Wendy Copley / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I like shopping at Trader Joe’s because of their friendly customer service and their money-saving deals. If you’re new to TJ’s, here are six tips to boost your savings at this grocery store.
Try it before you buy it – Don’t spend money on food your family doesn’t like. Keep in mind that any product on the shelf can be sampled. Employees are allowed to open up any jar or box to let customers try them. No can do on wine, though. The Trader Joe’s I frequent also has a section in the back where they always give out free samples. I’ve been able to try sauces, salads and their coffees before forking over my hard earned cash.
Avoid prepared foods – Trader Joe’s has a variety of food from Mexican to Indian cuisine, but it’s easy to spend too much! My favorite right now is
the Chicken Marsala, which is one of those “Meals in Minutes” that can be found in the freezer section. It’s priced at $5.99 and serves two. I lived on this stuff when I couldn’t brown bag my lunch and I was trying to save money on lunch. Although tasty, their prices tend to be higher than if you prepared the food yourself.
Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) - Bringing your own bags is not only environmentally friendly, but it can save you money. Some grocers give you points or a $.05-$.10 credit for each bag your bring. At Trader Joe’s, bring your bags and spend at least $25 and you’ll be entered in their weekly raffle to win a $25 gift card. I’ve gotten lucky several times, three to be exact. The $25 gift cards saved me $75 on my grocery bill. Make sure to fill out the raffle ticket and turn it in. If you don’t see them, ask the cashier.
Stay up to date on TJ news – While at Trader Joe’s make sure to pick up their Fearless Flyer newsletter or check it out online. The flyer offers you recipes, deals and a witty cartoon. The flyer advertises weekly specials, as well.
Compare prices – Certain food stuffs are almost always cheaper at Trader Joe’s, before coupons come into play, including: nuts, wine, butter, eggs, beans, pasta, and bread. Other items, like juice, veggies, and meat are routinely higher than a traditional grocery store like Albertsons. Shop selectively and hit up another source for items that tend to be higher priced.
Coupons – It’s a common misconception that Trader Joe’s does not accept coupons. It does – just not for items sold under the Trader Joe’s label. But TJ’s sells many items made by outside manufacturers, like Annie’s, Morning Star, and Kashi. We share the best Trader Joe’s coupon deals every Wednesday on BargainBabe.com.
How do you save money when shopping at Trader Joe’s?
June 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
Trader Joe’s is great!
I save mostly by keeping a price book, so that I know the prices I pay at a regular store vs. TJs.
But the main way I save is with Trader Joe’s coupon matchups. Healthy Life Deals (http://www.healthylifedeals.com/) does them weekly and she’s a lifesaver. I’d totally forget about TJs taking coupons without her blog entries in my Reader.
June 1st, 2011 at 9:54 am
Another good idea is to “like” the Trader Joe’s Fan page on facebook. They have great recipes and tips. I always find that if I bring a list with me to Trader Joe’s and stick to it, I’m less tempted by all those pre-made goodies!
June 1st, 2011 at 9:54 am
I’ve shopped at TJ for many years and use reuseable bags and I’ve never gotten $0.05/per bag for using them. Is it only certain TJ that offer this?
June 1st, 2011 at 9:59 am
@KellyM That’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing.
June 1st, 2011 at 10:17 am
Eve, TJ doesn’t give money for using bags, it allows you to enter a raffle for a gift card. They don’t always remember to offer the ticket, so be sure you ask the cashier.
June 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
I do know that Ralphs credits 5 cents per bag, but don’t know about other markets. TJ’s does give a raffle ticket for bags plus $25 in groceries. However, I’ve never been a lucky winner with the tickets.
June 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
[...] Follow this link: Bargain Babe» Six ways to save money at Trader Joe's [...]
June 7th, 2011 at 6:36 am
[...] is closest to my home so when I forget something from Trader Joe’s, Ralphs it is. Here are my six secrets to saving money at [...]
June 8th, 2011 at 6:41 am
[...] Trader Joe’s – Healthy Life Deals shares this week’s Trader Joe’s deals later today. Our tips for saving money at Trader Joe’s. [...]
June 19th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Love your stores and prices. Would love to have a store in LaCrosse, WI or Onalaska, WI.
June 19th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
I loooooooove TJ’s, but hate the small and crowded parking lots in Sherman Oaks and in Tarzana, which are the two stores closest to me. When my youngest son lived in Tempe, AZ, his TJ’s was really close to his apartment, and the parking was a breeze. Since his job relocation to the Denver area, he sorely misses TJ’s and Total Wine and More, neither of which are in CO. TJ’s carries certain staples which i can’t find anywhere else, at least not of the same quality, and the prices are right.
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:59 am
[...] Trader Joe’s – Healthy Life Deals shares this week’s Trader Joe’s deals, including Luna bars for $0.49, Natures Path Flax Plus Granola for $1.89, and Rudis Organic Hot Dog Buns $1.99. Our tips for saving money at Trader Joes. [...]