I feel like I don’t know if I would need bulk items but also maybe I’m losing out on savings especially on meats or household products. So if you have a membership what do you love it for?
I feel like I don’t know if I would need bulk items but also maybe I’m losing out on savings especially on meats or household products. So if you have a membership what do you love it for?
Comments
Gasoline! If you drive a lot, the savings on fuel costs will break even on your membership.
When I was single, I got my membership and teamed up with friends to split bulk purchases of paper goods and such. I had a roster of “Costco Friends” in my phone contacts.
YES! Toilet paper, paper towels, dishwashing pods and garbage bags. Sometimes they have floss, contact solution in bulk too.
I’m no longer single but no I didn’t have a membership when I lived alone. My mom has a costco membership and she wants me to get one but the sizes of their products are SO LARGE. She frequently gives me a lot of things she had to buy multiples of “to get the deal” when she only needed one. They sell honey in 5lb bottles. Peanut butter in huge jars that go bad before I can get through them. Most of the bakery items need to be purchased in pairs at our location. The quantities are huge.
Since I’ve gotten married, I’ve accompanied her a few times to costco but it’s rare I’ll buy anything that’s perishable. The best deal there for me is oil – $11.99 for 2 gallons I think. We have a deep fryer so I do go through that fast, but it’s not worth it for me to get a membership just for oil.
>maybe I’m losing out on savings especially on meats or household products
I would caution against using FOMO as a reason to buy in bulk… especially if you wouldn’t have the space to go store it all and/or would take a long time to go through it.
I rarely use paper towels as an example, so it would probably take me 3+ years to go through a CostCo-sized pack of paper towels.
You can also buy many things on CostCo’s website without a membership (they just charge you a small percentage more.. i think it was 5%?).
As an example, I use Sonicare electric toothbrush heads, which are expensive to buy. The 8 pack at CostCo is significantly less expensive per brush even with the additional non-member markup and the $1.99 shipping, so I bought those from Costco’s website without a membership. I still saved a ton and didn’t need to buy a $60 or whatever membership. That 8 pack will last me 2 years.
Yes
I have some single friends who will split Costco trips. Essentially one has the actual membership and then they go together (or the one with the membership goes) and they’ll get, for example, a big thing of toilet paper and then split the toilet paper after they get home and the one without the membership reimburses the other.
My husband and I didn’t get a Costco membership until we got a standalone freezer, because we knew it’d be too much for just our regular freezer. It has saved us SO MUCH MONEY – especially on meats. We go every 6-ish weeks and I supplement with weekend trips to my local farmers market for fresh produce and then my regular grocery store for things like milk or specialty items I can’t get from Costco. This method has significantly decreased our grocery bill!
I am not single but im a military wife so im alone for many months, sometimes a year at a time, so I feel like I can contribute (no kids). I love my costco membership! I buy bulk meat and vacuum seal it to store in the freezer. Toilet paper, breads (which I also freeze), dog treats are so much cheaper than pet stores… I wouldn’t buy things like their dips in bulk because I wouldn’t eat it fast enough but there’s so many other things you can save on.
Instacart is your best friend if you don’t feel like committing to the membership!
GAS. ALL THE GAS.
i’m single but live with family so a membership is definitely worth it for us BUT even if i lived alone i would still get one!
don’t just think about (perishable) food. for decent prices you can buy toilet paper, paper towels, non-perishable food items (think canned beans or tuna that can last you a while), freezable items, etc, as well as jewelry, tech products, travel packages, insurance, auto services, skincare, perfume, etc etc. they also have food & flower delivery so if you ever need to send someone flowers or chocolate/cookie type food for a life event/well wishes, costco does that too. i also wear glasses & contacts so i use their optical services as well and get a great price for those. their return policy is pretty legit too, you can basically return anything even if you’ve opened/used the item.
Not single, but even if I never bought anything for our household beyond my personal needs, the gas is usually about a dollar cheaper at Costco versus the gas station and my hearing aid batteries are a fourth of the price of what they are at the drugstore.
Costco membership more than pays for itself for me based on those two things alone.
Being a member also means that I can access their member prices for cash payment on prescriptions, and the prescription benefits on my health insurance are terrible.
No.
I have a Costco, BJ, and Sam’s Club membership, and I’m not single, I live with my husband. Even though there’s 2 of us, most of Costco’s stuff isn’t really cheaper than grocery stores when I’ve compared. I don’t find it makes a big difference, so it’s up to you if you want to try it out anyway. I don’t go often, and I don’t know why people are so obsessed with it. I don’t understand the hype at all.
I have Sam’s just for the gas
Yes. Mostly used for paper goods
I used to, but I found that Costco memberships are like boats. It’s better to have a friend with one than to have one.
Even not living alone I don’t really like Costco. I get the same or better prices for things like toilet paper with Amazon subscriptions, and sometimes even the brand name products at Costco are different – e.g. I only buy charmin ultra strong toilet paper, and the one time I bought from Costco it was rougher than from Target or Amazon.
I also tend to just like very specific products that I don’t see at Costco, like the tear-a-square paper towels. And I don’t drive often and live in a cheaper gas tax state than my local Costco (I live a few miles from the state line). And the actual store experience is just unpleasant.
Yup. And when I’m no longer single I will still be using it. Saves me money, time, and sanity. Meat, toilet paper, paper towels, good discounts on gift cards for like uber and Instacart, prescriptions, gas, tires.
Yes.i like to stock up on things since I’m lazy lol. I get gas. Or just go look yo get out the house. I also use the travel section for rental cars
I do! For me it’s worth it because you can freeze a lot of things. It’s also good for cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, pet needs, toilet paper, paper towels etc, milk etc. I would be spending way more money if I was buying this stuff in smaller quantities more often.
Not single but I would 100% still carry a membership if I was for their organic produce, rotisserie chicken, regular ‘air chilled’ chicken (I freeze and take out one pack at a time!), sushi/poke, coffee, organic eggs, protein bars/collagen, kirkland shampoo (it’s pureology in disguise!), supplements/otc meds, and like others have said, for gas (which is better quality and better for your car than other gas stations). All of this stuff is totally applicable to a one person household.
We don’t have kids but costco is an integral part of life for me. If I was by myself, I would still absolutely want to shop there for the quality of their produce/meat over Safeway/Kroger.
I made my single middle aged brother-in-law get a membership and it has changed his life. You can get a discounted one on Groupon btw.
Gonna be one of the dissenting voices here and say: Nope!
I’ve tried a couple of times, and it’s absolutely not worth it. The savings don’t justify the cost of the membership PLUS the time taken to drive there in addition to my normal grocery stores PLUS the stress of dealing with the insane crowds and parking lot madness.
The so-called “extra” perks and discounts of membership are the same or worse than I get with my credit card.
-100/10 do not recommend.
Yes, the savings in gas pay for the membership. I buy so much protein in bulk and freeze. When I go to the regular grocery store, my bill is pretty low because I’m only picking up produce, some other small stuff etc. Not everything has to be super bulk either – I love their larger tubs of Greek yogurt, granola, frozen broccoli etc. Not to mention when my deodorant, moisturizer etc are on sale. They also have great appliance and electronic sales. Lastly, I recently discovered getting prescription glasses and contacts and pet prescriptions from Costco are super cheap. Costco rules.
No but I have a Winco and tons of Asian Markets so when I need something in bulk I can go there. I don’t need something for a family of 10 either way. When it comes to paper products I still use the banned Target but I get like a 5-month supply so it mails out to me and I put everything into my overhead storage place. This habit (I have this built in cabinet with a storage space that goes up pretty high perfect for stashing extras like bulk tp) came in clutch during the pandemic. I once ordered a box in 2022 of toilet bowl cleaner, there were 6, I’m still using up the last bottle. The only thing I’ll buy in bulk now is paper or toothbrush heads. Anything that will “go bad” I only buy as much as will fill the containers I use (rice, pasta, other grains) and usually my freezer my go to is Trader Joes or Winco for meats/fish. I find a trip to Winco my freezer is pretty stuffed as it’s small.
My best friend gifted me a Costco membership when I was single in my 20s and I’ve kept it ever since and even upgraded to the executive membership (where you get 2% back on purchases via a check at the end of the year – every year I’ve gotten at least as much back as the difference in membership cost).
I don’t live close enough now but when I did it was worth it often just for the gas savings. But, also meat, household items, and anything non-perishable. When I remodeled a house I bought many of the things I needed from bathroom vanities and fixtures to light fixtures and even furniture. I even buy probably 25% of my clothes from Costco.
I always made space for bulk purchases like TP and paper towels. I also really liked to go to Costco for salmon, shrimp, kerrygold butter, rotisserie chicken, etc. I saved a lot of money over time doing this.
If you can afford to buy in bulk I think it’s awesome.
100% I LOVE Costco ❤️🔥🥰
No. My bf does cuz he gets gas there but we rarely go inside. We went twice in the last 3 yrs.
I occasionally use my sisters and pay in getting them Starbucks or extra treats when we go like once a quarter.
If you have large dogs, it’s worth it. Kitty litter is almost worth it. Large items can be worth it (like beds and stuff)
Costco is not the cheapest items and you will get huge packs. If you live alone, or have limited space, that’s not really useful. You have to be prepared to decant and repackage everything, and have at least one friend your comfortable with splitting the 4L 2 pack of pasta sauce.
Personally I wouldn’t get it myself unless it’s a credit card freebie. $130 CAD is just too expensive.
Do you have a friend with a membership? If so, then go with them with one of your regular grocery lists and look at and think about what it would be like to have a “costco quantity” of the item in question on hand. Some things are great to have, like good toilet paper, and I will make room for them somehow because I love the security of having a costco quantity tucked into weird storage spaces like bathroom cubbies. Some things freeze well, like butter, and I like being able to buy it so cheaply and then thaw it when I need it. Some things I just can’t buy a costco quantity of, because they’d go bad before I could use them, like produce. Some things just worked out perfectly for me, like a year’s supply of allergy meds in one little bottle for the price of three months of it elsewhere.
When I was single I split a membership with a friend, they give you two cards so one of us purchased it and we each paid every other year and kept tabs on it for each other. It worked out to about $30/year and just on toilet paper it paid for itself ($22 for 36 megarolls of the good stuff was far cheaper than I could find it elsewhere) so anything else that I wanted to get in a monthly costco run was just bonus. I had storage ottomans stuffed with cans of soup in my little living room area at one point, but it was worth it to me.
I currently have one, but there were a couple big things I needed last year that more than made up for the cost of the membership (a small chest freezer that their price couldn’t be beat, and tires for my truck).
I rarely go – usually it’s so busy, any potential savings is so small it’s not worth the hassle. The gas lines are always insane and not worth saving $1-2 to waste 10 minutes waiting to fill up.
I doubt I will renew.
I used to use their dog food with a previous dog, and the savings were worth it, but my current dog can’t go grain free (DCM prone breed) and also doesn’t do great with chicken in his food, and I hate corn in their food, so I get a subscription from Tractor Supply (cheaper than going to the store and buying it – go figure).
Hell yes. I’ve had it for years, even when I was living alone in a smaller apartment. The savings alone on a unit of laundry soap is unbelievable (and they go on sale like every other month, so that’s extra savings!).
Eggs are a good deal. A lot of the non-perishable foods are very high quality (also they’re usually organic if you care about that kind of thing) and a great deal compared to a regular grocery store. Don’t get me started on the toilet paper cost efficiency.
I also like getting my shampoo and conditioner there. They all go on sale eventually, usually around a $10 savings per paired unit. You’ll have to figure out which one you like best, but it saves a lot compared to buying the small sizes.
If you drive a gas car, their gas stations are the most efficient, hassle-free pumping experiences you’ll ever have (unless your local store doesn’t have a gas station or the parking lot layout is weird, in case, RIP).
I don’t get everything there. The junk food selection and bakery offerings are usually a little too good, so I just buy my sweets and snacks in smaller sizes at a regular store, haha.
My gateway to Costco was learning that the cereal I blew threw each month was available at a fraction of the price for way more, and the protein bars were a great deal too (less than half of what you’d pay per unit). I don’t buy either of those anymore, but it made up for the cost of the membership + more just getting those things. If you have allergies, their generic brand for a year supply will save you tons of money, too. I love Costco!
Single mom of 4. Yes !!!!! Gas, meat, snacks and toiletries! Must for me!
Yes, it’s a bit of a salvation in the Texas heat because it’s a giant place I can get a few 1000 steps in.
Worth it for non-perishable items if you have room to store. For food items, you can also split with a friend OR split into individual portions and freeze. Also, pro-tip: if you get a gift card to Costco, you can shop there without getting a membership. Maybe try the gift card strategy a few times before committing to a membership and see what you can save on.
Not single currently but if I broke up with my SO I would get my own membership and buy a vacuum sealer so I could freeze individually wrapped (raw) chicken breasts. Also for the gas savings
I’m married with no children and it still feels like too much for just two people. My husband actually got a membership for free for a while from his job but we barely used it because at that time we lived in an apartment and I just couldn’t store 15 packets of lentils at a time.
I’m 28, but I split my premium Sam’s club membership with my brother of the same age since he’s a foodie and stuff is just expensive nowadays. I usually only buy gas there too and end up saving a good bit since I’m also in a tourist-y area that’s also prone to hurricanes (usually the last to have things like non-perishables, water, toilet paper, gas…) but it’s also come in handy the few times when I was unable to drive due to my health and I was able to get free delivery with the plus (not vouching necessarily for plus, just is what my brother and I decided to split at the time and it’s come in very handy ever since 🤷🏼♀️)
I do, I split it with my friend
Yes; supplements, anything shelf-stable, glasses, gas, occasional piece of clothing. I usually split with a friend.
I’m single and live alone and have a membership – the lowest one. I probably don’t use it to it’s full potential but I think I get my money’s worth at least. I get gas whenever I’m nearby. I also have a few staple grocery items that I can only get there or get a really good deal on there. Just a handful of rotisserie chickens a year, plus cheap wine, gas, eye drops, vitamins, razor refills, potato chips, protein bars, protein shakes, etc. makes me feel like it’s worth it. I also get home good type items occasionally – pillows, sheets, area rugs, air fryer, pool floats. Can’t beat it.
Yes! I go once a month for gas and random goodies. Once in awhile I’ll hit the food court if I’m feeling lazy.
I only have one because my mom has one and she was able to add someone on and put me on it. So it benefits me, however, I do not pay for it.
I use it to get salmon generally and then I will get frozen things bc they’ll last me a bit.
Partnered w/o kids and it’s only slightly worth it for me. The biggest savings is OTC meds. I get a year’s allergy pills for the cost of a month at the drugstore. I save on my contact lenses too.
Most of the food prices aren’t better than watching sales at regular groceries. We shop at a local ethnic chain and at Aldi for 80% of our food. Certain items are a great deal, and we make a trip when those run out.
If you’re picky about brands and products, odds are they won’t have what you like. E.g. I don’t care for the Kirkland toilet paper or Charmin. Gatorade and energy drinks are variety packs.
I recommend browsing on instacart to see what they carry. Factor in that instacart adds 25% to the cost of each item.
It’s just me and my boyfriend but we have one. We only go once a month or so but it definitely saves us money. Cheddar cheese is cheaper than you’d but at aldi. Their OTC medication prices cannot be beat anywhere. Some meat is cheaper but not all. We also buy random socks/underwear/flip-flops, ect, at good prices. My partner works outside and the water is way cheaper there than anywhere else. It really depends on what you would use it for tbh.
The great thing about Costco is that you can get a membership and use it for a couple of months. If you feel its not worth it for you personally, they’ll refund your membership dues. Their refund policies are fantastic.
Love it for a few reasons that haven’t been mentioned already: plants/yard supplies and clothing.
I think even if I bought nothing else, it would be worth it just for the savings on those. I can get a new pair of pants for the same price as the thrift store. I generally try to buy fairly traded things or second hand but I feel like it’s impossible with things like athletic pants. You just pay for the brand.
They also have much better prices on soil and grass seed by a mile.
I have a membership for my family of 3. It’s too much stuff. I only go once a month for some essentials that I like to buy in bulk (mainly non-perisible). I do not have the storage space or need to go more frequently. I do like their furniture and seasonal items, though. You can go with just a gift card if you want to check it out occasionally without buying a membership.
– Gas. i have a costco near my house, so i generally purchase all my gas there – since its much cheaper than every other gas station around me.
– household items like paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent.
– My cats wet food. They love the Kirkland chunks in gravy. its 48 cans for like $30.. way cheaper than anything on chewy.,.and my picky cats love it. its a win win.
– Clothes! i have a few wardrobe staples that i’ve found at Costco for cheap and love. i also usually get all my socks there. have also purchased a handful of athletic shoes as well.
– Home goods. i have purchased so many random things for my home from Costco. Rugs, end tables, comforters, sheets, pillows, dish towels, throw blankets and pillows.
– Personal care. i have a sonicare toothbrush, so its usually better for me to purchase a bulk pack of the brush heads from Costco. Ill also get things like hand soap, toothpaste, and things like advil, liquid IV, multivitamins, deodorant, etc.
– Alcohol. Assuming you live in a state where its legal to be sold in grocrey stores.. its way cheaper.
– Bulk foods. Mainly frozen foods.. since they last forever when youre buy yourself. really anything that is not perishable.
I go off and on a membership, and I let my mom in another household use the second card.
I don’t think it is worth if for regular perishable groceries for me, but I have bought a few higher priced items that are discounted on Costco. I got wireless headphones for $30 below competitor pricing, better pricing on gold jewelry, HVAC air filters, toothbrush heads, Dyson vacuum, wine and liquor, pots and pans, etc.
I try not to stock up on overly bulky things at one time, and take things out of their bulky packaging before storing it.
Yes, but I don’t buy bulk household stuff because I just don’t have the space. They do have some good food deals (protein bars, nuts, snacks, etc). I also get some clothes there. Their brand is pretty decent. Optical is cheaper and solid electronics.
I do. I don’t price things out so I’m not sure if it saves me money (probably not since you always pick up extra stuff) but I like the convenience. Only picking up toilet paper every six months is nice and I also buy a lot of granola bars and snack stuff for a hobby that’s more expensive in grocery stores.
For a while it was the only place that wasn’t completely gouging shoppers on eggs and they also tend to have good prices on fruit. I freeze things like meat as well.
I do think some of it depends on your local warehouse and how busy it is. Mine is just not that busy (there are so many in my metro area and the one I go to is nearer and kind of on the edge so never gets that bad) and I always go in the first hour it’s open so I can get in and out very quickly. Definitely have a strategy lol. If you can only go mid-day sat/sun it will probably suck.
I have it.. I will buy snacks or some things in bulk. Also, the gas prices for me make it worth it!!!
My mom and I share a membership and sometimes will split up the bigger bulk purchases since we’re both in nyc apartments
I have a Sams club membership and I shop about once a month (or less). I do purchase in bulk of course, and have a freezer and plenty of storage space so those things are not a problem. I do save a lot and am always cross checking current prices in different places to make sure of the savings.
I have it but I don’t rely it to save money on regular things. I use it for slightly cheaper prices for appliances, and extended warranties. And random home improvement things. Sinks/faucets. I’m on a remodeling/redecorating phase.
Just eggs alone this year though, I think I saved the $50.
No. I’ve considered it though.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned in this thread is the auto deals and vacation packages you have access to with a Costco membership. I’ve known people who have found their cars and vacations through Costco and I was close to taking a trip myself with Costco Travel (plans canceled due to other circumstances).
In my daily life I use Costco for specific items I like such as the rotisserie chicken, caesar salad (both combined make a good meal prep), sparkling water, paper towels, liquid IV, etc. Anything that I use or consume on an almost daily basis I go to Costco for. I also get gas from there since gas tends to be $0.50-$1 cheaper than other places.
Honestly I have it mostly for the cheap gas. I have two locations near me so choosing them is easy. I like some stuff from them and I will make a point to get to there. But the cheap warehouse prices aren’t my motivation to keep the membership.
Not Costco but Sam’s Club, yes! I got it a couple years ago when gas prices were insane.
I’m not single but would probably have one if I was. I genuinely like clothes from Costco, they’re the only new clothes I buy! And certain bulk foods like frozen organic veggies and mini pizzas. I split a membership with my mom since we share the same legal address – anyone with the same address can share a Costco membership.
If I was single I would prefer BJs.
-smaller sizes on produce
-many of the same products that I get at Costco
-better store hours
-scan as you go with your phone to check out
-order ahead and pick up groceries
-much less busy (personal preference)
-still has cheap gas
-they have cilantro which I use a lot and Costco doesn’t do herbs
The three things that I love about Costco are 1. The damn rotisserie chicken. 2. They have better seasonal items, and electronics. 3. Amazing return policy.
If I want a grill, a TV or a computer, I go to Costco. If I’m going grocery shopping, and I need produce, I go to BJs.
As a side note, I don’t use the Costco pharmacy, but I don’t think BJs has them anymore. But my understanding is that you don’t need a Costco membership to utilize the pharmacy anyway.
Yeah, it is helpful, especially since I seperate and prepare all the food in the house.
I do, as of this year. And so far I’m very glad for it. They carry my favorite protein drinks and my favorite electrolytes so between that, household goods that don’t go bad and freezer stocking of things I would have bought anyway (fish, bacon), it’s been worth it.
I likely need some new appliances soon, so will be shopping for those there as well
when i was single, i had a costco membership and my friends and i would split up the stuff in bulk. when i had roommates same thing.
i also grew up in a costco household so i’ve been a lover of costco before i could speak
I finally bit the bullet as a single gal and got a Costco membership two years ago, and was shocked how worth it it was for me right away. Though disclaimer, I just moved in with a partner so not a solo household anymore, but I was for a long time. The big pulls for me are/were not the household items (though I do buy dishwasher liquid, toilet paper, etc. there) because it takes me so long to go through them, so I don’t notice the savings / don’t necessarily feel a strong pull to have a membership just to buy laundry detergent once a year lol.
I go to Costco at least every other week because their produce is way better quality for so much cheaper per oz than at the supermarket. At least this is true in my region, I hear it can sometimes vary? But yeah, I get strawberries, salad greens, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and grapes pretty much every visit. The peaches are also amazing (but only seasonal). I have to hustle and eat the strawberries within four or five days but beyond that, I’ve been surprised how well the produce keeps, and I generally didn’t have to rush to finish things before they went bad even when living alone.
I also buy kitchen staples like eggs, milk, chicken breasts and thighs (they’re conveniently pre-portioned for the freezer), olive oil, rice, butter, cheese, bacon, etc. Even with my limited kitchen/fridge space I think it’s well worth the membership 🙂 I have to stay away from the freezer section because I simply don’t have room for thirty+ Eggo waffles or frozen burritos at a time lmao.
Absolutely but I meal prep and I have a deep freezer to store my food stuff and my cooked meals.
I buy my non perishable, and household items in bulk too. I was glad I do when COVID first hit and I didn’t have to go wrestle toilet paper out of peoples’ hand in the stores 😂
I do, and I share it with my parents. My mom is a florist and sometimes will get flowers there so she doesn’t have to go all the way to her wholesaler. There are food items that we use in my household that are way cheaper at Costco or that can only be bought at Costco. But I don’t use it a huge amount.
I live alone & I do have Costco membership. I use it for clothes, supplements, food , and random stuff.
For food, I get frozen food that I can throw in the airfyer. It may seem a lot at once but it’s actually not that bad. I usually get mine delivered, so not as much choices as if I shop in person.
I only buy certain things in bulk. Thats cold pressed juices, protein shakes, soap.
My sister who lives with our mother and grandmother has a Costco membership to buy bulk items for their household. I live alone in a small studio apartment with limited space and storage, so a Costco membership would be pointless for me.
I have a membership and yes it’s worth it. I earn back my membership in less than three months of savings.
Items I buy:
Yes but 1) I live with my best friend and 2) I live in Alaska where shopping elsewhere is ridiculously expensive.
In your position I would shop at Aldi and Trader Joes.
You can easily break even on your membership as a single person in my opinion. Also, as a treat, the prosciutto and the Norwegian smoked salmon from Costco are both great. Affordable basics as clothes go as well.
I have one that I share with my other single female friend. I mealprep weekly, so I like to buy stuff in bulk (eggs, yogurt, meat, salad mix, veggies and fruit). I usually split stuff with another friend if there is a snack I like and it’s too big.
33 and single here – I tried it for a year. The cost was $60. I reasoned that if I bought one rotisserie chicken a month it would pay for it, which is true, but beyond that most items were in much bigger packages than I could consume or store. On the good side, I bought a few gifts around Christmas time and it was helpful for potluck functions. My location didn’t have gas though, so in the end it just wasn’t worth it when I could go in with a friend.
Yes. I mostly use it for groceries. I go through a lot of produce so cheap bulk produce is great for me, and their bagged nuts and pantry goods aren’t as massive as you fear they’d be. They sell pasta sauce in two-packs and one big jar is perfect for a box or bag of pasta. If I use grocery store size jars I need two. The gas discount is great too, it’s 10-20¢ cheaper and that adds up. Even if I only used it for the gas it would save me money after accounting for the membership fee.
Yes, its worth it for the gas imo. I shop there maybe twice a month.
I have one, and I love it. There’s a lot that I won’t buy—mainly fresh produce—but things that are shelf stable & pantry items are worth it. I also have a dog, and they often have massive bags of dog treats at really great prices (the dehydrated beef liver is a steal).
Yes and I love it! I also have the storage space. For me the cost savings is in the gas, dog food, organic meats, almond milk, misc drinks, feminine products, and snacks.
There’s a lot of things that aren’t as huge of a volume as you’d think. If there’s pricey things you actually use regularly you might find it valuable. Pasta sauce? They’ll have a pack of 4 jars. Etc.
Sure you can save on meat and toilet paper and stuff when buying in bulk but it’s only worth it if you have the freezer/storage space. If you need to go out and buy a deep freezer on top of your Costco membership, there goes your savings.
I’m married and we still can’t find a reason to have one. It’s so much more than two people can eat.
Yes and i love it. I stock up on household stuff when it goes on sale. But only do this if you have space
Yes, and I love it. I have just an apartment freezer, so I have to plan it, but meat, frozen foods, and nuts are my main items.
Mine more than pays for itself in gas savings alone.
The meat prices aren’t competitive here, but the produce is cheaper(if you can eat it fast enough).
The clincher for Costco IMO is if you buy frozen side dishes, snacks and premade food.
Worth it for the gas prices alone, plus I get airline miles for those
I do. As someone who is big on the environment, buying in bulk is actually better. I don’t buy fresh produce from Costco, but meat, canned goods, and household items definitely. Best price for cat litter and I love it. I get my gas there, too.
I have had one for years. Toilet paper, paper towels, fruit, personal care items, foods I eat regularly.
GAS! Even if I never went into the store the amount of money I save on gasoline is worth the annual fee.
Yes, and I don’t have a big family. I just like the quality of their stuff and return policy. I buy a lot of my clothes, office supplies, cleaning supplies from there. Some food if I eat a lot of it like perfect bars.
I have a stand up freezer in my basement. I fill it with some of my favorite things that are cheaper in bulk- breakfast burritos, fish, veggies, fruit… Then I get the good toilet paper and it lasts for months. Same w paper towels but they last like a year.
I also get gas there- it’s significantly less- and recently took my car in to get my tires rotated. They checked the vin number and discovered that the tires had been bought at Costco (it used to be my grandparents’ car) so they gave me my money back which was an awesome surprise. Oh, also I use their pharmacy. I started doing that when I discovered that my cat’s medicine was $8 instead of $35 which is what I had been paying at CVS.
Right now I live within 30 minutes of 3 different Costcos though, so it’s easy and not inconvenient for me to get to one which I think really plays into using Costco and getting your money’s worth or not. When I lived in the middle of nowhere it was like 1.5 hours to a Costco and it was like, eh, I’m good.
I actually bought my latest computer at Costco. We are builders of computers at our house. Or we were. To get exactly what we wanted. Spend the money where it made the most sense, when I was looking, Costco had a hella good deal of a pre built. Couldn’t believe it. So we bought it. Didn’t have to change one piece. We often use it for smaller electronics too, and for holiday stuff Costco can’t be beat, though as a single person, you may not need 10 rolls of Christmas paper.
Lasts you your entire life lol! (More like 15 years for us hahahahah)
No. I don’t buy food in bulk and I don’t buy household products often enough to worry too much about the cost, though I do always buy the largest size available. Most are a monthly purchase, if that.
Costco is not conveniently located for me anyway. The closest one is a 45 minute drive away. I would pass countless other supermarkets and the like on the way. I can’t imagine spending all that time just to save a few bucks.
I have one. Got it originally to get a mattress (return if I didn’t like it) and now I use it to bulk buy the stuff I know I’ll need. TP, toiletries, paper towels, certain grocery items.
If you use contacts, those alone are worth having a costco membership even with no other annual purchase. Otherwise, the travel, a couple beefy instacart orders every year for protein(the columbus turkey burgers!) and dry goods, a wine restock ( hello $7 prosecco and $8 high noon knock offs). It’s also good for beauty products like shampoo and conditioner if you have long hair
I also get the hummus and guac individual packs and freeze them, and spices every other year. Lululemon would also like us to stop buying kirkland leggings becuase they are the perfect knock off
I have it simply for the vision center. I got 2 pair- single vision and 1 pair- single vision, polarized sunglasses for under $400 using my insurance and their discounts. Some people pay $500 – $600 for one pair of glasses.
Yes! I love CostCo. The items are high quality, good discount on protein items like meat, seafood, shakes.
If you’re into hosting parties or need to bring a tray of food, CostCo is super helpful.
Yes, but I don’t have a lot of space in my condo so I can’t benefit fully. All I get at Costco is dog food, toilet paper, paper towels, prescriptions, otc meds, and occasional snacks. Even with the membership fee I’m still saving money annually.
Oops just saw you said single. I’m not single. If I were I’d still get those particular things at Costco though because it’s cheaper.
I find it useful enough to pay the membership.
I buy some household items (laundry soap, dishwasher pods, sponges, paper towel, etc), meat (chicken thighs, frozen wild sockeye, pork belly), cheese (all the cheese!), and some random items (lemon ricotta ravioli, etc).
I never buy produce there as I can’t eat that much or a single item.
Yes, but I mostly get gas from them lol. Pantry / canned items too.. but mainly gas
I do and I love it. I split my grocery shopping between Costco and Woodmans.
For food I tend to get more of their frozen foods (fish fillets, chicken chunks) and protein bars. My dog has been on Kirkland brand food for most of his life and loves the treats from there.
The first year I joined I kept track of my shopping to see if I was saving more than the membership price compared to my local grocery, and I was. Not everything is a better deal but being aware of prices, I’ve been able to keep saving.
I live alone in a small house with a small kitchen. But, I have storage room in my basement for bulk purchase extras like toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags.
I’ve also made some big household purchases there. My biggest was my hot tub. It was a bit more than half the price of similar models from local places and 2 yrs on it’s still going great. Heck, a month ago I got a new mattress from there that was a couple hundred less than local places.
I also regularly check for clearance items and know how to pick up those deals. Gotta love a 10 pack of socks for $2.97 each.
No. Buying in bulk has never worked out for me. Like I would rather get fresh meat every week than just freeze a bunch. Also, there’s no Costco cause I live in the sticks lol.
I use it for mainly for gas, eggs, bulk salad, cheese, and meat, specifically rotisserie chicken and large quantities of beef that can be frozen. But it’s nice to have access for other random purchases too, like cheap clothes and chocolate covered almonds.
No but I only date men with Costco memberships so.
I did but I cancelled mine
No. I don’t buy enough to save enough for the membership. I don’t spend much, use much or eat much really. Walmart is pretty cheap already.
Yes!
Yes.
Meat, gas, stuff that doesn’t come in bulk like small appliances, towels, etc.
Also saves me a literal ton of money on my dogs prescriptions
When I was single I used to do a big Costco order on Instacart like once every 6 months
The tip and fees were less expensive than a Costco membership that way
when I was single I did and I shared it with family and like a bajillion others
I’m married now, but had one prior to that. My membership paid for itself in the cooked chicken 🤤
The gas bar, the 15-pack of San Pellegrino bottles, some of the baked goods, the hot dogs, the cheap-ish underwear, the basic Kirkland brand men’s undershirt/t-shirt, some of the drugs are cheaper. The collagen powder is cheaper and so is the creatine.
I haven’t been there in about a month as I hate the shopping experience. Very crowded.
Yes. I find I don’t need all that much in bulk but I do buy things like paper towels, TP, dog food, seltzer water, and meats there. And a bunch of other stuff I don’t need lol. I share the membership with my parents. Sometimes I get the premade meals there to share with them. Also their pharmacy has good prices on pet meds
Edit: I also forgot to add laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, Clorox wipes, coffee, and otc meds/vitamins are priced well
Groupon has a special. The membership is $60 for the year but you get $20 gift card to Costco so ends up being $40.
I saved more than $40 in the first visit because I got a MacBook Air that was $200 off and a Midea window AC that was $100 off.
Food I get there regularly that saves me money: dozen organic eggs, half gallon land of lakes half and half, Starbucks creamer, harmless harvest coconut water, Kirkland alkaline water, all the meat is excellent and affordable, salmon, pistachios.. those are off the top of my head.
Household items: paper towels and cottonelle wet wipes is all I can think of now but I’m sure I get other stuff.
Even as single woman it’s very much worth the membership. Try that Groupon $20 gift card sign up so it ends up being only $40 for the year and see if it works for you. I’m sure you’ll find things there you love that it makes it worth it.
I’m a single lady from Australia, I have a membership
Nope. Single, childfree, with a 12 pound dog. I’m in a studio apartment and simply have no space. I’m in a HCOL so my studio is actually small.
A few friends have graciously offered a trip and I might take them on their offer for baking items. No FOMO here.
I do, and it pays for itself and then some. I have an exec membership and the credit card. I buy most of my groceries there, all of my chicken feed, and the vast majority of my gas (which isn’t much because I drive a Prius and use around 300 gallons a year). I have two kids that are here 50% of the time. When they are on vacation I split the stuff with my bestie.
Gas, tampons, pads, zip loc bags, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toliet paper, paper towels
I have a Costco and a Sam’s membership. The Costco is free so I obviously keep it and Sam’s club delivers for free so I never actually have to go to the store. That’s a huge win for me and I get most of my groceries delivered.
Eyeglasses are way cheaper. I hardly buy bulk but I keep a membership for the optical department
Single lady, I buy 2 cases of toilet paper for the year when it’s on sale for $28 per 30 roll pack, 1 laundry detergent pods will last me almost 2 years, 1 dish detergent pods will last me 1 year and I go through about 8 scent beads bottles per year. Other than that, I also enjoy the tooth brushes so I can change it quarterly, the tooth paste will last 2 years, and a 30 pack of Coke Zero will last between 2-3 months. I also really like the 18 packs of Pure Leaf unsweetened tea and that might only last a month. The food is good too, but only get it if it sounds good and I’m there for other said items, I don’t go specifically for food, however if I did it would be for the Chihuahua cheese because I use it a lot in quesadillas and tacos and it’s my fav.
My partner has one and uses it for his household, my household, and his mutual aid/solidarity/charity group thing he does. The box of seasoned salmon alone. OMG. I haven’t even used all their services yet. I did use the tire shop recently but he paid so I dunno how much of a deal it was.
I am particular about brands and they do not have much of a variety nor do they carry some of my preferred brands. I found it to be much cheaper to shop at my local grocer. Plus, they have fuel rewards so I do save money on gas still.
If there is a large purchase I need to make or something particular then I will go with someone that has a membership.
I think it’s totally worth it even as a single lady or if you’re in a small household…I’ve discovered there’s so much value in services and products that have been marketed towards families or large households or whaetver.
My mom is single and has a membership, she uses it for paper products, frozen foods, and meat. She struggles to find space for her items as she lives in a very small apartment, but since she is on disability and thus exists in a persistent state of poverty it’s a trade off for all the money she saves.