I don't think it's worth it for a family of four, even with one teenage boy (who eats a lot!).

But we still belong - I view it as paying for the privilege of membership. There are things we like there. It's dumb. But when you want a costco run nothing else sort of fits that bill.

If they carried our cat/dog food it would be a different story, I think.

I'm a single adult and go with my son to Costco once in awhile. I might buy one or two things: eggs, large double packages of rolled oats, coffee come to mind. But otherwise I would never do it.

TBH the very idea that there is a food category known as "kids snack foods" says everything you need to know about the food industry--and I don't care if it's some organic version of whatever, it's just wrong in my view.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We find that the savings with car rentals, gas, appliances, groceries, vision center and the cash back on the Costco cc more than pays for itself. We come out ahead.

Trust me you are not saving in groceries - not even close. You haven't even tried to compare. Also, the appliances are not cheaper than most Home Depots etc.

People keep saying this but then will “prove it” by comparing two items that are not the same. Costco is cheaper when you’re comparing same for same

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We find that the savings with car rentals, gas, appliances, groceries, vision center and the cash back on the Costco cc more than pays for itself. We come out ahead.

Trust me you are not saving in groceries - not even close. You haven't even tried to compare. Also, the appliances are not cheaper than most Home Depots etc.

I notice savings when buying their groceries, especially when on sale. I do have to buy items that will keep longer though. Plus their sale prices on wine save me a lot on their own.

For appliances, the big box stores *might* match Costcos but I also get: free delivery and install, a longer warranty, price matching (if Costco reduces price in 30 days) plus the Costco rebate and Costco cc rebate. I recently bought fridge and stove and Costco prices…out the door…were cheapest anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:We find that the savings with car rentals, gas, appliances, groceries, vision center and the cash back on the Costco cc more than pays for itself. We come out ahead.

Trust me you are not saving in groceries - not even close. You haven't even tried to compare. Also, the appliances are not cheaper than most Home Depots etc.

Unless you have a ton of money and time - no Costco is never worth it.

We find that the savings with car rentals, gas, appliances, groceries, vision center and the cash back on the Costco cc more than pays for itself. We come out ahead.

Anonymous wrote:No. Do your research. People flock to Costco like it's a badge of honor or a cult. Kinda like owning a knock off designer purse. The food is mediocre and not less expensive than low cost grocery stores - Lidle, Walmart, Shoppers etc.

It's pretty dumb to assume your personal experience applies to some random stranger. Then again, anyone who unironically uses the "do your research" line probably isn't the brightest bulb to begin with.

It's even more ridiculous when you are saying things like "knock off of a designer purse" when it is well known that many if not most Kirkland branded products are literally made by the name brand manufacturers. It sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder and are trying to make yourself sound like you're so much better than those Costco peasants when all you're doing is looking like a fool, and missing out on great products at cheaper prices.

OP, Costco obviously has a lot more utility when you're shopping for a large family, but it can absolutely be a great value for single people or small families like yours. I am a single person and I get a huge amount of value off of my Costco membership. Beer and meat in particular - a 36 pack of Coors is $32 at Costco (.88 a can) whereas a 24 pack at the grocery store is $24.99 (1.04 a can) If you drink a 6 pack a week that's your membership cost in savings right there. I smoke meat, and brisket at Costco is $3.99/lb whereas at the grocery store it's $10.99. That's over $100 in savings on a single brisket.

Costco is also great for dry goods and consumables like toilet paper and paper towels that don't go bad. Just because your house doesn't go through 10 rolls of toilet paper a week doesn't mean you can't buy in bulk. In fact, only having to pick up toilet paper two or three times a year is a benefit in and of itself. The cost savings are just a bonus.

Electronics are a steal there too. I just picked up a 4K QLED TV for $199. At that price point at other retailers you're looking at bottom-of-the-line 1080p LEDs.

I think there is value in a Costco membership for pretty much anyone, though some people may have to look harder than others for savings that fit their particular needs.

No ! You are better off shopping at Wegmans (their brand is cheaper than any other around)

Anonymous wrote:Allegedly prescription drugs are cheaper for insured people at Costco over national pharmacy chains and grocery store pharmacies. Is that true?

Depends on the prescription. Pet meds are definitely cheaper there. For human meds, I’ve gotten better deals with Caremark or GoodRX on those my insurance formulary doesn’t cover.

Anonymous wrote:No. Do your research. People flock to Costco like it's a badge of honor or a cult. Kinda like owning a knock off designer purse. The food is mediocre and not less expensive than low cost grocery stores - Lidle, Walmart, Shoppers etc.

I kind of thought that way, too, but was given a membership. For some items the quality seems higher than elsewhere.

No. Do your research. People flock to Costco like it's a badge of honor or a cult. Kinda like owning a knock off designer purse. The food is mediocre and not less expensive than low cost grocery stores - Lidle, Walmart, Shoppers etc.

It is for me for the lower prescription costs and gas alone.

You can shop in the store with a Costco gift card even if you aren’t a member.
Maybe buy a gift card and then go test it out.

Allergy meds are a great deal, especially Flonase.