Among the Masses: Saving Money By Buying In Bulk
We all want to buy the best quality groceries that we can afford, but high quality groceries come at a cost. We want to make sure that we’re making healthy meals with enough vitamins and nutrients, without breaking the bank.
One of the best ways of saving money on groceries is to buy in bulk and then store them, and this is if you have a chest freezer or a large freezer in your home. Below are some tried and tested tips for bulk buying which will save you and your family some money, while still allowing you to eat healthily and with good quality ingredients.
Become a member
Warehouse stores may involve a joining fee, but once you’re a member you’ll find that after that initial outlay you’ll be saving lots of money with bulk-packaged items.
Watch out for use-by dates
When you’re buying in bulk, ensure that you’re not investing in something which will go out of date before you get a chance to use them. Saving money on groceries includes reducing waste, so buy wisely and stock up on dry goods as much as you can.
Use your freezer wisely
Here’s where your chest freezer comes in handy: if you do buy something in bulk which might spoil, portion it out into meal sizes, write the date on the package and freeze it. Or cook it all up in one large batch and freeze a proportion for a quick dinner later on.
Best things to buy
The best things to buy are the items which your household will inevitably use but which will never spoil over time. These include dry pasta, rice, toilet paper, light bulbs, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and batteries. Fresh vegetables bought in bulk aren’t the best idea, nor are condiments such as ketchup and mayonnaise, as they’re not used as quickly as you’d think and may go off.
It’s great to feel like you’re saving money while you shop, and buying in bulk is a great way to do it: you can save a huge percentage of what you’d ordinarily pay by buying individual items in a normal grocery shop. Plan ahead, ensure that you have the facility to freeze and perishable items if you need to, and you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank!
Julie Wood says
I love buying in bulk and having more time not having to go to the store all the time. It is great to have a freezer and freeze great deals on meats. This saves me a lot of money and time.
Kimberley Thomas says
No matter what evaluate cost per serving to determine a good deal~bulk or not .
julia cosgrove says
I love shopping in bulk. Items seem to be cheaper and of course, I have to shop less.
angela smith says
we use to go to sams club and buy in bulk when there was 5 of us living in the same household now that theres only 2 of us we still buy in bulk when meat is on sale and seperate into packs for 2 people and freeze everything.
RANDY FULGHAM says
BULK IS GREAT FOR A GOOD SIZE FAMILY…I HAVE A SAMS CARD BUT DONT USE IT MUCH–ITS JUST ME AT MY PLACE….THANKS FOR SHARING
leslie ross says
I wish I had the room to buy in bulk I live in a small space
Diane Sallans says
some things are great to buy in bulk, but sometimes a “sale” is even better. Most important is to make sure you need and use the item.
James Robert says
Having 5 kids and a single dad, it is best for me to buy in bulk with many things like the kids cereal, fruit snacks and many other items. It saves me a lot
Deborah D says
These are such great tips. I wish I had room for a chest freezer.
Nicole Dz says
We love shopping Costco to buy in bulk when needed. We always buy toilet paper, tissue, paper towels, paper plates, things of that nature to save. Great tips here.
Betsy Barnes says
I try buying in bulk when things like toilet paper goes on sale. If we had a Sam’s Club or Costco, I would buy everything in bulk 🙂
Sue E says
Buying bulk is good if it is on sale or worth it. I always check expiration dates – especially if I am not going to use the product right away. We buy big packages of meat & then make smaller portions and freeze it. I’m a huge coupon user also. I usually buy paper products in bulk. Somehow we go through it fast.
lisa says
I usually buy paper products in bulk. My husband teases me because I have a wall stacked to the top with paper towels, toilet tissue… We haven’t run out yet.
christine j says
these are great tips. I have to go through and organize my home and start realizing what else I could use buying up in large quantities. I love saving money!
Sarah L says
I like the bulk herb and spice bins at Whole Foods. You can buy only the amount you will use.
Stacey Roberson says
We do most of our shopping in bulk at BJ’s. That;s less time we spend grocery shopping and less money spent over time.
sharon b says
I like to buy in bulk but you do have to watch what you buy. If your family doesn’t really eat a lot of the product, then you wasted money. And you definitely have to check dates.
Tammy Schweitzer says
i totally agree too buy bulk when you use it often like milk can save money that way thanks for sharing it