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11 Foolish Ways Shoppers Waste Money at Trader Joe’s

Save money by working smarter, not harder when shopping at Trader Joe's

A Trader Joe's store
Updated April 3, 2025
Fact checked

Trader Joe's can be one of the most magical places to shop. It's stuffed with fun new products to try, and they have everything from food items to nonfood essentials. With that in mind, 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 without meaning to and some smart Trader Joe's shopping hacks to save money.

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You don't buy brand name dupes there

mdurson/Adobe Trader Joe's advertising specialty products

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.

You don't read the Fearless Flyer

vladim_ka/Adobe Trader Joes application on Apple iPhone

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.

You don't get your produce in the morning

MargJohnsonVA/Adobe Female recieving Trader Joe's grocery bag

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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You try every trending Trader Joe's product

Corinna Haselmayer/Adobe Shelves with products inside Trader Joe's

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.

You don't work with a budget

thanksforbuying/Adobe financial and budget planning with chart report

Most items in Trader Joe's 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 won't help you save money on essentials

You skip the prepared foods section

Corinna Haselmayer/Adobe Frozen foods biscuits inside Trader Joe's

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 with by saving money — and time — by getting one for the next event instead of crafting it from scratch.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

alfons/Adobe woman paying contactless credit card

April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.

Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:

  • Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
  • Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
  • Spring cleaning supplies with potential BOGO offers at stores like Target
  • Air conditioners before peak summer demand drives prices higher
  • Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
  • Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
  • For groceries, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.

Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds.

You panic purchase at the cash register

Syda Productions/Adobe woman using card to pay money at grocery store

If you're shopping at Trader Joe's during peak hours, chances are you'll stand in a line to check out. 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.

You don't ask for a sample

Refrina/Adobe Trader Joe's pizzas variety Centreville

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.

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You don't bring your own bags

Refrina/Adobe Trader Joe's paper bag

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.

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

pawczar/Adobe woman buying fruits at grocery store

Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing food expenses that we personally put to use:

  • Plan your meals around what's already in your pantry, then create a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases.
  • Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
  • Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
  • Stock up on staples when on sale, but don’t ever buy just because something comes in bulk.
  • Shop the marked-down section for near-expiration bargains
  • Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.

Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task to handle every week, the savings can really add up. Double check in case your store also offers perks like gas rewards or any other discounts you might be able to take advantage of outside the grocery store.

You don't load your liquor cabinet

mdurson/Adobe Wine aisle at local Trader Joe's

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, aperol 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.

You don't chat up the crew members

Renee/Adobe Queen Creek Arizona Trader Joe's storefront

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

wolterke/Adobe Trader Joe's Grocery Store Sign

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 stay budget-friendly by making sure to shop smart and not fall for common grocery store scams.

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