Dollar Tree Is Raising Prices: 7 Items You Should Buy at Trader Joe's Instead
With prices going up, you might be thinking that a discount store like Dollar Tree would save you money on groceries and home goods.
Turns out, Dollar Tree’s prices are going up on at least seven items which — based on analysis by Elisabella Ricca, personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback — you can purchase at Trader Joe’s for less.
Here are the grocery items to watch out for on your next trip to Trader Joe's.
1. Frosted Flakes Cereal
Frosted Flakes cereal is a clear example of why shoppers should compare unit pricing instead of shelf pricing, according to Ricca.
“Trader Joe's sells a 15-ounce box for $2.79, which works out to about 19 cents per ounce. Dollar Tree's Kellogg’s 2.1-ounce box costs $1.50, which works out to about 71 cents per ounce,” Ricca said, noting that Trader Joe's cereal is roughly 73% less expensive per ounce.
2. Whole Grain Oats Cereal
"For whole grain oats cereal, Trader Joe's 12-oz Joe's O's cost $1.99 and Dollar Tree sells a 2.2-ounce bag of Cheerios for $1.50,” said Ricca.
Ricca highlighted the difference in price is about 17 cents per ounce compared to approximately 68 cents per ounce for the Dollar Tree option, saving budget-conscious shoppers about 75% per ounce at Trader Joe's.
3. Mini Ice Cream Cones
Ricca found that Trader Joe’s sells an eight-count of their Vanilla Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones for $3.99, which is about 50 cents per cone, while Dollar Tree sells a comparable Blue Bunny eight-count of mini ice cream cones for $5,
This, said Ricca, “is a dollar more for the same amount, coming out to roughly 63 cents per cone at Dollar Tree. Shoppers purchasing the Trader Joe's version save about 20% while getting the same quantity.”
4. Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Ricca pointed out that a 16-ounce container of Trader Joe's Fudgy Cookie Dough ice cream costs $3.79, which is approximately 24 cents per ounce compared to Dollar Tree, which sells a 4-ounce container of Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream for $1.25, coming in around 31 cents per ounce.
“Although the Dollar Tree container has a lower upfront cost, Trader Joe's delivers about 24% better value on a per-ounce basis,” Ricca concluded.
5. Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
For a 9-ounce bag of these chips, Trader Joe’s sells them for $2.99, costing about 33 cents per ounce, based on Ricca’s findings.
“On the other hand, a 2-ounce bag of Takis at Dollar Tree is $1.25, making it 63 cents per ounce,” Ricca said. “That makes Trader Joe's nearly 47% cheaper per ounce, while also providing a package that’s more than four times larger.”
6. Round Salted Crackers
"Trader Joe's Golden Rounds crackers cost $2.99 for 12 ounces, which comes out to about 25 cents per ounce,” said Ricca. “Dollar Tree sells a 10.3 ounce box of Ritz Crackers for $4, which costs roughly 39 cents per ounce.”
Ricca drew attention to this savings of approximately 36% per ounce for shoppers who choose Trader Joe's over Dollar Tree for these snacks.
7. Hand and Body Cream
“Trader Joe's Hand & Body Cream costs $3.99 for 16 ounces, about 25 cents per ounce,” Ricca said. “Dollar Tree sells a 2-ounce Hand Cream and Body Lotion for $1.25, which is about 63 cents per ounce.”
Overall, Ricca discovered that the Trader Joe's product is about 60% less expensive per ounce and that personal care products often offer some of the biggest value differences across stores.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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