Breakfast is the most habitual meal of the day. We tend to buy the same coffee, the same cereal, and the same creamer every week. Manufacturers know this, and they rely on your habit to charge you full price. However, the breakfast aisle is actually full of aggressive competition and deep discounts. If you are willing to break your routine and look for these six specific deals, you can slash your morning spending significantly.
1. The Coffee Creamer Rotation
Coffee creamer is a highly competitive category. Brands like Coffee Mate, International Delight, and Chobani are in a constant price war. They rotate their sales cycles almost perfectly. If Coffee Mate is full price this week, International Delight is likely on sale. By being willing to switch brands week-to-week, you can ensure you never pay more than the sale price for your morning splash of flavor.
2. The “Buy 2” Cereal Trap (and How to Win)
Cereal is rarely cheap if you buy just one box. The best deals are almost always “Must Buy 2” or “Must Buy 3” promotions. These deals often drop the price per box to $1.99 or $2.49, compared to a regular price of $5.00+. If you have the pantry space, always buy the minimum quantity to trigger the deal. Buying one box at a time is the most expensive way to eat breakfast.
3. Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches
Frozen breakfast sandwiches (like Jimmy Dean) are convenient but expensive. However, they frequently have high-value digital coupons in store apps. You will often see “$1.50 off” or “Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off” digital offers. These coupons often reset monthly. Check your app before you grab the box from the freezer; the coupon is almost always there waiting for you.
4. Bagged Coffee BOGO Sales
Grocery stores use bagged coffee as a “loss leader” to get you in the door. Chains like Publix and Kroger frequently run BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) sales on premium brands like Dunkin’, Starbucks, or Peet’s. This effectively cuts the price per bag in half. When you see your brand on BOGO, buy enough to last you a month. Coffee beans stay fresh in an unopened bag for a long time.
5. Yogurt Multi-Pack vs. Single Cups
Single cups of yogurt are often promoted at “10 for $10.” This sounds like a deal, but the large, 32-ounce tubs are almost always cheaper per ounce. However, the real hidden deal is often on the 4-packs or 8-packs of specific brands. Manufacturers issue high-value coupons specifically for these multi-packs to encourage volume buying. Check for a coupon on the multi-pack before you fill your cart with single cups.
6. Oatmeal Canisters (Bottom Shelf)
The instant oatmeal packets are convenient, but the price per serving is astronomical compared to the large canisters of “Old Fashioned” or “Quick” oats found on the bottom shelf. Store-brand canisters are often under $3.00 and provide 30 servings. It takes only 2 minutes longer to cook, but the savings over a year are massive.
Wake Up to Savings
Your morning routine doesn’t have to be expensive. By being flexible with your brands and looking for volume deals, you can enjoy your coffee and breakfast for a fraction of the cost. The breakfast aisle rewards the flexible shopper. Don’t let your habit become a “loyalty tax.”
What is your go-to cheap breakfast? Do you switch coffee brands based on what is on sale? Let us know your morning strategy!
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