8 Money-Saving Tips For Shopping At Trader Joe’s

Vickie Mortenson
Aug 26, 2017 · 2 min read

Whether you’re new to Trader Joe’s or an old pro, these smart shopping strategies will save you even more money on their already low-priced wares.

#1: Try anything (and everything)

You’ve passed Trader Joe’s Thai Lime and Chili Cashews dozens of times, but have never worked up the courage to try them. Well, hesitate no longer. Team members will let you taste anything in the store, as long as you ask first.

And if you’re hesitant to start opening bags, willy-nilly, don’t worry. “If your Trader Joe’s location has a counter set up in the back for free samples, always hit that up,” says David Bakke, consumer expert at prominent personal finance blog Money Crashers. “It’s a great way to get an actual taste of a product you’ve thought about buying or even one you might not have known about.
After tasting its Cookie Butter, I now buy it all the time.”

#2: Use it for all your special-diet needs

For folks with allergies, intolerances, and other eating restrictions, TJ’s is a shopper’s paradise. Many of their products are tailored to those with special diets, and they state flat-out that there are zero artificial flavors, preservatives, synthetic colors, or MSG in their house-brand foods. As an added bonus, their website carries a full rundown of their vegan, kosher, and gluten-free goods, so you can create a shopping list before you go.

#3: Embrace that return policy

Much like the beloved Costco, Trader Joe’s has a liberal return policy on all their goods. If customers find something — anything — not to their liking, whether it’s damaged, gone bad, or simply not to their taste, they can return it at any time, no questions asked. Bloggers say it even extends to plants. Just make sure to keep your receipt.

#4: Pack your manufacturer’s coupons

The kind-of-not-really bad news first: Trader Joe’s never has any sales, ever. “‘Sale’ is a four-letter word to us,” they say. “We have low prices, every day. NO coupons. NO membership cards. NO discounts. NO glitzy promotions or couponing wars at our stores. We offer the best everyday values, every day.”

The really good news: “While Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer much in the way of store coupons, the brands they work with have manufacturer coupons which you can use to save money,” says Kendal Perez, savings expert at CouponSherpa.com. Coupon apps and websites (like Coupon Sherpa) will often list coupons available for items sold at TJ’s, so be sure to check them before you head out.

Read Full Article Here: 8 Money-Saving Tips For Shopping At Trader Joe’s

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Vickie Mortenson

I am a fashion stylist for 10 years, starting as a child hobby of styling my own clothing for major events and occasions.

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