TJ Maxx is a favorite shopping spot for many discount shoppers. Not only do they have dozens of name-brand apparel brands at discounted prices, but they also have deals on home decor items as well as name-brand kitchen stuff. The best part? Most items are marked down 25% to 50% off the original retail price. But…there are some other ways to save big money at TJ Maxx that only employees and consumer insiders are privy to and here they are…

1. TJ Maxx Price Tag Secrets

Learn how to read price tags at TJMaxx to determine what kind of a deal you’re getting.

For example, if you see an item with a red price tag sticker (see image above), it means the item has been marked down at least once, sometimes 2 or 3 times.

If you see an item with a yellow price tag sticker, it means the item has been reduced to FINAL markdown and is the lowest the price will go.

Often times you’ll find an item in both the clearance section with a red or yellow tag, and in the regular-priced section with no clearance price tag.

This happens when an employee fails to mark items down correctly. Because this happens often, it’s worth the effort to browse through the clearance section just in case any full-priced items that you’re interested in buying might be there.

No sense paying full price when you can pay the clearance price.

2. Fashionista? Look For Purple Price Tags

If fashion is your thing, and you’re always on the lookout for apparel straight from the runway, keep an eye out for purple price tags at some TJ Maxx locations.

These are the clothes that were featured on the runway during Fashion Week.

While the prices might not beat a red or yellow tag, they’re still a lot cheaper than shopping at major department stores like Nordstrom, Saks, or Bloomingdales.

3. Shop TJ Maxx on a Tuesday or Wednesday

As mentioned previously, it’s smart to shop at TJ Maxx on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

I was told be an employee that they tend to do their price markdowns throughout the work week, but most happen on Tuesday and Wednesday making those great days to shop and get “first dibs” on new clearance items and new price markdowns.

Also, always shop early in the morning to take advantage of these new deals.

See Also: TJ Maxx Return Policy: Tips to Make It Work For You

4. Learn to Haggle at TJ Maxx

When shopping for home décor, furniture, luggage, and even mirrors and prints it’s worth knowing that you can haggle an even lower price.

Simply look for any imperfections like dents, scratches, or even damaged packaging, and politely ask an employee for a discount.

A TJ Maxx employee told me recently the most they are allowed to reduce the price is by 10%, so start at 15% and settle on 10% off.

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the result as stores want to get rid of imperfect items as they know they’ll have a hard time selling it at regular price.

The idea of negotiating a lower price at major retailers is something that has become more common practice so if you’re worried about looking like a cheapskate, get over it, you won’t.

5. “Compare At” Prices Aren’t Always Accurate

When looking at TJ Maxx price tags, be aware that the “Compare At” price might not always be correct.

Often times it is a bit inflated to make the TJ Maxx price look more attractive.

This best way to see if you’re being messed with is to use the ShopSaavy app and do a quick price check by scanning the items original bar code.

6. They Don’t Have Coupons…So Buy a Discounted Gift Card

Because of the lack of coupons at TJ Maxx, a terrific out-of-the-box way to save money is to buy discounted gift cards for the retailer.

They are “discounted” because they’re bought for less than face value from folks that got them as a gift and don’t want them, then sold back to you for a small profit, but still less than face value.

Here are a few online resources worth checking out.

• Raise.com – They currently have $100 TJ Maxx gift cards for only $77.85. Pretty nice savings.
• GiftCardGranny.com – They have a slew of TJ Maxx gift cards with an average savings right around 22% off the face value.
• CardPool.com – They are a distant third in terms of savings but still worth mentioning.

These discounted gift cards are especially great if you know you’ll be doing all of your Christmas shopping at TJ Maxx or making a large purchase in the near future.

See Also: Plan Your BIG Purchases: Here Are the Best Days of the Week to Shop

7. Think Outside the Big Box Store

TJ Maxx has some great deals on products that you don’t normally associate with them.

Here are a few to keep an eye out for.

• Pet Beds: We recently bought one and the price was 40% less than PetSmart and 20% less than our local Costco.
• Specialty Foods/Snacks: Look for deals from Jelly Belly, Williams Sonoma, and bargains on teas, pasta sauces, jams, and more.
• Luggage: Not sure why you’d buy luggage from anywhere else as the prices are so good. Look for brands like Brics, Gabbiano, Nine West, and Mia Toto Italy. Maybe only Ross has better luggage deals.
• Candles: Score big deals on brands like Yankee Candle, Luminara, and Chesapeake Bay.

Bottom line: Don’t only think clothing. jewelry, and handbags deals when you think TJ Maxx.

8. Shop in January and July and Save

If you can afford to wait until January or July to do the majority of your shopping, you’ll easily maximize your savings.

This is because those two months are when they switch out seasons at TJ Maxx and move a lot of inventory to the clearance rack which of course passes the savings along to you in droves.

Makes for a great time to stock up for the following year.

9. Yes…You Can Find Current Season Items at TJ Maxx

Thanks to reader Luke for this tip.

Here is what he told me, “As someone who knows the fashion industry very well I’d like to shed light for those who don’t really understand TJ Maxx or haven’t spent enough time in stores to know the difference.

TJ Maxx purchases overstock, cancelled orders, and past season deadstock, as well as merchandise not made for the American market but perhaps the European market.

This means that it is very possible to find current season merchandise that is also carried at your local department store. In regards to past season merchandise I have seen items at times still with their department store tag or items that are EXCLUSIVE to a department store like Macy’s or Saks Fifth Avenue.

With that said, I have even found merchandise (at TJ Maxx) from online boutiques like SSENSE. My local TJ Maxx carries runway so I will see year round designers like Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, and Saint Laurent.”

Ask the Reader: How do you save money at TJ Maxx? Any insider tips to add to the conversation? Leave a comment below, thanks.

By Kyle James

Who knows what items in a grocery store are YUMMY better than the employees who work there? Nobody. This is especially true when the store is Trader Joe’s and employees are munching on free samples all day and using their employee discount to take home new items to try out. Here are some of the best buys at Trader Joe’s, according to crew members, so you can make the most of your next trip.

1. Italian Food

A Trader Joe’s manager summed it up nicely, “The pasta is imported from Italy and is 99 cents.”

Prices at similar stores typically range from $3 to $4 per box.

Also, check out other Italian staples like olive oil and vinegar.

In particular, the manager singled out the white Modena vinegar mixed with California Estate olive oil as a BIG winner, especially when used as a salad dressing.

PRO TIP: FLOWERS, FLOWERS, FLOWERS

The flowers that Trader Joe’s sells are pretty amazing. They always have a wide selection of fresh cut flowers that are sold as bouquets, or in individual bunches so you can create your own arrangement.

And the prices are VERY reasonable, way cheaper than grocery stores like Safeway, Whole Foods, and Kroger.

2. TJ’s Private Label Beer

Their Mission St. Pale Ale came in 1st place in a taste test of 30 private label beers.

The Trader Jose Premium Lager also did quite well as did the Mission Street Brown Ale and Josephsbrau Heller Bock.

The price per 6-pack is quite competitive as well. Pick up a bottle or two and give it a try, you just might become a convert.

See Also: 8 Brilliant Trader Joe’s Shopping Tips (Shop Smart and Save)

3. Wine

While the 2-buck Chuck still does well in taste tests, the one bottle that employees rave about is the Tribunal red blend for $9.99.

The ten dollar price tag keeps it from being in most wine racks, but apparently it’s a real show stopper.

PRO TIP: SAMPLE BEFORE YOU BUY

Did you know that Trader Joe’s employees are happy to open almost any product for you to try? Whether it’s a snack, drink, or even a frozen item (they’ll microwave it for you to taste in-store).

Approach the staff at the nearest checkout or ask any associate on the floor if you’re curious about a specific item.

Trader Joe’s frequently introduces new and seasonal items. If you’re unsure about investing in something unfamiliar, ask to sample it.

Example: Before committing to a new flavor of hummus or seasonal ice cream, try it first to avoid disappointment.

Samples are designed to help you decide whether or not you like a product, so keep it to a small portion. Most employees will offer you just enough to taste.

Also, if you’re curious about how one product complements another (e.g., pairing a new cheese with crackers), ask if you can sample both. Employees are often willing to let you test combinations.

4. Frozen Meals

A few employee favorites include the Mac & Cheese Bites, Quattro Formaggio Pizza, and their Mandarin Orange chicken.

Keep an eye out for free samples of all 3 so you can give them a try without having to buy.

PRO TIP: DON’T SLEEP ON THE SPECIALTY CHEESES

I had several employees tell me that their specialty cheeses and a GREAT deal, up to 40% cheaper than Whole Foods.

Think smoked cheddar, gouda, creamy toscano, port salut, havarti, and brie to name a few. Both delicious and CHEAP.

5. Coffee

According to an employee, “Our coffee is inexpensive compared to most other places. We have so many coffee options, there’s something for everyone in our tiny little coffee section. We’ve got the spicier coffees, the nuttier coffees, and there’s usually an affordable alternative to each one.”

6. Five Seed Almond Bars

Because the name makes it sound like something you’d feed your hamster, the Five Seed Almond Bar gets very little love.

But according to employees it’s off the hook delicious.

Best explained as a very fresh tasting and chewy Nature Valley bar, they’re universally loved by all those brave enough to make the plunge.

PRO TIP: ZERO RISK WHEN TRYING A NEW ITEM

The return policy at Trader Joe’s is pretty darn awesome and let’s you return anything (opened or not) for a full refund.

So if you want to try that new granola bar you’ve heard good things about, or the ice cream that keeps catching your attention, go for it.

I’ve personally done this before and the employees at TJ’s are so great and DO NOT make you feel like a scam artist or cheapskate when you return opened food.

Bravo to Trader Joe’s for such a great return policy….just be sure you don’t abuse it and make it go away forever.

7. Bananas

At $0.19 per banana, the price at Trader Joe’s hasn’t changed in over a decade.

At the grocery store, you’re paying per pound for bananas which of course includes the peel. Unless you’re a goat, you ain’t eatin’ the peel, so why pay for it?

8. Cage-Free Eggs

Cage-free eggs are about $2.70/dozen at your typical grocery store….at Trader Joe’s you’ll only pay $1.99/dozen for cage-free eggs.

Or you can just do what I do and raise you’re own laying hens.

See Also: The Best Buying Guide to Learn How to “Time” Purchases to Save

9. Scandinavian Swimmers

If you love Swedish Fish candy, you’ll really love Trader Joe’s alternative named Scandinavian Swimmers.

Apparently there a little less sweet than Swedish Fish and you can get a HUGE bag for only $2.99.

Ask the Reader: What say you? What are some of your favorite buys at Trader Joe’s? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Photo by Liz West.

Sure Walmart’s everyday price is fairly low, but why not try to save even more. In this vain, I found some great tips directly from a current Walmart employee talking about how to find Walmart clearance deals when shopping in-store. We are talking like next-level stuff here and tips that you can start using TODAY to save big at Walmart. Hint: Stop looking on the clearance shelves. Here is what you need to know…

Find “Hidden” Walmart Clearance Deals

STOP looking for good clearance deals in the actual clearance section, it’s mostly “unwanted or crappy” items.

From Reddit user blong217, a current Walmart employee, “Most marked down, high end electronics are held in cabinets near or under their respective items”.

The employee went on to explain that most reduced items are not displayed and rarely have price tags.

They didn’t explain why, but it’s pretty obvious that Walmart does this for security reasons as marked-down, high-end electronics are highly targeted items for shoplifters.

See Also: I Debunk 12 Hilarious Walmart Shopping Myths

So Off I Go To Walmart To Test This Out…

So I walked into my local Walmart to see if this clearance tip held true or if it was a bunch of baloney.

I head straight for the electronics section and was surprised to see that the “clearance” section was filled with little of value, both in terms of selection and savings.

So I then turned my focus to the cabinet cases and the items “hidden” below the full-retail stuff.

To my amazement, there were many items which had NO noticeable price tag.

I then asked the employee working the department, “What’s the deal with these items buried down low?”

She told me they’re “excess inventory items”.

I then asked if any are clearance items, and she told me “Yes, many are”.

I asked if I could take a look and was blown away with some of the deals I found.

For example, I saw Samsung tablets, Western Digital external hard drives, and even a JBL Bluetooth speaker.

After some quick research on my smartphone, many of the prices were 20-30% LESS than prices on Amazon and Best Buy.

Sure, you’ll have to ask for assistance for this tip to work, and the employee might have to do a price-check on an item, but it’s totally worth the extra effort.

See Also: Wondering When Walmart Restocks? Here’s Everything We Know

Bonus Tip #1 – Success Increases at End of Season

Every January, new electronics are released in coordination with CES show in Vegas.

This makes February and March a great time to look for “hidden” clearance deals as Walmart tries to move out older models.

Besides February and March, your best bet is to keep an eye out in May and October when Walmart tends to rotate stock for the Summer and Winter season.

Bonus Tip #2 – Wait if Inventory is High

The Walmart employee also gave the great tip of waiting if inventory levels are high in the clearance section.

Specifically, “If you see an item that’s a great price, but there are ten more, wait to buy”.

This means the item is NOT selling well and will typically keep getting marked down the following week.

Be patient and score a GREAT deal.

Ask the Reader: How do you find clearance deals at Walmart? Let me know your best tip in the comments.

By Kyle James