15 Supermarket Buys That Are Wastes of Money
Households nationwide have been pummeled by the rising cost of living and inflation, with many experiencing income loss and food insecurity.
Fortunately, federal aid through programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available, but these come with strict eligibility and purchase restrictions. Shoppers need to get a bit creative to save money at checkout.
In addition to classic money-saving methods — like clipping and/or downloading coupons, sticking to a budgeted list, shopping seasonally and using a grocery store loyalty card — consumers looking to trim their grocery bill should consider a DIY approach.
Also See: 15 Holiday Shopping Hacks To Get More for Less
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Many grocery store staples can be bought elsewhere or created in your kitchen. In many cases, you won’t only be saving money by getting crafty but packing in more nutritional value.
Here’s a look at 15 supermarket buys you should skip to save more money on groceries.
Baked Goods
Buying fresh-baked bread or cake while grocery shopping probably sounds — and smells — more appealing than going for a prepackaged solution. It’s also better for your wallet in the long run; you could be paying much more for artisanal bread and other baked goods that can be filled with preservatives, hydrogenated oil and high-fructose corn syrup.
Investing in a bread machine — you can snag a top-rated one on Amazon for around $70 — you can make a loaf for as little as 60 cents. Since home baking surged in popularity during the pandemic lockdowns, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration and #bread community on social media.
Baking Mix
A 40-ounce container of Bisquick Pancake & Baking Mix comes at a steep price for what is essentially flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make your own by sifting together 6 cups of flour, 3 tablespoons of baking powder and a tablespoon of salt. Then work in 3/4 cup of shortening, and store the mix in a glass or ceramic canister.
Bottled Water
Buying bottled water has long been a trend in the U.S., and it’s one that is not only upsetting on an environmental level, given that plastic contributes to global warming and pollution, but on a personal finance level.
Bottled water is roughly 30 times more expensive per gallon than tap water. Unless you live in an area where tap water is not safe, buying bottled water is nothing but a waste of money and plastic.
Shredded Cheese
The convenience of cheese that is already shredded might not be worth it. Additives such as cellulose, an ingredient made from wood pulp, can sometimes serve as fillers and could potentially keep cheese that’s already shredded from performing the same as freshly shredded cheese in recipes. If you grate your own from a 16-ounce block, you’ll end up with a higher volume of grated cheese than you would get by buying a 16-ounce bag of shredded cheese.
Name-Brand Coffee
Pass by the coffee when buying groceries at the supermarket — it can be one of the most expensive places to get your morning grind. Head to a big-box supply or warehouse store and buy whole Arabica beans — they give that gourmet coffeehouse taste and are the main bean in most name-brand coffee blends. Grind them at home for freshness, and then use them in your French press, reusable K-Cup or regular brewer.
‘Dirty Dozen’ Produce
Eating plenty of fruits and veggies is vital to good health, but sadly, these items can cost a small fortune. Rather than buying them at the supermarket, cut out the middleman by heading to your local farmer’s market where you can get the freshest produce.
You might also look into joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which will not only benefit your wallet but will directly help farmers, too.
Diapers
Resist the urge to throw that pack of baby diapers into your cart because it’s a good grocery store deal; the mere price of convenience is a steep one. The real savings are at big-box stores such as Costco and Walmart — or if you really want to save, going the old-school cloth route.
Endcap Items
Just because something is on an endcap doesn’t make it a good buy. Although you might find items on sale there, know that some manufacturers pay money to the retailer to have a second display of their products. Venture down the aisle where the product is normally stocked and compare prices before choosing endcap items.
Energy Bars
Energy bars might be more nutritious than a candy bar, but they’re not exactly lean options. Your best — and cheapest — bet is to buy nuts, dark chocolate chips and chopped dried fruit to make your own healthier snack mix.
Energy Drinks
If you want an energy boost, stick to a cup of coffee or green tea. A sleek and pricey energy drink can contain the same amount of caffeine as your standard cup of joe. For example, one 8.4-ounce Red Bull drink contains about 80 milligrams of caffeine, around the same amount that a cup of coffee can have.
Eye-Level Items
Items at eye level are often more expensive than those on the bottom shelf. According to Consumer Reports, manufacturers pay retailers a fee for product placement at eye level.
Salad Dressing
You can top your healthy salad with a cheap salad dressing that might only cost a couple of bucks, but it also might contain preservatives you don’t necessarily want in your body. Healthier options can cost more, depending on the store and brand.
Making your own dressing is easy and cheap — and healthier — when you use fresh ingredients such as herbs, garlic and vinegar.
Frozen Veggie Dishes
Frozen vegetables can be an easy way to add healthy ingredients to your meal while making sure nothing goes to waste in the fridge, but you’re paying a ton for the convenience. It’s far more cost-effective to make your own gourmet veggie dishes.
Coat chopped veggies in olive oil, sprinkle on some salt and cook them in an oven at 425 degrees. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until they’re set before storing them in a freezer container.
Organic Produce
A steep price tag isn’t the only difference you’ll notice when buying organic produce at your local supermarket. The fruits and veggies might look withered or pale unless your grocer does a lot of organic business.
Shop at stores that sell organic produce regularly, such as Whole Foods or Aldi, and you’ll spend money on food that looks better and lasts longer. You can also buy organic local from a farmers market.
Lunch Snack Packs
Kids might love snack packs, but buying Lunchables and other packaged meals is always pricier than going the DIY route.
Rather than paying for a 3.1-ounce molded plastic dish that usually contains a handful of crackers, cheese slices and processed meat, let your child pick out a reusable sectioned plastic container at a dollar store and prep a healthier version together for much less per serving.
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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