I grew up poor: 8 foods I never buy to save money

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Drew K. grew up in the Bronx with limited means and learned early on how to make a dollar at the supermarket. His childhood experiences shaped his shopping habits and taught him valuable lessons about thrift and spending money wisely. Drew shared his insights on which items he still avoids to keep his grocery bill under control—and if you’re looking to save more money, check out more ideas for National Savings Day.

Here are eight foods he never buys to save money.

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables

“Sure, they’re convenient, but the markup is crazy,” Drew said. “I can spend five minutes at home chopping a melon and save myself a few dollars. It’s not just about the money – it’s about respecting the value of my work compared to what I’m charged for other people’s work.”

Branded cereals

Drew fondly remembers his childhood breakfasts. “We always had store-brand cereal,” he said. “They taste just as good and are often made in the same factories as the fancy boxes.”

Now, as an adult, he still can’t justify paying extra for a cartoon character on the box.

Bottled water

“Growing up, we only had tap water, and that was fine,” Drew said. “Now I use a filter pitcher at home. Buying bottled water literally feels like throwing money down the drain.”

Single-serve snack packs

Drew shook his head at that.

“Those little bags of chips or cookies may seem cheap, but you’re paying for all the extra packaging,” he said. “I buy the big bag and portion it myself. It’s better for my wallet and the environment.”

Pre-made sandwiches

“I learned to make sandwiches before I could ride a bike,” Drew said. “Paying $8 for something I can make at home for $2 just doesn’t sit well with me. Plus, I can customize it exactly how I like it.”

Coffee specialties

Drew admitted it was a learning curve. “When I started working, I thought good coffee was a status symbol. Now I realize it’s a money pit. I make great coffee at home for a fraction of the cost.”

Out of season products

“My mom taught me to eat with the seasons,” Drew explained. “Buying strawberries in December is not only expensive, they don’t even taste good. I stick to what’s in season and what’s plentiful.”

Prepared salad sets

Drew laughs when he sees these in the store. “A bag of chopped lettuce with a small package of dressing and croutons for $5? Absolutely not. If I buy the ingredients individually, I can make a week’s worth of salads for that price.”