21 Things You Should Always Buy in Bulk

If you're a regular coffee drinker, you're probably going through bags of beans pretty quickly, so buying them in bulk will save you plenty of cash down the road. For example, 6 lbs of Jose’s Organic French Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee goes for $39.99 at Costco — just $10 more than you would pay at Walmart for half the amount of coffee beans.

Whether you've got a dog, cat, or bird, buying their food in bulk is definitely a smart move. It's important to remember, though, that pet food is still perishable, and Breeding Business recommends that you calculate your pet's average food intake and comparing that to the size of your bulk order to make sure that nothing will go to waste.

Paper towels are one of those household supplies that you always want to have on hand. And buying more at one time will not only ensure you're stocked up, but will save you money. Take Brawny Tear-A-Square Paper Towels, for example. A pack of six will run you $11.98 (or about $2/roll) at Walmart. Meanwhile, a pack of 16 will cost you $29.89 (or $1.87/roll). The savings may not be drastic, but they can really add up over time.

If you've got a little one, you'll be very familiar with the shocking number of diapers you can go through. And Parents recommends buying diapers in bulk as a great way to save money. Sites like Amazon and Diapers.com are great resources if you're looking to save a little cash on your little one's necessities.

Buying in bulk is definitely the way to go with shampoo and conditioner, especially if you're buying for a whole family that goes through bath products quickly. One great example of how you'll save money is the fact that Costco offers a combo Nexxus Therappe Shampoo & Humectress Conditioner duo pack (with each bottle being a whopping 33.8 fl. oz.) for $30.99, while at Ulta Beauty, you would pay $19.99 for a measly 13.5 fl. oz bottle of just the conditioner. Bigger is definitely better here.

You may not think much about how often you're using this cooking essential, but oftentimes baked goods can require as much as a stick of butter. If you're constantly whipping up sugary confections in the kitchen, bulk up on butter. According to Oprah.com, "You can get 4 pounds of unsalted butter at Costco for $10.49, which comes out to $2.62 a pound; while a supermarket charges about $4.99 for a pound."

Instead of grabbing a quick $7 six-pack for a friend's housewarming party, opt for the "pricier" $16 24-pack. You'll save money in the long run by stocking your fridge with the extras. Win, win!

Unlike perishable food items, toilet paper won't go bad sitting in your linen closet for years on end. And, according to U.S. News & World Report, you can actually save 50% more buying TP in bulk than you can if you purchase single rolls as needed.

Much like butter, nuts are a wonderful food to save money on when buying in bulk. "A 2-pound bag of walnuts is about $12 at Sam's Club, or $.38 per ounce, while at a supermarket you'll pay closer to $.90 per ounce," according to Oprah.com. Just make sure to freeze them when you aren't eating them!

Although buying rechargeable batteries in bulk isn't your best bet, buying lithium or alkaline versions is worth shelling out the cash up front. Because these batteries have a long shelf life (if kept in cool, dry place), you normally don't have to worry about their charge going dead before you need a couple for that blasted TV remote.

Back-to-school shopping can put quite a dent in your wallet—save yourself the cash (and the headache) of stocking up on folders, pencils, and notebooks annually by buying them in bulk and saving the excess supplies for next year. You can never have too many backup pens on hand, after all!

As long as you store your dry pasta in an airtight container in a cool, dark room, the dinner favorite can last up to two years. And for those busy nights when you don't have the time to craft a supper masterpiece, it's always nice to reach into the pantry for your trusty spaghetti.

The last thing you want to happen when you're getting ready to wash your kiddo's dirty gym shorts is to pick up an empty bottle of laundry detergent. Prevent that nightmare scenario by buying in bulk—you'll thank yourself later.

Instead of grabbing the individual package of Crest because it costs less than the 2- or 3-pack, commit to paying a little bit more at the cash register up-front and you'll save more money in the long run.

Because of their compact nature, trash bags are super easy to store in your home without taking up much space.

Keep a large container of liquid soap under the sink and refill your smaller bottles when needed. Now you'll always have backup when those hands need a good scrubbin'.

Rice, which lasts practically forever, goes with just about any protein and it's great to store in bulk. It may just be your new dinnertime go-to (sorry, pasta!).

Unless you're into living in the dark, you're going to need backup lightbulbs when your lamp burns out, which it will, at the most inconvenient time.

If you're a part of a rewards program at one of your local pharmacies, definitely take advantage of the buy one, get one 50% off (or free) deal on vitamins that they usually advertise. You won't need to make as many trips and you'll be saving some major moolah.

Thanks to a rise in the cost of wheat, cereal can be seriously pricey. So consider buying your cereal in bulk, since you're likely paying more than double at the grocery store.

Vanilla can cost up to five times more at the grocery store than at a big-box store. Even on Amazon alone, going from a 2 oz. bottle to a 4 oz. bottle will save you $1 per ounce.