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Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Here I thought 'buying in bulk' was "buying from the 'farmer'"; bushel of grain, peck of apples, side of beef; half a hog... whoops.
I do like 'Costco Rotisserie Chicken', it gives me at least 10 servings of 'something' (usually burrito / salad / soup). . The business pays the membership dues, so a chicken here or there is a 'bulk bonus'.
I sure miss their cinnamon rolls, but the lack of... has helped me stay at my High School weight for 37 yrs. It is 'the width' that is getting evasive
Oh, for another 22" waist I guess I have been consuming too much BULK
You really do have to keep an eye on the cost per unit price. There are a number of things we buy regularly where the price per unit for the medium-sized box or carton is actually less than the price per unit if you get the jumbo size.
Fortunately most/many stores these days are pretty good at posting the per unit price on the store shelves.
Wow, none of the ones I shop at do. I carry a little pad and pencil and do the math myself.
I disagree with the article. Although one can shop loss leaders, go to many stores, cut and print coupons...I've done it...but it takes more than "a little time" If you are paying attention when you shop, you will know which stores have the better deals, which "bulk" items you will use before they go bad. To say that they are all myths, I don't believe to be true.
It is also a lifestyle issue, and township issue. I have 3 stores to choose from, unless I want to go over an hour a way...I also would rather spend my off work time enjoying my home, rather than spending all that time shopping.
The biggie that the author of the article missed: the psychology of having "more".
First of all, with perishable goods: if you buy a whole roasted chicken you will most likely feel compelled to eat the whole darn thing ("waste not, want not") . Whether or not you are hungry and whether or not your waistline can handle the extra calories.
With non-perishables it's a bit more tricky. I know that when I have the big 12-pack of paper towels in the pantry (for instance) I am less likely to use them sparingly. When I have only the 2-pack sitting on the self, I am more disciplined about using my recycled(washable) rags. Surely, I'm not the only one who admits to this?
The biggie that the author of the article missed: the psychology of having "more".
First of all, with perishable goods: if you buy a whole roasted chicken you will most likely feel compelled to eat the whole darn thing ("waste not, want not") . Whether or not you are hungry and whether or not your waistline can handle the extra calories.
With non-perishables it's a bit more tricky. I know that when I have the big 12-pack of paper towels in the pantry (for instance) I am less likely to use them sparingly. When I have only the 2-pack sitting on the self, I am more disciplined about using my recycled(washable) rags. Surely, I'm not the only one who admits to this?
I agree, the more you have, the quicker you go through it and the less careful you are with it. Instead of squeezing the last bit out of a tube of toothpaste, you open a new one, heck, you have 50 of them sitting in the pantry!
Also, I've found with kids the more items you have the more wasteful they are. I got sick of buying lunch items, they just ate them up for snacks, etc. I actually found it cheaper to just buy the school lunch rather than try to make my own, if I bought in any quantity the kids had it eaten up before I could pack it! Same with shampoo, soap, etc, if they have a giant bottle, they use it up, if just a small bottle, they make it last.
The only thing I keep my Costco membership for is cat food, that is a significant savings.
I think it's great plaidmom realizes the way she handles having things in bulk around, and in that case, it's not the best for her to have them around. I on the other hand, have the same 6 pack of paper towels that I got over 18 months ago, they get used for certain projects, and that's it.
Marylee, I transfer lager containers into smaller ones. They are easier to use/handle, and like you said, you are much more aware of how much you are using.
Like anything else, you need to find what works for you, and your lifestyle/personality.
You really do have to keep an eye on the cost per unit price. There are a number of things we buy regularly where the price per unit for the medium-sized box or carton is actually less than the price per unit if you get the jumbo size.
Fortunately most/many stores these days are pretty good at posting the per unit price on the store shelves.
Worthy of repeating-------- cost of unit price
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whoops.
. The business pays the membership dues, so a chicken here or there is a 'bulk bonus'.
I guess I have been consuming too much BULK
