Grocery stores provide the convenience of getting your everyday essentials all in one place. However, these stores have also devised strategies to get you to buy extra items that you don’t need.
Frugal people deliberate about their spending and prioritize essentials while excluding unnecessary items. That allows them to save money and reduce food waste.
Here are 12 grocery items frugal people proudly exclude from their shopping list.
Pre-Cut Vegetables and Fruits
Although pre-packaged and pre-cut vegetables and fruits are convenient, they come with a hefty price tag. Frugal people understand that they can cut down on the extra cost by purchasing whole produce and portioning it themselves. That saves money and ensures they get fresh produce every time.
Bottled Water
Buying bottled water every week can be expensive, especially if you have a large family. Frugal people invest in a water filter and reusable water bottles to reduce plastic waste and save money. They will carry their water bottles with them instead of purchasing water each time.
Baked Goods
You’ll never find frugal people splurging on muffins, cakes, bread, and other pastries in the baked goods section. Frugal people opt to bake their bread, cookies, and other baked goods at home to save money.
Packaged Soups
Frugal people understand that packaged soup is not only expensive but also contains unhealthy preservatives. They choose to make their soup at home with fresh ingredients. Instead of buying canned soup, you can experiment with different soup recipes to find one that you like.
Specialty Ice Cream
High-end ice cream is expensive and can only be bought for holiday dinners or special occasions. Frugal individuals will find creative recipes for homemade ice cream with readily available ingredients.
Ready-Made Pizza Dough
Pre-made pizza dough is convenient and saves time, but it can be costly. Making your pizza dough at home will save you money. Homemade pizza dough also allows you to add your unique combinations, making the pizza more flavorful and delicious.
Bottled Salad Dressings
While store-bought salad dressings are a quick fix for when you need to have a salad, they are loaded with unhealthy fats and preservatives. Frugal shoppers use readily available ingredients like vinegar, olive oil, and herbs to make a homemade salad dressing.
Apart from this being healthy, making DIY dressings saves you money and allows you to customize the flavors to your liking.
Boxed Cake Mixes
Boxed cake mixes have preservatives and other ingredients that make most cakes taste flat and bland. Frugal people find cake recipes to bake their cakes from scratch. Having a homemade cake mix also makes it easier to customize the cake according to your preferences.
Artisanal Cheese
Although specialty cheese has a unique flavor, it also comes with a premium price tag. Frugal people opt for budget-friendly cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Swiss to save money. These cheeses are versatile and don’t compromise on taste.
Yogurt
Grabbing single-serve yogurt cups is easy and quick, but it’s more expensive than making your own at home. Frugal shoppers avoid buying yogurt at the shop and instead choose to make yogurt from organic milk and live culture to save money. Homemade yogurt is also healthier as it contains less sugar and preservatives.
Pre-Packaged Snacks
Most stores sell packaged snacks like crackers, cookies, and chips for convenience. Although packaged snacks are easy and quick to pick up, they also contain unhealthy additives and ingredients. Frugal people will opt for healthier alternatives like homemade granola, seeds, nuts, etc.
Specialty Condiments
Fancy, artisanal condiments cost a lot of money at grocery stores. Frugal shoppers stick to basic, store-brand condiments to elevate their salads, stews, etc. Basic condiments are cheaper and have more ingredients than specialty condiments.
Save Money On Groceries
These are a few grocery items frugal people proudly exclude from their shopping lists. Most of these items have cheaper and homemade alternatives, which save you money on your grocery bills and allow you to enjoy healthier options.
