It’s not just your imagination—grocery shopping in 2025 is expensive, especially if you're feeding a family. Prices have steadily risen over the past five years, with few signs of slowing down. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, prices for all food are predicted to increase a total of 2.9% in 2025.

All of this is leading many families to do something they haven’t done since the toilet-paper hoarding days of the pandemic: bulk buying. “Inflation has increased quite a bit over the last few years, and families are trying to keep up,” says Michael Rodriguez, CFP, and financial planner at Equanimity Wealth. “Naturally, that’s led to more people turning to bulk-buying, especially for items they use frequently.”

Bulk buying can be helpful, but only when done smartly and intentionally, Rodriguez explains. Still, it’s understandable why people are doing it more these days. “With prices climbing, it feels like folks are doing what they can to stretch their dollars and bulk-buying can be part of that strategy,” he says.

Bulk buying isn’t for everyone. But it isn’t just a fad, says Laurie Hise, mom of three and founder of Passionate Penny Pincher. “It can be a strategic financial lifeline, especially for families,” she explains. “With inflation soaring and supply chain hiccups making prices unpredictable, buying in bulk isn't just for stocking up on basics; it's a legit way to save money.”

That said, the key to making it work is to get the most bang for your buck, without ending up with a ton of stuff you don’t really need. “Bottom line? Strategic bulk-buying beats impulse bulk-buying every time,” Hise says.

Like anything else, bulk buying has both pros and cons. Rodriguez shared a few:

Cons

Buying in bulk is a great idea for many people, but only if you go in with a plan. Otherwise, you’ll not only end up wasting money and resources, but you can end up feeling totally overwhelmed.

 “It’s all about intention and organization,” Rodriguez says. Here are a few strategies he recommends:

Usually, buying in bulk means becoming a member of a wholesale store like Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJs. But those savings often come with steep upfront costs, usually in the form of yearly memberships. There’s a way around this, though: sharing the cost of memberships with friends and relatives.

“I’ve had clients who split everything from Costco down the middle,” says Rodriguez. “That way, they get the cost savings without having to store 48 rolls of toilet paper themselves.”

Sharing a membership with friends or family isn’t the only option. You can also consider joining a buying group. These are community co-ops or buying clubs that pool money and buy in bulk together, says Rodriguez.

There are other ways to save money and cut corners when you are bulk buying. It’s all about freezing, Rodriguez says. “Freeze what you can,” he says. “Items with a longer shelf life or that freeze well—like meat, bread, or even shredded cheese—are great for stretching your budget.”

Hise shared some further ideas for making bulk buying work for you when you’re on a budget:

When you’re shopping at wholesale clubs, or just shopping in bulk in general, there are some items you should definitely stock up on … and others you should probably skip. Here’s what Hise suggests:

Buy these:

Skip These:

• Check dates before you buy. They might expire sooner than you can use them.