Is Costco worth it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2009
Is Costco worth it?
15
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 2:41pm

My boyfriend and I got our first Costco membership this year, $50 for it. We have used it a few times but only for basics...toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Are we under this magic illusion that we really save

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 4:31pm
Yes you can save money at Costco, but you really need to know your prices. I have a Costco membership that I share with a cousin.
He uses it much more than I do. He lives in a city with a Costco but my Costco is an hours drive for me, so unless I happen to be going to that city anyway I never go.
Make sure to pack a calculator with you and break things down to per unit pricing or per litre, pound, use or what ever measurement is best for that item. It can be surprising that is not always best to buy in bulk. (Even at the grocery store it can be cheaper per unit to buy the smaller packaging)
Also when buying bulk make sure that you can use it up within a reasonable amount of time. If possible maybe split a case with a friend. I do that with my one SIL.
Keep track over the next year to make sure that you are saving the $50 annually. Several years ago when I first started buying at Costco, I found that it was actually costing me more to shop there as I would buy things that I didn't really need. I now am much more discerning in my Costco shopping.


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2009
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 4:35pm
My DH and I use our Sam's membership a lot. We buy our laundry detergents and stuff like that there. We also buy meat there a lot. We also get our paper products there. We have 4 young boys so we buy a lot of frozen stuff too. Personally, I feel that you can save money if you use it right but you could end up wasting money if you go in there and buy a bunch of stuff that you really don't need or that you don't use.

Jenn


People of character find a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that they can realize their potential. ~Charles de Gaulle


Jenn<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 4:50pm

Yes you can save money at Costco. Things you use a lot of, especially if you cook, are really good prices. If you are not going to use all of what you buy there, don't buy it. The meat is very good quality, and the freezer bags are also a good price to portion the meat you buy to freeze some. Don't get caught buying things you don't need there like furniture and household items. Go in with a list and stick to it.


Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 5:18pm

I agree with the other posters, if you watch things, and just don't go and buy things because its all new and great, you can definitely save money. In addition to food prices, there are certain other things that I have found I buy relatively often that saves me. I buy my dad very nice golf shirts there that are a very good price, and DH and I try and go out to see a movie at least once a month on a date night and we'll go and buy the movie tickets there ahead of time. It usually saves us about $4, which isn't a lot, but it does add up over time.

Photobucket





PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket


PhotobucketPhotobucket


PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhotobucket



Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 6:48pm

I would have to say Yes and No.




iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 7:16pm
Also, our Costco's gas is the cheapest around the area, so that's an added bonus. For us, we buy our milk, fruit, meats and paper goods which are cheapest. the rest of our groceries we usually buy at Aldi's.
pregnancy week by week
Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 7:57pm

I have a Sam's club membership and until this past year I had sort of gotten to be the person who filled the shelves in the break room, and I did have to buy a lot there which I was reimbursed for.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 8:13pm

I've never been a member of these sort of clubs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 8:18pm


As a mother of young kids we are Sams members and we have utilized it a lot. We bought diapers and formula there for our kids for years.

We also buy a lot of household stuff like laundry detergent and clorox wipes........etc.

Now that my kids are out of diapers and off formula we still are members and we use their services if they are cheap. (tire service, etc.) Also, my job offers a $10 off incentive if you become a member so a $40/year membership for us only costs $30. :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2009
Mon, 01-11-2010 - 8:22pm

I beleive Costco is definately worth it!! Also check on their insurances rates. I have both homeowners and car insurance through them and saved money when I switched big time.


I also think their meats and produce are cheaper. Most cerals are also a good deal as well!

Pages