Buying in bulk may be costly upfront, but it can save you a lot over time. If you have the pantry space, there are some items that are ideal as bulk buys. Unfortunately, there are some things that just don’t make sense to buy in bulk. Save yourself some cash and some frustration by avoiding these bulk purchases.
Spices
Your local discount or bulk store likely has a vast selection of spices, but don’t be fooled. Unless you tend to cook for large groups of people regularly, you likely won’t make a dent in the spice container after the first year of purchase. Remember, while spices don’t spoil in the traditional sense, they lose their flavor and potency over time, making them useless.
Nuts
Nuts may be shelf-stable, but they contain a lot of oil which can turn rancid sooner than you might think. Unless you have a large family that enjoys snacking on nuts daily, or you plan to do a lot of baking soon, it may be best to buy your favorite nuts in smaller quantities. The only exception? Nuts freeze well, if you have freezer space, this can be a good way to capitalize on a bulk deal without wasting the food.
New Vitamins
Buying vitamins can be a savvy shopping trick, but if you purchase a bulk supply of a vitamin, you should be sure you’re going to take it. Avoid buying expensive vitamins in bulk if you haven’t tried them before. No one wants to find out that a specific brand tastes awful or is hard on their stomach after they’ve purchased 500 of them.
Name Brand Items
Buying name-brand items in bulk can get you a good deal, but if you are shopping from a bulk store, you may find that the store brand offers an equivalent quality with an even bigger bargain. In fact, due to the large purchase agreements bulk stores can make, some items may be from the same manufacturer, making the only true difference between the name brand and its store-brand counterpart the label it comes in.
Soda and Chips
Soda is a loss leader at many chain grocery stores. These items are sold below cost to entice shoppers to come to the store. If you want a great deal for your next BBQ, you may find a better sale at your local grocery store.
