Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Bargain Shopper

I have recently started a monthly (If I'm being honest sometimes bi-weekly) trip to Sam's Club. Do you have a Sam's in your area? Or perhaps Costco? We have had a membership to Sam's for a few years now, but have only shopped there for bigger purchases-- a DVD player, a vacuum cleaner, laminate flooring, etc. We never bought food there because we assumed that no one needs a 10 pound bag of Skittles or 150 ounces of peanut butter. We saw all the people going in and out as total suckers buying more than they needed and paying out the wazoo for it.

Then one day, we decided to try it out. We perused the aisles looking for things we would actually use, things that made sense to buy in bulk. And guess what? We found them! What a joy it is to not run out of toilet paper or diapers every week! Why had I been so judgemental? So closed-minded? I wanted to shout my newfound love of Sam's from the rooftops (ok...not really). In reality, it really is a good place to buy things you know that you know that you know that you will use. So far, these are our top money-saving bulk items: toilet paper, paper towels, diaper, wipes, laundry detergent, and trash bags. And don't even get me started on the food samples!

We did, however, on our last trip get sucked in to buying a variety pack of small cereal boxes. The girls actually love getting to choose a different kind each morning, sort of like being at a hotel's continental breakfast bar. But I didn't realize the bulk cereal boxes would also serve a completely different purpose....
A toy for Lucas!
I think he thought they were colorful blocks, and he sat on the kitchen floor stacking and lining them up for quite awhile tonight.

So what do you think? Do you buy in bulk? Why or why not?

4 comments:

Rachel said...

need I remind you of my love for Costco!! I used to be the same way, 'why do we need that' until I tried it. It as well started the same way, diapers, formula, etc and quickly moved to fresh fruit, milk, cereal, juice, shampoo, deoderant and so on. (Granted I only use one deoderant at a time but I don't have to buy it again for like a whole year!) Plus, our Costco has sales so you get those things on sale = double bargain. You do have to really think about the quantity you are buying and will you use it all. We do! I'm glad you have seen the light! =) And hello free samples!! That's lunch sometimes for us! Be warry of getting sucked into what you don't need. I have gotten home and then said, why did I even buy this! Am I a bit excited about Costco? =)

Maria Rose said...

I will occasionally buy bulk grains or things of that nature. When I was in Missoula I was able to buy bulk Annie's Goddess dressing...I bought it by the 1/2 gallon!

Jacquelyn said...

My dad bought a roll of saran wrap from Sam's in 2005, he wrote the date on the box. It is still in use in our house. SIX YEARS LATER. And we use it a LOT.

Onlythemanager said...

I like to buy in bulk, I just don't like to store it. When I do, though, it makes me feel kind of good to see an abundance of something on my shelves.