While Trader Joe’s caters to yuppies in expensive neighborhoods, it is among the cheapest grocery stores in the country. In 2022, for example, the Los Angeles Times found that when it came to staples like bananas, eggs, oatmeal, and milk, Trader Joe’s was the cheapest grocery store in the otherwise pricey LA area. But not everything is a great deal at Trader Joe’s, as Redditors recently pointed out in a popular thread. If you’re on a tight budget — and don’t mind shopping at multiple stores — avoid the seven “worst deals” at Trader Joe’s.
Related: Best Store-Bought Desserts from Trader Joe’s
Meat
With shoppers describing Trader Joe’s meat as “kinda pricey” and “really expensive,” savvy carnivores say that they buy their chuck and chicken elsewhere. “Some of the marinated meat products (pesto chicken or marinated steak) seem waaaay too high,” one Redditor writes.
Related: 15 Discontinued Trader Joe’s Products That Shoppers Miss the Most
Baked Goods
It doesn’t matter that a loaf of Trader Joe’s bread is tasty and cheap if it “molds on the drive home,” as one Redditor writes. Long story short: Don’t buy Trader Joe’s baked goods unless you plan on freezing them (or eating them right away).
Related: Things No One Should Buy at Trader Joe’s
Produce
Trader Joe’s produce suffers from the same problem. You might pick up a fresh-looking bag of spring mix, only to find that it’s all wilted and slimy the next day. Prices, some Redditors say, are also fairly high, though they’re likely regionally dependent.
Related: I Tried 9 Types of Trader Joe’s Hummus — Here’s How They Ranked
Spindrift
When it comes to sparkling water, Spindrift is king (we crowned it the “best overall” sparkling water last year). We recommend you pick up the lime or blood orange tangerine flavors, though don’t buy them at Trader Joe’s. Target and Costco sell the stuff for far cheaper, Redditors say.
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International Foods
Trader Joe’s has a (not-so-great) reputation for selling international foods and ingredients — pho, gochujang, harissa, the list goes on — but one top comment argues that you’ll find better prices at local international stores like Asian markets.
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White Sugar
Although Trader Joe’s offers a few baking essentials, one Redditor says that white sugar is “cheaper literally everywhere else!” So the next time you’re baking (and able to plan ahead), pick up your sugar in bulk at somewhere like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Milk
If you’ve ever taken a sip of sour milk, you’ll do everything in your power to avoid tasting that putrid, gag-worthy flavor. And that might mean skipping dairy at Trader Joe’s. “Every time I have purchased milk, cream, or whipping cream at Trader Joe’s, it has been bad almost as soon as I bought it,” a Redditor shares.
