For one type of cereal like corn flakes, there are at least five options. You not only have to decide between a variety of brands and flavors but also whether to buy the small, medium or a big box of the item. As a consumer, this can be a tricky decision. Should you buy the smaller, less expensive box or the larger, but more expensive box? While more expensive at the moment, buying a larger quantity can actually save you a lot of money in the long run.
For items with a longer shelf-life, buying in bulk could cut your grocery bill in the long-run. Items such as cereals, pasta, canned goods, and granola bars can all be purchased in large quantities both at regular grocery stores and bulk grocery stores such as Costco, BJs, and Sam’s Club. Additionally, cleaning items such as toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, soap, and laundry detergent can be purchased in the same manner.
Let’s look at the example below to see how buying in bulk could save money in the long run.
You are at the store and you want to purchase boxed pasta to make spaghetti and meatballs. You have two options:
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
|
One pound of spaghetti: $1.39 Cost per box: $1.39 |
Eight pounds of spaghetti: $8.99 Cost per box: $1.12 |
Many people would choose option 1, the single box of spaghetti, because it is what they need for their next planned meal. However, instead of paying $1.39 per box, the cost per box for option 2 is only $1.12 per box. The total saving for choosing option 2 is $0.27 per box or $2.16 if you purchased one box at a time. Over time, these savings can really add up!
Here’s another example:
| Option 1 | Option 2 |
 |
 |
| 25 loads for $5.95 | 96 loads for $17.94 |
| Cost per load: $0.24 | Cost per load: $0.18 |
In this example, option 2 appears more expensive, but what matters is the cost per load of laundry. The cost per load for option 1 is $0.24 whereas the cost per load for option 2 is $0.18. To complete about 100 loads, it would cost $24, or 4 containers of option 1 (4 x $5.95). By purchasing option 2, it only costs $18 for the same number of loads. The average family does 8-10 loads a week or approximately 500 loads per year. At a $0.06 savings per load, you could save $30 a year by purchasing option 2!
Was this information useful? Let us know below!
