20 Items You Should Stop Buying at the Grocery Store to Save Money
Prices at the grocery store have climbed across the board, but not every expense is unavoidable. A lot of what we pay for comes from convenience, not necessity. With a few small changes to your usual list, you can cut costs without feeling like you’re giving anything up.
Here’s a smarter look at 20 common grocery items that aren’t worth the full price and how to shop around them instead.
Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables
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Pre-cut fruits and vegetables might save you a few minutes, but you’re mostly paying for packaging and labor. Buying whole produce and cutting it yourself costs less and keeps it fresher for longer. You’ll also get more control over portion sizes and avoid the loss of nutrients that happens once fruits and vegetables are sliced in advance.
Bagged Salad Kits
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While convenient, salad kits are often overpriced. Instead, buy fresh heads of lettuce or spinach and add your own toppings like nuts, seeds, or fruit. Making your salad at home gives you more control over the ingredients and saves you money on unnecessary packaging and preservatives.
Rotisserie Chicken
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Those rotisserie chickens are great, but you’re paying for someone else’s cooking time. Roast your own, and you’ll not only get more meat for less, but you’ll also have the bonus of leftovers. Use it for tacos, sandwiches, salads, or even a chicken curry.
Bottled Water
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Bottled water costs far more than it’s worth, especially since much of it comes from the same municipal sources as tap water. A simple filter at home gives you clean, safe water without the ongoing expense or plastic waste. It’s an easy swap that saves money and reduces clutter at the same time.
Pet Food
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Picking up a bag of kibble with your groceries can significantly add to your cost. Online retailers like Chewy and Petco offer discounts through auto-ship options, and many have loyalty rewards that add up quickly. Stocking up during promotions can drop prices even further.
Microwaveable Rice
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Those microwave rice packs look convenient until you realize how much you’re paying for a few spoonfuls of cooked grains. A big bag of rice costs little and lasts for months. Cook a pot once, keep portions in the fridge, and reheat when needed. It tastes better, costs pennies per serving, and takes almost no effort once it’s part of your routine.
Single-Serve Snacks
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Single-serve snack packs are a notorious budget trap because they charge you a premium simply for individual packaging. Buy all your favorite nuts, pretzels, and crackers in bulk, and spend two minutes portioning them into your own reusable containers. Your cost per serving drops dramatically, and your variety goes up.
Coffee Pods
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The environmental cost of coffee pods is huge, and the cost per cup is absurd. Switch to a drip maker. You’ll save money, cut packaging waste, and enjoy the reward of custom-brewing your own high-quality beans.
Frozen Meats
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Frozen meat can be a decent option for long-term storage, but fresh cuts are usually more affordable. Some people also believe that fresh meat offers better texture and flavor. Plan meals ahead, buy in bulk, and freeze leftovers yourself.
Cereal
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Cereal prices swing more than most shoppers realize, and the brand names usually add nothing but cost. Wait for sales or warehouse discounts, then stock up on what you actually eat. A little timing turns breakfast from a pricey habit into one of the easiest places to save.
Greeting Cards
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Even a basic greeting card can cost nearly as much as a lunch. At dollar stores and online, you can find almost identical designs for far less. If you buy cards regularly or often forget until the last minute, switching sources can make a noticeable dent in your costs.
Cookies, Chips, and Granola Bars
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Items like chips, cookies, and granola bars are often marked up for the convenience of grabbing them on the go. A more cost-effective and healthier alternative is making your own snacks, like air-popped popcorn or homemade granola. You’ll enjoy fresh, nutritious options at a fraction of the cost.
Pancake Mix
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Pancake mix is just flour, baking powder, and sugar sold at a markup. You can mix those same ingredients yourself in a few minutes for a lot less money. The result tastes better and keeps longer, and you can make a small batch or freeze extras for later without paying extra for the box.
Batteries
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It’s easy to toss a pack into your cart, but grocery stores rarely have competitive battery pricing. Big-box retailers and online sellers offer better deals in bulk. Brands like Amazon Basics or Kirkland match name-brand performance at a much lower cost per unit, especially when bought in larger quantities.
Party Supplies
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Grocery stores tend to charge more for decorations, paper plates, and balloons because they stock only a small selection. Dollar stores and party shops usually have better options for less. For things you’ll use once and toss, there’s no reason to pay grocery store prices.
Baked Goods
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Instead of buying pre-made bread or pastries, try baking at home. Saving money is one aspect, but most importantly, it gives you the satisfaction of knowing exactly what’s in your food. And hey, if you’re short on time, you can always buy day-old items or freeze extras for later.
Frozen Pizza
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Frozen pizza is easy, but it rarely tastes as good as it costs. A simple crust, a bit of sauce, and a few toppings from your fridge can do the job for less money and better flavor. Once you try it fresh, the boxed version starts to feel like a bad deal.
Light Bulbs at the Grocery Store
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For light bulbs, head to a hardware store instead or shop online for bulk deals and energy-efficient options. You’ll save more in the long run, especially with LED bulbs, which last longer and use less energy.
Bottled Smoothies
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Bottled smoothies are convenient, but they’re often loaded with sugar and marked up for the convenience. Make your own smoothies at home by buying frozen fruit in bulk. It’s a cheaper, healthier, and customizable option that can easily be tailored to your taste.
Magazines
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Those glossy titles near the checkout lane are more expensive than they seem. Many annual subscriptions cost less than three individual issues. If you’re loyal to a publication, a digital plan, or a discount subscription site will cost far less than grabbing it at the register out of habit.