Nobody likes running out of things, especially during the holidays when stores are packed and items are flying off the shelves left and right. No one wants to fight to the death for the last bag of pecans in the middle of the grocery store the night before Thanksgiving! Experienced holiday shoppers have a secret to avoiding this unfortunate scenario, itÕs called (drumroll please)… bulk buying!
MORE TO READ: Gluten-free And Vegan Thanksgiving Catering In Wilmington
Some think that bulk buying is only for large families and doomsday preppers, but that is simply not the case! Even if you donÕt venture into the bulk aisle for the majority of the year, making a trip to the bulk section before the holidays can solve a lot of problems and save you money. Things like flour, turbinado sugar, nuts, sea salt, and other essential ingredients get consumed much more quickly during the holidays when taking into account the influx of guests, parties attended, and baked gifts to be given. When the holidays hit, your stocks deplete pretty fast, which is why you need to ensure that you are well equipped for the festivities ahead.
You save money and time by buying in bulk and with your pantry packed, you do not have to bother with trips to the market over and over again. Before you head to the store, take into account these helpful little holiday shopping and bulk buying tips.
Take An Inventory
The humble list is the best starting point for any endeavor. If you are going to venture to the store thinking that you will know it when you see it, then you are setting yourself up for disaster! It is easy to overestimate your needs when shopping in bulk, so taking an inventory of your current supplies helps to put things in perspective.
MORE TO READ: 5 Foods You Should Always Buy in Bulk
Go over your cupboards, freezer, and pantry, and take a good look at the items you have. After you have calculated what you have, you can start making a list of what you need. Try to remember and write down what you used the year before and which dishes your family usually prepares during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New YearÕs. It may also help to plan out some of your meals for the holidays. Making a list really isnÕt as tedious as it sounds and may only take 15-20 minutes, but could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Know When to Go Shopping
Knowing when to shop is also an art in itself. When buying your ingredients in bulk, keep in mind that this will be a larger purchase that you might ordinarily make, and it might be advantageous to do your shopping during a slower time of the week. Remember, most people get paid around the 1st of the month or the 15th. Avoid these days or you may be facing some serious aisle navigation challenges and long checkout lines. Instead, plan your shopping trip for another day, preferably a weekday.
Only Buy What You Can Actually Eat
When you are shopping, your eyes can play tricks on you, making items look smaller than they actually are. Be wary and let math be your guide. You want to have enough to get through the holidays, but not so much that it goes to waste after the season is over. Even though you save money by shopping in bulk, you can still end up throwing money down the drain if your purchases go bad before you get to use them. Stick to your list and make sure that you are buying enough to last, with maybe a little extra as precaution.
Shop At A Co-op Instead Of A Supermarket
Purchasing your organic, local, bulk, and fair trade items at a Co-op can be cheaper than purchasing them at chain stores like Trader JoeÕs and Whole Foods. This is because when Co-ops buy their products from local farmers, fair trade companies, and other wholesome sources, they are able to sell them at a reduced cost due to their cooperative model that doesnÕt require them to turn crazy profits to appease shareholders. Buying in bulk at a Co-op versus individually at a grocery store helps to save money on ingredients you use most frequently during the holidays. Tidal Creek Co-op for example, has a wide variety of bulk foods available for shoppers to choose from and is one of best selections of organic bulk foods in Wilmington.
Short on hands in the kitchen this Thanksgiving? Let us help! The Tidal Creek Co-op Caf will be hand-preparing a variety of Thanksgiving dishes to make your holiday meal special. You can buy a single dish, a sampling plate, or the whole dinner!
Everything is all natural, made fresh to order, with gluten-free and vegan options available for those loved ones with special diets at your table. Click here to see our Thanksgiving catering menu and pricing.
If you want to take your bulk foods savings to the next level, you can also consider purchasing a Co-op Ownership, which will allow you to take advantage of discounts and rewards at the C-op. See more information here.