8 Pricey Foods to Stop Buying (and What to Buy Instead)

Berries: Consider How You'll Use Them

A recent bulletin from the USDA about the price Americans pay for fruits and vegetables (analyzed here by National Geographic) ranks blackberries and raspberries at the top of the list. They cost $3.94 and $3.87 per pound, respectively. For budget-friendly alternatives, it depends on how you're using the fruit: To fill a tart, go with apples (they average 83 cents per pound). To serve with shortcake and whipped cream, try peaches, which run about 97 cents per pound. If you just want a sweet-tart fruit to top your breakfast cereal, plums ($1.16 per pound) or strawberries ($1.47 per pound) are less-pricey options.

Switch and save: $2.50 to $3 per pound