It seems like buying in bulk would always be a good idea because it saves you money, right? Well, not always. Here’s what you need to know before you buy in bulk.

Membership Fees
If you start shopping at a warehouse store, factor in the cost of membership. If you aren’t going to shop there all of the time, the savings might not outweigh the membership cost.

Perishable Items
Non-perishable items like toilet paper and detergent make sense to buy in bulk, but perishable items like milk and produce don’t (unless of course you have a large family). So, make sure to compare these costs with other stores. You may be paying more for single items at the warehouse store.

Limited Variety
Some bulk stores have a limited variety, and you may not be able to purchase the items that you are used to buying. So, if you are picky about certain brands, this may not be the best option.

Buy One (or Three) Get One
The allure of buying several items to receive one for free may seem like a good deal. But, when you would have spent $4 for the one item you needed, you end up spending $12 to get the one item for “free.” I don’t need to do the math for you…

Know Your Needs
If you have a small family or don’t really have the need for bulk items, you might be spending money just to justify your membership. Also, consider where you are going to store all of the items. You don’t want to buy a bunch of stuff you don’t have the room for.