8 Groceries You Shouldn’t Buy When You’re Broke

Going grocery shopping on a tight budget? Some groceries may be priced at BOGO rates or seem cheap enough to make it seem like you’re saving money. However, not all items are the deals they appear to be. Buying certain groceries and failing to use them up in a timely manner can lead to food waste even if you didn’t intend for this to happen.

The next time you head to the grocery store short on cash, stick to a careful list excluding the following items. These are the groceries you shouldn’t buy when you’re broke.

Unless you will eat fresh vegetables and fruits every day, author of “Buyerology” Karen Green said to avoid buying fresh produce when you’re broke.

The better recommendation is to purchase frozen produce like broccoli and carrots. Green said you can store frozen produce in the freezer and use it as you go rather than wasting it, and it’s usually a more cost-effective option.

If you want tomatoes included in something you’re making or eating, Green recommends buying canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. 

“They are cheaper and better for you as the lycopene is more readily available,” said Green.

Organic chef and certified nutrition and wellness counselor (CNWC) Melissa Eboli recommends any grocery shoppers on a tight budget forgo widely known brands. Instead, stick to generic store-brand names.

Paying for brand names, Eboli said, means shoppers tend to pay a premium since they’re paying for the marketing and branding of said name. Savvy grocery shoppers who skip brand names can see if their supermarket offers its own store brand of organic products. This allows you to shop in a cost-effective manner while still enjoying quality ingredients.

While snacks may seem inexpensive, Eboli recommends limiting your purchases and sticking with basic and essential foods (i.e., necessities like milk, bread, eggs, meat, pasta and rice).

If you have a bit of leftover cash at the end of your shopping trip, you might consider putting it toward a snack or two. Eboli recommends factoring this purchase in last as you continue looking for deals and bargains on your favorite foods.

Many grocery stores sell convenience foods like single burritos, grab-and-go sandwiches and soups and salads from the deli. Shoppers can find convenience foods in the deli section or in the freezer aisle.

These foods may seem like a good idea, but Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst at DealNews.com, said they’re usually pretty expensive. Shoppers are not getting nearly as much food either. “They often include enough for one meal, but even if you can get two out of them, it’s still usually not worth the overall price,” said Ramhold.

It’s tempting for grocery shoppers to spot a package of marinated chicken breasts or pre-formed burgers with bacon and cheese in them and think about buying them. After all, it’s practically already made for you. This should save you some time and money, right?

Nope. It can be convenient to purchase pre-prepped meat, but Ramhold said these purchases tend to be more expensive than if shoppers bought the ingredients and made the dish on their own.

Several items in the frozen section fall into the don’t-buy category, including mozzarella sticks, frozen dinners and pizza rolls. Some may be packaged in larger bags to make shoppers think they’re getting their money’s worth — but it’s usually a trick.

Ramhold said frozen meals are a waste of your money. “They’re going to be a few servings at most and more expensive per serving than if you were to buy the ingredients and make the dish yourself.”

Many grocery stores keep small mini fridges stocked with single-serve beverages, like water and soda, next to the checkout aisle. While it may be tempting to buy one (or a few) before you leave, Adam Schwartz, CEO at CouponSurfer, recommends avoiding this pricey purchase. 

“I have been in supermarkets where the price of a single cold bottle of water was within a few cents of a 24-pack case of water,” said Schwartz.

Sources

• Karen Green, Buyerology
• Melissa Eboli, Via’s Kitchen
• Julie Ramhold, DealNews
• Adam Schwartz, CouponSurfer