Bulk Buying vs. Small Trips: What Works Better on a Tight Budget?
When your budget’s tight, you’re constantly looking for ways to save money. You may consider buying in bulk to save money or you may opt to get groceries as needed throughout the month to stay within your budget.
According to Cody Schuiteboer, president and CEO of Best Interest Financial, studies show that the average American throws out almost $1,500 worth of food per year, with a major share of the waste due to bulk purchases and excessive purchases of perishable goods.
Discover Next: I Do All My Grocery Shopping for $350 at Costco — Here's How
Check Out: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
Consider these pros and cons of bulk buying versus small trips to decide which option works best for you.
Pros and Cons of Bulk Buying
The biggest advantage of bulk buying is the savings. Bulk buying essentials, such as pantry staples, cleaning supplies and personal care products, is 20% to 40% cheaper than buying in small amounts at a grocery or convenience store, Schuiteboer said.
Bulk buying can also save you from having to grocery shop as frequently, but you have to plan your purchases carefully. Schuiteboer cautioned that it’s easy to overspend otherwise. “Buying all the goods you can during bulk shopping may result in spending $400 when the initial plan was $150, since the bulk stores are designed to push customers to buy as many products as possible,” he said.
He also pointed out that you need sufficient cash flow to cover upfront costs for bulk purchases. Unfortunately, if you use a credit card for bulk purchases, you can lose all the savings if you can’t pay off the purchase before interest accrues, he added.
Pros and Cons of Buying in Small Trips
Schuiteboer said that a household living paycheck to paycheck will benefit more from taking small trips to the store than from bulk buying. He explained that this strategy will allow spending only on what is necessary and within budget at that moment.
Buying in small trips can also help you take inventory before you shop. You can look at what’s already in your pantry and refrigerator, then buy only the extra ingredients needed to make meals for the next few days. That can help reduce food waste and keep you from spending money on items that may go unused.
The downside is that frequent, smaller grocery trips can take more time. If the store isn’t already on your regular route, extra trips may also increase your gas costs. Frequent shopping can also make it easier to pick up impulse items, which may undermine the savings you’re trying to build.
An Alternative Solution
If neither bulk buying nor buying in small trips works for your budget and lifestyle, Schuiteboer recommended the following hybrid solution:
“Create a list of non-perishable staple products that you consume regularly, including paper products, cooking oil, canned foods and laundry detergent,” he said. “Buy these goods in bulk whenever you can afford to and avoid the rest. All perishable and variable items should be bought in small quantities to prevent wastage.”
By using this approach, you can get the savings that come with bulk buying without overbuying food that may go bad. Stock up on shelf-stable items when your budget allows, then buy fruits, vegetables, meat and other perishable foods in smaller amounts as you need them. It’s a strategy that will give you more control over your grocery spending while still helping you save on items your household uses regularly.
To help Americans navigate the added cost of summer, MoneyLion is giving away $1,000 every day through July 4. Enter the Summer Break Giveaway here (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: