Costco?

[Michelle]

My IL's gave us a membership to Costco (our local store was having some sort of promo, I guess), but we've never been there. What do you like to get from there?

I've heard that they don't accept manufacturer's coupons...is this true?

[frugal.lass]

I let my membership lapse (I've made paying my debts off my priority) but when I was a member I used to generally stay away from most of the foodstuffs since a) you have to be VERY careful with pricing since it's not always a good deal b) I'm single and can't use up large sizes easily c) the items that did seem like good deals are usually convenience foods that I don't eat anymore. I DID however buy gifts there fairly often since I could find good prices on books, CD's and clothes.

Congrats on getting a free membership but be careful...I find that warehouse stores are like Walmarts. You go there to pick up one item and leave with a cartful of things you "remembered you needed".

[Dsunny1]

I buy my diapers (off brand) and wipes there. I also get TP and laundry detergent there sometimes if it is cheaper then my other stores. THey don't take cupons but do have their own that you get in the mail. So for diapers it will knock off $3.00 from an already great price. I buy my chicken there if it beats the price per lb of my grocery. Books and Cd's are a great price there also.

[guest32]

A lot depends on your family and your habits. We personally buy: Coffee beans, DW detergent (kirkland brand), garbage bags (kirkland brand) most of our meat (we have a food saver, so we buy in bulk) raisins, choc. chips....a few other things. I do not buy any convenience or frozen foods except the salmon. (I like it, dh does not...he eats beef, I eat fish)

I don't know about Costco, but we have a membership to BJ's (same idea). We started with a free membership because my BIL worked there, and we actually save enough that when he left we paid for our own. The first three trips in I took a calculator, pen, and pad of paper and mostly just checked prices. Here's what I found to be cheaper:

Milk (easily - $2.16 at BJ's, $3.89 at the grocery store for generic)
Butter ($1.99/lb everyday - grocery store is $4.99/lb everyday, will occasionally go on sale for $1.99/lb)
Eggs - BJ's is $1.89 for 18. Can't remember grocery store price, but about that for 12
Bread - we are picky about which kind of bread we buy, so we pay $1.50/loaf at BJ's vs. $2.00/loaf at the grocery store

Other things we buy at BJs, but I don't remember the pricing:
Almonds
Pecans
Chocolate Chips
Jam/Jelly
Tuna Fish
Hamburger (this is $1.89/lb for 93% lean - grocery store is around $3.99/lb)
Deli Meats
Cheese
Spices (particularly Vanilla and Instant Gravy Mix)
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Annie's Macaroni and Cheese

[Michelle]

Thanks for all the tips.

I used to have a BJ's membership when the kids were in diapers, but then we stopped because I didn't really find anything that was a better deal there than at my regular grocery stores. So I know all about the "seems like a good deal, but figure out costs".

I was able to get 4 lbs of butter for $6.35 vs. the $11.96 I would have paid at my grocery store. Also worthy of noting was the yeast I was able to get for $2.99 for 2 lbs...normally costs $5.99 for 4 oz (so 2 lbs at the grocery store would cost me $40 ) That will come in handy for bread/roll making, and it's good for 2 yrs.

All in all, a great trip!

[guest32]

I also agree about the tuna...I buy Kirkland Albacore. Also, pure vanilla extract. You just have to check prices and compare. Like everywhere else.

[Lyn5]

Thanks for all the tips.

I used to have a BJ's membership when the kids were in diapers, but then we stopped because I didn't really find anything that was a better deal there than at my regular grocery stores. So I know all about the "seems like a good deal, but figure out costs".

I was able to get 4 lbs of butter for $6.35 vs. the $11.96 I would have paid at my grocery store. Also worthy of noting was the yeast I was able to get for $2.99 for 2 lbs...normally costs $5.99 for 4 oz (so 2 lbs at the grocery store would cost me $40 ) That will come in handy for bread/roll making, and it's good for 2 yrs.

All in all, a great trip!

I buy my yeast from there too I buy most my baking things...flour, eggs, butter, nuts, chocolate chips, yeast and sugars. If I need to go there, I will also pick up milk and sometimes meat. I agree with the previous posters that some things are not cheaper and there are many temptations. I try very hard to stick to my list and to NOT take my DH.

[Laurie in Bradenton]

We use our local Sam's club but like everyone eles has pointed out you must know your prices! Also if the gallon of Taco Sauce goes bad before you use it all its no deal. When I go I go with a list and stick to it. I also watch the prices.

Laurie in BRadenton

[Sari]

Costco has awesome sandwich wrap spiral thingies. LOL They are soooo good. I had to quit going there because I'd spend so much money on them.

I am a BJ's member now, and I really love how you can use a manufacturer's coupon AND a BJ's coupon on the same item! Sometimes, depending on packaging, you can use more than 1 manu. coupon on an item.

At BJ's I usually get:
garbage bags
dog food
cat litter
laundry detergent
canned tuna
ground beef
rawhide chews for the dogs
pig ears for the dogs
jasmine rice

and some other things I can't remember right now. I also always check prices, because sometimes I get it cheaper on sale at the grocery store.

[Jenna]

We buy:

whole roasted chickens
Kirkland papertowels
tp
frozen pizzas
froz ham patties
froz sweet n sour chicken
froz orange chicken
bread
ham buns
bananas
fresh spinach
Kirkland kit. trash bags
Mission corn chips
milk
yogurt
string cheese
olive oil
plastic cups
plastic utensils.

Their muffins are really good, too.

[annertak]

The things I buy there that I can't beat elsewhere are:

Jif peanut butter
Coffee (Kirkland & Folgers)
Heinz Ketchup
Pure Vanilla Extract
Chocolate chips
Butter
Parmesan Cheese
Stove Top Stuffing
Boxed mashed potatoes
Pretzels
Powdered sugar
Brown sugar
Gravy mix (brown & chicken)
Montreal steak (and chicken) seasoning
Yeast
Baking soda & Powder
Ziploc sandwich bags
Garbage bags
Pork Sirloin roasts (though they haven't had these the last couple of times I've been there)
Potatoes
Baking Cocoa
Flour tortillas


These are all things that I can't get any cheaper where I live. Not even on loss leader sales, as they rarely go on sale. Of course, we only have a QFC & Safeway in our town! Costco is about 45 minutes or so away, so we only go about once a month.

[northernmom2boys]

We can get most of the big box things at the grocery store now so we only go around xmas time

[chatterweb]

We shop Costco as executive members and we buy:
tires
contact lenses
computers
shampoo
dog food
cat food
dog treats
water
cheese
zipfizz
starbucks coffee
meats
bread
all paper products and vitamins
We get about 125.00 back each year, so the membership pays for itself.
We alsoenjoy free samples while we shop, and the ffood court as well.

[kabin63]

We don't have a costco here, but we have sam's club. The last time I was a member, a few years ago, I was able to get my winter coat at a very resonable price. I haven't been there in ages.