## 8. Shelf Life Can Affect the Value
Milk isn’t a pantry item.
That means shelf life plays a major role in whether a bulk purchase is worthwhile.
Some shoppers assume that buying a larger container automatically means they are getting a better deal. But if part of that container ends up being discarded, the effective cost of the milk you actually consumed becomes much higher.
Imagine two shoppers.
One buys a large container at a lower unit price but throws away a substantial portion.
The other buys a smaller container at a slightly higher unit price and consumes every drop.
The second shopper may actually spend less money over time.
This is why **waste should be included in your calculation**.
The cheapest price on the shelf isn’t necessarily the cheapest price for your household.
