How Buying in Bulk Can Help You Save Money (Especially with Fetch)

Buying in bulk is one of the most universal tips for people looking to save money and get more out of their budget. If you ask why buy in bulk, though, most people will just say, “It’s cheaper.” And they’re not wrong, but that’s just part of the reason why buying in bulk makes sense (which is good, because buying in bulk isn’t always cheaper, either).

Much like buying the big box of Reese’s Puffs for the kids, stocking up on toilet paper or going all-out with a Costco membership, downloading the Fetch app is another way to make the most of your budget. Just snap your bulk buy receipt and start banking points toward your next reward.

Why buying in bulk makes cents

Once you learn how buying in bulk can help you save money, it reshapes how you shop for pretty much everything. Here’s why buying in bulk makes cents (and dollars):

• Bulk buys typically cost less per unit.
• You’ll save time with fewer shopping trips.
• Bulk ingredients means meal prep can last longer.
• It takes you longer to run out of household essentials.
• Order bulk pantry staples delivered to your door in Fetch Shop.

Turn bulk buys into bonus points—download Fetch and start scanning those receipts!

Is buying in bulk always cheaper?

Even though so many people buy in bulk to save money, you should be asking yourself if buying in bulk is always cheaper. It’s not. 

The closest thing to a rule, when it comes to buying in bulk being cheaper, is to avoid bulk buys of products that will spoil or expire before you finish them. If you don’t keep an eye on the foods that go bad, it can be really easy to overspend and think you’re saving.

For shelf-stable items, you’ll need to compare pricing to see if you’re getting a better deal.

Comparing bulk buy pricing per unit

1. Look to the shelf price tag for the items.
2. Most retail stores have a per unit, per weight or per volume price listed.
3. Compare the prices between the regular version and the bulk version.
4. Compare prices across brands (some store brands can be more affordable).
5. If the bulk isn’t cheaper, consider buying the regular size.

It’s not an exact science, and regular sales mean that you shouldn’t just assume last week’s bulk buy is a smart choice this week. Thankfully, most retailers (including online retailers in Fetch Shop) make it pretty easy to find per unit pricing these days.

When you’re looking to get the most out of your grocery budget, Fetch helps you track what you spend—and rewards you for every dollar.

Items you should always buy in bulk

Even though we said you should always check the pricing on bulk buys, there are some items you should buy in bulk all of the time. These items you should buy in bulk, because if one brand doesn’t have a more affordable bulk option, another one will:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Detergent
• Soda (or pop)
• Canned goods
• Coffee beans
• Rice
• Dry beans
• Snacks

These household essentials are essentially always in demand. Check the Fetch app for limited-time bonus offers on bulk staples.

What you should not buy in bulk

If it’s cheaper to buy a product in bulk, you should buy it in bulk unless it will go bad before you can use it. 

Buying in bulk stops being cheaper if you need to throw out some of what you bought. Think twice before buying these items in bulk:

• Fresh produce can spoil before you use it all.
• Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt can expire before use.
• Spices can lose their flavor or clump up if they aren’t used promptly.
• Condiments and sauces are shelf stable but should be used within days of opening.
• New or trendy products can leave you stuck with a lot of something you don’t like.
• Personal care items like makeup, sunscreen and creams degrade over time.
• Frozen foods can eventually get freezer burn (and clutter up your freezer).

Just because you should reconsider buying these items in bulk doesn’t mean you can’t save. 

Save smarter, not just bigger—use Fetch to earn rewards on the things you’ll actually use!

Shop smarter with Fetch Shop

Buying in bulk is easy when you use Fetch Shop. With retailers like Sam’s Club, Walmart and Target accessible right in the app, Fetch is your one-stop shop for rewards and shopping. When you make your bulk buy order through Fetch Shop, you’ll earn points on the dollar, and it’s easy to get started:

1. Download the Fetch app.
2. Tap the shopping cart icon toward the bottom of the screen.
3. Find the retailer you want to shop from.
4. Do your online shopping just like you would on their website.

Order your next bulk haul online through Fetch Shop to maximize your rewards.

Turn bulk savings into bulk rewards

Buying in bulk saves you at the store, but when you use Fetch, bulk buys reward you later, too. Here’s how easy it is to turn buying in bulk into rewards (and savings):

1. Snap your bulk buy receipts to earn points.
2. Redeem your points for gift cards to your favorite stores.
3. Use gift cards to reward yourself or further offset your grocery costs.

Spend less and earn more—download Fetch and start turning your bulk buys into free gift cards today.

Stretch your budget: download the Fetch app and buy in bulk

Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to stretch your budget, and when you download the Fetch app, every bulk buy receipt gives that budget even more flexibility. Use Fetch Shop for your online bulk orders and snap your in-person receipts to earn points, then turn those points into gift cards. It works like cashback, but faster and easier.