Joe’s alcohol storefront, consider yourself a VIP.
11. You don’t chat up the crew members
Use the Trader Joe’s staff as a resource while you shop to find out all the best deals, or chat them up when you hit the registers.
Each crew member has a unique perspective to offer, a favorite snack of the moment, a little insight on what you’re buying, or some hidden gem they would recommend to any customer who asks.
Bottom Line
There are so many ways to save money on groceries at Trader Joe’s — just make sure to take advantage of them.
Keep your options open and budget-friendly by making sure to shop smart and not falling for common grocery store scams.
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