Smart Bulk Buys vs. Costly Mistakes: What to Stock Up on (and What to Skip)

Buying in bulk can lower your grocery bill but only if you choose the right items. Here’s how to tell the difference between smart staples and expensive waste. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Delivered dailyKiplinger TodayProfit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more delivered daily. 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Buying in bulk can offer valuable savings, helping to combat the continuously rising grocery prices we're facing and helping you spend less on groceries. Understanding what to buy in bulk is key to getting a good deal, though, since bulk buys can backfire and actually cost you more.When buying in bulk, your total spend on an item might be higher, but you should be paying a lower price per unit. Storage challenges and spoilage risks can eat into your savings, highlighting the importance of careful planning and strategic buys.Deal psychology can also prompt you to overbuy and overconsume. When you're purchasing grocery items that you don't actually need or wouldn't have otherwise bought, bulk buying isn't actually saving you money — it's costing you more.These tips can help you make smart purchase decisions to maximize your savings and avoid costly mistakes.Buying in bulk works best in certain situations:You can get the best value by buying certain types of groceries in bulk. Use this list to help focus your shopping.CategoryExamplesWhy it worksPantry staplesRice, pasta, oats, flour, dried beans, lentilsLong shelf life and predictable use make waste unlikelyShelf-stable proteinsCanned fish, canned beansHigh value per serving and minimal spoilage riskFrozen foodsFrozen vegetables, fruit, meatFreezing extends shelf life and helps reduce food wasteHousehold essentialsPaper goods, cleaning suppliesConsistent, repeat usage makes bulk pricing worthwhileHigh-rotation itemsCoffee, snacks, lunchbox staples (if used regularly)Frequent use ensures you finish them before quality declinesThe right credit card can help you save at the grocery store and earn rewards on dining out. See Kiplinger’s top credit card picks for groceries and food, powered by Bankrate. Advertising disclosure.View Offers Certain groceries don't work as well for bulk purchases. Buying these items can cause your savings to quietly disappear.CategoryExamplesWhy it can cost you morePerishable foodsFresh produce, dairy, breadSpoil quickly unless you freeze or use immediatelyOils, nuts and whole grainsOlive oil, cooking oils, almonds, brown riceCan go rancid faster than expected, especially in large quantitiesSpices and baking ingredientsSpices, baking powder, specialty floursLose potency and freshness before you finish themCondiments and specialty itemsSauces, dressings, niche ingredientsLow usage increases risk of waste"Aspirational buys"New snacks, bulk "health" foods, trendy itemsOften go unused if they don't fit your regular habitsMany shoppers overlook the hidden costs of bulk buying. These costs can eat away at your savings or even cause you to lose money on bulk buys:Tip: Costco offers a price match if you've bought an item and that item’s price dropped within 30 days of your purchase.You can save money by strategically buying in bulk. These tips can help maximize your savings so you're not wasting money on bad buys.Buying in bulk can be a solid strategy to lower your grocery bill, but approach this technique carefully and gradually. Knowing what to buy in bulk and having a clear plan in place can set you up for success and savings.Gold Star Membership: at StackSocialStack Social is offering a Gold Star Membership + $20 Digital Shop Card for the price of a $65 Gold Star membership. It is also offering an Executive Gold Star Membership + $40 Shop Card for the price of a $130 Executive Gold Star membership.Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.Paige Cerulli is a freelance journalist and content writer with more than 15 years of experience. She specializes in personal finance, health, and commerce content. Paige majored in English and music performance at Westfield State University and has received numerous awards for her creative nonfiction. Her work has appeared in The U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, GOBankingRates, Top Ten Reviews, TIME Stamped Shopping and more. In her spare time, Paige enjoys horseback riding, photography and playing the flute. Connect with her on LinkedIn.