Buying in bulk is a great way to save money and stock up on items you use often. Warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco cater to bulk buyers, but you can shop at any grocery store and stock up.

Buying in bulk does not always save you money, some packaged bulk items are actually more expensive. Calculate the cost before making the purchase and be sure you really need the item before you buy.

Do Buy in Bulk

  • Many condiments have a long shelf life. Just be sure you can use them before they expire.
  • Trash bags, food storage bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, napkins, paper towels, paper plates, tissues and toilet paper don’t go bad and you can save a lot stocking up on these items.
  • Most canned goods have a long shelf life. If you use a certain product often it is worth stocking up.
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables will store well for 8-12 months in the freezer.
  • Meat can also be frozen. Veal, lamb, pork and beef typically last 6-12 months, chicken 9-12 months, fish 3-8 months and shellfish 3-12 months.
  • Dog and cat food and treats can last for months. Check the expiration date.
  • Most dried pasta can last a year or two. It does not necessarily spoil but the taste quality can diminish over time.
  • Breads, sandwich buns, bagels, English muffins and the like can generally be frozen for up to 6 months.
  • Cleaning products typically last a long time but do eventually expire.
    • Liquid bleach: 6-12 months
    • Laundry detergent: depending on the brand 6-12 months
    • Fabric softener: typically, 12 months
    • Antibacterial products: 12 months
    • Disinfectants and cleaners: 2 years
    • Dishwasher detergent: 3-6 months
    • Dish soap: 12-24 months
  • Makeup, soaps and lotions, deodorant, shampoos and conditioners and medications are ok to stock up on but use them before they expire.

Don’t Buy in Bulk

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables. Unless you plan on freezing those items you don’t want to buy them in large quantities. Some fruits and vegetables freeze well, others don’t.
  • Herbs and spices. Some have a longer shelf life than others. And how and where you store them is important. Many people keep spices near the stove and heat from the stove and oven can cause the spices to go bad or dry up and lose flavor. Some should even be stored in the refrigerator. It is better to buy these items in smaller containers to ensure freshness.
  • Batteries start to lose energy from the time they are manufactured so if you keep batteries past their expiration date they may be completely useless by the time you open them. Not only that but they can become corroded and even dangerous.
  • Whole grains, baking soda, baking powder, flour, cereal and other similar items can go bad rather quickly.
  • While it can pay to buy diapers and baby wipes in bulk be sure to consider how fast babies grow. Be careful not to stock up on one size of diaper before you can use them and baby wipes can dry up over time. Baby formula and baby food both have expiration dates.
  • Snacks like chips, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, and the like typically have a short shelf life and can go stale quickly. Better to buy these items when you do your weekly or monthly shopping.
  • Dairy items, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream and other perishable items. Most of these items should not be bought in bulk. Some types of cheese can be frozen and ice cream will keep in the freezer once opened for about 6 weeks. Unopened ice cream will remain fresh for about two to three months.