Shopping at BJ’s Wholesale Club can save you money, especially when you’re stocking up on groceries and household essentials. Those oversized packages and lower unit prices make it tempting to fill your cart with just about everything.
But bigger doesn’t always mean cheaper. Some products can spoil before you finish them, while others regularly go on sale for less at traditional grocery stores. And sometimes, you’re simply buying more than your household needs.
Before your next BJ’s run, here are 15 things you might want to leave on the shelf.
Fresh Produce
Those giant containers of berries, spinach, and salad greens look like a good deal until half of them spoil in your refrigerator. Unless you’re feeding a large family or have a plan to use everything, smaller quantities from your regular grocery store may save you more.
Eggs
Buying several dozen eggs at once might seem practical, but not every household goes through them quickly enough. According to the USDA, refrigerated eggs generally keep for three to five weeks, so consider how many you’ll realistically use before buying a large package.
Milk
A multipack of milk isn’t much of a bargain if you pour some down the drain. Check the dates and think about how quickly your household finishes a gallon before stocking up.
Cheese
BJ’s sells large blocks and bags of cheese that can be convenient for parties or big families. But once opened, some cheeses can dry out, develop mold, or lose quality before you finish them, so smaller packages may be a better choice.
Spices and Seasonings
That oversized container of garlic powder might last years, but its flavor won’t stay the same. Ground spices and dried herbs gradually lose their aroma and strength, so smaller jars are better for seasonings you rarely use.
Cooking Oil
A giant bottle of olive or vegetable oil can seem like an easy way to save money, but cooking oil doesn’t stay fresh indefinitely. If you only use a little at a time, a smaller bottle may be worth the higher per-ounce cost.
Related: 7 Stores With Bulk Deals That Rival Costco
Flour
Unless you bake regularly, a warehouse-sized bag of flour can sit in your pantry longer than you’d like. Flour can absorb moisture, attract pantry pests, or lose freshness over time, especially if it isn’t stored in an airtight container.
Brown Rice
Brown rice contains natural oils that make it more likely to turn rancid than white rice during storage. If you don’t cook it often, a large bag may lose freshness before you get through it.
Condiments and Salad Dressings
Restaurant-sized bottles of ketchup, mayonnaise, and salad dressing can take up surprising refrigerator space. Once opened, they have limited recommended storage periods, so buying a huge container may not make sense if you rarely use it.
Related: 15 Bulk Buys from Sam’s Club That Just Make Financial Sense
Hummus and Refrigerated Dips
Those oversized tubs of hummus, spinach dip, and other refrigerated spreads are great for parties, but they can be difficult to finish during a normal week. Once opened, many have a relatively short refrigerated shelf life, and freezing can change their texture.
Prepackaged Fresh Meals
BJ’s offers convenient prepared meals, but you’re often paying extra for someone else to do the cooking. Before grabbing one, compare the price with buying the ingredients separately, especially if you already have some of them at home.
Snack Foods
A giant tub of pretzels or a huge box of granola bars can look like a bargain until everyone gets tired of eating the same thing. Snacks can also go stale after you open them, so consider whether your family will finish them before buying the largest package.
Ground Coffee
Buying a large container of coffee may lower the cost per cup, but ground coffee gradually loses flavor and aroma after you open it. If your household takes months to finish a container, you may be better off buying smaller quantities more often.
Vitamins and Supplements
Those oversized bottles of vitamins can look like a smart purchase, but some supplements lose potency over time. Check the expiration date, look for reputable third-party testing, and consider whether you’ll actually finish the bottle before buying hundreds of tablets.
Fresh Fish
Buying seafood in bulk can work well if you plan to cook or freeze it right away. But fresh fish has a short refrigerated shelf life, so a large package can quickly become an expensive mistake if you don’t have a plan to use it.
