Frugal Living Tip – Buy in Bulk

Sometimes it feels as if a simple trip to the grocery store is anything but simple. A quick trip can quickly add up to a huge bill, even more so if you go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Next time instead of rushing to the store to get something for dinner try doing your shopping in bulk. Stocking up on one trip can save you time, gas, and of course, money.

The first thing you should do when starting a bulk shopping routine is to make a list of all the items you normally buy from toothpaste to chicken breasts. Go to the store and make notes next to each one how much you normally pay for each item and how much you pay per unit. Knowing how much you are already spending gives you a starting place to work from.

Once you have your shopping list and prices written out it is time to compare costs. If you have any warehouse clubs near you this is a great place to start. Stores such as Sam’s and Costco offer everything you could need in both bulk and single options. As you browse through make a note of the cost per unit for each of the items in your list at the warehouse stores. Often you will find that buying in bulk will mean paying less at a per-unit price. Though that is not always the case. This is why it is important to make a note of the prices so that you can clearly see if you will be spending more or less.

If you do not have a warehouse shopping club near you you can still enjoy some of the savings from buying in bulk. Often grocery stores offer some items to be bought in bulk packages. Meats are one such item that you can pick up in large amounts, usually at a savings of a few cents per pound. Though that may not seem like much at first, those savings can add up when buying ten-pound packages several times during the year.

You can even do some of your bulk shopping online now. Stores such as Amazon.com are offering a grocery section where you can buy bulk groceries and have them shipped to your home. Amazon.com even offers free shipping on orders of $25 or more for eligible products and has an option to set your selections to be delivered on a schedule of your choosing. However, it is still important to check the price per unit of each item to make sure that you really are saving money.

Shopping in bulk is a great way to reduce your grocery bill each month and save money. Though it may seem difficult at first, once you have your price list prepared to find the best buy is simple. A person can easily ave 40% to 50% each month just by knowing where to shop and buy in bulk.