amyco Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 What do you like from Costco? I'm going with a friend tomorrow because we are thinking about joining. I know their organic olive oil is supposed to be very good. What else is a super deal and/or very good quality? I'm thinking frozen fruit too. We have limited freezer space but lots of dry storage. I just wonder if joining will be worth it for us. Thanks for any tips!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Real maple syrup. Large jugs for the price of a small bottle at the grocery store. Frozen fruit (for smoothies). Large packages of nuts. Cheese blocks (we use a lot of Romano especially, although DS10 is sitting beside me plugging the Jarlsberg). Olive oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 We regularly buy organic meats, feta, citrus fruits, berries, diapers. I like their big, thick beach towels for $12. We get frontline for the cat. Bread and bagels are very cheap. They have a 12 pack of Annie's mac and cheese for $12 (I think it's organic, though I don't really care for that particular product). Milk is dirt cheap, $2.50/gallon. Bulk butter and shredded cheeses - both freeze well. There will be a coupon book at the customer service desk, grab one. Do not buy the honey, it was identified as being so filtered that it contains almost no pollen. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/#.UeV9aG36v2I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 fair trade raw sugar sprouted three bean mix (great for any kind of eating) hemp seed big bags of choc chips organic butter hormone free or organic milk organic produce such as blueberries and strawberries nitrate free meat products rotisserie chicken pork loin roast (lean and $2/pound) paper products this year, the raw pecans were good (fresh, as opposed to dried out) in season, very nice plants like 3 gallon Knockout rose bushes at half price "fast food" i.e., something I can pull out of the freezer and eat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 We bought the Executive membership. Sure it's $110, but we got back more than twice that in the check last year, which then makes our membership free every year. ;) So, if it's close, consider that. Costco is cheaper for us in pretty much every single area - appliances, food, socks, etc. But the things I get on a regular basis? Organic Coconut Oil (MUCH cheaper) BedHead Shampoo/Conditioner for oldest DD's curly hair Razors Toothbrushes and Floss Triple Berry frozen berries All frozen veggies Lettuces (MUCH cheaper) Tillamook Cheese Avocados are a good deal if you'll eat them all. Muffins (When I'm weak.) Coffee (Significantly less expensive and I can grind it fresh there.) Frozen Chicken Breasts Flank Steak Roasts Ground Beef (I like their meat.) Pork Loin The sausages that are chicken and artichoke - we like those. ;) Brats are cheaper too. Butter is cheaper than sale prices but only slightly. Eggs are cheaper if you can eat five dozen. Bob's Red Mill oats are significantly less expensive Real maple syrup Raw sugar is much cheaper there. Their olive oil is significantly less. Diapers if you have littles - watch for the coupons. You can download the coupon app as well. Hanna jammies when they have them. Unders for little kids Pecans Almonds Dried Coconut Dried fruit if you do dried fruit Fresh fruit is usually not significantly less expensive, but hey, if you're there....... Meat is almost always less expensive as a rule. Veggies are less expensive fresh if you can do the quantity. Almost all of their frozen stuff is cheaper across the board. My comparison shopping is Fred Meyer's of the local grocery store... The local store is cute but it is generally worth my time and $$ in gas to run the 13 miles to Costco. We go to Costco for almost everything. ETA: Oh and dog food! They have a grain free option that is downright economical. And Tide pods. Oh! And the dishwasher soap. Everything. Just everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Some things we buy at Costco some frequently others occasionally: Olive Oil Frozen Chicken Lunch Meat Frozen Veggies and Fruit Coffee Rotisserie Chicken Fresh Fruit and Veggies Goggles Speedo Suits for girls Books Movies Snack foods Vitamins and other medicines Dry Erase Markers Jams Hidden valley ranch without MSG Gluten Free Bread Fish Girls Christmas or Easter Dresses Sale Items Juice boxes Baked goods Small Appliances(we bought a rice cooker) Socks for dh Cheese Sticks Yogurt Frozen Waffles Peanut Butter etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Χά�ων Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Ditto the executive membership. I buy Frozen veggies Salsa (Jack's Special) Fresh veggies Maple syrup Quinoa Crushed tomatos in glass jars Olives Fresh fruit Meat Tomato soup when they have it Nuts Base layers in winter Blocks of cheese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 We always buy Coffee beans (roasted by Starbucks) Half and half Milk Eggs Almond milk Kirkland plain Greek yogurt Organic baby carrots Triple berry frozen berries Frozen veggies (green beans, broccoli, corn----they are usually organic) Kirkland brand lactaid pills We may buy Seasonal fruit Pineapples (We have never had good luck with the bananas but ymmv.) the small ataulfo/champagne mangos Ground turkey Chicken pieces Boneless pork chops Salsas Maple syrup Nuts And for parties we buy Frozen cream puffs Large bags of Ruffles, Stacy's pita chips, Kirkland organic tortilla chips Deli meats and sliced cheeses Large bags of freshly baked small rolls (like 35 in a bag, 1.5 oz ea) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodhaven Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 We also have an executive membership and it pays off. We buy: fish chicken beef ground beef (I can watch them grind the beef through the window. They don't add pink slime to their ground beef.) fresh and frozen vegetables fresh and frozen fruit block cheese paper plates and plastic cutlery toilet paper paper towels ink for our printer snacks I haven't always like their selection of electronics, but they have a 3 month return policy for ANY reason! Their pharmacy is the least expensive I have ever found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 All of the above, plus the rotisserie chicken (maybe I missed it in the lists). I've reached the point that every time I go in there, I bring home at least one. We either eat it for dinner that night, or I use the meat for other things and make stock with the bones. I'm sure it has way too much sodium in it. But they are so good, and so cheap. Also AA batteries. Oh yes, and when we lived in a state with reasonable liquor laws, we bought our wine and beer there. Alas, then we moved to Pennsylvania and that is no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Do pick up the coupon book from customer service before you shop. Two good deals this month that you don't actually need a coupon for: chobani yogurt $4.20 off (this will be 15 individual yogurts 5 blueberry, 5 peach, 5 strawberry for about $11. Can't remember the exact price but even without the coupon its less than $1 per container which is almost always cheaper than any grocery store). Also my dh's contact lens supplies are $3 off. Those are the two we're using for sure. If you have young kids, goldfish crackers and string cheese are always great deals. The goldfish come with 3 sealed bags inside the box so they stay fresh (and I just keep the open bag in a ziploc). We buy a lot of our meat there--chicken and steaks. Turkey sausage and chicken meatballs too. We love the Tortilla Land tortillas in the refrigerated section that you cook yourself. When we need vitamins, allergy meds, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or contact lens supplies we get them there. Used to get some kid clothes there but I think they've grown out of the sizes Costco carries. We get almonds and fiber one bars there. There are some Whole Fruit organic frozen fruit juice push up things right now that are very good. The produce items are good but the quantities are a little large for us. Sometimes I'll get grapes or romaine lettuce heads. And we always gas up when we're there. That alone would pay for a membership pretty quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabinfl Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 What everybody else said, plus their frozen salmon burgers. And the 4-pound jars of Jelly Bellies. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Check the clothes. It is VERY hit or miss, but sometimes they have great deals. I got two pairs of DKNY Jeans cotton capris for $19.99 each a few weeks ago. I also get the tortillas mentioned above, block cheddar, sliced cheese, dishwasher detergent, grapeseed oil (this is an especially good deal), organic chicken breasts, and Barilla pasta if they happen to have it. The mozzarella di bufala is a total steal but my husband and children don't like it, sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 They sell an all natural smoked salmon that is really good. Darnit, now I'm going to have to call dh and ask him to stop and pick some up. I wish I could remember the exact name, it's NOT the store's Kirkland brand. It's in a bit smaller package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I forgot Vanilla extract, seasonings, and yeast on my list and I'm sure there are some other things too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Spices, vanilla, organic brown rice, quinoa when they have it, bug bags of kale for smoothies, salad, Annie's soups, organic sugar, brown sugar, frozen veggies in the winter, batteries, and what we really love our Costco membership for is party food! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Gee nobody mentioned the books. I ALWAYS manage to come home with a new book or two. :) Nutella!!!!! Fresh produce, frozen items, dried fruit, wine, and stuff...lots and lots of stuff. Sometimes clothes--shirts, socks, jackets... I usually buy a few bags of Miracle Gro potting soil for my porch pots every summer. Significantly cheaper than Home Depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share Posted July 16, 2013 Thank you everyone!! My list has now gotten a lot longer!! I would have never thought about contact lens stuff, so I'll check that out, plus the meat and nuts, cheese and allergy meds. I'll look for the coupon book too. Thanks again for taking the time out to tell me what you like at Costco! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I buy about 75% of our grocery supplies there each month...I like everything. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leav97 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I love Costco for all of the reasons everyone already listed. Since we are close to ours we also buy gas there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma2three Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Their organic strawberry jam is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 They have a lot of things we do enjoy Dd likes the salsa, I think it is Jacks brand I buy large bags of quinoa and jasmine rice Olive oil I buy a ton of produce there, strawberries, grapes, watermelons, mangoes (I cut half the mangoes up and freeze for smoothies) apples, we never really leave without fruit of some sort I agree about the big bag of frozen fruit for smoothies. I always have that on hand I like the lettuces, they are a good price. I buy the big bag of red onions, I was initially worried about not using them fast enough but I seem to use them all large boxes of kosher salt, dd and I make our own little salt scrubs with it in addition to using it in cooking. *L Dh likes the pot pies Chicken ground beef (theirs is pink slime free) roasts I agree about the smoked salmon, it is particularly good on days where you don't want to heat up your kitchen! :) Avocados (I freeze half of what I buy, I like having some stored up for out of season) http://www.avocadocentral.com/how-to/how-to-store-how-to-ripen-avocados I like the tortillas you cook yourself Frozen mixed veggies Yeast, it takes me awhile to use it all but I keep it in the fridge in a huge pickle jar Huge jars of pickles. I like the famous dave spicy spickles but the kids like the regular kosher dills Sliced cheeses for sandwiches. Their little diner area has cheap pizza slices and hot dog deals . If we have been running a lot of errands we will eat there before shopping. I agree about the bananas, I don't buy them there lunchmeat I LOVE tabouleh but don't buy the costco tabouleh with their other prepared foods, it seems sandy to me. I buy the packaged tabouleh that is over by the hummus Hummus English cucumbers maple syrup pirate booty for the kids crackers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 What do you like from Costco? I'm going with a friend tomorrow because we are thinking about joining. I know their organic olive oil is supposed to be very good. What else is a super deal and/or very good quality? I'm thinking frozen fruit too. We have limited freezer space but lots of dry storage. I just wonder if joining will be worth it for us. Thanks for any tips!! I love Costco. We buy their organic milk and eggs and some veggies every week. We also buy lots of other stuff. Today, I bought the perfect sturdy backpack for one of my kids. It was half the price of Target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I was going to go today, but ended up having ice cream at the mall. Here's my list: Toilet paper Light bulbs Dog food (I wanna check it out) Dried mangos Frozen fruit Gas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 The only thing we get there consistently which I haven't seen listed in the above posts is Dubliner cheese. DH is addicted to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Dog food (I wanna check it out) Our dog has eaten their food for years. He's healthy and doesn't shun the food so it seems that he likes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I love Costco for all of the reasons everyone already listed. Since we are close to ours we also buy gas there. Me, too. We have the executive membership. I go there for: gas milk cottage cheese nutella dishwasher detergent laundry soap (Kirkland brand) toilet paper paper towels (Kirkland) plastic spoons/forks/knives if we are having a party avocados strawberries chocolate chips vanilla vanilla beans flats of bottled water (I try to keep a flat of water in the trunk of my car at all times during the summer, but we are in the desert) "raw" tortillas lunch meat cheese large quantities of anything for camping trips or parties (eggs, pancake mix, syrup, etc.) and just to wander around tasting samples with my three year old. Why is it that my kids will eat anything served on a toothpick if it's at Costco, but won't touch it if I bring it home and serve it here? :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobeknofret Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 We also have the executive membership and use it all the time. Our usuals are: Butter Bread (we buy two loaves and freeze until we need) Chicken breasts Organic ground beef Cheese, including paneer, Parmesan, feta, and goat cheese Sugar Olive oil Vanilla beans Fruit Paper goods Coke Lemonade (their organic lemonade is the bomb!) Milk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 you might find this thread helpful. there are so many things we buy from Costco, it's easier to list what I don't buy. keep in mind, some things are usually stocked. other's are special purchases and when they're gone, they're gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 chicken breasts (we buy both the frozen coleman and fresh coleman) coleman thighs chicken sausage carnitas contact stuff organic apple chips organic baby kale hummus, tzatziki, Holy Guacamole (way cheaper than grocery store and can be frozen) clementines cheese movie theatre and restaurant GCs. DH and I buy GCs every year for a very nice local place, and we treat our families to brunch for Christmas. A GC at costco is 80 for $100 and you can use two GCs per transaction. That saves us $40 at that restaurant with minimal effort on our part. Just an example of the coolness that is costco greeting cards (sold in boxes and nice quality for the price) wrapping paper (very high quality) electrosol/Finish brand tablets for dishwasher eco friendly liquid dish soap coconut oil vinegar and baking soda spices coffee unsweetened greek yogurt avocados greenhouse grown peppers toys for the holidays roll out in the fall bed sheets are nice for the price frozen wild salmon fillet portions are under $9/lb, which isn't too bad canned wild salmon (we like the Bear and Wolf one) vitamin D3 condoms some Costcos have organic tomato products in glass now. Mine still only has cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trlt Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I have a costco membership and I feel like I'm missing out! Where are the "raw" tortillas????? I need to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobeknofret Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I have a costco membership and I feel like I'm missing out! Where are the "raw" tortillas????? I need to know!They're in the cold case near the eggs at our Costo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma2three Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Wow, it never even occurred to me to look at the restaurant gift cards! I'm totally checking out the options next time I'm there. What a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Real maple syrup. Large jugs for the price of a small bottle at the grocery store. We have debated joining as well. This might push us closer to our decision. We used to live in Upstate NY and loved, loved, loved the real syrup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sobeknofret Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Oh, I forgot the maple syrup! Soooo much cheaper than in the stores, and good quality. We also get some clothes, books, batteries, movies, crackers, breakfast cereal, chicken stock, canned oranges, tomatoes, and pineapple... yeah I agree with the previous poster who said it would be easier to list what we *don't* get at Costco! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 We love a lot of the things already listed. Also they have great prices on multipacks of white view binders in various sizes. And their over the counter medicine prices are unbelievable. I regularly buy the value size Kirkland tylenol for my MIL for half the price she used to pay at Walmart. Allergy pills come in bottles of 365 for about $13. Their pharmacy is also great; a friend of mine picked up a RX there for $40 after CVS had told her it would be $200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I just got back from Costco. In addition to the things I listed above, I also bought: Printer ink Motor oil Batteries Contact solution Highlighters Rotisserie chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Just a suggestion, always go with a list! I find that COSTCO is the number one place I get sucked into impulse buying. That's okay if I have room in the budget, but when I don't have the extra cash flow, I don't set foot in there without a list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Just a suggestion, always go with a list! I find that COSTCO is the number one place I get sucked into impulse buying. That's okay if I have room in the budget, but when I don't have the extra cash flow, I don't set foot in there without a list! This is true. I spent $200 today and only got two food items (not counting dogfood). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyco Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 I think we are definitely going to join. I wrote down a lot of prices to show DH for comparison, and still spent $240, even using a list and only purchasing two impulse items! (post-it notes and instant breakfast for the kids). I was really impressed with their prices on a lot of things. The only issue for us will be cold storage. Has anyone used their optical shop? Do the prices compare? We're looking for a cheap pair of back up glasses for my daughter. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Oh great. I avoided going to Costco today and now I regret it. ;) The optical shop has good prices, but the frames are meh. If you have a simple prescription, you can do better online now anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I do half or more of my grocery shopping at Costco. Some of my regular things are Frozen Fruit (Strawberries, Blueberries, Pineapple, Tropical Fruit Blend) Frozen corn and Peas Frozen Veggies Milk Butter Strawberries Apples Bananas Spinach Baby Carrots Rice Quinoa Corn Tortillas Tortilla Chips Chopped Garlic Seasonings Canned Whole Tomatoes Beans Nut Clusters Nuts Rice Snacks Olive Oil Vegetable Oil Cat and Dog Food and lots more They also have good deals on other stuff. I got soil for planting and cheap apple trees. They had the preschool prep series, bobob books and the Singapore style workbooks for cheap. They have cheap clothes and coats that are good quality. I got a great deal on a bike trailer when my oldest was a baby. They have cool gifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allearia Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I finally rejoined Costco a couple of weeks ago. It is really close for us, closer than the main grocery store I usually go to. Now that we are having a tiny bit extra cash it is nice to be able to stock up on stuff, today we got organic pasta, crushed tomatoes, salsa, cheese, bread, bagels, beer. The bottle of premade golden margarita is really good. They also had some great boys slim jeans for $15, nice dark blue and dark grey. When we first joined I spent money on packs of smoke detectors - we really wanted the newer kind, batteries, lunch boxes. The amounts we have been spending are a bit scary but we are eating so much more fresh food, a healthier variety, and have a nice stockpile in the freezer and pantry and also things like toilet paper and paper towels. Already I can tell our overall monthly total is going down, plus with a lot more variety and some easier meals in the house we are a lot less likely to head out for burritos or other take out. I haven't been going frequently enough to have a full list. The very first time I went I made sure to leave Dh and kids at home so I could look thoroughly without being talked into buying too much extra stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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