21 Grocery Store Buys That Are the Biggest Waste of Money

Knowing which grocery store buys are the biggest waste of money can help you cut down on overspending.

This list covers everything from food and drinks to everyday household items that sneakily add up. Once you know what to skip at the grocery store, you’ll be able to keep more money in your wallet.

While some of these grocery store items may be convenient, they usually come with a much higher price tag than the homemade versions or buying them in bulk somewhere else at a lower price.

1. Shredded Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese costs more per ounce than a block, and you’re mostly paying for the convenience. Grating your own takes just a minute, tastes fresher, and often melts more smoothly.

2. Bottled Iced Coffee or Cold Brew

Those bottles cost several dollars each, but homemade cold brew is pennies per cup. A big batch in the fridge keeps for days and tastes just as good (if not better).

3. Basic Meat and Cheese Trays

Deli platters look delicious but come with a steep markup. Buying the ingredients separately gives you more food and fresher options for the same price.

4. Microwave Popcorn Bags

Microwave popcorn seems handy, but you’re paying extra for convenience. It doesn’t take that much longer to make freshly popped popcorn at home, and many times it tastes better, too.

5. Toilet Paper

Supermarket packs are almost always smaller and pricier. Warehouse clubs or online retail deals stretch your dollar much further.

6. Trail Mix

A bag of trail mix can cost triple what the ingredients do. Mixing your own lets you save money and control what you put into it.

7. Hard-Boiled Eggs

A small pack of hard-boiled eggs usually costs as much as an entire dozen raw ones. Boiling them at home is quick, and they keep for a week in the fridge.

8. Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are one of the priciest ways to get caffeine. Coffee or tea made at home gives you the same boost for a fraction of the cost. If you prefer energy drinks, though, buying them in bulk at discount retailers is usually the cheapest option.

9. Trash Bags

Buying trash bags at the grocery store often means small boxes with higher price tags. Stocking up at a warehouse club or discount store lowers the cost per bag.

10. Pre-Cut Fruit and Veggies

Convenience comes at a big markup, which is sometimes double or triple the price. Spending a few minutes chopping at home saves money and keeps food fresher.

11. Individual Bottled Sodas

Single small bottles are the most expensive way to buy soda. Multipacks or 2-liter bottles cost much less per ounce and last longer.

12. Pet Food

Small bags from the grocery aisle often run higher than pet stores or online retailers. Shopping where larger sizes are sold is usually better for both cost and variety.

13. Instant Oatmeal Packets

Those little flavored oatmeal packets add up quickly. A canister of plain oats is cheaper, and you can add fruit, cinnamon, or honey.

14. Pre-Made Sushi

Grocery store sushi may look tempting, but it rarely tastes fresh for the price. Sure, you might pay more at a local spot, but the quality and flavor are usually much better for the price.

15. Name-Brand Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter medications are already pricey, and grocery store shelves often mark them up even higher. Name-brand versions can cost much more, so the most effective way to save is by choosing generics, which have the exact same active ingredients.

16. Frozen Smoothie Packs

Pre-bagged smoothie mixes charge extra for portioning. Bulk frozen fruit gives you more for your money and lets you mix flavors your way.

17. Instant Mac and Cheese Cups

The single-serve cups cost far more per ounce than a box. Cooking the box version is just as easy and makes multiple servings.

18. Salad Kits

Bagged kits are priced high for the convenience of having everything portioned. Buying lettuce, toppings, and dressing separately can save money and is many times fresher.

19. Paper Towels

A pack of paper towels at the grocery store is usually smaller and costs more per roll. Buying in bulk at a warehouse club or discount store saves money and keeps you stocked longer.

20. Name Brand Cereal

Skip the name-brand cereals and opt for the store brand instead. The box may look different, but store-brand cereal is often made in the same factories as the pricier name-brand cereals. Once you add milk, the taste is almost identical for a fraction of the cost.

21. Batteries

Batteries are notoriously overpriced at grocery stores. Bulk packs from warehouse clubs or online retailers are much cheaper per unit.