Have you ever considered how the thought of buying in bulk might just be causing you to use more? I love buying in bulk and do highly recommend it for saving money on groceries. I buy grains, beans, oils, meat, etc. in bulk and save money regularly. I highly recommend finding a friend to split things with if you don’t have the room for it all…it works well…but do proceed with caution!
Studies have shown that large packages encourage consumers to increase the amount of a product they use. This has been true of me lately. I look at my 5 pounds of cheese and it looks like a ton. So I just think I have a lot to use, and use in excess without thinking that this needs to last 2 months. Hmm…
Realizing this truth came about by reading an article on the topic in The Tightwad Gazette.
Here is what she says:
“A Harvard Business Review article reports that consumers who purchased large containers of Creamette spaghetti, M&M’s, Diet Pepsi, Crisco Oil, or Mr Clean ate more, drank more, and poured more than people who bought smaller containers of the same products. Wharton School marketing professor Brian Wansink said that’s because consumers know they got the product for a lower unit cost and thus fee justified in using more. “
The solution: She goes on to say the solution is not to avoid bulk buying, or purchase smaller containers, but to be aware of this human tendency to overuse bulk-purchased items and modify your actions accordingly! Use less…This has really helped open my eyes lately!
Also be aware that buying in bulk may not always be the cheapest option. I have realized this lately while evaluating bulk purchases from Azure Standard versus single purchases from my local Trader Joe’s, and come to realize that not all things are cheaper in bulk!
That’s my frugal tip of the day!
