Creative Storage and Cost-cutting Tips for Buying in Bulk

If you are single, a couple, or just plain crowded in your living space and don't think you have the money or the space to store bulk item purchases, here are some tips.

Find some "buying buddies" to split the cost of bulk items - 2 or 3 people (or couples or families!) can split a bulk pack of paper towels, toilet tissue, Kleenex and paper napkins and you don't have to figure out how to store a huge package.

Multi-packs of canned and boxed items like tuna and pasta can also be easily divided up. Even "mega packs" of frozen chicken breasts, hamburger patties and other frozen foods can be split up. Meet at one house, transfer the item(s) to freezer bags and divide up the bags for each household.

Look for creative storage ideas. The cabinets over your refrigerator are not accessed very often; why not make use of the space and store your bulk item purchases there. Round tables with long table covers are a great hiding place for bulk items. You might as well take advantage of that otherwise "empty" space. The top shelf in your linen closet or kitchen cabinets can be used to store items as well.

You might even want to consider converting your linen closet to a storage area! Store bed linens in bedroom closets. Move towels to the bathroom-even if you need to purchase an inexpensive storage shelf or cabinet, it's worth it in the long run if you can save money in other areas.

What about the space under your bed? Currently it's just collecting dust, isn't it? You can store canned goods, paper products, cleaning supplies, just about anything under there! You can even store food if you place it in air tight containers or haven't opened the original packaging.

Just about everything can be frozen for later use! It may not seem smart to buy 18 eggs at the warehouse store, but you can hard boil a few of them for quick breakfasts, make a couple of quiches and freeze them for later. You can even freeze whole eggs (out of the shell!)

If you have a favorite recipe that you make often, store the correct number of eggs for that recipe in Ziplock freezer bags. For instance, I make some yummy cookie bars that call for two eggs. I can store two eggs in each of several snack size bags in the freezer and just pull out a bag a few minutes before I mix up the bars.

If you really want to go "hardcore" on purchasing bulk items, look for an inexpensive decorative tri-fold room divider. Place it in the corner of a room and stash your items behind it!

The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!