6 Grocery Items You May Be Wasting Money On, And What to Buy Instead
A grocery cart can fill up quickly with products designed to save time. Individual oatmeal packets, instant rice, canned beans, and ready-to-pour broth all make cooking easier. But that convenience sometimes comes with a higher price per ounce or serving.
The good news is that you don’t have to give up every shortcut to manage your grocery budget. A few simple swaps may offer better value, especially when you cook at home regularly and already have basic ingredients in your pantry.
Here are six grocery items worth comparing with their less expensive alternatives before your next shopping trip.
Individual Oatmeal Packets vs. a Canister of Quick Oats
Individual oatmeal packets make breakfast simple. You can grab one, add water, and prepare it without measuring a portion. But if you eat oatmeal at home regularly, a canister may offer better value.
Great Value Original Instant Oatmeal was listed in Walmart’s oatmeal listings at $1.87 for 12 packets weighing 0.98 ounces each. That’s approximately 15.9 cents per dry ounce. By comparison, a 42-ounce canister of Great Value 100% Whole Grain Quick Oats was listed at $4.18, or about 10 cents per ounce. The canister’s ingredient cost per ounce is approximately 37% lower.
The trade-off is the upfront cost. The canister costs more at checkout, and you’ll need to measure your portions. Packets may still be worth buying if you take breakfast to work or prefer individual servings.
Instant White Rice vs. Ordinary Dry Rice
Instant rice is useful when dinner needs to come together quickly. The Great Value Instant White Rice listing describes precooked long-grain rice that cooks in five minutes, making it a convenient option for busy evenings.
However, ordinary dry rice costs less by package weight. The Walmart Business listing priced a 28-ounce box of Great Value Instant White Rice at $2.97, or approximately 10.6 cents per ounce. A 16-ounce bag of Great Value Long Grain Enriched Rice was listed at $0.92, working out to about 5.75 cents per ounce. That’s approximately 46% less per dry ounce.
Remember, these figures compare dry package weight, not equal amounts of cooked rice. Ordinary rice may be the better buy if you have time for its preparation, while instant rice can justify the extra cost when speed matters.
Canned Pinto Beans vs. Dry Pinto Beans
Canned beans are ready to use, making them handy for soups, stews, and other everyday meals. Dry beans require more planning, but their lower ingredient cost may appeal to households that cook them frequently.
Great Value Pinto Beans in a 15.5-ounce can were listed at $0.92. A 32-ounce bag of Great Value dry pinto beans was listed at $1.98.
According to University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension’s cooking guide, one pound of dry beans yields approximately six cups cooked. Using that general estimate, the two-pound bag could yield around 12 cups, although actual results vary.
At that estimated yield, 1¾ cups of home-cooked beans would cost about $0.29 in dry beans, compared with $0.92 for the canned product’s stated equivalent amount. That’s an estimated $0.63 difference before cooking costs and additions.
This isn’t a guaranteed net saving because the comparison uses estimated cooking yields rather than measured drained yields. Dry beans suit shoppers who plan ahead, while canned beans remain convenient when time is short or only a small amount is needed.
Related: 10 Grocery Items Americans Are Cutting Back On Due to Inflation
Premixed Cinnamon Sugar vs. Mixing Your Own
Cinnamon sugar is an easy finishing touch for toast, baked goods, and other kitchen favorites. Buying a prepared blend saves a small measuring step, but mixing your own may make more sense if sugar and cinnamon are already in your cupboard.
Great Value Cinnamon Sugar, in a 3.62-ounce jar, was listed at $2.24. The research listings priced Great Value granulated sugar at $2.97 for a 64-ounce bag and Great Value ground cinnamon at $4.43 for a 4.2-ounce container.
Using an illustrative mixture of 90% sugar and 10% cinnamon by weight, a homemade 3.62-ounce batch would use approximately $0.53 worth of those ingredients. That’s considerably less than the prepared jar’s listed price.
However, buying both ingredient packages would cost $7.40 upfront. The calculation also assumes a mixture ratio; it does not establish the manufacturer’s formula or guarantee an identical taste.
If you already own both ingredients, mixing a small batch may be the more economical choice. The prepared jar still offers a ready-to-sprinkle blend without measuring.
Ready-to-Pour Chicken Broth vs. Bouillon
A can of chicken broth is convenient when a recipe calls for cooking liquid. You simply open it and pour. Bouillon requires an extra step, but its listed preparation yield makes it worth comparing.
Great Value Chicken Broth, in a 14.5-fluid-ounce can, was listed at $0.87. That works out to approximately $0.48 per cup. Knorr Chicken Bouillon Cubes at Target, in a package containing eight cubes, were listed at $1.19. The product page states that the package makes 16 cups of broth, bringing the cost to about $0.074 per cup.
That is an illustrative difference of approximately $0.41 per cup, excluding water and heating costs. The comparison uses prices from different retailers and does not establish identical flavor, ingredients, or cooking results.
Bouillon may be a practical option for soups, sauces, stews, rice, and pasta when you like the resulting flavor. Ready-to-pour broth still makes sense when convenience or a particular recipe matters more.
Microwave Popcorn Bags vs. Plain Popping Kernels
Microwave popcorn offers individual bags and ready-made flavoring, making it easy to prepare a quick snack. Plain popping kernels require a different preparation method, but the lower package price may appeal to households that make popcorn regularly.
Great Value Extra Butter Flavored Microwave Popcorn was listed at $4.42 for 12 bags weighing 2.55 ounces each. The total packaged weight is 30.6 ounces, putting the price at approximately 14.4 cents per ounce.
Meanwhile, a 32-ounce bag of Great Value Yellow Popping Corn was listed at $2.38, or about 7.4 cents per ounce.
These figures compare package weight, not the final cost of an equivalent prepared snack. Microwave popcorn includes flavoring ingredients, while plain kernels require preparation and any additions you choose.
If you enjoy preparing popcorn yourself, plain kernels may offer better value. If you prefer preportioned bags and built-in flavoring, the microwave version may be worth the extra expense.
Make Your Grocery Budget Work Harder
You don’t need to eliminate every convenience food to shop more thoughtfully. Compare unit prices, consider how much preparation you’re willing to do, and think about whether you’ll use an entire package before it goes to waste.
Sometimes, paying extra is worthwhile. The smartest purchase is the one that fits both your budget and the way your household actually cooks.
