This article originally appeared and was published on AOL.com
There’s nothing worse than going to the store and realizing that you’ve purchased more than you need, or more than you have room for in your home.
But in some cases, it (literally) pays to buy in bulk.
Aside from warehouse clubs like Costco, BJs and Sam’s Club, many grocery stores and specialty stores will offer discounted prices per unit if you purchase in bulk.
For example, you may only need one bottle of laundry detergent to get you through the next month.
But stocking up ahead of time on five or six large bottles at a discounted price will not only allow you to pay less per bottle, but will save you from needing to run to the store for the next five or six months when you’re in need of more.
However, not every item is a worthwhile investment when buying in large amounts.
These items below are guaranteed to pay off — and a bulk purchase is always a smart move.
Cereal
School supplies
Vitamins
Laundry detergent
Shampoo
Dried fruit
Alcohol
Office supplies
Light bulbs
White rice
Aluminum foil
Batteries
Whole spices and seasoning
Pet food
Bottled beverages
Paper plates and utensils
Gum
So the overall benefit of buying in bulk? It saves you both time and money.
Yes, please!
A general rule to follow is to avoid anything perishable. Pantry items are always more favorable for bulk buys as they won’t go bad after a set amount of time.
As for non-grocery items, it’s smart to ask yourself about what small items you seem to always need but never think about going to the store to purchase, such as tape, staples, pens, etc.
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