15 Savings Hacks at T.J. Maxx

Dedicated Maxxinistas may already have a few tricks up their sleeves when shopping in the discount chain's aisles. 

But if shopping on a budget is a priority, it helps to have a bit more guidance than simply heading for the clearance aisle.

Here are 15 simple hacks to optimize your savings at T.J. Maxx.

Shopping on the weekends can be a stressful experience at any store, but there's another savings-related reason to shop at T.J. Maxx on weekday mornings if possible.

Staff likely restocks the shelves at night or early in the morning, so if you can make it there close to opening time during the week, you'll be the first to nab the best deals.

January and July are retailers' in-between seasons. At the beginning of the year, many stores purge holiday-related items. In July, the summer stuff, from swimsuits to outdoor decor, is being moved out—and will likely be heavily discounted.

These can be the best months for savvy shoppers to score serious savings.

"The Runway" section at T.J. Maxx is where you'll find those big bargains on high-end items. While not every T.J. Maxx store has a special designer section, "The Runway" is also available on the store's website.

Shopping experts advise against taking too long to decide if you want an item. Your fellow T.J. Maxx shoppers are also bargain hunters, so it's wise to throw any item you're considering in the cart — even if you take it out before checkout. With regular restocks, it's also not likely the item you're eyeing will still be there the next time you visit your local store.

Seasoned Maxxinistas may already know this, but all shoppers should keep an eye out for red tags. Like many other retailers, red at T.J. Maxx indicates that an item is on clearance, and you should be able to find clothes, accessories, and more with these discount markers.

There's a color-coding hierarchy regarding sale items at the store. Red may indicate steep discounts, but yellow means an item is priced as low as it will get. Think of it as super clearance. If you find something you like with a yellow tag, don't wait to scoop it up.

You may be tempted to splurge on an item at T.J. Maxx because, with the attached "Compare at" label, the discount seems steep.

T.J. Maxx items also have "compare" prices when they are listed online to let shoppers know just how much they are saving compared to other stores. But do your homework and avoid wasting money — these comp prices are not always completely accurate.

Before you run to the register with what you think is a bargain brand name item, check the tag closely. Some items at T.J. Maxx reportedly have a "TJX" label on the back of the tag.

This indicates that the item was made specifically for the stores and can carry a brand name due to a licensing agreement with a designer.

If you happen upon an item with minor damage, shopping experts recommend asking for a discount. Of course, it should be damage that's easy enough to either fix or hide (like a minor rip in the seam of clothing), or the price cut may not be worth it.

If you shop at T.J. Maxx often enough, applying for the TJX Rewards credit card may be worth it. There's no annual fee, and customers get 5% back in rewards. There are also special shopping events for members, and you'll get 10% off your first purchase.

Many stores offer exclusive discounts and promotions, like free shipping, to customers who sign up for their email lists. To get alerted to special deals, sign up for an online account at T.J. Maxx.

Consider waiting until you need to do a large haul (or buy a costly item) to shop at T.J. Maxx's online store. The retailer offers free shipping on all orders over $89.

Some shoppers report that the better discounts are in the big cities. It makes sense as stores in the city may be larger and have more inventory. If you have a city within reasonable driving distance, consider checking out the sales at their T.J. Maxx.

If you have a T.J. Maxx gift card and haven't found the bargain you were hoping for in-store or online, don't fret — the gift cards can also be used at Marshalls, HomeGoods, HomeSense, and Sierra.

T.J. Maxx may be known for its bargains, but it doesn't always have the best deals. Shopping experts suggest comparing prices at other stores, particularly for bed and bathroom sets. Stores like Macy's and Target may have better bargains, and matching sets may be easier to find.

While your local T.J. Maxx may not always offer the best bargains in town, it will undoubtedly offer a lot of them — and savvy shoppers can save a lot by staying on top of sales, shopping at the right times (of the week and the year), and taking advantage of special promotions. You can even maximize your savings by pairing your spending with a top cash back credit card.