It’s expensive to eat these days. Many items on the shelves cost more money than ever before. But even among all these items, there are some that are always expensive and rise even higher when everything else does.
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GOBankingRates talked to experts to find out what food items are often marked up and how you can avoid them while still getting what you want. Here are the five foods they pointed out and what to buy instead.
Bottled Iced Coffee
We’ve all done it. You’re in a hurry, and you need a quick pick-me-up, so you reach for a bottled iced coffee. It’s hot outside, after all.
But Shan Abbasi, who works with grocery store merchants as the director at PayCompass, said these “treats” add up fast and they’re always way overpriced. “Bottled iced coffee is one of those sneaky high-markup items that can cost three to five times as much as making your own,” he said.
He advised shoppers to be smart and save megabucks: “Instead, make a batch of cold brew at home and keep it in the fridge for mornings when you need to grab it and go.”
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Pre-Portioned Snack Bags
It’s not just the cold coffee, according to Abassi. It’s also those little snack bags you grab at the counter during checkout. Again, you’re hungry, and you don’t think you can wait until dinner. So you figure, “What the heck?”
The problem is that those snacks are neither great for you nor for your wallet.
“They are sold as convenient, but you pay more for the packaging and small amounts,” Abassi said. “Instead of buying these, get a full-size bag of nuts or dried fruit and divide it up into small containers that you can use again. You’ll save money on each serving while still having the convenience you need when things get busy.”
Save the money. Buy big bags in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club and portion them out.
Pre-Cut Veggies
Like those pre-portioned snack bags, pre-cut veggies are often marked up, and they will likely cost more than buying in bulk. You’re paying for someone else to cut and bag your veggies. It’s not worth it.
“Though consumers might think that these time-saving products save time, the cost increase of these products can be up to 100 percent compared to buying whole vegetables,” said Steve Case, a financial and insurance consultant at Insurance Hero.
Head to the farmer’s market, support your local farmers and bring your veggies home to wash, cut and package yourself. Your wallet will thank you.
Prepared Salads
Case also made the case for preparing your own salads. The pre-packaged kinds are incredibly expensive.
“Pre-prepared salads are extremely costly, not just because they save time but also because of the cost of processing and packaging. These products are sold as time-saving products, yet they have a much worse cost-to-benefit ratio,” Case said.
You can easily make your own salads in advance at home. “Instead of choosing these expensive convenience foods, try to buy fresh, whole vegetables and cut them up at home. It is not long, and you can save a small fortune … Moreover, intact vegetables have a longer shelf life, reducing food waste,” Case explained.
Prepared Meats
Finally, Bryce Bowman, founder of Buy Eggs From Your Neighbors marketplace, encouraged shoppers to buy meat directly from a farmer. “Prepared meats nearly always have a high markup at the grocery store,” he said.
It makes sense when you think about it. You’re paying for the farmer to raise the animal, the butcher to slaughter and process the meat, and the stores to ship and distribute it. If you can cut out at least one of those middlemen, you can save a lot.
“Consider purchasing meat and dairy directly from local farms. By skipping the middlemen and buying straight from producers, you often pay less and get fresher, more nutritious food. Local farmers don’t incur big shipping, packaging or corporate overheads, so savings go straight to you,” Bowman said.
It can’t hurt to save money and get to know your local farmers in the process.
In the end, there are many ways to save money on food, and it takes only a little bit of work on your end.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These 5 Foods Are Always Marked Up — Here’s What To Buy Instead, According to Experts
