Best buys -- maple syrup, butter, capers, OTC medications.

If you bake bread, Costco sells a big package of yeast that is SO much cheaper than the little packets at the grocery store. It keeps well in the freezer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have Costco, but I shop at Sam's Club.

I get non-perishables because I have storage space and it saves me a lot of time buying things every six months instead of every month. I get paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, ziploc bags, aluminum foil (actually closer to a 2 year supply of this! ), baby wipes (our daycare goes through a lot of these), dish detergent, laundry soap.

I buy some canned products that we'll use a lot like canned soups, baked beans. They have the brand of tomato sauce that I use in a pinch, so I'll get a 3-pack that can be used when I'm pressed for time. I get pantry staples that I use more of (dried basil and oregano, honey).

I get milk there because my kids drink a lot and it's much cheaper than the grocery. I get orange juice because I get a larger jug and it costs about the same as the smaller jug at the grocery. I also get fresh fruit there every other week because I get decent fruit and a lot more of it for the same price as the supermarket and our kids love fruit, so they eat some almost every meal. I try to have 4-5 varieties of fruit since they don't like to eat the same thing meal after meal. I get the basic medicine cabinet goods like multi-vitamins, tylenol, artificial tears, toothpaste, fish oil pills that we take because I can get a larger quantity for a better price there.

I get a wide variety of frozen goods because they are good deals and they'll last for the length of time that it takes us to consume them.

This PP has great suggestions. We are only 2 adults but still shop at Costco because it saves money. No one has mentioned gas - Costco has the best prices!
Mostly stick with non-perishables, except for milk, because I make my own yogurt and it is so much cheaper. I stay away from produce because it is too much, with a few exceptions - I will buy a large bag of spinach, wilt & freeze in portions; I buy their mini sweet peppers because they are good quality and last a long time, and are so easy to toss into any dish.

There is no gas station at the Wheaton Costco - thank god!

I asked about your family. We have two kids, an extra fridge and storage space and we use the heck out of our membership buying the following: Milk (organic or not), eggs (organic or not), soda, ice tea/energy drinks, coffee, Beer and Wine (if in Virginia), produce (fruits and veggies are great but not organic), snack packs for lunches, Hillshire Farm deli meat, hot dogs, flour, sugar, spices, coffee, artificial sweetener, butter, gogo applesauce pouches, baby carrots, asparagus, heads of lettuce, packaged butternut squash, flank steak, organic ground beef, organic chicken, pasta sauce, oatmeal pouches, chicken nuggets (mickey mouse shaped), Ultimate FIsh Sticks, frozen chicken breast, frozen salmon, yogurt, bread (white and wheat), chips,

TP, Papertowels, napkins, vitamins, feminine products, suntan lotions and similar, OTC medicines and similar, prescription glasses are reasonably priced, cat food (canned and bagged) frontline for cats, batteries, lightbulbs, babywipes, laundry detergent, dish detergent, night face cream, day face cream, shampoo, soap, cleaning products

Clothing and similar: socks, underwear for kids, pajamas for anyone, beach towels, regular clothes for kids, all my workout clothing (bras, pants, shirts), some regular clothes for me, sneakers for me

Random things--they have nice flowers, nice towels and sheets, different seasonal decorations and plants that are often a great price. Super cute and cheap halloween costumes!

Special occasion stuff--they have yummy desserts and lots of pre-prepared foods. Hit or miss but mostly hit.

Things to avoid--shopping at peak times--it is a zoo. Also, avoid the 7-layer dip --basically mush. And avoid the mixed greens--they are almost always on the verge of rotting. I keep trying and hoping but never a good decision. If you want to buy lettuce there, buy whole heads.

Love COSTCO!

Anonymous wrote:I don't have Costco, but I shop at Sam's Club.

I get non-perishables because I have storage space and it saves me a lot of time buying things every six months instead of every month. I get paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, ziploc bags, aluminum foil (actually closer to a 2 year supply of this! ), baby wipes (our daycare goes through a lot of these), dish detergent, laundry soap.

I buy some canned products that we'll use a lot like canned soups, baked beans. They have the brand of tomato sauce that I use in a pinch, so I'll get a 3-pack that can be used when I'm pressed for time. I get pantry staples that I use more of (dried basil and oregano, honey).

I get milk there because my kids drink a lot and it's much cheaper than the grocery. I get orange juice because I get a larger jug and it costs about the same as the smaller jug at the grocery. I also get fresh fruit there every other week because I get decent fruit and a lot more of it for the same price as the supermarket and our kids love fruit, so they eat some almost every meal. I try to have 4-5 varieties of fruit since they don't like to eat the same thing meal after meal. I get the basic medicine cabinet goods like multi-vitamins, tylenol, artificial tears, toothpaste, fish oil pills that we take because I can get a larger quantity for a better price there.

I get a wide variety of frozen goods because they are good deals and they'll last for the length of time that it takes us to consume them.

This PP has great suggestions. We are only 2 adults but still shop at Costco because it saves money. No one has mentioned gas - Costco has the best prices!
Mostly stick with non-perishables, except for milk, because I make my own yogurt and it is so much cheaper. I stay away from produce because it is too much, with a few exceptions - I will buy a large bag of spinach, wilt & freeze in portions; I buy their mini sweet peppers because they are good quality and last a long time, and are so easy to toss into any dish.

Kirkland brand paper towels
The big bucket of dishwasher tabs
white kitchen trash bags
Rotisserie chicken
Strawberries
Blueberries
Tissue paper
Towels
Wrapping paper and ribbon
Advil, vitamins
Razors

Really? What exactly is the uncertainty? Is it "do I need so much?" or "Should I buy this brand since it's the only brand available here?"?

I spent 500+ yesterday at Wheaton (not my regular costco) on wipes, formula, Kotex, Fancy soda, Pasta, pasta sauce, couple of baby clothes, capers, chicken stock. We didn't get perishibles as we were not going home immediately. If we did, we'd gotten fruit & meats and cheese.

With a family of 5, you shouldn't be worried about "buying too much" since you should be able to use the bulk amount faster than say DINKs.

Green beans, "artisan" salad (whole heads), avocadoes, raspberries (eat them quck), unsalted butter, ricotta, lemons, roasted turkey slices, chicken stock, olive oil, coffee., sugar, salt, nutella.
I freeze the butter and turkey slices. We can consume the other produce as a family of 4, but that will depend on what you all like to eat.

I don't have Costco, but I shop at Sam's Club.

I get non-perishables because I have storage space and it saves me a lot of time buying things every six months instead of every month. I get paper towels, toilet paper, kleenex, ziploc bags, aluminum foil (actually closer to a 2 year supply of this! ), baby wipes (our daycare goes through a lot of these), dish detergent, laundry soap.

I buy some canned products that we'll use a lot like canned soups, baked beans. They have the brand of tomato sauce that I use in a pinch, so I'll get a 3-pack that can be used when I'm pressed for time. I get pantry staples that I use more of (dried basil and oregano, honey).

I get milk there because my kids drink a lot and it's much cheaper than the grocery. I get orange juice because I get a larger jug and it costs about the same as the smaller jug at the grocery. I also get fresh fruit there every other week because I get decent fruit and a lot more of it for the same price as the supermarket and our kids love fruit, so they eat some almost every meal. I try to have 4-5 varieties of fruit since they don't like to eat the same thing meal after meal. I get the basic medicine cabinet goods like multi-vitamins, tylenol, artificial tears, toothpaste, fish oil pills that we take because I can get a larger quantity for a better price there.

I get a wide variety of frozen goods because they are good deals and they'll last for the length of time that it takes us to consume them.

OP here -- we are a family of 5 (3 elementary school age kids) + a dog. Like to cook from scratch, and like to eat healthy food.

Went yesterday to the new Costco and was completely overwhelmed and uncertain what to buy.

Meat, flour, spices, cheese, milk, and some produce (although the quantities are so big be careful). Things for home and garden, you have to be careful and make sure that it is actually a good deal, sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

OP--what is your family situation? My use of Costco changed and increased significantly when I had kids. If you can provide a little more details, I will give my thoughts on what to buy and avoid.

The falafel sucks.

Don't go crazy buying large items. Will you really eat that huge block of cream cheese? What about those lbs of peppers or grapes? How much deodorant do you really use in a year?

I buy meat that I can freeze as well as muffins. Their birthday cakes are good. I tend to pick up some of the kids clothes there as well.

Just became a member of the newly opened Costco in Wheaton. Never shopped at Costco before. What are the best items to purchase at Costco? What items should I avoid purchasing there?