With the approach of the holiday shopping season, many consumers mistakenly believe that bulk purchasing at warehouse-style membership stores like Costco is the smartest way to save money. However, experts warn that this “bulk buying” strategy often backfires, quietly depleting budgets.
California saving expert Andrea Woroch told Fox News, “During this expensive season, buying food in bulk may seem like a wise move, but it could backfire on your budget.”
Experts caution that five categories of products pose risks of “quick spoilage” and “easy loss of quality,” making bulk purchases seem cost-effective but potentially leading to waste:
Berries, avocados, bananas, spinach, and other fruits and vegetables have too short of a shelf life for small families to consume before they go bad.
Shopping expert Trae Bodge told Fox News that unless there are guests, it is difficult to ensure the freshness of food when it is time to enjoy it.
She specifically warned that pre-cut fruit salads are typically priced at a markup of around 100%, recommending that cutting your own fruit is more cost-effective.
Woroch pointed out that milk is often positioned as a “loss leader” in regular grocery stores, meaning it is a product sold at a low cost to attract customers into the store or place an order.
Such items are already priced low, so buying in bulk doesn’t save much money and may spoil before consumption; yogurts could also expire within a few weeks, suggesting to look for discounted individual packages.
Bulk packages of bread from warehouse-style stores easily become hard or moldy. Woroch recommended keeping an eye out for discounted bread at local grocery stores, so there’s no worry about the bread going bad from being unable to finish it. If bulk buying is necessary, freezing is an option but requires enough space.
Staple foods like spices, brown rice, and olive oil have limited shelf lives despite being pantry essentials. Bodge warned that they lose their best quality and freshness about six months after opening.
However, Woroch recommended bulk purchasing single-ingredient items like flour and sugar but emphasized the importance of using airtight containers for storage.
Many snacks may become stale or lose flavor once opened. Woroch suggested choosing cookies that come in individually wrapped “fresh stack” packages when buying, and due to oxidation, many nuts may need refrigeration to maintain freshness.
In summary, experts emphasize that the key to saving money lies in strategy. Apart from relying on store brands and discounts, pooling resources with family members or neighbors for bulk purchases can help split costs. Bodge warned, “If you end up throwing away one-third of what you bought, you really haven’t saved any money at all.”