5 Biggest Wastes of Money at the Grocery Store and What To Buy Instead
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Is it time to change the way you grocery shop? If you’re tired of looking at your receipt and wondering where your money went, general high prices might not be the only issue. You might be sabotaging your own grocery budget without even realizing it.
Keep reading to learn five of the biggest wastes of money at the supermarket and quick fixes to save money without feeling deprived.
Name-Brand Cereal
For some items, buying more can mean spending less — including name-brand cereal. There’s nothing wrong with opting for trusted brands, but don’t do your shopping at the grocery store.
For example, a 20-ounce box of Cheerios regularly costs $7.99 at Kroger. In comparison, you can get two 20.35-ounce boxes of Cheerios for $8.49 at Costco.
Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables
Chopping fruits and vegetables can feel laborious, so you might be tempted to purchase pre-cut items. However, this will cost you.
For example, a 1-pound mix of fresh kiwi, pineapple and strawberries costs $11.99 at Whole Foods. When purchased individually, an entire pineapple is $3.99, a 1-pound container of strawberries is $3.29 and a kiwi is $1 — totaling $8.28.
Not only is cutting your own fruit cheaper, but it also allows you to get more for your money.
Bottled Water
Drinking unfiltered tap water can be unsafe, so you might opt to buy bottled water at the grocery store — but this can add up fast. For example, a 24-pack of 16.9-ounce bottles of Dasani purified drinking water costs $7.29 at Stop & Shop.
Women should drink a recommended 92 ounces of water per day, while men are advised to drink 124 ounces, according to the Mayo Clinic. When you do the math, each case of Dasani contains 405.6 ounces of water. If drinking the recommended amount of water, women would go through over five water bottles each day, or a case about every 4 1/2 days, while men would finish one up in just over three days.
In a year’s time, this would add up to nearly $600 in bottled water costs for women and almost $900 for men. Instead of buying bottled water, purchase a large Brita filtered water dispenser from Target for $37.99 — and periodically change the $17.99 filter (which is currently on sale).
Impulse Buys
It’s not a coincidence that grocery checkouts tend to be stocked with items such as magazines, snacks and candy. Retailers know it can be hard to resist the temptation to buy these typically low-priced items when they’re staring you right in the face — especially if you’re waiting in a long line.
If you struggle with this, you’re not alone. In 2022, the average consumer spent $3,768 per year on impulse buys, according to Capital One’s most recent data.
To combat impulse purchases, prepare yourself in advance so you can step into line with a mindset of adding nothing else to your cart. Instead of purchasing an enticing item now, take time to think about whether you actually need it, and if so, buy it next time.
Pre-Portioned Snack Packs
The ultimate convenience, pre-portioned snack packs can be stacked in your pantry or refrigerator for an easy bite. However, you typically pay for the ease of not having to portion the food out yourself.
For example, a 2.75-ounce container of Dippin’ Stix sliced apples and peanut butter costs $1.79 at Giant Eagle. Save money by purchasing a 3-pound bag of Gala apples for $4.79 and a 16-ounce jar of Jif creamy peanut butter for $3.29 (currently on sale for $2.99).
Slicing an apple and portioning out peanut butter will take only a few minutes. In return, you’ll save money and get a freshly sliced apple.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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