5 Items the Frugal Middle Class Should Buy at Trader Joe's Before Summer Price Hikes
When you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget past Friday or feed a big household, most frugal middle-class families head directly to Costco, Walmart or Aldi to save as much money as they can. But Trader Joe’s actually has some really affordable picks too.
So, if money is tight and you want to stock up on food before the summer price hikes, here are five items worth adding to your grocery cart the next time you stop by Trader Joe’s.
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Price: $10.99
Olive oil is one of the many products affected by price hikes from tariffs, so it’s worth stocking up on them wherever you see an affordable option. This one-liter bottle of extra-virgin olive oil from Trader Joe’s is pretty inexpensive and comes from an Italian supplier. It’s a blend of some of the finest extra virgin olive oils from the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Greece, Spain and Tunisia. You can use it for sautéing, making salad dressing or as a bread-dipping oil.
Chocolate Hazelnut Ground Coffee
Price: $8.49
Tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% are now in place on imports from almost every coffee-producing country. So, if you want to save money on your morning cup of Joe, grab this chocolate hazelnut ground coffee from Trader Joe’s before prices go up even higher. This ground coffee is sourced from Cerrado de Minas which is one of the most renowned coffee-growing regions in Brazil. It has fragrant notes of rich chocolate and toasted hazelnut, perfect for anyone who loves flavored coffee.
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Price: $4.79
Frozen meals and ready-to-eat lunches could get more expensive in the summer when people are busier and more likely to rely on quick meals, so they’re worth stocking up on as well. Trader Joe’s BBQ Teriyaki Chicken Bowl has been a customer favorite since 2004, and it’s a complete meal that only takes about four minutes to heat up in the microwave. So, instead of spending $8+ dollar for a teriyaki chicken bowl at Panda Express, grab it at Trader Joe’s for half the price.
Strawberries
Price: $3.99
Strawberries should be at the top of your list of fruits to buy before the summer starts because they’re at the peak of both supply and flavor in late spring. As temperatures rise and demand for fresh fruit increases, prices can also rise. Trader Joe’s strawberries are pretty affordable compared to many other grocery chains, so make sure to add them to your shopping cart the next time you visit.
Organic Rolled Oats
Price: $4.99
Oats are one of the cheapest and most versatile pantry staples you can buy, which makes them a smart item for frugal middle-class shoppers to stock up on. Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Organic Rolled Oats with Ancient Grains & Seeds is delicious and loaded with amaranth and quinoa flakes, black chia seeds and brown flax meal. There’s no added sugar, so it’s a great breakfast option for health-conscious shoppers. Plus, it's vegan-friendly.
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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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