The 9 Biggest Grocery Store Money Wasters
Pretty much everybody wants to cut down their monthly spending on groceries, so it’s crucial to steer clear of typical pitfalls that can lead to unnecessary expenses at the store.
Kayla Pasquale, a registered dietitian with a knack for scoring good bargains, mentioned that she notices individuals squandering their cash at supermarkets just by choosing convenient options.
Expensive pre-cut vegetables
She mentioned that avoiding pre-cut and pre-packaged produce can lead to significant savings.
Pasquale mentioned that using whole lettuce, broccoli, and carrots provides substantial cost savings over their pre-cut, ready-to-eat counterparts.
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She suggested choosing bigger packages of items you regularly consume, like a sack of Idaho potatoes for under $5.
"They offer great value when bought in a bag," she mentioned.
The markups for prepackaged produce items can be almost twice as much, particularly with certain salad bags and sliced fruits, according to her statement.
Observe as our specialists reveal some of the greatest financial drains in the supermarket:
Sneaky small snacks
Packaged snacks might be handy, yet they come with higher prices. Pasquale recommends avoiding tiny, prepacked varieties like nuts and trail mix, and instead preparing them yourself.
She suggested buying in bulk and creating your own versions.
This also holds true for single-serve yogurt containers or individually wrapped protein bars, as stated by Danny Jensen, who serves as the managing editor of the website. Cheapism.
Rather than purchasing crackers or cookies that come in individual wrapping, opt for the entire box instead and divide them up yourself.
Be it in small snack pouches or containers," Jensen proposes. "It might seem like an additional task. However, I believe if you commit to it, perhaps choose a specific day or timeframe.
Reject non-food items
Jensen recommends eliminating certain non-grocery essentials from your shopping list, like paper plates or diapers, since these typically offer better value for money when purchased in larger quantities either at wholesale outlets or via online bulk orders.
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They typically stock over-the-counter medicines, batteries, toilet paper, or paper towels," he mentioned. "These items are usually easier to find at the grocery store.
Avoid these five unnecessary expenses when shopping at the grocery store, as suggested by Cheapism:
- Frozen fruit
- Bottled water
- Packaged dips
- Precut cheese
- Large purchases you'll likely never use
Pricey name brands
For the last and tenth piece of advice, Jensen suggests that shoppers opt for generic brands instead of well-known product labels.
He mentioned, 'In some cases, it’s really made by the same corporation,' adding, 'it simply comes with the store-brand packaging.'
Jensen particularly suggests opting for store brands when shopping for items such as spices, frozen foods, and breakfast cereals.
"They won’t change much in terms of taste," he explained.
During these inflationary periods, Pasquale mentioned that a small effort might reduce certain grocery expenses by as much as fifty percent.
"Absolutely, whenever possible, let's purchase bigger items or those that aren't packaged in plastic," she stated.
This ensures you're not wasting your money.
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