Saving on the Grocery Bill by Purchasing in Bulk

While my family is not big by any means, I regularly purchase items in bulk so that I can save money on future trips to the store. While my son is still little and I still need to purchase diapers and wipes, diaper wipes will still be handy after he is potty trained because of all their uses. They are perfect for cleaning hands and faces after sticky snacks or meals, and they make great makeup removers. Because there are so many uses for diaper wipes, it makes it a perfect bulk item for purchase.
When it comes to saving money on grocery bills, buying in bulk will help to lower spending costs so that you can spend your money on the things you really want. These tips will help you maximize your bulk buying so that you can shop less and save more.

• Only buy items you use frequently in bulk. If you have no need for a five-pound jar of mayonnaise, it is not worth buying in bulk because it will go bad before you can use it all. Items like rice, canned foods, and boxed meals will save you a tremendous amount of money when they are on sale. We eat a lot of rice in our home; therefore, purchasing it in bulk is optimal for us because it is not always cheap. We save money by purchasing it in ten-pound amounts so that we do not have to pay for it when it is more expensive.
• Shop for bulk items when your local grocery store is having a sale day. Every couple of months, the Albertsons, and Fred Meyer stores will have 10 for $10 days. If you have coupons that you can use on the items that you want to bulk up on, then you can often times get them for close to free. The last time I visited Albertsons on a 10 for $10 sale day, I picked up 20 cans of Green Giant Green Beans for $0.25 a can, a $0.75 savings per can.
• Look at stores like Grocery Outlet and Winco for bulk items that you need for special events, parties or an occasional use. These stores are cheaper on a daily basis; therefore, items that you do not usually purchase can be picked up for a fraction of the cost you can get them for at stores like Safeway, Fred Meyer, or Albertsons.
• If there is an item that you feel like you are constantly purchasing, put in a standing order with your grocery for those items. For instance, my entire family is huge water drinkers. I refuse to drink tap water because of all the gross things that get into it that I cannot rightfully name; therefore, I purchase bottled water and we keep a case in the car, a case in the kitchen, extra in the pantry, a case for trips, and so on. Each week we go through 10-12 cases of water because I also use it to cook with. Asking the grocery store you frequent to hold this many for you each week can often times save you money because they will give you a discounted price on a huge order.
• Ask the store you are shopping at if they give discounts for purchasing in bulk. Some stores such as the Costco and Winco will not offer discounts for clearing the shelf, however, I have gotten my local Safeway to give discounts for purchasing their whole stock because it was nearly expired or it may have been dented.
• Plan meals by cooking from scratch. Most often times, purchasing individual items for a whole meal such as tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes and other ingredients will make a cheaper spaghetti sauce than purchasing all the jars of spaghetti sauce you would have used anyway. Boxed meals are often more expensive and have things that you cannot readily identify that are not good for you. If you can make a healthier and cheaper meal from scratch, then why not do it, even if it takes up a little more time.
• Consider starting a garden. Many people don't feel that this is a bulk savings, however, when you consider the cost of seeds to plant a whole garden versus purchasing these items in a store, you will get a lot more items for your money. If you can the fruits and veggies at the end of the season, you can use them with meals as well instead of wasting them.
• If you go through a lot of meat, something I am not concerned with, talk to local farmers that will allow you to purchase a whole cow, turkey, hog, or other animal you consume most. If you have other families that would also be interested in this, you can save more by sharing. The farmer will raise the whole animal for you then butcher it and give you the cuts that you want most. This is also true for eggs, milk, and butter if the farm you go to offers these items on location.