When you're shopping, be sure to price by how much is actually in the package, rather than by what the box or the can. It can be intimidating to see that bigger number, but calculated by ounce, it is often cheaper. (Have a cheap calculator in your purse or pocket when you shop, just in case you need to double check- while it's generally true that bigger is cheaper, it's not *always* true!)
For example, we use a lot of olive oil in this house. Olive oil is a bit pricier than other types of oil, but we feel that the health benefits are worth it. When we buy it by the giant jug, we save money over time! The giant jug cost $25.99 the last time I bought it, but I saved anywhere from 10-40 cents an ounce by getting the big jug instead of the smaller ones. An added bonus? I don't have to buy it very often. This jug lasts us 6-8 months. We put it in a Olive Oil Drizzler
to make pouring small amounts more manageable. Using a funnel is also a good idea. Don't forget to use a can opener to take the top off when you can't pour anymore- we avoid throwing away almost a whole drizzler of olive oil by doing this!
What do you buy in bulk? Where do you buy it? Any tips on how to get the most product out of a bulk purchase? Share in the comments!
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6 frugal thoughts:
I buy large 5 kg fabric bags of Basmati rice from the local Indian shop: not only is it cheaper than buying smaller plastic bags from the supermarket, it's more environmentally friendly and the (zip top) bags get washed and given to a friend who uses them as knitting project bags.
While I'm in the Indoan shop I check out the price of their Indian readi meals. Last time they had a range for $1.50 each. I heat half of the packet and add to some rice for a cheap lunch. The other half I freeze for next time. Total cost for lunch? Under $1...
Wow, I'm surprised there's so much left in the can once it's "empty." We haven't been buying olive oil in big containers, because a quart is enough to last a whole year. We have been buying large canola oil bottles (128 oz?) and refilling a smaller bottle, because we can go through that in about a year. My other bulk purchases, I tend to regret. Like the 10 pound bag of medium grain rice (for risotto) that's still half full, 3 years later. The 5 pound bags of pink and black beans, each half full 2 years later. I need to make a concerted effort to use 'em up - maybe soup. My rule of thumb is "buy no more than we'll use in a year," I just tend to overestimate our usage.
And a nitpick on the price of oil: At 25.99, your oil is 25 cents an ounce, and an ounce is 2 Tablespoons. The stuffed portobello recipe says your 2T of oil is 50 cents. It's a cheaper recipe than you thought!
Your point about figuring out the cost per unit is key to being frugal. Bulk is not always less expensive. I found that out last week when buying baby wipes at Target; we were surprised when the per unit cost in the economy back was MORE than the next smallest container. Take a calculator with you to the store and be certain to divide the units per container into the price. In a pinch, you can probably use the calculator on your cell phone.
I often calculate the price per ounce and find that a smaller package is cheaper -- this happens a lot on the Wal-Mart brand of food items! It's better for me because I have limited storage space so I prefer the smaller sizes. I stock up on flour, pasta, and rice.
Where do you keep your bulk Olive Oil? I have always heard that vegetable oils really do NOT keep at room temp. They can spoil, and provide no off scent or taste, but they aren't good to consume. Olive Oil is supposed to be refrigerated after opening. I keep a small bottle that I refill often, near the stove. I keep the large bottle in the fridge, although it semi-solidifies. I don't buy the jumbo jar, as there's no room in the fridge for it.
Grandmamusher
grandmamusher- I keep mine in the cabinet. While it is true that it does eventually go rancid, I've never had that happen. I've always been told *not* to refrigerate olive oil. You question intrigued me, so I looked it up. It won't hurt the olive oil to put it in the fridge, but it's not necessary. Here's one of the links I consulted:
http://www.oliveoilsource.com/scripts/dictionary.asp?p_do=item&p_id=583
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