Grocery prices are rising fast, and many families are feeling the squeeze.

The truth is, a big part of your bill comes from things you don’t really need.

By cutting a few of these items, you can start saving right away—without giving up real meals.

Here’s a smart list of what to skip on your next shopping trip.

Skip the Drinks: Cut Costly Beverages

Drinks are one of the most overlooked budget drains. While they might seem like small additions to your cart, they often come with high markups and offer little in return.

Cutting them is a simple and effective way to reduce your grocery bill without sacrificing your overall diet.

1. Soda and Soft Drinks

Soda is one of the easiest items to cut. It’s loaded with sugar, has zero nutritional value, and is expensive for what it offers. Even store-brand options add up over time.

If you’re buying a few bottles or cans each week, you’re likely spending more than you realize on a product that doesn’t support your health or your wallet.

2. Bottled Water

If you’re regularly buying bottled water, you’re paying for packaging and branding. In most areas, tap water is perfectly safe to drink. Switching to a water filter at home is a smart investment.

Over time, it can save you hundreds. Pair it with a reusable water bottle and you’ll avoid both repeat purchases and plastic waste.

3. Juices

Juices may sound like a healthy choice, but most are packed with added sugars and lack the fiber found in whole fruit.

They’re also priced much higher than fresh fruit per serving. Rather than pouring juice, eat an orange or apple. It’ll cost less and keep you full longer.

You can also use fruits at home to make your own delicious juice.

4. Flavored Coffee Drinks

Bottled iced coffees, lattes, and specialty creamers can quietly inflate your grocery bill. While one or two may not seem like much, they can turn into a costly weekly habit.

Making your own coffee at home—especially using simple ingredients—cuts this cost drastically. Add cinnamon, vanilla, or a splash of milk for flavor without the price tag.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the biggest-ticket items in many carts. Whether it’s wine, beer, or spirits, these items are rarely essential and can quickly eat into your budget.

If you regularly include alcohol with meals, consider limiting it to weekends or special occasions. Cutting it completely can save you a surprising amount each month.

Eliminate Expensive Packaged Snacks

Packaged snacks are convenient, but they come at a high cost. Many are heavily processed, low in nutrients, and marked up significantly compared to homemade or bulk options.

Cutting them from your list can lead to noticeable savings—especially if you’re buying them regularly.

6. Chips and Crackers

These snacks may seem cheap, but the cost per ounce is high. You’re often paying more for air and packaging than actual food.

Most brands also contain added oils, salt, and preservatives. Instead, consider popcorn kernels, which are much cheaper and can be seasoned at home.

7. Cookies, Pastries, and Snack Cakes

Pre-packaged baked goods are among the worst offenders. They’re high in sugar, low in nutrients, and not budget-friendly. A small box of snack cakes can cost the same as a full batch of homemade muffins.

Baking at home lets you control the ingredients and stretch your budget further.

8. Protein Bars and “Healthy” Snacks

Many protein or granola bars are marketed as health foods, but most are loaded with sugar and cost more than a full meal.

They’re convenient, but not cost-effective. If you need quick energy, make your own snack mix or prepare boiled eggs or peanut butter toast instead.

9. Pre-Portioned Snack Packs

Single-serve cheese, nuts, fruits, or crackers are incredibly overpriced. You’re paying for convenience and packaging.

Buying these items in bulk and portioning them yourself takes only a few minutes and cuts the cost significantly.

Say No to Convenience Foods

Convenience foods are designed to save time—but they often come with a hefty price tag.

Many of these items are processed, less nutritious, and significantly more expensive than cooking from scratch.

Cutting them out and making simple meals at home can lead to major savings over time.

10. Microwave Dinners and Frozen Meals

These ready-to-eat meals might seem like a time-saver, but they’re often the most overpriced items in the freezer aisle.

You’re paying for packaging, preservatives, and a long shelf life. Preparing a simple dish at home—even in batches—costs less per portion and tastes better too.

11. Boxed Rice and Pasta Mixes

Pre-flavored rice and pasta sides are convenient but marked up. They often contain artificial flavors and excess sodium.

Buy plain rice, pasta, and basic seasonings instead. With a few pantry staples, you can create tastier sides in minutes for a fraction of the price.

12. Canned Soups and Stews

While they’re handy in a pinch, canned soups and stews are surprisingly expensive per serving. They also tend to be high in sodium and lack fresh flavor.

A homemade pot of soup—made with lentils, vegetables, or leftover meat—can feed your family for days on a budget.

13. Pre-Shredded Cheese and Deli Meats

Pre-shredded cheese is more expensive per ounce than block cheese. You also get added starches to prevent clumping. Grating your own only takes a minute and saves money.

Deli meats are another costly item, often packed with preservatives. Use leftover cooked chicken or turkey instead—it’s cheaper and healthier.

14. Frozen Breaded Foods

Items like chicken nuggets, breaded fish, or frozen fries are pricey and often filled with filler ingredients.

Making your own baked versions at home costs less and gives you full control over what goes in.

15. Pre-Cut Fruit and Salad Mixes

Washed, sliced fruit and bagged salads might save time, but they come with a high markup. Often, they spoil faster too.

Buying whole produce and prepping it yourself stretches your grocery budget much further.

16. Bottled Salad Dressings

Store-bought dressings seem small, but their cost adds up over time. They often contain preservatives, added sugars, and low-quality oils.

You can make a quick vinaigrette at home using ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, lemon, and mustard—for a fraction of the price.

Limit Sweets and Frozen Desserts

Desserts can quietly eat up a large part of your grocery budget—especially the packaged or frozen kind.

These items may offer quick satisfaction, but they’re often overpriced, nutritionally empty, and easy to replace or reduce.

Cutting back here doesn’t mean cutting out enjoyment. It just means choosing smarter.

17. Ice Cream and Frozen Novelties

Pints of name-brand ice cream, popsicles, and other frozen treats are expensive—and often impulse buys.

A few small containers can cost the same as ingredients to make a big batch of homemade ice cream or a pan of brownies.

Reserve frozen desserts for special occasions or try making your own with simple ingredients.

18. Bakery Cakes, Muffins, and Pies

Store-bought baked goods come with high prices and short shelf lives. A single muffin or slice of cake can cost more than baking a full batch at home.

If you enjoy baked treats, stock your pantry with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and baking powder. You’ll spend less and enjoy fresher results.

19. Candy

Candy may seem cheap in the moment, but it adds up fast. Whether it’s chocolate bars at the checkout or bags of sweets on sale, these small purchases can quietly raise your total bill.

Cutting them out—or choosing to buy only for holidays—can save you more than you expect.

Tip: Treats Don’t Need to Be Store-Bought

You don’t have to give up dessert. You just don’t need to buy it ready-made.

When you do want something sweet, consider baking it yourself or enjoying simple, naturally sweet foods like fruit with a bit of honey or cinnamon.

You’ll save money and cut back on added sugar.

Ditch Gourmet and Specialty Items

Gourmet and specialty food items may feel like fun upgrades, but they often come with inflated prices and limited use.

These extras can easily push your grocery total higher without adding much value to your everyday meals.

Cutting back on these “luxuries” can help you focus your spending on the essentials.

20. Imported Cheeses and Meats

Fancy cheeses and specialty cured meats are tempting, but they’re some of the most expensive items per pound.

While delicious, they’re not necessary for a balanced or budget-friendly diet.

Stick to basic cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella and use leftover meats from home-cooked meals instead of pricey deli boards.

21. Artisan Breads

Fresh bakery loaves, specialty rolls, and artisan-style breads look appealing—but they’re marked up significantly.

A standard loaf of whole grain bread or homemade bread offers the same function at a much lower cost.

Save the fancy bread for special occasions and focus on budget-friendly staples for everyday use.

22. Specialty Oils and Sauces

Items like truffle oil, infused olive oils, or imported dipping sauces may sound exciting but are rarely used more than once or twice.

They also come with a high price tag. Most home cooking can be done with basic oils like olive or canola, paired with pantry staples like vinegar, mustard, and basic spices.

23. Exotic Condiments and Sauces

That jar of imported chutney or obscure hot sauce might seem like a fun addition—but how often will you use it? Many of these items end up half-used and forgotten in the fridge.

Stick to versatile condiments like soy sauce, mustard, or salsa that can be used across multiple meals.

24. Organic Versions of Clean Produce

Buying organic can be smart—but it’s not always necessary. For fruits and vegetables that have a low pesticide risk (like bananas, avocados, or onions), you can safely buy conventional.

Use the EWG’s Clean Fifteen list to know where you can skip organic and still feel good about what you’re eating.

Avoid Subscription and Delivery Add-Ons

Convenience has a price—and it often shows up in the form of subscriptions, delivery fees, and impulse purchases.

These extras seem harmless on their own, but over time, they can quietly drain your food budget.

Cutting back on these services helps you regain control and spend more intentionally.

25. Meal Kit Services

Meal kits like HelloFresh or Blue Apron offer convenience, but they’re rarely cost-effective.

You’re paying a premium for portioning, packaging, and shipping—often double or triple what the same ingredients would cost at the store.

If you like the structure of meal kits, try planning your meals and shopping accordingly. You’ll get the same benefits for far less.

26. Grocery Delivery Markups and Fees

Ordering groceries online can be helpful, but many services include hidden markups and service fees.

You might not notice the added cost right away, but they add up fast—especially if you shop this way weekly.

Whenever possible, shop in-store to avoid extra charges and take advantage of in-person deals.

27. Store Hot Bar and Pre-Cooked Items

Supermarket hot bars, rotisserie chickens, and pre-cooked entrees are tempting when you’re in a rush.

But they’re often more expensive per serving than meals you could prep at home.

A little planning makes it easy to avoid relying on these last-minute options.

28. Takeout Impulse Buys

Even when shopping in-store, grabbing a drink, sandwich, or snack to eat on the way home adds unnecessary cost.

These impulse buys are often driven by hunger or stress—two things that disappear with a solid meal plan and some prep ahead of time.

Cut Non-Food Impulse Buys

Your grocery bill isn’t just affected by what you eat—it’s also shaped by what you buy on impulse.

Many non-food items sneak into your cart without much thought, especially near checkout or on end-of-aisle displays.

These small extras can seriously inflate your total and are often cheaper elsewhere.

29. Magazines and Books

Grocery store magazine racks are designed to catch your eye. But those impulse purchases come with inflated prices.

Whether it’s a cookbook, celebrity magazine, or puzzle book, you’re better off borrowing from the library or subscribing digitally.

The content is the same—only the cost is different.

30. Greeting Cards and Gift Wrap

It’s easy to toss a card or gift bag into your cart for convenience, but the markup is steep. Grocery stores charge premium prices for these items.

Instead, buy cards in bulk from discount or dollar stores, or make simple DIY versions if you’re crafty.

31. Cleaning Products and Toiletries

While it may be tempting to grab household items in one trip, grocery stores often charge more than discount retailers.

Laundry detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, and dish soap are all usually cheaper at big-box stores, warehouse clubs, or when bought in bulk.

Stick to food essentials at the grocery store and shop for household goods elsewhere.

32. Over-the-Counter Medications

Basic meds like pain relievers, allergy pills, or antacids may seem convenient to grab with your groceries—but they’re often more expensive per unit.

These items are typically cheaper at pharmacies, dollar stores, or online when purchased in larger quantities.

Tip: Stick to the Food Aisles

Bring a list, stay focused, and avoid browsing non-food sections unless necessary. If you wouldn’t make a special trip just for it, skip it.

Staying out of the center aisles and checkout displays helps protect your wallet from unplanned spending.

Bonus Tips to Stretch Your Grocery Budget Further

Cutting specific items is a great start—but the way you shop also makes a big difference.

With a few simple habits, you can stretch your budget even more and avoid waste.

These small changes add up fast and help you get the most out of every dollar.

Use a Shopping List and Stick to It

Impulse buys are one of the biggest budget killers. A written list keeps you focused and cuts down on extras.

Before heading to the store, plan your meals and write down only what you need. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it.

Shop Your Pantry and Freezer First

Before you plan meals or shop, take inventory of what you already have. Many people buy duplicates because they forget what’s in their pantry or freezer.

Use up leftovers, older canned goods, or frozen veggies before buying new.

Avoid Shopping When Hungry

Hunger leads to impulse purchases—especially for snacks and sweets.

Eat before you shop so you can make more thoughtful choices and stick to your list.

Compare Unit Prices, Not Just Shelf Prices

Sometimes the cheapest-looking item isn’t the best deal. Look at the unit price (price per ounce, per pound, etc.) to find better value.

Larger sizes often cost less per serving—but not always, so double-check before buying.

Plan Meals Around What’s on Sale

Check store flyers before you go and build your meal plan around discounts and seasonal items.

Planning this way helps you take advantage of the best prices while still keeping meals varied and satisfying.

Buy in Bulk (When It Makes Sense)

For staples like rice, oats, beans, or pasta, buying in bulk can save a lot. Just be sure you’ll use it all before it expires.

Bulk buying is only a good deal if it prevents waste.

Limit Trips to the Store

Fewer trips mean fewer temptations. Try to shop once a week or even once every two weeks if possible.

The less time you spend in the store, the less you’ll spend overall.

Cutting expensive items is a powerful first step—but how you shop matters just as much.

Stay intentional, shop with a plan, and avoid habits that lead to overspending.

Conclusion

Saving money at the store isn’t about going without—it’s about choosing wisely.

Start by cutting just a few of these items this week. See what works for you.

Every small change adds up.

Have a tip that helps you save? Share it in the comments!