8 Things To Never Buy In Bulk To Save Money
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Just as there are items you should bulk whenever possible to save money, there are also items to never buy in bulk.
Here are a list of items to buy as you need or as you see sales, but not to stock up on just because.
1. Oil
It’s true that you can save a lot of money buying oil in bulk. However, unless you use a ton of oil, you’ll end up wasting a lot of it. Once opened, you have a year or less to enjoy the oil before it goes rancid.
Carefully consider how much oil you actually use. Chances are you’re not going to use enough to justify buying in bulk.
2. Cereal
There is one simple reason you don’t want to buy cereal in bulk and that’s coupons. When you match coupons to sales, you can get regular sized boxes of cereal for less than $1.50, sometimes less than $1 per box.
It’s almost impossible to beat these savings, even when buying in bulk. Not to mention that there’s only so much raisin bran you can eat before you get tired of it.
3. Laundry & Dish Detergents
Laundry detergent should also not be purchased in bulk because you can get it for less by using coupons (there are some exceptions, but for name brands this is almost always true).
It’s not uncommon to get laundry detergent for $0.99 or less when you combine sales and coupons. The big box stores can’t touch this price. Not only that, but it can be hard to manage those larger containers.
4. Shampoo
Same thing as above. With coupons, you can often get shampoo for less than $1 per bottle. In some cases, you may even get the shampoo for free. As long as you’re not brand loyal, you can keep your family stocked with shampoo for very little money.
5. Toothpaste
Yes, you can get toothpaste for free. In some cases, you might even get paid to purchase toothpaste. Drugstores are the best place to score toothpaste deals.
Thanks to sales, coupons, and reward points, you can walk away with toothpaste and money to spend the next time you’re in the store. The same goes for toothbrushes.
6. Bleach
Did you know that bleach has a shelf-life? It only lasts around one year after it’s manufactured. Most people aren’t going to use enough bleach to justify buying a large bottle.
Stick with the smaller bottles. You’ll have less waste and it’s much easier to pour the smaller bottles.
7. Condiments
Condiments shouldn’t be purchased in bulk because of their short shelf-life once opened. Mayonnaise lasts a couple months after being opened and ketchup lasts around six months.
Unless your family absolutely loves condiments, there’s a good chance that you’ll be wasting a lot of product when you purchase in bulk.
8. Produce
In most cases, buying produce in bulk only leads to waste. Many families simply don’t eat enough produce to justify buying such large quantities. Unless you’re living on fruits and vegetables, stick to purchasing your produce on a weekly basis.
This will ensure you have fresh produce when you go to make your meals. And, if you want to save money, buy what’s in season from your local farmer’s market. This ensures that the produce is at the peak of perfection and the best price.
