Sometimes it is convenient to buy certain items from the grocery store since you are there buying food anyway. However, Woman’s Day advises consumers to refrain from purchasing certain items from their local grocery store.
Have you ever seen those pre-cut apple slices in the grocery store? Don’t buy them. It is cheaper to buy whole apples and cut them up yourself. There is absolutely no difference except the cost. It is the same concept with chicken pieces. A whole chicken is cheaper, and you can cut it up yourself.
According to Kendel Perez, expert for CouponSherpa, don’t buy items from the bakery in the store. Instead, head to the baking aisle and purchase a boxed cake mix that costs about a dollar. You can make your own cake in about ten minutes. Items in the bakery are marked up about 300 percent in some cases. You pay more when you buy spices and herbs at the grocery store. At the supermarket, you’re paying for glass or plastic storage containers you don’t need.
Do not purchase out of season produce. Strawberries are available in December, but you don’t have to buy them. Buy fruits like strawberries when they are in season, or buy frozen produce.
Whenever you buy a cut of meat, it’s priced per pound including the fat that’s on it. Feel free to ask your butcher to cut the fat off of the meat before it is weighed. You don’t need to pay for fat.
Buy large bags of potato chips and other snacks for lunches instead of paying 50 percent more for those individual servings sizes. You might be tempted to buy frozen French fries from the grocery store, but don’t do it. Freezer section fries can cost up to $4 per 16-oz. bag. Buy a 5-lb. bag of potatoes for less than that and get nearly triple the amount of fries by making your own. It takes five minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the oven.
You will get the best bang for your bucks if you buy pet food in bulk from either a warehouse store or big box store like Walmart and Target rather than from the grocery store. Do not buy cleaning products from the grocery store.
The best deals on household cleaning products are at big box store or the dollar store. You can also make your own multipurpose cleaners for less than 50 cents by using pantry staples like vinegar, baking soda, salt and lemon.
Even though many grocery stores have an aisle for things like pens, pencils and paper, they’re not offering good prices on any of these items. Buy your office supply items, school items for office supply stores like Office Depot or Staples. Another option for inexpensive items like this is the dollar store, even though your selection may be limited. Also, never purchase greeting cards, balloons, and party supplies from the grocery store.
Do not buy batteries, razors, deodorants, other personal hygiene products, and beauty products from the grocery store. You can find better prices on these at warehouse club stores or online at sites like Amazon. Consumers should avoid buying fresh flowers from the grocery store because they can get the flowers at wholesale prices at local flower markets.
