[shoestring]

Do you always find it's cheaper to buy things such as rice, beans, and grains from the bulk bins? I found buying steel cut oats much cheaper when I got it from the bin instead of prepackaged containers, and wondered if that was true for other bulk bin items.

I did have to find something to put the oats in when I got home, though, since my bag wasn't great for long-term storage.

[abbys2cents]

One thing I need to work on is making more storage room. When I do, I'll be buying things like beans and cereal in much larger quantities. Those are two foods that we eat more than almost anything else, so I will save a bundle over the long-term.

[CheapChica]

I think it really depends on where you buy your bulk items from. I try to buy bulk items like tissue online from places that offer free shipping, it's much cheaper than buying bulk tissue at my local Sam's Club.

[elizabeth]

Sometimes it is much cheaper to buy in bulk, but some items do cost the same as they would individually. You really have to watch the unit price to see if you are getting the best deals.

[couponaholic]

I don't buy from the bulk bins that I see at the stores. I've seen too many times where the covers are left ajar or children are running their hands through the bin's contents... yuck. I buy in bulk when I get a good deal on something but I won't ever buy from bins like that.

[Mary]

I look for deals or items on sale at the grocery store. The closest bulk food place is about ten miles away, so I think what I'd save would be consumed in the gas I'd burn to go and get it.

[qclipper]

I have to agree that it depends on the item and depends on where you are purchasing it. And plan ahead with storage. The last thing you want is to have to throw the food away because it got stale or “buggy” from improper storage.

[GSRD3301]

I find that buying everyday essentials in bulk (if you have the storage space) to be a significant saving annually.

Items include but aren't limited to things such as toiler paper, tissues, dish washing detergent, shampoo, soap, sugar, coffee, flour etc.

The savings really add up at the end of the year, enough for a small holiday in most cases!

[xlamposx]

I do agree that buying in bulk is way cheaper than just buying a few ones. My dad usually buys things in bulk in a grocery shop that really saved him some money, more on the family's daily needs.

[inTHEsane]

My girlfriend and I have been noticing that we need to check the unit price on items a lot mroe lately.Where it use to save money buying the bigger item, we have noticed it is less the case now a days. I think the markerters realized that everyone caught onto and assume that bulk means a discount so if they size their products properly they can make it appear your getting a lot more, and then just like a the bag of chips with all air in it, you'll end up paying more buying the bulk item vs a few individual items equaling the same net weight.