Is it just us or does it seem like you’re spending more and more money at the grocery store every time you go? Before you simply accept the itemized receipt for what it is, here are a few grocery store perks and inventive ways to save (and maximize the money you do spend) at your favorite supermarkets.
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5 Grocery Store Perks from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Aldi and More
1. The Return Policy At Trader Joe’s
You’re already familiar with the in-store pros of grocery shopping at TJ’s (free samples! budget-friendly cheeses!), but one of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck is through the generous return policy. Say you bought a few frozen entrées in bulk, cooked one for dinner and, ugh, didn’t like the taste. No problem, just take the items—opened or not—back for a full refund.
2. And The One At Aldi, Too
Ditto the Trader Joe’s policy. Aldi actually lets you return items—like those orange cream cookies you thought you’d love, but definitely didn’t—for a full refund, even if you opened them up. And beyond simply getting cash back, you can actually pick out a new sleeve of cookies you do like gratis as a make-good.
3. The Chance To ‘try Before You Buy’ At Whole Foods
This under-the-radar policy allows you to sample food, from fresh produce to cheese and crackers, to determine whether you like the taste before you shell out any cash. All you have to do is flag down a store employee for help.
5. The App-only Savings At Target
Super Targets (aka the ones with all the groceries) are a lifesaver. But to save big, you’ll want to download the store’s Cartwheel app ahead of time. Then, all you have to do is scan the item’s barcode in store to find out about shopping discounts that apply. At checkout, just have the cashier scan your phone to automatically add the savings to your final bill.