There is no way that you can deny the fact that being a Costco member has certain benefits. If you want to enjoy those perks, you will have to apply for membership. Most people are happy with the service that they get at these stores. It is easy to assume that you are getting your money’s worth over here. However, this is not always the case. If you want nothing but the best deals, do not forget to follow the rules that you will find on this list!
Here Is How You Can Get The Best Bang For Your Buck At Costco
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Laundry Detergent
It is true that this is one of the cheapest laundry detergents on the market. However, this product is not good for your clothes, your health, or the environment. Do not use it unless you want to ruin the clothes that you currently own! Who cares about the savings when you will just use the money to replace your wardrobe? On top of that, it is not ideal if you suffer from allergies and respiratory ailments.
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Laundry Detergent
Buy- Maple Syrup
When it comes to eating breakfast food, you should ideally have maple syrup with you. Sadly, it is not cheap either. Most people will use corn syrup instead, but this is simply not comparable. You do not need that since you can always just buy Kirkland Maple Syrup! You can’t go wrong with the 1-L jar.
Buy- Maple Syrup
Don’t Buy- Books
We will have to agree with you when you say that Costco has a great selection of books. On top of that, they typically go for cheaper than what book retailers offer. But if you want to save money, Amazon offers the lowest prices out there. You should also try secondhand bookstores if you are not picky!
Don’t Buy- Books
Buy- Toilet Paper
When you find yourself at Costco and with space to spare, you should bring home a 30-roll pack of extra soft toilet paper. Even though it comes in a big packaging, the quality is truly amazing for the price. You might need to clear a lot of space for it, but this is a small sacrifice for what you get.
Buy- Toilet Paper
Buy- Olive Oil
If you are anything like us, we bet that you also use olive oil anywhere and everywhere. It is a must-have in the kitchen. Luckily, Costco offers a huge bottle of it. By buying it, you are ensuring that you will never run out of it at the most unfortunate time. On top of that, it is also cheaper than the other brands!
Buy- Olive Oil
Don’t Buy- Ground Coffee
If you ask us, it would be a nightmare to live in a world without coffee. This explains why we are always so depressed when we run out of ground coffee. You will save money when you buy the big bags at Costco, but the taste won’t be the beast. Once the coffee beans go through the grinder, the intensity and flavor start to suffer since they are already exposed to the air.
Don’t Buy- Ground Coffee
Buy- Gas
Here is a tip for you if you are someone who needs gas. You are going to find a great deal at Costco. It has unbeatable prices, so your membership is going to be worth it even if for only this product. The gas stations are the only place we fill our vehicles up at. It is just that good.
Buy- Gas
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Light Beer
When you go to the beer aisle, you are going to find Budweiser, Guinness, Corona, and other standard brands. Among these products, however, you are going to find Kirkland Light Beer. You should just leave it there even if you get curious. The taste is mediocre at best, so just stick to your favorite brand.
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Light Beer
Buy- Frozen Fruits
This is an amazing product that you would be wise to always have on stock. You can save a lot of money by bringing home bags of frozen fruits. It is fine to buy them in bulk since they won’t go bad for the longest time. You can make shakes, smoothies, and desserts out of these things.
Buy- Frozen Fruits
Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies
On the other hand, this one is trickier. You should probably not buy fresh fruits and vegetables at Costco. They come in large bags and take time to go through. There is a good chance that the food will rot before you can finish the entire thing. Buy more manageable packages at a different store instead.
Don’t Buy- Fresh Fruits And Veggies
Don’t Buy- Spices
You can keep spices in your pantry for a long time since they do not really go bad. However, they also tend to lose flavor after a certain amount of time. Unless you regularly cook for a lot of people, stick to the small jars. This is a good way to ensure that your meals will always be flavorful.
Don’t Buy- Spices
Buy- Vanilla
Even though most spices start to lose flavor after a while, vanilla is an exception to the rule. Go ahead and buy a large jar of vanilla extract at Costco. It is going to make for an excellent investment. This is an especially great idea if you tend to get random baking inspiration. It will help you act on these impulses.
Buy- Vanilla
Don’t Buy- Tissues
Any regular tissue is going to do the trick if you only need it for a sneeze or two. But you need something better when you are dealing with a cold. It is a good idea to invest in strong and durable ones even if they will cost you more money! The Kirkland ones are simply not up to the task, we are sad to say.
Don’t Buy- Tissues
Buy- Tires
Do you need to replace your tires or otherwise get them fixed? If this is the case, the only place that you should even consider going is Costco. Nonmembers are huge fans of the service that the Costco tire centers offer. We highly recommend going here when you need to have something done to your tires.
Buy- Tires
Don’t Buy- Soda
Even though it makes sense to buy your drinks and food at the same time, this is not the best way to save money. Do not buy your soda at Costco and instead get them at the local grocery store. You will always find soft drinks on sale over there. We do not know why, but we do know that it is a great deal.
Don’t Buy- Soda
Don’t Buy- Diapers
Did you know just how expensive it can be to raise a child? If you are thinking of having one, make sure to save a lot of money. For one thing, diapers will cost you a lot of money already. If you want the best deal, do not buy them in bulk at Costco. It is a better idea to order them in bulk at Amazon instead. On top of that, you can get free delivery so that you do not need to lug it around with you.
Don’t Buy- Diapers
Buy- Breakfast Cereal
Cereal enjoys a universal love from people of all ages. When you need to buy the breakfast staple, you should go to Costco. We are sure that they are going to carry the brand that you need no matter what it is. Kellog’s? Post? You can buy it in bulk since it is going to be fine as long as it has not been opened yet.
Buy- Breakfast Cereal
Buy- Plastic Wrap
When you buy plastic wraps, you should also need to head into a Costco store. The Vitawrap and Kirkland brands are going to do the trick! You should buy them in bulk since you are always going to need them at one point or another. This is going to work on all the surfaces that you need.
Buy- Plastic Wrap
Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap
Soda is not the only thing that is frequently on sale at local grocery stores. For some unknown reason, this is also true for shampoo and soap. You do not have to worry about paying for these things in full at the local grocery store. Unfortunately, these items rarely get a discount at Costco.
Don’t Buy- Shampoo Or Soap
Buy- Oatmeal
Do you need to buy a lot of instant oatmeal? You can get a pack with 60 pieces at Costco. When you get it from the warehouse story instead of a local supermarket, you can get as much as $10 in savings. The only thing you need to care about is having enough space to store all of them.
Buy- Oatmeal
Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks
Most people assume that you have to pay a lot of money if you want to eat a healthy diet. However, this is not the case when you go to Costco. There are plenty of affordable healthy snacks over there. Next time, you should try the Aussie Bites. They are a bargain because they only cost $12 for 32 pieces.
Buy- Healthy Bite-Sized Snacks
Buy- Cashews
Do you go nuts for nuts? If this is the case, you probably already know that they can get expensive. The only way to save money on these food items would be to buy them in bulk. This is going to result in savings in the long run. Costco bags are also resealable, which helps keep them as fresh as possible.
Buy- Cashews
Don’t Buy- Condiments
We love mustard, ketchup, and mayo because they tend to remain good for a long period of time. The flavor is not the problem here. You should probably avoid buying these items at Costco. After all, the big jars are going to take up a lot of space in the fridge! Just get them in smaller packages next time.
Don’t Buy- Condiments
Don’t Buy- Salsa
Costco is known for offering food items in large portions. If you get the salsa jar, you might never finish it. The only reason to get this is when you are planning to host a huge party. But even then, we remain doubtful that you can finish it. If you do not eat a lot of chips, simply stick to the smaller ones.
Don’t Buy- Salsa
Buy- Snacks
This is for you if you plan to pack lunches for your loved ones! These pre-packaged snacks are amazing because they are affordable and convenient. Do you want salty items or sweet treats? You can sit back and relax because there is a good chance that you will find whatever it is that you are craving for.
Buy- Snacks
Buy- Vitamins
There is no need to pay a premium for name brand vitamins and drugs. You are going to enjoy the same benefits even if you go for something cheaper. The Kirkland brand vitamins offer more products for around half the price of the other brands. This is a great deal if we have ever seen one!
Buy- Vitamins
Buy- Batteries
This one is for you if you tend to use a lot of gadgets that are powered by batteries. It can be expensive to replace them all the time. This is why you should stock up on them the next time that you go to Costco. The good news is that these products are high-quality since they are also made by Duracell.
Buy- Batteries
Buy- Milk
It is true that some websites advise against buying milk at Costco. We can’t deny that the gallon bottle of milk is going to be more than enough for most people. However, it might work for you if many people in the household drink a lot of milk. As long as you can finish it in time, it should not be a problem.
Buy- Milk
Buy- Coffee Cups
You should avoid using individual portions of coffee if you want to save the planet. But the fact of the matter is that they are more convenient and cheaper. Coffee drinkers might want to invest in those coffee cups from Costco. They taste really good and are generally very cheap. They will come in handy!
Buy- Coffee Cups
Buy- Rotisserie Chicken
This is one of the most popular items for sale at Costco. For only $5, you can bring home an entire rotisserie chicken! It tastes delicious as well, so this is a truly good deal. This should be enough to feed most families and then some. In case you have leftovers, you can just freeze it and eat it some other day.
Buy- Rotisserie Chicken
Don’t Buy- Toothpaste
Yet again, toothpaste is always on sale outside of Costco. If you need to brush your teeth, you are better off going to the local supermarkets or pharmacies instead. They usually have discounts if you buy a few pieces. The big tubes that you can get at Costco are not the amazing deals that you might think that it is.
Don’t Buy- Toothpaste
Buy- Peanut Butter
When you need something filling and delicious, you can always grab a spoonful of peanut butter. You should get the family-size jar if you want to save a lot of money. Considering its size, it is going to take a look time before it runs out. Since it never goes bad, there is no reason not to go for the huge jar.
Buy- Peanut Butter
Buy- Bagels
Have you ever tried those bagels at Costco? Trust us, they are glorious! It does not cost a lot of money to get a 2-pack. It is also impressive to see just how much variety there is. There is no need to worry if you do not finish everything in one sitting. You can just freeze the others and then heat them up for later.
Buy- Bagels
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Almond Milk
While there are many amazing deals at Costco, we are not big fans of the Kirkland almond milk line. We doubt that you will like it. If you need almond milk, you should invest in the Almond Breeze line instead. This product contains better ingredients and generally tastes much better than the in-house offering.
Don’t Buy- Kirkland Almond Milk
Buy- Tahini
If you like hummus, you should always have tahini on it. Aside from that, it also goes well on salads or as a dip. This sesame concoction can get expensive, but you can save some money if you buy the big ones. Do not forget to put the jars in the fridge as soon as you open them.
Buy- Tahini
Buy – Bacon
Here is another fan favorite. The Kirkland pre-sliced bacon is a hit among Costco customers. There is only one negative feedback to it, which is the fact that it only comes in bulk. Even though this is the case, it still much cheaper than what other stores offer. This still counts as a deal in our books.
Buy – Bacon
Buy – Bacon Crumbles
Everyone knows that bacon is delicious, but fewer people seem to know how amazing bacon crumbles are. They can improve whatever dish you are whipping up! It is a good way to add a little flavor when you are making salad, soup, and any other dish. You can consider it a secret weapon of sorts.
Buy – Bacon Crumbles
Buy: Fresh eggs
You should also get fresh eggs when you are at Costco. The items come with low prices and a lot of variety. A lot of customers have expressed amazement at this product. Are you looking for free-range and organic eggs? Maybe you prefer conventional ones. At any rate, Costco will have it for you.
Buy Fresh Eggs
Buy: Hot dogs and soda at the food court
There are a lot of amazing products at the Costco food court. Another popular item would be the pizza. However, the hot dog and soda promo seems to have even more fans! According to Business Insider, this is the best hot dog that you can ever get in the United States. That is definitely high praise.
Buy Hot Dogs And Soda At The Food Court
Buy: The acai bowl at the food court
The acai bowl is another must-try the next time you find yourself at the Costco food court. This is a plant-based food item that will only set you back by $5. It has delighted Americans from different parts of the nation. There was even a summer when it made the headlines for that very reason!
Buy The Acai Bowl At The Food Court
Buy: Cheese
If you love cheese, we have good news for you. It is possible to bring home a lot of cheese at Costco for not a lot of money. Are you planning to host several dinner parties over the course of a couple of weeks? You will be happy to know that you can do this without spending more than $20.
Buy Cheese
Skip: Signature gas grill
The Weber grill is probably the most famous product when it comes to this category. Many people buy the Costco gas grill instead because it costs half of that. Sadly, this is not going to be a smart purchase. After all, it does not have the best quality. It might also be hard to look for replacement parts.
Skip Signateur Gas Grill
Buy: Organic berries
Yes, we told you that you should avoid buying fresh produce. However, organic berries happen to be the only exception to that rule. Did you have any idea how good berries are for us? They come with a lot of benefits, so you should stock up on them! They make for amazing smoothies and desserts as well.
Buy Organic Berries
Skip: Flour, baking powder, and dried yeast
You should avoid buying baking powder, dried yeast, and flour in bulk. These items do not have the best longevity whatsoever. This is the reason you should instead buy them in smaller packages. This is a great idea since no one enjoys having food items go bad in the cupboard.
Skip Flour, Baking Powder, And Dried Yeast
Buy: Kirkland organic coconut water
Do you like coconut water? Those who drink a lot of this beverage is going to benefit if they buy the 12-pack of Kirkland organic water. If you don’t believe us, you should check out the rave reviews on the internet. It is possible to buy this item in bulk since it is not going to go bad whatsoever.
Buy Kirkland Organic Coconut Water
Buy: Verka organic yogurt
You should ditch the regular 16-ounce yogurt at the supermarket. Your wallet is going to appreciate it better if you spend more cash for the 64-ounce Verka organic yogurt tub. It is going to stay fine for a long time. On top of that, it tastes amazing. There are other yogurt options at Costco, but it is the best.
Buy Verka Organic Yogurt
Skip: Las Fortunitas tortilla chips
Do you like Las Fortunitas chips? We like it as well. However, we do not recommend buying the big bags available at Costco. After all, it is going to be very challenging to finish the whole thing. Aside from that, it has received a B-minus rating from Fooducate since it has hydrogenated oils.
Skip Las Fortunitas Tortilla Chips
Buy: Kerrygold butter
When you go to the dairy aisle at Costco, you are going to be amazed by the wide variety of butter. You will find the organic Kirkland butter among the products. This will do the trick, but you might want to spend more to buy Kerrygold if you really care about having high-quality, organic butter at home.
Buy Kerrygold Butter
Buy: Kirkland vodka
Costco has a pretty wide selection of alcohol. Whatever you need, you are probably going to find it. The Kirkland vodka is an excellent choice. The house brand tastes good and is similar to Grey Goose. During a blind taste test, it even did better than more popular vodka brands. How awesome is that?
Buy Kirkland Vodka