Things You Shouldn't Buy at the Grocery Store
Mar 30, 2022
When you go to the grocery store, it's tempting to drop a little more cash on those
little convenient items. Why buy whole apples when you can buy prepackaged sliced
fruit? Who wants to make their own salad dressing when it's already bottled? These
things may be cheap and easy time-savers, but consider the larger scheme of things.
There are some items at the store that you should skip buying entirely, whether it's to
save some money, reap the health benefits, or to do your part when it comes to
saving the environment. The next time you run to the store and feel tempted to buy
some of these things, think twice about putting them in your cart.
Welcome message from author
There are plenty of purchases at the grocery store that can be avoided with a little
forethought. They can be found cheaper elsewhere, which we admit is a hassle if you
want to finish your shopping trip at one store and get it over with. But with some
planning and the strength to avoid last-minute shopping for things you forgot, you
can save money by buying those things elsewhere.
Transcript
Slide 1Overview
When you go to the grocery store, it's tempting to drop a little more cash on those
little convenient items. Why buy whole apples when you can buy prepackaged sliced
fruit? Who wants to make their own salad dressing when it's already bottled? These
things may be cheap and easy time-savers, but consider the larger scheme of things.
There are some items at the store that you should skip buying entirely, whether it's to
save some money, reap the health benefits, or to do your part when it comes to
saving the environment. The next time you run to the store and feel tempted to buy
some of these things, think twice about putting them in your cart.
Magazines
Let's start with the common item that catches your eye while waiting in line. The
headlines and photos are meant to grab your attention, and while a quick glance
through may be worth a minute or two, don't give in and buy them. You'll pay the full
cover price at the grocery store, and even if they give a 10% discount, it's still a ripoff.
If you're only going to read that particular magazine once, go to the library, borrow an
issue from a friend, or go to the magazine's website to read a few articles. If you want
every issue (or even just a few) it's a lot cheaper to subscribe.
Organic Fruits
and
Vegetables
Compare supermarket prices of organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, and all
of the organic ones will likely be higher — much higher. If it's in-season (apples in
the fall, watermelon in summer), find your local farmers market. You should find
cheaper prices there for organic fruit and vegs that should taste a lot better than
something trucked to your store.
Batteries
You can save 70% by buying in bulk at Costco, or better yet, buy rechargeable
batteries for a higher upfront cost that will save you a lot of cash over the year.
Department stores such as CVS often have much better sales on rechargeable
batteries than grocery stores do.
Cakes
This goes for many things that are pre-made at a grocery store, but cakes are one of
the top ones. You're paying for a baker's time and expertise in making a cake for
you. For a lot less money, you can make one at home. Then again, your time may be
worth enough that it makes sense to pay someone to bake the cake for you.
Cut-Up Stew
Meat
This is another instance where paying for convenience doesn't make sense. Stew
meat is comprised of some of the cheapest cuts of meat, so paying for it to be cut up
into chunks just adds profit back to something that should be inexpensive to begin
with. Grab a knife when you get home. If you can't do that, then buy a big piece of
meat at the grocey store and ask the butcher to cut it up for you for free.
Pre-Cut
Vegetables
You're not saving as much time as you think you are by buying pre-cut vegetables.
Get to know your meal by washing and cutting veggies yourself, and don't pay a
supermarket employee to do it for you. Same goes for fruit. You can slice a
watermelon at home for free.
Bottled water
Unless you're dealing with unsafe drinking water, bottled water is an unnecessary
expense that can add up quickly. While it's portable and convenient, it can also cost
both you and the environment dearly over time.
Your best bet? Buying a reusable water bottle and keeping it filled with tap water.
Kitchen
utensils
Need a new spatula or cookie sheet? You'd be better off heading to a department
store and stocking up, as these items have a steep markup.
Greeting cards
Not only is a grocery store's selection of greeting cards lacking, but you're going to be
paying upwards of $3 or $4 for even the cheaper brands. It's best when it comes to
picking the perfect card to peruse a department store to pay less and have additional
options.
Your
prescriptions
It might be far easier to go ahead and pick up your medications while doing your
weekly shopping, but grocery stores charge higher premiums for even the most
common prescription drugs. If you find you're routinely paying more out of pocket,
you might want to find a dedicated pharmacy.
Salad
dressing
It's far easier (and cheaper) to prepare your own dressings for those nutritious salads
that you're making yourself. Plus, you're ditching all the added fat, sugar, and calories
that come in the bottled brands, which essentially make eating salads in the first place
a waste of time.
deli meats
Don't trust the food dates on packaged meat. It's not uncommon for workers to
simply repackage the products that are about to expire and simply replace the sticker
date, meaning you could be buying meat that's just about to go bad. Just ask for fresh
cuts if you have to buy it there, or head to a real butcher shop instead.
Diapers
Grocery stores know that exhausted parents still have to get supplies for the week.
That's why, among many other items, they mark up diapers, since it's far easier for
shoppers to buy things there instead of making multiple stops with a crying baby in
tow. Grab your baby supplies elsewhere.
Shredded
cheese
Buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself is cheaper — plus, there are
countless additives sprinkled into the pre-shredded packages. It's best for your
health and wallet to go ahead and just shred it yourself.
Beer and
alcohol
Sometimes you can count on a decent sale to pop up on your favorite beer or wine,
but buying booze at a grocery store can cost you far more than simply heading to a
liquor store or buying in bulk at places like Costco, which has all the brands you
love.
toiletries
If you must stock up on personal care items, it's best to skip the grocery store
unless you want to pay twice as much for smaller sizes. Grab your toiletries and
other necessities at big-box department stores to pile on the savings.
Vitamins
If you really want to grab supplements, they can be obtained much more cheaply
elsewhere, and in larger quantities.Their effectiveness is still very much up in the
air anyway, so they're really something you should be wary of buying — period.
Cosmetics
It might be tempting to toss that new tube of lipstick in your cart while at the
grocery store, but you'll save money in the long run by opting for a trip to the
drugstore instead. Plus, you can stop there and grab your prescriptions like we
mentioned earlier, too.
Soda
We all know we should probably be avoiding soda so we can get away from the
myriad health problems it causes (yes, even diet sodas!). But the way it's priced, even
when it's part of a sale, just isn't worth buying into.
Purchasing a water filter once is way cheaper and far healthier than reupping your
soda stores every couple of weeks.
Tomato sauce
You're paying a premium when you purchase packaged tomato sauce. Considering
it's mostly crushed-up tomatoes and spices, you could easily skip the plastic or
glass container and make your own with very little trouble. That way, you're doing
your part for the environment as well as creating less waste!
Pet food
Most grocery stores are stocked with pet food you can give to your furry best
friends, but it typically isn't the high-quality chow you might expect. Your best bet
would be to pick up your typical brand from the pet store so you don't upset your
pup's tummy with lower-quality food.
Herbs and
spices
Spices and fresh or dried herbs can be super pricey at the grocery store, but you
do have options. You can purchase dried herbs and spices in bulk at a warehouse
store for a cheaper price.
Party supplies
It's really convenient to pick up balloons, candles, and streamers at the grocery
store where you're also getting supplies to bake a cake, but these items are going to
marked up. Instead, make a quick detour to the dollar store, where you can find
really cheap party supplies that get the job done. Or order them in advance on
Amazon for a lower price.
Coffee
It seems obvious to buy coffee from the grocery store, but it's often expensive... and
they don't always have the best options. If you're purchasing Keurig or Nespresso
pods, you're better off ordering those from the brand websites, where you can get a
discount and other offers. Warehouse stores have great deals on bulk coffees, and you
can even find inexpensive coffee at office supply stores.
Boxed baking
mixes
Sure, boxed baking mixes for items like pancakes or cakes seem much easier and
more convenient, but in reality, they're really not. Most just contain a mix of things
like flour, sugar, and baking powder (along with a slew of preservatives and other
difficult to pronounce chemicals), and you can very easily mix that up on your own at
home.
Cooking wine
Don't be fooled by the bottles of cooking wine in the grocery store aisles. They
don't taste great, and the cost adds up. You're much better off using an actual bottle
of wine that you have laying around your house.
Minced garlic
Minced garlic in a jar isn't exactly expensive, but it is more money than just buying
fresh cloves of garlic. It's also not as fresh and comes packed with other ingredients
to keep it from going bad. Mincing your own garlic is incredibly simple, and fresh
garlic is super cheap.
Premade
salads
Grabbing a salad for lunch at the grocery store is probably not the best idea for several
reasons.
You're probably paying close to $10, if not more, for something you could very easily
throw together on your own. The quality is questionable, you don't actually know how
old those fruits and veggies are, it's a waste of plastic, and there aren't many safety
regulations stores have to follow with these.
Snack-sized
bags
Those little prepackaged snack size bags of chips and cookies make it easy to grab a
snack and go, but think about it: They’re pretty much a waste of money. You're
spending more on these small packages than you would on a regular size bag of chips,
when you could easily buy the bigger bag for a lower price, then divide the chips up
yourself.
Books
Some grocery stores sell a small selection of books for adults and kids. It can be
tempting to grab the latest best-seller you've been meaning to read, but ignore
them: books are marked up at the grocery store, and you can get them for a much
better price on Amazon or even in a bookstore.
Toilet paper
Unless you're really desperate, there's no need to buy toilet paper from grocery
store (and the same goes for paper towels and napkins). You can get toilet paper for
a lot cheaper at a store like Costco or BJ's, where you can also buy in bulk.
Baby food
Need some jars of baby food? You can likely find better deals and purchase them in
bulk on Amazon or even the brand's website. It's also worth noting that if you're
able to, making your own baby food is much cheaper and a lot less more simple
than it seems.
Light Bulbs
Like any hardware item you'll find in a grocery store, it's probably a lot cheaper at a
hardware store that specializes in such things. Again, you're paying for the
convenience of having many things on your shopping list for sale at a grocery store,
but don't let a darkened light bulb at home make you buy one immediately.
Rotisserie
Chicken
Rotisserie chickens look good under the hot bulbs at the supermarket, but you'll
likely find them cheaper at warehouse stores. And you'll get a bigger bird for your
money elsewhere — giving you more leftovers to enjoy.
Milk
Yes, it's a staple at most houses and is needed so often that a quick trip to the
grocery store is worth it as far as saving time. But a gallon of milk is usually half the
cost at a warehouse store, so if you don't mind the crowds and are there for other
purchases, grab some cheaper milk.
Conclusion
There are plenty of purchases at the grocery store that can be avoided with a little
forethought. They can be found cheaper elsewhere, which we admit is a hassle if you
want to finish your shopping trip at one store and get it over with. But with some
planning and the strength to avoid last-minute shopping for things you forgot, you
can save money by buying those things elsewhere.
Sources
https://www.wisebread.com/25-things-you-shouldnt-buy-at-the-grocery-store
https://www.bestproducts.com/eats/food/g28440916/things-not-to-buy-at-the-
When you go to the grocery store, it's tempting to drop a little more cash on those
little convenient items. Why buy whole apples when you can buy prepackaged sliced
fruit? Who wants to make their own salad dressing when it's already bottled? These
things may be cheap and easy time-savers, but consider the larger scheme of things.
There are some items at the store that you should skip buying entirely, whether it's to
save some money, reap the health benefits, or to do your part when it comes to
saving the environment. The next time you run to the store and feel tempted to buy
some of these things, think twice about putting them in your cart.
Magazines
Let's start with the common item that catches your eye while waiting in line. The
headlines and photos are meant to grab your attention, and while a quick glance
through may be worth a minute or two, don't give in and buy them. You'll pay the full
cover price at the grocery store, and even if they give a 10% discount, it's still a ripoff.
If you're only going to read that particular magazine once, go to the library, borrow an
issue from a friend, or go to the magazine's website to read a few articles. If you want
every issue (or even just a few) it's a lot cheaper to subscribe.
Organic Fruits
and
Vegetables
Compare supermarket prices of organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, and all
of the organic ones will likely be higher — much higher. If it's in-season (apples in
the fall, watermelon in summer), find your local farmers market. You should find
cheaper prices there for organic fruit and vegs that should taste a lot better than
something trucked to your store.
Batteries
You can save 70% by buying in bulk at Costco, or better yet, buy rechargeable
batteries for a higher upfront cost that will save you a lot of cash over the year.
Department stores such as CVS often have much better sales on rechargeable
batteries than grocery stores do.
Cakes
This goes for many things that are pre-made at a grocery store, but cakes are one of
the top ones. You're paying for a baker's time and expertise in making a cake for
you. For a lot less money, you can make one at home. Then again, your time may be
worth enough that it makes sense to pay someone to bake the cake for you.
Cut-Up Stew
Meat
This is another instance where paying for convenience doesn't make sense. Stew
meat is comprised of some of the cheapest cuts of meat, so paying for it to be cut up
into chunks just adds profit back to something that should be inexpensive to begin
with. Grab a knife when you get home. If you can't do that, then buy a big piece of
meat at the grocey store and ask the butcher to cut it up for you for free.
Pre-Cut
Vegetables
You're not saving as much time as you think you are by buying pre-cut vegetables.
Get to know your meal by washing and cutting veggies yourself, and don't pay a
supermarket employee to do it for you. Same goes for fruit. You can slice a
watermelon at home for free.
Bottled water
Unless you're dealing with unsafe drinking water, bottled water is an unnecessary
expense that can add up quickly. While it's portable and convenient, it can also cost
both you and the environment dearly over time.
Your best bet? Buying a reusable water bottle and keeping it filled with tap water.
Kitchen
utensils
Need a new spatula or cookie sheet? You'd be better off heading to a department
store and stocking up, as these items have a steep markup.
Greeting cards
Not only is a grocery store's selection of greeting cards lacking, but you're going to be
paying upwards of $3 or $4 for even the cheaper brands. It's best when it comes to
picking the perfect card to peruse a department store to pay less and have additional
options.
Your
prescriptions
It might be far easier to go ahead and pick up your medications while doing your
weekly shopping, but grocery stores charge higher premiums for even the most
common prescription drugs. If you find you're routinely paying more out of pocket,
you might want to find a dedicated pharmacy.
Salad
dressing
It's far easier (and cheaper) to prepare your own dressings for those nutritious salads
that you're making yourself. Plus, you're ditching all the added fat, sugar, and calories
that come in the bottled brands, which essentially make eating salads in the first place
a waste of time.
deli meats
Don't trust the food dates on packaged meat. It's not uncommon for workers to
simply repackage the products that are about to expire and simply replace the sticker
date, meaning you could be buying meat that's just about to go bad. Just ask for fresh
cuts if you have to buy it there, or head to a real butcher shop instead.
Diapers
Grocery stores know that exhausted parents still have to get supplies for the week.
That's why, among many other items, they mark up diapers, since it's far easier for
shoppers to buy things there instead of making multiple stops with a crying baby in
tow. Grab your baby supplies elsewhere.
Shredded
cheese
Buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself is cheaper — plus, there are
countless additives sprinkled into the pre-shredded packages. It's best for your
health and wallet to go ahead and just shred it yourself.
Beer and
alcohol
Sometimes you can count on a decent sale to pop up on your favorite beer or wine,
but buying booze at a grocery store can cost you far more than simply heading to a
liquor store or buying in bulk at places like Costco, which has all the brands you
love.
toiletries
If you must stock up on personal care items, it's best to skip the grocery store
unless you want to pay twice as much for smaller sizes. Grab your toiletries and
other necessities at big-box department stores to pile on the savings.
Vitamins
If you really want to grab supplements, they can be obtained much more cheaply
elsewhere, and in larger quantities.Their effectiveness is still very much up in the
air anyway, so they're really something you should be wary of buying — period.
Cosmetics
It might be tempting to toss that new tube of lipstick in your cart while at the
grocery store, but you'll save money in the long run by opting for a trip to the
drugstore instead. Plus, you can stop there and grab your prescriptions like we
mentioned earlier, too.
Soda
We all know we should probably be avoiding soda so we can get away from the
myriad health problems it causes (yes, even diet sodas!). But the way it's priced, even
when it's part of a sale, just isn't worth buying into.
Purchasing a water filter once is way cheaper and far healthier than reupping your
soda stores every couple of weeks.
Tomato sauce
You're paying a premium when you purchase packaged tomato sauce. Considering
it's mostly crushed-up tomatoes and spices, you could easily skip the plastic or
glass container and make your own with very little trouble. That way, you're doing
your part for the environment as well as creating less waste!
Pet food
Most grocery stores are stocked with pet food you can give to your furry best
friends, but it typically isn't the high-quality chow you might expect. Your best bet
would be to pick up your typical brand from the pet store so you don't upset your
pup's tummy with lower-quality food.
Herbs and
spices
Spices and fresh or dried herbs can be super pricey at the grocery store, but you
do have options. You can purchase dried herbs and spices in bulk at a warehouse
store for a cheaper price.
Party supplies
It's really convenient to pick up balloons, candles, and streamers at the grocery
store where you're also getting supplies to bake a cake, but these items are going to
marked up. Instead, make a quick detour to the dollar store, where you can find
really cheap party supplies that get the job done. Or order them in advance on
Amazon for a lower price.
Coffee
It seems obvious to buy coffee from the grocery store, but it's often expensive... and
they don't always have the best options. If you're purchasing Keurig or Nespresso
pods, you're better off ordering those from the brand websites, where you can get a
discount and other offers. Warehouse stores have great deals on bulk coffees, and you
can even find inexpensive coffee at office supply stores.
Boxed baking
mixes
Sure, boxed baking mixes for items like pancakes or cakes seem much easier and
more convenient, but in reality, they're really not. Most just contain a mix of things
like flour, sugar, and baking powder (along with a slew of preservatives and other
difficult to pronounce chemicals), and you can very easily mix that up on your own at
home.
Cooking wine
Don't be fooled by the bottles of cooking wine in the grocery store aisles. They
don't taste great, and the cost adds up. You're much better off using an actual bottle
of wine that you have laying around your house.
Minced garlic
Minced garlic in a jar isn't exactly expensive, but it is more money than just buying
fresh cloves of garlic. It's also not as fresh and comes packed with other ingredients
to keep it from going bad. Mincing your own garlic is incredibly simple, and fresh
garlic is super cheap.
Premade
salads
Grabbing a salad for lunch at the grocery store is probably not the best idea for several
reasons.
You're probably paying close to $10, if not more, for something you could very easily
throw together on your own. The quality is questionable, you don't actually know how
old those fruits and veggies are, it's a waste of plastic, and there aren't many safety
regulations stores have to follow with these.
Snack-sized
bags
Those little prepackaged snack size bags of chips and cookies make it easy to grab a
snack and go, but think about it: They’re pretty much a waste of money. You're
spending more on these small packages than you would on a regular size bag of chips,
when you could easily buy the bigger bag for a lower price, then divide the chips up
yourself.
Books
Some grocery stores sell a small selection of books for adults and kids. It can be
tempting to grab the latest best-seller you've been meaning to read, but ignore
them: books are marked up at the grocery store, and you can get them for a much
better price on Amazon or even in a bookstore.
Toilet paper
Unless you're really desperate, there's no need to buy toilet paper from grocery
store (and the same goes for paper towels and napkins). You can get toilet paper for
a lot cheaper at a store like Costco or BJ's, where you can also buy in bulk.
Baby food
Need some jars of baby food? You can likely find better deals and purchase them in
bulk on Amazon or even the brand's website. It's also worth noting that if you're
able to, making your own baby food is much cheaper and a lot less more simple
than it seems.
Light Bulbs
Like any hardware item you'll find in a grocery store, it's probably a lot cheaper at a
hardware store that specializes in such things. Again, you're paying for the
convenience of having many things on your shopping list for sale at a grocery store,
but don't let a darkened light bulb at home make you buy one immediately.
Rotisserie
Chicken
Rotisserie chickens look good under the hot bulbs at the supermarket, but you'll
likely find them cheaper at warehouse stores. And you'll get a bigger bird for your
money elsewhere — giving you more leftovers to enjoy.
Milk
Yes, it's a staple at most houses and is needed so often that a quick trip to the
grocery store is worth it as far as saving time. But a gallon of milk is usually half the
cost at a warehouse store, so if you don't mind the crowds and are there for other
purchases, grab some cheaper milk.
Conclusion
There are plenty of purchases at the grocery store that can be avoided with a little
forethought. They can be found cheaper elsewhere, which we admit is a hassle if you
want to finish your shopping trip at one store and get it over with. But with some
planning and the strength to avoid last-minute shopping for things you forgot, you
can save money by buying those things elsewhere.
Sources
https://www.wisebread.com/25-things-you-shouldnt-buy-at-the-grocery-store
https://www.bestproducts.com/eats/food/g28440916/things-not-to-buy-at-the-
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