How Much You Save by Buying Goods in Bulk
When you buy in bulk, the amount you save depends on the item, and research has shown that buying goods in bulk saves money. Considering the average across all categories of grocery products, larger package sizes translate to a 10% reduction in unit price.
The most important thing to keep in mind when buying goods in bulk is that it’s not the price of the item that matters, but the price per unit (or ounce) that is important. Use the calculator on your phone or bring one with you when shopping in bulk. Other bulk shopping strategies can be helpful, such as bringing a list (and sticking to it) when shopping, splitting the membership cost with a family member or friend, and dividing goods into more manageable sizes.
What to Buy in Bulk
Meats, ready meals, canned goods, and any non-perishable shelf-stable items are good bulk purchases. Paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, and paper plates are smart buys, along with laundry detergent, dish soap, garbage bags, and coffee (if you drink a lot of it) and even dog food or snacks.
If you are a parent, buying diapers and wipes at Costco, Sam’s, BJs, or any other bulk store can save you a lot of money. When we had our son, we calculated the cost of diapers: at Target, Pampers Swaddlers diapers cost $0.25 per diaper; at Sam’s, they were $0.21 each. Our son used about 12 diapers a day, so buying them in bulk saved us about $0.48 a day. While it doesn’t seem like much, it saved us about $175 a year.
Don’t forget to factor in the membership cost when calculating your annual savings. At Sam’s, you’ll pay $45; at BJs, $55; and at Costco, $60, although many clubs offer different membership levels. If you’re a serious bulk shopper, you may want to consider opting for a higher membership. For example, the executive membership at Costco costs $120 but offers you 2% cash back on purchases, plus additional benefits like discounted home, auto, and dental insurance.
What to Ignore
To start, ignore foods that will spoil before you can eat them. While larger packages of strawberries or avocados may be cheaper per unit than your grocery store, it isn’t a good deal unless you’re actually going to eat all of them. Most large packages of fresh produce or perishable foods in bulk are smart purchases only for those with larger families or those planning to serve them at a big family gathering or other parties.
Another reason many people avoid buying goods in bulk is that when you have a lot of something, you’re more likely to eat more of it, or not feel guilty about waste. So, make sure that if you buy goods in bulk, you’re still consuming them smartly.
Other Considerations
Are you planning a long trip out of town? How much freezer space do you have? What about pantry space? Are you planning to move soon? You should consider all of these questions before buying goods in bulk.
A package of 24 rolls of paper towels may be a great deal, but you may not have room to store them. If you have a basement with ample storage, you can store them there and it would be safe to buy, but if you live in a one-bedroom apartment with limited pantry space, you might want to rethink.
As
You need to consider what you and your family will eat. A family-size package of pasta sauce is a good deal only if your family will actually eat it; the same goes for frozen meats, bulk snacks, fruits, and any other perishable foods that might be a good deal at a bulk grocery store at a discount. If you plan to travel for a long time, or might move in the near future, think twice before filling your freezer with frozen food as transporting food can be complicated and expensive.
Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback! Let us know why! Last
Sources:
Malik Hussain. “Less is More Expensive: Income Differences in Buying Goods in Bulk”, page 3.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-much-does-buying-in-bulk-save-you-4165997
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item.lwrp-empty-list-item{
background: initial !important;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
}@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {
.lwrp.link-whisper-related-posts{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-title{
}.lwrp .lwrp-description{
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container{
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-multi-container ul.lwrp-list{
margin-top: 0px;
margin-bottom: 0px;
padding-top: 0px;
padding-bottom: 0px;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-double,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-triple{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container{
justify-content: initial;
flex-direction: column;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-row-container .lwrp-list-item{
width: 100%;
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item:not(.lwrp-no-posts-message-item){
}
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-link .lwrp-list-link-title-text,
.lwrp .lwrp-list-item .lwrp-list-no-posts-message{
};
}
Leave a Reply