Market Watch this week had an excellent article by Jennifer Openshaw about avoiding cash traps in the grocery stores. Processed foods often cost three times as much as the individual ingredients, such as bagged prepared salads, energy bars, bottled water and boxed rice products.

I know they're time savers. Sometimes we have to weigh our priorities...do we have time to make a salad from scratch AND help the kids with their homework?

I drink more water if I have bottled water in the 'fridge and can grab one on my way out the door. I buy it on sale, never pay more than $3.99 a case. I appreciate the convenience...I probably wouldn't grab a glass from the tap when I'm rushing out, late for work.

Rationalizing a bad expenditure, yes, I'm good at that. What do you waste money on?

Market Watch article: Cut your grocery bill: 7 cash traps to avoid at the grocery store

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