HomeGoods is the go-to place for picking up affordable towels, stylish yet inexpensive bedding, and dishware you didn't realize you needed.
It's also where you'll find several aisles full of discounted food that looks more like something you'd find at a gourmet grocery store to help you save on groceries.
But not every deal is worth snagging, particularly in the grocery aisle. Here are six HomeGoods foods you should skip — and seven you should definitely pick up.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Flavored coffee syrup (Buy)
If you love making fancy lattes in the morning, HomeGoods is the place to get a deal on Torani syrups. You can pick up basic flavors like vanilla or opt for seasonal flavors.
Condiments (Buy)
You can pick up everything from a gourmet hot mustard to delicious seasonal jams at HomeGoods.
These are perfect for putting in gift baskets or using when you're putting together a charcuterie board. Just make sure to check the expiration date first.
Baking mixes (Buy)
You'll always have something on hand to whip up if you grab a few baking mixes from HomeGoods.
From a scone mix to a brownie mix, your baking skills will look like they're straight from a recipe book.
Sweet imports (Buy)
If you have a sweet tooth, you're probably not going to make it through the HomeGoods checkout line without picking up at least one bag of goodies.
From biscotti to imported British cookies, there's always something there to tempt you.
Honey (Buy)
Having a few varieties of honey at home adds some interest to your tea routine.
Pick up orange blossom honey, wildflower honey, or any other unique nectar your local HomeGoods has. These are also great on a cheese plate.
Fun shaped pasta (Buy)
Add some seasonal fun to dinnertime with pasta shaped to every holiday from Halloween to Valentine's Day.
There's always something quirky available in the HomeGoods food aisle. While you're at it, pick up a pasta sauce or two from HomeGoods.
Snack food (Buy)
It may not be the healthiest option, but if you have a road trip or a picnic on the horizon, then it's time to hit the snack section of HomeGoods.
You'll find everything from flavored popcorn to every flavor of chips under the sun.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
November brings cooler days, cozy nights, and the kickoff to the holiday season. With Thanksgiving on the horizon and major sales events ahead, it’s the perfect time to prep your home, pantry, and gift list while scoring smart savings. Look for deals on:
- Layered essentials like coats, boots, and warm accessories
- Fall-to-winter decor
- Early holiday gifts and Black Friday preview deals
- For grocery savings, look for seasonal produce, including sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, apples, and cranberries
As retailers ramp up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, November offers some of the best opportunities to shop early, save big, and stay ahead of the holiday rush.
1. Spices (Skip)
Spices have a surprisingly short shelf life. They'll often start losing their flavor around six months, which means you're not getting much more than dried flecks to add to your meals.
It's unclear how long spices have been sitting on HomeGoods' shelves — or wherever they sat before they arrived at HomeGoods. So, it might be best to skip the spices.
Amazon Prime members: get a $250 Amazon Gift Card!
If you're an Amazon Prime member, apply for the Prime Visa(Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly loaded into your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval (get an instant decision within 15 seconds).1 <p class="">If you respond via the Internet, the majority of applications are responded to in less than 15 seconds. Your actual response time may vary depending on the Internet connection and volume of submitted requests. We may not be able to give you an immediate answer in every instance.</p>
This is the perfect card to do some last minute holiday shopping, especially with the instant decision on application. There is no extra work or spending requirement and no annual fee!
The Prime Visa credit card also lets you earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
If you spend a good amount on Amazon this card could be worth $100s in cash back every year. Don't delay — apply today!
Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.
Click here to apply for the Prime Visa credit card today and get an instant decision in 15 seconds
2. Products labeled keto (Skip)
There's little regulation around products being labeled "keto" or other trendy diet words. Yet HomeGoods often has an entire section dedicated to these types of health products.
Since you won't know whether they're healthy without looking at the ingredient list, it's probably best to skip them.
3. Products labeled organic (Skip)
An item with a pretty label and an organic claim may sound like a healthy food, but that's not necessarily true.
Organic cookies and chips often aren't always any better for you than your standard grocery store fare, so save a few dollars and skip these impulse purchases at HomeGoods.
4. Coffee (Skip)
There's almost always seasonal coffee available at HomeGoods, especially if you're interested in K-cups, but save your money. You can often buy these cheaper and better at your local grocery store.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.
5. Items about to expire (Skip)
Are you really going to use up that ginger chili crunch by the use-by date in two weeks? Probably not.
Put down the impulse buy that you didn't already have on your grocery list, or you might find that you're wasting money on products that you won't use before they go bad.
6. Standard olive oil (Skip)
HomeGoods sells some fabulous extra virgin and cold-pressed olive oils, so skip the olive oil that is more run-of-the-mill.
Instead, pick up the ones that resemble something you'd get at a specialty store.
Bottom line
While you might think HomeGoods is selling discount food items that were over-ordered for other stores, some are specifically manufactured for the TJ Maxx and HomeGoods family.
That means they're high-quality food products that are actually worth the deal you're getting. So grab your best cash back credit cards and start savoring.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 12 ways to pocket up to $300
- Are you a homeowner? Get a protection plan on all your appliances.
- 10 little weird hacks Costco shoppers should know.
- Learn how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
Earn Easy Cash Rewards at Amazon.com
Benefits Card Details on Chase’s secure website Intro Offer
Limited-Time Offer: Get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
If you're a loyal Amazon Prime member and you love getting cash back rewards on your purchases, the Prime Visa is a fantastic option. You can earn big rewards with this card, and it comes with some other valuable perks as well.
With the Prime Visa card, you get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members (limited-time offer). Plus, cardmembers earn a whopping
unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
.
The Prime Visa also comes with some great travel protections that you rarely see with a no-annual-fee card. It offers lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and travel and emergency assistance.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Subscribe Today
Learn how to make an extra $200
Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.