Bulk bin bargains: frugality at its finest - savvyshopper

Better Nutrition, Jan, 2003 by John Riddle

It really doesn't matter what you're shopping for--if you can find a way to save money or get something free, it makes you feel good all over. But is it possible to find a true bargain without sacrificing quality? It's one thing to save a buck or two when you're purchasing a cellular phone, but if you're looking to improve your health and save money at the same time, you need to become a super-savvy shopper.

Consumers have their own bags of tricks when it comes to shopping wisely. Some never buy items without a coupon, or they only go to the reduced-price shelves looking for bargains. Some people won't shop without a list, while others only buy in bulk. But smart shopping is about more than just comparing brands to save money, especially when it comes to healthy foods, dietary supplements or natural health and beauty products.

"Try not to buy items that are packaged in small serving sizes or that have packaging with a lot of glitz and glitter," says Nancy Kemble, owner of The Squirrel's Nest, a natural foods store in Middletown, Delaware. "Consumers should always spend their dollars on the product, not the packaging. I always tell my customers that if they're buying individual serving sizes, they're buying the packaging as well--and, consequently, the cost of the product may be two or three times more.

"I tell my customers to go back to the basics. In other words, look at the price of a single pack of oatmeal with fruit, then price old-fashioned oatmeal. Both products can be cooked in the microwave. And you can always add a spoonful of raisins or jelly and have the same taste much more economically," Kemble says.

You can also save money by purchasing items in bulk quantities, says Kristin Volberg, owner of The Health Nut in Susanville, California. "Bulk herbs and spices are a great way to save," she says. "Compare a little bottle of spice from the grocery store to an equal amount of the herb purchased in bulk. The savings are amazing, and the herbs are much fresher. Another way to shop wisely is to compare mass-market supplements to quality supplements. Often you'll find that you can take fewer doses per day of a quality supplement because the potency is so superior. Try breaking the price down to cost per dosage. Chances are you will find that the quality brand is actually less expensive. The saying `you get what you pay for' really does hold true in our industry."

It also pays to learn as much as you can about the products that are available at your local health food store. "Before you arm yourself with fruits and vegetables, you need to arm yourself with knowledge," says David Wolfe, author of Eating for Beauty. "A carefully chosen diet rich in organic fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds and herbs with appropriate supplements works beautifully for children and adults alike. Do your homework before you make a purchase, and you're certain to be a satisfied customer."

Some retailers reward their customers by having special sale prices on certain days of the week. That seems to work well for Diane Fischer, owner of The Organic Cupboard Health Foods store in Great Bend, Kansas. "Every Thursday, customers can save 10 percent on all of their purchases of food items and vitamins," she says. "People tell me they wait until Thursday to do their shopping because they appreciate the opportunity to save money while not sacrificing quality. Because of the special, Thursday has become the busiest shopping day of the week in my store. And my loyal customers tell their friends about the bargains they find here. Each week I see an increase in the number of new shoppers who stop by on Thursday."

While staying educated and shopping wisely do take some work, it doesn't mean you can't have fun at the same time. For some shoppers, finding bargains while maintaining a sense of humor can be a real challenge. But Shel Horowitz, creator of frugalfun.com, has been advising people for years on how to make their shopping experiences pleasurable instead of a chore. "Once consumers realize it's okay to pinch pennies, they start to look forward to shopping," the marketing consultant says. "You don't have to sacrifice quality, even though you're looking for the best bargains. In other words, you can eat healthy and save money at the same time." It's a bargain.