The Bulk Food Store

A great way to save money on your groceries is to shop at your local bulk food store. Check around, depending on your area you may have several to choose from. I use the bulk food store mainly to stock up on baking supplies and spices. We go once a month or sometimes every other month. Here are some examples of what I purchase there.

• Yeast $3.99 a pound. I purchased a .39 lb container for $1.56. It is similar in size to the larger containers that grocery stores sell for around $6.
• Sea Salt $0.49/lb
• Whole Wheat Flour $0.49/lb
• They sell the spices in small plastic containers that hold about the same amount of the larger bottles you get at the grocery. (BTW these containers recycle well as single serving holders for packed lunches) Paprika $1.56, Rosemary $0.75, Whole Pepper $1.40.
• A winter breakfast favorite around here, Steel Cut Oats is also significantly lower at the Bulk Store.
• They also have some other interesting things that I have tried. One of my favorites is dry buttermilk.

Please, before you go, know your prices. (If you keep a price notebook, good for you. That is on my to do list.) Many things are cheaper there, but not all things. I find their prices for basic sugar and white flour are higher. My basic rule of thumb when shopping there is, "If Aldi carries it, it is cheaper at Aldi."

With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, it is a great time to check into bulk foods. Stock up and save money on all those yummy treats you are planning to make!