We love grocery stores. Their stock and trade is food — fresh, frozen, canned or prepared — and kitchen staples like paper towels and laundry detergent. But there are a whole host of other items that cost a premium in grocery stores because of the “convenience” factor. You can get them cheaper at a discount department or hardware store, dollar store, or drug store so leave the following items off your shopping list:
1. Cookware and Kitchen Utensils
It may be convenient to pick up a frying pan while you’re buying your bacon, but you’ll be paying much more than you ought to for it.
2. Cosmetics, toiletries, and personal care items
It might save time to buy your lip-gloss, moisturizer, toothpaste, razor blades, and deodorant at the same time and place you’re getting your food, but you’ll be paying a premium price.
3. Small appliances
Why buy a toaster for $40 when you can buy the same toaster for $20 dollars at a discount house? The same theory applies to coffee makers, electric tea kettles, and hot plates.
4. Party supplies
Buy your balloons, funny hats, place cards, candles, and name tags in bulk at a party supply store and you’ll pay a whole lot less.
5. Batteries, light bulbs, extension cords
Again, these are pricey specialty items at the grocery store, but cheap impulse buys at a discount hardware, department, or dollar store!
