It may not come as a shock that prices at the grocery store have significantly increased. There has always been a conversation about whether you save money when buying in bulk versus buying smaller portions.  On the surface, it seems clear that buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, but is buying in bulk actually cheaper? Keep reading as we deep dive into buying in bulk!

What Does Buying in Bulk Mean? 

When people refer to the term buying in bulk, they don’t necessarily mean only shopping at big box stores, such as Costco or Sam’s Club. When you purchase a large amount of anything, the price per unit is typically lower than if you were to buy half the amount with a lower quantity of product. What is important to keep in mind is yes, the more you buy, the less each unit will cost you. Though shopping in bulk at this point may seem like a no-brainer and a for-sure way to get a good deal, doing this often costs people more money than they know. 

Are You Paying for More Than You Know? 

When you are deciding to purchase a large quantity of product the important step is to calculate whether the investment is worth it to you. Here are a few questions to consider diving into before you bite the bullet on a big box. 

  1. Is it worth receiving double or triple the amount of product to have on hand?
  2.  Do you have the storage? 
  3. Will you end up overusing rather than skimping on this product of the overwhelming amount? 
  4. Will you get sick of this product before you finish using it? 
  5. Will this item potentially expire before you could adequately use it to justify a large quantity?
  6. Would you buy this item in a regular quantity or is it a super deal want? 
  7. Does the higher-priced big box affect your budget? 

Do You Actually Need It? 

Buying in bulk can often be getting a larger amount of something you need for a price you cannot pass up. Buying in bulk simply does and doesn’t make sense for people. Buying in bulk has become more and more common, to the point people are buying in bulk based on the price point not necessarily the use they will get out of that particular product. 

Is It Taking Up Space? 

A huge point to factor in when considering buying in bulk is the storage it may take. Whether it is going to take up a refrigerator, freezer, or dry storage, buying in bulk may cause you to run out of space. Purchasing an additional unit for storing food could increase your electricity bill. 

Don’t bust the budget by buying in bulk if you simply do not need to. Work through the benefits as well as if it is feasible for your budget, storage, and consumption.