caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
Jun 26, 2014 14:10:36 GMT
|
Post by caro on Feb 4, 2016 22:49:47 GMT
For a two person family? There's a Living Social deal right now. $55 member card and a lot of freebie things to go with it. I don't have a lot of storage space for things like a ton of toilet paper or paper towels, etc. no garage, etc.
What do you think?
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Feb 4, 2016 22:58:12 GMT
we are only 2 and we have a executive membership. worth every penny for us. we shop there a lot and with the Costco/AMEX card, we get a heft rebate back each year from Costco and non-Costco purchases.
|
|
|
Post by papercrafteradvocate on Feb 4, 2016 22:58:44 GMT
For us, it wasn't.
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Feb 4, 2016 22:59:39 GMT
A thousand times yes. The first time you buy a TV, computer, or camera there, you'll thank me. ETA you have grown kids nearby, right? If you don't want to store big packs of things, give the extras to your kids. You will have spent the same as for half the amount at the grocery store or drugstore, but you got enough to share with your family. Yesterday I bought a box that contained two gallons of milk. I only needed one, but it cost the same as one gallon at the supermarket, and I had an extra for my kid's house. I also give them half of a two-pack of Cheerios, children's Tylenol, giant packs of paper towels, etc. My neighbor and I also trade when we have big boxes of frozen snacks for the kids.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 11:01:57 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2016 23:00:36 GMT
I think so....there are a lot of things that you can get for just two (rotiserrie chicken, pizza, salads, etc) And we buy plenty of non food items too. I personally think it is worth it.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Feb 4, 2016 23:00:58 GMT
I don't know. We are now a small family since kids are gone, but we still keep our membership. I mainly buy paper towels and tissues there. Occasionally other things hop in the cart, but I rarely buy food in bulk. So, we are probably not saving big like other families. I don't even buy their cheap gas because it is not convienient to go that way. We easily spend less than $100 a visit and we only go every two months or so.
|
|
theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,411
Jun 26, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
|
Post by theshyone on Feb 4, 2016 23:01:22 GMT
Movies savings alone pays for our membership
|
|
|
Post by Dictionary on Feb 4, 2016 23:03:53 GMT
For two people if you can't store large qty of food or supplies there really may be no advantage to it for you. It's just my hubby and myself but I buy coffee (we drink a lot of it), laundry soap, TP, Paper Towels, some food items that I can freeze (meat, pizza, frozen fruit), soda, milk, eggs, butter and chocolate. Then occasionally I will buy other stuff. Honestly you can buy in bulk from Smart and Final and save almost as easily on some of the same products. I have had my membership for years but it does pay for itself. I have the one where you get interest back..I swore I didn't need that for years until one time they told me how much I spent in a year and I was floored, I signed up right there and then. Now I get a check back at the end of the year and it pretty much covers the cost of the membership and sometimes a little extra
|
|
scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
|
Post by scrapngranny on Feb 4, 2016 23:07:43 GMT
It does for us. We go about once a month and buy all of our meat and fish. I portion it out a repackage it before freezing. We also get coffee, laundry soap, dishwasher soap, dog food and paper products. We go with a list and rarely buy any "goodies" they offer.
|
|
|
Post by its me mg on Feb 4, 2016 23:08:10 GMT
We love Costco and it's just the two of us! Not only for food items but household stuff, clothing, books, etc.
|
|
|
Post by moveablefeast on Feb 4, 2016 23:09:57 GMT
We keep a Costco membership for access to the products they carry that we can't find elsewhere or for the same value - some of the cheeses, the quality meat and produce, electronics. I don't mind buying some things in bulk anyway - the two of us will demolish a bag of pistachios in like two weeks and we like buying school snacks in quantity too. I will keep Costco for as long as I possibly can we love it!
|
|
|
Post by Jockscrap on Feb 4, 2016 23:10:45 GMT
I'm in the UK, but it is probably much the same. It may not be worth it to you to actually save you money if you can't buy in bulk, but you may decide it is worth it if you don't have to go too far to shop there purely because it gives you access to some fabulous things that might not be available to you in you regular shops.
The meat is of a very high standard, and well priced compared to supermarkets. You'll need some freezer space to take advantage of many of the meat packs, but they also do very tasty fresh meals like enchiladas, big salads and rotisserie chickens, lasagnes, chicken and beef pies etc you could buy and eat over the next few days.
It's great for entertaining as you can buy big platters of food and giant gateaux, packs of bakery goods etc.
At Christmas, there are always some lovely gifts that are a bit different. Ours has designer handbags and Swarovski limited edition pieces.
The clothing is often really good value, both named brands like The North Face, and their own brand, especially sports clothing like fleeces, and casual wear like cardigans. Most of my winter coats, fleeces and casual jackets have been bought in Costco. There are often big savings to made on branded footwear like Crocs and Hunter wellies.
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Feb 4, 2016 23:13:37 GMT
It is useful for us. My husband just got new tires there for a great price. We bought our Christmas tree there in December. Many of the foods there - meat, pesto, chicken shish-ka-bob - are our favorites and aren't in such a great quantity that we can't store/freeze.
|
|
|
Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 4, 2016 23:14:36 GMT
depends on the kind of things you buy... we got our membership primarily for the Costco brand dog food (it's what our breeder feeds all her dogs, so that's what we continue to use) and the cost savings on that alone is worth the membership cost.
I do agree with the costs of electronics, etc. if you're looking to upgrade a television, buy a camera, etc.
I sometimes buy paper goods there, but usually I'm picky about brands of soap, etc. so I don't buy those things from Costco. We do have a walk-in pantry, so that's where some of the Costco-size things get stored. Even without a garage, etc. you could always find room for some 'larger' size items in a coat closet, extra bedroom closet, etc. if you remember you put them there, that is.
heck, the cost and huge size of the rotisserie chicken from the Costco deli makes it worth it, I think, compared to the puny ones I've seen at my grocery store.
ETA: some of the other things aren't such outlandish sizes of products, actually. They do sell 1-gallon tubs of mayonnaise, but they also sell 6-packs of 'regular' size cans of soup, canned chicken, chicken broth, etc. so if there are certain things you KNOW you use often (for me, one of them is Rotel canned tomatoes with chiles) then I can buy the Costco package of 6 cans, and always know I have them on hand. They also sell larger size containers of spices and herbs, such as garlic powder, minced onions, taco seasoning, etc. and those are SO much cheaper than the grocery store prices...
|
|
lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,180
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
Jul 6, 2014 21:50:44 GMT
|
Post by lesley on Feb 4, 2016 23:15:33 GMT
One thing that I love Costco for (also UK) is their photo processing. The paper and printing quality is superb, and really cheap, especially for enlargements.
|
|
|
Post by turangaleela on Feb 4, 2016 23:16:43 GMT
It is useful for us. My husband just got new tires there for a great price. We bought our Christmas tree there in December. Many of the foods there - meat, pesto, chicken shish-ka-bob - are our favorites and aren't in such a great quantity that we can't store/freeze. The pesto, yes! Delicious and a GREAT price.
|
|
|
Post by Jockscrap on Feb 4, 2016 23:22:31 GMT
Oh yes, I forgot about photo printing and electronics. The electronics come with an extended warranty included too. My DS bought the latest GoPro from Costco last month for a lower price than he could get anywhere else and an extra year's warranty free. I do use their printing service but recently discovered that the Costco own brand photo paper is brilliant. I thought home printing was always a very poor second to lab printing, but this paper, used with the same printer I've always used, gives shop quality prints.
|
|
|
Post by maryland on Feb 4, 2016 23:49:24 GMT
My inlaws have a membership and they don't have a costco near them. There is one 30 min. from their apt. (4 hrs. from their home, a 2nd "house") and they are happy with their membership.
|
|
|
Post by lisacharlotte on Feb 4, 2016 23:53:39 GMT
My DH and I have an executive membership. Worth the cost just for the work clothes I buy.
|
|
|
Post by cadoodlebug on Feb 4, 2016 23:53:59 GMT
I go at least 2-3 times a month and time it to get gas. Huge savings on that alone. I love Costco and would be bummed if we ever moved somewhere that didn't have a location within 15 minutes of us.
|
|
kmcmullen
Shy Member
Posts: 39
Jul 16, 2015 23:43:14 GMT
|
Post by kmcmullen on Feb 4, 2016 23:57:40 GMT
Yes, we purchased a beautiful queen size bed for our guest room. It is the best built piece of furniture we have ever purchased. It has drawers at the end that are cedar lined. We love it and it was only $599.00.
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Feb 4, 2016 23:59:50 GMT
We have a Sam's membership for $45 a year. I spend way more than that in the photo department. The 8 x 10's are $1.49 and the 5 x 7's are $0.58. We also buy a lot of Gatorade and meat from there to more than make up the cost.
|
|
|
Post by jbelle on Feb 5, 2016 0:06:20 GMT
My DH goes to the Costco in DC for their huge discounts on top shelf booze.
|
|
hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,616
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
|
Post by hannahruth on Feb 5, 2016 0:12:02 GMT
Our DD has membership (in Australia) and her savings on petrol alone more than cover the $60 fee yearly. I have been thinking about getting a membership myself - I usually go shopping with DD but I'm sure I could make it worth my while over the course of a year.
|
|
|
Post by scrapmaven on Feb 5, 2016 0:17:13 GMT
Though I hate going to Costco the membership has proven worth it.
|
|
basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,619
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:09 GMT
|
Post by basketdiva on Feb 5, 2016 0:21:25 GMT
We are a family of two and it's worth it for us. We saved big money on glasses compared to the eye doctor's prices. Myhusband was quoted $300 after insurance at the doctor and ended up paying less than $200 for his regular glasses and sunglasses. My glasses were $200 less also.
I don't always buy meat there since several stores in my area have better sales. I also buy the 6/8 packs of veggies as well as coffee. I do price check before I go shopping to be sure I'm getting the best deal.
|
|
Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
|
Post by Nanner on Feb 5, 2016 0:24:44 GMT
It definitely is worth it for us. Last year we bought a bar cabinet and outside furniture. Their stuff is great quality at a lower price than crappy quality at other places.
The year before that we got a garden shed and a TV. Saved a bundle!
|
|
Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
|
Post by Nanner on Feb 5, 2016 0:29:50 GMT
I should also say - I buy most of our meat there and then use my foodsaver (love that thing) to portion it out. The foodsaver bags are a great price, too!
We buy a large bag of chicken jerky for the dog at Costco. It costs us $25. The same stuff (but different brand) at the pet store is just over $20 for a bag 1/4 the size of Costco's.
|
|
|
Post by georgiabeachbum on Feb 5, 2016 0:34:52 GMT
Ours pays for itself in pool chemicals alone each summer. Also the price of their HP printer cartridges is cheaper than I've found anywhere.
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Feb 5, 2016 0:37:07 GMT
We are a family of three and we love our Costco membership. When ds goes to college this fall, we will get him a Sam's club membership because that is what is in the town where his school is.
|
|