Smart Bulk Buying: 10 Sam's Club Deals for Singles & Small Households

Living alone has many benefits, but the price of groceries and household staples doesn't make it easy. Budgeting advice, such as "buy in bulk," can often leave single folks rolling their eyes because it's rarely that simple.

There's little point in purchasing food that will go bad before it can be eaten, and frozen or shelf-stable products take up storage space that isn't always feasible in smaller homes or rental units.

If you're shopping for one, here are some actually helpful bulk purchases that help you get the most out of your Sam's Club membership.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Quilted Northern Ultra Soft Toilet Paper (32 rolls)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $22.76

We all need toilet paper, and buying in bulk is worth it despite the large amount of space it can take up in a bathroom closet. It's definitely going to get used, and it's never going to go bad.

This is an even better deal than Aldi, which offers 24 rolls for $18.18 on an equivalent brand.

Member's Mark Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup (32 oz.)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $11.98

Maple syrup is a healthier alternative to high fructose corn syrup. Bottles typically come in an 8-oz. size for about $6 at grocery stores like Kroger, so this can save a lot of money.

It can also be safely stored in the refrigerator for extremely long periods of time, lasting about two years before you'll need to consider replacing it.

Prescription medications

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Price: Varies

Sam's Club Plus members get some incredible deals from the pharmacy, with over 600 generic drugs available for $10 or less for a 30-day supply. It's important to know that these deals don't combine with health insurance, but the pharmacy team will help determine which way will get you a better rate.

There are also discounts on some brand-name prescriptions. This can be a literal lifesaver to anybody on a long-term prescription and on a low budget.

Frito-Lay Flavor Mix Chips, Variety Pack (50 pack)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $18.48

Chips can often be a gamble for those who live alone. If you don't like the flavor of a bulk buy, you're stuck finishing it or tossing it out. Or, you may simply not want to eat the same thing every day.

A giant variety pack of individually packaged snacks can help you save money on groceries overall if you account for wasted food.

Gillette Fusion5 Men's Razor Cartridges (16 count)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $41.98

The cost of simply shaving has gotten so out of hand that razor blade refills are now found in stores locked behind theft-proof cases.

A small pack of four blade refills costs a whopping $22.99 at CVS. The price and hassle have prompted many consumers to switch to bulk purchasing their favorite razor blades.

Carnation Evaporated Milk (8 pack)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $11.74

Emergency milk is a must-have for every pantry, and it's the only way folks who live alone can reasonably bulk-buy the dairy product without waste. This is especially true for coffee-lovers who can't drink it black.

GE Daylight LED 100W A19 Light Bulbs (12 pack)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $17.98 (on sale from $21.98)

The price of lightbulbs has skyrocketed so high that rental leases now often specify the party responsible for them. The cheapest light bulbs set a lighting tone appropriate for a dungeon rather than a living space, so it's vital to have some good, strong, bright lights tucked away.

The same light bulbs on Amazon cost $13.11, but you'll only get a two-pack.

Del Monte Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn (8 pack)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $8.42

Canned veggies store longer, require less preparation, and come appropriately sized for one. Fresh might be better in a perfect world, but in a reality of limited time and energy, the vegetables that get eaten far surpass the ones that slowly go bad before getting thrown out in the trash.

Mars Milk Chocolate Variety Pack Candy (145 pieces)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $22.68

Mini-sized candy variety packs get more attention at Halloween, but they're great for solo-living. They last forever and offer options, avoiding the fate of having to eat Snickers bars for 45 days in a row that comes along with buying a single brand in bulk.

Tampax Pearl Tampons (96 count)

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $16.98

Buying menstrual products in bulk can significantly reduce a monthly budget.

A regularly sized box of Tampax costs $11.49 at CVS for 36 tampons. Buying in bulk for a few dollars more can nearly triple the quantity.

Bottom line

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It's not just families struggling under the weight of rising costs, but many budget hacks aimed at a family of four don't work for those living alone. Buying in bulk for one can require more thoughtful planning, but it can definitely help you keep more of your hard earned cash.

There's also the added bonus that bulk supplies last much longer when only one person is using them, which cuts down on the amount of errand-running done over the course of a year.

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