10 Signs You Should Buy in Bulk– Know What To Grab and Skip
Written by
Nicole Spector
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
In light of the surging food costs, economic turmoil and pending tariffs, Americans are cashing in on coupons and promos at supermarkets to get by or save while they can. They may also be inclined to buy more in bulk (hello, Costco and Sam’s Club!), but while you can never have enough of certain items — like toilet paper and diapers — there’s a fair amount of food items that shouldn’t be purchased en masse.
Good signs that indicate you’ve bought in bulk wisely include a lower monthly grocery bill and fewer food items wasted. Here’s a look at the do’s and don’ts of buying in bulk to save money at the supermarket or your favorite big-box retailer.
Skip: Bleach
Many people may not realize that bleach only has a shelf life of about 12 months after its manufacturing date as it starts to degrade quickly. However, this is just an estimate because if stored correctly, it could last up to two years. However, it’s not a good sign if you don’t know whether or not bleach is still good or effective at disinfecting — as it’s not something you can gauge the potency.
Buy: Dried Fruit
Buying dried fruit in bulk is a great way to get in the antioxidants and essential fatty acids like omega-3s that your body needs without having to battle food waste or the rising costs of produce you’re seeing in your local market. Dried fruit has a great shelf life and is a good sign your bulk purchase went toward making a healthy purchase — both for your well-being and your wallet.
Buy: Berries To Freeze
If you want to go fresh when it comes to fruit, then keep in mind that freezing berries is a great way to stretch their longevity of use and your budget. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries can be bought in bulk, so you can freeze them to add to smoothies or homemade ice cream. It’s a great way to save, as when berries are not in season, their prices increase, so buying berries in bulk and freezing them is a sign you’re a savvy shopper.
Skip: Spices (Unless Whole)
One of the biggest reasons to skip buying spices in bulk isn’t that they will go bad, which they really don’t, but they do go stale. The whole point of cooking with different spices is to enhance the flavor of your meal, but stale spices don’t offer that, because the more refined the spice the quicker it loses its flavor profile.
Note though that you can still buy spices in bulk — just go for whole spices versus ground spices, which last longer (up to four years) than ground spices. The following spices are good examples of what to buy whole in bulk:
- Whole allspice
- Whole cloves
- Whole nutmeg
- Whole bird’s eye chili
Skip: Baking Soda and Baking Powder
Though baking soda and baking powder do not go bad in a way that makes them harmful to eat, over time, they will undergo a chemical reaction and start to lose their potency. Baking is already a tricky science, so you want to make sure you are using ingredients that will do what they are meant to do, like make your cookies rise or don’t taste metallic. A good sign you’re making the right edits when it comes to buying in bulk is when it comes to products you can realistically use up within six months.
Buy: Vinegar
Vinegar is such a multi-use pantry staple and doesn’t go bad. It takes an extremely long time before its quality deteriorates so having a bulk supply is a good financial move. Especially with a grocery item that can be used for everything from salad dressings to homemade natural cleaning products.
Skip: Whole Grains
Whole grains may be part of a balanced diet but that doesn’t mean you should have more than you can use in your cupboard. Not only do they contain natural oils, which can start to turn faster than you think but sometimes are often contaminated with insect eggs.
It’s unappetizing to think about, but if you leave the grains out long enough, the eggs will hatch and suddenly you’ll have an infestation in your home. However, if you only buy enough grains for about a month you should lower that risk.
Buy: Already Frozen Vegetables
Fresh veggies are great but often aren’t something you could or should buy in bulk. Just think about the lettuce in the back of your crisper drawer. However, frozen vegetables give you all the nutrients you need without the nuisance of wasting food or money. Frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, broccoli and more can last for months in your freezer and are good to throw in a soup or a sauce for an easy, healthy and affordable family meal.
Skip: Leafy Greens
Speaking of the lettuce in the back of your fridge, not all vegetables like the freezer, including leafy greens. Spinach, romaine, kale and iceberg are all great additions to a meal but spoil rather quickly so unless you’re cooking for an army, you may want to hold off buying in bulk.
Buy: Canned Goods
Canned goods are always the grocery item you think of whether you’re stocking up for a storm or the apocalypse. Even ‘best by’ dates are seen as more a guideline than a rule so these goods can last you a long time. Even the Red Cross recommends having at least two weeks’ worth of emergency food at home and canned goods are one of the better options for this so buy in bulk when you can.
More From GOBankingRates
