Shopping trap: popular grocery products not worth your cash
Ugh, shopping! Sometimes I wish for the golden fish to appear and make my day prettier and tell me that my fridge is full all year round so I won’t have to go to do my weekly shopping. But then I remember that we live in the real world, and this is an adult task, and there is no possible way to escape it.
With so many products that have colorful and enticing packaging, we often get into the trap of buying what we don’t really need. And when we get to checkout… sheesh! In today’s article, with the help of shopping experts, I managed to create a list of some grocery products that aren’t worth your cash even if they seem a bargain. I think you’ll be surprised…
Chips
Chips are tasty, addictive, and always an easy-to-grab snack whenever we watch our favorite TV show. However, as you may probably know, they aren’t exactly healthy or nutritious in any way. We put them in the first place of unnecessary grocery products for a reason!
No matter if we talk about potato or corn chips, they’re all the same. Instead of spending $6 on a bag, why not try to make your own at home? With your favorite dip, voila! A much healthier snack.
Beef jerky
Beef jerky is tasty and easy to munch on wherever you are, and luckily, it is so easy to find on almost every supermarket shelf. But guess what? When it comes to other grocery products that help you boost your protein intake, jerky isn’t cheap at all. Especially if you plan on bulking yourself this season.
If you want to get more protein during the day but get tired of eating chicken breast over and over again, I’d suggest checking out protein powder. It might seem costly at first, but a bag of 35 ounces will last quite a few weeks.
You don’t know which protein powder is best for muscle growth. No worries! I got you. Impact Whey Protein is available on Amazon in nine different flavors. For one serving shake, you will get 22 grams of protein. Oh, and it’s also gluten-free!
Baked goods
Oh, dear! That smell from the baked goods welcomes me whenever I step into the grocery store. But I have to keep my hands away from them! Why? Well, they’re among the super expensive grocery products, even if you buy more than one. You rarely get discounts, and when you do, they’re probably not that fresh anyway.
So you could just Google some recipes and bake your batch of fresh cookies or muffins at home. Even the taste is going to be different! And they’ll be healthier as well.
Sparkling water
A lot of people, when they want to give up soda and unhealthy sugary beverages, switch to sparkling water. It might seem like a good idea, but is it really? Not so much. Sparkling water is among those unnecessary grocery products you should steer clear of.
It is very costly compared to your tap water, and yeah, you will say it is boring to drink tap water with no taste, but you can actually make it tastier by adding fruits and some fresh mint leaves. Trust me, you will save a lot more by doing this.
Oreos
Biscuits in any shape and flavor are tasty. Especially Oreos! With so many available flavors and colorful packages, it is almost impossible to keep your hands away from grabbing them from the shelf.
But you’re better off! They’re super expensive now, and they have so many added sugars that your teeth won’t like them.
Name-brand coffee
I love a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning, but that doesn’t mean I am willing to pay an arm and a leg for it. Next time you’re going to do your grocery shopping, pass by the coffee shelves.
Purchasing whole Arabica beans from a big-box supplier or warehouse shop will give your coffee the gourmet café flavor and is the primary ingredient in most name-brand mixes. Use them in your French press, reusable K-Cup, or conventional brewer after grinding them at home to ensure freshness.
Energy drinks
As with any other grocery products I’ve mentioned so far, a lot of people crave energy drinks. And with a reason! They’re flavored with a ton of interesting stuff, and no matter how unhealthy they are, they taste good. Period. But instead of paying $3 for a can, you better buy some green tea leaves or stick to your regular coffee cups per day.
A single 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull has around 80 milligrams of caffeine, which is equivalent to a cup of coffee.
Frozen French fries
That’s a huge no-no! Instead of scrolling on social media, take those 10 or 15 minutes to cut your potatoes into French fry shapes. It’s healthier and more economical, so don’t fall into the trap of buying a bag of frozen French fries!
Animal crackers
You’ll probably end up buying these cuties just because nostalgia hits you. But I tell you that they’re not worth your money. Frequently high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, these little creatures don’t provide much in the way of fiber or micronutrients. Yes, I totally agree; they’re super tasty. That’s why you keep eating, and you’ll finish half the box before you realize it.
So, I’d definitely suggest you go for a healthier snack to munch on next time you go to the supermarket.
Shredded cheese
Yes, it’s convenient to buy already shredded cheese, but honestly, you won’t save a lot if you do that. Shredded cheese is among the grocery products that cost a ton of money for what they offer. A bag of this cheese has additives that help keep it “fresh” in the bag. Trust me, it won’t, and you’re better off with a 16-ounce block of cheese (which is considerably cheaper) to grate it yourself.
Chicken stock
One of the grocery products you want to stay away from is chicken stock. While it can be very tempting to buy something that’s already cooked for you, chicken stock is by far the unhealthiest thing to eat. You can easily make your stock at home for less money and less salt.
Salad dressings and dips (salsa, guacamole)
Both dips and salad dressings are better to make in your kitchen. By doing this, you will avoid all the unhealthy additives and the pack of calories that come with the prepacked version. It’s also very affordable in terms of both money and time since they are both easy to make and don’t cost a lot.
Checkout impulse buys
There we go! If you want to save money on your groceries, you must stay away from impulse buys at all costs. Leave that pack of Orbit gum where it belongs on the shelf! Candy and other sweets are positioned near the checkout line to entice you to buy them while you’re tired and bored. Avoid falling for this well-worn scam. Go back to the candy department and stock up on gum if you really need it.
What other grocery products are so tempting, but you should never buy them? Tell me in the comments.
Do you want more frugal advice? Then you’re going to be interested in reading how to Save on Air Conditioning Costs.
