When it comes to food and other perishable items, you have two options – you can buy a standard amount or you can buy in bulk. Although regular grocery stores and markets sometimes have bulk packages available, they’re more common at warehouse stores.

Buying in bulk does require a bit more thought and planning, because you don’t want to buy too much of something and have it go bad. But it’s well worth it, because it benefits you in several ways. Here are the five reasons you should start buying in bulk.

Buying in Bulk Saves Money in the Long Run

The simplest reason why buying in bulk is a good idea is because items tend to cost less when you purchase more of them. Although you’ll pay a bit more upfront, your purchase will last you much longer, and you’ll pay a lower per-unit cost.

Now, you don’t save anything if half of what you buy goes bad, but that’s where proper planning comes in. Check the expiration date and make sure you can use what you purchase before it expires. Don’t forget that you can freeze many foods to prolong their lifespan.

You Cut Down on Your Shopping Trips

Even a quick run to the grocery store for a couple supplies can take 30 minutes or more by the time you drive there, find parking, gather your items and wait at the checkout line. If you’re constantly going to the store, those shopping trips add up to a lot of wasted time.

By buying in bulk, you won’t need to go on those supply runs as often. That means less valuable time spent grocery shopping, and you’ll save on your monthly gas bill for your car, too. You’ll have more time to do the things you want to do, such as working on a project or spending time with the people you love, instead of needing to spend it on pointless errands.

It Reduces Waste

Manufacturers typically don’t need to use as much packaging when they package in bulk compared to when they package smaller amounts of a product. This benefits you, the manufacturer and the environment.

You’ll have less trash to deal with and you won’t need to spend time opening as many packages. The manufacturer will have lower shipping costs per unit on those bulk packages, which is one reason they can sell bulk packages much cheaper. And because there’s less packaging, there’s less trash, and that’s always a good thing for the environment.

It’s Easier to Meal Prep

Meal prepping is a great way to save time every week. Instead of making your meals one at a time, you make several breakfasts, lunches and dinners at once, package them up and grab them as needed throughout the week.

Obviously, it’s much easier to do this when you have all the ingredients you need for a week’s worth of meals. Buying in bulk will ensure that you have all the ingredients you need for your meal prepping, and that meal prepping will save you time throughout the rest of the week. It’s also a great way to eat healthier and avoid fast food.

It Encourages You to Make Your Own Meals

Making your own meals is always the healthier and cheaper option compared to eating out, but it’s easy to opt for buying something quick instead to save time. When you have a large amount of food that you need to use, that can be just the push you need to whip up your own meals.

You’ll find yourself eating out less, which will be great for your overall health and your wallet. And if you get into a meal prepping routine, you won’t need to spend much more time in the kitchen, either.

When it comes to grocery shopping, there are all kinds of great reasons to buy in bulk and no good reason not to. Put together a meal plan for your upcoming week, use that to write your shopping list, and then go look for those bulk deals.