Financial literacy is an oft-forgotten aspect of prepping. A crucial detail to preparing for the worst-case scenario is recognizing that you need enough money to weather out the storm. How you decide to plan for your financial success – and consequently your long-term survival – depends on you, but one way you can achieve this is by buying items in bulk.

Buying items in bulk has several benefits, but perhaps the most advantageous one is that it allows the smart prepper to save money. Done correctly, purchasing essentials in bulk can save a family up to $500 a year. It also means spending less time in the supermarket, which can result in even more savings. Studies suggest that many buyers frequently indulge in spontaneous purchases.

Then there is the concept of buying in bulk in the first place. If a crisis was to happen, a prepper will find himself more or less good to go, thanks to his foresight to have bought the necessary items beforehand.

There are many key steps that you can take in buying in bulk on your own. This article will explain one of the simplest ones, and that is to join a food-buying club.

Why you should consider it

A buying club is composed of like-minded individuals who merge their grocery list to purchase food in large quantities at low prices. Typically, they make one to two large sales a month, and use a single whole-seller. The main goal is to buy everything from toothpaste to grains from a single seller, which may equal to savings that are half of your typical expenses.

Before you join such a club, remember that buying in bulk requires planning. You will need a lot of jars, cans, and all types of containers to store the food that you will buy. You will also need a large freezer to prevent spoilage. (Related: Survival Basics: The six enemies of food storage.)

How to get started

There are already many established food-buying clubs all across North America. The staff at your local grocery store may be able to point you toward the right direction. Most of them are aware of the clubs within your area and can help you find the nearest one. However, if you are unable to find one, you can always start one yourself.

Recruiting members

It is generally recommended that you find at least 19 other people (apart from you) to have a good, solid club. This is because most wholesale food distributors have a minimum order of $500 or more. The more members you have in your club, the more you will save. Typically, a larger order leads to volume discounts and reduced shipping costs.

You can try recruiting members from your own family, friends, or even neighbors. If you are active in a social media group, you may want to try tapping them as well. Use flyers at work, or drop a couple at your local market or wherever people usually gather to buy food.

Keep in mind that you should let all the members of your future club know the rules when they apply to join. Let them know how often you are planning on ordering or if there are limitations to the types of goods being purchased.

Selecting a vendor

Choose a company that doesn’t limit their sale to commercial accounts. You will want to do your research on reputable vendors — perhaps those that already supply to other food-buying clubs.

If it’s possible, try establishing a relationship with your local farmers. Not only will you get fresher produce, you can also save more money this way as there will be no shipping costs.

You will need to coordinate among your members how you plan to order and distribute the goods. This process requires a lot of patience and can be difficult to implement and organize, but always keep the goal of increased savings in mind. Your diligence will pay off in the future.

Sources include:

PreppersWill.com

MindBodyGreen.com