bulk

6 Creative Ways to Save Money With Bulk Buying

Kyle James — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:00:08 +0000

When it comes to buying in bulk, warehouse clubs get all the publicity. But there's a lot of stuff they simply don't sell, or the amounts they do sell just aren't big enough. It's times like these when some out-of-the-box thinking on bulk buying comes in handy. (See also: 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Buy in Bulk)

Below are some bulk buying ideas that you've probably never considered, but could end up saving you significant money.

1. Home Improvement Materials

If you're considering a significant home improvement project and want to tackle the work yourself, look into buying in bulk at the Home Depot Pro Desk. If you spend at least $2,500, you're eligible for exclusive savings and rewards when buying building supplies like lumber, masonry, nails, screws, and sheetrock.

If you're doing landscape work at your house and the idea of hauling 25 bags of bark is overwhelming, consider buying landscaping materials in bulk from a local supplier. If you don't own a truck, borrow a friend's and haul things like bark, rock, and soil directly to your home and easily save 25% to 50%, depending on the material.

2. Online "Subscribe & Save" Programs

It seems like every other person you see at Costco or Sam's Club pushes a cart around with a huge package of toilet paper or dog food hanging over the edge. While these are often good bulk buys, did you know that you can typically get the same products mailed directly to your home via online "Subscribe & Save" programs? The two big players are Amazon and Target, and their pricing is surprisingly competitive. They both offer free membership, free delivery, and Amazon even offers 15% off if you have at least three items mailed to your home on a regular schedule.

If you are a busy parent, and love the idea of having certain items sent to your doorstep on a regular schedule, you should definitely look into it. Some of the popular items include diapers, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dog food, shampoo, soap, and paper towels. The best part of both programs is the flexibility. If, for example, you have enough toilet paper to last six months, you can easily postpone future deliveries with no penalty.

3. Meat

If you have the freezer space, consider teaming up with friends or family and buying half a hog or a quarter of a steer.

First, consider purchasing a 4-H project animal from your local county fair. You'll pay more than market price in most cases, but you'll be supporting local 4-H kids and end up with very high quality, antibiotic-free meat.

Second, check out your local butcher shop for bulk meat buys. For example, my local butcher shop has a "beef deal" for five pounds of each of the following: round steak, chuck steak, 7-bone chuck roast, short ribs, and ground beef. Total price = $89.99 or $3.60/pound. If you have the freezer space, it's a great way to stock up and save.

4. Gift Cards

I have two kids who play youth sports year-round, and we are constantly buying coach gifts. Gift cards make awesome presents, especially when you buy in bulk from Costco. I recently bought five $10 Jamba Juice gift cards for only $30. So the next time you are hard up for a gift for a coach, teacher, or friend, swing by Costco and stock up on the cheap. Another cool thing about buying gift cards from Costco is they often feature local restaurants and businesses in addition to the usual chains.

5. Gas

For a $30 annual membership fee, MyGallons will allow you to buy a large portion of gas at the current price. The service basically protects against a gas price increase over the coming months or years. You fill up at the station of your choice, and get a credit to your checking account or MyGallons debit card whenever you buy gas for more than your "buy-in" price. If gas prices go down, you can hold your gallons indefinitely until prices go up again, which they undoubtedly will. (See also: Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards)

6. Fruit and Veggies

If your family devours fruits and veggies like they are going out of style, you know just how expensive it can be to keep the fridge stocked. The absolute best way to stock up and save is by purchasing straight from the grower. Summer and fall are terrific times to hit up local farms, roadside stands, and farmer markets. I buy apples, apricots, peaches, and nectarines by the bushel basket from a local farm and typically negotiate a price 25%-40% cheaper than the grocery store.

Also, ask local farmers if they have any "seconds" available to score a great deal on fruit and veggies that may not be perfectly shaped or colored, but still taste amazing. We are talking 50% off compared to the price of "perfect" varieties. By building a rapport with the farmer, they'll let you in on some great bulk buys.

What is the most out-of-the-box bulk purchase you have ever made and how much did it save you?

This article is from Kyle James of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

13 Food Items to Always Buy in Bulk

Laurel Randolph — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:00:07 +0000

It can be hard to decide what's worth buying in bulk. Are you getting a better deal? Will you use all of an item before it goes bad? (See also: Bulk Buying Basics: What to Buy and Money Saving Tips)

Be sure to follow some general rules when you go shopping: Only buy things you always use and use often. Don't buy something you don't know if you like; try a single serving first (for example, a soup brand you like, but a new flavor you haven't tried). And, of course, always consult this list. (See also: 10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Buy in Bulk)

1. Alcohol

If you're having a party, you can save some real cash by buying booze in bulk. The bigger the package of beer, the better the deal, and the same goes for spirits. Warehouse stores can offer some real savings, and in some states you don't have to be a member to buy alcohol. Even if you're buying wine from a wine shop, most offer discounts of 5%-15% for a case of 12.

2. Beans

Whether you buy your beans canned or dried, they last a long time and don't run a high risk of going bad before you use them all up. Dried beans offer the biggest savings, and can be cheaper when bought in larger quantities or from a bulk bin. When shopping at Costco or Sam's Club, packages of multiple cans of beans offer a per-can discount of around 15%.

3. Pasta

If you're a pasta lover, stop buying your dried pasta just one little package at a time. You can save up to 40% off the supermarket price by buying in bulk, including whole wheat varieties. The shelf life of dried pasta is up to two years in air-tight packaging, and many families eat it often, making it a bulk-buy must.

4. Oats

If you enjoy making oatmeal or baked goods using oats or oat flour, then you may want to consider buying wholesale. If you have the space and will use 50 pounds of oats, you can save nearly 70%. Even if you're buying out of the bulk bin or in bigger bags, there are still savings to be had. Make sure you store your oats in an airtight container.

5. Spices

The price difference for bulk spices and packaged spices at the grocery store can be huge. However, if you buy five pounds of cinnamon and then don't use it, then it's money wasted. Only buy spices in amounts that you know you'll use. This can be a great time to visit the bulk section of the market and measure out how much you want. One spice that's especially great to buy in bigger amounts is peppercorns. The whole variety keeps for longer, and since pepper goes in nearly everything, you'll keep your pepper mill stocked for cheaper.

6. Meat

If your family loves meat and you cook it often, then go ahead and buy ahead. The key to buying meat in bulk is to portion it out, wrap and package it well, and freeze it. If done properly, meat can last up to one year in a freezer. Be sure to compare prices, since sales at supermarkets can sometimes beat out warehouse store prices.

7. Dried Fruit

A great healthy snack, dried fruit can unfortunately be expensive. It's frequently cheaper at warehouse stores, assuming you will use all of those dried cranberries in a reasonable amount of time. If you shop at a grocery store with bulk bins, dried fruit can be a great buy. Make sure that you buy from bins that are busy and therefore get refilled often.

8. Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are an item used by home cooks and chefs alike, and they're more than handy to have around. They also last, so they're a great bulk buy. Buying a six-pack at a warehouse store can add up to 25% savings, and won't even take up that much room in your pantry.

9. Coffee

If you're a frequent coffee drinker and you don't buy your coffee in bulk, then it's time to make the switch. It makes economic sense as well as ecological sense. Buying in bulk saves on packaging, and you'll get your fix all the same. It's best to buy whole beans, which stay fresh for longer and offer more flavor when freshly ground.

10. Rice and Grains

Grains are another great dry good to stock up on and save money. Buying bigger bags tend to offer real savings, as does buying from the bulk bin. Grains last as long as they are stored properly, but keep in mind that rice and whole grain shelf lives differ. For example, brown rice spoils faster because of higher oil content. Keep grains in a sealed container, away from sunlight and heat.

11. Sugar

For the bakers out there, going for the big bag of sugar should be a no-brainer. At Costco, you can save 25% on sugar by purchasing ten pounds rather than a two-pound bag. When stored in a cool and dry place, white sugar practically lasts forever. No need to beg for a cup from the neighbors!

12. Oils

Cooking oils such as olive oil are consistently cheaper when purchased in larger quantities, and if you cook with them often, go big. When specifically buying olive oil, make sure the glass container is a dark green to keep out sunlight, or buy in a metal container and transfer smaller amounts to your own bottle. Note that oil will go rancid, so don't buy more than you can use.

13. Maple Syrup

Good maple syrup can be a costly food item, really putting a damper on your pancake breakfast plans. Luckily, the price gets a little more reasonable the bigger the container. You can order it online or visit a big box store — just compare price per ounce to get the best deal. Stored properly, it'll last for several months and drown dozens of pancakes.

What are your regular bulk buys. Please share in comments — you have plenty!

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This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Save Big on Buying in Bulk

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 19:00:06 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on saving big on buying in bulk, easy ways to save more money, and steps for a fresh financial start this fall.

Best Money Tips: Maximize Your Savings When Buying in Bulk

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:36:36 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on maximizing your savings when buying in bulk, ways to spend less on your dog, and hidden costs of college.

7 Tips for Streamlining Your Shopping List

Thursday Bram — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:25:51 +0000

I have a long-standing dislike of grocery shopping. Pushing a cart around a store is not one of the ways I amuse myself. I've found that because of my attempts to get in and out of the grocery store, I wind up forgetting things. The only way I can manage is to have a perfect grocery list — the type that includes even the little things that we need on every trip. There are some tricks to figuring out a grocery list, though, and I'm sharing them here and now.

Use a spreadsheet. I know that not everyone likes to use technology for stuff like their shopping lists, but being able to organize my list, especially by store, has saved my life. It also makes it easier to add information like whether I have a coupon or which store is holding a sale.
Add items immediately when you run out. The biggest danger to my grocery list is three little words: “Oh, I’ll remember.” Whenever I run out of something, I write it down immediately. If I see that someone else has used up the last crumbs, I write that down, too.
Buy in bulk, when you can. I live in an apartment, but I still managed to find a hiding place for a 25-pound bag of flour. Small spaces should just be an opportunity for creativity. Buying in bulk from Sam’s Club and its ilk can often get me just as good of a deal as clipping coupons and buying weekly from a grocery store.
Shop around, but not too much. I read the weekly sales paper, and pick one or two stores that seem to have the best overall prices for the week. For some families, it may come down to the price of just one item: I usually wind up going with the store with the cheapest price on our soda pop of choice.
Plan meals. The easiest way to get an idea of what needs to be on your shopping list is to plan out what you’ll be preparing for the next week or so. You can put together a list from your ingredients, and, if someone’s coming to dinner, you know which ingredients you’ll need more of.
Determine your staples. Every family has different staples: my boyfriend would mutiny if I didn’t keep cheddar cheese on hand at all times, while my mother’s household practically runs on tortillas. Whether or not your staples fit into your meal plan, they’re usually worth picking up. Running out may not be a pretty option.
Go green. The less you’re buying from the store means the less that has to go on your grocery list. Even as simple a step as purchasing cloth napkins to reuse, rather than buying paper towels or paper napkins, can reduce costs, as well as worry when you forget to buy something to wipe up messes.

If you've got a tip on refining the shopping list, let me know! I'm always looking for ways to simplify my system.

This article is from Thursday Bram of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: