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Save money by buying these 5 foods in bulk

24 October, 2014 by Giselle Rochford 26 Comments

Update: Here are 5 more foods you should buy in bulk

Hey Friends! How’s it goin?

A couple weeks ago, I was working on my budget and made a not so startling discovery: Recipe testing isn’t exactly cheap – I’ve had 3 failed recipes and counting this week alone – and I’m not exactly rolling in dough #unemployedstudent.

Because of that, I was forced to developed a system for grocery shopping that works to my advantage cost wise. I touched on it a little in this post on grocery shopping mistakes but I wanted to get a little more in depth on what foods I buy in bulk to save money in the long run.

5 Foods to Always buy in Bulk via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com

5. Oatmeal

Unless you need certified gluten free oats, I highly recommend buying your oatmeal in bulk, especially if you eat it as often as I do. I get my oats at bulk barn or at the baking goods store in my neighbourhood. I buy huge bags of rolled oats every month and store it in my pantry. It works out to be cheaper than buying smaller bags on every grocery run, and frees up room for other things in my grocery bag on my bi-weekly trips. I do have to say, that the big bags can be a bit cumbersome, so I usually portion out about 4 cups at a time into a glass container for everyday use. But other than that, I’ve had no issues with oats going old or anything like that. 

Tip: If you have even a halfway decent blender or food processor, you can save even more money by making your own oat flour from oatmeal instead of buying oat flour.

4. Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil is expensive. There’s no getting away from that fact. I used to buy small containers of it at the grocery store, but they only last for about a month and those repeated 10+ dollars add up quickly month after month. But, I recently found a tub of organic coconut oil, bigger than my head (not an exaggeration) for about 28 bucks and I snapped it up. I’ve had it for more than a month now and I’ve only used about a quarter of it so it’s already cheaper. Sure, it might seem like a hefty upfront investment, but it’s worth it, I promise.

3. Bananas

This one may seem a little weird because fresh produce is something that you usually don’t want to buy in bulk since it spoils quickly. But here’s my reasoning: 

At least once a week, over rips bananas go on sale at my grocery for insanely discounted prices. It’s something like a couple dollars for bag of like 20+ bananas. These bananas are past their prime and a bit beat up, but they’re perfect for freezing or immediate baking. At first I only used the frozen bananas in smoothies, or to make banana ‘ice cream’. But now, I know they can be defrosted and used in baked goods like banana bread or cookies- probably the best discovery I’ve made all year.

2. Chocolate Chips

Not everyone may need to do this one, but I go through chocolate chips at an alarming rate. I used to buy them at bulk barn, then switched to the Enjoy Life brand when I went dairy free. That got expensive really quickly so I’ve been on the lookout for a solution. Then, last month, I found dairy free chocolate chips at the bulk baking goods store and I grabbed the biggest bag they have. Like with oatmeal, I keep some of the chocolate chips in a glass jar for easy access, and the rest goes to the back of the cupboard. I haven’t reached the bottom of the bag yet, which is a pretty novel experience. 

1. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are two more expensive foods I use a lot. But, these days I buy multiple pounds of almonds, walnuts, peanuts and chia, pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds relatively cheaply at Bulk Barn and then don’t think about them again for months. I store the nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds in mason jars in the cupboard and the chia and flax seeds go into the freezer. I also grind up some chia seeds and flax seeds at the beginning of the week and keep that in the fridge in small mason jars to throw in smoothies or vegan baked goods. Simple, relatively cheap and the abundance of mason jars makes me feel fancy. That’s a win-win situation right there. 

Click here for 5 More foods you should buy in bulk >>

10 Foods you should always buy in bulk to save money on your grocery bill via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com

10 Foods you should always buy in bulk

 

What about you?

What foods do you buy in bulk? Any to add? If you’re a food blogger, how to you stay within your food budget?

Share in the comments below! 
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This post was included in the following linkups: Friday Favorites, #FFavorites, Fitness Friday, Friday Five, FYI Friday

Need more grocery shopping tips? Try these:

8 Grocery Shopping Mistakes Student Make | @ExSloth
8 Grocery Shopping mistakes all students (and some adults) make
healthy food shopping on a budget | ExSloth.com
Healthy Food Shopping on a Budget
5 healthy snacking essentials via @ExSloth | ExSloth.com
5 healthy snacking essentials

Follow GiselleR | Diary of an ExSloth’s board :: Nutrition Tips :: on Pinterest.

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Comments

  1. ร‰milie says

    24 October, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    I tend to buy all of my staple items in bulk like oil, flour, sugar, etc. They last forever so I know they won’t get wasted!
    ร‰milie recently posted…5 Ramdom Food You Should Always Have On Hand

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      I’m used to not buying flour in bulk because in tropical climates it actually can spoil, but I guess that’s a habit that I should break myself of now that I like in Canada! Thanks for the reminder ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
      • Tee BOne says

        8 March, 2016 at 12:05 pm

        I store my flours in the fridge for this very reason ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
  2. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

    24 October, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    I like to buy my oatmeal, rice, grains, beans all in bulk. Bulk barn is amazing for that!
    Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…FYI Friday – Favourite fitness & health apps

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Bulk Barn was absolutely my favourite place to buy baking stuff in bulk until I found the baking supplies store down the street from me! I still get some things from there though and it’s always budget friendly ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Farrah says

    24 October, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Oatmeal, brown rice, nuts, frozen veggies + fruits! :]

    I do most (if not all) my grocery shopping at Kroger, which has this “fuel rewards” point system where every dollar I spend counts as a point. When I reach 100 points, that’s 10 cents off per gallon of gas. I usually spend somewhere around $50-100/month on groceries and fill out their surveys so I can get extra 50-point bonuses so gas will be cheaper. ๐Ÿ˜› Almost-exclusively shopping the manager’s specials/sales also helps! :]
    Farrah recently posted…Life In Pictures | # Meals / # Days = ?

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      I don’t drive so fuel rewards isn’t an issue for me yet, but it’s definitely something to remember. Thanks Farrah!

      Reply
  4. Kimchi Cakes says

    24 October, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    Too bad I am not a fan of oatmeal. Ive tried eating it in the past, but I just dont like the taste. Love your post.
    Kimchi Cakes recently posted…The King’s HeartBeat CD Review

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:21 pm

      Aww I’m always sad when someone doesn’t like oatmeal. I feel like it gets such a bad rep sometimes haha but to each his own! I am not a fan of chia seeds even though everyone seems to get it, so I feel ya ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says

    24 October, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    I go through chocolate chips like no ones business, too ๐Ÿ™‚ They go in so many different things. Here in Asia, bulk buying isn’t really a thing. Sometimes you do find larger bottles or bags or items, but it’s never at a discount from the smaller options. Strange, huh?

    I wish I could– because nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruits- all big expenses on my grocery bill!
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Have a Healthy Halloween!

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      That is strange, and it sucks big time, cuz I know how expensive those things can get. Hope you can find a solution soon!

      Reply
  6. jill conyers says

    25 October, 2014 at 3:17 am

    I buy staples in bulk, oats, chia, and a few different flours.
    jill conyers recently posted…Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Bites

    Reply
  7. Gabi @ LeaanGreenIslandGirl says

    25 October, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    Yes, yes and yes! I buy all of those in bulk, bananas included but that’s because we eat a lot of them in our household!

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:24 pm

      I thought I’d be the only person who bought bananas in bulk haha. Glad I’m not alone ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
  8. Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl says

    25 October, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    I get everything on this list – except for coconut oil – I’m not a fan of the taste or smell – I know I’m weird, but I do love the benefits so I will buy a container every now and then. I also buy whole wheat flour and organic brown rice syrup in bulk because I use those A LOT! Visiting from #fitnessfriday!
    Serena @ Simple Holistic Girl recently posted…I love…Earth Friendly Products

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:26 pm

      It took a while for me to get used to coconut oil as well, and I still only use it in baking. Not sure I could ever sautee veggies or something in it lol
      Thanks for stopping by Serena!

      Reply
  9. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    26 October, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    yes, yes, yes! couldn’t agree more! i also buy dried beans in bulk, make them in large batches, and freeze small portions. waaaaaay cheaper (and healthier!) than buying canned!
    Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…Halloween Workout

    Reply
    • Giselle Rochford says

      27 October, 2014 at 1:27 pm

      I know it’s cheaper to get beans in bulk but I still buy the canned stuff. I had a friend get violently ill from eating undercooked kidney beans over summer and I’ve been a bit gun shy about dried beans since then!

      Reply
  10. Kayla says

    27 October, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    I also love to get my chia and quinoa in bulk!
    Kayla recently posted…How NOT to foam roll correctly

    Reply
  11. Amy @ Life to the Full says

    27 October, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Yes! I probably shouldn’t buy chocolate chips in bulk any longer because they are wayyy too tempting to eat as a treat ๐Ÿ™‚

    I buy flour bulk, too!
    Amy @ Life to the Full recently posted…Week 8 Update: Baby #2

    Reply
  12. GiGi Eats says

    28 October, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    The BULK SECTION at the grocery store is really my new best friend ๐Ÿ™‚ Come to me COCONUT FLOUR for $3 a pound! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Water You Drinking?

    Reply
  13. Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! says

    29 October, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    I should do more in bulk – thanks for the tips!
    Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…So Am I Training For a Marathon or What?

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Sunday Funday 10/26/14 - Skinny Fitalicious says:
    26 October, 2014 at 7:00 am

    […] Save Money by Buying These 5 Foods in Bulk via Diary of an Ex Sloth – Nut butter should be on this list! […]

    Reply

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