Buying in bulk may not be something new to you. In fact, when you make your regular trip to the groceries, you automatically grab the bulk toilet paper and coffee. But can buying in bulk actually save you money, especially when you are trying to stick to a budget?
It can get intimidating to buy in bulk, especially if you don’t know what you are doing. It will get tempting to add that big jar of Dijon mustard into your cart, but before you go ahead and make that purchase, ask yourself: how many times will I actually need this? A good rule of thumb is to measure how many meals or uses you will be making out of your purchases before you put them into the trash. Are you still confused if you should shop for rags in bulk? Think of the times you will have a use for it.
How Do You Buy in Bulk?
Small and medium enterprises buy their supplies in bulk because it saves them money in the long run. But can this actually work for you and your family? A great tip on how to make buying in bulk work for you, according to Dave Ramsey, is to know how much the cost per unit is.
To get the cost per unit of an item, you have to figure out how much the price per item is. The formula is this:
Total item price ÷ unit weight or number = price per unit
In this case, let’s use a carton of eggs as an example: $1.79 ÷ 12 eggs = $0.15 per egg.
When it comes to buying in bulk, you can usually get good deals in wholesale stores, such as Costco and Sam’s Club. However, you also want to check out your options online, such as with Amazon.
Now, you should buy certain things in bulk that will benefit you in the long run. However, you have to avoid getting into the temptation of overspending just because you will save yourself the trip and get your money’s worth off your membership card. Here are some products that you should take advantage of shopping in bulk:
- Toiletries
- Dental care products
- Rice
- Canned foods
- Paper products, such as toilet paper and kitchen towels
- Cereal
A good rule of thumb when deciding what to buy in bulk is choosing non-perishable items or things that will not spoil over a long period. Essentials like toiletries need to be stocked up on for future use.
You do not need to buy some things in bulk because they will not make sense in the entire budget. Most of these items are perishables, such as dairy, vegetables, or fruit. While it may make sense for a business owner to purchase tomatoes in bulk, if you do not see yourself consuming an entire crate of tomatoes within a week, it is best to skip it. Doing so will only add grief to your household budget.
So does buying groceries in bulk really save you money in the long run? The answer is yes, if you know what items to buy. When you buy your toiletries wholesale, for example, you will not only be saving money from the things you buy. You will be saving yourself the trip.
When buying in bulk, always ask yourself if you have set a budget for your purchases, if you have room for storage, and if you will be able to consume all the products before they go bad. Even if the goal is to save money, you cannot get to your goal without a budget. As a person of principle, think it through if it will be beneficial for you and your lifestyle.
It might be easy to fall into the pressure of buying in bulk, but do not be lulled into a false sense of security that you are saving money because of it. Though it might seem like a good deal on paper if it will do no help for you, forego the plan altogether.
When it is time to do the groceries, always keep stock of what you need to buy. Remember, there is a reason you are making a grocery list. It helps you remember what you actually need to get. It is a plan that you must stick to. Avoiding going after items that you don’t necessarily have a use for. It might take some self-discipline on your part, but the practice goes a long way. You can make significant savings when you apply discipline.
