https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:21:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-520124 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:54:35 +0000 Silva 520124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we had a membership one year- I'm not sure if we saved money, because we spent a lot every time we went. I will say that things like paper towels, ziplock bags, etc are great to get there if you have the storage space. </p> <p>we could usually get good deals on wine/beer, too. it was great when we hosted our annual BBQ because we bought everything there.</p> <p>we don't get one anymore because we don't really have the space to store stuff, and because we buy local (meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, and produce). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-520114 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:41:40 +0000 Boopers 520114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got our membership last summer so we could buy stuff for our wedding. We got all the plates, silverware, cups, beer, soft drinks and other miscellaneous wedding stuff for around $200! </p> <p>We took a break shopping there for a few months but recently started shopping again. Like other posters have said we get the packages of sealed organic beef, shredded cheese, 24 pack of organic eggs ($7! at our store) and other various items. I bought the BEST smoked Gouda there a few weeks ago. Plus I love walking around and eating their samples ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519996 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:50:03 +0000 Crisark 519996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love Costco!</p> <p>Renewal was $55 this year.<br /> We do a lot of meat, frozen items, toiletries and soon to be baby wipes and such. Also, laundry detergent and over the counter medicines.<br /> Way worth it for us. We are soon to be a household of 5 and we go once every other month and spend probably $300 but it's a huge savings from going to Walmart or somewhere weekly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519967 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:36:42 +0000 Meridian 519967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Totally worth the $55 annual membership!!! We get gas there at least every other week, and it's usually at least 20 cents cheaper per gallon than the other local gas stations. We go to Costco almost every week, ever since they opened one up about 2 miles from us... dangerous!</p> <p>I ALWAYS buy lots of produce and very little processed foods! Examples of what we buy: </p> <p>- Fruits - pommelos, oranges, strawberries, melons, watermelons, grapes<br /> - Produce - romaine lettuce, mushrooms, spinach<br /> - Dairy - eggs, half and half,<br /> - Meat - chicken breast, rotisserie chicken (theirs is the BEST and only $5!!), rib-eye steaks, pork tenderloin<br /> - Seafood - frozen salmon, frozen shrimp<br /> - Coffee K-cups<br /> - Dog food<br /> - Canned foods - canned corn, canned tomatoes, chicken broth</p> <p>Phew, I love Costco. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519883 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:00:41 +0000 wheres_c 519883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Costco has a way better produce selection compared to BJs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519786 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:26:10 +0000 T.H.O.U. 519786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and just to add, I love Kirkland brand wipes! They are seriously the best and really cheap! </p> <p>I think they are like $20 for a case of 900 wipes (in 100 count containers).</p> <p>They also carry huggies wipes for about $25. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519778 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:23:47 +0000 honeybear 519778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Keep in mind that Costco's selection changes frequently, so it can be hard to use it as a regular grocery store. If you only want to shop at one place, it's very hard to do there, in my experience. (Background: I like to cook, we're adventurous eaters, and I am careful about where, geographically, our food comes from and buying organic.) </p> <p>They always have the basics--paper goods, wine, bread, etc.--but I've noticed that their produce is somewhat seasonal (although some of what's in "season" is only in season in South America). They've had organic eggs (24 for $9, I think) and apples (12 for $8.50) at reasonable prices recently, and as others have noted, their organic selection is growing. I also like their dried, unsulphured figs ($7 for a huge bag), and medjool dates ($8, I think). Their organic spinach is around $4.50 for a huge box. I still end up at Whole Foods or a regular grocery store for some organic stuff. (Hint to anyone at Costco HQ who might read this: Stock organic whole milk!) :) </p> <p>I don't care for most of their bakery stuff, but their version of baguettes are really good (2 for $5). (I say "version" because they are wider than typical baguettes.) </p> <p>Also, I don't buy most of my seafood there. They really need to work on where they get it from/the fishing methods used. They do have canned sardines that I'm willing to buy. I don't buy much meat, but I got my organic turkey for Thanksgiving there--$36 for a 12 lb bird, if memory serves (it's a pretty clear memory, because it was the first one I've ever cooked!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519765 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:19:04 +0000 Weagle 519765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, shampoo! The Kirkland brand shampoo and conditioner is so great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519728 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:11:48 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 519728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love love love Costco. We buy all toiletries there (and I know it's going to be a lifesaver with diapers pretty soon). We also purchase and freeze meat, and bulk-buy our pasta. I sometimes buy their produce, though some of it usually goes to waste -- a lot is organic though. I don't think I've ever been disappointed by a Kirkland product either (their generic brand). Cannot recommend Costco highly enough :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519706 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:04:03 +0000 heffalump 519706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents pay for our membership... I'm not sure if we would get it on our own.</p> <p>We get yogurt because lo needs it for snack daily to mix probiotics. Paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, tissues (we still have the same tissues from over a year ago), shampoo, soap, shaving cream, razors, etc. Dh gets some food, granola bars, green tea, animal crackers. Dh doesn't like leftovers though so buying fresh food in bulk isn't always great for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519701 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:03:05 +0000 immabeetoo 519701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I love Costco for quinoa organic produce and dirt cheap dairy. I do know their offerings vary by store, but they also guarantee refunds on memberships so even if you signed up and changed your mind you'd get money back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519689 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:00:13 +0000 MamaMoose 519689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: yes costco will let you walk around and not buy anything. BJs actually does free 60 day trial memberships.</p> <p>ETA: as Wago said Costco checks your card at the door but just go to the membership counter and tell them you are considering joining and they will allow you in to walk around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519687 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:00:11 +0000 mrs. wagon 519687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: it could vary from store to store. Our Costco checks your card at the door. Our BJ's doesn't check your card til you get to the register. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519679 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:58:15 +0000 Arden 519679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now I'm thinking I need to just write down a list of everything we regularly buy, and then go through both BJ's and Costco and price check and see how much of what we need they actually carry.<br /> Will the stores allow me to do that (go in and walk around without a membership, but not buy anything)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519677 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:57:50 +0000 mrs. wagon 519677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: that's three of my biggest passions right there... shopping, bargains, and... novellas!!!</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: Oh that's right, I forgot to mention-- if you are a couponer, BJ's DOES take manufacturer's coupons! (and they have their own coupons as well.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519676 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:57:49 +0000 MamaMoose 519676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and another thing. For us the Costco gas is about 10 cents cheaper than the other stations around here. Because of my husband's long commute the membership pays for itself even if we only used it for gas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519675 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:57:41 +0000 BSB 519675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: You could go and say that you want to check out the prices before buying a membership. I did that before getting my Costco card. It was that or Sam's club. If you don't have a membership, I think they add a 5% non-membership fee to your order. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519671 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:57:04 +0000 yoursilverlining 519671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: I think so; I think they have them at the service desk. If you know any BJs members, they send one of those free-pass thingys in the coupon book they send out every month or so. I can check when I get home and see if I still have mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519667 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:56:08 +0000 BSB 519667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: If you have a BJ's, I would go with them. I don't have one near by but I heard BJ's allows coupons. I wish I had a BJ's near by for that reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519666 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:56:08 +0000 MamaMoose 519666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: wow. A novella about Costco?! That's some passion for bulk shopping ; ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519664 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:55:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 519664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: BJ's has much better selection, but smaller packages (not as bulk) and the prices are much less reasonable. We found it to be equivalent to couponing at the grocery store. We had a membership for a while because of a discount with Wagon Sr.'s work and they carry Pampers (which Costco doesn't). After we stopped using Pampers with WJ we didn't renew our membership. And now we order Pampers on Amazon Prime (subscribe and save). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519663 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:55:13 +0000 Arden 519663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Do you just ask at the door or something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519657 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:54:11 +0000 MsMini 519657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We get a Costco membership every year, we get the "executive" one that pays you back 2% at the end of the year. We get all of our paper products, any bottled/canned drinks, juice, eggs, meat and some produce. We have also gotten great prices there on electronics, OTC meds, and vitamins. They also have Carter's baby clothes and I get stuff like socks, Christmas wrapping, etc there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519652 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:53:11 +0000 yoursilverlining 519652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: You can get a free 1-day shopping pass from BJs (I don't know if Costco has the same program, but I wouldn't be surprised!). Then you could check and see if they have stuff you like.</p> <p>ETA: Actually, the free pass might last for more than 1 day. </p> <p>The membership is worth it for us just for buying diapers, wipes, cat litter and paper goods alone. We also buy canned beans there and they are cheaper than buying through a grocery store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519648 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:52:39 +0000 BSB 519648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just renewed. It's now $55 a year. I think it went up $5 this year or last year.</p> <p>I love it. The money I save on gas is great. It's always about 10-20 cents cheaper per gallon than other places.</p> <p>I like to buy eggs, toilet paper, paper towels, tissue paper, multi-vitamins, breakfast sandwiches, greek yogurt, frozen fruit, lunch meat, dog flea medication, Regal &amp; AMC movie tickets, bread, hazelnut flavoring for coffee, coffee creamer, DD coffee, gaterade, canned soups, canned fruits &amp; veggies and snacks like chips and fruit snacks. Oh, I do love their rotisserie chickens.<br /> Also, small appliances. I bought a nice digital scale for $14. Retail its $25-$35. I bought a nice Garmin GPS on black Friday. It cost me $100, retail it sells for $170.</p> <p>I think it's worth it. Although, I did go there last week and easily racked up $250 order. Oops. I need to limit my trips to once a month. I do get gas every week or so.</p> <p>Oh, if $55 a year is too much. You should think about sharing with family or a neighbor. I considered doing something like this.</p> <p>One tip of advice, not everything there is cheap. I always have my calculator handy to calculate how much it is per item and if it's cheaper than regular stores. </p> <p>Oh, I did buy my car through the Costco car buying program. I saved about $3000. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519647 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:52:36 +0000 mrs. wagon 519647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Yay Costco! :)</p> <p>So I believe a standard membership is $55. We share an executive membership with my parents from when my dad owned his own company and I worked for him part time. They get 2% cash back because of this. I think you can also consider a Costco Amex which also gives you cash back. </p> <p>Our favorites are meat (because we have a chest freezer, and the quality of their meat is great!), bread and bagels (again, chest freezer), some fresh produce (only things that will last as long as it takes us to eat them, like apples), rotisserie chickens ($5.99 dinner for 4, can't beat that!), paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils), cereal, organic eggs, yogurt, cheese, frozen vegetables (chest freezer!), frozen chicken breasts, butter... I could really go on and on. And a lot of their personal care products can't be beat as well, if you use one of their coupons. (they don't take manufacturer's coupons but they have great coupon books every month, so when ther'es a coupon for something I stock up.) </p> <p>For us it's worth every penny, but we have a LOT of storage space for stuff, especially with the chest freezer. </p> <p>For the things you listed that you would need to buy, I know for a fact they have everything. I believe they have quinoa. They purchase based on demand, I believe. I've seen products disappear then come back years later. </p> <p>For fresh produce we stopped buying most of our stuff there because it goes bad before we get a chance to eat it all. But the quality of their produce is outstanding. The grapes are always sweet, etc. They have an amazing assortment of red, green, and yellow peppers that we love. If your'e batch cooking with these veggies and freezing, it would be perfect for you. The pork chops I posted about earlier are a staple for us... I buy it, open it up and slice all of them in half (they're like 2 inches thick!) and freeze them in ziplock bags, about 3 whole chops per bag. Then the night before I can put them in the fridge and it's a perfect serving size for the two of us for dinner and lunch the next day.</p> <p>My favorite thing about Costco is their guarantee. You can bring back almost anything and they'll give you your money back. A lot of people actually take advantage of this. They'll bring back clothes they've worn for 2 years and washed hundreds of times just because they don't like it anymore or it's stretched or faded, and Costco still gives them their money back. Even store credit because your account always shows what you have purchased in the past. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519638 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:50:11 +0000 Arden 519638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crash806: Hmm, we also have a BJ's nearby. I have no idea what they have, so I don't know which one would be better for our needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519637 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:50:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 519637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think our membership is like $55/year. But we have a Costco Business Amex CC. That gets us like 2% cash back so that is nice. </p> <p>We buy organic ground beef there and its about $4.29/lb which I think is an ok price. We really like the flavor. It comes in 1.2lb packages (pre-divided). </p> <p>We don't go through enough of any one fruit/veggie to buy from there although it is often fresh and ok prices. I don't know that much of it is organic. </p> <p>We also buy our shredded cheese there but again, not organic.</p> <p>Just an FYI, we found their organic whole milk to be much more expensive than our local grocery store. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519636 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:49:47 +0000 Weagle 519636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We get the executive membership because you get a percentage back at the end of the year. $105. We buy all paper products, vitamins, some toiletries, cleaning supplies, juice, and food items (beans, broths, honey, meats, etc). I think it would be great for you! Their produce section is really good. They also have the best price on quinoa that I've found. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/debating-a-costco-membership#post-519627 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:48:08 +0000 2PeasinaPod 519627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and wipes! How could I forget those! We loooove Huggies Natural Care wipes (I find they're thicker than Pampers) so we get those there too. </p>