We're all looking for ways to save some cash, so if you think buying in bulk is the way to go, we've got some tips for you. Here are 10 household products that you should buy in bulk for their value, and 10 that might not be a great idea.
1. Toilet Paper
Given that toilet paper is a necessity and is used every single day, yeah, it makes sense why this needs to be bought in bulk! Think about it, what's scarier than running out of toilet paper? This is one household product you can buy tons of without ever having to worry if you'll use it all up.
2. Laundry Detergent
Used regularly when washing your clothes, laundry detergent is a great item to buy in bulk thanks to its long shelf life and constant use. While buying a giant container or box might seem excessive in the moment, you'll definitely be saving money once you realize how quickly it'll go.
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3. Non-Perishable Food Items
Whether you're scared of an emergency or just want to have the basics available when you want to whip something up in the kitchen, keeping non-perishable food items around never hurts. From staples like rice to pasta to canned goods, you'll never have to worry about these going bad.
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4. Cleaning Supplies
The next time you have to deal with a big mess, you'll be really sad if you realize you don't have any cleaning supplies stocked up to use. Spills, breaks, and messes will always happen in the house, which means you've got to be ready at all times. So why not just stock up on all your cleaning tools before the accidents happen?
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5. Trash Bags
There's always going to be trash waiting to be thrown out, so be prepared by buying trash bags in bulk. They have great multi-functional purposes too! You never know when one will come in handy.
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6. Paper Towels
Similar to toilet paper, paper products are always in need, especially around the household. Paper towels are needed for quick clean ups and various household tasks meaning you might as well save some dollars if you're going to need to buy a lot to use in the future anyway!
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7. Toothpaste
Can you imagine what you would do if you found out you ran out of toothpaste one morning? What would you do? As a necessity that's used at least twice per day, there's no reason why you wouldn't want to buy toothpaste in bulk, especially if it saves you some money! Multi-pack discounts sure come in handy.
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8. Pet Food
Whether you have dogs or cats to feed, buying your pet food in bulk can save you a significant amount of money. Those savings could go towards a treat or toy! Giving you a peace of mind that you'll never randomly run out of food for your pet, you can make sure you friendly furry companions will always be content.
9. Light Bulbs
Here's one you might not have considered: light bulbs! You never know when your light bulbs might blow out, leaving you completely in the dark. It's good to have some on hand at all times if you ever need to make a quick switch. They often come in big packs meaning you can feel secure and prepared while saving some cash.
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10. Batteries
Given how heavily reliant our society is with electronic devices, can you ever really have too many batteries on hand? Used for a variety of different devices from remote controls to computer mice to smoke detectors, it's a good idea to keep some batteries around the house. It's always better to have some in store than frantically running around when you need it most!
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1. Diapers
As a new parent, you might find a need to buy diapers in bulk for your adorable baby, but actually, that's not the best idea. While it is important that you keep diapers around, buying in bulk isn't smart because babies grow awfully quickly and may need different sizes as a result. If you buy too much of one size, you're going to have a lot of leftovers!
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2. Sunscreen
Sometimes we get the urge to buy a lot of one item when we see a good deal, but you definitely want to hold back if that item you're buying is sunscreen. These products have an expiration date you should be following and can degrade quickly if exposed to heat. Just buy as you go along!
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3. Makeup
Girls, this one's for you. While buying new makeup is fun and watching your collection grow is satisfying, it's not a good idea to have too much on hand. Makeup has expiration dates and can harbour bacteria the longer you keep them around. And let's be honest, how many products from your massive collection do you actually use?
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4. Medications
It might feel like having a giant bulk of Tynenol or Advil on hand is a good idea, especially if you're prone to getting sick or getting headaches, but hold it right there! These medications have expiration dates and should always be used within that time. If you end up buying too much, you're just going to have way too much medication sitting around that won't be as effective.
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5. Printer Ink
Good sales are hard to pass on, but if you see one on printer ink cartridges, do your best to restrain yourself. These things will dry out if you don't use them fast enough! Besides, how often do you really print things nowadays?
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6. Bleach
The longer you keep your unused bleach around, the more it'll lose its effectiveness over time. And given that you're probably not using it that frequently, it's not smart to buy bleach in large packs if you can't finish it within the time it should be used.
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7. Skincare Products
Similar to makeup, skincare products also have a countdown on how long you can use them! These have expiration dates that should be used during a recommended period. Storing them improperly for too long can affect the product in a way you don't want it to.
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8. Wrapping Paper
Those end of season wrapping paper deals are definitely eye-catching...3 for the price of 1? Sign us up! But maybe hold your horses because do you really need 10 different wrapping paper rolls? You only really need it for the Christmas season, how many presents are you wrapping realistically?
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9. Seasonal Items
Following this seasonal theme, holiday decorations like ornaments and ribbons don't need to be bought in bulk. It's nice having different styles to choose from, but do you really have the space to store all of that? And for just a couple of weeks at the end of the year?
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10. Garden Seeds
Unless you're planting them right away, it doesn't make much sense hoarding a bunch of seeds for your garden. There's not really a need to buy these in bulk, just buy what you need in the moment!
