There are some items that we simply can’t live without, or at least they make life considerably easier. You’re always going to need them, and they always appear on the weekly shopping list. Picking them up individually all the time is not just time-consuming; it could be costing you more, especially if you’re someone who likes to splash out on the best brands.
Whether you’re moving home, opening a new business, or just overall trying to save money, buying in bulk is a super viable option. Wholesalers like shifting large quantities of items as opposed to individual selling. It’s more convenient for them, and frankly, you can benefit from it too. Obviously, buying 20 of an item is going to cost more than buying it individually. Although it might seem a big chunk of cash to spend in one go, you’ll be saving a lot of money in the long run.
Tips for Buying in Bulk
Buying in bulk is overall beneficial, but there are mistakes you can make when buying in bulk. First of all, you’re going to want to only buy what you know you’re going to need. It should also be something you use and frequently buy already. Although it might be tempting to bulk buy an item if the price is appealing, you should ask yourself will it all be used. The last thing you want is to have to devote a room to all the items you bulk bought and never used. A good tip for avoiding this is to write a list and try not to buy other items your passing eye might catch.
Good Shelf Life
You should also just look at buying items with a good shelf life. After all, it is where these items will be spending most of their time. So although it might be tempting to buy a year’s supply of milk for a bargain, you’ll be pretty regretful pretty quickly. Even some household items can expire within a year that you might not expect. The likes of bleach, fabric softener and sun cream are probably best to be avoided.
Trusted and High-Quality Products
Try and go for more trusted products. This is especially aimed at business owners who rely on materials to make their own products. For instance, if you work in polymer manufacturing and you require polymer materials, such as Acuazol or robust hydrophobic polymers, then companies like Polymer Chemistry can supply you with everything you need offering high-quality products.
It’s not really the time to get experimental when you’re buying 20 of the one item and manufacturing your own items out of this. If there is a problem with the product later on down the line because you opted for materials in bulk that weren’t high-quality, it could cost you more.
When to Buy in Bulk
There’s not really a particularly bad time to buy in bulk. After all, anytime is a good time to save. But there are two times in particular where you can really benefit from bulk buying. First of all, moving house presents a great chance to bulk buy. Your house is most spacious as when you’re just moving into it. This means you won’t get headaches when it comes to finding space. Prioritize the new items and then carry on from there. It gives you the chance to freshen up your new house a bit more too. You can be more ruthless in your throwing away, knowing you can stock up on those items before moving in. Get rid of those old pots and pans and invest in some brand new cooking utensils.
Another great time to buy in bulk is when you’re opening a business. There are going to be some day-to-day items you know you’ll need anyway, so why not buy in bulk? The likes of your stationery and cleaning products are always necessary for the workplace. You might as well save some money instead of sending the intern every week to stock up on the toilet roll.
When Not to Bulk Buy
As great as bulk buying is, you do need to consider some of the elements before getting your wallet out. For example, if you have a particularly small house, you should think twice about it. Or even if you don’t have the storage space, probably not the best idea. Although saving is great, you don’t want to be stepping over dozens of shampoo bottles to get to the toilet.
Some examples of items to bulk buy:
For Personal Use
- Alcohol
- Laundry detergent
- Toothpaste
- Lightbulbs
- Shaving foam
- Floss
- Shampoo
- Tissues
- Cooking utensils
- Toilet roll
For Business Owners
- Stationary
- Printer Paper
- Cleaning Products
- Notebooks/ Notepads
- Air Freshener
- Boxes/ Packaging