Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The savings on paper towels and toilet paper alone is worth it for us. Then there are the savings on knick knacks like lunch boxes, books, halloween candy that add on to the "worth it" value for our family.

Then you are using too many paper towels. Try getting rags and you'll save more $$.

You could be right, but I have to buy them for my business. I use about a roll a week in my kitchen. Not sure if that's too much or normal.

I don’t think we use a roll a month in our house. A roll a week sounds like a lot.

I don't buy a ton--but it's worth it (financially and for morale). I do not buy toilet paper there and such -- not eco-friendly stuff, and I don't want to store a million rolls. I don't eat meat.

Yet there are great deals and great quality. Luggage, sometimes shoes and clothes, gas, cheeses, produce, coffee, Cetaphil.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for ways to cut our spending this year and I'm thinking of finally getting a Costco membership. Is it worth it? What types of items are cheaper there? I'm looking for a good amount of savings because (like everyone else) we have limited time on the weekends (which is realistically the only time I could go). Two kids and working parents. Trying to buckle down and save a lot this year so this seems to be a next step. Interested in folks thoughts. (I searched this board but didn't find much)

No.

I went there to check it out once.... I really couldn't imagine buying much there. It's just excess stuff you don't really need.

Gas
Tires
Contact lenses
Eye glasses
Milk
Fruit
Meat
Bread
Coffee
Wine
Not excess for us.
I do always get fresh flowers when we go. Yes, excess. But they make me happy.

Anonymous wrote:I'm looking for ways to cut our spending this year and I'm thinking of finally getting a Costco membership. Is it worth it? What types of items are cheaper there? I'm looking for a good amount of savings because (like everyone else) we have limited time on the weekends (which is realistically the only time I could go). Two kids and working parents. Trying to buckle down and save a lot this year so this seems to be a next step. Interested in folks thoughts. (I searched this board but didn't find much)

No.

I went there to check it out once.... I really couldn't imagine buying much there. It's just excess stuff you don't really need.

Not Costco but BJs

Yes, to me the membership was worth it. I got it at $25 for the year on a special.

I always use the coupons and they ALWAYS have the basics around $2-3 off, which bring down the price to roughly what I would purchase at Target expect in larger quantity.

Today, I bought
- toilet paper (good kind)
- paper towels (bounty)
- sparkling water
- laundry detergent
- diapers/wipes


This stuff normally lasts me at least two months, and this cuts into driving and picking up random items. Plus peace of mind that I’m not running out.
Of course, storing is PITA, but it’s worth it.

As far as groceries, I like items from WH, so I do my immediate weekly grocery shopping there.

Wasn’t worth it to us. I don’t want to store 10 rolls of toilet paper to save $1. I live in a small house. Plus I always bought more than I went in to purchase. I don’t shop at target for the same reason.

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t the online prices higher than the warehouse?

Not everything is higher. It depends. Also some items like Kerastase are online-only items.

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t the online prices higher than the warehouse?

Yes, they absolutely are.

That’s how they cover the “free” shipping.

We have seven people in our house (two parents, one au pair, two teen/tween boys and two younger girls) and Costco is definitely a money saver for us. Milk prices are a wash with elsewhere, but savings on meats, cheese, produce, bread (we shop mostly organic) are really significant over our local stores.

Aren’t the online prices higher than the warehouse?

I shop a lot on their website rather than going to the store and that makes it worth it for me. Nearly everything ships free and the groceries including toilet paper come with 2 day shipping when you spend $75. We buy Peet's k cups regularly online and I've gotten great deals on Kerastase shampoo and conditioner, perfume and other times not found in store.

I did a price analysis between Costo and Target, and for certain things (toilet paper and detergent) it's a wash, especially when Target has their sales. But, for other stuff costco is cheaper. I don't know that the savings is worth the membership fee, but if you buy organic meats, IMO, Costco is the way to go.

I buy big items there- they have an incredible refund program if you aren't satisfied or if the item breaks.
I don't go there often, but when I do I get things like laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, TP, PP towels. I always get a rotisserie chicken, a big bag of salad mix, cereal, organic milk, cheese (they have a nice selection). They also have some great deals on clothing (especially mens).
As I type this, I am wearing my new $20 shearling slippers that I absolutely love (bought at Costco of course).

I get a specific brand of underwear there. It's super cheap for pack of 6, and I can't seem to find it anywhere else. It's double the price on amazon.

I have been a Costco member since basically birth, save a 4 year hiatus when I was in college. I absolutely save money overall on my list of ~ 15 things I buy regularly from there, plus the occasional Christmas present on which I save a lot more. Could I probably find the same items for less if I comparison shopped? Yes, of course I could -- but that takes time. The prices on those 15 items I buy consistently are, well, consistent and I know exactly what I'm getting.

Furthermore, Costco is just a pleasant place to me. It reminds me of childhood, I like checking out the book table and scoping out the fish counter, I enjoy trying some of the new items that come and go. Even the smell of Costco just makes me happy, so there's definitely a nostalgia element here. You also can get good savings on tires, car rentals, and even loans. The DC/MD/VA Costcos are often zoos, but I live elsewhere now and can go during the workweek and that makes it much more pleasant.