https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:38:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2763756 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:05:16 +0000 hellobeeboston 2763756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: Thanks :)</p> <p>I ended up going with BJ's, A) because it was closer, and B) because I got that groupon for a year membership for only $25.... but thank you, that's a great deal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2763755 Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:00:30 +0000 autumnleaves 2763755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: It looks like there is a Living Social deal for Costco<br /> $60 for a One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership Package ($215.63 value)<br /> The promo notes it is good at all Costcos in the US. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2743037 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 09:38:03 +0000 ElbieKay 2743037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's worth it for the rack of lamb alone!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2743013 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 09:03:08 +0000 looch 2743013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: We have very limited storage and I do believe it's worth it. I've made space to store toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, double bottles of dishwasher detergent, etc. I buy meat and fish there, I invested in a vacuum sealer and price wise, it's paid for itself.</p> <p>The one thing where it's not really worth it for us is the fresh produce. It's too much for us to eat before it goes bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742945 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 05:51:48 +0000 hellobeeboston 2742945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: in my old house we had basically no storage, not even one closet in the main living floor, so that was a big reason to avoid. Where would I keep 20 rolls of paper towels?! We have more room now and my boys are eating so much I can see it making more sense now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742944 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 05:50:07 +0000 hellobeeboston 2742944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: I found a Groupon for BJs for half off, but nothing for Costco. So I might just try BJs since it's only $25 for the year long membership. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742925 Thu, 01 Jun 2017 22:41:42 +0000 autumnleaves 2742925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: I still haven't been! Looking at the other threads on here though I am really wanting to check it out.<br /> We stuck with Aldis and Amazon Prime for most purchases this past year.<br /> I keep looking for a group on or living social deal for Costco and have not seen anything since my original post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742895 Thu, 01 Jun 2017 20:47:34 +0000 bhbee 2742895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Adding on a question I didn't see mentioned I don't think - is it worth it if you have a small house with very limited storage? I rarely buy anything in bulk because we have nowhere to store it. </p> <p>We're getting one about 20m away so I could go twice a month but not sure it's worth it or if the storage issues will be too annoying. Maybe as kids get older and eat more? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742805 Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:56:51 +0000 hellobeeboston 2742805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And similarly.... BJs or Costco?!? Which is better? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it/page/2#post-2742802 Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:51:27 +0000 hellobeeboston 2742802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnleaves: Did you join??? Do you love it? I was just going to post a thread with the exact same headline, and decided to search first. I think it might be time for me to join, my two boys are eating so much that buying in bulk seems to make more sense....</p> <p>Did you find a deal to join for less?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2498271 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 14:31:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2498271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/category/grocery-store-deals/costco/" rel="nofollow">http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/category/grocery-store-deals/costco/</a></p> <p>She does good break downs of the costco monthly coupons (although they aren't really coupons just sales). We try to follow this and stock up with something is on sale. Because they are high dollar sales. It can mean the difference of getting an ok bulk price on detergent (but really similar to the price you would pay on a B1G1 sale at the grocery store) or getting an awesome sale because there was a $5 off coupon.</p> <p><a href="http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/melodys-favorite-things-to-buy-at-costco/" rel="nofollow">http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/melodys-favorite-things-to-buy-at-costco/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/pantryhousehold-stock-up-price-list/" rel="nofollow">http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/pantryhousehold-stock-up-price-list/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2498090 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 12:50:13 +0000 LulaBee 2498090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drive 20 minutes to our Costco- at least once a month. We get wipes, dog food, frozen fruit, hummus.... and a bunch of other stuff. We split the executive membership with my mom last year and didn't make enough back for it to be worth it, so will be doing a basic membership this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497913 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:33:11 +0000 mrswilson2012 2497913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are 5 minutes away from Costco &amp; we go once per month. I don't know how we would survive without Costco. It's by far my favorite store! We get everything from there! Our executive membership pretty much pays for itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497882 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:20:09 +0000 808love 2497882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there is a Groupon for Costco out right now. Also my mom worked for years at Costco and it was free for me but then she retired and didn't purchase a membership for 6 months. So I lived without for six months and it was hard! We are very close to Costco and go twice a month because I don't want to spend so much. I try to go without DH because we spend more when he comes with me!! Anyway, yes it is worth it!</p> <p>Eta: sorry, it was living social and it is expired now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497177 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:50:55 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2497177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love costco. I like that they switch up their products every now and then. We buy eggs, fruit, vegetables, meat, wipes, clothes. I like their athletic wear. They're holiday and seasonal stuff is fun. </p> <p>The executive membership is worth it. If you don't get enough cash back, they will credit you the difference between the regular membership and executive membership, so its like getting the executive membership for the price of the regular membership. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497174 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:46:10 +0000 Raindrop 2497174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is super interesting. I have about 5 Costcos nearby me and the closest one is down the street about 3-5 minutes away. After reading this thread I feel like I’m not fully taking advantage of my Costco! </p> <p>Before reading this thread I would say I could take it or leave it. I feel maybe since it’s so close to me (as are many of them), it’s just something I “have” to go to get some items and not “get” to go to. I go one or two times a week to pick up milk or veggies (veggies are pretty cheap here) but it feels like I have to battle through a ton of people, find parking and tote around such a big cart for a few items. For some reason no matter what Costco is always packed! I do live in a highly dense area though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497169 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:35:32 +0000 threeplusme 2497169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love costco! I'm surprised no on has mentioned the clothes. I buy a lot of my kids clothes there, great deals on snow suits, jackets, rain boots, crocs, pajamas, lots of carters sets. You have to buy it when you see it but so worth it. My mother in law,and sister in law get a lot of great clothes for themselves unfortunately I'm petite and not much fits me. We also buy a lot of our electronics there. Sporting equipment too. Great return policy. My sister in laws paddle board broke after 3 years and they took it back no questions. Also bought our cell phones there. As you can tell I'm a fan! Oh and photo center is great always do costco photo Xmas cards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497104 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:29:50 +0000 youboots 2497104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours is 30 away and totally worth it. We go every 3-4 weeks. Weekday evenings are a good time to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497078 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 17:03:24 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2497078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We buy a TON at Costco, and go maybe once a month. Diapers, wipes, almond milk, eggs, all sorts of granola bars, frozen fruit- even their prices on kids Tylenol and Advil are great!</p> <p>We have the executive membership, and it's worth it for us, but only because we signed up for the Costco MasterCard. So because of the executive membership, we get extra cash back yearly when we use the MasterCard. I think we got back over $250 this year, which more than covers the price of the executive membership! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2497074 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 16:56:52 +0000 autumnleaves 2497074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: @T.H.O.U.: thanks - I will look online for a deal before heading there! I'll probably wait at least a few weeks for the craziness to calm down.</p> <p>@chopstixwife: thanks! I haven't done the math yet but if the membership costs are the same here - I think basic is the way to go for us. If we lived closer to Costco than target and all of the grocery stores I might say the executive membership could be put to good use.</p> <p>@mrs.shinerbock: that is a great idea - we had Sam's club come to our work a long time ago - I should ask HR if they'll consider having Costco come.</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: @MrsKerch: thanks for the recommendations of when to go. I hate crowds and usually try to hit Target first thing in the morning or late in the evening - I should use that approach with Costco too.</p> <p>@looch: @lawbee11: thanks for letting me know about the car purchasing program and insurance options - those are services we would definitely be interested in (as well as all the food, paper goods, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496786 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:42:05 +0000 MrsBeluga 2496786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also the gas! We live in CA and gas is 2.50-3.00 a gallon, but at Costco its 1.89! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496783 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:41:29 +0000 MrsBeluga 2496783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally worth it! Many things are cheaper, especially the prepared food, fresh food (eggs, bread, milk), produce, and according to DH their beer selection. They also make a lot of Costco (Kirkland) branded products, and those are also cheaper (K cups, laundry pods, baby products). A lot of things are also normal priced too (like a 3 pack of ziploc baggies is the same as if you bought 3 packs at Target), but the convenience of buying all at once sometimes wins out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496727 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:04:21 +0000 MrsKerch 2496727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: the chicken alone!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496714 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:57:28 +0000 gingerbebe 2496714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cannot imagine my life without Costco, although I'm sad they are doing away with accepting Amex. We definitely spend enough to make the Executive Membership worth it, but a regular membership is just fine for most folks.</p> <p>The gas, the chicken, cheap clothes, fruit, baked goods, organic food, spices, generic OTC medication, the booze, all our Christmas shopping - its like SO, SO convenient. We get our photo canvases done there, our Christmas cards, I get my sunglasses, glasses, and contacts there. Our sheets, towels, kitchen gadgets. Sigh. I heart you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496699 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:50:00 +0000 Boogs 2496699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So worth it. I'll actually be headed to ours in a bit. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496692 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:45:04 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2496692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just have a basic membership but it is so worth it. I love going and getting inexpensive but great produce and meat (among many other things).</p> <p>We don't spend nearly enough there to make the executive membership cost effective though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496667 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:28:43 +0000 agold 2496667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to have a basic membership for just me and DH. I now have the executive. Its so worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496666 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:27:54 +0000 chopstixwife 2496666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love costco, especially their return policy! We shop there for bulk household items and miscellaneous seasonal stuff. We have the basic membership and it works well for us. We ALWAYS get asked if we want to upgrade to executive but it's just not worth it for us. To break even at the executive membership, you would have to spend $2750/year. To get your executive membership for free, you would have to spend $5500/year, which averages to $459/month you're spending at costco. Executive only makes sense if you plan to split the cards between two families, which most of my family members do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496659 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:22:02 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2496659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So worth it! Even just for produce for our family of 4 it's good. I like that they have a lot of organic ingredients. Price per lb is usually same as Trader Joe's which is the cheapest place around us. Then some other random things that people have mentioned- cleaning products, contacts, toilet paper and the occasional seasonal items. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/costco-is-it-worth-it#post-2496654 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:16:46 +0000 sunny 2496654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love Costco! I live less than 10 min away from one so we go often. The savings on gas make the membership worth it for us. </p>