This is my first time viewing your channel and I found it very informative. I am 75-year-old senior who shops weekly at Trader Joe’s mainly because it is so closely located to where I live. Also, being pescatarian and trying to stay mainly on fruits and vegetables I find them very conducive to my needs. I do go to Kroger occasionally for the items that I cannot find at Trader Joe’s. I find Trader Joe’s prices very reasonable and in my area actually in more items than Kroger‘s. I suppose it all depends on what you purchase. Thank you for such a great video.
I’m surprised that we haven’t run into each other. 😂 Those are my main food stores. Trader Joe’s is pricey especially the produce such as Honey Crisp apples and bananas but the variety of items surpasses Aldi. One of the great advantages of shopping at Aldi is that it is in my neighborhood. Another advantage is the wide assortment of non-food items such as basic hand tools, vacuum cleaners. cookware, etc.
Letting you know I survived hurricane Milton. It was scary. I only have minor damage thankfully. I've never been to Trader Joes. I've made butternut squash apple soup before and it is a really good soup. Your soup sounds good too. I heard the cotton candy grapes are really good but at $9.99 a lb I will never know.
I hope you'll be able to try them at least once. I didn't like them at first, but now I do. I think they're too sweet so I don't eat that much. Not sure if you can freeze grapes, but if you can, perhaps you can freeze it for a special thing to eat sometimes. :)
Debbie…glad you got through Hurricane Milton okay. A little dinged up but still going strong. Good on you. I won’t be buying $9.99 grapes either. It’s too much. Now let’s talk about that soup. It sounds wonderful. Recipe ?
You are so full of good tips and advice. I am learning the steps. Plan, shop at home then go to the store. Could have used this teaching years ago! Appreciate that you are trying to teach the younger generations. Hopefully they will be great cooks and pass their skills on.
I used to shop at Trader Joe’s and found frozen bags of chicken breasts or chicken thighs to be a good value. Fresh items on sale in season were good. Organic items were of good variety. I was upgrading from the grocery store by visiting them. Now I buy all meats, veggies and raw dairy from an organic local farmer/store.
I've only been to trader Joe's maybe twice in my life because the closest one is over an hour away in a direction i never go. I love squash soup, especially with a grilled fancy sandwich.
Their pasta is actually the cheapest I can find. Cheaper than Walmart, Costco or any other store in my area. I usually go there just to stock up on it. Fun variety of shapes, too!
I usually shop Trader Joe's twice a year and I shop for specific items like their lower calorie lite shredded cheese, frozen orange chicken, frozen teriyaki chicken, frozen fish nuggets, frozen hashbrowns, frozen chicken breast nuggets, frozen mini baguettes, frozen turkey corn dogs, Greek Goddess seasoning, dog treats, etc. I find the price and quality are good but like you said, I wouldn't try to shop there weekly. Also, where did you get those cookbooks? I love to sit and read a good cookbook!
I've only been to Trader Joe's once or twice. I do like how you encourage us to shop your shelves to expand on our menus. Planning menus for the week is something I have to focus on before going shopping.
Wish we had one closer. I love their fresh flowers and a few specialty items. I wouldn’t buy all my groceries from there but would frequent them more if they were closer. Loooovw their paper bags!!
I love our trader jos. The people who work there are always so welcoming and helpful. Having said that, they are a little higher on most things, but i get things there i can't find anywhere else. So, it's like you said, i do my main shopping at kroger, but i go to traders for that little something extra
It’s hit and miss at Trader Joe’s. Seems like they have excellent quality products. No super sales but prices are average. If you’re strictly into organic everything you many save some pennies. I love getting flowers there too. 😁
I don't have a trader joes near me, but when I visit my sister, I will sometimes go there. I don't do grocery shopping there- but I like to go for novelty items, such as condiments, cookie butter, and other unusual items I can't get at my regular stores.
I love the options at TJ’s. Lots of different items to try that you don’t necessarily find at the regular grocer. I have never tried to go in with a meal plan list though. I usually make a meal with items I find there. I don’t think the prices are bad, but you probably would get better sale prices elsewhere. But like I mentioned, a lot of items there are unique.
I've been shopping at Trader Joe's for over 15 yrs. Your prices are much cheaper than ours. Their orange chicken is a staple that has always been $4.99 for years. I buy it all the time. Helpful hint: The frozen Brussel sprouts are cheaper than the fresh. Here they are $1.69 for 16 oz....they used to be 99cents before Covid. Trader Joe's (owned by Aldis) is the 2nd cheapest store in town. Aldis is #1.
I like your videos. We don't have a Trader Joe's in my town, Too expensive anyway. I'm sure you would have been able to buy a lot more groceries at Walmart. That's where I shop, also Dollar General, and Dollar Tree. I live on a budget. One income.
I so love your video. I feel like I am at your home, having coffee and sharing cookbooks. I agree TraderJoe's is more expensive and high quality. I shop for one and have a lot of leftovers but I freeze them for another time, or share them with family and friends.
I agree with you. Her kitchen is like mine (only much neater) not like the ultra-fancy kitchens with Wolfe six burner stoves, or Miele refrigerators or Creuset cookware. I cook for myself each day preferring something different each day. (Leftovers go in portioned containers for future meals.) It is extremely time consuming to cook nearly everything from scratch except for canned beans, canned fish like sardines and salmon, cheeses and if I wasn’t retired and had to cook for a family after I got off work, I couldn’t cook the way I do. The main headache is washing the dishes, pots and pans. I don’t have a dishwasher. I love Denise’s videos although because of the allotted budget protein sources are necessarily limited.
Your videos are such a treat, Denise!! I love my Trader Joe's... such unique and delicious items. But, I do my regular pantry staple shopping at Krogers. Whole Foods in my experience is more $$ than TJ's. Looking forward to your next video! Prayers for your ill family member. xo
Trader Joe's and Aldi are owned by the same company. I love both stores. Aldi is your basic day to day shopping and Trader Joe's is the pricier,think Premium, specialty grocery. Aldi has good prices but limited variety. Good quality in both storres. I lived in England briefly for school in 1995. Their ovens have markings on them instead of temperature numbers,and thus recipes will say," Gas mark 3 or 5" instead of 350 degrees. You really found great cook books and got good value there. I like your reasoned approach to the pricing and prep of the Asian dishes you will be making at home instead of going to the resturant. There are times you want the restaurant experience as a celebration for a birthday or anniversary. Other times,save the money and have it at home in you pajamas to be truly decadent.😄
Gloria, what a nice way to look at it. Sometimes we’ll want the celebration. Most of the time…home in our pajamas. I didn’t know Trader Joe’s and Aldi were owned by the same company. Go figure. Oh…and thank you for info about the gas markings. I had no clue where they might be for or from. The cookbooks are so nice. I’m really enjoying them.
I love watching your videos. I am from flFt Wayne area as well. Trader Joe's is great! Everyone raves about the orange chicken. Looking forward to your next video.
My family loves the orange chicken from Trader Joe’s. It makes a quick weeknight meal with leftovers for me to take to work. If you enjoy the orange chicken, you should try the teriyaki chicken in the frozen section. It is delicious.
I shop at Trader Joes often. But I only purchase certaim items. They do have a lot of items at hood prices. Especially if you want organic produce. They are great for quick meals. Like you mentioned the Panda Express dup. The frozen veggies are a great price. I keep frozen veggies, frozen roasted potatoes? Veggie fried rice and hashbrowns for quick meal additions.
Trader Joe’s is a specialty store… Eventho there are SOME things that can be bought like fresh vegetables and some herbs/ spices…. That Apple at 1.49 each could’ve waited- The Leeks also and replaced with a bag of Lentils and or green onion Some Kale Some Broth A whole chicken A bag of rice And some bottled water Yum a whole week worth of healthy eats- That strawberry smoothie could’ve been NOT.. but it all depends on the taste buds
Oh, trust me, I get it, I just bought according to my prepared list…with. No I didn’t. I got those frozen entrees. The chicken was just way too expensive. It wasn’t something I needed at the time but the kale and rice…definitely.m
@@homemakingwithdenise 😂 😂 it’s okay momma! U did great.. I couldn’t have went to Trader Joe’s and came out without some Chinese Dumplings and some other Chinese Korean of Japanese sauces and soya so I would’ve messed up .. however I cook my own Chinese dishes fresh and it’s cheaper quicker and easier! However I can not make the dumplings… imma do. A $30 budget from Walmart etc
@@homemakingwithdenise I rarely go to Trader Joe's for one of the reasons you mentioned--I can't get my groceries for the week there, but I can get a few select things that are different or nice quality. I also like the way you are incorporating the budget challenge into grocery shopping. It can really feel like a chore sometimes and thinking more consciously about hitting a budget target can make it kind of fun. And, it's a good reminder to be thankful that the budget challenge is a choice, not a necessity like it is for some people. Thank you for the question.
Oh I love Trader Joe’s! And I love that mandarin orange chicken! There’s also a vegetarian option for that. You haven’t even cooked anything and I’m already hungry😂
For us, Trader Joe’s is a treat option we purchase from a couple times a year. Maple cookies in fall? Sure! Shopping there each week doesn’t work for us but it’s an option at times.
I've never shopped at Trader Joe's. There's not one in my city. They are in the DFW area where my mother lives, but it isn't close to her. I want to check it out the next time I visit. I've never cooked or eaten parsnips or leeks. Guess I'm not adventurous with my vegetable selections. I think it's interesting to see your meal plans for the $30 grocery budget. I'm glad you and your sisters can get together. Take care, Linda 🦋
Hi Linda, yes…it is nice to get together with my sisters. This was a fun trip. Lots of chatter there and back. I probably missed a lot of things as I explored here and there in the store. I didn’t get around to every corner. Next time, I will. It’ll be better next time because I’ll just go looking for fun things or particular organic items and see how that works, I hear their butters like nut butters and seasonal butters are really good. I’ll know to look for them.
I have only been to Trader Joe's once and I absolutely loved it. It's quite a drive for me. I can't wait to go again. The Cookie Butter is SOOOOO GOOD! I'd go in just for that. I just love the packaging and the way they present their store.
I’ve been to Trader Joe’s once and I didn’t like how everything looked prepackaged. I did notice u pointing out the cotton candy grapes for $9.99 because I had just bought some at my Kroger. Well, I paid $10.58 for my grapes. ☹️
Ohhhh…I thought the $9.99 was high. I didn’t know Kroger sold those grapes so hmmmmm….looks like Trader Joe had a better deal. Yeah…I liked how some things were prepackaged but others…I wanted to select myself.
I'm from Oklahoma. I'm recently unemployed and get $23 per month in food stamps. Homeland gives equal benefits for fresh fruits and veggies. So, with $23 the weekly budget is $5.75 on other food with $6 on fresh fruit and veggies. What meals would you make?
@@KesaMcDonald I hope this helps, because i’ve lived through some harsh times in my life & I know it’s close to impossible to eat healthy or fresh food. I’d focus on staying full. A bag of beans, 1 smoked hammhock or turkey leg, 2 boxes of cornbread, carton of eggs and a gallon of milk. Drinks a lot of water too. Hopefully there’s a food bank near you. That’ll last you about a month if you ration it out modestly. If you’re a believer in Christ, stay in Faith and away from sin and things will start to get better. 💚
How many people do you have to cook for? What cooking equipment do you have? You should have some sharp knives like a chef’s knife and boning knife for boning chicken and turkey. Next you need a nonstick skillet and a Dutch oven. Very useful are a pressure cooker and a food processor. Most everything can be found at thrift stores or dollar stores. Of course, you need ziplock bags in an assortment of sizes so you can save leftovers in the freezer. Next you need to stock your pantry (or cupboards) with non-perishable basics: sugar, coffee or tea, brown rice, dry beans, pasta, canned tomato products, flour and spices. Buy canned fish like salmon, sardines, smoked oysters. Fresh produce can be pricey but make sure you look out for weekly special sales and only buy what you need or can freeze otherwise you’ll end up wasting food. If you go to a food bank make out a menu once you get home with your food. Go to Pinterest for recipes.
We don't have a Traders Joe here. We have farmer's market, Asian grocery stores, Healthy Life Market, Aldi, Kroger, Walmart, Sam's Club, and Save A Lot.
I have an Asian market nearby. Spices and condiments are so much cheaper than grocery stores. They also have a lot of tropical produce not usually stocked by regular markets. There is also a carry-out hot food section that has soy chicken, roasted duck and crispy roast pork.
I find it more expensive, Aldi and traders had the same owners and then separated. If u like traders u will find many similar items for wayyyyy less at Aldi
As far as price, I think that Trader Joe’s is very comparable to other regular grocery stores. Definitely less than Whole Foods. When I go I like to buy a lot of those frozen meals, because sometimes I just need some thing that is ready in a few minutes. And they are definitely less expensive than other stores. And they are delicious! But for example the bell peppers, at my grocery store they are $1.79 each. Which seems like highway robbery for a bell pepper.
Agreed. To me, the difference is that they are comparable or cheaper than some national named brand frozen items and the ingredients are much better and they taste a lot better. Betrer quality over all than the ingredients in Stouffer's or pf changs
I love Trader Joe's. I have to buy gluten free and dairy free and they have products I can't find in other stores easily. They also have specialty cheeses that I used to buy before I had to go diary free. Their nuts are the best prices except for Costco. I like organic produce and eat a lot of fresh produce and prefer organic.
I shop at the same TJ's in Fort Wayne! I love to pick up the chicken Fried rice in the frozen section. It feeds 3 of us with some extra chicken on the side and some eggrolls.
I like Trader Joe's for their dog biscuits, sea bass in the frozen isle and almond butter cookies. I can also usually find Delicata Squash if mine don't do well in the garden.
Love TJ's..their organic sour cream is great.i make a special trip to stock up on their Mexican cauliflower rice and their organic chicken broth. Both are outstanding and the prices are phenomenal
You know Aldi is a subsidiary of Trader Joes, you can go and get veggies from there. What's wild the prices are cheaper. the same cosmic apples at Aldi for 3.26/per bag (that's in houston), you can go to krogers across the street and they are 1.99/lb and higher at TJs. Now supposedly the meat at Aldi is good, but I'm just cutting back from storing meat since Hurricane Beryl. Denise have you always planned your meals weekly? You have me on this challenge. It's amazing how I take going into the grocery store and just spend money, without a plan. Just not being a good steward of what God has provided. Thank you for the videos.
@@renel7303 You are correct they are two brothers, but Alid Nord does own Traders Joes and Alid Sud owns Alidi US, but the German influence is clear, when you see some of the items in Aldi US. It's only the split of the companies, which the father was smart at doing, but they are stocking the same products.
We don’t have a Kroger or Kroger owned store near us so I can’t compare Trader Joe’s to them however we do have many other stores to compare them too. I would say Trader Joe’s is slightly more expensive than Aldi, Walmart and Target. It’s cheaper than Whole Foods and Kowalskis and about the same as Cub. The real question is why go there. I mostly go for things I either can’t get elsewhere or are either significantly higher in quality or lower in price. For example they have the best quality bananas and are cheaper than everywhere but the gas station. They also carry nuts in bulk which can be hard to find but of course I mostly go there for their frozen specialty’s such as the orange chicken and potatoes with green beans.
I get it. Trader Joe’s is about 30 minutes from us and Aldi is five minutes away. I’ll be looking more into Aldi. But the next time my sisters go to Trader Joe’s, I’m tagging along.
For me, trader joes is cheaper for organic items, which i try to buy and the quality of their items is higher than some regualr grocery store brand's organic things
It’s been almost 6 months or 9 months since I was last at TJ. I go about once a quarter or twice a year. Back when I first went I was a little overwhelmed at what it carried. One of my favorite things to get was the little sample candies up by the registers for the longest time the peanut butter cups and dark chocolate almonds were both 99 cents. They finally went up to 1 and a quarter ish. I could decide to splurge and get the bigger version but I do like the little ones. My favorite item to buy is the plantain chips. I miss the chocolate humus that they used to carry. I try to keep an eye on it at Aldi but I haven’t seen any dessert hummus at Aldi in a while. (Back to TJ): I went with a friend to show her around because she hadn’t been before. I spent a little over 20 on a few items. I mostly get what I like except I picked up two new items. I’m making something to take to work and one of the people has a food preference. I decided to look to see if they can something along those lines. I found two things which I wanted to stick with the cooler version instead of the shelf stable one. I wanted to make the TikTok cinnamon rolls in a gluten free version. (I’m thinking I may check another store in my town to see if I can find gluten free cinnamon rolls.) Another new item I bought was coconut. The two items that I was wanting they didn’t have it. I picked up another jar of seasonings for my mom since I got it for her last year and she liked it. I watch another channel who does some shopping there. She mostly gets the Asian foods. I just haven’t ventured out and bought them just yet. It’s still on my list to try them. I had someone recommended to me from another channel that I should try the bar shampoo as well.
To me Trader Joe's is about the specialty items. The cheese, the marinated meats, the dips, the crackers, the frozen food, etc.. My daughter who has a harder time making food for one shops there as things are already prepared. She isn't willing to cook a chicken, etc.. I do buy food there for a road trip like the premade sandwiches. But I agree it is not economical. And, they never have everything you need.
You are absolutely right. It’s more about the specialty items. This was my first trip there and I did enjoy it. The quality of the produce was amazing. I find I am cooking more these days. It’s simply more cost effective to cook and eat at home. I didn’t get a chance to see the premade sandwiches. My sister got this special maple butter that was OMG!
I'm not close to Trader Joes, but shop there on occasion. Their pie crust is the closest to homemade I've ever had. Not nearly as salty. Nice to have in the freezer for a quick meal or dessert when you're short on time.
We shop at Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Target on a rotation. Aldi I use for staples, milk, coffee, AP flour, snacks etc. I usually go in the store, although some locations have pickup with Instacart. For us, the only one that has pickup is a bit far away. So I’ll do that for a monthly stock up if we need a lot of staples. I find certain things at target comparable to Aldi, and it’s convenient because they have the drive up option for busy weeks. However, the produce at Aldi and Target is hit or miss. Certain things that last like potatoes, onions, apples, oranges, carrots, etc. are ok. But if we want some berries or some salad kits, I’m rolling the dice. Trader Joe’s is nice because the produce is in small bags or is sold by the individual fruit/veg. This is obviously a little more expensive up front, but we won’t waste it and will buy just what we need. At aldi, most of the produce comes in bigger bags that we often won’t finish before it goes bad. So yea, we can buy a bag of nectarines for $4, but if I only need 2-3 for the week because my partner doesn’t like them, I’d rather just buy those for $2 and not waste food. In the end, I don’t get as much for my money, but I don’t throw my money away either. So I prefer this for certain items. I also like that Trader Joe’s has cleaner ingredients. They also have a lot of vegetarian pre-made meals/things like impossible meat or chickenless nuggets for a bit cheaper than Target. The convenience food are expensive, but it’s nice to know if you buys a few for emergencies that they don’t have as many chemicals. I also love to keep a vase of flowers on the table, and Trader Joe’s always has beautiful options! So yea, we rotate due to budget needs, but we do like it in the rotation.
21:15 Whole foods is very expensive. Trader Joe's is a bit cheaper and msybe closer to Fresh Thyme. Kroger and other regular grocery stores are more affordable. Walmart and Aldi are the least expensive. Do you still have that lower cabinet full of cookbooks? Do you have a few favorites?
Trader Joe’s is not as inexpensive as it used to be. I enjoy shopping there because there is always something new. Don’t know if you know that ALDIS and TRADER JOES are owned by brothers or cousins. They say they don’t get along but who knows.
I definitely think Whole Foods is high priced. I have been, but would NEVER do my regular shopping there. That same company owns Aldi in the US, and Aldi is a store I do my regular shopping. It is a cheaper version, and I love it!
Thanks for your input. I’m learning Trader Joe’s is in between Aldi and Whole Foods. Each is nice in its own way though I don’t think I’ve been to Whole Foods. We don’t have a Whole Foods in our town. We do have a Fresh Thyme which is very nice.
Now that is funny. I must admit I do the same thing peering around trying to see what is behind the host. Hahaha.That was my stock pan and I was making chicken broth. It was simmering away nicely. I got about eight quarts out of that and used it the next day to make chicken noodle soup.
I totally agree about prices at Trader Joe’s. I thought they were expensive but so many people prefer to shop there. I can see going for treats or specialty foods but I can’t go there weekly.
@@homemakingwithdenise 😂 😂 I’m sure u will do great with the $30 just without adding your Chinese Favs… but it’s about what u want to eat.. however seniors on a tight budget cannot use those stamps like that and that’s all they get or have… after that nice meal unless it will last for a month.. u did say u and your husband can eat for 5.00 a bag so it could work for 1 bag a week for 1 person with some rice for 1.00 I guess…
I avoid the their baked goods. Their prepared foods I find bland. Limited choices in canned goods. Meats tend to be au pare with other stores. Produce great. And, the only place I've found some with spicy Chai tea concentrate to mix with original, unflavoured almond milk.
I love your videos!!!! But.Ack! I've been told I'm autistic. Pleaaaaase and thank you, do not do ASMR (the supposedly cute up close sounds things make....ack!!!!!) Over over over stimulating!
I ‘m sorry I love Trader Joe as senior citizen.. The store is prefect size , fast check out … I shop twice monthly and used the dollar store for cleaning supplies, and condiments ect.
I enjoyed your video-- it was like sitting in a friend's kitchen chatting about food. Thank you for letting us visit!
It's a little pricey at Trader Joes but I love their unique items especially in the frozen items.
This is my first time viewing your channel and I found it very informative. I am 75-year-old senior who shops weekly at Trader Joe’s mainly because it is so closely located to where I live. Also, being pescatarian and trying to stay mainly on fruits and vegetables I find them very conducive to my needs. I do go to Kroger occasionally for the items that I cannot find at Trader Joe’s. I find Trader Joe’s prices very reasonable and in my area actually in more items than Kroger‘s. I suppose it all depends on what you purchase. Thank you for such a great video.
LOVE Trader Joe's and Aldi. Shop almost exclusively at those 2
I’m surprised that we haven’t run into each other. 😂 Those are my main food stores. Trader Joe’s is pricey especially the produce such as Honey Crisp apples and bananas but the variety of items surpasses Aldi. One of the great advantages of shopping at Aldi is that it is in my neighborhood. Another advantage is the wide assortment of non-food items such as basic hand tools, vacuum cleaners. cookware, etc.
Letting you know I survived hurricane Milton. It was scary. I only have minor damage thankfully. I've never been to Trader Joes. I've made butternut squash apple soup before and it is a really good soup. Your soup sounds good too. I heard the cotton candy grapes are really good but at $9.99 a lb I will never know.
I hope you'll be able to try them at least once. I didn't like them at first, but now I do. I think they're too sweet so I don't eat that much. Not sure if you can freeze grapes, but if you can, perhaps you can freeze it for a special thing to eat sometimes. :)
Glad you're still here, by the way. ❤️
Debbie…glad you got through Hurricane Milton okay. A little dinged up but still going strong. Good on you. I won’t be buying $9.99 grapes either. It’s too much. Now let’s talk about that soup. It sounds wonderful. Recipe ?
@@AG-hx6qn Thank you.
@@AG-hx6qngrapes not only can be frozen but are excellent that way!
I like your $30.00 budget grocery hauls. Lots of helpful ideas of how to budget what you buy and make. I'm so glad I found this channel.
You are so full of good tips and advice. I am learning the steps. Plan, shop at home then go to the store.
Could have used this teaching years ago! Appreciate that you are trying to teach the younger generations. Hopefully they will be great cooks and pass their skills on.
It’s a fun place to put together a gist basket. I did that for my in-laws and they really enjoyed it.
I used to shop at Trader Joe’s and found frozen bags of chicken breasts or chicken thighs to be a good value. Fresh items on sale in season were good. Organic items were of good variety. I was upgrading from the grocery store by visiting them. Now I buy all meats, veggies and raw dairy from an organic local farmer/store.
I love honey walnut shrimp too! Thanks for showing some of the affordable options in the store for us!
I am really enjoying your channel - I’m so happy I found your channel. God bless. (Greensboro, NC)
I love Trader Joe's!! In and out in no time! 😂
I've only been to trader Joe's maybe twice in my life because the closest one is over an hour away in a direction i never go. I love squash soup, especially with a grilled fancy sandwich.
Their pasta is actually the cheapest I can find. Cheaper than Walmart, Costco or any other store in my area. I usually go there just to stock up on it. Fun variety of shapes, too!
Me too! They have the bronze cut pasta that holds the sauce better and is very nicely priced but their marinara sauce is 1.99 a jar! Love it!
Trader Joe’s has the best pasta!
I usually shop Trader Joe's twice a year and I shop for specific items like their lower calorie lite shredded cheese, frozen orange chicken, frozen teriyaki chicken, frozen fish nuggets, frozen hashbrowns, frozen chicken breast nuggets, frozen mini baguettes, frozen turkey corn dogs, Greek Goddess seasoning, dog treats, etc. I find the price and quality are good but like you said, I wouldn't try to shop there weekly. Also, where did you get those cookbooks? I love to sit and read a good cookbook!
I've only been to Trader Joe's once or twice. I do like how you encourage us to shop your shelves to expand on our menus. Planning menus for the week is something I have to focus on before going shopping.
Wish we had one closer. I love their fresh flowers and a few specialty items. I wouldn’t buy all my groceries from there but would frequent them more if they were closer. Loooovw their paper bags!!
I love our trader jos. The people who work there are always so welcoming and helpful. Having said that, they are a little higher on most things, but i get things there i can't find anywhere else. So, it's like you said, i do my main shopping at kroger, but i go to traders for that little something extra
It’s hit and miss at Trader Joe’s. Seems like they have excellent quality products. No super sales but prices are average. If you’re strictly into organic everything you many save some pennies. I love getting flowers there too. 😁
Just a few years ago, I used to spend $100 at Trader Joe's and get tons of food. Now, not so much. 🥺
I love your channel. I need to make time to just sit and watch as many videos as I can of yours. Thank you for sharing your advice and knowledge.❤
Just found your channel and subscribed. Since I retired I have more time to shop the sales. I like to cook so I love getting new ideas.❤❤❤
Oh my gosh, the honey walnut shrimp! I love it! I think I’m making a Trader Joe’s run this week!
I don't have a trader joes near me, but when I visit my sister, I will sometimes go there. I don't do grocery shopping there- but I like to go for novelty items, such as condiments, cookie butter, and other unusual items I can't get at my regular stores.
I love the options at TJ’s. Lots of different items to try that you don’t necessarily find at the regular grocer. I have never tried to go in with a meal plan list though. I usually make a meal with items I find there. I don’t think the prices are bad, but you probably would get better sale prices elsewhere. But like I mentioned, a lot of items there are unique.
I've been shopping at Trader Joe's for over 15 yrs. Your prices are much cheaper than ours. Their orange chicken is a staple that has always been $4.99 for years. I buy it all the time.
Helpful hint: The frozen Brussel sprouts are cheaper than the fresh. Here they are $1.69 for 16 oz....they used to be 99cents before Covid.
Trader Joe's (owned by Aldis) is the 2nd cheapest store in town. Aldis is #1.
2 brothers inherited German Aldi from their dad, splitting territories.
Trader Joe’s has some great prices. Wish we had one here in Alabama. That honey walnut shrimp sounds so good
Just a high end grocery store. Some things are good but generally very pricey. Good selection of different cheeses.
so good, thank you Denise!
You are so welcome! What resonated with you most?
I like your videos. We don't have a Trader Joe's in my town, Too expensive anyway. I'm sure you would have been able to buy a lot more groceries at Walmart. That's where I shop, also Dollar General, and Dollar Tree. I live on a budget. One income.
I so love your video. I feel like I am at your home, having coffee and sharing cookbooks. I agree TraderJoe's is more expensive and high quality. I shop for one and have a lot of leftovers but I freeze them for another time, or share them with family and friends.
I agree with you. Her kitchen is like mine (only much neater) not like the ultra-fancy kitchens with Wolfe six burner stoves, or Miele refrigerators or Creuset cookware. I cook for myself each day preferring something different each day. (Leftovers go in portioned containers for future meals.) It is extremely time consuming to cook nearly everything from scratch except for canned beans, canned fish like sardines and salmon, cheeses and if I wasn’t retired and had to cook for a family after I got off work, I couldn’t cook the way I do. The main headache is washing the dishes, pots and pans. I don’t have a dishwasher. I love Denise’s videos although because of the allotted budget protein sources are necessarily limited.
Northwest Indiana and no Trader Joes! I wish! Love your channel!
Laura, thank you. I’m in Northeast Indiana. I will go to Trader Joe’s again.
Your videos are such a treat, Denise!! I love my Trader Joe's... such unique and delicious items. But, I do my regular pantry staple shopping at Krogers. Whole Foods in my experience is more $$ than TJ's. Looking forward to your next video! Prayers for your ill family member. xo
Trader Joe's and Aldi are owned by the same company. I love both stores. Aldi is your basic day to day shopping and Trader Joe's is the pricier,think Premium, specialty grocery. Aldi has good prices but limited variety. Good quality in both storres. I lived in England briefly for school in 1995. Their ovens have markings on them instead of temperature numbers,and thus recipes will say," Gas mark 3 or 5" instead of 350 degrees. You really found great cook books and got good value there.
I like your reasoned approach to the pricing and prep of the Asian dishes you will be making at home instead of going to the resturant. There are times you want the restaurant experience as a celebration for a birthday or anniversary. Other times,save the money and have it at home in you pajamas to be truly decadent.😄
Gloria, what a nice way to look at it. Sometimes we’ll want the celebration. Most of the time…home in our pajamas. I didn’t know Trader Joe’s and Aldi were owned by the same company. Go figure. Oh…and thank you for info about the gas markings. I had no clue where they might be for or from. The cookbooks are so nice. I’m really enjoying them.
I love watching your videos. I am from flFt Wayne area as well. Trader Joe's is great! Everyone raves about the orange chicken. Looking forward to your next video.
My family loves the orange chicken from Trader Joe’s. It makes a quick weeknight meal with leftovers for me to take to work. If you enjoy the orange chicken, you should try the teriyaki chicken in the frozen section. It is delicious.
Okay…I do love teriyaki chicken so the next time we go I will look for that. We just had the orange chicken last night and it was delicious.
I shop at Trader Joes often. But I only purchase certaim items. They do have a lot of items at hood prices. Especially if you want organic produce. They are great for quick meals. Like you mentioned the Panda Express dup. The frozen veggies are a great price. I keep frozen veggies, frozen roasted potatoes? Veggie fried rice and hashbrowns for quick meal additions.
Trader Joe’s is a specialty store… Eventho there are SOME things that can be bought like fresh vegetables and some herbs/ spices….
That Apple at 1.49 each could’ve waited-
The Leeks also and replaced with a bag of Lentils and or green onion
Some Kale
Some Broth
A whole chicken
A bag of rice
And some bottled water
Yum a whole week worth of healthy eats-
That strawberry smoothie could’ve been NOT.. but it all depends on the taste buds
Oh, trust me, I get it, I just bought according to my prepared list…with. No I didn’t. I got those frozen entrees. The chicken was just way too expensive. It wasn’t something I needed at the time but the kale and rice…definitely.m
@@homemakingwithdenise 😂 😂 it’s okay momma! U did great.. I couldn’t have went to Trader Joe’s and came out without some Chinese Dumplings and some other Chinese Korean of Japanese sauces and soya so I would’ve messed up .. however I cook my own Chinese dishes fresh and it’s cheaper quicker and easier! However I can not make the dumplings… imma do. A $30 budget from Walmart etc
Ok "chili" pot pie/Shepard pie - use cornbread on top! That would be delish
18:17 Scallops? If so, I totally forgot the name of those a few days ago and it drove me crazy. Thanks so much for another great video. 👍👍👍
Yes. They were scallops. My mind just blanked on the name for a minute. What resonated with you most from this video?
@@homemakingwithdenise I rarely go to Trader Joe's for one of the reasons you mentioned--I can't get my groceries for the week there, but I can get a few select things that are different or nice quality. I also like the way you are incorporating the budget challenge into grocery shopping. It can really feel like a chore sometimes and thinking more consciously about hitting a budget target can make it kind of fun. And, it's a good reminder to be thankful that the budget challenge is a choice, not a necessity like it is for some people. Thank you for the question.
You did great only spending $40, everything always looks so good in that grocery store.
I love Trader Joe's, they are the same store as Aldi. Trader Joe's have a better selection than its sister store.
Yes, and think what those frozen dishes would cost if you ate out or had them delivered!
Oh I love Trader Joe’s! And I love that mandarin orange chicken! There’s also a vegetarian option for that. You haven’t even cooked anything and I’m already hungry😂
You may want to look at the cookbook called Dining on a Dime by Jill cooper & Tawra Kellom. Just simple meals.
For us, Trader Joe’s is a treat option we purchase from a couple times a year. Maple cookies in fall? Sure! Shopping there each week doesn’t work for us but it’s an option at times.
I totally agree! The next time I go I’ll think of it as looking for treats or specialty or seasonal items. Hahaha! I can’t wait until the next time.
I've never shopped at Trader Joe's. There's not one in my city. They are in the DFW area where my mother lives, but it isn't close to her. I want to check it out the next time I visit. I've never cooked or eaten parsnips or leeks. Guess I'm not adventurous with my vegetable selections. I think it's interesting to see your meal plans for the $30 grocery budget. I'm glad you and your sisters can get together. Take care, Linda 🦋
Hi Linda, yes…it is nice to get together with my sisters. This was a fun trip. Lots of chatter there and back. I probably missed a lot of things as I explored here and there in the store. I didn’t get around to every corner. Next time, I will. It’ll be better next time because I’ll just go looking for fun things or particular organic items and see how that works, I hear their butters like nut butters and seasonal butters are really good. I’ll know to look for them.
I have only been to Trader Joe's once and I absolutely loved it. It's quite a drive for me. I can't wait to go again. The Cookie Butter is SOOOOO GOOD! I'd go in just for that. I just love the packaging and the way they present their store.
I’ve been to Trader Joe’s once and I didn’t like how everything looked prepackaged. I did notice u pointing out the cotton candy grapes for $9.99 because I had just bought some at my Kroger. Well, I paid $10.58 for my grapes. ☹️
Ohhhh…I thought the $9.99 was high. I didn’t know Kroger sold those grapes so hmmmmm….looks like Trader Joe had a better deal. Yeah…I liked how some things were prepackaged but others…I wanted to select myself.
@@homemakingwithdenise The cotton candy grapes r only around for a short time, so my hubs and I think they’re worth a brief splurge. 😀
Yeah, they're a short term grape. There are a few like that.
I stopped buying grapes years ago because they’re so expensive, I’ve settled for bananas and apples but bananas get the most bang for my buck.
@@Judy-c3d I actually got some regular grapes at Kroger last week for 99 cents with a coupon. Sometimes u luck out. 🙂
I'm from Oklahoma. I'm recently unemployed and get $23 per month in food stamps. Homeland gives equal benefits for fresh fruits and veggies. So, with $23 the weekly budget is $5.75 on other food with $6 on fresh fruit and veggies. What meals would you make?
@@KesaMcDonald I hope this helps, because i’ve lived through some harsh times in my life & I know it’s close to impossible to eat healthy or fresh food. I’d focus on staying full. A bag of beans, 1 smoked hammhock or turkey leg, 2 boxes of cornbread, carton of eggs and a gallon of milk. Drinks a lot of water too. Hopefully there’s a food bank near you. That’ll last you about a month if you ration it out modestly. If you’re a believer in Christ, stay in Faith and away from sin and things will start to get better. 💚
How many people do you have to cook for? What cooking equipment do you have? You should have some sharp knives like a chef’s knife and boning knife for boning chicken and turkey. Next you need a nonstick skillet and a Dutch oven. Very useful are a pressure cooker and a food processor. Most everything can be found at thrift stores or dollar stores. Of course, you need ziplock bags in an assortment of sizes so you can save leftovers in the freezer. Next you need to stock your pantry (or cupboards) with non-perishable basics: sugar, coffee or tea, brown rice, dry beans, pasta, canned tomato products, flour and spices. Buy canned fish like salmon, sardines, smoked oysters. Fresh produce can be pricey but make sure you look out for weekly special sales and only buy what you need or can freeze otherwise you’ll end up wasting food. If you go to a food bank make out a menu once you get home with your food. Go to Pinterest for recipes.
We don't have a Traders Joe here. We have farmer's market, Asian grocery stores, Healthy Life Market, Aldi, Kroger, Walmart, Sam's Club, and Save A Lot.
I have an Asian market nearby. Spices and condiments are so much cheaper than grocery stores. They also have a lot of tropical produce not usually stocked by regular markets. There is also a carry-out hot food section that has soy chicken, roasted duck and crispy roast pork.
We like TJ very much. 😊
Kendra, I have to agree, I did love the quality of everything. Loved it. What resonated with you most from this video?
I find it more expensive, Aldi and traders had the same owners and then separated. If u like traders u will find many similar items for wayyyyy less at Aldi
As far as price, I think that Trader Joe’s is very comparable to other regular grocery stores. Definitely less than Whole Foods. When I go I like to buy a lot of those frozen meals, because sometimes I just need some thing that is ready in a few minutes. And they are definitely less expensive than other stores. And they are delicious! But for example the bell peppers, at my grocery store they are $1.79 each. Which seems like highway robbery for a bell pepper.
Agreed. To me, the difference is that they are comparable or cheaper than some national named brand frozen items and the ingredients are much better and they taste a lot better. Betrer quality over all than the ingredients in Stouffer's or pf changs
I love Trader Joe's. I have to buy gluten free and dairy free and they have products I can't find in other stores easily. They also have specialty cheeses that I used to buy before I had to go diary free. Their nuts are the best prices except for Costco. I like organic produce and eat a lot of fresh produce and prefer organic.
I love Trader Joe’s. I get my meats and eggs from a local farm, Food Loin/ Trader Joe’s and Target/ BJ for everything else.
I shop at the same TJ's in Fort Wayne! I love to pick up the chicken Fried rice in the frozen section. It feeds 3 of us with some extra chicken on the side and some eggrolls.
A cornbread topping on the chili is excellent.
I like Trader Joe's for their dog biscuits, sea bass in the frozen isle and almond butter cookies. I can also usually find Delicata Squash if mine don't do well in the garden.
Love TJ's..their organic sour cream is great.i make a special trip to stock up on their Mexican cauliflower rice and their organic chicken broth. Both are outstanding and the prices are phenomenal
You know Aldi is a subsidiary of Trader Joes, you can go and get veggies from there. What's wild the prices are cheaper. the same cosmic apples at Aldi for 3.26/per bag (that's in houston), you can go to krogers across the street and they are 1.99/lb and higher at TJs. Now supposedly the meat at Aldi is good, but I'm just cutting back from storing meat since Hurricane Beryl. Denise have you always planned your meals weekly? You have me on this challenge. It's amazing how I take going into the grocery store and just spend money, without a plan. Just not being a good steward of what God has provided. Thank you for the videos.
No. Two separate companies owned by members of the same German family. And TJ's started in California and was later sold.
@@renel7303 You are correct they are two brothers, but Alid Nord does own Traders Joes and Alid Sud owns Alidi US, but the German influence is clear, when you see some of the items in Aldi US. It's only the split of the companies, which the father was smart at doing, but they are stocking the same products.
Pretty much everything boxed or frozen at trader joes is exclusive to trader joes
We don’t have a Kroger or Kroger owned store near us so I can’t compare Trader Joe’s to them however we do have many other stores to compare them too. I would say Trader Joe’s is slightly more expensive than Aldi, Walmart and Target. It’s cheaper than Whole Foods and Kowalskis and about the same as Cub. The real question is why go there. I mostly go for things I either can’t get elsewhere or are either significantly higher in quality or lower in price. For example they have the best quality bananas and are cheaper than everywhere but the gas station. They also carry nuts in bulk which can be hard to find but of course I mostly go there for their frozen specialty’s such as the orange chicken and potatoes with green beans.
We live 50 minutes from trader Joe's. To me it's not worth the drive when we have an aldi down the street.
I get it. Trader Joe’s is about 30 minutes from us and Aldi is five minutes away. I’ll be looking more into Aldi. But the next time my sisters go to Trader Joe’s, I’m tagging along.
For me, trader joes is cheaper for organic items, which i try to buy and the quality of their items is higher than some regualr grocery store brand's organic things
It’s been almost 6 months or 9 months since I was last at TJ. I go about once a quarter or twice a year. Back when I first went I was a little overwhelmed at what it carried. One of my favorite things to get was the little sample candies up by the registers for the longest time the peanut butter cups and dark chocolate almonds were both 99 cents. They finally went up to 1 and a quarter ish. I could decide to splurge and get the bigger version but I do like the little ones.
My favorite item to buy is the plantain chips. I miss the chocolate humus that they used to carry. I try to keep an eye on it at Aldi but I haven’t seen any dessert hummus at Aldi in a while.
(Back to TJ):
I went with a friend to show her around because she hadn’t been before. I spent a little over 20 on a few items. I mostly get what I like except I picked up two new items. I’m making something to take to work and one of the people has a food preference. I decided to look to see if they can something along those lines. I found two things which I wanted to stick with the cooler version instead of the shelf stable one. I wanted to make the TikTok cinnamon rolls in a gluten free version. (I’m thinking I may check another store in my town to see if I can find gluten free cinnamon rolls.) Another new item I bought was coconut. The two items that I was wanting they didn’t have it. I picked up another jar of seasonings for my mom since I got it for her last year and she liked it.
I watch another channel who does some shopping there. She mostly gets the Asian foods. I just haven’t ventured out and bought them just yet. It’s still on my list to try them.
I had someone recommended to me from another channel that I should try the bar shampoo as well.
To me Trader Joe's is about the specialty items. The cheese, the marinated meats, the dips, the crackers, the frozen food, etc.. My daughter who has a harder time making food for one shops there as things are already prepared. She isn't willing to cook a chicken, etc.. I do buy food there for a road trip like the premade sandwiches. But I agree it is not economical. And, they never have everything you need.
You are absolutely right. It’s more about the specialty items. This was my first trip there and I did enjoy it. The quality of the produce was amazing. I find I am cooking more these days. It’s simply more cost effective to cook and eat at home. I didn’t get a chance to see the premade sandwiches. My sister got this special maple butter that was OMG!
I'm not close to Trader Joes, but shop there on occasion. Their pie crust is the closest to homemade I've ever had. Not nearly as salty. Nice to have in the freezer for a quick meal or dessert when you're short on time.
Thank you! The next time my sisters go I’m tagging along and looking for those pie crusts.
We shop at Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Target on a rotation.
Aldi I use for staples, milk, coffee, AP flour, snacks etc. I usually go in the store, although some locations have pickup with Instacart. For us, the only one that has pickup is a bit far away. So I’ll do that for a monthly stock up if we need a lot of staples.
I find certain things at target comparable to Aldi, and it’s convenient because they have the drive up option for busy weeks.
However, the produce at Aldi and Target is hit or miss. Certain things that last like potatoes, onions, apples, oranges, carrots, etc. are ok. But if we want some berries or some salad kits, I’m rolling the dice.
Trader Joe’s is nice because the produce is in small bags or is sold by the individual fruit/veg. This is obviously a little more expensive up front, but we won’t waste it and will buy just what we need. At aldi, most of the produce comes in bigger bags that we often won’t finish before it goes bad. So yea, we can buy a bag of nectarines for $4, but if I only need 2-3 for the week because my partner doesn’t like them, I’d rather just buy those for $2 and not waste food. In the end, I don’t get as much for my money, but I don’t throw my money away either. So I prefer this for certain items.
I also like that Trader Joe’s has cleaner ingredients. They also have a lot of vegetarian pre-made meals/things like impossible meat or chickenless nuggets for a bit cheaper than Target. The convenience food are expensive, but it’s nice to know if you buys a few for emergencies that they don’t have as many chemicals.
I also love to keep a vase of flowers on the table, and Trader Joe’s always has beautiful options!
So yea, we rotate due to budget needs, but we do like it in the rotation.
I wish I lived close to traders joe. I live live in central Illinois so my choices are Chicago or Indianapolis.
Trust me…it was nice but not worth the drive you;d have to make. You probably have something just as nice where you are.
21:15
Whole foods is very expensive. Trader Joe's is a bit cheaper and msybe closer to Fresh Thyme. Kroger and other regular grocery stores are more affordable. Walmart and Aldi are the least expensive.
Do you still have that lower cabinet full of cookbooks? Do you have a few favorites?
Trader Joe’s is not as inexpensive as it used to be. I enjoy shopping there because there is always something new. Don’t know if you know that ALDIS and TRADER JOES are owned by brothers or cousins. They say they don’t get along but who knows.
I definitely think Whole Foods is high priced. I have been, but would NEVER do my regular shopping there. That same company owns Aldi in the US, and Aldi is a store I do my regular shopping. It is a cheaper version, and I love it!
@@Debbienezfan actually, Trader Joe's and Aldi are separately owned by 2 brothers, so they are different companies.
The mandarin chicken is good
Trader joes isnt comparable to whole foods. Whole food is way higher. Trader Joes is very similar to its sister store Aldi
Thanks for your input. I’m learning Trader Joe’s is in between Aldi and Whole Foods. Each is nice in its own way though I don’t think I’ve been to Whole Foods. We don’t have a Whole Foods in our town. We do have a Fresh Thyme which is very nice.
I was a little distracted watching the pot boiling behind you and wondering if what was in that pot was ok!
Now that is funny. I must admit I do the same thing peering around trying to see what is behind the host. Hahaha.That was my stock pan and I was making chicken broth. It was simmering away nicely. I got about eight quarts out of that and used it the next day to make chicken noodle soup.
@@homemakingwithdenise Well done!
I find trader joes too expensive overall I think it’s better to shop at aldi you get good quality products and more for your money. ❤
I totally agree about prices at Trader Joe’s. I thought they were expensive but so many people prefer to shop there. I can see going for treats or specialty foods but I can’t go there weekly.
Trader Joe’s is a specialty store… Eventho there are SOME things that can be bought like fresh vegetables and some herbs/ spices….
I was pretty impressed with the quality of, well, everything. I will go back but plan a different budget,
@@homemakingwithdenise 😂 😂 I’m sure u will do great with the $30 just without adding your Chinese Favs… but it’s about what u want to eat.. however seniors on a tight budget cannot use those stamps like that and that’s all they get or have… after that nice meal unless it will last for a month.. u did say u and your husband can eat for 5.00 a bag so it could work for 1 bag a week for 1 person with some rice for 1.00 I guess…
Tempura Shrimp and Walnut Shrimp
PF Changs Organe Chicken-
Mama!! U spicy 😂😂😂 and have a nice and elegant palette!!❤❤❤😂😂😂
Hahaha! We had the orange chicken last night. It was delicious. I can’t wait to try the honey walnut shrimp.
@@homemakingwithdenise I have made the recipe once using walnuts and mayo and shrimp I ate the whole pan… Juzt Greedy I am when it comes to Chinese
So I guess you're not using any of the things you bought this week! I didn't see anything you bought in your menus.
Scallops?
Trader Joe's isn't for the cheap. Its cheaper than Whole Foods.
I avoid the their baked goods. Their prepared foods I find bland. Limited choices in canned goods. Meats tend to be au pare with other stores. Produce great. And, the only place I've found some with spicy Chai tea concentrate to mix with original, unflavoured almond milk.
Scallops
I'm not a fan of Trader Joe's. Perhaps it's because I am a "basic" kind of eater.
What I find most appealing about Trader Joe’s is the wide variety of condiments and specialty items rarely stocked at regular grocery stores.
I love your videos!!!!
But.Ack! I've been told I'm autistic. Pleaaaaase and thank you, do not do ASMR (the supposedly cute up close sounds things make....ack!!!!!) Over over over stimulating!
I ‘m sorry I love Trader Joe as senior citizen.. The store is prefect size , fast check out … I shop twice monthly and used the dollar store for cleaning supplies, and condiments ect.