Benefits of Buying In Bulk
It can be tempting to think about buying groceries and supplies in bulk, but there are some things you should consider before you come home with ten tubes of toothpaste and a fifty-pound bag of flour. Here are some tips for deciding whether buying in bulk is right for your family, and some ideas about how to make bulk purchasing work for you.
The Temptations
It’s nice to not run out of the staples you buy in bulk. You can count on having a cup of sugar to lend a less-well-prepared neighbor or enough pancake mix to feed unexpected sleepover guests. And it’s certainly convenient to buy toilet paper every few months instead of every few weeks. The prices on many items indicate that it’s cheaper to buy in bulk, too: a warehouse store may sell a 10-pound bag of sugar for the same price as a 5-pound bag in your supermarket.
The Reality
But make sure you investigate what the savings are: that bigger bag (or the 1-gallon jar of pickles, or 16-count box of frozen burritos) will take up more space in your pantry or freezer. If it crowds your storage space, the “cost” of storing that product may eat up any dollar savings you see from the bulk purchase in the first place.
When buying in bulk, your ability to store the product is a key consideration. Don’t buy more than you have space to store properly. Make sure you have a suitable place to store goods; most products require being kept reasonably cool and dry, and a dark place like a pantry is ideal. Even more importantly, when buying in bulk you will need containers for partially-used products, like flour and rice. If food spoils or is infested with pests, you will have to discard it, and buying food in bulk may end up costing you more.
Remember that everything we buy is perishable in some way. Food products expire or lose quality, and paper goods can be damaged by dampness. Make sure that the products you are planning to buy in bulk are things you will be able to use up before they go bad or degrade.
Finally, make sure you like the product. Products you have tried before and like using regularly are good candidates for buying in bulk. Try buying bulk products that are offered in variety packs, like flavored oatmeal, fruit snacks, and granola bars, so that your family does not tire of a bulk product.
Things to Buy In Bulk
The best tip for buying in bulk is to buy the things you already buy singly. Buy household products you use regularly: toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning supplies. Staples like sugar, flour and grains, shortening and cooking oils, coffee, rice, and oats are all good candidates for bulk buying. If you have space to freeze foods, consider buying bulk meat, which is often much cheaper when bought in bulk. Laundry supplies are convenient when purchased in bulk. If you can get the personal care items you like and use regularly, it’s nice to have a supply of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant.
Stored correctly, anything that you use regularly or use a lot of can be purchased in bulk and save your family time in replacing those goods – and money.