For a long time, I was down on cash and did not have enough money to purchase supplies in large quantities. I would buy items in bits whenever I needed them in a bid to save money. I thought I was saving money, but instead, I was getting reverse results. I did not appreciate how important it was to shop wisely and save money.

Buying supplies in small quantities was one of the worse financial mistakes I ever made. It costs more money, subtly weighs down on your pockets and makes you spend more money for less products.

Here are six practical ways you can buy in bulk and save money, and why it is important.

1.  Buy from Wholesale Outlets

Buying from wholesale outlets helps you get products at good prices. When buying in bulk, you are likely to buy from a wholesale point, at a wholesale price.

When buying in bits, you are mostly buying from a retail outlet, and retailers buy from wholesale outlets and include their profit to the retail price, which automatically shoots the price of the product up.

In this case, if you buy in bits from retailers, you are likely to pay more than if you buy in bulk from a wholesale outlet.

So, each time you walk into a store to buy a quarter cup of milk for instance, bear in mind that you can save more money when you buy a larger quantity at a good price and use for longer.

2.  Buy Groceries in Bulk When They Are in Season

Fruits and Vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cabbage, green pepper, oranges and a lot more groceries are cheaper on the market when they are in season.

Instead of losing an opportunity to get more for less, buy groceries when they are in season  and prices are low, and preserve them for later when they are out of season and prices shoot up.

Tomatoes for example can be made into a puree and stored for a longer period. You can also freeze tomatoes in a freezer. Onions have a longer life-span and can be stored in an airy place. Other veggies and grains can also be bought in bulk and stored.

Imagine you still have you favourite fruits and veggies when they are out of season (yep yep). This can save you a lot of money, trust me.

This is primarily because they are cheaper and can take you weeks (even months) before you make another purchase.

I’m speaking from experience. Tried and tested!

Remember, when some products are out of season, rare or in shortage, they become way too expensive (and you get less for a higher price).

3.  Buying in Bulk helps You Budget Efficiently

Imagine buying your supplies and using them for a month!

Mid-month can get difficult especially if you do not have a side hustle, because the money you have is likely to reduce, and you probably would struggle until the month ends before you get paid.

Purchasing your home supplies in bulk at the beginning of the month will not only save you money but save you the stress of going shopping all the time.

Most importantly, it helps you have a well-planned budget for the month, thereby eliminating unexpected spending.

Imagine you run-out of bath soap in the middle of the month when you had not planned to buy some (or worse, do not have the money to buy any).

This can get frustrating and depressing and could lead you to using money budgeted for other things to buy unplanned supplies. Sometimes, you may be compelled to borrow to make such purchases.

  

4.  Prevents You from Running in Debt

Ever borrowed money to buy an ‘emergency’ supply, knowing you could have prevented that from happening?

When you plan well and buy your supplies in bulk to last for a specific period, you avoid the possibility of borrowing money to buy those items, when you run out and do not have money (broke!).

The thing about buying in small quantities is that, when you start buying in bits, you are tempted to think you have money to spare, and you could end up using the rest of the money to buy things you do not need.

Realization dawns on you when you run out of money and realize you’ve run out of an important household item..ooops.

And you know what, if you really need the item, you are tempted again to borrow! And as you may be aware, borrowing has a huge impact on your future income.

5.  You Get More for Less

Do you know you could save about half of your money when you make bulk purchases? My friend, I’ve mentioned many times than I can remember that buying in bits is more expensive, believe me.

Now let’s do this.

Imagine you purchase 500g of detergent for $1.00, and you probably use 1kg of detergent in a month. Since you buy in bits, you purchase another 500g when the first pack runs out, making both packs you bought $2.00 (two 500g packs make 1kg). Meanwhile 1kg of detergent is $1.70  or less.

If you purchased the $1.70 detergent, you would have saved some little cash and added it to make another purchase or simply save it in your piggy bank.

You see, buying in bits is one huge way we lose money. Do not underestimate ‘little’ amounts, they go a long way to contribute to your financial success.

If you have time, walk to the grocery store or supermarket and compare the prices and quantity of products sold in bulk to the prices or quantities of smaller ones. You will realize how much you would have spent if you had bought in large quantities as compared to smaller quantities.

Buy in bulk and save money.

6.  Saves You Time (and money)

How far is your home from the grocery store? Each time you make a trip to buy a single product, you spend time and money.

Time is money, remember? Have you factored in the cost of transportation to purchase the product every single time (if you need to go a distance to get it)? You either pay for commercial transport or use extra fuel if you’re driving.

Each time you spend on one of those trips you could have avoided, remember you could have spent that time being productive or saving money.

The more you buy in bulk, the less your trips to markets, and that saves you time and money.

Conclusion

Shopping and budgeting can get overwhelming when not planned properly, but you can save a ton of money based on the choices you make.

Buying in bulk helps you budget efficiently, prevents you from running in debt, helps you get more for less and saves you time and money. Do not forget to buy from wholesale outlets and buy groceries in bulk when they are in season.

Have I convinced you enough? Give bulk-buying a try and let me know how it turns out. I would be thrilled to hear from  you!