I was really curious, as a frugal shopper, what the new Trader Joe’s store in Rochester, NY was going to contribute to my grocery shopping routine. The bottom line:
You will save money on certain items if you can stay away from the extras!
Trader Joe’s was fun to shop at and had some nice prices on healthy items my family uses every day, but as with most stores, I have to focus on my list, or I will yield to the siren song of TJ’s Chocolate Coconut Mango Bites, Chai Latte Mix, and more TJ brand yumminess.
But the big question is:
How does it compare to Wegmans??
In order to make a fair comparison, here are some items side by side so we can really focus on price.
Whey Protein:
TJ’s: $11.99 for 16 oz
Wegmans: Natural Whey Protein Powder: $22.99 for 16 oz
Winner? Trader Joe’s
Almond Breeze Almond Milk -
TJ’s: $1.99 for the 16 oz cartons
Wegmans: $1.99 for the same carton
Winner? Tie.
Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal:
TJ’s: $2.69, 16 oz
Wegmans: $2.99, 16 oz
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Bananas:
TJ’s: $0.19 each, or 5 for $0.95. I hate it when bananas are priced individually. Mostly because it makes it insanely hard for this math-brain-addled person to compare prices (which is likely why they do it). So I took the 20 minutes and figured it out anyway:
Wegmans: $0.49/lb. The average banana (skin on) weighs 6 oz, so, you can get 5 bananas for . . . $0.95.
Winner: Tie.
Applegate Deli Meat
TJ’s: $3.99 for 7 oz
Wegmans: $6.49 for 7 oz.
Winner: Trader Joe’s in a big way (plus there are often coupons for Applegate like this one for $1.00 off Applegate Hot Dogs which makes them even less).
Organic Frozen Peas:
TJ’s: $1.99 for 16 oz
Wegmans: $1.99 for 12 oz
Note: I bought the TJ’s vegetables, and I thought they were higher quality than other store brands we’ve tried, so if I wanted organic, I would definitely make the trip to TJ’s to get them.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Organic Baby Carrots:
Trader Joes: $1.69
Wegmans: $1.29
Winner: Wegmans
Nature’s Path Flax Plus Multigrain Flakes Cereal:
TJs: $2.99
Wegmans: $3.29
Winner: Trader Joe’s (there is also a $1.00 off Nature’s Path coupon available)
Organic Milk:
Trader Joe’s: $3.79 per 64 oz
Wegmans: $4.29 per 64 oz
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Kefir Probiotic Drink:
TJ’s: $2.99
Wegmans (Lifeway brand) – $3.99
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Totals:
So clearly, for many items that my family purchases, I’ll save money if I shop at Trader Joe’s.
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What do you think? Do you think shopping at Trader Joe’s saves you money?
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i ahve never been to trader joe’s so I think i may now go thanks:)
Nice to see Trader Joe’s faired well as we don’t have any Wegman’s around here.
do Trader Joe take coupons and do they double?
Thanks!
They accept manufacturer’s coupons but they don’t double. Look for a matchup here tomorrow.
Thanks for this. We’re getting a Trader Joe’s in Buffalo so I was curious about how it would stack up to Wegman’s, since most people I know who use it live in areas with higher costs of living and no Wegman’s.
Oh wow, I didn’t know Buffalo was getting a TJs too!