11 Grocery Items That Are a Huge Waste of Money

You might think you're shopping smart, but some of the most common grocery items are quietly draining your budget. These everyday buys look convenient, but they often cost far more than they're worth. Before your next trip to the store, take a look at the grocery items experts say are a total waste of money.

Pre-Cut Fruit

You're paying extra for convenience, and it often spoils faster than whole fruit.

What to buy instead: Whole fruit and cut it yourself-it's cheaper and lasts longer.

Bagged Salad

Bags of precut greens cost more per ounce and go slimy quickly compared to whole lettuce or greens.

What to buy instead: Whole heads of lettuce or bunches of greens. Cutting a head of lettuce and washing it in a salad spinner is quick and easy, and you're guaranteed crunchy lettuce every time.

Single Serve Yogurt Cups

The pouches, cups, and tubes of yogurt are convenient, but you are wasting a lot of money in exchange for convenience, for just a small amount of yogurt.

What to buy instead: Large tubs of yogurt and portion them at home. These reusable cups are great for taking yogurt in a lunchbox.

Flavored Bottled Water

It's usually just filtered water with flavoring you can add at home for pennies.

What to buy instead: Plain water with lemon, fruit slices, or flavor drops.

Spice Blends

Many are just salt-heavy mixes you can recreate cheaper with basic spices.

What to buy instead: Individual spices and mix your own as needed.

Instant Rice Packets and Cups

You pay several times more for rice that cooks only minutes faster.

What to buy instead: Regular rice or quick-cook rice bought in bulk. And did you know, you can freeze rice!

Frozen Smoothie Packs

Sure, these are convenient, but if your goal is saving money, buying whole frozen fruit lets you mix exactly what you want for less money.

What to buy instead: Bags of frozen fruit you can mix and match.

Shredded Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese is coated to prevent clumping, costs more, and doesn't melt as well as block cheese.

What to buy instead: Block cheese - it costs less and melts easier. Shred it at home with this electric cheese grater.

Brand Name Pantry Staples

Items like sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda are often identical to store brands.

What to buy instead: check out grocery stores with bulk bins so you can get exactly what you need at a fraction of the cost. If that's not an option, pick up the store brands of these items and you won't notice a difference.

Individually Wrapped Snacks

Single packs of chips, crackers, or cookies cost significantly more per ounce than family-size versions. You're paying for extra packaging and convenience, and it adds up fast, especially for households that go through snacks quickly.

What to buy instead: Family-size bags or bulk snacks portioned at home in snack sized baggies.

Bakery Items

Bakery items like muffins, cookies, and breads cost substantially more than just making them at home, and they are often an impulse buy.

What to buy instead: If you really need something in a pinch, check the bakery items that are marked down for quick sale (making sure to inspect them first, for freshness.) If you have time, either buy a box mix or make baked goods at home.