Things you can (and SHOULD) buy in bulk

It's no secret that I am into budgeting and cutting corners where I can. Money is a finite thing for most of us so we need to watch were it goes and the value it brings us. Buying in bulk is something that you should be doing no matter the size of your family. Most memberships to bulk sellers like Sam's Club or Costco don't cost very much per year and can save you bunches if you watch your $/oz ratios. Now just because they are in bulk doesn't always mean that you are getting more for your money but in some cases it really is saving you a lot. So here is a list of things that my family buys in bulk.

Rice

Rice is a grain that is fairly easy to store and you can use it in a ton of recipes. At our local Sam's club we are able to get 50 lb bag of rice for $16.16 which works out to be about $.02/oz of rice which is dirt cheap for something that will literally last you for two years. If you don't have the means to eat 50 lbs of rice there is always the smaller option of 25 lbs. However; I will say it stores quiet nicely in the sack it comes in and just needs to be clipped shut after you are done with it. 

Nutella

Who doesn't love nutella am I right? Here's the deal, you are able to get a larger two pack of nutella at a place like Sam's that maybe costs slightly more than the largest single container you can find at your local grocer and as long as you keep it sealed it can be stored in a cabinet or pantry somewhere until you need to crack it open. 

Gift Cards

Have you ever sniffed out the gift card kiosk at a Sam's or Costco? If you have you will notice that you can buy gift cards in bulk that are discounted. They usually have a plethora of options and is a great way save a little money and gives you an excuse to not cook :)

Body Wash/Shampoo

These items are all about the packaging. There are 2 and 3 packs of your favorite shower products at most of these bulk sellers and they are significantly cheaper this way and usually come in sets that will sometimes allow you to try new products like a travel size hairspray or styling gel. However, sometimes buying these is more expensive as you can't use the same coupons as you could at Target or Wal-mart. 

Cheese

Cheese addicts everywhere know this one. Buying cheese in bulk is a good option because it gets rid of those little packaging costs. Plus, cheese is something that you can freeze when you aren't using it and take it out when you do and it maintains its freshness. 

Soy milk/Almond milk

At our Sam's, we can usually buy these items in packs of three and they keep for quite awhile. So if you are lactose intolerant please save yourself a couple of pennies by buying these in bulk.

ICE flavored water
You know those really good ICE beverages you can find at most gas stations and grocery stores? Those are usually $1.00 a piece when you buy them separately but when you buy them at Sam's club, you can snag these in an 18 pack for about $9 which makes them .50 cents a piece.

So now you have a list to get you started at looking at buying things in bulk but please don't let this limit you. The biggest point I want this post to get across is the price per oz of product you are getting and where that ratio is best you buy. This will save you ton's of money especially when you have the room to store it and have the patience to do the math. Are there any other essentials that you and your family buy in bulk? Let us know!

Love,
Tinsel & Tulle