Around 65% of Americans don’t know how much they spent the previous month.
Tracking your spending makes your money go further along with bulk buying. Perhaps you’re hoping to save a penny but you’re not sure how bulk buying helps.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to buy in bulk.
What Does Buy in Bulk Mean?
Before we discuss how to buy in bulk, we must understand the definition.
Bulk buying is when you buy large quantities of one item at once like 10 boxes of detergent and often for a fraction of the price. Many people do this because buying in bulk is cheaper than buying items one-by-one.
The Buy in Bulk Rules
There’s an etiquette to buying bulk products that you must familiarize yourself with. Once you learn the best times to buy in bulk, you can buy wholesale products and save a fortune. Here’s when you should buy bulk, for example:
Only Buy What You Need
When you buy in bulk wholesale, you must only buy what you need. We’ve all gone to the store looking for in stock toilet paper and come out with 20 other items but the cost is far greater when you buy in bulk so avoid this. To help you, compile an essential list of items you need and stick to it regardless of the other temptations.
Find Items With a Long Shelf Life
Get the most out of the items you’re buying in bulk by choosing products that will last for a while. Dried pasta, rice, and paper goods are great because you can store them for an extended period.
You must also avoid bulk buying perishable goods because although a six-gallon of milk is cheaper, it’s not practical if there are only two of you. Note that other items can expire like liquid bleach which loses its effectiveness after six months along with sunscreen, fabric softener, and teeth whitening strips.
Buy Familiar Products
Although it’s exciting to try new products, it’s best to stick with what you know. You don’t want to buy 10 bottles of shower gel and find out you’re allergic to it. Because of this, you should first familiarize yourself with the products and then buy them in bulk so you and the household can enjoy them.
Choose on Sale Items
Many stores sell discounted bulk items all year round so you mustn’t get distracted. Only choose this item if they’re on your list as you’ll save more. What’s not to love?
When You Shouldn’t Buy in Bulk
Surprisingly, there are times when buying in bulk just isn’t practical. So before going on a spending spree, figure out whether the storage is practical and if you need an item. For instance:
When You Lack Storage Space
If you have a small apartment or there’s no storage space, then you won’t have space for 100 toilet rolls or other bulk items. Before shopping, consider how much room you have otherwise you’ll be filling up closets or the guest room. You should also consider the size of your household because larger ones go through food quicker than smaller ones.
Households with three or fewer people should factor in their lifestyle because buying in bulk could set you back further.
Before You Move or Travel
One of the most impractical things to do is bulk buy before moving house. Postpone bulk buying until you’ve settled into your new home so you’re not bombarded with boxes and other clutter. This is also relevant if you’re about to travel because preparing for your trip is more important than worrying about the item’s expiry date or unpacking your bulk items.
The Best Bulk Buy Items for Your…
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the best bulk buy items, shopping will become second-nature to you. To help you create a list, consider each room of your household and whether the item is necessary. For instance:
Kitchen
Before stocking up your cart, consider how much cabinet space you have and the amount your household consumes every week. When bulk buying food it’s important that your entire family loves it and the item has a long shelf life.
Kitchen items to bulk buy include sponges, dish soap, garbage bags, coffee filters, canned tomatoes, and alcohol.
Bathroom
Luckily, many toiletries can be bought in bulk. Just make sure you have enough storage! You can easily load up on toothpaste, shampoo, soap, shaving foam, and glass cleaner.
Home Office
You can never have too many office supplies and the great thing is, they never expire. This is perfect if you’re stocking up your home office or another business space. You can buy paper clips, printer paper and ink, pens, and notebooks.
Things to Never Bulk Buy
Even if your pantry looks empty, don’t bulk buy items simply to fill up space. Otherwise, you may have to chuck out expired items which will cost you more money in the long run. Items you should never bulk buy include olive oil, eggs, condiments, and fresh produce.
That’s How to Buy in Bulk
Now you know what you should and shouldn’t buy in bulk.
Always come equipped with a list so you’re not swayed by unnecessary items or discounts. Further, you must only buy goods that you’re familiar with, have a long shelf life, and are loved by the entire household. Once you know the products you can buy, you’ll save money in the long run. Happy shopping!
Hopefully, you found this article helpful. If you’re interested in similar content, check out our posts on everything from Finance to Real Estate.
