Protein bars have recently become a staple for foodies and a large majority of society alike. They're the best fit "go-to" snack for anyone looking to eat healthy, due to their portioned size, great flavor, and health satiety benefits.

The only issue with these bars is that they're kind of expensive (by kind of, I mean definitely are). I'm always so torn each time I walk into a store to grab a quick snack; is it worth it to spend a little extra for the bar, as opposed to a bag of chips? The answer is YES. Fueling your body with healthy, satisfying food should always be worth it, but I understand these items can be expensive. My college student fund doesn't really have enough room for these favorite bars; eating them is a priority for me though, so I put the time into research to make it work.

The following are the prices of some of the "top trending" bars I've specifically noticed that many health food accounts on Instagram have been snacking on:

Gomacro Bar

Gomacro bars are definitely on my top list of favorite protein bars; they're chewy, flavorful, and very satisfying. They are sold in most major supermarkets, Target, Walmart, and a few select coffee shop chains. Their protein bars are vegan, organic, and come in a variety of 15+ flavors. The fact that the bars are both vegan and organic definitely adds to why they are on the prcier side.

The average price of buying a singular bar in a store is $3.06, whereas the price for a pack of 12 is $24.99, making the unit price $2.08. If individual bars were bought for 30 days, the cost would be $91.80; on the other hand, if purchased in the bulk, the price would be $62.40. This means that the monthly total savings would be $29.40

RxBar

RxBars are the latest and greatest craze right now. Not only are there flavors for almost every palate, but RxBar has also now released "kids bars" and nut butter packets. This popularity in RxBars is probably due to the fact that each of their bars is composed of fewer than five ingredients - all of which are pretty expensive ingredients. 

The average price of an individual RxBar is $2.25, whereas the price for a pack of 12 is $19.99, making the unit price $1.67. If individual bars were bought for 30 days, the cost would be $67.50; on the other hand, if purchased in the bulk, the price would be $50.10. This means that the monthly total savings would be $17.40

Perfect Bar

Perfect bars are definitely my personal guilty pleasure right now; there is really nothing else like them. The texture is smooth and the taste is just as though you were eating a spoonful of peanut butter (or another flavor). These bars are specifically expensive, as they are non-GMO and sweetened with organic honey

The average price of an individual Perfect is $2.49, whereas the price for a pack of 12 is $24.00, making the unit price $2.00. If individual bars were bought for 30 days, the cost would be $74.70; on the other hand, if purchased in the bulk, the price would be $60.00. This means that the monthly total savings would be $14.70

Lesson #1: Buy In Bulk

As seen throughout price comparisons, one large way to save money on these bars (and anything in life) is to buy in bulk, rather than purchasing individual items. The stores which sell these bars are able to price them a bit higher than the unit price, so then that way a profit can be made. The saving might not seem that dramatic on a monthly scale, but what if you're someone who eats the same snack consistently for almost a year? This could be close to anywhere from $150 - $300 in annual savings, which is kind of a big deal when it comes to protein bars. 

If you're someone like me who doesn't like to be bound to the same flavor for a set amount of time, buy a mixed variety pack. Even better yet, but a couple of bulk packs upfront and mix them up; it may seem like a large amount of money to spent in one visit to the supermarket, but planning this way pays off.

Lesson #2: Make Your Own

Ah, everyone's favorite - the daunting task of actually creating your own protein bar or replicating versions of favorites from the health food aisle. Making protein bars does not have to be a difficult chore that will never turn out as good as the originals. If you are truly committed to saving money, I would recommend considering this option. 

Gomacro Bar Copycats: Peanut butter, chocolate peanut butter

RxBar Copycats: Coffee chocolate RxBar, chocolate sea salt RxBar, blueberry RxBar

Perfect Bar Copycats: Peanut butter dark chocolate, honey flax almond butter, coconut nut butter

Once people become accustomed to certain materialistic things, including food, it can be very difficult to give them up if too expensive. To the eye, protein bars may not seem expensive, but they do add up in the long run. Buying in bulk and making your own bars are just two options that can be used in an everyday lifestyle to cut down on the cost of these items. If you're anything like me and protein bars are a definite priority in your life, then take the time to research your budget and explore different options. Happy snacking!