Buying in bulk means getting a lot of one thing at once. Many people do this to save money. But is buying in bulk always a good way to save? Not always! Let's look at when buying in bulk is smart and when it might not be.
Why People Buy in Bulk
When you buy more of something at once, each item often costs less money. For example, a single roll of toilet paper might cost $1. But a pack of 12 rolls might cost $10. That means each roll in the big pack costs only about 83 cents. You save 17 cents on each roll!
Smart Bulk Buying: What to Consider
Will You Use It All?
Before buying a lot of something, ask yourself: "Will my family use all of this before it goes bad?" If you buy 10 pounds of apples but only eat 5 pounds before they rot, you didn't save money. You wasted it!
Do You Have Space?
Bulk items take up more room. Before buying big amounts, make sure you have a place to store everything. Cramming things into small spaces can damage them.
Is It Really Cheaper?
Always check the price per unit. This tells you how much each item or ounce costs. Most stores show this on price tags. Compare the price per unit of the bulk item with the regular size to make sure you're really saving money.
Can You Afford It Now?
Buying in bulk means spending more money at once. Even if it saves money later, you need enough money now to buy the bigger amount.
Best Things to Buy in Bulk
Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
These don't go bad and most people use them every day. They also take up a lot of room in small packages, so buying bigger packs saves shopping trips.
Cleaning Supplies
Things like laundry soap, dish soap, and all-purpose cleaners last a long time. Buying larger sizes or refill packs can save lots of money.
Dry Foods
Rice, beans, pasta, and cereal can last a long time if stored right. These are great bulk buys for most families.
Frozen Foods
Frozen veggies, fruit, and meat can stay good for months. If you have freezer space, these can be smart bulk buys.
Personal Care Items
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant don't go bad quickly. Buying these in bulk or when on sale can cut your costs.
Things NOT to Buy in Bulk
Fresh Produce
Most fruits and veggies go bad within days or weeks. Unless you have a big family that eats lots of produce, buying in bulk might lead to waste.
Spices
Spices lose flavor over time. Most families use spices slowly, so buying huge amounts isn't smart. You know that huge container of basil from Costco? Maybe consider not buying it since you only use basil once a month.
New Foods
Never buy a large amount of food you haven't tried before. What if you don't like it? Start with a small amount to test it. This is very hard with kids - they love something for a month then refuse to eat it for 3 months - don't purchase based on short-term likes!
Milk and Dairy
These go bad quickly. Unless you have a big family that drinks lots of milk, buying too much can lead to waste. You can freeze milk, but that also takes up space.
Oils and Fats
Cooking oils can go rancid (bad) over time. Buy only what you'll use in a few months. Be sure to store in the correct manner - ie: Olive oil needs to stay away from light!
How to Store Bulk Items
Dry Foods
Store rice, beans, pasta, and cereal in air-tight containers. This keeps bugs out and food fresh. Mason jars, plastic bins with tight lids, or special food storage containers work well.
Tip: Add a bay leaf to rice, flour, and other grains. Bugs don't like bay leaves, so this helps keep them away!
Frozen Foods
Label everything with the date before freezing. Use older items first. Don't refreeze food after it thaws, as this can make it unsafe to eat.
Paper Products
Keep toilet paper and paper towels in a dry place. A spare closet, under beds, or on top of cabinets works well.
Cleaning Supplies
Store these away from food and out of reach of children and pets. Cool, dry places are best.
DIY Bulk Buying: Breaking It Down
Sometimes, big packages are too much for one family. Try these ideas:
Split With Friends or Family
Go shopping with a friend or family member. Buy bulk items and split them. Both of you save money without getting too much.
Repackage at Home
Buy a big amount and break it into smaller portions at home. For example, buy a big pack of chicken and split it into meal-sized portions before freezing. Its always a pain to break them apart when frozen!
Smart Bulk Shopping Habits
Make a List
Know what you need before going to the store. This stops you from buying things just because they seem like a good deal.
Check What You Have
Look in your cupboards before shopping. Don't buy more of something you already have enough of.
Track Prices
Keep a small notebook with prices of things you buy often. This helps you know when bulk prices are really good deals. Use your phone's calculator to find the base price of a certain amount. Brands and stores purposely give various "price per xxx" to make finding the real price hard. Do the math!
Use Store Sales
Many stores have sales on bulk items. Combine these sales with coupons for even bigger savings.
Where to Buy in Bulk
Warehouse Clubs
Stores like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's sell many things in bulk. But you have to pay to join these clubs. Make sure the savings are worth the cost of joining.
Grocery Stores
Many regular grocery stores have bulk sections where you can get just the amount you want of beans, rice, nuts, and more.
Online
Websites like Amazon, Boxed, and Thrive Market sell bulk items that ship right to your home. This saves you from carrying heavy items.
Farmers' Markets
Sometimes farmers sell big amounts of fresh food for less money. This works well if you plan to can or freeze the food.
Real Savings: Do the Math
Let's look at some examples of how much money you might save buying in bulk:
Toilet Paper Example
- Single roll: $1.00 each
- Pack of 12: $10.00 ($0.83 each)
- Savings per roll: $0.17
- Yearly savings (for a family using 100 rolls): $17.00
Rice Example
- Small bag (2 pounds): $3.50 ($1.75 per pound)
- Large bag (20 pounds): $25.00 ($1.25 per pound)
- Savings per pound: $0.50
- Yearly savings (for a family using 40 pounds): $20.00
Laundry Soap Example
- Small bottle (32 loads): $12.00 ($0.38 per load)
- Large bottle (96 loads): $28.00 ($0.29 per load)
- Savings per load: $0.09
- Yearly savings (for a family doing 300 loads): $27.00
These savings add up over time!
Bulk Buying Pitfalls to Avoid
The "Sale" Trap
Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you need it. Only buy things your family will use.
The "Bigger is Better" Mistake
Sometimes, medium-sized packages are cheaper per unit than the biggest packages. Always check the price per unit.
The "I'll Use It Someday" Problem
Be honest about your habits. If you haven't used much of something in the past, you probably won't in the future either.
Special Bulk Buying Tips for Different Groups
Small Homes
If you live in a small place, look up for storage. Use the tops of cabinets, under beds, or behind doors. Vacuum bags can squish soft things like extra blankets to save space.
Big Families
Focus on things everyone uses. Keep a list of how fast you use common items so you know when to stock up.
People Living Alone
Be very careful with bulk food. Consider if you can freeze portions. Paper products, cleaning supplies, and personal care items are often safe bulk buys even for one person.
Is Bulk Buying Worth It?
Buying in bulk can save money, but only if you're smart about it. The biggest savings come from:
- Items you use often
- Things that don't go bad quickly
- Products where the bulk price is truly lower
- Items you have space to store
If you're not sure, start small. Try buying just a few things in bulk and see how it goes. Keep track of what you save and what gets wasted. This will help you make better choices next time.
Final Thoughts
Being frugal means being smart with your money. Sometimes, buying in bulk is the smart choice. Other times, buying just what you need right now is better. The key is to know the difference!
By making good choices about when to buy in bulk, you can save money for other important things. And that's what being frugal is all about!