This week, I started spring cleaning my bathrooms and kitchen. Unfortunately, I had to throw out some expired products that I never got around to using. I’m a big fan of buying in bulk to save money. But as a household of two, my partner and I don’t go through certain products fast enough to justify buying large quantities of them. Here are five items I’ll never buy in bulk again to avoid wasting food and money.
Medications
During the pandemic, I felt the need to stock up on medications in case my partner and I got sick. I bought a few bottles of cough syrup, headache medicine, and Vicks VapoRub. I also stocked up on cough drops, Kleenex, and other cold and flu supplies like Zicam. When I cleaned my bathroom this week, I realized we haven’t made much of a dent in our stash of cold remedies nearly two years later.
Although we’ve gotten sick a few times since I bought the supplies, we haven’t gone through them as fast as I thought we would. Having a first aid kit gives me peace of mind, but I don’t want to waste money on products that will just end up in the trash. Since these medications are reaching their expiration date, I’ll probably have to get rid of them soon. From now on, I’m only going to buy cold and flu medications as needed instead of buying them in bulk.
Spices
I love to cook and liberally sprinkle seasonings on everything I make. I thought I would go through my core spices like cumin, garlic, and onion powder quickly enough to justify buying them in bulk. However, I’ve found it’s really hard to get through huge 16-ounce containers of spices before they lose their potency.
Ground spices only stay at their peak of freshness for six months to a year. After two or three years, seasonings usually have to be tossed because they’ve lost their fragrance and flavor. Although bulk spices usually cost less per ounce, I’ve discovered the savings aren’t worth it for me. Even though I cook every day, I still had to toss stale spices during my recent round of spring cleaning. So I’ll stick to small jars I know I can use up before they expire.
Frozen Foods
When my partner and I got a chest freezer two years ago, we went a little overboard on stocking up on clearance items like meat and bread. Although frozen food is technically safe to eat indefinitely, freezer burn usually starts taking hold after a few months.
We hate to waste good food, so we didn’t throw away the things that got freezer burned. But we didn’t enjoy choking them down, so we definitely learned our lesson! Now we only buy and freeze items we intend to use within about three months.
Jumbo Canned Goods
Canned goods can last for several years when stored in a cool, dry place. However, once opened, the food only lasts for a few days in the fridge. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the size of the cans you’re buying.
While jumbo cans may work for large families, I’ve learned my partner and I can only use up a regular 14-ounce can before the contents spoil. So even if I find a larger can of beans or veggies on clearance, I pass on it because I know we won’t be able to use it up. I also stay away from dented cans even if they’re discounted. Dinged cans can contain harmful bacteria, so the savings aren’t worth the risk of getting sick.
Protein Powder
Last year I discovered an awesome website called Supplement Hunt. It sells discounted supplements, protein bars and powders, and workout recovery drinks. The only downside is that the items are usually close to the expiration date.
Although I knew this when I placed an order, I bought a bit more than I should have because of FOMO. The deals on Supplement Hunt are only available for a limited time, and I didn’t want to miss the chance to stock up on my favorite protein pies and powder.
I’m ok with eating expired pantry items as long as they still smell and taste right, so I was able to use everything up eventually. But I’m definitely going to be more mindful when buying clearance items in the future, especially if they’re close to the best by date. Studies have shown that sales can cause consumers to buy more than they planned, so you have to be careful not to overbuy discounted items.
Which items do you avoid buying in bulk to prevent food waste? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.
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