17 Foods and Household Things to Buy In Bulk To Save Money

What are the best items to buy in bulk? From food to household supplies, here’s a list of things you should buy in bulk to save money and trips to the store, plus a few cost-savings comparisons!

Buy it in bulk and save!

Have you ever wondered about buying in bulk? There is definitely a strategy to be used; you don’t want to buy stuff that will expire before you can use it, and you don’t need unnecessary items clogging up space in your pantry and storage areas.

What items should you buy in bulk?

You may be asking, “what bulk items should I buy?” We’ve come up with a list of the must-have things you should buy in bulk, most are necessities that will help you save money in the long run. From foods to spices, cleaners, paper goods, and more, learn what you should buy in large quantities to save some money.

17 Foods and Household Things You Should Buy In Bulk To Save Money

All of these things you should buy in bulk to save money are practical items you probably use often in your home and have a minimum shelf life of 1 year. This is great for those who are on a budget, you can read about getting your finances in order and how to make a budget here. Read on and see how you should be saving some good money on these products!

The best foods to buy in bulk

1. Rice

Most white rice varieties last quite a long time. I use rice in lots of my meals, so it’s good to have it on hand every week. If you do buy a big bag of rice, make sure you keep it sealed in an airtight container.

2. Meat

Meats can get expensive and they are one of the most purchased groceries for families that can take a hefty chunk out of a budget. If you see a large package of meat, buy it! It’s easy to portion and freeze the meat that you’re not going to eat right away, lasting for up to a year!

3. Cereal

Have you ever seen those big bags or multi-pack boxes of cereal? I sure have, and sometimes, they are priced close to what the single boxes are! Cereals have long shelf lives, so it’s ok to stockpile a few of your favorite boxes. As always, check the labels on each individual box to be safe!

4. Flour

If you can get a good deal on flour, go for it! Flour lasts for up to 12 months in the freezer, and if you love baking, this tip will come in handy so that you always have flour on demand.

5. Nuts

If you’re an almond, pecan, walnut, or peanut lover, you’ll be happy to know that they all have quite a long shelf life! Nuts can be expensive, so it makes good sense to buy them in large quantities for the price break. This 2 lb. bag of raw almonds is a favorite of mine, when properly sealed, most nuts can last up to a whole year.

6. Spices

One of my top must-have staples in my pantry are various spices. I love the flavors of coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, white pepper, ginger, curry, thyme, paprika, and more. Many spices will last a long time in your pantry.

7. Coffee

Did you know that you can store your whole coffee beans in the freezer to prolong their shelf life? You can, and when you do, they’ll last up to 2 years! I drink a lot of coffee, so this has to be my favorite thing you should buy in bulk to save money. If you find a great deal on a large bag of whole bean coffee, grab it!

8. Pasta

Dry pasta will keep for 1 -2 years, as long as it’s not opened. This is another staple that is easy to throw in many recipes. Store your dry, uncooked pasta in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

9. Popcorn

If you keep your popcorn kernels nice and dry in an airtight storage container, you’ll be able to keep them for years and pop them on demand. This is one of my favorite snacks!

10. Alcohol

Beer, wine, and liquor are cheaper when purchased together. A larger pack of beer will beat the price of a 6-pack any day. The same goes for cases of wine vs. a bottle, and larger bottles of liquor. Unopened alcohol usually lasts for over a year, make sure to check the label to be sure.

Household goods and paper products to buy in bulk

11. Plasticware

There are lots of plastics that can be purchased in advance in large quantities. If you use zipper bags, large freezer bags, saran wrap, and plastic utensils, buying the large pack is really a no-brainer! My favorite is this giant pack of Ziploc sandwich bags, I use them for everything.

12. Diapers

This is probably one of the best things you should buy in bulk to save money for parents. Diapers can get expensive, so make it a little easier on yourself by buying the largest bulk packs you can find. the price per diaper is cheaper when you buy them in bulk. Surprised? I think not! Also, if you’re buying for the future, make sure to get a size up as your baby grows.

Compare these Pampers diapers prices, a great savings:

Pampers Baby Dry Size 2 diapers, 234 count box = $51.70, or 22¢ per diaper
Pampers Baby Dry Size 2 diapers, 37 count pack = $23.99, or 65¢ per diaper

13. Cleaners

Laundry detergent, bleach, and other cleaners don’t really expire, so grab the biggest one you can find. There are tons of other cleaning supplies and things you should buy in bulk to save money. The price will be quite a bit lower than the smaller bottles!

Compare these Tide laundry detergent prices, a big savings:

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent, 92 fl. oz.= $12.97, or 19¢ per ounce
Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent, 50 fl. oz.= $20.50, or 41¢ per ounce

14. Batteries

You can grab batteries of the sizes you use most in large quantities, they last a good 5 – 10 years when stored at room temperature. I use AAs all the time, look at the price difference below.

Compare these prices for Duracell batteries, a great savings:

Duracell AA Batteries, 40 pack = $26.49, or 66¢ each
Duracell AA Batteries, 10 pack = $10.87, or $1.09 each

15. Light bulbs

If you have a lot of the same light bulbs in your home, buy a bunch of them in bulk quantities so you never have a problem when it’s time to replace one!

16. Soaps and shampoos

Lots of body care products have long shelf lives, but soaps, shampoos, and conditioners are going to be used a lot in my house for sure.

17. Paper products

These are toilet paper, paper towels, copier paper, napkins, and so much more. think about all of the possibilities of the things you should buy in bulk to save money! The shelf life is quite long on these products, so go for the big pack!

Compare these toilet paper prices, a nice savings:

Angel Soft 48 mega rolls of toilet paper, lavender = $33, or 21¢ per 100 sheets
Angel Soft 8 mega rolls of toilet paper, lavender = $7.49, or 29¢ per 100 sheets

What other products do you always buy in bulk?

So really, is it cheaper to buy groceries in bulk? Generally – yes! If you consistently compare like items of the same brand in smaller and larger sizes, you will see that the larger-sized products cost less per unit (oz, lb, count, etc.).

There are so many more items you can buy in bulk, such as canned foods, trash bags, pet food, condiments, snack crackers and chips, toothpaste, feminine products, and many other shelf-stable items. Just make sure that you check the expiration dates on all of your purchases!

Here are a few bulk items we love to purchase on Amazon: