For starters, stop buying precut fruit and bottled water
Money wasters are lurking throughout the supermarket, including these 10:
- Loading the cart up with processed food
Time-strapped consumers love the convenience of throwing a frozen pizza in the oven or a burrito in the microwave when they need a quick bite, but relying on processed food to save time will cost you.
“You don’t have time to make a meal, so you buy something you can pop in the oven, but you’re paying a lot more for that,” says Trae Bodge, a money expert and founder of TrueTrae.com.
That’s not to mention the impact processed foods can have on your health. Research published this spring in the journal BMJ found people who had a higher intake of processed foods had a higher risk of dying early, compared with people who ate the least amount of processed foods. Instead of buying a frozen pizza or another processed meal, Bodge encourages cost-conscious shoppers to buy individual ingredients and make meals from scratch, which are cheaper and often healthier.
- Buying snack packs
From cookies to nuts, it’s easy to find snack packs in the grocery store. They’re convenient, without a doubt, but they’re also more expensive than buying a larger quantity and portioning it out yourself.
- Opting for precut veggies and fruits and prepared meals
Precut produce is a time saver, but it’s also a money waster. Supermarkets attach a premium to these items because they’re doing the work of cutting and preparing the foods for you. “The last time I was at the grocery store, a woman fighting arthritis asked for my help shucking some corn. Instead of opting for the more expensive preshucked, cellophane-wrapped corn, she got a 3-for-$1 deal and a little conversation just by asking for my help” says Vines.
- Shopping without a list
A surefire way to overspend at the grocery store is to go without a shopping list. That causes “one of the biggest budget leaks,” says April Lewis-Parks, director of financial education at Consolidated Credit, a debt relief company. “You wander the aisles, picking up extras, and before you know it, your cart is full of things you didn’t plan for or really need.”
By walking into the grocery store armed with a meal plan and an accompanying shopping list, you’ll be less susceptible to tempting displays and shiny packages. “You’ve got a plan, and sticking to it means no more impulse buys that inflate your bill,” she says.
- Stocking up on bottled water
Last year alone Americans consumed nearly 16 billion gallons of bottled water, with sales for the industry up 6.5 percent year-over-year. That’s despite the impact plastic bottles have on the environment. “It’s so easy to make your own bottled water. Invest in one reusable water bottle per family member and get a filtered pitcher if your refrigerator doesn’t have one,” Bodge recommends. A plus: You’re not using all those plastic bottles that end up in a landfill for 450 years.
- Being too loyal
These days most grocery stores sell their own private label products that sit next to the major brand names, with store brands up to 20 percent cheaper, says Vines.
“Generic brands are often made in the same factories [as brand names] and are significantly cheaper,” notes Bodge, who suggests doing a side-by-side comparison of ingredients before purchasing. “They are right next to each other. It’s easy to do a quick check.”
- Fearing loyalty programs
Most supermarkets reward loyal shoppers with discounts, deals and freebies. To reap the rewards, you usually have to sign up for the loyalty program online or through an app. That typically requires giving up some of your personal information, but in return you get access to special offers. “Many supermarkets extend weekly deals to loyalty club members,” says Vines. “Those savings can be compounded by downloading store apps, which in many cases feature access to digital coupons.”
There’s a movement underway to make loyalty programs easier to use for shoppers who aren’t tech-savvy. Some supermarkets now have kiosks at the entrance to the store, where shoppers can scan their loyalty card or enter their phone number to get that week’s digital offers uploaded onto their shopper’s card and applied at checkout automatically.
- Buying small quantities
Nobody wants to waste food, but Lewis-Parks says in certain categories, including rice, canned goods and frozen veggies, it’s cheaper to buy in bulk. “You’re stocking your pantry for the long haul without burning through your budget,” she says. Buying beef and poultry in bulk can also help you save money. If you choose to freeze these foods, make sure to eat the food within the proper time frame; generally, beef can be stored in a freezer for up to one year and poultry for up to four months.
- Not taking advantage of deals and discounts
Supermarkets pull out all the stops to get you to spend more, but many also offer ways for you to save. From manager specials to senior discount days, you’re missing out on big savings when you don’t use coupons or take advantage of sales. “Senior discount days at your local supermarket are like getting a secret membership card that unlocks a percent-off treasure every week,” says Lewis-Parks.