We have been shopping at Costco for years in our home. In fact, my parents still shop at the original Costco store in San Diego. Over the decades we’ve learned when you should put an item in your cart, and which ones you should forget. For example, if you really want the item – get it and don’t wait. If you’re considering joining the warehouse club, or want to ramp up your savings, here are 12 items to always purchase when you’re at Costco.
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Spring Greens Salad
Shop for an organic spring greens salad at your local grocery store and you’ll easily pay $5+ for an 8 to 12 oz. bag. Shop for a tub at Costco and you’ll pay the same price for double or triple the amount of lettuce.
If you love salad or are even just planning to have it for dinner one night, this is an everyday item worth putting in your cart at Costco.
Pizza
You might not think it, but Costco is one of the top pizza chains in the United States, being just outside the top ten.
Selection may be limited, but you can get a whole pie for $9.95 plus tax. If you don’t need that much, grab a slice for $1.50
Bottled Water
Frugality often dictates to avoid bottled water. That’s not so at Costco. You can score their 40 pack for less than $0.20 per bottle.
That’s a fraction of the cost you’ll pay at a gas station or convenience store.
Vanilla Extract
Several years ago the cost of vanilla was astronomical. That’s no longer the case. You can score a 16 oz. bottle for under $15 at Costco.
Compared to the grocery store, that’s a steal of a deal.
Raw Honey
Raw honey can get pricey when you purchase it at the store. That’s not so when you buy the generic Kirkland Signature organic raw honey.
It’s a relative steal, and you get the same health benefits without the hefty price tag.
Cheese
Cheese can get awfully expensive at the grocery store. That’s not necessarily the case at Costco. The retailer has a nice selection of premium cheeses at not so premium prices.
Just make sure not to overbuy so it doesn’t go bad on you.
Rotisserie Chicken
Do you need a quick meal without spending $50+ to feed your family at a fast food joint? Look no further that the famous Costco rotisserie chicken.
At $4.99 it’s a tough deal to beat.
Olive Oil
Olive oil can go bad if you don’t use it, so purchasing it bulk can be risky. However, the Kirkland organic offering is a great value and hailed by many chefs as high in quality.
If you don’t need a super premium olive oil, the Kirkland bottle is worth trying.
Wine
Costco loves themselves some wine, and it shows. They’re often ranked as the largest wine retailer in the U.S. You can often find a good bottle for $10 or $20, including a wide variety of private label offerings.
Organic Peanut Butter
Do you want healthy peanut butter for your family? The Kirkland organic peanut butter is for you. At $12.99 for two 28 oz bottles, it’s a tough deal to beat.
Just make sure to refrigerate it after opening and stir it on occasion.
Maple Syrup
Don’t go for a cheap knock off. The Kirkland maple syrup is 100 percent real maple syrup and significantly less than what you’ll find at your local grocer.
Save money and keep your pancake or waffle lovers happy.
Frozen Fruit
Does your family make a lot of smoothies, or do they like fruit in their yogurt? If you have the freezer space, the frozen fruit at Costco is well worth the cost.
They sell a variety of different combinations, and most come in affordable four or five pound bags. Many of them are organic as well.
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I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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