Just Ask Jenna Looks At Bulk Buying

by Jenna C, ’26

Dear Jenna, 

My husband and I are empty nesters now. We always shopped in bulk at places like Costco and Sam’s Club. Now that it is just the two of us, should we continue buying in bulk or would it make sense to shop store sales since we don’t really need large quantities anymore?

From, 

Thoughtful Empty Nesters

Dear Thoughtful Empty Nesters,

This is a great question. When you shop at Costco or Sam’s Club, the lower price per unit feels like a win. Bulk shopping makes sense when you have a full house. But now that it is just the two of you, your needs have changed. 

In economics, this relates to diminishing marginal utility. This means that the more of something you have, the less satisfaction you get from each additional unit. The first pack of strawberries is exciting, but by the fifth giant container, you are probably tired of them or they spoil before you finish. Each additional container brings less value, and less extra pleasure, even if the price per unit is lower.  The same thing can happen with other foods that go bad quickly, like oversized tubs of yogurt or those huge bakery cakes that taste great for a day and then end up getting stale. 

Bulk shopping can still be a smart choice for items that do not expire quickly and that you know you will use at a steady pace, like laundry detergent or toilet paper. But for fresh foods or snacks that you only want in smaller amounts, waiting for store sales or buying normal-sized portions might give you more value in the long run. The goal is to buy what you actually use, not just what seems like a deal. 

Best of luck!

Jenna

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