Save Over $5,000 This Year by Skipping These 16 Unnecessary Groceries

Making small changes in your grocery buying habits can lead to substantial savings over time. Saving less than $100 a week on groceries can result in annual savings of $5,000. The total amount saved will depend on your family size and consumption habits, but overall, the price difference is worth cutting out unnecessary items from your grocery list to end up with extra cash by the end of this year.

Ground Beef

Ground beef is a common go-to for many homemade meals, but there are alternatives worth considering. Instead of ground beef, try using canned beans as a cheaper and healthier protein option for dishes like chili or bean burritos. Making this switch could save you about $15 monthly, adding up to approximately $180 per year.

Prepared Meals

Skip the prepared meals and opt for meal-prepping larger batches of homemade casseroles, soups, and stews on weekends. This option is quicker, and more nutritious, and much cheaper than frozen, packaged meals. With a few simple swaps like these, you could save $200 or more in monthly grocery expenses.

Bottled Water

Investing in a reusable water bottle and a home water filtration system is a smart move. Bottled water may cost upwards of $1 per bottle, whereas tap water is significantly cheaper. By cutting out bottled water purchases, you could save hundreds annually while also reducing plastic waste.

• Did you know? Approximately 60 million plastic bottles find their way into landfills every day, with Americans alone tossing over 38 billion water bottles yearly. That’s the same as dumping 912 million gallons of oil yearly.

Packaged Fruits and Vegetables 

Packaged fruits and veggies might seem convenient, but cutting them yourself can save you around $15 a month. By opting for whole produce instead of pre-cut ones, you could pocket up to $180 annually. Consider checking out local markets for better deals on fruits, especially when they’re in season.

‘Fresh’ Seafood

When buying seafood, the label “fresh” might not always indicate what you expect. Here’s the truth: much of the seafood in grocery stores is initially frozen for transportation and then thawed before display. Essentially, the “fresh” seafood you’re paying extra for is just previously frozen seafood that has been thawed. 

Choose Frozen Seafood Over ‘Fresh’

Opting for the frozen alternative can be a more economical choice without compromising quality. So, next time you’re browsing the seafood aisle, think about passing on the “fresh” options and opting for the budget-friendly frozen selections instead.

Popcorn

While it’s tempting to grab all the popcorn flavors on the shelf, consider popping your own popcorn in coconut oil—it’s both budget-friendly and healthier than pre-packaged chips. By making this simple swap, you could save around $20 each month, totaling up to roughly $240 annually.

Breadcrumbs 

From classic baked chicken dinners to hearty burgers, breaded vegetables, sweet desserts, and comforting casseroles, breadcrumbs are essential ingredients in countless recipes. However, store-bought breadcrumbs often come with a hefty price tag compared to how inexpensively you can make them at home.

Turn Stale Bread into Homemade Breadcrumbs

Stale bread has a remarkable way of transforming into this versatile ingredient. All you need to do is tear the bread into pieces and drop them into a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse until you achieve the desired consistency, and there you have it—homemade breadcrumbs ready to elevate your dishes at a fraction of the cost!

Brand-Name Products

When it comes to shopping for groceries, consider steering clear of brand-name products. Generic or store-brand alternatives often offer similar quality at a fraction of the cost compared to their branded counterparts. Sure, it might not taste exactly the same, but sometimes the price difference makes it worth the compromise.

Store-Brand = Significant Savings

You might reconsider your preference for brand-name products once you realize that many well-known cereals, for instance, are made by the same companies as store-brand versions but can be priced up to 40% higher. 

By comparing ingredients and giving store brands a taste test, you could enjoy significant savings without sacrificing quality. Making this switch could help you save $1,500 or more annually.

Gourmet Cooking Ingredients

Cooking at home can be a cost-effective alternative to dining out, but it’s essential to be mindful of the ingredients you use. While gourmet ingredients like truffle oil, specialty cheeses, and exotic spices can add flair to your meals, they often come with premium price tags.

Constantly opting for gourmet ingredients can quickly inflate your grocery bill. So, while it’s tempting to indulge in these luxurious items, consider balancing them with more budget-friendly options to keep your expenses in check.

Boneless Chicken Breast

Boneless chicken breast may seem like the easy choice, but opting for bone-in chicken can cut the price in half. Sure,  deboning chicken breasts might seem intimidating at first, but mastering this skill can save you a substantial amount of money every time you buy chicken breasts. 

With some practice and guidance, you can become adept at boning chicken breasts, ultimately trimming (pun intended) your grocery bill. 

Pre-Packaged Snacks

Pre-packaged snacks like chips, cookies, and granola bars might seem convenient, but they’re pricey and often loaded with unhealthy additives. Overbuying snacks leads to waste and also adds up in expenses, especially when purchasing bulk bags that can go stale quickly.

Instead of splurging on these convenience snacks, opt for homemade alternatives like air-popped popcorn, fresh fruit, or homemade trail mix. Not only are these choices are way healthier, but they’re also easier on your wallet, potentially putting a few hundred dollars back in your pocket each 

Baked Goods

If you’re looking for baked goods, consider checking for yesterday’s leftovers to score discounts of up to 50%. Whether it’s a bag of bagels, a loaf of bread, or a package of muffins, these items can still taste great while offering significant savings.

Try Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Treats

Try your hand at baking your favorites at home, like French bread, pretzels, banana bread, red velvet cake, blueberry muffins, cornbread, and more. Homemade baking is a fun and rewarding experience and can also help cut your baked goods budget in half compared to store-bought options.

Rice Mixes

Mixed rice dishes are enticing with their blend of rice, meats, vegetables, and spices, but the reality is that pre-made rice mixes can often carry hefty price tags, even though rice itself is a humble and affordable staple. When you consider that each component of the mix is relatively inexpensive on its own, it makes you wonder: what exactly are you paying for when you purchase them together

Make Your Own Rice Dishes Instead

Instead of shelling out for pre-made mixes, consider opting out and creating your own rice dish using whatever leftovers or ingredients you already have on hand. This approach will save you money while also allowing you to tailor your dish to your specific taste preferences.

Coffee

Over 75% of Americans spend $60 or less on coffee each month. On average, an American coffee drinker sips on about three cups daily, and collectively, they consume a staggering 400 million coffee cups every day. 

Save Money and Personalize Your Coffee

A money-saving strategy is to brew your coffee at home using a quality coffee maker or French press. Get creative with flavors and add-ins to personalize your coffee experience. 

Despite the temptation of coffee shop visits, these expenses can quickly add up.By making this adjustment to your caffeine spending habits, you could save $1,000 annually. So why not enjoy your custom coffee creations while also saving some extra cash?

Cold-pressed Juice

Cold-pressed juice, known for its purity and nutrient-rich content, can come with a hefty price tag, often ranging from $10 for a 16-ounce bottle to as high as $12 for just 12 ounces. 

The main reason for its steep price is the meticulous process it undergoes, using high pressure to extract juice from fruits and vegetables without adding any additional ingredients.

Save Big on Cold-Pressed Juice

Considering how expensive store-bought cold-pressed juice can be, a wallet-friendly alternative is to craft your own at home. By getting a good juicer and using fresh produce, you can reap the rewards of cold-pressed juice without breaking the bank.

Protein Bars

The high cost of protein bars primarily stems from the pricey ingredients they contain. These bars often boast high-quality protein sources such as whey protein, casein protein, or plant-based options like pea or soy protein. 

However, if you’re looking to get your protein intake without breaking the bank, consider opting for cheaper sources such as eggs, peanut butter, canned tuna, and beans. These alternatives offer the dual benefit of being budget-friendly and providing a wholesome, nutritious way to meet your protein needs.

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