Don’t Buy These Items Are The Grocery Store Unless You Want To Get Ripped Off

The grocery store has pretty much everything you could ever need in one convenient location, but sometimes convenience comes at a price. You could end up paying a lot more for an item just because it happens to be in a store where you go anyway to buy milk, eggs, and other necessities.

You're better off buying some items from bulk food stores, places like Costco, online, and in some cases, you're better off passing on the item altogether. Keep reading for some top shopping tips.

Don't Buy Bottled Water

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Robert Alexander/Getty Images

First of all, plastic is killing our environment. Recycling isn't as effective as you think it is, and even if you recycle your bottles, it still takes a lot of fossil fuels to make plstic bottles in the first place. You're much better off investing in a reusable water bottle. The environment and your wallet will thank you.

If you're not confident about the cleanliness of your tap water, invest in a water filter. All of those plastic water bottles add up to way more than the cost of an at-home filter and a metal bottle.

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Get Cereal For Less

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A woman shops for Cheerios cereal at a Price Chopper supermarket
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If you're a cereal fan, visit the drug store instead of a grocery store. Why? According to Christie Hardcastle, owner of drugstore websites including Wild for CVS, these shops consistently have sales. Because cereal is often expensive at other stores, offering them at a lower price brings in customers.

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If you live near a warehouse store, you can buy a two-pack bulk of cereal for far less. This is another product that often appears in a grocery store's sale section. Remember that most processed grains can be eaten far beyond their "best by" date.

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Grocery Store Diapers Are A Scam

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Diapers are definitely a necessity if you have a baby at home. Also, when you're out of diapers, you can't exactly wait for a better deal. You kind of have to buy more diapers right then and there. That's how the grocery store diapers get you. You could be saving a ton on diapers by ordering them in advance in bulk from online retailers.

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Places like Amazon even have subscription services so you'll always have diapers on hand when you need them most.

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Get Milk At The Drug Store

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An employee arranges bottles of milk at a Pyaterochka grocery store.
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Milk is one of the primary staples of a grocery store (which is why stores shelve them in the back). Plenty of customers visit shops just for milk. But did you know that drugstores sell them for cheaper? Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS all sell milk for 20-25% less than grocery store brands.

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If you have a warehouse near you, buy your milk from there. It's guaranteed to cost less while still maintaining its freshness. Target and Costco also have cheaper dairy selections than most other places.

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Don't Buy Grocery Store Flowers

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The flower display in your local grocery store can be rather enticing. It's hard to walk past all of those lovely colors and smells. However, those grocery store flowers tend to be less fresh than the flowers you would find at a florist.

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They also may have a lot of unnecessary greenery or weeds around them that take up a lot of room. If you must get flowers at a grocery store, buy a bunch of a single kind of flower that has all of its buds open.

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Avoid Exotic Fruits

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Every produce section tends to have a designated area for various kinds of exotic fruit. These can include starfruit, horned melons, kumquats, and more. The reason they are exotic is because they aren't as commonly brought to the checkout counter.

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Since not as many people buy them they will stay at the store for a longer amount of time, which causes them to lose their freshness. For those who have their mind set on trying some exotic fruit, check a local specialty store.

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You Don't Need That Rotisserie Chicken

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Signature premium brand roasted rotisserie chicken sits at a Costco store
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On the surface, rotisserie chickens seem like the best deal in the world. They're already cooked and cost less than raw chicken. How is this possible? According to an article by The Penny Hoarder, rotisserie chickens are far smaller than the fresh ones. That's how grocery stores can sell them so cheaply.

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Not only are they smaller by default, but the cooking process also shrinks them by 20%, according to the US Department of Agriculture. According to the same article, homemade chickens are cheaper by a dollar per pound when you add up how much meat you get.

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Don't Buy Pet Food At The Grocery Store

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You're much better off buying pet food in bulk stores than at the grocery store. You're dog or cat is going to be eating the same kind of food for pretty much their whole life. It's best to stock up and pay less per pound of food.

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You'll even get a workout carrying that huge bag of kibble to the car (and then out of the car and into your front door). Seriously, though, those bags are heavy.

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Stay Away From Deli Meat

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Shoppers pack the aisles and deli counter at Cook's Fresh Market
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Have you ever wondered why grocery stores place cheeses in two different locations? The answer is that one section includes deli cheeses. These are the fancier cheeses that have shorter shelf lives and require colder refrigeration. If you specifically want one of these cheeses, head toward this aisle.

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If you're looking for generic cheeses, head to the dairy aisle. Sometimes, you can find fancier cheeses here for a lot less money. Better yet: buy them at Target, Walgreens, or Walmart. They often sell cheeses for less.

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There Are Better Places To Buy Toilet Paper

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While it might be convenient to buy toilet paper where you buy most of your other household necessities, you're much better off buying toilet paper in bulk. Grocery stores often mark up the prices on items like toilet paper and paper towels.

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You can get better deals at warehouse stores such as Costco and Target. For those who prefer to shop online, Amazon offers a Subscribe and Save option where customers can sign up to get toilet paper delivered every few months.

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Snack-Size Isn't As Fun As It Looks

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Sometimes people run into the grocery store because they just need to grab a quick food option on the go. These can be items such as single-servings of food and drinks. Many snacks come in smaller bags that can be sold separately.

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When a customer is purchasing snack-size bags of food they are usually paying a markup rate of at least 50 percent. Instead, try getting the larger, party-size bag. This way you'll save money and have extras for later.

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Stay Away From Spices

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For the food section, As part of the kitchen tune-up, check spices for freshness.
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Everyone knows that a tiny bottle of cumin costs A LOT at the grocery store. Although the spices there may be convenient, they're far from affordable. You'll have better luck (and fresher spices) if you purchase them from a spice shop. Ethnic stores, such as Thai or Indian shops, often sell spices for cheap as well.

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In general, spices are far cheaper if you buy them in bulk. Purchase your commonly-used spices from Whole Foods for a better deal. As another option, you can get spices at the dollar store, although their quality is questionable.

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Get Your Bread From A Bakery

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A customer choosing bread at a Pyaterochka supermarket
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Bread is one of the most convenient grocery store buys and, truth be told, it's not that expensive. If you happen to live near a bakery outlet, though, you might want to rethink where you shop. Bakery outlets practically give bread away, and they freeze quite easily.

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If your grocery store has a sale section, check it before you visit the bread aisle. There, they often sell discounted loaves that are past their "best by" date. "Best by" doesn't mean the bread has gone bad; it'll still last for a while after you purchase it.

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Canned Beans Aren't Worth It

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Canned beans are super convenient. If you need a snack in a pinch or if you're looking to make a fast chili or bean salad, canned beans are your best friend. If you're looking to save money, though, dried beans are way better. They last longer in your pantry, they cost less per pound, and you're not paying for all of that liquid and extra sodium.

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On average one can costs around a buck for every 14 ounces, as opposed to a two-pound bag of dry beans that averages around $1.59.

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Frozen Pancakes Aren't Worth Your Time

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Frozen foods can be a great money saver. Frozen fruit is absolutely delicious and it will last much longer than fresh fruit. Frozen pancakes just aren't the way to go, though. You can make way better pancakes from scratch with just some flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and milk You probably have all of those ingredients at home already.

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The same rule applies to pre-packaged pancake mixes. You're paying a lot for some flour in a box.

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Get Greeting Cards Elsewhere

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It can be easy to get everything at once at the grocery store, but sometimes that means spending more than expected. Greeting cards are a non-food item that are commonly found in most supermarkets. Customers may see them not realizing that it's probably one of the worst places to add them to their shopping list.

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Instead, it's better to head to stores similar to The Dollar Tree or the 99 Cents Only Store where people can buy multiple at a time to stock up for the future. Greeting cards at the grocery store are usually about five times more expensive than a dollar store.

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How To Get Cleaning Products For Less

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You need various cleaning products in your home, but the grocery store isn't where you want to be stocking up on wet wipes, glass-cleaning sprays, and wood polish. Look for deals at big box stores such as Costco or Sam's Club instead.

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You can also make your own household cleaners out of vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oils. There are a bunch of all-natural household cleaner recipes online. You're better off making your own cleaning solution than paying upwards of $15 for a bottle of Windex at the grocery store.

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Stay Away From Salad Bars

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When buying food at the salad bar of a supermarket, consumers are purchasing more than just the salad. They are also paying for the time and preparation it took for the employees to wash, cut, and organize everything. While salad is a healthy choice there are other ways to get the same nutrients for a cheaper price.

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Instead, go to the produce aisle and pick up the ingredients found in the salad bar. It doesn't take too much time to do the prep work at home. Also, many salad bars contain a lot of bacteria because people use the tongs (or their fingers).

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You Can't Have Your Cake And Eat It Too

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Grabbing a birthday cake at a grocery store sure is convenient, but they aren't cheap. A full-sized cake from a bakery or warehouse costs the same as a small cake from a regular grocery store. In addition, most of these cakes are packed with preservatives. Cakes from independent bakeries are guaranteed to be fresh.

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Bakery cakes also include more options and prettier designs. Even if these bakeries charge more than grocery stores, they guarantee better quality cakes. Don't you want the best dessert for your celebration?

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Never Buy Pre-Shredded Cheese

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Cheese display inside Shaw's grocery store.
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It's always better to grate cheese yourself. It might take a bit of extra work, but it's definitely worth it. The pre-shredded cheeses you find in grocery stores are tossed in corn starch so that the individual strands of cheese don't all stick together in one big clump. It makes the cheese more appealing, but it also gets in the way of melting. If you want impressive melty cheese pulls, grate your cheese yourself.

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Also, the companies that make the pre-made cheese tend to add non-cheese fillers, including wood pulp, that can take up 50 percent of the bag.

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Light Bulbs Aren't A Good Idea

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Grocery stores don't only have food to pack your pantry, but they also have a lot of common household items. One object that many sell are light bulbs. It may seem convenient to pick up a few of them while out at the supermarket, but it's advised that customers head somewhere else.

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People will get the best value for their money at warehouse stores such as Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's, but there's also another option. Finance experts searched all over for the smartest deal and they found that Amazon had the cheapest prices hands down.

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Be Careful With Unwrapped Items

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While shopping customers may notice that not everything comes wrapped in a protective covering. This is especially true for produce products. When those are placed in shopping carts they are then exposed to a huge amount of hidden germs and bacteria.

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A study by the University of Arizona found that nearly three-quarters of shopping cart handles were contaminated with E. coli. The best thing to do is bring a reusable bag or at least use the plastic bags that are provided for free in the produce section. Also, make sure to wash the reusable bags because the bacteria from the cart get on that too.

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Grocery Store Kitchenware Isn't Your Friend

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colorful spatulas on display at a store
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It's expected for grocery stores to have cooking tools and bakeware throughout the aisles. People may see something they don't have at home that will help them with a new recipe. They may conveniently find a baking pan, spatula, or measuring cups without realizing there are better places to buy them.

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Finance experts say that buying kitchenware at the grocery store is overpaying by about 30 percent. They recommend either borrowing the items from friends or neighbors or finding a sale at a retail store such as Macy's or Home Goods.

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Buy Batteries At A Warehouse Store

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It's difficult to live a normal life without having some batteries. They have the ability to power so many miscellaneous items and people depend on them daily. Since grocery stores have almost anything, people can pick up a small pack of them, but it may not be the smartest option.

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A pack of three or four batteries at the grocery store is about the equivalent to buying them in a bulk pack of 20 or 30 at a warehouse store. If you're not a member of one of those places, Amazon also includes many of the warehouse deals as well.

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Don't Buy Grocery Store Magazines

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Another culprit of being overpriced at the grocery store are magazines. They usually have a large selection with topics ranging from fitness, entertainment, cooking, and more. Magazines rely on places like grocery stores because customers may get drawn in by the vibrant covers and choose to put it in their cart.

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Buying one there usually will cost around three or four bucks, but there are a lot of publications where people can make yearly subscriptions for around $20. Also, libraries tend to have a great number of magazines that people can read for free.

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Get Beer Somewhere Else

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Customers look at bottles of red wine at Costco's first outlet in China
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Not every grocery store in the US sells beer, wine, and liquor. Some only sell beer and wine, while others sell no alcohol at all. For this reason, grocery stores usually rack up the price when it comes to alcohol. Since they can't sell it elsewhere, they need to make money off of it where they can.

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You're better off visiting a warehouse club for your booze. Liquor stores tend to have a wider selection, lower prices, and better options. The only perk to grocery store alcohol is convenience.

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Those Toothbrushes Aren't Cost-Effective

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An Indian customer looks at cheap toothbrushes sells for five Indian rupees on a cart at the roadside in Amritsar
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If you visit the dentist regularly, then there's no need to buy a toothbrush at the grocery store. Dentists recommend visiting twice a year to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Every time you visit, they'll give you a new toothbrush. Hence, you don't have to buy yours at all.

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If you do need to get a new toothbrush, visit a drugstore instead. CVS and Walgreens are constantly putting toothbrushes on sale and often sell them in packs, which saves you money in the future.

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Don't Get Any Gift Cards

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Gift cards can be the perfect present for anyone because receivers are able to buy exactly what they want. A lot of the time customers can find a great variety at their local supermarket in categories such as restaurants, music, and online retail stores. If they are bought at the grocery store it's usually for full price.

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Many warehouse stores, especially Costco, can give good deals on gift cards. For example, someone can buy $100 worth for only $80. If the warehouse store doesn't have exactly what you're looking for, there are many gift card reseller websites that do the same.

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Don't Buy Baking Mixes

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Baking mixes like Bisquick sell for their convenience. You don't have to mix together baking soda, flour, or salt. The trick is that most people already have these items in their home, so they're spending money on something that they could make for free.

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For example, to make a Duncan cake mix, you need sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda. Any regular baker has these items in their home already; they last a long time and can be used for multiple baking sessions. Even though you have to mix more, you'll save time and money by making a homemade cake or pastry.

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Make Your Own Salad Dressing

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Store-bought salad dressings are extremely overpriced and they're full of added sugar, sodium, and fat. You're much better off making your own salad dressings at home. Basically, you just mix one part vinegar with one part oil.

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You can use different combinations of oil and vinegar to create different flavor profiles. Looking for some Asian flair? Mix sesame oil with rice vinegar— add some soy sauce and some honey and you're good to go. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar work great for Greek and Italian salads.

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Buy Balloons Elsewhere

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 Heart shaped balloons in a grocery store in San Diego.
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Like greeting cards, party supplies are a secondary embellishment to grocery stores. They are stocked near the front of the store for convenience. Like many products near the front of the store, they're often overpriced.

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You can buy most party supplies--such as balloons and paper napkins--at the dollar store for much cheaper. You can buy a packet of balloons there for $0.99 instead of $2.99 at Vons. When you're gathering items for a large party, these dollars add up quickly.

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Not The Best Place To Buy Coffee

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For many people, coffee is their lifeblood, which is probably why a bag costs so much at grocery stores. You're better off buying the cheaper option from the brand itself. If you like Starbucks, buy them from the website; if you like Peet's, buy straight from the cafe. Grocery stores buy from these brands and then resell them, which hikes up the price.

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If you have a Keurig machine, buy the pods straight from Keurig.com. If you are out and shopping, stop by Staples. Although it sounds silly, Staples has lower-priced coffee than grocery stores, most being around $6.99 to $20.00.

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Not The Best Place To Get Shampoo

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Customer chooses a Pantene shampoo in a supermarket.
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Nowadays, grocery stores often stock up on hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner. As with all complimentary products, these are simply for convenience. Unless these products are on sale, get them elsewhere.

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CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are some of the few stores that allow coupon stacking. For more expensive shampoos, you'll get the best deal at these stores. They also offer plenty of other hair and skincare products to replenish your haul. Dollar stores have some of the same products for far cheaper.

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Get Sweeter Prices

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Packages of Equal and Splenda artificial sweeteners are displayed at a coffee shop
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Like spices, sugar is cheaper when you buy it in bulk. We recommend purchasing some from online grocery outlets, since sugar lasts a long time and can transport safely through the mail. If you're looking for sweeteners such as Stevia, check your local drugstore.

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CVS sells pounds of sugar for $2.00 to $3.00, which is the price of Vons's Club Card Sale deal. Otherwise, sugar costs twice as much at grocery stores. Walmart sells fairly cheap sugar substitutes, although you may find better deals looking up sweetener and vitamin stores online.

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Ge Your Meat From A Butcher

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Several grocery stores sell cut-up meat packets for stew and other dishes. While it does seem convenient, stew meat often consists of the cheapest cuts of meat. The package costs more for the convenience of having it pre-chopped.

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If you don't want to chop the meat yourself, get fresh meat from a butcher and ask them to cut it. They'll cheap up your meat for free, and you'll receive higher-quality meat. Pre-cut Angus beef costs around $6.99 on the cheap end, while whole meat costs $4.99, depending on how much you purchase.

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Use Coupons To Get Detergent

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Just as grocery stores have upped the prices of shampoo, they also sell detergent for far more than they're worth. You can usually find detergent, softener, and color catchers for less money at Target or Walmart.

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In general, Target has great Tide deals, Oxiclean often goes on sale at Walgreens, and CVS sells the cheapest Purex. Many of these detergent companies offer coupons online. Print them out and bulk up. Oddly enough, it's cheaper to buy name-brand detergent than generics, especially when you have coupons available.

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Not The Place For Cosmetics

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Grocery stores aren't the best place to buy cheap cosmetics. Although they have the same name brands as CVS, they often cost more--$12.49 mascara at Vons vs. $7.99 at Target. For the cheapest options, browse your local drugstore.

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Surprisingly, many cheap cosmetics go on sale at clothing stores such as Forever 21 and Marshalls. If you're a coupon-hunter, seek out sales for large, inclusive brands like Ulta Beauty. They often promote huge sales online where you can replenish your beauty and skincare needs.

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Don't Buy Name Brand Swiffer Cloths

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Yes, Swiffer is very convenient. But restocking their cloths is expensive. Packets of dry cloths cost around $10, while wet floor sweepers go for $20. However, Swiffers don't need their brand cloths to function. They only need a cloth.

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To save money, buy cheap cleaning cloths at the dollar store. You can soak them in warm, soapy water before attaching them to the Swiffer. Viola! You get the same product for far cheaper. Better yet, you can wash these cleaning cloths and reuse them later.

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Canned Foods Are Better On Sale

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Because canned goods are a staple in most homes, grocery stores increase the price on most of them. During the colder months, canned soup will have a higher price of 50% in some stores. Only buy them off-season and on sale--they'll last until next year, anyway.

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If you can't wait that long, buy your canned food online and in bulk. Amazon, Walmart, and even the Dollar Tree sell canned food in bulk year-round. For instance, a pack of four Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup sells on Amazon for only $3.12.

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Careful With Berries

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Have you ever bought berries from a grocery store, only to have them go bad a couple of days later? This is common. Fortunately, you can avoid this fate with a few tips. Vice President of Driscoll's, Valerie Lott, recommends buying strawberries over "variety berries" such as raspberries and blackberries. Those usually cost 30 cents more.

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If you have a farmer's market near you, buy your berries there. They often last longer since they're picked fresh. Whenever you can, give frozen berries a shot. They're just as healthy, if not more so, because they're frozen at peak ripeness.