Americans are in love with Costco. However, as wonderful as the wholesale chain is, not every purchase should be made there.
Knowing what to buy (and what not to buy) at Costco will continue the love affair and save you money as well.
Fresh Produce
Even when stored properly, fresh fruits and vegetables have a short shelf life. Buying produce in bulk is not a great idea unless you are cooking for a football team or have one of your own at home.
Food waste is a real issue, with Americans throwing away 80 million tons of food every year – 38% of all food purchased according to Feeding America.
Condiments
Of course, what American doesn’t need ketchup, mayonnaise, or pickles in their pantry? However, once opened Costco sized bottles need to be consumed in the same time frame as “normal-sized” condiments. Realistically, can you finish a giant-sized ketchup bottle in six months?
Bread
Walking through the bakery aisle in Costco will make your mouth water. However, bread goes bad quickly. If your meal plans do not include serving bread frequently, consider buying pastries, rolls, and french loaves at your local bakery for quicker consumption.
Spices
Did you know spices can go bad and lose their flavor? Spice cabinets should be purged at least once a year. So, unless your recipes require large doses of oregano, pass up the spice aisle the next time you are at Costco.
Soda
Better deals are to be had at your local supermarket for soda. Weekly sales and specials make purchasing soda a better buy than at Costco.
Canned Goods
Your money will go further if you purchase your canned goods at the supermarket. However, will you be hosting a large meal or gearing up for holiday cooking? Costco might be a good choice in those instances.
Coffee
For those needing a hot cup of joe to start their day, buying coffee in bulk at Costco will undoubtedly save you money and potentially time. However, ground coffee beans lose 60% of their aroma just 15 minutes after being ground. The best option is to buy a coffee grinder at Costco and soak in the coffee-rich smell when you brew your first pot every morning.
Name- Brand Clothing
Kirkland devotees love their clothing essentials. Yet, there might be better purchases than name-brand clothing at the wholesale giant. Contrary to popular belief, name-brand merchandise sold at Costco is not leftover inventory. Instead, it is manufactured specifically for Costco, often with lesser-quality materials and quality.
Mattresses
A third of your life is spent in bed, do you want limited choices for such an impactful purchase? The varieties of mattresses on the market are many. Buying at Costco limits those choices. Want to buy a mattress at a good deal? Research and shopping around Memorial Day could still get you a great price.
Oil
Unless frying is an everyday event, save your dollars and buy cooking oils in smaller quantities. Olive Oil has a shelf life of three months, and other cooking oils last about six months.
Books
While the table of books at Costco is appealing to any reader, better deals and choices can be found elsewhere. Amazon will probably offer a book more inexpensively. Or, choosing to support an independent bookstore can utilize your dollars in another way.
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