FIGHT BACK : CUT SHOPPING TIME AND COST WITH TRIP TO WAREHOUSE STORE.

Byline: David Horowitz 

If you have a big family or just don't like to shop often, you could save money and effort by buying in bulk. Some people shop this way so thoroughly, they can actually get away with marketing only once a month

Now that's a trick.

The real advantage of buying in bulk is saving money. I compared the same items bought at one of those club warehouse stores to those from a regular grocery store. Most were the same name brands from cheese and chicken to laundry detergent and spaghetti sauce, and all were cheaper in bulk.

Here's the proof: Paper towels were 12 percent cheaper. Orange juice was even more of a savings at 30 percent less. Spaghetti sauce was a whopping 46 percent cheaper in bulk. You won't believe this, but fresh apples were 70 percent cheaper.

On average, buying in bulk can trim more than a third off your grocery bill. But there are trade-offs. Getting those savings means buying products in quantities as much as five times larger than the regular supermarket size. That also means bringing those oversize boxes home and lugging them out when you need them. And you'll have to store them in a pantry, garage or an extra freezer.

Another downside to buying in bulk is being careful about the perishable items. A large family might consume all of a product once the box is opened. But a smaller family of three or four people might not be able to finish it as quickly. They would either have to find a way to store it or watch it go to waste. Even if you buy bulk items that can be frozen, like hamburger patties, there is still the effort of sorting and putting the extra patties into freezer bags. And, there is the additional cost of buying those bags.

An alternative is to split the perishable buys with family or friends. You might not need 10 pounds of carrots, and you can't freeze them either, but you could split them two or three ways. All of you reap the savings and it's now in a size you can use without spoilage. Even if you're unable to split your purchases with others, sometimes buying in bulk can still be cheaper even if you end up losing some of it to spoilage.

Some other cautions about bulk buying: You may not be able to get your favorite brands in bigger sizes, since product selection is usually limited. Most of the club warehouses won't take manufacturers' coupons. And don't expect a lot of service in those warehouse stores - you are pretty much on your own. Many won't even bag your buys. Although you can get some cardboard boxes and a cart to carry them out, that's about it.

But if you are a family of at least four, buying in bulk is a bargain. Based on an average savings of 37 percent, a family that spends $150 a week on groceries saves $55 buying in bulk. A family of six spending $230 a week saves $85. Savings like that can easily cover the cost of a yearly club membership fee and pay for that extra freezer at home.