5 Grocery Items To Never Buy for Full Price in 2026
Grocery prices are skyrocketing.
That's no surprise, but it's also the official findings. The food-at-home index increased 2.4% in December, according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. As inflation-weary Americans continue to face sticker shock at the checkout line, knowing which items to buy on sale can make a meaningful difference to a household budget.
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In 2026, smart grocery shopping isn't just about clipping coupons — it's about understanding which staples aren't worth paying full price for.
According to shopping experts, here are five grocery items you should never buy at full price and why.
Soda Is Almost Always on Sale Somewhere
While soda may seem like a routine grocery buy, it's one of the most heavily marked-up items in the store when it's not on sale.
"If there is one grocery item you can find on sale regularly, it's soda," said Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com.
Typically, when Ghoshal shops at Target, Walmart or the store, he sees soda on promotion.
"At least one of these stores typically has a deal, so I encourage soda consumers to stock up when it's on sale and wait to refill their pantry until they see another promotion," he said.
Canned Beans Are Rarely Worth Full Price
Buying a single can of beans can be pricey but stores often have sales when you purchase a certain amount, like buy three and get one free. Canned beans store well for years, so you can keep them until you're ready to use them. Beans are a pantry staple, but paying full price for them is rarely necessary if you plan ahead.
"Since canned beans last for months, you can buy what you need for the next three to six months when they're on sale," said retail finance expert Melanie Musson at Quote.com.
Chocolate Chips Have Become a Sale-Only Buy
Chocolate chips are great to have on hand for baking, but the price has been climbing for the last year due to supply shortages in West Africa, where most of the world's cocoa is grown, according to Empower. The region has experienced bad weather and diseased crops, leading to a shortage and higher prices.
"Chocolate chips have gotten so expensive that you're definitely going to want to wait until there's a sale to stock up," Musson said. " There will be sales and when a store carries two or three or more brands, there's likely going to be a sale every month, so you won't have to wait too long."
Ice Cream Prices Change From Week to Week
Ice cream is the ultimate sweet treat, especially in the summer, but prices fluctuate so often that paying full price usually means missing out on a better deal just days later.
"One retailer will have a weekly sale on ice cream; you just need to look," said Marty Bauer, E-commerce & Retail Expert at Omnisend.
But that means you might have to temporarily switch from your go-to brand to take advantage of the deal, Bauer said.
Lotion Is Routinely Discounted
Lotion is necessary for moisturizing, but it's not cheap. Many brands hike up the price because of higher-end ingredients and packaging. But, it's not something to overpay for.
"If you search, a manufacturer's coupon can almost always be found, either online, in print, through a store's app or from your dermatologist," Bauer said.
With many households tightening their grocery budgets due to rising prices, you can still get what you need without overspending by shopping smart.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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