16 Items That People Waste Money On At the Grocery Store
As a reformed impulse spender, I have wasted my fair share of money at stores on items I didn’t need. Fruity drinks and sweet snacks I could have done without making their way into my shopping cart and settled in my pantry cupboard.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a few tricks to help curb my urge to pick up cute or tasty delights I don’t need to buy. I know I’m not alone in my penchant to buy unnecessary grocery store items.
When it comes to shopping and particularly impulse spending, we humans tend to gravitate toward specific items. We stock up on particular buys or purchase bulk goods that we don’t need in excess. If you’re wondering what items are the most common unneeded purchases, stay tuned because we’ve picked some doozies.
1. Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables
Paying the markup on pre-cut fruits and vegetables is a colossal waste of funds, and you may also end up with fruit you don’t like. I am not a melon eater. I don’t want any sort of melon, and watermelon is an everyday staple of pre-mixed, pre-cut fruit.
By purchasing the fruit you enjoy and cutting it up yourself, you can portion it out the way you prefer. You can also decide whether to mix it after you cut it or as you eat it.
2. Bottled Water
Paying for clean water is a good use of money. However, paying for the single-use plastic bottles in which water comes in is a waste. Instead, purchase refillable gallon jugs, stick one in your fridge to get icy cold, pour that water into a double-insulated tumbler bottle, and enjoy.
This is also a great option if you have company for drinks and dinner. Having cold water handy, especially on a hot day, is a beautiful advantage, and you can save money while at it.
3. Microwavable Pancakes
As a mom of seven, I understand the ease of popping a couple of pancakes in the microwave for a fast breakfast. However, paying for this premade breakfast staple is a complete waste of your resources.
If you’ve never been into meal prepping, this is the perfect time to start. Make up a big pancake batter, turn over as many pancakes as possible to use that batter, and then put the unused pancakes in aluminum foil. Slide them into a freezer bag, label them, and date them.
You’ll have useable pancakes at your fingertips for a fraction of the cost and healthier (if you make them from scratch).
4. Baby Carrots
These little gremlins are the start of where pre-cut veggies go to die. Instead of opting for these over-priced, flavorless snack bites, buy a bag of whole carrots. When you get home, peel them, slice them, and put them in a storage bag. They will taste better, last longer, and ultimately offer more satisfaction for a third of the cost.
You also won’t be paying for needless labor on something you can easily make better at home.
5. Single-Serve Yogurt.
I am a big fan of buying in bulk. With so many children to feed, it’s the ultimate money-saver for our family. However, this works just as well for single people or families with just one child. Purchase your child’s favorite yogurt in bulk (think a 32 oz container) and portion it as you go.
It’s much more economical and likely healthier in the long run. We like to buy whole-fat plain yogurt, cut up our favorite fruit, add a sprinkle of sugar, and enjoy the much healthier yogurt we make ourselves. Plain yogurt is also an excellent replacement for sour cream if you’re looking to cut calories. Also, if you have a favorite yogurt that doesn’t come in bulk size, splurge on two or three single-serve options for that specific kind and space them to last until your next scheduled shopping trip.
6. Processed Cheese
Whether you buy shredded taco cheese for “Taco Tuesday” or the sandwich slices for your local book club, you’re wasting valuable money. Block cheese is much more cost-effective and will give you a better result than the pre-processed option from the store.
You can also purchase a slicer and create snack slices or cut-up cheese cubes for any occasion.
7. Name-Brand Coffee Creamer
Okay, I get it. As a self-diagnosed coffee addict, I am here for all the fancy, name-brand coffee varieties you can buy. I love Bailey’s Irish Cream and the peppermint-flavored Coffee Mate that comes around at Christmas.
However, you’re paying too much for your coffee fix if you don’t shop sales on these items, use manufacturer coupons, or even opt for cheaper store-brand options.
8. Packaged Hummus
I have a sister-in-law who loves Sabra hummus. She eats it on everything (or so it seems). For a long time, I didn’t know chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus. Canned chickpeas are much cheaper than premade hummus, and you can flavor them however you like.
By making your hummus at home, you can make as much or as little as you’d like and freeze the leftovers. A note of caution: Leave it plain if you plan to freeze some of your homemade batch. Plain hummus tends to freeze better than the already-seasoned variety.
9. Frozen Dinners
I am a huge fan of pulling a meal from the freezer and popping it in the oven for a quick, easy dinner. However, paying for the premade, pre-portioned options from the grocery store is a waste of money.
Instead, buy some great reusable, freezer-friendly containers and bags. Schedule one or two days a month for meal prepping. Make sure you have your meals planned out and have purchased all the ingredients. If it helps, have someone help you manage the meals and organize them in your freezer.
10. Diapers and Wipes
It seems I’ve been buying diapers forever. More than once, I’ve had to make an emergency stop when I forgot my diaper bag. Never purchase diapers or wipes from the grocery store. Because these items have little to do with eating, they are expensive.
Instead, stop by a dollar store, Walmart, or somewhere you can purchase them in bulk. Ordering them online is also a great way to save a bundle on these purchases.
11. Bathroom Essentials
Please stop if you’re buying your bathroom basics at the grocery store. These items are much too expensive to purchase at your favorite grocer. If you can buy these in bulk, visit a Costco or Sam’s Club for a better deal.
If you can’t buy in bulk, stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar can offer much better rates than the grocery store.
12. Vitamins
Not only will you find many over-processed, sugary options in the vitamin aisle, but you’ll also find highly pricey options. If you’re looking for good vitamin brands, find a local health food store where you can browse through multiple quality brands for the best quality and price selection.
Be sure to read labels, no matter where you get your vitamins, as many contain added sugars and other fillers.
13. Batteries
These babies are expensive no matter where you buy them. To get the best price, purchase them in bulk or find buyone/get one deals and coupons. This is exceedingly true for name-brand choices. Those Energizer or Duracell batteries will cost you an arm and a leg no matter where you shop.
Skip the grocery store, buy in bulk, and use them sparingly to get the best bang for your buck.
14. Over-The-Counter Meds
I can’t abide a headache for very long. Eventually, I’m going to pop some Acetaminophen to kick it out. Fortunately, I live near a small town where I can grab some without sacrificing a limb to pay the store price.
Don’t look in the grocery store if you’re in the market to stock up on over-the-counter meds. The medicine aisle is right up there with vitamins, health and beauty, and house cleaners. It isn’t worth it when you can easily find the samevarieties at Dollar General or Family Dollar.
15. Pet Food
You’re overpaying if you buy Fluffy’s kibble at your local grocer. While the grocery store holds food for pets and humans, pet food is horridly overpriced.
If you can’t afford to make your own pet food, shop for the store-brand kind at dollar stores or low-cost pet stores before you hit up the grocery aisle.
16. Probiotic Sodas
Specialized sodas and seltzer waters are everywhere right now. Their sticky price tags give notice that you should buy these items anywhere but your local grocery store. Purchasing them online or at a bulk store like Costco or Sam’s Club is a much more affordable and cost-effective way to get your fizzy caffeine fix.
If you’re not into fizzy drinks, you can also purchase probiotic supplements for the same benefit. In powder form, these supplements can be added to your favorite shake or coffee for a nice health kick to start your day on the right foot.
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