Living alone has many benefits, but the price of groceries and household staples don’t make it easy. Budgeting advice such as “buy in bulk” can often leave single folks rolling their eyes because it’s rarely that simple.
There’s little point in purchasing food that will go bad before it can be eaten, and frozen or shelf-stable products take up storage space that isn’t always feasible in smaller homes or rental units.
If you’re shopping for one, here are some actually helpful bulk purchases that make a Sam’s Club membership worth it for singles.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Quilted Northern Ultra Soft Toilet Paper (32 rolls)
Price: $21.68
We all need toilet paper, and buying in bulk is worth it despite the large amount of space it can take up in a bathroom closet. It’s definitely going to get used, and it’s never going to go bad.
This is an even better deal than Aldi, which offers 24 rolls for $17.39 on an equivalent brand.
Monster Rehab Variety Pack (24 pack)
Price: $36.78
If you need caffeine to get you through the day but the acidity does a number on your insides, Monster Rehab is a great alternative. It’s not carbonated and instead delivers wake-up juice in the form of a pleasant iced tea flavor.
One can is about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, or 160 mg of caffeine. Grabbing one from the gas station runs about $3.49 per can, but this Sam’s Club deal brings the cost down to $1.53 per can.
Member's Mark Mini Quiche Assortment (48 count)
Price: $9.98
Finding a proper breakfast that’s inexpensive, quick, and not super unhealthy leads to many grabbing an overpriced breakfast sandwich on the way to work. Keeping mini breakfast quiches in the freezer can give you an elegant and delectable meal that takes about 10 minutes in the oven.
Using butter to line the tray instead of cooking spray can add a richer, savory flavor to the crust.
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Barber Foods Stuffed Chicken Breast with Creme Brie, Apples and Cranberries (6 count)
Price: $12.98
Cooking for one is annoying, and it’s vital to have quick and easy meals on hand for those days when you just want to relax. This delicious twist on Cordon Bleu tastes like a restaurant special but can be popped in the oven and ready to go with practically no effort.
Each one is individually wrapped, so they’re perfect for tucking in your freezer without taking up too much space.
Member's Mark Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup (32 oz.)
Price: $11.98 (on sale from $12.98)
Maple syrup is the underdog champion of fall and winter flavors, and it makes a healthier alternative to high fructose corn syrup. Bottles typically come in a 12 oz. size for about $10 at grocery stores like Kroger, so this can save a lot of money.
It can also be safely stored in the refrigerator for extremely long periods of time, lasting about two years before you’ll need to consider replacing it.
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Prescription medications
Price: Varies
Sam’s Club Plus members get some incredible deals from the pharmacy, with over 600 generic drugs available for $10 or less for a 30-day supply. It’s important to know that these deals don’t combine with health insurance, but the pharmacy team will help determine which way will get you a better rate.
There are also discounts on some brand-name prescriptions. This can be a literal lifesaver to anybody on a long-term prescription and low budget.
Gasoline
Price: Varies by location
The price of gas is a common low-key anxiety that rears its ugly head every time you have to hit the pump, but Sam’s Club stations can offer tremendous savings to heavy drivers or those with large vehicle tanks.
The price fluctuates based on the given day and location, but on average it’s about $0.30 cheaper than other nearby gas stations. This can be a game changer for anybody who commutes to work or travels extensively.
Frito-Lay Flavor Mix Chips, Variety Pack (50 pack)
Price: $18.48
Chips can often be a gamble for those that live alone. If you don’t like the flavor of a bulk buy, you’re stuck finishing it or tossing it out. Or, you may simply not want to eat the same thing every day.
A giant variety pack of individually packaged snacks can end up being cheaper overall if we account for wasted food.
Gillette Fusion5 Men's Razor Cartridges (16 count)
Price: $52.27
The cost of simply shaving has gotten so out of hand that razor blade refills are now found in stores locked behind theft-proof cases.
A small pack of four blade refills costs a whopping $21.49 at CVS. The price and hassle has pushed many consumers into switching to bulk purchasing their favorite razor blades.
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Carnation Evaporated Milk (8 pack)
Price: $9.94 (on sale from $11.74)
Emergency milk is a must-have for every pantry, and it’s the only way folks who live alone can reasonably bulk-buy the dairy product without waste. This is especially true for coffee-lovers that can’t drink it black.
GE Daylight LED 100W A19 Light Bulbs (4 pack)
Price: $16.48
The price of lightbulbs has skyrocketed so high that rental leases now often specify the party responsible for them. The cheapest light bulbs set a lighting tone appropriate for a dungeon rather than a living space, so it’s vital to have some good strong, bright lights tucked away.
A two-pack of the same light bulbs on Amazon costs nearly as much as this four-pack at Sam’s Club, making it a great deal to stock up on.
Del Monte Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn (8 pack)
Price: $7.78
Canned veggies store longer, require less preparation and come appropriately sized for one. Fresh might be better in a perfect world, but in a reality of limited time and energy the vegetables that get eaten far surpass the ones that slowly go bad before getting thrown out in the trash.
Sister Schubert's Dinner Yeast Rolls, Frozen (40 count)
Price: $8.97
Freezing a loaf of bread can make it last longer, but it just doesn’t taste the same as a fresh loaf.
Keeping ready-to-bake dough sized proportionately for one in the freezer eliminates the pesky short lifespan of bagged and already-baked bread.
Mars Milk Chocolate Variety Pack Candy (145 pieces)
Price: $17.98
Mini-sized candy variety packs get more attention at Halloween, but they’re great for solo-living. They last forever and offer options, avoiding the fate of having to eat Snickers bars for 45 days in a row that comes along with buying a single brand in bulk.
Tampax Pearl Tampons (96 count)
Price: $15.68
Buying menstrual products in bulk can quickly cut down a monthly budget.
A regularly sized box of Tampax runs $10.29 at CVS for a mere 36 tampons. Buying in bulk for a few dollars more can nearly triple the quantity.
Bottom line
It’s not just families struggling under the weight of rising costs, but many budget hacks aimed at a family of four don’t work for those living alone. Buying in bulk for one can require more thoughtful planning, but it can definitely help you save money shopping.
There’s also the added bonus that bulk supplies last much longer when only one person is using them, which cuts down on the amount of errand-running done over the course of a year.
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