I’m a Shopping Expert: 4 Items You’ll Always Find in My Grocery Cart

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Staying on budget at the grocery store for the last few years has been hard for many. Consumers have been paying more to stock their fridges and pantries due to labor shortages, droughts, high production costs and inflation, which caused prices to soar 13.5% in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. In 2023, food prices increased by 5.8% per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and this year, the USDA stated food costs will go up by 2.2%. 

But savvy shoppers like Trae Bodge remarkably know how to save at the store, even in an economy where inflation and rising living costs create significant challenges. As a smart shopping expert, Bodge has been sharing her knowledge with consumers for years, giving insightful tips on saving money. 

She spoke with GOBankingRates about the four items she never skips at the store and how her shopping choices saves money. “Full disclosure: I don’t do the grocery shopping in our house,” she said. “My husband does the bulk of the cooking, so he enjoys doing the shopping to pick out the things he wants to cook each week. I do, however, request specific things that align with my money-saving values.”

Café Bustelo

“Whenever possible, I make coffee at home because I can’t justify paying $4.50 for it at a barista,” Bodge said. “In my honest opinion, Café Bustelo is easily as good as what the barista is serving and while it’s experienced some shrinkflation, it’s still significantly cheaper. I will buy it in bulk rather than at the grocery store if I have the chance.”

Store Brand Cheese

“I like fine cheeses like any other foodie, but sometimes Saint Andre or a burrata are not necessary, like when you’re making a grilled cheese to have with soup or quesadillas,” Bodge said. 

She explained, “When considering switching from your favorite brand name cheese, check the ingredient listing carefully, as some store-brand items have unnecessary fillers (especially with shredded cheese — opt for block cheese). If your grocery store has a store-brand cheese with no fillers, you will save a lot by adding it to your regular rotation.”

Whole Grain Oats and Mixed Nuts

“These are not only for healthy breakfasts and snacking, but they are the key ingredients for my “famous” homemade granola,” Bodge said. “My family goes through granola like water, so I prefer to make it myself rather than pay a fortune to buy it pre-made! If you’re curious, additional ingredients include unsweetened coconut, peanut butter, honey, flax seed, olive oil, dried cherries and maple syrup,” she said. 

A Large Size of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

“There’s a caveat here — while the large size of extra virgin olive oil is much cheaper than the smaller size, you should only buy the large size if you use extra virgin olive oil very regularly because, once opened, it should be used within six months when it’s at its freshest,” Bodge said. “We use olive oil all the time. My husband cooks with it and I bake with it, so we always use that big container within six months.”

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