Man shocked by his grocery total and looking at his receipt

Food prices are higher than ever, but not everything on the shelf deserves your money. Many products are marked up because of branding or convenience, not actual quality. Choosing better alternatives can help you save without giving up taste or nutrition. Here are seven grocery items that just aren’t worth the price anymore.

Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables

Free samples of oranges and grapefruit segments at a grocery store
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Buying fruits and vegetables already cut saves time, but the markup is steep. A bag of pre-cut apples can cost double compared to whole ones. Prepped produce also spoils faster, leading to more waste. Stick with whole produce and do the chopping yourself at home.

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Name-Brand Spices

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Spices from big-name brands often cost several times more than store brands. The quality difference is usually minimal, especially for basics like cinnamon or garlic powder. Buying in bulk from discount stores or ethnic markets saves even more and keeps your pantry stocked for months.

Bottled Water

Rows of plastic water bottles
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Single-use bottled water is one of the most overpriced grocery items. You pay hundreds of times more per ounce compared to tap water. A reusable bottle and a good water filter are smarter investments. They reduce waste and save money long-term.

Organic Packaged Snacks

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While some organic foods are worth the splurge, packaged snacks are often no better than regular ones. You’re mostly paying for the label. Many contain just as much sugar and sodium as non-organic options. Choose whole organic produce instead if you want the health benefits.

Pre-Shredded Cheese

Cutting board with cheese block and shredded cheese
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Convenient but costly, pre-shredded cheese is more expensive per ounce than blocks. It also contains anti-caking agents that affect flavor and texture. Buying a block and shredding it yourself is cheaper and tastes fresher. A simple box grater does the trick in minutes.

Cold Pressed Juices

Detox drinks, orange slices, and ginger on counter
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Cold pressed juices are trendy, but the price rarely matches the value. They’re often sold in small bottles for several dollars each. You miss out on fiber, and the sugar content can rival soda. Blending whole fruits at home is healthier and far less expensive.

Single-Serve Coffee Pods

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Pods are convenient but pricey compared to ground coffee. A box of pods can cost four times more per cup. Over time, that adds up fast. A drip coffee maker or French press makes better coffee at a fraction of the cost, especially if you buy beans in bulk.

Smarter Shopping Wins

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Avoiding these overpriced items can free up space in your budget for foods that actually deliver value. Focus on whole ingredients, store brands, and items you can prepare yourself. These swaps keep your grocery bill lower while still giving you quality meals at home.

13 Industry Secrets Grocery Stores Use To Make You Buy More

Woman looking shocked at her grocery receipt
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Grocery shopping can feel like a chore, but it’s also full of clever ploys designed to get more money from you than you realize. Stores are pros at getting you to buy more than you planned, often without you even noticing. Here’s how they do it—and how you can outsmart them. 13 Industry Secrets Grocery Stores Use To Make You Buy More