Bulk is so simple — and makes so much sense. Take spices, for instance. So many of us got into this habit of buying new containers of spices that we didn’t bother to empty into the old ones. Next thing you know, there are two gingers and three paprikas, including one that goes back two generations. But with bulk, you fill your little bag or bottle with what you need, and bring it back when you need more. Beautiful.

The simplicity and economy goes on from there. Have you ever lost the remains of a bag of flour in your cupboard? (C’mon now, raise your hands.) Did you forget about the walnuts you bought last fall? The flask of wine vinegar that now has floaters? With right-sized sealed containers for your cooking and/or snacking that you refill as needed, it’s less likely you’ll blank on an errant purchase and have to toss it when it gets buggy or goes rancid.

Back in the early days of shopping clubs, bulk was sold to us in the form of drums of cooking oil and toilet paper towers as tall as a preschooler. But for most of us, that kind of shopping isn’t practical. And it just leads to bigger packages to wrestle with.

The mantra of bulk is this: Take what you need. It’s a lesson we First Worlders can take to heart. Plus, a place where you can buy just a few ounces of aged balsamic or just enough chocolate peanut butter malt balls the size of new potatoes has got to be a little corner of heaven.