Who doesn’t love Trader Joe’s? I mean, when I instantly walk in the store I get a smile on my face.
Anyone else feel the same way?
Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s is about a 30-minute drive from my house so shopping there is far and few between. However, when I am in the area and have about 45 minutes to myself (meaning no hubby and no kids) I go to Trader Joe’s.
One of the many reasons I love this place is the abundance of healthy groceries that I can choose from. Not only healthy but unique, fun items that I wouldn’t normally find at a regular grocery store chain.
Also, according to Reader’s Digest, Trader Joes landed in second place as one of the top grocery stores in America. I mean, have you looked at their prices? I was S O L D.
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Here’s the thing… I have to feed myself, two kids and my husband. Sometimes going the healthier route isn’t cheap or budget-friendly.
However, by using my weekly meal planner, grocery lists, and cash back apps, I have been able to budget my grocery spending and live that healthier lifestyle with my family.
5 Budget-Friendly Grocery Tips for Healthier Eating
1. Make a grocery list and stick with it.
This will help with budgeting purposes. If you go off track from your grocery list you won’t know how much you are adding on!
Trust me, I could spend all day at a grocery store like Trader Joe’s, and not paying attention to what I put in my cart can add up quickly!
2. Plan your meals ahead of time while using ingredients already in your pantry.
Check out my weekly meal plan template here
Do you ever shop and stock your pantry up and then forget about it? Oftentimes I will buy boxes of pasta and then when I go to put them away I realize I already have 3 boxes.
Remembering to use the ingredients in the pantry and planning those meals ahead of time will help you save time and money (which takes you back to tip #1).
3. Use cash back grocery apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51 (to date I’ve saved almost $200!)
I talk about Ibotta in this post and recently discovered Checkout 51.
I am still testing out Checkout 51 but so far I’m loving it!
4. Look for coupons online.
Here’s the thing. You can use clip out/printable coupons AND use your cash back apps.
Let me say that again… you can use BOTH clip out/printable coupons and cash back apps. Meaning, you can buy a product, scan your coupon and scan your receipt on Ibotta and Checkout 51.
That is triple the savings on certain items!
5. Shop at stores like Trader Joe’s or Wegmans.
Stores like these are typically less expensive than shopping for healthy food at Whole Foods, Giant (who isn’t known to for their healthy food options) or your smaller brand health food stores. I always love to do a big Trader Joe’s grocery haul as I know the items I get will be healthy, delicious and inexpensive.
While I try to focus on buying mostly clean/healthy items at Trader Joe’s, you’ll see I snuck in a few mini vanilla ice cream cones and Hardywood Farmhouse pumpkin beer, I mean, a girl has to enjoy herself, right?
Back to my Trader Joe’s Grocery Haul
I wish I saved my receipt so I could give you pricing line by line. However, I tossed it into my recycling bin so all I can tell you is that I spent $95.31 (which includes the two Hardywood Farmhouse pumpkin beer at $5.99/each).
BREAKFAST
Just the Clusters Ginger Almond & Cashew Granola Cereal
Peaches & Cream and Mango Yogurt Cups
PASTA/BREAD
Plain Gnocchi
Italian Mini Ravioli
Ricotta & Spinach filled Ravioli
Sprouted Wheat Sourdough Bread
PRODUCE
Artichoke Hearts
Bananas
Broccoli
Chopped Spinach
Organic Gala Apples
White Onion
SNACKS
Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks
Organic Apple Carrot Fruit Sauce Crushers
Organic Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
Perfect Bars
Trader Joe’s Inner Peas
Veggie Sticks
DESSERT
Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt Parfait Bars
Mini Vanilla Ice Cream Cones
CONDIMENTS/SEASONING
Fat-Free Pizza Sauce
Everyday Seasoning
Creamy Unsalted Peanut Butter
DRINKS
Hardywood Farmhouse Pumpkin Beer
OTHER
100% Pure Jojoba Oil
That concludes my first Trader Joe’s grocery haul!
Overall, I think this was a successful shopping trip. If I didn’t include my impulse buy (the beer), I spent an average of $3.47 per item!
I didn’t get my 5lb chocolate bar or my cauliflower pizza crust but I did get a few new items like the strawberry Greek frozen yogurt parfait bars and the sprouted wheat sourdough bread.
Next time I do a grocery haul, I will be sure to keep my receipt and show you more about how I shop healthy for less.
I would love to hear from you! Comment below to share some of your favorite Trader Joe’s grocery haul must-haves!
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