How can I stretch my dollar in bulk shopping for a family of 6 in groceries, toiletries, clothes,etc?

Question

from the ages of almost 3 yrs -18yrs +2 parents and one income?

Thanks for you alls help. Can you tell me which stores honors competitors coupons like Walmart, Piggly Wiggly, Food lion and Bi-lo's here in Columbia, SC?

Answer 1

Shop at BJ'S or Sams Club.buy bulk....

Answer 2

All of the above are excellent. If you do buy in bulk from a Costco or Sam's, make sure it's non-perishable stuff that you know you're going to use up in time. For clothes, definitely go to garage sales on weekends. At least around here people are just dying to get rid of clothes of all sizes! You could probably walk out with a whole bag of clothes for just a few bucks.

I know trying to sell clothes (nice, not gritty or damaged, just not my size anymore) is HARD. The neighbors have the same problem with their yard sales. Just watch the newspaper for the garage sale ads starting on Thursdays.

Or even hold a sale of your own and make some extra cash while cleaning out the house of clutter! :)

Answer 3

Go to eBay for clothing and the kid's electronics, housewares and stuff. I sort by lowest price first and then watch the item. If it's still within my price range just before the end of the auction, then I bid on it. I find using PayPal the easiest way to make the transaction.

I also cleared out a shelf or two and got a digital camera and a tape measure and learned how to sell things on eBay. My Pay Pal account is primarily the things we have sold recycling into the things we need.

Answer 4

have a vegetable garden in the summer. can or freeze all the goodies. our kids had to help with the garden. the complained then (too bad). but now they are grown and married and have their own gardens. go figure. make a menu for the week. shop for it and stick to it.
shop for clothes at yard sales and thrift stores. I find all kinds of good clothes. check out your dollar stores for toiletries. they seem a little cheaper there. we only had one income too. when the kids started wanting name brand stuff I agreed to pay a certain amount towards the shoes or jeans. they had to earn the difference by doing yards or baby sitting or washing cars and dog walking. It was amazing how motivated they were when they wanted something really bad. Another go figure; now that they are grown and married with their own income they dont want name brand stuff. They say it just costs too much. good luck. m

Answer 5

There is twice a year where there is an extra week in the month. Usually it's March and September, Check the calender. We use this extra pay check to stock up on Tp , shampoo, toothpaste and all the other things you need daily. If you shop wisely you can get enough to last until the next month with an extra week . Been doing this for years, it really cuts down on the weekly grocery bills.

Answer 6

The first thing you do to stretch your dollar is to stop debt -- don't charge things and don't pay interest on charge cards. Paying off your credit card debts is critical.

"Buying in bulk" sure sounds like your buying alot of carbs. Be careful about that. Buying in bulk also tempts over-use of products -- that can be a problem.

The first thing you can do in the purchasing department (after the debt issue) is to consume less! Sometimes, buying in bulk doesn't actually save you money because you consume more and get in a habit of consuming more -- be careful about that.

Next, don't buy junk food of any kind -- high carbs/low nutritional value. Don't buy non-nutritional items just because you enjoy them -- ie: soft drinks. Eat less red meats, and eat more fresh vegetables.

Use coupons and comparison shop -- many stores will honor other stores' coupons.

Next, don't buy low-quality things that will need to be repaired or replaced quickly.

Answer 7

Buy in bulk at BJ's or Costco. Alot of times Wal-mart has some really good sales on toiletries.Also the vacuum packer can work. also something else that may work for you is to get a full size freezer and just freeze everything from bread to juice. That will make it all last so much longer. Good luck

Answer 8

Charity ‘op shops’ are a life saver…
Do you have any Salvation Army… St Vincent de Paul… Smith Family… Opportunity Shops where you can buy recycled goods?
You can buy some really good quality items from those places, and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying new stuff.
The items they sell have been donated, and by buying stuff from them, you are not only helping yourself, but you are helping other people as well.

If you are finding things too hard… Don’t hesitate to approach those charities for help. There is no shame in asking for help when you need it, especially where there are children involved !!!

Good luck !!!

Answer 9

One suggestion is buying a vacuum sealer.

This way you can repackage all of the items in more useable sizes and still keeping them fresh.

Also remember to price compare. Sure you might be at a bulk store. But it doesn't mean buying in a mass quanity is still the cheapest price.

Answer 10

You can get detergents, paper products, toiletries, even some foods at dollar stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar.

Answer 11

try finding a store liek Sams Club or a discunt whoelseller.I have one called Alde near me and I can buy $20 worth of food for 1 week to feed myself - wife and lil one .No kidding the prices are that good .

So might want to start search area or asking others with large family where they shop for best bargians.