Things To Buy In Bulk During A Busy Season

Back to school, having a baby, moving, or big changes in life circumstances create some chaos within the home. I’ve found one way to prepare for these seasons (if you have fair warning) is to load up on necessities so you don’t add more stress to the mix.

When you notice there is one diaper left at 6:00 p.m. But two kids sleep in diapers.

When you’re on the toilet and realize there’s no TP in the bathroom. Or anywhere else in the house.

When you have four hungry kids and nothing much to eat but some brownies. Not that the kids mind…

These may or may not have happened to me. Oh okay, if I’m not careful to stock up on some essentials these do happen to me.

It’s probably not a big deal if you have one child and live right near a store.

But if you have a larger family who go through things quicker and are not a short trip to the store, it kinda matters.

Each time I’ve had a baby – and when I’m warned in advance of a big change – I try to stock up on a few things. Or when family members call and ask if there’s anything I need these are the things I think of first.

1. Hygiene and sanitary products. 

Toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene, and soap are things that come to mind when you’re prepping for busy times. The first thing I noticed this past weekend at Sam’s Club was that at least half the buggiest rolling around had toilet paper in them.

It must be priced well. These types of items are things you do not want to run out of at 8 p.m. when the kids are in bed and you’re the only one home.

They are also things that won’t go bad and will get used no matter what.

So basically, you lose nothing by buying in bulk and you save money and sanity.

2. Diapers, wipes, and baby essentials. 

I use cloth diapers for the baby, but disposable diapers for my 2 year old and still for my 3 year old at night.

Disposable diapers are great things to buy in bulk because you’ll save a lot of money.

Even though you’ll technically pay more because you are buying more, you’ll pay less per diaper or wipe, etc. so you’ll save in the long run.

Note, if your babies are in between sizes, when buying in bulk be sure to go up to the next so they don’t outgrow them with 50 diapers left.

3. Food staples.

Everyone will have different food staples, but it’s a good idea to figure out what yours are. This could be cereal, eggs, bread, peanut butter (ahem…), pasta, canned tomatoes, etc.

We go through a lot of peanut butter because we eat it off the spoon in our family. Everyone but the baby.

I try not to get caught up in “spending to save” or “getting tons of food” when I’m there, but just to buy things I usually buy anyway, but in bulk and at a cheaper price.

Want some 15 minute projects that you and the kids can do to get the house in order quickly? Download and print here!

4. Easy “conveniences.”

I prefer to cook real food from scratch, and I don’t like processed or packaged foods for the family. Okay, I like them, but I try my best to not cook meals of basic real food most nights.

This might be as simple as scrambled eggs and toast, but that’s how I roll. That said, in times of busyness and great stress I will try to stock up on easy meals.

Whether that’s a pre-made lasagna, stir fry mix, or a Mexican dinner kit, it’s what I do.

This is also great if your husband isn’t terribly adventurous in the kitchen, but is willing to help.

5. Ingredients for batch cooking. 

We are coming into a transition in our home and I know I’ll need to prepare in advance. If no one “needs” to eat and everyone leaves me alone, I love cooking!

But the kids always need to eat and never leave me alone so cooking is no longer the pleasure it used to be. When 4:30 comes and kids are a little crabby from their nap and I’m trying to keep them off the TV to curb their whining and attitudes, I am not my culinary best.

There are plenty of books out there to buy that will help you meal plan and cook in bulk.

You can divide food into freezer bags to put in the crockpot or one pot on the evening of and have an easy meal with little to no prep.

If you know life will be crazy for a while this is a great way to take the stress of cooking out of the equation without resorting to take out each night.

6. Basic DIY breakfast.

I find breakfast particularly helpful. If my husband is home he takes the breakfast shift, but when he’s not I need it to be dead easy and basically DIY for the kids.

This past weekend I bought about a million waffles for two dollars. Okay not really, but I think this type of breakfast is easy and filling. The kids can pop it in the toaster and voila!

I hear it exists that some mothers cook hot breakfast for their kids most days.

I simply do not believe these mothers exist. How can it be? Other easy breakfasts are breakfast bars and oatmeal.

Instead of buying the oatmeal in individual packets, though, buy a big container and separate them individually using this recipe or one like it. I do this and the kids LOVE it!