Anonymous wrote:Bananas. They don't ripen properly and get all mealy.

+1

Their fruit looks nasty and old in my opinion. We also bought one of those quick prepare salmon meals, were they've pre-seasoned it for you and it made our entire family sick.

IMO the 3 pack of organic milk is a total rip off. it's somewhere close to $13 for 3 64 oz cartons (or a gallon and a a half). I can get a gallon of organic at whole foods for less than $6.50 (not counting sales).
I also stay away from tide/bounce/dawn/cascade, etc. With sales, coupons, etc I seem to do better at cvs or the grocery stores.
Usual things are:
organic chicken
grassfed beef
french loaf bread
flank steak
cheese
diapers
wipes
beans
diced/crushed tomatoes (not sure if it's cheaper at the grocery store but I like having it on hand in bulk)
beer
paper/plastic products
eggland eggs
butter
water
popcorn

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the main question is about savings, the main thing I would say is that a lot of stuff that we used to think was cheaper at Costco isn't, unless you are really dedicated to a certain brand--mainly, pasta, cereal, diapers/pull-ups--a lot of that stuff you can get for less if you can catch a good sale at the grocery store or Target.

Like others have said, the produce can seem like a great deal but sometimes is not great quality and/or just too much. We have gotten a ton of fresh spinach and used about 1/3 then steamed the rest to freeze, but in general, I think it's not so cheap or such amazing quality that I would do this all the time.

The stuff I think is a good deal--bread, coffee, nuts, spices/cooking staples, paper products.

People with jobs and lives do not have time to do an Excel spreadsheet of sales and drive to different stores, though. Speaking of dedication.

I mean, occasionally I'll be at Target because I need 4 birthday cards and I'll notice that just for that week, Bounty paper towels cost less at Target just for that week than the regular Costco price-per-role. But really, who has time to hit that sweet spot for 80 different non-perishable products? Stay at home moms in the exurbs, for one.

Hey why drag stay at home moms into it. I'm one and damn sure don't map out where I'm getting stuff each week to save a couple cents, I just grab what I need at whatever store I happen to be at.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not buy their knockoff Dove soap. That shit is awful.

Do buy the three carton pack of organic milk and freeze two for later.

Omg yes! I bought the 16 pack or whatever. I never return anything, but I hauled that crappy soap back for a refund!

sorry, but the organic milk is gross, I returned it and never bought it again.

Completely agree on the Kirkland TP and detergent - both bad. I also don't buy their indoor or outdoor furniture. Looks tacky IMO.

Things I don't buy:
produce, fruits, veggies, bananas. They are never as good as the grocery store, and too much for the 2 of us.

Kirkland TP or dishwasher detergent. Both are not good.

I've actually had good luck with the name brand paper products (like the huge amount, we never run out), wool socks (have lasted several seasons), assorted appliance and clothing purchases (good return policy, if they are not what you want.)

Coffee beans (love Mayorga--and it's roasted locally!)
Nuts
Paper products
Trash bags
Baggies
Oatmeal
Granola bars
Cereal
Chicken
Steak
Bacon
Wine
Sparkling water
Pretzels
Citrus fruit
Guacamole
Rotisserie chicken
Cheese

What I don't buy:
Fish (not sure where it comes from)
Most prepared foods
Most produce (I think the quality is terrible)
Hamburger (I am super fussy about hamburger and only like free-range)

I grew up on home grown veggies and my daddy used pesticides. I'm not sure how you plan to keep the bugs from eating your "organic" veggies but good luck to you.

Anonymous wrote:If the main question is about savings, the main thing I would say is that a lot of stuff that we used to think was cheaper at Costco isn't, unless you are really dedicated to a certain brand--mainly, pasta, cereal, diapers/pull-ups--a lot of that stuff you can get for less if you can catch a good sale at the grocery store or Target.

Like others have said, the produce can seem like a great deal but sometimes is not great quality and/or just too much. We have gotten a ton of fresh spinach and used about 1/3 then steamed the rest to freeze, but in general, I think it's not so cheap or such amazing quality that I would do this all the time.

The stuff I think is a good deal--bread, coffee, nuts, spices/cooking staples, paper products.

People with jobs and lives do not have time to do an Excel spreadsheet of sales and drive to different stores, though. Speaking of dedication.

I mean, occasionally I'll be at Target because I need 4 birthday cards and I'll notice that just for that week, Bounty paper towels cost less at Target just for that week than the regular Costco price-per-role. But really, who has time to hit that sweet spot for 80 different non-perishable products? Stay at home moms in the exurbs, for one.

Anonymous wrote:Wash your fruit very well and you are fine. Organic fruit has pesticides on it too, just (drum roll please) organic ones. I wouldn't want to eat those either.

-- farmer who grows her own fruit without any pesticides, but when I buy it at the store buys conventional

If you are really a farmer, you know that much pesticide cannot be rinsed off, because it becomes incorporated into the food at the cellular level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bananas. They don't ripen properly and get all mealy.

This happens to me too. I have to buy bananas from the grocery store. Is it because the Costco ones are in a bag?

I take them out of the bag right away but it doesn't help. The bananas are no good.

Anonymous wrote:Bananas. They don't ripen properly and get all mealy.

This happens to me too. I have to buy bananas from the grocery store. Is it because the Costco ones are in a bag?

Anonymous wrote:Do not buy their knockoff Dove soap. That shit is awful.

Do buy the three carton pack of organic milk and freeze two for later.

Omg yes! I bought the 16 pack or whatever. I never return anything, but I hauled that crappy soap back for a refund!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kirkland brand liquid dishwasher detergent - horrible

+1 it made my drinking glasses opaque with residue

Their lemon pacs were given a really good rating by the EWC though.