Buying in Bulk

Article: Buying in Bulk Post by moderator (1012) | (10/03/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact By Rachel Paxton Shoppers have enjoyed the convenience of buying in bulk for a number of years. My own bulk buying experiences have been hit and miss at best, but I recently discovered just how convenient buying in bulk can be. There are a number of advantages to buying in bulk: some items are available only in bulk you can choose the quantity bulk prices are usually less than packaged prices less packaging less additives and preservatives when you make your own meals and mixes more variety often healthy alternatives not always otherwise available When you buy in bulk it's a good idea to get your cupboards in order. There are a number of ways you can store bulk items: recycled plastic containers and glass jars Rubbermaid or Ziploc containers (4 4-cup Ziploc containers cost less than $2) resealable bags for some items (e.g. oatmeal) you can re-use the original container A key to bulk storage is labeling. Make sure all containers are air-tight and clearly labeled and dated. Bulk items have a long shelf life because they have been prepared with long-term storage in mind. For more bulk storage ideas see http://www.nursehealer.com/Storage.htm. I've always wondered if bulk items are as fresh as packaged. In my experience bulk items have been very fresh--even raisins! You'd be amazed at all the things you can buy in bulk. Here's a partial list to get you thinking of the possibilities: Baking: flours cornmeal spices chocolate, carob, peanut butter, butterscotch chips raisins sugars Grains: granolas oats (regular, quick-cooking) rice (all kinds) cereals (all kinds) Dried Fruits: pineapple apricots raisins papaya bananas apples cranberries prunes dates Beans: split peas navy beans pinto beans kidney beans soy beans soup blends Pasta: spaghetti lasagna elbow macaroni egg noodles (all shapes and sizes) Nuts: peanuts sunflower seeds almonds (whole, slivered) walnuts Vegetables: sun-dried tomatoes peppers Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For information about What's For Dinner go to: What's For Dinner RE: Buying in Bulk Post By Carol Churchill (Guest Post) (04/26/2006) I buy cleaning supplies and toiletries in bulk. RE: Buying in Bulk Post by Reece71 (13) | (08/13/2005) Contact I totally agree. I have been buying restaurant size mayo,ketchup,and mustard for awhile now. It seemed like everytime I turned around we were running out now we just refill the containers from the big ones. It is cheaper I can buy a huge container of Hellmans for a little under 8 dollars and the 32 oz jars are 3 dollars or more so I am getting a significant savings on that alone.Also I can reuse those containers for storage. RE: Buying in Bulk Post By suzq (Guest Post) (06/21/2005) To keep track of the food I put in the freezer I use color coding....I have different colored markers... When I stock up on an item I use a special color for that date...then on top of the freezer I tape on a paper showing the kind of food, the date, the color and how many....each time I take one out I just mark it down....easy to see how many...plus it's easy to spot with the color mark on the package. Also I try to keep the items together in one particular area.....sometimes I have to place a piece of white tape on an item...then put my color markings on it..... Buy Bulk Post by ThriftyFun (3955) | (04/13/2005) Profile | Blog! | Contact If every two weeks, you buy two bulk items for the household, you will never be behind in groceries and staples. Great idea and more money left over at the end of the year! By Bev Sobkowich RE: Buying in Bulk Post by danig1000 (24) | (01/01/2005) Contact And, if you live in a warmer climate, after you purchase in bulk, hang some shelves in the garage and store the canned goods, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. on the shelves where there is always room to load up when items are on sale. Buying in Bulk Post by ThriftyFun (3955) | (11/06/2004) Profile | Blog! | Contact When shopping I always try to buy in bulk. A better deal for hamburger is always bulk. When I get home I take all of the plastic bags that had my veggies in them and set aside. I then divide the hamburger into 1 pound pieces, I know they aren't exact since I don't weight them but they are close, then I put a pound into the bag press all the air out and tie shut, I then put in another pound and tie it shut. I can get two pounds bag and just pop into the freezer. When needed I cut the bag above the tie and put the other piece back into the freezer. The other pound is ready to thaw in a bowl with the exposed side down. I then can throw the bag away and have not spend a dime for a bag. I also do the same with the 5 pound bag of leg quarters, however, I put only the amount I need per meal as it takes up more room. This has worked out great for me for years. Hope it helps others cut their grocery bill. By RoseMary RE: Buying in Bulk Post by ThriftyFun (3955) | (10/12/2004) Profile | Blog! | Contact Sounds like a good topic for a new request Jo, we will make one and publish in tomorrow's newsletter. RE: Buying in Bulk Post by Jo Bodey (294) | (10/11/2004) Contact Have we had a thread on keeping track of all this bulk produce?! Having meat languishing at the bottom of the freezer for years until unfit to eat isn't saving anything. The reason I ask is I have just bought a large freezer mainly to save money but also as I have a yearling cow that I raised from a calf that's getting a bit big to play 'chase Mummy' so it will be butchered. I also have 5 lambs that someone gave me that will go the same way eventually. I am in need of a simple method to keep track of what I have and mark off what I use from the freezer. I have been leaning towards a simple paper method - a form taped to the lid as I know if I'm cooking and have to break off to go to the computer I will probably forget! Does anyone have any fool proof methods? Thanks Jo RE: Buying in Bulk Post by Alph (186) | (10/10/2004) Contact BTW, one thing that comes to mind is whole Sirloin Tips. When they put a really good deal on them I like to get one and either cut it up two or three ways (one for stew, one for roast, maybe grind one for chili, etc.) I have used a whole one to make a large stock pot of stew.. just be sure and bag and freeze what you don't use in a couple of days. RE: Buying in Bulk Post by Alph (186) | (10/10/2004) Contact Most things I don't buy in bulk, I just wait for a good special and load up. One thing though, stuff like beef stew, chili, etc. I make a big pot of it and freeze the left-overs in single serving freezer bags. I live alone so I have to be careful doing stuff like this; things will only keep for so long in the freezer. But the main thing is watch the unit prices, and make sure your store's 'special' isn't still higher than the same item at another store's regular price. And be sure you're comparing apples to apples. Some stores here advertise their beef as USDA Choice, and others just as USDA Inspected, and there's a big difference. If it doesn't say "Choice" it's probably "select", which is a step or two above dog food. Smaller Portions Post by ThriftyFun (3955) | (10/10/2004) Profile | Blog! | Contact Since there are only two people in our household now I still buy in bulk, bring it home and separate it (like chicken, etc) in smaller meal size portions and put in the freezer. It really helps save me money and time. By Rose Lewis RE: Buying in Bulk Post By Faye (Guest Post) (04/09/2004) To keep perishables such as Whole Wheat Flour, Nuts, etc from going rancid I store these items in the freezer. RE: Buying in Bulk | (09/12/2002) I buy butter eggs sugar coffee and some canned goods RE: Buying in Bulk Post by rakujruth (1) | (04/19/2002) Contact I buy bread (at the discount bread store), bags and bags of flour when it's on sale, and 2 lb. bags of yeast (so much cheaper in bulk), and they all keep nicely in the deep freezer. Since most of our cooking is from scratch, I also keep large quantities of Tomato sauce, tomato juice and spices. RE: Buying in Bulk Post by gdeer61 (2) | (04/19/2002) Contact I'm the same way. I buy anything we use alot of in bulk. I buy shredded cheese, meat, paper products, vegetables, macaroni, etc. I have 3 freezers, and all my packaged products go there along with meat, chips, bread, marshmallows, chocolate chips, nuts, yeast and the list goes on. We have cereal bugs, so anything not in cans or jars goes in the freezer. RE: Buying in Bulk Post by Anonymous (3) | (04/17/2002) Contact I buy meat in bulk - hamburger, pork chops, boneless chicken breast, steaks. Then I bring them home and package them in serving-sized portions and freeze them. I do the same thing with shredded cheese (the cost savings vs. time savings isn't worth it for me to shred my own). I buy juice boxes and some snacks in bulk, IF they are cheaper that way. You always have to check. hth~ RE: Buying in Bulk Post by admin (54) | (04/17/2002) Contact We buy a lot of things in bulk. Toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, rice, beans, flour, sugar (lots of 5 lb. bags when on sale, canned goods, evaporated milk, ramen, pet food. I buy when it is on sale so try to get the lowest price. Anything that will last a long time that we use up. - Susan RE: Buying in Bulk Post by admin (54) | (04/16/2002) Contact We always get canned goods and toilet paper in bulk - make sure you'll use whatever it is you're buying or it's never a good deal! - Tracy in Watauga, TX RE: Buying in Bulk Post by couponlady13 (5) | (04/16/2002) Contact Some of the things that I buy in bulk are juice boxes and snack bags of cookies or chips. They're good for school lunches or car trips. It depends on the 'unit price' when I shop for anything... buying in bulk is not always the cheapest way.