The closer to the natural state that you buy something the cheaper it is.
Instant rice is more expensive, so is quick cooking barley, and rolled oats.
Ethnic groceries are one of the best kept secrets, you can buy 4 or 8 ounce bags of spice for 10% of the stuff in jars.
Same thing on the grains. Local Indian grocery has chickpeas, every color of lentil and many other dry beans at a fraction of the 1 lb sacks the grocery’s carry.
Indian stores have beans and pulses I've never seen in my life. Beans are a crucial protein source in India