7 Items You Should Never Buy at the Grocery Store

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Grocery stores are perfect for picking up a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and of course the rest of your meal planning needs. But while you are shopping, you might be tempted to pick up a few convenience items as well. After all, you are right there and so are these items you need, but did you know this convenience comes at a cost? Take a look below at 7 Items You Should Never Buy at the Grocery Store, as they can quickly cause you to bust your budget and make you spend more than you need!

7  Items You Should Never Buy at the Grocery Store

1. Kid’s Toys: Grocery stores are smart. They place children’s toys in the aisles on specialty hanging displays in order to get the attention of kids and the parents who want to zip them up. Most of these toys are quite cheaply made (squirt guns, bouncy balls, card games) but cost 4x’s what you would pay for them at a dollar store. Skip the toys and buy these items elsewhere.

2. Seasonal Decor: Stores such as Kroger offer seasonal decor such as holiday wreaths, candles, frames, and towels, but they come at a cost. Basic decor items cost twice as much as a retailer like Walmart would carry them for. Avoid buying these seasonal decor items, and instead buy elsewhere or wait until the end of the season when they are dramatically discounted.

3. Make-Up: Grocery stores “might” run some good make-up sales, but the majority of the time you can get these products for less at your local drug store. You will also want to skip hair accessories such as brushes, flat irons, and curling irons. Unless you find some amazing clearance deals, skip the make-up and head to a drugstore instead.

4. Clothing Items: Grocery stores may carry flip flops, winter hats and gloves, and  t-shirts for convenience. Don’t fall for this trap! These items are typically cheaply made, no-name brands that are overpriced. Save your money and get quality items for less at clothing retailers.

5. Office Supplies: I am amazed at how much a grocery store charges for office supplies such as tape, staples, and even envelopes. They are at least 3-4 times as much than a typical retail store or dollar store. Don’t go down the office supply aisle and instead snag all of the supplies you need at your local dollar store.

6. Organic Non-Food Items: If you like organic body products, supplements, and other non-food items, grab them at your local health food store or specialty store. Grocery stores tend to inflate their prices on these items big time, and the selection or quality may not be as good.

7. Baking Dishes: Your grocery store may have a nice selection of baking dishes, but don’t buy them! They tend to be overpriced and are typically a no-name, low quality brand. This is typically the same case with day to day dishes your grocery store may offer. Instead, head to your local retail store for dishes you know will last, and at a great price.

The next time you are at the grocery store, snag all of the produce, cereal, and pasta you need. However leave the items mentioned above on the shelf, as they will tend to cost you more. Instead opt to purchase them at a retail store where they will no doubt cost less and save you some cash.

More Grocery Shopping Tips:

Tips for Speedy Grocery Shopping

10 Tips for Taking Kids to the Grocery Store

7 Insanely Easy Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bill

10 Secrets of Frugal Grocery Shoppers

How To Stay Organized While Grocery Shopping

How to Save Money on Produce