We had a membership for almost 8 years through my husband’s employer, but when he left his job we lost it. We hadn’t gone there much in the last year we had it, but we did go for a few things. It had been a whole year without it, and we were missing it.
Here are my reasons:
Paisley Farms Four Bean Salad - You can buy 1/2 Gallon of their 4 Bean Salad in a jar for just over $5, I haven’t been able to buy the beans to make my own for anywhere near this price. It’s my absolute favorite too – never tasted a bean salad as good as this one.
Will’s San Francisco Potato Salad – 5lbs worth for only $5.69! We’ve never found another that we like more. You see most of our favorite meals come off the grill, my husband is great out there and if all I have to do is put the sides in a dish, then that’s my favorite meal 
Sure I could possibly make this cheaper, but I’d NEVER be able to make it as good.
Costco Gas – it’s almost always cheaper.
Electronics – Time and time again we’ve been relieved to know our electronics were covered by the longest warranty around. Knowing that you’re getting the top-of-the-line product at the BEST price too can’t be beat.
Executive Membership – So this was new to us, we had our minds set on getting the cheapest membership at only $50, and when she tried to talk up the Executive membership we had our “car dealership” faces on. BUT then…she said $25 cash card today…and we listened a bit more.
Turns out that with our $100 membership, we’d get 2% cash back and IF we didn’t get the full $50 we paid above the normal Costco membership they’d pay us back the difference. Plus we were already ahead a $25 cash card that day, which we used to buy the above bean & potato salad. So overall it worked out to be a great deal and we’re now proud Costco Card holders.
Walking through the store I’m sure my mouth was wide open in shock at some of the “bulk is better” prices. As I shop there a bit more, I’ll be sharing a few What to Buy and What NOT to Buy scenarios, so stay tuned…
Cam @ FrugalDay July 5, 2010 at 8:35 am
Hi Julia! A while back I found a complete price list of bulk items vs. single items found in the store. I’ll try to find it again. There are several items we buy each week at Costco because you can’t beat the prices. Organic eggs and milk being two of those items. However, the milk price has been creeping up slowly. I also drive the extra 5 miles just for gas. It’s almost $0.25 a gallon cheaper than in the city!
Kelli July 5, 2010 at 8:47 am
Yay! The what to buy and what not to buy at Costco list will help me greatly.
Shannon July 5, 2010 at 9:25 am
Hey Julia.
The few things I buy at Costco regularly are: Milk- $3 bucks and change for nonfat..pretty good. Bananas…$1.30 last time. I get them from the .99 cent store but the Costco ones have more bananas are are a better quality. Eggs are $2 for two dozen and if you are having a party a need a million tortilla chips Costco has your back:)
Wendy July 5, 2010 at 9:45 am
I would love to see a post about what to and what not to buy at Costco. We love Costco for fresh flowers(last forever and sometimes include exotics) and the 90 day no questions asked return on electronics. They will give you 100% of your money back on an electronic purchase without a single question. This gives you a bit of time to make sure you don’t have buyers remorse or if that TV has an awful picture when you get it home.
Ginny July 5, 2010 at 10:23 am
My husband and I are both on staff at our church so we get our Costco membership through our work and accumulate extra $$ due to the runs we make for the church, but I wanted to tell you that you won’t be sorry about the Executive Acct. You may also consider their AMEX*…with our 2% back and all our Costco AMEX rewards (see their site for the % breakdowns for buying what: food, travel, gas, etc.) we were able to buy a $500 flat screen TV with our cash back at the end of the year. We live frugally and would NEVER have bought it otherwise, but we save our reward $$$ for electronics or appliances and give ourselves a fun anniversary gift that way each year.
*We pay off our credit card EVER SINGLE month and I know that is not always a good idea for everyone. I believe you have to pay your balance in full each month to keep the rewards as well.
Natalie P. July 5, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I also buy things at costco… like the simple go-gurts & Cheese sticks. They are the best price around and the way my kids go through them it’s great.
A price comparison would be great too!
Jeni July 5, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Since Ive begun Couponing Ive gone to Costco so much less just because their prices aren’t always the best. When I do go the things I go for is their romaine lettuce 6pk, celery hearts, kirkland egg beaters, whole wheat tortilla’s (w/ 18gram fiber, doulble the size of grocery store & same price) & I then usually get the rotisserie chicken which is 1/2 the price of the grocery store. Would love to see a buy this not that section…. Or hear what other people think is a good buy.
molomatic July 5, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I am really looking forward to your CostCo posts! I have been debating about keeping my membership over the past few months. I am very curious to see your tips on what to buy (or not!)! Thanks
Kim July 5, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Costco for us is Cheese, produce and Large Cans only. I’ll get the large cans of diced tomatoes and tomato paste and make batches of spaghetti sauce to freeze. Anthying else is a better deal with coupons. Sometimes Costco coupons make a better TP deal. But produce especially! I mean bananas for .29/lb? Lettuce 5/$3, you won’t ever find that at the grocery store. But tomatoes and apples are usually not cheaper. You have to have a price book.
Ellie July 5, 2010 at 8:25 pm
The Executive Membership is so worth the extra money. We got a check for $180 this year. I get 95% of my gas at Costco. I try to get feed my family organic when possible. I was super excited last week when I saw 10lbs of organic Cane Sugar for $3.98. That is a wonderful price. I also always get the romaine lettuce, celery hearts, organic “big” carrots, organic milk, and eggs. I have recently found 90/10 (I think…no fat left in the pan) frozen “tubes” of ground beef (not organic) for $1.99 a pound. I love this because it is a great buy plus it is five 1lb tubes in the package. That means I do not have to seperate it when I get home. Bonus!
Amber July 5, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Costco has amazing prices on spices and baking items! Also, when berries are in season, the cost per pound is usually the same or less than the 99 cent store. If you go through a lot of berries like my family does, it’s easier to just buy them in bulk. I agree about the warranty. You can’t beat it! And gas prices are amazing. Luckily, my Costco is just down the street from the 99 cent store, so I can get two trips done in one afternoon (even with my three kids in tow).
Lessie (MyCouponLady) July 6, 2010 at 9:27 am
YAY! I can hardly wait to see what you say about what to buy and not to buy. See, my membership expired on 6/30, and I have been debating (which I do EVERY year) about whether or not to continue it. I really really like some things and it would pain me to give them up. But I don’t know if it is worth the $50 or $100. So, I can hardly wait to see your list!
Anita webster December 11, 2012 at 7:13 am
I love costco and it has been a lifesaver for me since we have moved to puerto rico. (husband is army). Fresh produce, believe it or not is harder to come by since they ship pretty much everything to the island, and the prices are outrages. Couponing here is not very accesably here either. I do all my shopping here between the commissary and costco. (still my grocery bill is thru the roof compared to the states ). The broccoli here at costco is about $7.50 for the 3lb bag, but in the store it can be $3 to $4 a bunch, imagine the savings there. Costco has given me accses to organic options, fresh produce imported european cheeses ( love my cheese)and some bulk, like toilet paper or party supplies that would cost me twice as much in a regular store or just not available.