Are you tired of spending money on supermarket items that don’t deliver? This blog post will explore 15 purchases that aren’t worth your hard-earned cash. From overpriced snacks to unnecessary gadgets, we’ll help you identify what to skip next time at the store. Let’s dive in and save you some money!
1. Skip the sky-high prices
Inflation may have eased a little, but prices are still climbing, especially for groceries. “Just like shrinkflation appears to be here to stay, these higher prices might never go back to normal,” says Jade Warshaw, a money expert at Ramsey Solutions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that food prices for home cooking jumped 3.7% from August 2022 to September 2023.
While there are ways to reduce your grocery costs—like using coupons, making a budget-friendly shopping list, and tracking expenses with an app—those strategies only go so far. Relying on the grocery store for everything can hurt your wallet. They make it tempting with promises of quick meals and healthy, portioned snacks.
The trick is to be savvy and know which items to avoid. Fortunately, we’ve put together a solid list of purchases you should skip to save money.
2. Pre-cut foods
Buying pre-cut veggies can save you time when making your favorite winter soups and stews, but that convenience comes at a hefty price. According to Warshaw, you might pay up to three times more for these items. The same is true for pre-cut fruit, which can cost over $6.50 per pound. For a 3-pound tub, that adds up to nearly $20!
Instead, you can grab a 3-pound bag of apples for about $5, which is just as healthy and convenient. If you prefer specific fruits and veggies, opt for the whole versions and spend a little time peeling and chopping them yourself. Some meal (or snack) planning can help you save according to the story by Marisa Hillman in Reader’s Digest!
3. Out-of-season produce
Buying summer fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and melons during winter can hurt your wallet because they’re shipped from far away. For instance, I paid $1.99 for a pint of strawberries in summer, but that shot up to $4.99 in October.
To avoid these price hikes, stick to fruits that are in season, advises Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma. So, swap strawberries in the fall for seasonal options like apples and pears, and choose oranges and pineapples in winter.
Alev also suggests visiting local farmers’ markets whenever you can. “You may be surprised to find that you can save on certain items when you buy directly from local farmers,” she adds.
4. Spices
You probably use a lot of salt, cinnamon, and oregano, but buying these at the grocery store can be pricey, with each bottle costing between $3 and $5. Instead, try a discount grocery store where you can find them for as low as 49 cents, with most under $2. This means you could buy three or four bottles for the price of one at a regular store! Specialty shops, like local Asian markets, can also offer savings on items they frequently stock, sometimes in larger sizes.
Just remember that spices have a shelf life, so buying in bulk isn’t always the best idea. According to the USDA, ground spices last only two to three years before they lose their flavor and aroma. So, stock up only on the spices you know you’ll use within that time!
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5. Snack packs
While portion control is important, those convenient snack packs can significantly increase your grocery costs. “Unfortunately, you’re paying a huge premium for the convenience and cuteness factor,” explains Emily Guy Birken, author of End Financial Stress Now: Immediate Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Financial Outlook.
For instance, a 12.4-ounce box of Cheez-Its is about $4.79 at stores like Stop & Shop and Price Chopper, but a 12-pack of similar snacks costs around $9.79. Instead, consider investing in reusable baggies or a pre-molded lunch box to save money while still controlling portions.
6. Individual servings
Just like snack packs, it’s wise to skip those individual serving packs of rice, quinoa, and macaroni and cheese. “These individual servings can be six times more expensive,” notes Warshaw. For example, an 8.8-ounce package with two rice cups costs $2.79, while a 14-ounce box with eight servings is only 50 cents more at $3.29. Instead of buying single servings, opt for the larger box and portion it out yourself, or cook enough to have leftovers for the whole week!
7. Microwave popcorn
Unless you catch a sale or have a coupon, a six-pack of microwave popcorn can cost over $6 at the supermarket. In contrast, a 30-ounce bag of popcorn kernels from the same brand is about $7. To give you an idea, that six-pack yields around 15 servings, while the bag of kernels offers 30. Plus, using kernels lets you control the toppings and preparation, making it a healthier choice.
You will need to invest in a popcorn maker, whether it’s a microwave popper or a countertop air popper, which usually costs between $25 and $30. However, if your family enjoys making around three servings every Friday night, you’ll save at least $27 a year!
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8. Name-brand cereal
Sure, the Cheerios honeybee is cute, but paying $5.99 for a 15-ounce box? Ouch! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cereal prices have jumped 6% in the last year, so it’s smart to choose generic brands instead. For instance, a 15-ounce box of Trader Joe’s O’s costs just $1.99. Those savings can add up!
Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice quality. “Generic brands can offer high-quality ingredients while helping you save a few dollars,” says Alev. Many national brands produce and package store brands, even if they don’t always advertise them. You might need to try a few to find your favorites, but many shoppers love the store-brand cereals at places like Costco and H-E-B.
9. Diapers and wipes
As a mom of four, I know that sometimes you just need to grab a pack of diapers from the nearest store because, well, things happen. However, making this a habit can cost you up to 50 cents per diaper! A smarter choice is to stock up at Costco, where you can find diapers for as little as 18 cents each.
For example, a 66-count box at the supermarket costs about $33, while a 192-count box at Costco is only $35. That’s money you could save for Junior’s college fund or treat yourself to a night out!
If you don’t have a warehouse club membership but still want a good deal, Amazon Prime members can join Amazon Family for 15% off diapers with free shipping. This way, you’ll likely pay around 30 cents per diaper, or $41 for a box of 136 delivered right to your door.
10. Seasonal non-food items
Those tempting seasonal products near the cash register are designed to get you to spend your hard-earned cash. “Seasonal items are generally not a good buy at grocery stores,” says Birken. “For one, the supermarket isn’t the best place for quality patio furniture or pool toys.
While they might look appealing, they’ll likely be worn out by the end of the season.” In other words, you’ll end up paying a premium for lower-quality items. Instead, invest in better-quality products from reliable stores. You can save even more by knowing the best times to buy throughout the year.
11. Bubble bath
After battling the crowds and unloading your groceries, you might feel like treating yourself to a nice bubble bath. That’s great, but skip buying your bubble bath and other personal products at the supermarket. For example, a bottle of Dr. Teal’s Bubble Bath costs about $7 there, but you can find it for just $5 at Walmart.
You can also score good deals online. “By setting up a subscription for your most-used toiletries through services like Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, you can save up to 15% off the regular price,” explains Birken.
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12. Over-the-counter medications
When it comes to over-the-counter medications like painkillers, allergy tablets, and antacids, grocery store prices can be marked up by as much as 70%, according to Warshaw. For instance, a 100-count package of Tylenol Extra Strength caplets is $12.59 at my supermarket, which is about 13 cents per caplet.
At Target or Walmart, the same package costs $10.97, or around 11 cents per caplet—so that’s a 13% markup at the grocery store. If you want even more savings, check out Costco, where a 325-count package of Tylenol is just $20.49, or only 6 cents per pill.
If you find yourself in need of something for a headache and want to save money, Warshaw suggests going for the generic version. A 100-count box of store-brand acetaminophen caplets costs only $4.79 at the supermarket. Both the brand name and generic contain the same active ingredient—500 mg of acetaminophen—so you can save 62% by choosing generic.
13. Car items
“Just because you can pick up antifreeze or other automotive supplies at the grocery store, it doesn’t mean you should,” warns Birken. Not only will you likely pay too much, but you might also compromise on quality with a brand you don’t recognize or end up with the wrong formula for your car.
Want to know how much you’re overpaying? A 30-count package of Armor All cleaning wipes is priced at $7.50 at the supermarket, which is what you’d pay for a two-pack of the same item at Walmart.
14. Party supplies
“If you’re already picking up food for the party, it may feel natural to grab paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, and a tablecloth at the supermarket,” says Birken. “However, you’ll spend much less for the same items at the dollar store,” Warshaw adds that you could end up paying double at the supermarket for plastic tablecloths, mylar balloons, utensils, and birthday candles.
15. Gift cards
Gift giving is super convenient when you can just add a gift card to your grocery cart along with your milk and eggs. However, you can save significantly by purchasing gift cards through a Costco or Sam’s Club membership, especially when buying in bundles. For instance, Sam’s Club members can get two $25 P.F. Chang’s gift cards for $45.98, saving $4.02. Similarly, Costco offers deals like four $25 Domino’s gift cards for $79.99, which saves you a whopping $20!
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