Stop Buying These 14 Things at the Grocery Store to Save Money Now

Americans are feeling it at the grocery store. Have you taken a look at any of the comment sections on posts about grocery stores an price-gouging? It’s an epidemic.

Fortunately, there are several things you can stop buying at the grocery store to start saving real money, right now. Many of these money-wasters also negatively impact the environment with their paper or plastic waste. So, cutting these expenses from your budget is great for your financial portfolio and the planet.

1. Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables

There are numerous reasons to stop buying pre-cut fruits and vegetables, including loss of vitamin content through flesh exposure to the oxygen in air, higher risks of foodborne illness, and significantly higher prices. For example, I can buy a whole pineapple for $2.19, while its pre-cut counterpart costs an obscene $4.99 per pound.

My local grocery store has berries in pre-portioned cups for $6.29 per pound; they consist of blueberries and cut-up strawberries. You can buy a package of each fruit for less than or close to the cost of a pre-made parfait-size cup. Stop paying for convenience and cut your own produce to save considerable cash.

2. Bottled Water

Bottled water is another double-edged sword that costs both the environment and your bank account. A Baltimore news report states that Americans spend $16 billion annually on bottled water! Plug up this drain on your wallet by investing in a water filter to protect you, your family, and Mother Earth.

3. Brand Name Products

Have you ever heard of private labeling? A private label or private label brand involves selling a product manufactured by one company under another company’s name. For example, the Great Value brand at Walmart or Up and Up from Target.

That means that many times, the generic store-brand product is the exact same product that costs more on the shelf due to its brand name. I’ll admit to having a few brand-name products I refuse to let go of, but for the most part, generic brands are the same, and paying for the brand is a total waste of money.

4. Paper Towels

Another hefty financial burden on American families regards spending $5.7 billion a year on paper towels ($12 billion globally). This wasteful practice can be easily replaced with reusable paper towels, unpaper towels, Swedish dishcloths, zero-waste towels, microfiber cloths, or any suitable washcloth or hand towel.

5. Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies create considerable environmental waste and emit chemicals linked to lung cancer and heart disease. They’re also predominantly made up of water and an unnecessary expense to include in your budget. You do not need a special cleaner for every room in your house.

Several cleaning supplies recipes involve basic household ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Soap. You can purchase the latter in concentrated form on Amazon. Making homemade cleaning solutions eliminates a massive expense while removing disease-causing chemicals from your home.

6. Ziploc Bags

How much do you spend on Ziploc bags for snacks and sandwiches and freezer storage for meal prep and leftovers? It adds up quickly and is an unnecessary monthly expense.

It also creates waste that takes 1,000 years to degrade in a landfill. Replace these poor practices and money waste with reusable bags. These are typically constructed from food-grade PEVA and silicone, come in various sizes, and many are dishwasher safe.

7. Pre-Made Baked Goods and Mixes

When you purchase a cake or dozen cookies from the bakery, you’re not only paying for the product. The price also factors in labor, packaging, and possibly the rent and utilities for the store selling the baked goods.

Quit paying massively inflated prices when you can make pastries and desserts from scratch at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, cake and pancake mixes are made from ingredients in your pantry. Stop buying pre-made mixes and start saving big bucks.

8. Out-of-Season Produce

Buying out-of-season produce can mean a dramatic difference at the register because it costs more to import it from various regions. Additionally, out-of-season fruit may be less nutritious, lack flavor, and leave a larger carbon footprint than seasonal produce. Frozen fruit retains nutrients and is cheaper and more delicious than its out-of-season fresh counterparts. Make the switch for savings.

9. Prepared Foods

Prepared foods like salads, sandwiches, and hot deli meals have some of the highest price markups at the grocery store. Like the pre-cut fruit and veggies, you’re paying for labor and packaging. Meats that are prepared by being sliced, cubed, marinated, or rubbed down in your favorite spices come with a hefty markup, too. Eliminate this expense with a meal prep plan.

10. TV Dinners

Frozen dinners are quick and easy for people on the go. However, like many other things, you’re overpaying for convenience. TV dinners are also less nutritious and filling than a homecooked meal, and are usually loaded with sodium and high fat content.

The Hungry Man and Banquet Meal TV dinner brands are around $3.50 in my neck of the woods and aren’t filling enough to fully satisfy my hunger. Do they honestly fulfill yours? Again, meal planning is the solution to cut this money waste.

11. Diapers

Parents nationwide waste money buying diapers at local grocery stores. Buying diapers in bulk at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club offers significant savings.

Diaper subscription services such as Dyper and Abby & Finn are popular with parents. Alternatively, you can set up subscriptions through Amazon on brands like Pampers and Huggies for monthly savings.

12. Batteries

Buy batteries from warehouse stores to eliminate the grocery store markup. This is one of my brand-name must-purchases, and Costco has bulk Duracell batteries for much cheaper than grocers. The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon are other more affordable alternatives. However, in my experience, the Amazon brand batteries don’t last as long.

13. Party Supplies

The dollar store is, without a doubt, your best financial decision for party supplies such as plates, napkins, tablecloths, gift-wrapping paper, party bags, balloons, and greeting cards. Although, it’s become the $1.25 store, it still saves you a ton of money.

14. Plastic Containers

Flimsy plastic containers like GladWare at grocery stores drain your pocket. You may reuse them a few times before they become trash and pollute the landfills. Cut that cost and carbon footprint impact by investing in reusable glassware, stainless steel, and other sustainable packaging. If you spend a little more upfront, it becomes a one-time expense rather than a recurring one.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous ways to save money on groceries today. Start by shopping around for the best prices, using loyalty programs, and cutting money wasters. Eliminating these expenses from your grocery budget is not only cost-effective, but many also significantly impact the environment.