Coupons 101 - When to Avoid Bulk

There are times to avoid buying in bulk and times to do it (and I do not mean "stocking up, as with toilet paper... which I must admit I do). 

AVOID

• I have always been amazed why people pay a membership fee to places likes Sams.  I never understood why someone had to pay so much to save $.05/oz on ketchup - but you had to buy 500oz at once to get the savings.  So I say ditch the warehouse clubs.  thekrazycouponlady.com has a great explaination why warehouse clubs are horrible here.
• I have explained to numerous people that buying a 64oz bottle of pasta sauce may save me $.05/ounce over the 12oz jar.  However, if I have a coupon that gets the 12oz bottle to near nothing, why pay more OOP?  In my opinion, the point of couponing is to reduce your OOP spending.  You may be saving $.05/ounce but you have to pay $2 more just to get the savings.

GO FOR IT

• Grocery stores often have stations where customers can fill a bag with items (for example with nuts) and pay by the pound.  I have read on many sites that this can be a huge cost savings for customers.  Just make sure you compare before you load up a bag.