4 Grocery Items the Middle Class Should Always Buy in Bulk To Save Money
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Although grocery prices have been leveling out — overall inflation for food has been at 3.2% for the 12 months ended in August — the prices of certain grocery staples have been soaring. The cost of ground beef is up 12.8% in the past year, eggs are up 10.9% and coffee is up 20.9%.
For middle-class families feeling the pinch, buying certain items in bulk can be a smart way to cut costs. Here are the grocery items worth buying in bulk to save money.
Paper Goods
“When I teach food budgeting to families, I look for three things before making large purchases — a clear unit-price advantage, regular use and a lengthy shelf life,” said Andrew Gosselin, senior contributor at Save My Cent, a coupon database.
Paper goods usually meet all three criteria.
“For paper towels, toilet paper and laundry detergent, warehouse bulk quantities usually outperform shop sizes by 15% to 30% per sheet or load,” Gosselin said.
Rice, Lentils and Oats
Many pantry staples are also worth buying in bulk.
“When bought in 10-pound sacks, basics with a long shelf life such as rice, lentils and rolled oats cost roughly half as much per pound,” Gosselin said.
Spices and Seasonings
Seasonings that you use frequently should be bought in bulk for big savings.
“A 16-ounce jar of garlic powder costs around 12 cents per tablespoon, which is significantly less than the 55 cents you spend for a two-ounce jar,” Gosselin said.
Canned Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are not savvy bulk buys for the average middle-class family, as they will usually spoil before you can eat them all. However, canned produce is often a smart choice for bulk buying.
“Produce price fluctuations are avoided by using canned tomatoes, broths and beans, which also maintain flavor for more than a year,” Gosselin said.
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