Warehouse Clubs - Do They Work For You?

[mtatum4496]

What is your opinion of the buy-in-bulk places? Do you find they save you money? Or do you find that you do just as well buying in smaller quantities,but perhaps not the same brands that most of the warehouse clubs carry?

I realize that the answer may be different depending on the number of persons in the household, but I would love to hear responses based on your particular situation.

[Kokotai]

I think they are great if you ahve a large family. We are a family of four and although it helps around the holidays on a regular basis the packages are just too large. Not to mention I don't like dropping $400 a pop nor do I have the money to do so.

[ferby03]

We have a membership, but since the nearest club is an hour away, we very rarely shop there. If we do, we stear clear of just about everything except what we really need, such as TP and shampoo. I don't go near the food much, way too tempting!

[r8rpwr]

It depends on your self-control over impulse buying.

It is great for saving money on things that you need a lot of and which you'll either use quickly or which won't go bad. We buy toilet paper, meats (which I portion out and freeze), dog food (VERY good price compared to grocery store or Target), and other staples. That's where the good deals are.

BUT, those places are very tempting to get you to buy other things that you may not need. Those things are also good deals in of themselves, but nothing is a good deal if you don't need it. So you have to watch that. Otherwise, I think it is a good value.

We have no kids, but three dogs.

[feline]

Buying in bulk still works even for small families, I guess. As long as you buy items that are always used, e.g., tissue, cotton, etc. However, when you buy items which you hardly need and use and you buy them just to save because they are cheaper, then it is not a case of saving anymore. One way to deal with this is to sell the other items and keep the ones you need.

[muslgrl]

I have a cosco card and buying in bulk saves alot when I go grocery shopping. When you don't have to buy paper godds it is amazing how much you save

[Zanzi]

I think they can save you a ton of money. Buying meat and especially fish in bulk and then freezing portion sizes is a great idea. Also, this is a great idea for birthday and Christmas parties, because paper goods, juice boxes, sodas, etc. are so much cheaper there. I also found that they have a great deal on produce, and because instead of buying one cucumber I can now buy three for the price of one, I find that I am eating much healthier, too!

[muslgrl]

I find that the meat isn't as high a quality as I would like so I just stick to paper goods and dry food

[mtatum4496]

Thanks, everyone.

I am single, so at first glance you would not think buying in bulk would be much help to me. In fact, it does.

Of course, that means buying things in bulk that I will use in a reasonable amount of time. I have the room to get items such as napkins, paper towels, toilet tissue in bulk and the store I frequent carries the brands I would buy.

I do not change up the hygiene products I use very often either, so it makes sense for me to buy soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and mouthwash in multiple units as well.

I save a few pennies on each unit, but I also save myself gas that would have been spent running back and forth to a grocery store for these items as well.

[Avian]

I've found that Sam's is good for things like bottled water and toothpaste, but I agree with you that I have to hesitate about buying meat there.