She Strengthens

The Surprising Truth About Costco Memberships

As a newlywed couple, my husband and I were hesitant to shell out $60 for a Costco membership, despite the promise of lower prices on groceries and gas. But when my mother-in-law gifted us the money to cover the cost, we decided to give it a try. Little did we know, our decision would come with its own set of challenges.

The Downsides of Costco

For starters, the nearest Costco is a whopping 25 minutes away from our apartment, making it a significant trek for a quick grocery run. Add to that the fact that we’re a small household of two, and buying in bulk starts to lose its appeal. My husband, a budgeting whiz, struggled to justify purchasing four months’ worth of quinoa at a time. And to make matters worse, Costco only accepts Visa credit cards in-store, meaning I couldn’t earn points on my MasterCard credit card.

Making Costco Work for Us

After two trips, we realized we needed to rethink our approach. Here are the strategies we developed to make the most of our membership:

Before You Shop

My husband created a comprehensive spreadsheet of our staple grocery items, complete with prices from our usual stores. Before we hit Costco, he’d walk through the store, noting quantities and prices of various items. Then, he’d compare prices to determine what we should buy at Costco and what was cheaper elsewhere.

Strategic Shopping

We decided to limit our Costco trips to once or twice a month, focusing on stocking up on non-perishable items and sticking to our regular grocery stores for fresh produce and dairy. By doing so, we avoided unnecessary drives and minimized our time spent waiting in line.

Timing is Everything

We soon learned that timing is crucial when it comes to shopping at Costco. Avoiding rush hour and weekend afternoons helped us dodge long lines and chaos. Instead, we opted for Sunday mornings or weekday afternoons, taking advantage of our flexible work schedules.

Fresh Food Secrets

We discovered the hard way that perishable items at Costco have a limited shelf life. By figuring out when fresh produce is delivered to the store, we avoid buying items that are near expiration. This simple trick has saved us money and time.

Resisting Temptation

Costco’s low prices can be tantalizing, but we’ve learned to resist the urge to impulse buy. Sticking to our shopping list and avoiding distractions has become key to making the most of our membership.

The Ultimate Hack

Our most significant discovery was buying Costco gift cards online, which can be paid for with any major credit card. This clever trick allows me to earn points on my MasterCard while still using the gift cards in-store.

The Verdict

In the end, we’re grateful for the opportunity to make the most of our Costco membership. While it may not be worth the $60 annual fee for every household, we’ve learned to navigate its challenges and reap the benefits. With a little creativity and planning, even a small household like ours can make Costco work for them.