There’s a reason so many people love Trader Joe’s. Not only is the store known for its fantastic selection of unique products, but the customer service can’t be beat. But if any of these signs apply to you, then you may want to put an end to your Trader Joe’s shopping.
1. You’re on a tight budget
Trader Joe’s is known for offering competitive prices. But that doesn’t mean it has the best prices on every item on your list. And if you have access to a discount grocery store like Aldi, you may find that you’re able to save more money on your groceries by skipping Trader Joe’s.
For example, Trader Joe’s sells a 12-pack of large brown organic eggs for $6.79. But at Aldi, you can buy a dozen large organic brown eggs for $4.79.
Of course, that’s just one example. But it does pay to do some comparison shopping if you can only afford to spend so much on groceries.
You should also know that because Trader Joe’s mostly carries its own store brand, it can sometimes be a bit hard to compare its prices to other stores. That could be a problem if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget for grocery shopping.
2. You’re a savvy coupon-clipper
One nice thing about Trader Joe’s is that the prices it lists are the same in every store. And you also don’t have to worry about clipping coupons from a weekly circular to save money on your purchases, because Trader Joe’s doesn’t do coupons.
But that’s also a bad thing. At a regular supermarket, you can take advantage of sales or coupons and stock up on staple items at a discount. It’s harder to do that at Trader Joe’s because the prices you see are what you’re always going to get. If you rely on coupons for grocery savings, Trader Joe’s may not be the store for you.
That said, if you use the right credit cards at Trader Joe’s, you can enjoy extra cash back on your purchases. Check out our picks for the best credit cards for grocery rewards.
3. You tend to give in to impulse buys
If you have flexibility in your grocery budget, shopping at Trader Joe’s can be a real treat. The store is known for its rotating inventory, new products, and unique buys.
In the fall, for example, you can enjoy a host of pumpkin-flavored products, from savory to sweet. And in the weeks leading up to the holidays, you’ll find festive drinks and desserts (think all things peppermint — yum).
But the problem with Trader Joe’s product lineup is that it might lead you to a world of non-essential purchases. And if money is tight and you’re someone who tends to give into impulse purchases, then you may not want to shop at Trader Joe’s, since doing so could bust your budget.
There are plenty of good reasons to shop at Trader Joe’s. But if any of these signs apply to you, then you may want to do your food shopping elsewhere.