Stocking Up for Success
When it comes to shopping at Costco, not everything is a good deal! In fact, some things you’re better off buying at stores, while others are worth stocking up on. With that in mind, here are 20 products to think twice about.
1. Cereal
Most grocery stores are eager to mark up cereal prices, so you might think you’re getting a good deal buying it in bulk at Costco. However, you have to eat it fast enough, or else the cereal will go stale with enough opening and closing. This means that bulk bag might be working against you.
2. Spices
You might think you’re getting your money’s worth buying spices at Costco, but like cereal, spices go stale fast. The longer they spend in your pantry, the less flavorful they should be. In fact, it’s recommended that ground spices shouldn’t be kept for more than three months.
3. Medications
When it comes to bulking up on medications like cough syrups or over-the-counter pills, you’ll want to avoid Costco. This is because the odds are you won’t get through massive bottle sizes before they expire.
4. Salty Snacks
There’s nothing worse than opening a bag of potato chips, having some, putting it aside, only to realize it’s gone completely stale the next time you open it. That’s the risk you run with the huge chip bags, so be sure you have enough people eating them.
5. Fresh Fruit
When it comes to buying fruit at Costco, you may think the prices make for a good deal. However, fresh fruits have a very short shelf life, so buying in bulk can be a bit of a gamble unless you’re sure you’re going to consume it fast enough.
6. Toilet Paper
This may sound counterintuitive, but Costco toilet paper actually won’t save you as much as you think it will. This is because the quality of the paper is much lower, so you have to use more for the same level of absorbency. This means most people get through their stash far quicker than expected.
7. Sunscreen
Beauty products like sunscreen often have a limited shelf life, so if you buy a huge container, you’ll never make it through it before the product expires. That being said, this is still a good deal if you have a family to share it with.
8. Canned Veggies
You might think you’re getting a great deal on canned vegetables, especially when you stock up on those 12-packs. But keep in mind these cans also have expiration dates that can catch up sooner than you think if you don’t work your way through them fast enough.
9. Frozen Produce
You might think that frozen produce should last longer than the fresh kind, so it’s safe to bulk up on. However, the more you open frozen bags, the more you expose them to freezer burn. You can save money just by shopping flyer deals at local grocers instead, as it’s easier to use up the smaller bag sizes safely.
10. Liquid Cleaning Products
Cleaning products at Costco are a bit of a hit or a miss, and that’s mostly just because they become less effective over time. This means you’ll want smaller quantities to get the most value out of them.
Now that we talked about products you want to avoid, here are 10 that are a fantastic deal.
1. Kirkland Plastic Cups
If you’re doing the math, buying red plastic cups only makes sense at Costco. You can get a whole pack of 240 cups for a great price, making them super affordable. Plus, you’ll need these cups for your next party or picnic, so they’re always good to have on hand.
2. Frozen Lasagna
When it comes to making meals easy, frozen foods are a go-to. At Costco you can get two trays of frozen Kirkland lasagna for just $10. One whole tray is enough for multiple meals, making this an exceptionally good deal.
3. Pet Food
Pet food is relatively half as expensive at Costco as it is in actual pet stores. Of course, you’ll have to make sure you don’t need specialized food. But if general pet food does the trick, then it’s definitely a steal!
4. Aluminum Foil
Another kitchen goodie you’re going to want on hand are the pre-prepared single sheet aluminum foils. Not only is this such a time saver, but it’s also a great deal at 500 sheets for a great price. This is going to make meal prepping way breezier.
5. Plants
If you want to collect plants or like buying flowers, it’s hard to beat Costco prices. They are far cheaper than other flower shops or large chains, whether you’re looking for a sensible plant or a tree.
6. Diapers
Let’s be real, having kids is more expensive than ever. But if you are going to buy diapers,you’ll want to do it at Costco where you can get a set of 222 for the more than fair price of $45. Plus, Kirkland is a great brand in terms of using plant-based hypoallergenic materials.
7. Laundry Supplies
For the busy mom, Costco is a lifesaver in terms of detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. You can find many of these items in great deals, making them worth stocking up on. Just keep in mind that the liquid cleaning products get worse with more uses.
8. Batteries
In terms of the amount of batteries you need, Kirkland is the brand to go with. You can bulk up on a box of 48 batteries, and let’s be honest, people always need batteries, often when they least expect it.
9. Socks
If you don’t care about the brand or the look, then it makes perfect sense to stock up on socks at Costco. You can easily have a pair for every day of the week, and the best part is when they look the same, you don’t have to bother matching them all up after laundry.
10. Printer Ink
If you have a printer, at Costco you can refill your empty cartridges for as little as $7. This is a great price, especially when alternatives like Staples or Best Buy are way more expensive.
