The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Share Your Badassity => Topic started by: Babymoustache on February 08, 2014, 07:51:40 AM
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Brilliant way to save money on spices! $90 worth of spices for only $16.
I can't claim the glory for this idea, as my sister was the brilliant one to come up with it and make it happen, but boy is it fabulous!
Have you ever looked in envy at the bulk bags of spices at Moore Wilson's (or the USA equivalent I think is costco). Knowing that buying them bulk is an awesome deal on prices, but you'd never use them all before they went off. Well, my sis had the idea of getting 10-15 people to go in together to buy bulk spices then split them between us. We each put in $16 dollars (a minuscule amount when you consider buying most spices by a small container here in NZ is $3-4). We then bought over 25 spices (I kid you not) really cool ones too, like vanilla beans and star anaise as well as the stock standards. Then my sis hosted an evening at her place where everyone came around and divided them up.
Basically, the end result was about $90 worth of gorgeous spices for $16!!!! I then got myself some $1.50 jars with a b'day present voucher (I'd never got around to getting a spice rack) and they look stunning in my cupboard. I've popped a photo up here. http://resumetemplatestudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/image.jpg
I highly recommend doing this, apart from its value it's also a great social event!
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Good idea and awesome savings.
In the US, there are lots of food co-ops (and some supermarkets) who have bulk spices for sale. This is a great way to save money (and get fresher spices) if you don't have a bunch of folks as you did.
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We get a lot of spices from Sam's Club in huge containers.
We figure even if we use 1/3 of each one we still save a ton of money.
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That IS brilliant!
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In the US at least there are lots of ethnic markets that sell spices in 200-400g bags for only a few dollars. Indian markets are the best by far. It wouldn't surprise me if the Costco-type stores are using the same suppliers, so prices might be similar.
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I get my spices from Bulk Barn. A quantity of most spices that will more than fill one of my (homemade) spice jars is usually under 20 cents. I would wager I've filled my 20 containers for less than $5. That does not, however, include anything like vanilla beans :)
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Really fun idea! Thanks for sharing!
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Great idea!
I usually just buy from the bulk bins so I can get whatever amount I want.
For stuff I use a fair quantity of, artichoke heart jars and 4 or 8 oz jelly jars with plastic lids are great for spices.
Buying spices in containers is such a waste of money most of the time.
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@jawisco - food co-ops sound great in the US!
@enderland - good point on even if you only use a third there's still savings. We're going to do the spices thing again in six months, but I may consider just getting a big bag if I have one spice I use mega amounts of (or just spilt it between 3 friends).
@libraryjoy - I know, I was sooooo excited when I got all the spices home for that price! I just cooked my first meal with them and it was such a delight to have every spice I required at my fingertips! I made yummy tomato soup :). Mmmmmmm
@parkette and @the fixer - ethnic markets and bulk barn sound like awesome options where you are.
@fidgiegirl - glad u liked! :)
@horsepoor - great tip on the jelly and artichoke jars!
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I bulk buy from Atlantic Spice online (though I have been doing so since the '90s - it was a paper catalog then...)
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How fun! Need to think if there is a way to do this where I live. I think the coolest part will be to get fresh spices. I mean, I go through basil, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder fast. But my cardamom could be 4 years old!
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I always hear good things about http://www.penzeys.com/ -- can you tell me how the prices compare? I live near many places with bulk bins but can't really tell what a good deal is and what's a ripoff.
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I always hear good things about http://www.penzeys.com/ -- can you tell me how the prices compare? I live near many places with bulk bins but can't really tell what a good deal is and what's a ripoff.
Penzeys was high when I looked a few years ago. I just did a brief compare:
Penzeys: 8 oz Oregano, ~$13
Atlantic Spice: 16 oz Oregano ~$7
Penzeys: 8 oz Nutmeg ~$15
Atlantic Spice: 8 oz Nutmeg ~$11
Penzeys: 16 oz Cinnamon ~$18
Atlantic Spice: 16 oz Cinnamon ~$5
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Great idea here. In the US, the normal grocery chains offer "ethnic spices" in a different aisle than the "white people" spices. There is overlap in the spices and the "ethnic spices" are always cheaper when I compare, say, "ethnic" cumin to "white people" cumin. I always found that strange.
Mostly, I buy spices in Indian stores. The prices are good.
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I always hear good things about http://www.penzeys.com/ -- can you tell me how the prices compare? I live near many places with bulk bins but can't really tell what a good deal is and what's a ripoff.
Penzeys was high when I looked a few years ago. I just did a brief compare:
Penzeys: 8 oz Oregano, ~$13
Atlantic Spice: 16 oz Oregano ~$7
Penzeys: 8 oz Nutmeg ~$15
Atlantic Spice: 8 oz Nutmeg ~$11
Penzeys: 16 oz Cinnamon ~$18
Atlantic Spice: 16 oz Cinnamon ~$5
Penzey's may be higher, but their quality is completely excellent. And I really like their company. Their spices blends in particular are great. I always have Fox Point, Ruth Ann's Muskego Ave, Northwoods, pizza seasoning, and Turkish seasoning on hand. So it might be worthwhile to get basic spices wherever is cheapest, but get blends from Penzey's. Another thing to note is that Penzey's always has a coupon for a free spice, plus they always give a free sample with your order. So you get two (sometimes more!) free spices in your order.