I have a good friend who’s been a Trader Joe’s “Crew Member” for a couple years now and I finally got the chance to sit him down and GRILL HIM on the Trader Joe’s employee discount and other job perks. And grill him I did. So if you’re thinking of applying for a job at TJ’s, this article is a must-read as much of the stuff my buddy talks about you won’t find anywhere else.

Does Trader Joe’s Offer an Employee Discount?

“Yes, and it’s 20% off everything in the store.”

“It’s a solid discount and I know several crew members whose main reason for staying with TJ’s is the discount as they have teenagers in the house and the weekly savings is HUGE, especially compared to other grocery stores in my area.”

“Plus, it really encourages crew members to buy and try new items and increase their knowledge of the products we sell.”

THE DISCOUNT USED TO BE 10%

Apparently they raised the TJ employee discount from 10% to 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic to help their employees and have never gone back to the lower discount…and they probably never will.

Can You Use the Discount on Alcohol?

“There’s no policy against it and I’ve seen crew members use the discount for booze all the time.”

See Also: 8 Trader Joe’s Shopping Tips That’ll Make You Feel REALLY Smart

Are All Employees Eligible for the Discount?

“Yes. I was able to use the 20% discount after my first day of work.”

“I mean I didn’t because that would have been kind of weird, but I definitely could have.”

PRO TIP: START A MINI “SIDE HUSTLE”

My friend uses his discount to create themed food boxes or snack bundles as gifts for friends and family during the holidays.

He saves BIG on costs while giving unique, curated treats.

Here are some creative ideas that he gave me, all of which he has played around with to great success:

International Cuisine Box: Curate items for a specific cuisine (Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc.) with pasta, sauces, spices, and snacks from that region.

Movie Night Box: Include popcorn, chips, candy, and sparkling beverages.

Self-Care Snack Box: Add tea, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts for a cozy night in.

Breakfast in Bed Box: Pack pancake mix, syrup, coffee, and fruit preserves.

Holiday Treats Box: Include seasonal cookies, hot cocoa mix, and festive candies.

Cheese & Charcuterie Starter Kit: Use cheeses, crackers, cured meats, and dried fruits.

He also told me that he uses decorative baskets and reusable grocery totes to build his clever gift baskets.

Can Workers Get the Discount at Other Trader Joe’s?

“Yep.”

“I’ve actually gotten the discount at a Trader Joe’s when visiting family in Florida. When checking out, you just tell the crew member you’re an employee and you’re good to go.”

“We are actually told not to question the employee discount, or even ask for their store number, as it’s part of our “Crew Integrity” pledge.”

“I’ve had some people ask what store I work at, but it’s never in an accusatory way, most crew members are just curious about where you work and where you live.”

Can Spouses Use the Discount as Well?

“It’s my understanding that the discount is for employees only, so the spouse could get it, but the employee would need to be with him or her.”

“With that said, I’m not sure what’s keeping a spouse from getting the employee discount at another Trader Joe’s as crew members are not allowed to ask for evidence that you work for the company.”

Does This Mean Anyone Can Get the Employee Discount?

“In theory, yes.”

“Until employees have to show an employee I.D. of some sort, it will be hard to police the discount.”

“But the theory is if someone needs the discount on groceries that bad to lie about it, then I guess it’s okay to give it to them.”

Can You Return Items That You Bought With the Discount?

“Hahaha, leave it up to you Kyle, the king of returns, to ask about returns.”

“I mean, yeah sure, you definitely could, I’ve never seen anyone do it. But yes, if there’s something wrong with it, you should bring it back.”

PRO TIP: TURN OVERRIPE ITEMS INTO GOLD

Use your discount to grab overripe bananas or discounted produce at the end of the day (that are often marked down for a quick sale) and turn them into baked goods or smoothies at an even lower cost.

Look for the following:

Overripe Bananas: Perfect for baking or freezing for smoothies.

Soft Tomatoes: Ideal for sauces, soups, or salsa.

Wilted Greens: Great for blending into smoothies or sautéing.

Spotted or Bruised Apples: Perfect for pies, applesauce, or dried fruit.

Citrus Fruits: Even slightly soft lemons, oranges, or limes can be juiced or zested.

See Also: We Breakdown the Trader Joe’s Return Policy

Do You Get Paid Extra to Work on Sundays?

“Yes. Actually a few months after I was hired, Trader Joe’s instituted a great new policy that paid employees $10 more per hour on Sundays.”

“This brought my Sunday wage to over $30 per hour.”

“It was amazing how many crew members all of the sudden wanted to work on Sunday, which is a pretty crazy busy day that most wanted to NOT work before the salary bump.”

How Do Employees Go About Using the Discount?

“The biggest thing is you CAN’T check yourself out and give yourself the employee discount, either during your shift or when you’re not on the clock.”

“According to our employee handbook, you have to be off-the-clock and have another crew member hook you up with the discount.”

“The rules also stipulate that you have to leave with your groceries immediately and not hang around the store and eat your food.”

“I’m guessing this became an issue at one time, for whatever strange reason, and Trader Joe’s had to include it in the handbook.”

What About Medical and Dental Benefits?

“If you work at least 28 hours a week you qualify for medical benefits which is a pretty low threshold which I always appreciated.”

“If you work between 14 – 27 hours a week and you only qualify for vision and dental coverage which is still a nice perk.”

“I remember that I had to work for 3 full months before I qualified for medical.”

See Also: We Breakdown a Bunch of Employee Discounts at Major Retailers

Do You Accrue Paid Time Off as Well?

“Heck yes, every Crew Member starts accruing time off after they clock in for the first time.”

“I had to talk to my “captain” to get the exact numbers but it works by Trader Joe’s contributing 3.5% to 7.5% to your PTO account.”

“For new hires, it comes out to about 4-5 days of PTO per year, all the way up to about 10 days a year for those who’ve been employed for a while.”

“The WAY cool part about your PTO account is that it does NOT expire, allowing you to bank it for long vacations.”

How Often Do Crew Members Get a Raise?

“I get a performance review twice a year and I’m eligible for a raise at that point, so every 6 months.”

“I think the biggest pay raise crew members can get is 7% per year which is pretty solid.”

How Often is Payday at Trader Joe’s?

“I remember when I got hired, I was told we get paid bi-weekly and I wasn’t sure if that meant we got paid twice a week OR every other week.”

“But alas, all the crew members get paid every other Thursday.”

Any Other Job Perks Worth Mentioning?

“It’s just a fun place to work. I’ve worked at other grocery stores that were really boring but the atmosphere at Trader Joe’s is what makes it for me.”

“The benefits are great too, but man, if you ain’t having some fun while you’re working, then what’s the point?”

Bonus Tip: Does TJ’s Contribute to my Retirement Account?

I completely forgot to ask my friend about a 401(k) retirement plan when working at Trader Joe’s, so I did a little research on my own.

All employees are eligible for a 401(k) plan, but in order to qualify for the 10% 401(k) bonus you need to work at least 700 hours during the year.

The bonus that they offer appears to change every year, but in 2023 it was 10%.

A HUGE thanks to my friend Bruce for the GREAT information, I know it will be very helpful for all those thinking of applying for a job at Trader Joe’s.

Ask the Reader: Are you a crew member and have something to add about the employee discount or something my friend got wrong? Or other job perks? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

I walked into my local Costco and talked to 8 incredibly helpful employees about the best day and time to shop and they DID NOT disappoint with the insider knowledge they gave me. My goal was to talk to a couple cashiers, someone in the bakery and meat department, someone in the tire center, and even try to grab the attention of a manager on the floor if they weren’t busy. I’m proud to say I accomplished ALL of this and I think the information they gave me will be helpful to all Costco members looking to save some time. Let’s get to it. 

What’s the Best Day to Shop at Costco?

Tuesdays.

From talking to 8 different Costco employees, the consensus was Tuesday is the single best day to shop at Costco.

What Makes Tuesdays SO Great?

Several reasons actually.

Perhaps the easiest way to break this down is to tell you why the other days of the week are less than ideal for getting your Costco shopping done.

Let’s start with Wednesday and work our way through the week.

Wednesday – Surprisingly, 2 cashiers that I chatted with both pointed out that it’s smart to AVOID Wednesday if possible.

They told me Wednesday is the day of the week when the Costco coupon book starts and they get busy, especially in the first few hours after they open.

Thursday – I was told Thursday isn’t terrible but can be a bit busy. Probably the 2nd best day of the week to shop.

An employee in the Costco meat department also told me that they have to restock Thursday afternoons because of all the shoppers snatching up meat for their weekend BBQs.

Friday – A couple employees said Friday afternoons can be VERY crowded, often as busy as Saturday.

Saturday – 5 of the employees that I talked to said Saturday is their busiest day of the week. Stay away if AT ALL possible.

If you have to shop on a Saturday, do it right when they open (usually 9 a.m.) or show up at 6 p.m. which is one hour before they close.

Expect a line at the door when they open on Saturdays, but you’ll get in quickly and the aisles won’t be very crowded.

Sunday – 2 employees said that Sunday is their busiest day.

Three employees said if you’re going to shop on Sunday, come during the time of the local NFL team’s game and it’ll be way less crowded or right when they open as many people are at church.

Monday – Surprisingly, I was told Mondays can get busy as local businesses and restaurants tend to stock up for the week.

WINNER – This leaves TUESDAY as the single BEST day to do your Costco shopping, you’ll avoid the crowds -AND-  the coupon users and get in-and-out quickly.

OK…So What Time on Tuesday Should I Shop?

Early if possible.

When I asked this question to a friendly cashier at 9:30 a.m. on a Tuesday, she looked around the empty store, and the 2 empty checkout lines near us, and said with a laugh, “Right now is good!”

Enough said.

After a bit more probing, she also said that the store tends to get a little less busy during the middle of the week about an hour or two after they open.

She said “the morning rush dies down and people are off at work.”

What About Using Other Services, is Tuesday Also Good?

Yes.

Entering Costco on a Tuesday is also good when using the following:

Pharmacy – I was told by the gal working the counter at the Costco Pharmacy that there’s rarely a line on Tuesdays and the wait to get your prescription filled is often short.

Optometrist – Tuesday is also a good day to schedule an eye appointment as well as shop for new glasses and contacts.

See Also: Considering Costco Optical? 10 Must-Knows Before Getting an Eye Exam

Tire Center – According to the tire center tech that I briefly spoke with, try to schedule a visit to for a new set of tires on a Tuesday or Wednesday if your schedule permits it.

I was told it’ll be way less crowded and your car will be ready to roll fairly quickly.

Does the Same Apply to Getting Costco Gas?

No, well sorta.

On my way out of the Costco parking lot I stopped and filled up my tank and asked the station attendant when it was the least busiest.

He minced no words and immediately said, “Tuesday through Thursday between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.”

I was like, “Wow, okay, why do you think that is?”

He said, “Because everyone is at work and nobody is on their lunch break yet.”

Makes perfect sense to me.

See Also: Costco Gas: 7 Insider Tips for the Next Time You Fill Up

What Day is the WORST to Shop at Costco?

Saturday.

As mentioned above, and to no surprise, Saturday is the worst day to shop at Costco, especially in the early afternoon.

I’ve driven past my Costco on a Saturday and it looked like the parking lot was completely full and cars were waiting for a spot to open up.

Now I realize some of you have no choice but to shop on Saturday due to work and family obligations, so try to go early when they open -OR- show up a hour before they close.

Will I Still Find Yummy Samples on a Tuesday?

Yes, unless you’re early.

If you show up when the store open on a Tuesday, you’ll find that sample stations are still being setup so you might have to hang out a for a bit before you can grab some free treats.

Otherwise, yes, Costco hands out free samples every day of the week.

Ask the Reader: When do you think is the best day and time to shop at Costco? Let me know if you’re a Tuesday fan as well?

By Kyle James

I was always confused why Nordstrom Rack had a worse return policy than the amazing “Unlimited Days” return policy that you’ll find at Nordstrom. After researching this article, and talking to some Rack employees, I was blown away with how much they’ve had to crack down on “return abuse” the last couple years. So it brought up a lot of questions about their return policy that I know you’re going to want to know so let’s break it all down.

How Many Return Days Does Nordstrom Rack Give Me?

30 days for in-store purchases.

40 days for online purchases.

Nordstrom is one of the only stores that has a different return window for in-store purchases compared to online.

What Happens After 30 Days?

You’re NOT completely out of luck.

Nordstrom Rack will give you a gift card for the amount of the purchase for any late return received up to 60 days after the original purchase date.

After 60 days you’re up Schitt’s Creek without a paddle.

See Also: Macy’s Return Policy: We Explain It ALL On a Single Page

Do They Offer an Extended Holiday Return Period?

Yes.

The Rack is one of many stores that gives you more time to make a return around Christmas.

Specifically, for purchases made between 10/16/23 and 12/24/23 you have until 1/15/24 to make the return.

Can Items Be Worn or Laundered?

No.

Unlike Nordstrom, the Rack seems pretty strict about this one.

Stuff must still have the tag on it and not show any wear or be washed.

Did Their Policy Get Worse in Recent Years?

Yes.

In recent years, the Nordstrom Rack return policy has definitely gotten stricter, especially in terms of the days allowed for a return.

It wasn’t long ago that they offered 120 days, then it was cut to 60 days, now it’s down to 30 days.

It’s WAY worse that the Nordstrom return policy which offers UNLIMITED return days.

For whatever reason, the Rack was getting a lot of shoppers abusing their liberal return policy and were forced to crack down.

Is There Anything I Can’t Return?

Yes.

You CANNOT return any of the following to Nordstrom Rack:

– Beauty Items – Doesn’t matter if they’re opened or not, you CANNOT return them.

– Final Sale Items – Anything with a Final Sale tag cannot be returned under any circumstance.

– Non-Returnable Items – The same as Final Sale items.

– Fine Jewelry – This one is a little different and only applies to jewelry bought at Nordstrom.com or Nordstrom….these items CANNOT be returned to a Rack store.

– “Designer” Items – The same policy that applies to fine jewelry (see above) also applies to designer items.

See Also: Lululemon Return Policy: We Make Sense Of a Confusing Policy

Can I Return Stuff to a Regular Nordstrom Store?

Yes.

This one surprised me as I thought the Rack and a regular Nordstrom store carried different merchandise.

But alas, after a quick conversation with a Rack associate, I was told you absolutely CAN return your Rack purchase to ANY Nordstrom location.

What If I Lost My Receipt…Can the Rack “Look Up” My Order?

Probably.

If you have a free Nordy Club account they can look up the details of your purchase history and essentially use that info as your receipt.

It’s free to join so it’s kind of a no-brainer as it alleviates the need to hold on to your Rack and Nordstrom receipts.

Can I Return Stuff to Any Rack Location?

Yes.

As long as you’re within the return time window, you can return items to any Rack location across the country.

How Long Will It Take to Get My Money Back?

Depending on your credit card, you can expect it to take 3-5 business days to get your money back.

For online returns, it can take 10-14 business days to process your return and get your money returned to you.

How Do Online Returns Work?

To start your online return via the mail, you’ll want to VISIT THIS PAGE on the Rack website and start the process.

Note: You’ll need your order number to start the return.

You’ll find your order number on either your email confirmation or your packing slip.

Who Pays the Return Shipping Fees?

You do.

When you start an online return the Rack is gonna take $9.95 out of the return amount when they generate the label.

To avoid the shipping fee, take your return back to a Nordstrom Rack store for immediate service if at all possible.

It’s worth noting that I was told by a Nordstrom Rack chat representative that they’ll make “an exception to the fee” if the reason for the return is the fault of Nordstrom Rack.

Note: If for some reason you need to return an in-store purchase via the mail, it’s worth noting that the purchase is ineligible for a return UNLESS the purchase is available in your Nordy Club account via your Purchase History.

Can I Take My Online Return Back to a Rack Location?

Yes.

As noted above, this is the preferred method as you’ll avoid the $9.95 return shipping fee by doing so.

Can I Make an Exchange Rather Than a Return?

No.

Instead of making an even exchange, you’ll have to return the item and rebuy it in the correct size or color (for example).

Will Some Rack Cashiers Be Lenient on the 30 Days?

Yes.

I’ve read several accounts of Nordstrom Rack allowing the return if you’re just a few days over the 30 days.

Be polite and friendly and your success rate will rise even more.

Also, I’ve heard from some diehard Nordy shoppers who recommend taking your Rack return back to a Nordstrom location as most cashiers won’t care how long it’s been and make the return happen regardless.

Ask the Reader: Am I missing any important details when it comes to the Nordstrom Rack return policy? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack.