Does Buying In Bulk Really Save?

[Lisa03]

Some of those money-saving tips supermarket shoppers have been hearing about for years can actually raise their grocery bills, if they aren't careful.

Consumer Reports took a look at buying in bulk. You might think you always get more for your money when you buy larger packages, but sometimes larger sizes are actually more expensive, ounce for ounce.

At one Wal-Mart location, the magazine found a 14-ounce box of cereal that cost 8 cents less per pound than the 20-ounce box.

The current issue of Consumer Reports says to watch out with coupons, too, because they can tempt you into overspending.

You might buy items you're never going to consume, or you might have to purchase a large quantity in order to use the coupon, and then it's not really worth it for you.

The magazine said that, according to one recent study, more than one-quarter of all coupons now require you to buy more than one item in order to save.

[Kelsey1224]

I don't buy in bulk...but I do stockpile. I'm posted on this before. I use a on-line method available here in S. California where I utilize coupons to purchase items when they are at their cheapest. I stockpile these items. Rule of thumb is one item for every person in the household. So, for example, I have one open container of detergent, plus three containers in my stockpile.

Our grocery bill has reduced considerably since we started with this method.

[schsa]

It's amazing that the 20 oz box of Cheerios is more expensive per ounce than the 15 oz box. I check it out as well, including toilet paper. And I stock up when the price is too right and I pass when it really isn't a bargain. Coupons are good when an item is on sale or if it's something that you want but aren't willing to pay the price for.

I used to shop and buy in bulk at my local Sam's but I know that if I wait until it goes on sale in WalMart I can get a better deal.

[meme]

We have a local regional grocery store that posts the per ounce price on the shelf labels. Of course, I didn't just take their word for it
in the beginning, but they are accurate. That saves a lot of hassle when comparing regular prices, but still have to do the math on the sale items.

[GeThang]

My husband and I have tried buying in bulk, but we never use all of everything before it goes bad. LOL. It's just the two of us.

[suzziq03]

I dont buy in bulk either, but also stock pile up. Like the ready made pancake mix where you just add water to it is usually 1.25 at some stores here, but is regularly .90 cents at walmart, but were on sale this last week in the base grocery store for .45 cents! yep, I cleared the shelf! I bought some for other people in the family that also use the product quite a bit. Its great buys like this that I dont mind 'bulking' up on. to me a sale is a sale, and with no income comming in soon but child support, I really got to stock up! I have only been to a 'bulk' store once, and spent nearly $40 on 3 items. I about died! although they were big, afterwards, I didnt think it was well worth the $ or my time.

[Ladytiger]

The only thing that I buy in bulk is stuff that we use everyday-like coffee. It's much cheaper to get the bigger can on sale. Cereal, we always throw away because it gets stale.
That's why I don't have a Sam's membership anymore. It wasn't worth it and most of the stuff you can get at Wal*Mart in the bigger quantities without membership.
I used to stock pile, now we just get what we need for the time being.

[BigLyd1]

LT,

Aren't you up past your bedtime? :D I guess I would have trouble sleeping too.

[Widgetsx3]

I buy both in bulk and stockpiling. I have a huge frezzer that I always have stuff in, my stockpiles came in REALLY handy when I was out of work for 7 months, by the time I got a job, I was down to almost nothing. But I didn't have to buy any meats, cereals, pastas or canned goods during that time. I did have to buy milk, cheese, bread and other perishables. Now, My stockload is starting to return to normal.

[miccit]

I have four kids so we do buy in bulk a lot. But, I keep a price list of all of the stores I usually go to and Sam's. Then, I compare which is a better deal.

There are some things we always buy at Sam's. Like ketchup. We get one of those big industrial cans of it for $2.95. My dot uses ketchup on everything so we go through one of these every 3 to 4 weeks.

Somethings are cheaper at the store, you just have to shop around.

[adair]

Has anyone noticed at the grocery store that some items are listed at "price per ounce" and some are listed at "price per pound" ? It is really scary how they try to manipulate you.