Question

How in the world do you make Costco actually cost effective for you? I can't spend under $100 and I walk out with only a couple items. I'm thinking I must be doing Costco wrong.  

Answer 1

We fondly refer to Costco as the $500 store. Lol

Comments

@tomokotomorrow I call it the $300 or more store. lol same same.  

Answer 2

We don’t have Costco, but I have a sams club sinking envelope. Basically a little money goes in to stock up on things periodically.  

Answer 3

We are a family of 5 who are DF/GF. We buy things in the beginning of the month and only buy what is truly cheaper than getting it from our go-to stores (whole foods, trader joes). It's more up front, but it evens out.  

Answer 4

Stick to a list!  

Answer 5

Stick to food, cleaning, and paper products.  

Answer 6

We’re a family of 5, including 2 teenage boys, and me and my husband are keto/carnivore so we go through food and meat.  

Answer 7

I have lists of what we get at Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Trader Joe's etc. When I need to replace items on those lists, I plan a day to go to those stores and get those items needed. Example, buying the Heinz ketchup we use at Costco is much much more cost effective than purchasing one bottle at Walmart. At Costco we get 3 44oz bottles of Heinz ketchup for $8. 63 total. At Walmart, I would spend $4+ on one bottle. When I go to those stores, I look at the sale fliers I get in the mail or email and plan accordingly. When I have extra grocery money saved up, I can go there and spend a bit more on things we normally purchase there.  

Answer 8

I rarely spend less than $200 there (we only go probably once every couple months) but even though we spend a lot, it still saves us money as we aren’t buying those products throughout the month.  

Answer 9

I order online from Sams mostly and have it shipped to me free! Paper products way cheaper there brand paper towels and toilet paper

Answer 10

If I go in to Sams I get lettuce and veggies, fruit and almond milk that’s about it oh and there brand of chips yum!  

Answer 11

I usually spend 100 or less. I go once a month to buy meats and muffins, the meat I buy usually lasts more than a month so I rotate and buy ground beef or chicken or ribs or pork chops

Answer 12

We break up the more expensive purchases like meats, drinks, and paper products. We buy meat about every two months, we will spend about $100 depending on what we get and then portion it out and freeze it so it lasts us a long time. Paper products are every two months and drinks are usually once a month. We spend more up front but it lasts longer than buying smaller at the grocery store. We go every weekend to buy produce, milk, and cereal- my husband and our teenage daughter eat cereal every day and if her best friend comes over we know at least two boxes will be gone that weekend! Lol! We used to walk out sticker shocked until we came up with this plan. Plus, my husband is really good at asking “do we really need that? ” and it keeps me focused.  

Answer 13

As of a family of 2 it wasn’t cost effective for us. Things we were buying we could get cheaper at the local grocery store with coupons the grocery store offered and what not.  

Answer 14

If it’s not working for you, it’s ok to not go. For us, I have to have grocery $set aside because it’s more than my average grocery shop and then I freeze a lot (bread, meat, butter) as soon as I get home. The idea is that you bulk shop and save later, but that only works if you have the money up front. We don’t go very often anymore because it’s so far.  

Answer 15

I buy paper products, food and cleaning supplies. I avoid the extra stuff. Buy things you will always use like TP, napkins, laundry detergent.  

Answer 16

Toilet paper, napkins, milk, eggs, ground beef, chicken, laundry soap. I stock up and only go every few months.  

Answer 17

So I follow this guy online that retired at 33. He said he did an analysis on Costco and found shopping at local grocery store was cheaper. I've tried to do my own mini analysis and I know they are cheaper for like bulk toiletries (razors for example). I'll try to find the article.  

Answer 18

It's not cost effective for us. We have 6 members in our family and save more money shopping Aldi.  

Answer 19

It works well for us for low carb foods, but I usually get non-food elsewhere because I can spend less at the Dollar Tree on so many household and cleaning items.  

Answer 20

I haven't done the math to include the cost of the membership and I'm I'm Canada with a family of 3. We buy certain things at costco cheaper/better quality than elsewhere - chicken, some other meats, coffee, paper product, soaps, etc. We go about once every 6 weeks and aim for $100 ish depending what we need.  

Answer 21

I buy my meat in bulk frozen there. Then that’s all I use for my main protein to meal planning. Usually chicken breasts. I also like to buy things like Gatorade, and household supplies.  

Answer 22

I go to Sam's for their produce, toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry detergent. I love their bagged salads (about $2) and rotisserie chicken (about $5) for a quick meal when I don't feel like cooking. We pick off the chicken all week.  

Answer 23

You have to be able to control yourself. I make a list & pretty much stick to it. I might get one or two snacks that’s not on the list. I go once a month.  

Answer 24

We have come to this conclusion about Sam's

Answer 25

We stick to our list and that helps. We only get staple items and I try really hard not to deviate from the list. For us, where we live, it is the cheapest option. Most food items will hold us over for two weeks because of the size of the packages.  

Answer 26

So I use Sams but mostly for meat, produce and TP. I also like their clothing selection and books, etc. I go once a week and one week I buy my ground beef. Next week I buy chicken and alternate. I always pick up a rotisserie chicken while I’m there too. Very versatile and theirs are the best! For my regular groceries, sides, etc I shop at Walmart

Answer 27

I buy when i have extra money from my groceries evelope and the others and depending on what i get i may or may not stay within those categories but it's only because i know i already bought what i needed

Answer 28

All my products are scattered. Our snacks don’t run out at the same time, same with meats and other things. It took a few months to get in that schedule, but it works out perfectly now. The only thing I buy weekly are my fresh fruits and veggies/lettuce we eat on the regular

Answer 29

I compared prices with Walmart and Sams in many items and Walmart was almost always cheaper on canned goods and pantry items. Sams has bigger packages but the per ounce price was almost always the same or a little higher. It was really hard to tell with paper goods because they are labeled so weirdly. If you need large quantities there is some advantages to the bigger containers but overall I think it’s often very similar.  

Answer 30

A couple ideas that I've cost compared and is cheaper at Costco. Kirkland toilet paper=1cent a square. Huge bottle Dawn dish soap $7. 99. 200 trash bags $11. 45. Kirkland Shampoo/Conditioner (33. 8. oz) under $20 (sulfate, paraben, etc free). 2 huge bottles body wash $8. 99 (also sulfate, paraben, etc free). Generic Zyrtec 9. 99 for a years supply. 5 bottles generic Flonase for 17. 99. 120 Kirkland KCups for $27. 4 tubes Pro Enamel toothpaste $23 (6. 5 oz) (Walmart the 4 oz is $6) All this lasts several months or more.  

Answer 31

I definitely don’t look at Costco as a money saver for us. I love their selection though. Lots of healthy options and quick grab type foods we like to get there. Toilet paper and paper towels are good too but I usually get them cheaper by couponing or watching amazon sales. Costco is more of a fun thing for us. If we were really hardcore budgeting I don’t know if I would have a membership.  

Answer 32

I don't go!  

Answer 33

I don't. I get toilet paper, detergent, trash bags, baby wipes, dish detergent etc all cheaper from dollar general. I price checked evergthing per unit, without sales or coupons.  

Answer 34

I got a Costco membership on Groupon. I literally only buy Benadryl, liquor & cat food. I split a membership 50/50 with a friend. And we got the savers membership, where if you don’t get back your $60 you get back the difference.  

Answer 35

I’m new to budgeting but we are a family of 5 and have two dogs and a cat. We live in a rural area. Once a month I Costco shop for food, diapers, wipes, dog and cat food if needed. Toilet paper and paper towels if needed. So basically everything . It’s usually 400-500. Then I supplement at a grocery store for produce

Answer 36

I just don’t go ‍♀️

Answer 37

It’s okay to spend 100. 00 if it is normally something you would buy and you are stocking up and saving more in long run. Including time and gas.  

Answer 38

For overall general shopping it’s not cost effective. But there are things that we do but there regularly: toilet paper, butter, baking soda, vinegar, bagged salad, sandwich bread, muffins, some meats, Greek yogurt, block cheddar cheese and then the monthly sale ad items here and there.  

Answer 39

I have a family of 5 so Costco helps me a lot with my grocery bill. So I have a sinking fund Costco envelope and add to it every payday and decrease my regular grocery store weekly budget. After 4 weeks I make the trip and use my sinking fund envelope that’s been saved

Answer 40

Gas! Also, I have the membership that will give you back a percentage of your purchase for the year. So, I pick things up for work.  

Answer 41

One week I do costco and focus on household and snacks the next I use my grocery budget for meals. so your essentially buying meals for two weeks and then snacks and household for 2 weeks.  

Answer 42

I looooove Costco. but im the same way. I always spend so much dang money there lol

Answer 43

Last year I compared pricing for the things I usually bought to the local store pricing. A bunch of stuff I found was actually cheaper elsewhere. Then I stick to my list. I don’t allow myself to check out the middle section because that’s where my budget would be blown. I went from spending $200 every week at Costco to $50-$90.  

Answer 44

We have sams club and I only use it for gas, snacks, and my husbands energy drinks

Answer 45

I don’t find Costco to be any cheaper than Aldi and local grocery store sales, and some thing (fruit! ) are much higher.  

Answer 46

I feel the same way. I'm going to start a Costco sinking fund and try to go once a month.  

Answer 47

After a a few years I have it down. But it took a few 300 dollar runs to figure it out lol

Answer 48

As a single household, it really doesn't work for me and I only have it because I'm on my mom's. It would probably take me 4 years to finish some of those condiments. I do use it for gas though. I am going to price their veggie burger packs when I run out next but even then, storage space becomes an issue.  

Answer 49

I go once a month. The items I get are pretty consistent. I try to stay away from all the boxed/ reheat foods. Diapers, eggs, fruit, snacks for kids’ lunches, while chicken, tp, paper towels and paper plates when needed.  

Answer 50

Costco and BJ’s are not cheaper for anything I shop for. I have accepted that. The only reason I go is for convenience of stocking up.  

Answer 51

I live alone and I do the majority of my shopping at Costco. I only have to buy some items twice a year (garbage bags, laundry pods), or quarterly (tissues, toilet paper. ) I buy all of my meat there. Meat can be frozen up to 3 months so I buy 3 months worth. I love buying produce there and will usually make a trip every other week but on those days I spend $30-$60. My prescriptions are cheaper at Costco and I have an executive membership so I get 2% back on my purchases.  

Answer 52

I meal plan and spend 100 a week for a fan of 4 . Food only I spend about 70 at Costco and 30 at grocery store for produce . I made a price chart for Costco so I know prices before I go

Answer 53

I go in but don't take a buggy. I carry my stuff or take my basket. That way I control my spending

Comments

@spermophyte me too. I only buy what I can carry.  

Answer 54

Shopping list and stick to it. IF you can't do that and don't need cold/frozen things, order online for delivery. Or with cold things - do pick up ordering - I know Sams has this. I don't shop Costco.  

Answer 55

We buy the things we know we’re getting a deal on, and that we’ll use. I have a whole list of things we buy at Costco vs the store. Can I get a better deal at the grocery store? Sometimes, and I’ll take advantage if I can, but there are a lot of things at costco that are a better every day price than the store is.  

Answer 56

The last time I was at Costco I walked around without a cart, used the bathroom, and left. Spent $0.  

Answer 57

When I was unemployed I went to Costco and compared their unit prices to my grocery store sales and coupons. There were a few items I couldn't get close to outside of Costco and some other things that were actually an awful deal at Costco. We cut our spending way down but what we save on generic flonase and goldfish crackers pays our membership probably ten times  

Answer 58

$165 but i getvlots of premade organic easier for me than cooking in a hurry and burning food. I can make a meal with prewashed salad & meatballs. egg white frittatas cheaper than me making them after cutting  s spinach cheese thsn washing all the pans. I also get the hummus dm for lunches with pita chips than bananas & a water. the tp last a month and paoer towels 2 mths , we use hand towels we each have 1 to dry our hands. detergent & rotisserie to make our chicken salad, & butter chicken curry

Answer 59

I can't make it work either. I spend a ton and then still have to do a regular grocery shopping. So, I don't belong to those stores anymore. Plus we get tired of eating pita chips or whatever long before we've run out!  

Answer 60

We almost always spend at least $200, and we go once a week. Usually we spend $300. We are a family of seven plus two other adults that live with us, so 9 people total (4 adults, 5 kids). We do most of our shopping at Costco. It’s rare we go to a regular supermarket. We don’t have an aldi buy us at all

Answer 61

I had to stop going because I love everything there and it’s like Disneyland for me. I’d imagine it would be workable if your only buying a few specific things that you are actually getting the best price on and have a set budget amount for.  

Answer 62

Only go in with a list and cash. You should be able to find approximate prices online. Only buy what’s on your list. There’s are tons of good deals but it’s not a deal if it leaves you struggling in another section of your budget.  

Answer 63

I price matched costco and our local grocery store. Theres some stuff cheaper at our grocery store and more cost effective in the long run so buy things from there but we are a family of 7 so i do the meats and cheese and bread and toiletries and cleaning supplies and those things from costco but i get everything else i need from our grocery and we only go to costco 1 every 2 months as its 1hr away so it costs more on gas for me to go sooner. My costco bill is about 400$ but it lasts 2 months

Answer 64

We go and really just get household items like detergent, TP, paper towels, etc. and all of our meats. Their pork chops are so thick we slide them in half and that makes a chop for each my husband and I. We buy their ground beef in bulk, steaks, etc. In turn causing our weekly grocery bill to just be produce and random stuff for lunches, sides, and what not

Answer 65

Not Costco I do Sam's club. I wait till I get my instant savings book. Get things we need when it's on sale. I may spend more but it's on sale and its stuff we will for sure use. Especially the house essentials that are a great price.  

Answer 66

I do sams. I’ll admit the first few visits were more costly, but once the bulk items were all purchased and started lasting the less I had to purchase and only purchased to replace when that item was out.  

Answer 67

Go in with a plan and dont let all the amazingness sidetrack you

Answer 68

I’m about shopping the sales and buying veggies!  

Answer 69

We're a house of 5 with 1 in diapers and 1 in pullups overnight. Pays for itself  

Answer 70

We are a family of 4 and I only shop Costco for certain items like toilet paper, kitchen garbage bags , milk, etc. if my family can’t consume the bulk amount before it goes bad, I don’t buy it there because I feel it doesn’t save me money.  

Answer 71

I use the pharmacy, and the dog food. I buy on brand stuff like Mac n cheese (kids don’t enjoy certain store brands). Noodles and Rice are cheaper in bulk, we can go through the 6-8 lbs of pasta in 1 month and it cost even less than I can find at stores (even when on sale). We can get tuna, and or lunch staples cheaper. Bags of frozen Chicken is much cheaper. Milk is usually cheaper and so is eggs and cheese. (Aldi is occasional cheaper). I try to limit to 1 huge sams/Costco purchase a month. then fill in with Aldi on the weekly. We budget $550 per month. I know our SAMS/Costco purchase will be $250-300. That leaves $75 for each other week to get milk again, or produce again. Or the few random things I don’t want bulk. BUT STAY AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF THE STORE. because that $250-300 could easily turn into $500 if you buy clothes. And a new book and some new socks, and some new dishes, and on and on and on!  

Answer 72

We have a separate Costco fund because we go once a month. instead of weekly like groceries. I also stick to a. List that coordinates with meal planning. if I don’t go with a list it’s out of control what makes it into the cart- we also stopped buying certain things in bulk because it was costing too much up front and some things aren’t worth it.  

Answer 73

We only grab toilet paper and paper towels. My husband goes in and runs out before we get trapped lol

Answer 74

I did the math on what we purchase in smaller amounts at regular grocery (Winco or Fred Meyer) and found that many items (when I meal plan! ) are much cheaper there for the quantity we use. Especially: Seafood (we eat a lot of Salmon), nuts/dried fruit, PB, fresh fruit, frozen veggies, plain Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, some meat products (ground beef & chicken sausages for us), coffee, olive oil, and tuna. Also toilet paper, contact solution, & tissues. If you only focus on staples and avoid the “fun” things, it’s very cost effective. We spend $200/month at Costco, and then I’m able to spend only between $80-100/week for other consumables at other stores for a family of 3 for all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks for school).  

Answer 75

What @mongo Faddis said; in addition perhaps considering a sinking fund that is Costco specific for each quarter/half year/year. The objective being to wait for the good sales on non-perishables (food and dry goods like detergent). This way you can pay the lowest on a haul for here items and be done for a while. Be selective for what works for you. Do you need 4 bottles of laundry detergent in the garage or 3 packs of black beans ‍♂️. I personally stock up on the nicer bar soaps, tissues, and laundry detergent primarily. Another quick side note to remember is that if you purchase an item at full price and it goes on sale within a certain timeframe after (I think 30 days) you can go in or request online for the price adjustment. Love Costco but you have to figure out the logistics that work beat for you.  

Answer 76

Honestly, I have a Sam’s Club membership (renews in July) and for the two of us, I find it useless. We don’t have the space to buy items in bulk and store, and Sam’s is so far out of my way I cannot justify renewing in July. That’ll just save me money, IMO. We shop Aldi and Walmart grocery pickup for everything else.  

Answer 77

I love costco/kirkland products! The big salad container, sea food, dog food, toiletries, gifts. I also have the upgraded membership where I get a percentage back from my shopping & gas making this years rebate was over $400. Paid for itself.  

Answer 78

What are you buying there? I can make $100 feed my fam of five for a week, shopping at Costco. Its the best!