5 Ways to Save Big By Buying in Bulk

October 8, 2009 | Posted by Margarette

You can spend less by taking advantage of bulk warehouse or store buys – even if you don’t have a family of ten or twelve! Here are some tips I’ve found (with the help of a few savvy bloggers) to save:

1. Focus on food staples. Flour, coffee, oatmeal, sugar, beans, rice and other staples can be bought in bundles for less money per serving. I found excellent advice at the Thrify Hearts blog to help determine the amount needed. Staples store well if kept in sealed containers in a cool, dry place. (If you’re really concerned about spoilage, see tip #4).

2. Bundle office supplies and accessories. Paper, highlighters, pens, printer or copier toner, blank DVDs and batteries can be bought in bulk and last you all year. This has a double benefit–deductions are easier at tax time if you only need to count one annual shopping trip for these items.

3. Stock up on toiletries. Get great deals on toilet paper, trash bags, feminine products, toothpaste and even contact lens solution by buying bigger packages (check the unit weight for each package to ensure you’re getting the best deal). Don’t think you’ll never use all your toiletries – you will. As for storing them, look for unused space in the back of your lower kitchen cabinets, a spare coat closet or even a clean shelf in the garage. Tip: To add to the savings, grab the facial product coupon I posted on the Coupons and Kids Facebook fan page.

4. Shop with a friend or a group. If you can’t use everything that’s available in bulk, buddy up with a partner and save with a joint shopping list. Grab the groceries (and the discounts), then use gallon glass jars to divvy up food staples. You can also use large freezer baggies to separate toiletries or desk supplies. And here’s a green suggestion: carpool with your shopping buddy to save on gas.

5. Combine your coupons with sales. Even warehouse stores may accept manufacturer coupons, and many offer mail-in rebates as well. Ask for extra receipts at the check out if you have multiple items with mail in requirements for rebate redemption.

Buying in bulk can cut down on trips to the store and ensure you never run out of basic necessities. At the end of the year, you can look back and calculate how much you saved!