Is Costco worth $55 a year?

[My2CrazyGirls]

Do you think you save more than $55 at Costco a year to justify the club card? I heard Costco is better than Sam's. I am not a big fan of Sam's except I like that the gas is less expensive. I also heard Costco has more organic/natural foods and that is what I am mostly interested in, as well as paper products.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I think it's worth it so much that I pay $100 for the Executive Member (give the other card to my inlaws). I always get back my $100 from their 2% program.

Forgot to say that I find paper products like paper towels and toilet paper much cheaper at the supermarket on sale there.

 

[JennCa]

It so depends on what you buy there. My hubby buys car tires there and that savings alone for the 4 tires would justify a membership.

If you have a big family, go there for gas, food, etc it might also. I swear they have great deals on a lot of the food we buy, but not everyone.

If it is out of your way to drive there, then I would skip! Ours is close by so it makes sense.

I've tried out Sam's also and didn't like what they sell. There is a lot of overlap, but strongly prefer Costco.

Jenn

 

[floridascgirl]

I'm a member just for their big tub of hummous!

 

[eduk8r26]

I belong to both Sam's and Costco, and even though there are only 4 in my family, I shop there all the time. Of course, they are both not far from my house. Costco has cheap gas, Sam's carries Tide liquid which I use. I buy frozen vegetables in bulk and store them in my freezer. Other frozen foods like ground beef I bring home and rewrap into smaller packages.

 

[North of Mouse]

Do you think you save more than $55 at Costco a year to justify the club card? I heard Costco is better than Sam's. I am not a big fan of Sam's except I like that the gas is less expensive. I also heard Costco has more organic/natural foods and that is what I am mostly interested in, as well as paper products.

Not worth it to us. Do you coupon? I find much better deals on nearly everything with double and triple coupons here. We had all three (BJ's too) at one time, but don't do any now. A PP mentioned saving on tires - we just bought sets of Michlin tires for both our vehicles and they were cheaper at one of the other tire places. Maybe it all depends on where you live, but we can definitely get better prices on everything other places - we do have most every store available in this area so lots of competition - that always helps. Buying in bulk can be made to look so good, but if you unit price you can see most of their things are not better deals. Good Luck Also, for buying gas, our Walmart is just as cheap with their store card. I just load about $100 to a GC and keep some on it for gas, DH does too. We also use our Disney CC for that so get Disney points too. As for the generic brand meds, Walmart has a terrific price also.

 

[graceesmom]

We joined when we had a child. We saved the membership fee in a couple purchases of diapers and formula.

Their allergy medication is also quite a good deal. Less than $20 for a bottle of 365 of their brand of Zyrtec. Since I have to take Zyrtec year round, I save more than the cost of the membership on Zyrtec alone now.

 

[Judique]

Do you think you save more than $55 at Costco a year to justify the club card? I heard Costco is better than Sam's. I am not a big fan of Sam's except I like that the gas is less expensive. I also heard Costco has more organic/natural foods and that is what I am mostly interested in, as well as paper products.

One gallon of 2 per cent milk was $2.89 at Costco this afternoon. Earlier this week I paid $3. 99 at Giant.

So milk, twice a week for 52 weeks - I've got my money back at $55.

I actually have the executive card, so get 2% back for that. It all adds up.

I've switched my doggies to Kirkland - Costco's store brand dog food - it's a quality food and they love it. Huge difference in price from the $40-$50 bags I was buying at Petsmart....its $25-$28 for 40 lbs.

Gas was 3.52 at Costco. Wawa was $3.58. Others are as high as 3.80 nearby.

 

[MolonLabe]

You mention natural and organic... Costco ask the way.

3 pound bag of organic tortilla chips, 4 something. 2 huge jars of organic salsa, 6 bucks. Just the savings there per year makes it worth it. Hummus? 3+ pound tub of the good stuff for under 5 bucks. Even witha dollar off coupon AND 50% it's cheaper than the super market. Not to mention 3 pounds of Columbian coffee for under 10 bucks.

Beware, not everything at Costco is a good deal, but the deals that see make it well worth it.

Also, I hate sans club. They have a terrible selection for organics.

Costco has some fantastic wines as well.

 

[goodeats]

I'm now a once a week Costco shopper. I love it! The quality of the products is high too. We eat a lot of organic meat/dairy and do pretty well there. The milk is not cheaper for us than Trader Joe's, but is similar in price. The organic eggs are a great price there ($4.79 for 18 I believe) and the organic chicken is also a good price. The produce can be hit or miss, but it's nice to be able to buy a big tub of organic spring mix for only 3.99 (versus $6 or more at Von's). I just bought 6 peppers for $4.99 - they were $1.50 each at Ralph's. 18 oz of Organic blueberries for $3.99. You have to be careful not to be seduced by the convenience food and the treats, but I love doing my grocery shopping at Costco. Heck I'd pay $55 even if it was more expensive just to be able to walk around and gawk at all the fun stuff and eat the samples. It's so convenient to be able to buy clothing, kids stuff, electronics, christmas presents, towels, toiletries, paper products, groceries etc all in one place.

If you get your tires there they will rotate them for free. Just drop it off with the tire shop then do your shopping! So easy! They also have a great travel department.

 

[KittyKitty]

I belong to Costco for their gas, frozen chicken breasts, hamburger, and tunafish. I break up the portions and freeze.

Being older, I also get my prescription medicine there. Very good value.

But after 15 yrs, still tying to figure out when it isn't busy!

 

[wishesuponastar]

I've found it's not too busy around 2pm, on the weekdays

 

[teCh0010]

Dog food, ground turkey, steaks, windshield wipers, car batteries, and dishwasher detergent are the things off of the top of my head that I think we get a good value from Costco.

The dog food is high quality (with a new grain free option), and we justify our membership in just dog food.

 

[SaraJayne]

We're also Executive members and find it worth it for our family, even though the nearest one is an hour and a half away.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I want to mention that I shop mostly at Trader Joes and Whole foods. I buy other products at Target. I would only buy natural or organic food at Costco....no food coloring or artifical stuff. And we would buy paper products, detergent etc. Do they let you visit and check it out before you have to get a membership?

 

[mjkacmom]

I've found it's not too busy around 2pm

Yep, 2 is the magic hour! I buy shampoo, conditioner, body wash, laundry detergent/softener, tuna, ground turkey, milk, eggs, butter, half and half, water, seltzer, flank steak, rotissori chicken (great deal), bread, paper towels, toilet paper, brownie mix, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, batteries, k-cups, feta, cookie dough, string cheese, movie tickets, stamps, OTC medications, photos, christmas cards, lettuce, broccoli, blueberries, grapefruit... I have the $100 membership.

For some items, even if it's not cheaper there, I like the large packaging. With 2 teens, when we have eggs for dinner (usually once a week) we will go through close to an 18 count carton in one meal!

 

[mrsg00fy]

To me, it is worth it just for MILK. That said, there are many products at Costco that are priced very reasonably. The quality of their food is excellent. Our favorites: wine, milk, half and half, meat, frozen shrimp, bruschetta, mini peppers, bacon, butter, eggs, keurig coffee, snacks, spring greens, vidalia onions, spices, birthday cakes, chips, shredded cheese, rotisserie chicken, bacon bits, kirkland laundry detergent, eyeglasses. I could keep going.....

I don't tend to buy paper and plastic products unless they are not on sale elsewhere with a double coupon.....

We have belonged to the big three... Costco, BJs and Sam's Club,,,,sometimes all 3 at the same time.

By far, we prefer Costco.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

To me, it is worth it just for MILK. That said, there are many products at Costco that are priced very reasonably. The quality of their food is excellent. Our favorites: wine, milk, half and half, meat, frozen shrimp, bruschetta, mini peppers, bacon, butter, eggs, keurig coffee, snacks, spring greens, vidalia onions, spices, birthday cakes, chips, shredded cheese, rotisserie chicken, bacon bits, kirkland laundry detergent, eyeglasses. I could keep going.....

I don't tend to buy paper and plastic products unless they are not on sale elsewhere with a double coupon.....

We have belonged to the big three... Costco, BJs and Sam's Club,,,,sometimes all 3 at the same time.

By far, we prefer Costco.

Do they have organic milk? If so, how much is that?

 

[mrsg00fy]

I don't know if they sell organic....I've never checked. Maybe someone else can chime in..................

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Do they have organic milk? If so, how much is that?

I think it's worth it so much that I pay $100 for the Executive Member (give the other card to my inlaws). I always get back my $100 from their 2% program.

Forgot to say that I find paper products like paper towels and toilet paper much cheaper at the supermarket on sale there.

So you spend $5000 a year at Costco? Do you get all your stuff there? That sounds like a lot unless you do most of your grocery shopping there or buy big items like tires. Is it 2% back on everything or most things? Thanks!