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Episode 173 – Should you buy in bulk

Episode 363 – Before you blame the clutter are you doing these 10 things?
Episode 362 – The Roots of Clutter: How Britain became a nation of stuff with Professor Jane Hamlett
Bulk buying. Is it a good thing or a bad thing when you’re decluttering your house? In this podcast we discuss the pros and cons.
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Transcript of this podcast episode
[00:00:00] Ingrid: Bulk buying. Is it a good thing or a bad thing when you're decluttering your house? In today's podcast, we're going to discuss the pros and cons.

[00:00:11] . Now, this week's podcast is all about bulk buying and Lesley and I are going to have a little debate if that is a good thing or not. Lesley. I'm just 

[00:00:26] Lesley: thinking about Ingrid's reluctance to have this as a podcast topic at all. She was like, do we really have to talk about that? That's how we started it off, by the way.

[00:00:35] And I'm like, there's a lot of value in here. Stick with us for lots of value about bulk buying and the light bulbs will go on, Ingrid. First of all, just. For the avoidance of doubt, what is bulk buying and where can one do it? 

[00:00:51] Ingrid: Well, I, I really had to kind of wreck my brain because as you know, I am not a very shoppy person.

[00:00:59] So where's shoppy? I think so.

[00:01:05] But you know what I mean, I don't, I kind of. To know what I have and I don't have lots of everything. So for me, bulk buying is, is interesting. But if I look at my client's houses and they do bought by what kinds of things do I see? I see lots of toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning products. What's that all about?

[00:01:31] People buy lots and lots and lots and lots of cleaning products. They have like. Eight of the same thing. When you've got younger children, I mean, nappies you do buy in bulk, don't you? Because they go through them so quickly, it's crazy. But like, wipes and things like that. What else, Lesley? 

[00:01:47] Lesley: I think people like to buy things like shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, so I think those kind of bathroom items people tend to buy in bulk.

[00:01:56] Um, I think people quite often buy stationery in bulk as well. Um, you know, notepads, that kind of thing. Anything else that I can think of that one would buy in bulk? Who even thinks like tins of beans and cereals and crisps and squash, all those kind of things. So drinks, water. Obviously, let's not forget wine and beer.

[00:02:18] I said to Ingrid, before we came on, I said, the only thing that we buy in bulk is beer and wine, but then it's like gone within two weeks. So we're not really buying a lot. But anyway, um, just as a little aside, um, but yeah, those are the kinds of things I think typically that people buy in bulk, 

[00:02:37] Ingrid: aren't they?

[00:02:38] And I think I've got, I thought of one more, maybe laundry detergent as well. Yes. 

[00:02:42] Lesley: Yeah. And, and fabric conditioner as well. Yeah. Cause they also come in really, you can get them in really big boxes, which is what we're going to talk about. So, so we know the kinds of things that we buy in bulk where typically do we buy in bulk?

[00:02:55] Ingrid: Well, I think you can buy like massive amount of bags of rice for like 10 kilo in the normal supermarket. But when I think about bulk buying, I think like about macros. Or Costco's or like some warehouse type shop where they've got all these kind of rows. And it feels you almost, almost need a gigantic trolley.

[00:03:19] There's never like a small trolleys that they're only like things that you can put pallets of stuff. And you see like. Um, how do you call them? Like these, these little cars that whiz around and put stuff up and down. How do you call them? Um, forklift trucks. Yeah. You see like these forklift trucks with like pallets of stuff.

[00:03:37] And you're like, Oh my God. 

[00:03:39] Lesley: Oh, that's when you're going to. Place that needs a forklift truck to move things around. That's too much stuff at your house, is that what we're saying? Yeah, . Yeah, exactly. It's interesting actually because years ago, I'm going back to the kind of seventies and eighties, you, you kind of had to, if you had like your own business, you'd be able to go into like a trades.

[00:03:57] wholesale place to get things. And sometimes domestic people might go in as well. But now people have realized, you know, the kind of Costco's of the world have realized that it's not only people with businesses, it's actually people, domestic people also want to shop in bulk as well. So I feel like Costco may be a global brand, pretty much.

[00:04:16] I mean, it's definitely in the States. Obviously it's definitely over here. I'm pretty sure it's in Ireland, not sure about Australia and New Zealand, but you know what I mean? We're talking about a wholesale. sale warehouse type shop where you can buy lots of things together. The nice thing, of course, about places like Costco is as well as it being some way you can buy in bulk, it's somewhere Costco in particular, where you can buy really nice things, isn't it?

[00:04:40] So the food, the quality of the food in places like Costco is really quite nice. If you want a treat as well. So it's not just bulk buying. It's actually nice food buying generally at Costco as well, isn't it? And you can buy other things there as well and bob them into your little palette, you know, like an office chair or a new Hoover or an air dryer or you know, 27 pairs of socks.

[00:05:01] Or you, you know, that's the problem with Costco, isn't it? It is lethal. I avoid it 

[00:05:06] Ingrid: like the plague. I know because it is so tempting because you kind of go in for like, okay, I'm, I'm doing a party. Let me get some napkins and paper and maybe paper plates and some like other bits and bobs for the party. And then you come out with.

[00:05:24] With new cushions for the sofa, you come out with a new exactly new hoover or a new mop and you come to the till and you nearly have a heart attack. It's a bit like Ikea, you go in for like a couple of small bits and you come out 500 pound later. I know I just went, Oh, and if we're measuring jugs and glasses and some napkins, what happened here?

[00:05:48] Yeah. 

[00:05:48] Lesley: So this is the problem. Really? Absolutely. Right. Costco and Ikea are like the worst for that. Aren't they? I mean, of course we can bulk buy as well in standard supermarkets. Doesn't have to be in these big wholesale places, but these are the thing where we get Bigger things. So when we talk about in bulk, we're talking about bigger packaging, you know, whereas in a supermarket, it would tend to be multiples that we're talking about buying in bulk.

[00:06:09] Um, it's a dangerous place to be if we are somebody that is attracted to stuff, isn't it? And so we typically, we avoid it and recommend that other people do avoid it where possible. Although we do understand that there are some pros of bulk buying. So let's talk about the pros before we go. In heavy on the cons, which we absolutely are 

[00:06:32] Ingrid: going to talk about.

[00:06:33] Let's be honest. We have fallen foul of going into Costco or macros and absolutely spending a fortune. I mean, we're like, we're normal people. You know, we do this stuff too. And then later think, wow, what happened there? But if you buy bulk, you can save money. And that is, I think, one of the pros of bulk buying.

[00:06:54] If you're clever about it and you're smart and you know, and you know that you need it and you know, like, okay, this is an item that does get used to my house. We go through a lot of this item. I'm going to buy. A pack of five or 10 or whatever, and I can, then you can really start to save a nice little penny on it.

[00:07:12] And I think 

[00:07:13] Lesley: that absolutely for most people is the driver for why people buy in bulk is because you can save money. And that's something that we absolutely can't deny. It's not always the case. And we're going to talk about in the cons section about how it's not always the case that you save money. But in principle.

[00:07:29] You save money by buying in bulk in general. I think the other thing that we can't, um, ignore as well, Ingrid, is that there is an environmental saving in terms of buying bulk because if we buy, if we buy something that's in a bigger container, in a bigger box, if we have something that's only You know, we've got 32 in one piece of plastic wrapping instead of nine toilet rolls, for example, you know, there's going to be less packaging and we have to think about the impact on the environment.

[00:07:55] So there definitely is a pro when it comes to the environment in terms of bulk buying. 

[00:08:01] Ingrid: Yeah, I think so too, Lesley, and I think that is really what is on a lot of people's minds these days, that we are being more mindful, we are wondering why everything is in plastic packaging, we want to be able to recycle that, we want to think about the environment, we'd rather see glass or cardboard instead of plastic if we can, and all of those things, so buying in bulk normally Saves on the packaging.

[00:08:24] So can be a really good driver to actually say, okay, I am going to buy those items in bulk because it actually is better for the environment and only do one trip to the shops instead of multiple trips. So I use less petrol and all of those things then come into play. So we've definitely 

[00:08:40] Lesley: talked about the pros, but in our world, there's only two pros.

[00:08:47] And there are lots of cons, which we're going to discuss after the break.

[00:08:51] Ingrid: Hi everyone. Welcome back. After your quick break, let's talk about the cons of bulk buying. What's the negative side? Well, it's interesting 

[00:09:01] Lesley: really, because we talked about when in the pro section, we talked about the fact that you can save money and we cannot deny that, but there is a big, big but when it comes to saving money, cause quite often we buy things in bulk, but we don't get around to using them before they are expired or we put them in somewhere, a loft, a garage, a basement, and they spoil or we forget about them.

[00:09:25] So we've got to be very, very mindful if we're going to try and make those savings, that it has to be something that we're actually going to use within the time scale that we've got available for that. Obviously it's perfectly fine if it's shampoos and conditioners and toilet roll and paper towel and all those kinds of things, because they don't really have a shelf life.

[00:09:43] But things that are perishable, you know, herbs, Spices, something else that we quite often buy in bulk. We've really got to keep an eye on those dates and really think about whether it's sensible for us to use them before they spoil or they become past their best. So you're only actually going to save money if you can use the item within an appropriate timescale.

[00:10:02] Can't you, Ingrid? 

[00:10:03] Ingrid: You know what? This is so interesting, Lesley, because it sounds like such a good deal. But if you've got a house full of extras stashed everywhere, you completely lose sight of how much you have. Now, of course, you know, I mean, and let's be, let's be honest here. Our houses here in the UK are mostly much smaller than in the US, so we don't have All of these beautiful areas and basements where we can set up shelving, we can put all our stuff in.

[00:10:35] We normally have to kind of stash stuff away here, there, and everywhere to store all this bulk buying. And then things get put in front of it, we forget about it, it kind of lingers in the cupboard, and then we never see it anymore. Until one day we're like, huh. I thought I had some of this stuff, and then we can't find it, so we end up buying it again.

[00:10:56] And that's how people end up with multiples of multiples of everything. And that's when we very regularly hear, when we say, okay, eat from your pantry, use of what you have, use things up. And people are like, I can't even believe it. I've got 12 shampoos in my cupboards. I had no idea. That's enough shampoo for three years, Lesley and Ingrid.

[00:11:19] What happened? And then they still feel that they're using stuff up and it does feel good because you can save money then, but still you're on that really that balance of have I got enough time to use it up? Do I actually still like this brand? Have I switched to something else? And if you've got so many multiples of everything and then you, you change gear because you want something else now.

[00:11:44] You're stuck with all this 

[00:11:45] Lesley: stuff. I think it's really important if you do want to bulk buy that you've got an organised system in place You've got somewhere, you know, we're talking about overflow storage now Very few people when they bulk buy can fit all that stuff in their kitchen cupboards So it is going to be very reliant on having a system space somewhere, whether that's basement, loft, garage, utility room, whatever that might be, to store this stuff, which takes us very neatly onto space.

[00:12:09] Now, quite often when it comes to bulk buying, what we need to do is we need to work out what do we want? Do we want the money saving or do we want the space? And I think we've been, we've been sort of tuned into trying to save that money and bulk buying. We sort of, we just think, Oh, if I can get three for two, then I need to get three for two rather than buying one.

[00:12:29] For example, it's a, we're a marketer's dream at the bottom is the bottom line of this. And so we fall for it every time when actually we only need one, we've probably already got some at home anyway, but we buy it because it's on a three for two deal. And there's no problem with that, but we have to keep control of the bulk buying.

[00:12:44] And what we see in client's houses that tend to be more cluttered and tend to be gatherers of stuff is that this stuff goes to waste either because it expires or because people can't find it. And then, as Ingrid rightly says, we've got this scenario where people are like, how did I end up with 12 shampoos?

[00:13:01] That's just ridiculous. And so there's things like that. So you've really got to have a very controlled system if you're going to bulk buy. So we're not saying don't bulk buy, but we're saying evaluate. Have you got the space for an overflow? system. Are you organised enough to maintain and keep control?

[00:13:16] It's almost like stock control in a supermarket, really. You have to keep control of what you've got. And is that the sensible thing to you? Where's the compromise here? What do you want? Do you want the space or do you want the stuff? All boils down to that? Doesn't it, Ingrid? 

[00:13:29] Ingrid: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. And, and the interesting thing is when you buy bigger, um, you really.

[00:13:36] Need to think about does this fit in my cupboards because it's not only the amount of stuff So the amount of bottles or the amount but if it's very tempting to go, I'll go for the bigger size But if that box then doesn't fit in your cupboards, it stays out on the side So that's when you see kitchen counters full of cereal boxes and large packaging of pasta and all of those things Because they don't fit in the standard space in the pantry or in whatever it is because they're too big And then it has to be put somewhere and that's when how people end up with loads of stuff on top of their fridge because that's the only place where you can, where the item will fit.

[00:14:14] Lesley: So again, we have to compromise on that as well. So, as well as compromising on working out, do we want the space or the stuff? Do we want the aesthetics of a streamlined space or are we happy to have that 750g of cereal that won't fit in my cupboard on the top of my fridge? And your decision might be, do you know what, I would rather have that big cereal because that's what I need and you know, I need, I need that.

[00:14:36] I haven't got space in my cupboard, but I'm happy to make that compromise. Or if you are on a kind of mission to have a more streamlined space and that's what your driver is, you probably then need to go for that smaller box. I know that for many years. I have been talking to clients about this and a light bulb goes on which is I never even thought about buying a smaller box and you know what you're saving ultimately is probably pennies and so we're not talking about pounds and pounds of savings here on a cereal box and so you really need to think that through.

[00:15:06] What is it that's my driver? Do I want the space, the stuff and am I really, you know, tuned into the aesthetics of what my kitchen is going to look like? All these things are relevant when it comes to bulk buying, aren't they Ingrid? 

[00:15:16] Ingrid: Yeah, yeah and I was also thinking, I think I saw A program at some point, I'm trying to think where I saw it, but somebody had created like a whole shelving system in their cupboard and they were showing it off or in their history in their basement, the whole shelving and with all the stuff they had in bulk.

[00:15:34] And there was like, I think a cleaning spray and they had 30 lined up and she was really proud of it. It looked beautiful. I mean, don't get me wrong, but I'm like, and I'm thinking to myself. How, how would you need 30 sprays unless you're absolutely in the middle of nowhere, somewhere you can't reach a shop, 30 sprays.

[00:15:56] That is beyond bull buying almost. So that, that's kind of, that story kind of flashed through my head. Now we're talking about this and I'm like, it just all seems too much. 

[00:16:08] Lesley: I think ultimately it's very important to shop intentionally, you know, we're always talking about shopping intentionally, you know, think about what you need and go out and buy what you need and ideally don't buy extra.

[00:16:19] And the problem with bulk buying particularly in supermarkets is it we kind of get wrapped up in the moment don't we see something on an end plinth in a supermarket and we think. That's too good of an offer for me to let go. I need to buy it. And so we didn't intend to buy it, but because the offer is so great for us to buy that in bulk, we end up buying it.

[00:16:37] It's very, very important for us because clutter and shopping habits are kind of wrapped up together. Now, back in 2021 for our black Friday, or what was our anti black Friday revolution, if you remember Ingrid, we did don't buy ask why, and it's the same. Same with food as it is with clothes. I mean, that was really definitely focused more on other stuff and not perishables consumables, but I think it's the same for food, you know, don't buy something just because buy something because you actually need it.

[00:17:07] So ask why, why am I buying? Three shampoos. When I know that I've already got five or six at home and I don't need them. I'm just buying it because it's cheap. It's so important to get that right. Because we see the aftermath of that all the time. Don't we, Ingrid? We see the aftermath of what that becomes.

[00:17:22] It then becomes clutter. It then becomes things that we've forgotten about, and it then becomes wasted money. And that's what we're trying to avoid, isn't 

[00:17:28] Ingrid: it? Yeah, I think, and I think that's, it's, it's that vicious circle that people are then in, because interestingly enough, they bought it because they wanted to save money.

[00:17:38] So they put it somewhere, but something else could put in front of it, then they can't find it. So they buy it again because they can't find the original one. And then this way, this is exactly how that cluttered and spirals out of control. And once you start to pull stuff out of cupboards and start to put like with like and go look at how many there are, That's when people go, I can't believe I end up with 12 shampoos because they were here, there and everywhere.

[00:18:05] And once you start to categorize things and put things together, you see how many you have. And then almost the blinkers fall off and they go, wow, how did it happen? And then you can, when you can start to think about that, the light bulbs go on and it's like. I'm actually falling foul of the bulk buying or the three for two and I'm not shopping intentionally.

[00:18:25] I'm just randomly picking up bits without using what I currently have in my house. 

[00:18:31] Lesley: Do you know what Ingrid, you're just reminding me of the journey that people go through really in our membership. And so it's definitely, it's part of that mindset change, isn't it? Well, there's an awful lot that needs to come before.

[00:18:41] We need to work out our emotions. We need to work out our habits. What are our drivers for shopping? All of those things. But once people start to learn to love and live with less, then all of a sudden you don't want to bulk buy because it's going to kind of mess up all your good work. I think that's it, but it takes a while for people to get to that point.

[00:19:00] Now, we're not saying that bulk buying is bad, but even if you want to bulk buy and everybody bulk buy something, because there are things that we need in bulk, there are things that we need a lot of generally, but be intentional about what you bulk buy. So we're not saying don't bulk buy, we're saying Just be mindful.

[00:19:17] If you know that you get through all those paper towels, you know, that you get to all those toilet rolls, you know, that you're someone who does a lot of laundry, go for it with the bulk buy. And of course, why would you not, but don't just bulk buy because you see something on offer and think that's a great idea.

[00:19:30] And the long run, that's going to save me money because the chances are, it probably won't. And in the process, it's going to clutter up your house and make you feel less in control. 

[00:19:40] Ingrid: So listeners, that is it our podcast about bulk buying. Has this podcast made you think? Tell us, let us know. We would love to hear from you in the comments or in a review.

[00:19:51] Tell us what are you bulk buying? Walk around your house and, and be honest with yourself and think to yourself, oh yeah, I do that too. We would love to know what that is or tell us in our Facebook group. Thanks so much for being here and we'll see you soon.
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