"Often bulk buying is discouraged among some frugal minded people. I suggest that we take another look at buying single items versus buying bulk."

I began buying more in bulk and shopping less. The outcome? My grocery expense for the month is down.

I did find that once I was stocked up on some things, it was easy to buy a smaller package that was a good deal and just add in to the stock to stretch it a little.  

The author mentions freezing canned fruit so that it's divided into smaller packages. Does that work out well?

 I always buy in bulk when it's cost effective. I don't think it's wise to make blanket statements either way, because the bottom line is not whether you buy in bulk or whether you buy in single servings, it's how much you pay for the product. That can vary a lot and while, generally speaking, bulk buying is cheaper, it isn't always. By the same token, buying individual servings is usually the most expensive way, but not always. Just gotta do the math.

I've never frozen fruit that had been canned, so I don't know about that, but I have frozen leftover vegetables that have been canned. They taste fine, but some of them lose texture, so I try to use them in soup or stew.
 

Brandy, I buy canned fruit and then decant it into smaller containers and freeze for dh's lunch.  Especially in summer, he appreciates the extra-cold treat, plus he gets his vitamin C in.  I don't buy the #10 cans of it, tho, as they're usually not a better buy.  Best either waiting for a sale on the smaller cans or shop Aldi's.

I have decanted and frozen #10 cans of ketchup, however, lol!  Our dd LOVES it on everything, and for awhile I couldn't keep up with demand.  I started buying it at Sam's (it's one thing that is cheaper in large cans) and freezing it in freezer boxes successfully.  No difference at all after freezing.

I am trying to get us to the point of shopping every 2 weeks.  We've done every week for so long (and dh gets paid every week) that I'm having a hard a time as he is changing our 'schedule'.  Any pointers on that one?  Liz 

 I was thinking that when I have more freezer space, freezing canned fruit would save money. I do use fruit in cooking and baking so even if I only freeze fruit for cooking and buy fresh or freshly opened cans for snacking on then I save.

I'll have to compare the prices of the very large cans to the cost of the smaller cans to be sure this would be a savings for us.

Will you be shopping at all in between those big trips? Besides the big monthly trip, I do an irregular trip to the local grocery stores that total to no more than once a week. These are based on needs of perishables and wanting to cash in on sale items. Having done the bi-weekly trips for years in the past, I can say that works too but for optimum savings, you need to find some stores that offer good deals all the time.

Currently, I use Budget Map to set up categories for spending. The envelope system would work as well for you to put aside funds each check to build up to what you need for your grocery trip. I am trying to build up to being able to "hold" my funds to disperse them into categories only once a month. Then I can track what I spend in each and that's it for that month.

Stocking up is an important part to being able to go longer than a week or even two before shopping. If you are cutting out weekly trips all together then you will need to be able to eat and live from your stock for at least two weeks but I recommend more for just in case you are delayed in shopping. You will need to look at non perishable options for foods too..canned, powdered, dehydrated or frozen and buy perishables only in quantities that can be eaten before they expire. If you plan to make a small perishables only run in between then be sure you stick to that...go directly to those aisles, don't browse and don't stop anywhere else.

Making use of coupons and sales. Even bi-weekly shopping can offer the use of these savings but you won't get the best deals on everything. You will need to check the sales for the day you shop and look for places that offer every day lower prices to take advantage of. If you plan to do a small weekly stop for perishables and sales then follow the above, set a budget for what you will spend weekly on this small trip and check the sales to stay within that amount. Don't buy anything but what is on your list of sale items and perishables.

Meal planning is essential. You need a well stocked kitchen with all the basics on hand. I do a mix of meal planning based on what is on hand and buying a few ingredients to make meals. I buy meats when I do make a small trip into town, these are not for immediate consumption but will be on hand for determining meals in the next "cycle". I meal plan before I go shopping. I can base these on what I have on hand while adding items I will need to complete meals to the list. I do stay within my budget for this. Eventually I hope to get that quarter of beef and some other meat sources that stock me up where I can stop shopping at the grocery store for the sales.

I love buying in bulk, it saves me money and time. I think I buy about 40% in bulk 40% loss leaders and 20% fresh produce and milk. The bulk items include produce also like a 50 lb box of potatoes. I plan my menu around what is on sale and if nothing stands out then I cook out of the freezer or pantry. I could not find much on sale this week so I made a trip to GFS to stock up on cheese's, get a case of potatoes, a huge pack of pepperoni, etc.We will pick up some milk and loss leader fruits and veggies this week also. I have not found much savings in buying meat in bulk packages though, its almost always cheaper where I am to buy a lot of packages from the regular grocery store when there is a great sale.

Dear Brandy, What I do regarding fruift is to open a can, pour it into a bowl that I cover & put int he frige.  Then I measure out 1/4 c per serving.

 Deb thanks. I wasnt sure if you store in ref or freezer. Babs

We buy some things in bulk.The trick is to know your prices and volume so you can compare them when your at a Sams club. Also if I know I will not use it all before it goes bad I dont buy it. O r if it is something that I rarely use but once a year not buying that either. In this ignorance is Not bliss.

Anne

Packrat, I am finding that chicken and pork are often being put on sale in the family packs only. This week it was steak in the family pack that was a good deal but I would have had to buy two and the total cost was out of budget for me.