What Is Buying In Bulk?

Buying in bulk means purchasing large quantities of a single product at a lower cost than you’d usually pay for the item. For example, you might buy a six-pack of shampoo for less than the per-unit price you typically spend on a single bottle. Or you might save big by buying a 10-pound bag of grapes instead of the usual one- or two-pounder.

But, like many things in life, buying in bulk has its pros and cons. For instance, you probably have to shell out more upfront to purchase larger quantities, and you might have trouble storing the items or using them up before their expiration date.

But like many things in life, buying in bulk has its pros and cons. For instance, you probably have to shell out more up front to purchase larger quantities, and you might have trouble storing the items or using them up before their expiration date.

Below, we’ll explore the ins and outs of buying in bulk, including whether it can save you money and how to avoid some potential pitfalls of bulk buying.

How Much Is “Bulk”?

There is no specific quantity you need to purchase to have something qualify as “bulk buying.” Rather, the term means you are buying large quantities of a single item to reap a discount.

That might mean you are buying one jumbo box of cereal (the kind that could feed a cabin full of summer campers) or a 12-pack of regular-size boxes bundled together. Or you might be buying 36 eggs at a time vs. the usual dozen.

The point is, it’s a larger quantity than what you might find at your local supermarket and at a lower price per unit. This can be an effective way to save money on groceries.

The Pros of Buying in Bulk

Here’s a look at some of the main advantages of buying in bulk:

You Can Save Money

Who isn’t looking for ways to save money daily? When you buy an item in bulk, you typically save money on the per unit price of that product. It may be a small difference but if it’s an item you use regularly, those savings can add up. For example, if you save 20 cents per coffee pod by buying a large quantity and you drink coffee daily, that adds up to $73 in money saved per year.

It’s Environmentally Friendly

Bulk purchases usually have significantly less packaging per use than smaller purchases have. For example, using one giant tub of laundry detergent rather than going through three smaller containers leads to less plastic waste.

Ideally, buying in bulk also means you shop less, and that’s less time spent on the road and burning gas.

You May Avoid Impulse Buys

You might rack up additional savings just by being in the store less frequently and having fewer opportunities to pick up things that weren’t on your list. If you’re motivated to save money, avoiding those impulse purchases can be a big plus.

You May Plan and Budget Better

If you’re the organized type who is big on preparing meals in advance, buying in bulk can make that endeavor easier and cheaper. Access to larger sizes of ingredients, like marinara, ground beef, mozzarella, and pasta, can make it cost-effective to cook lots of food and freeze it. That, in turn, can help you take better control of your food budget.

For sure, it’s cost efficient to prepare your family’s favorite pasta dishes and soups and have enough for today and whenever you’re ready for round two or three.

Finding the Price Per Unit

If saving money is important to you, there’s a good chance you want to know exactly how much you are benefiting by buying in bulk. To figure out the real cost, you may need to do some math. The first step is to determine the cost per unit. Sometimes, this number will be listed on the price signage at the store; otherwise, you can use the calculator function on your mobile phone.

•   What is a unit? Depending on the product, a unit might be an ounce, gram, gallon, square foot, or a single item.

•   Figure out how many units you are buying. Take the total cost of your purchase and divide that by the number of units to get the price per unit.

•   Then compare the unit prices of a few packages of the same product to determine which is the better value.

Ideally, the cost per unit of a bulk buy should be at least 20% below what you would normally pay at the supermarket.

Although a supersized item usually has a lower cost per unit than its smaller brethren, crunch the numbers to see.

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How Much Can You Save By Buying in Bulk?

No doubt, it can be hard to save money today, and you may wonder whether buying in bulk is worth it. The answer is: It depends. While the amount shoppers save depends on the item, it’s not unusual to save anywhere from 20% to 50% by purchasing items at the wholesale clubs vs. supermarkets.

You can also up your savings from buying in bulk by using coupons for those items.

Remember, what’s important isn’t an item’s price but the price per unit.

3 Tips for Buying in Bulk

When you want to stop spending so much and begin buying in bulk, you need a game plan. Here are three strategies to keep in mind:

1. Stick With What You Know

This is not the time to experiment. If you’re loading your cart with goods, you don’t want to be guessing about whether you’ll love them or not. Go for the family’s beloved items.

Buying in bulk and getting a deal is worthless if nobody wants to eat or use what you buy. That’s money down the drain.

2. Search for Your Favorites on Sale

It’s generally not a good idea to buy what’s on sale solely because it’s on sale. When trying to cut your grocery bill, the goal is to get what you know and love on sale, not to be overly adventurous. The latter can leave you disappointed, with a few fewer dollars in your pocket to boot.

3. Keep Expiration Dates in Mind

Do check expiration dates when buying in bulk. Items can expire before you get to use them, which is akin to throwing away your hard-earned money. Everything from sunscreen to olive oil can deteriorate when left to sit for long periods because you bought a mega-pack, so shop carefully.

What to Buy in Bulk and What to Avoid

Some products are perfect for stockpiling. While your list will depend on your family, think of items like:

•   Paper towels

•   Toilet paper

•   Tissues

•   Detergent

•   Dishwashing liquid

•   Sponges

•   Aluminum foil and plastic wrap

•   Toothpaste

•   Canned beans and fish

•   Frozen foods

•   Rice

•   Sugar

•   Flour

On the flip side, generally, you don’t want to load up on:

•   Fresh produce

•   Eggs

•   Meat or fish (unless you plan to freeze it)

•   Milk

•   Coffee beans

•   Snack foods/desserts (this could inspire you to overindulge)

The Cons of Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk can work to your advantage, but it’s not without caveats. Here are some potential disadvantages to keep in mind:

Larger Quantities Can Mean Spending More

Bulk buying means spending more up front, which could put a strain on your finances. While paying $40 for $80 worth of lotion may be a good deal, it could backfire if you put that purchase on a credit card and can’t pay off the balance in full. You’ll then get hit with high interest fees, which can more than erase your savings.

You’ll Need Storage Space

Keep in mind, too, that you need space to store all that stuff and a car to pile it in to take home. If either of these are issues, buying in bulk may not be ideal for you.

You May Get Bored With Bulk Products

Know thyself…and your family. Maybe you are the person who gets bored quickly, or your kids will beg for some variety after you’ve bought 24 boxes of the same cereal. When you’ve got mega amounts of the same product, be prepared for the “same old, same old” for a long stretch. That’s all the more reason to purchase only what you love, as you may be using it for months.

You May Have to Pay Membership Fees

If you’re going deep into bulk buying, you likely won’t settle only for what you can get in bulk at the grocery store but will want to shop at the warehouse stores like Costco and BJ’s. Consider the annual membership fees that are required.

Costco’s “Gold Star” membership is $65 per year, and the “Executive” level is $130. BJ’s tiers are $60 and $120. Sam’s Club advertises membership fees of $50 and $110.

Will you frequent the store enough to make the fee worthwhile?

Bulk Quantities Can Lead to Overuse

If you have something in abundance, it’s all too easy to be less conscious of how much you’re using. Knowing you have 12 rolls of paper towel stashed away could lead you to use it up more quickly because you know you have backup waiting.

Bigger Quantities Means Spending More Cash

There’s also the issue that if you’re earning a lower income and/or have considerable debt, you may not be able to come up with enough money to purchase bulk products versus their smaller and less expensive single-use versions. One big purchase could blow your weekly budget. If you spend a chunk of money to buy a mega-pack of toilet paper, can you then afford other necessities?

Products May Expire

Buying in bulk can be a fun way to save money, but don’t get so giddy grabbing great buys that you forget important things like expiration dates. Products like bleach and sunscreen may expire in 12 months or less. And certain food products can expire as well. Getting a gallon of milk for the same price as a half gallon doesn’t yield any savings if it sits in your fridge for so long that it goes bad.

Buying in Bulk at Local Grocery Stores vs Wholesale Retailers

You may wonder if you should buy in bulk at your local grocery store vs. at a wholesale retailer (meaning places like Costco or Sam’s Club). It’s true that you may find good deals at your local supermarket (such as buy two cans of tuna and get two for half-price), and coupons can boost your savings.

However, it’s likely that these deals will be occasional. At a wholesale retailer or warehouse club, the business model is to have bulk quantities always available at good prices. That’s the company’s mission and what gives them bargaining power. In other words, their reason for being is to help customers buy in bulk and save.

While you may find great deals at your neighborhood grocery store that encourage you to stock up, you are likely to find smart deals in every aisle of a bulk retailer.

The Takeaway

Buying in bulk has its advantages. Getting a good deal can help you spend less and save more, but you’ll need to be savvy. Buy only what you need and what you can comfortably store and use in a timely fashion.

As with your local supermarket, temptation often lurks at bulk retailers. It’s best to prepare and follow a shopping list and know how to compare cost per unit to assess whether buying in bulk is worth it.

Armed with the right strategies, you can save real money by buying in bulk. As a next step, you’ll want to find a good place to stash that extra cash. If you’re in the market for a new bank, see what SoFi has to offer.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

How much do you save if you buy in bulk?

While individual savings will vary, you may be able to save anywhere from 25% to 50% by buying in bulk.

Why is it cheaper to buy in bulk?

Buying in bulk is often cheaper per unit because it allows manufacturers to spread fixed costs over a larger quantity of goods, leading to lower production and distribution costs. This enables them to offer discounts for larger orders.

What are two downsides of buying in bulk?

One major downside of buying in bulk is the high upfront cost. The higher initial price tag may be difficult for some consumers to afford, even if the long-term cost per unit is lower. Another potential downside is the risk of waste. If you buy perishable items in bulk, you run the risk of them spoiling or expiring before you can use them.

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