20 Items to Avoid Buying at the Grocery Store

Today’s supermarkets have become mega centers where you can get an oil change, get a haircut, and buy school clothes along with your groceries. However, while it is convenient to buy things at a one-stop shop, it is not always the best price. You will pay for the convenience of having everything in one place.

Never buy these twenty things at the grocery store

Most families are on a budget. It seems logical to buy everything you need locally, but it is not always the best price. Here are some things to buy online or in other stores to get the best deal.

1. Diapers

Did you know that the average baby uses 2,500 diapers a year? Informed Mom claims that buying in bulk is always the best option, as they cost much less than a small package at your local store. Using online mega-sites can be helpful, as can buying from your local warehouse in bulk.

Cloth diapers are a great alternative, but most prefer the use of Disposable diapers. A pack of 40 at your local grocery store will cost you about 26 cents per diaper, while a bulk pack can price you around eight cents per unit. Now since you will need a lot of these diapers it is best to use the cost cut option.

2. Greeting cards

Greeting cards start at about $ 4.00 each, and can go as high as $ 12 for the singles and pop-ups. Now it’s silly to spend so much money on a card that most people will throw away. You have two cost reduction options.

First, you can go to your local dollar store and get any card you want for $ 1.00. Don’t worry, these stores usually have a good variety as well. The last option is to buy a bulk pack of miscellaneous cards. You can get some for every occasion and in size for about $ 10 for a pack of 25 or more.

3. Magazines

Grocery stores place magazines on the shelves as you checkout to attract your attention. You will pay between $ 4 and $ 10 for one of those books. However, if you get a subscription to your favorite post, you can save a significant amount of money.

You can get a full year of delivery for around $ 15 to $ 20. Another option is to check your local library, as they have a great selection of magazines that you don’t have to pay a penny to read.

4. Toilet paper

Toilet paper comes in all varieties. If you want things that are good enough to sew a shirt, you will pay more. However, when it comes to your TP, always try bulk online services.

Many places like Amazon have incredible deals that no grocery store in your area can beat. Stop paying more than .50 cents per roll as it is too expensive.

5. Bottled water

Why everyone thinks they need bottled water is a mystery. Most of the water in your home tastes good, and you can even filter it for higher quality. All those plastic bottles are an exaggeration on the planet, as many do not recycle them. If bottled water is a must, buy it in bulk at a warehouse club and find an affordable price per unit.

6. Batteries

Few homes in this country can live without batteries. However, it is best to buy batteries in bulk, as they are much more affordable. Choose a bulk membership store over your local grocery store.

A two-D battery pack can cost you between $ 4 and $ 5 for the excellent type, or you can get a monster pack for $ 20. The savings are hard to deny.

7. Dog / cat food

Cat and dog food is expensive, and the quality is often mediocre in supermarkets. Use a store that specializes in pet supplies for the best bulk deals. There are also subscription services that you can order and have at your doorstep for less.

Lastly, the local food stores offer one of the most amazing and cheaper options for you.

8. Coffee

There are a few options for profitable coffee:

1. Delivery services have great prices.
2. Office supply stores usually have the best deals, which may surprise you.
3. Your local warehouse is a great place to look.

Buy the whole bean and grind yours to make it last longer and fresher.

9. Baking mixes

This may blow your mind, but you can make homemade baking mixes with everyday staples. Stop paying a fortune for four, salt, baking powder and a pinch of sugar in a box. You can buy almost everything to make ten times the amount you get in an all-purpose baking mix.

10. Celebration cakes

The deli counter loves to entice their customers with custom cake creations that look amazing. They can write their name, use balloons, and create a culinary masterpiece. The only problem is that all of this comes at a price.

The average size cake you buy is a quarter sheet and it will cost you about $ 20. Also, most store bought cakes taste horrible and use pure fat for the frosting. You can bake a delicious cake at home for around $ 5, or you can head to local bulk food stores that have the same capacities as a supermarket for less money.

11. Birthday and other party supplies

Use local bakeries to buy your bread. You can get many breads for the price of what you would pay for one at the grocery store. Stock up and put it in your freezer.

15. Gift cards

Gift cards make life easier when it comes to birthdays or other celebrations. However, buying them at the supermarket is not always the best option. You pay face value, but you lose the other benefits.

Many restaurants offer a deal if you buy a $ 20 card, you get $ 5 free. Or, what about the big card from Costco, where you get $ 100 off any card you want for the low price of $ 80?

16. Light bulbs

Gone are the days when you could get a pack of bulbs for $ 1.00. New incandescent bulbs are expensive and, depending on ZD network, is due to the technology used to manufacture them. However, you can find good deals on Amazon or at a warehouse club that offers bulk options.

17. Kitchen utensils

Walking past your local grocery store, you’ll see utensils and other baking goods hanging around. These are again geared towards being impulsive purchases. They want you to see something you can’t live without. It would help if you resisted the urge to buy these impulses.

If you need baking products, visit a home goods store for minimal prices.

18. Toothbrushes

Your friendly dentist gives you toothbrushes every time you visit. If you have children, your local school also distributes these grants. Now, why would you go to the supermarket for your toothbrushes?

If you visit the dentist twice a year, you should keep it supplied without spending a penny.

19. Spices and herbs

Have you seen how many herbs and spices are in the store? It’s amazing that the average bottle is around $ 4 and can go up to $ 20. Look for a bulk food store that allows you to buy in packages or by the pound.

You will get three times what you would get buying from a store. Also, what if you only need one tablespoon and have to buy a whole jar? is it just a waste of money?

20. Sandwich cakes

You know all those little snack packages that conveniently wrap you? Well, they’re charging you a mint for doing all that work. Why not buy a large quantity of pretzels and then wrap them in individual bags? The savings will be quite significant if you have a large family and pack lunches.

Final thoughts on what not to buy in your supermarket