tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post7196053098512635409..comments2024-03-15T23:39:29.134-08:00Comments on Scribbit | Motherhood in Alaska: Costco: A Relationship on the RocksScribbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03178711182424809035noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-32074876764055473322008-11-06T12:10:00.000-09:002008-11-06T12:10:00.000-09:00Costco works for us, although we do overspend. We...Costco works for us, although we do overspend. We live in a small town, so no Walmart, Target, etc. We have a Fred Meyer and a Costco. Safeway is about 8 miles away if we want to go that far. Our Costco and Fred Meyer are next door to each other and are less than two miles away. I don't shop for milk, or pasta. I do get cheese, diapers and snack foods for the kids there. Plus gas is MUCH cheaper there than anywhere else around.Heffalumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13166154112206680302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-37573916729371119942008-11-04T05:26:00.000-09:002008-11-04T05:26:00.000-09:00I recently ended my love affair with Costco. Now t...I recently ended my love affair with Costco. Now that we're almost all out of diapers (save the dog, LOL), and the kids have grown up enough to be trusted walking "free" in a grocery store, we've been avoiding our $400 (!!!) trips. I still send dh for meats, because I'm just spoiled now. I don't like grocery store meats. But soon we'll move to local butcher meats, so we'll eventually write Costco out of our lives. I will miss those amazingly cheap dozens of roses. Ah, the price of a break-up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-66656505779801832202008-11-02T05:30:00.000-09:002008-11-02T05:30:00.000-09:00Please don't throw out the milk just because it re...Please don't throw out the milk just because it reaches the expiration date. That date doesn't mean it's the time the product is expected to spoil! It's the date by which the store is asked to take it off the shelf. If milk has been kept cold, it's perfectly good for quite some time after this arbitrary date. Same is true for most other products.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I would not live in a town that did not have a Costco. Why? <BR/>* The savings in gasoline alone more than pay for the membership. <BR/>* A gallon of fresh-squeezed orange juice costs way less, per unit, than a half-gallon of my favorite packaged grapefruit juice (the only drinkable citrus juice in a grocery store, IMHO). Fresh-squeezed OJ at Safeway sells for exactly twice what Costco charges, for the same brand. <BR/>* Meat's not cheap, but it's easily twice as good as grocery-store meat -- quality matters to me where food is concerned. <BR/>* Costco carries the only brand of bluejeans I've found in years that actually fit a grown woman. <BR/>* It's a real luxury to have enough paper towels and toilet paper stored in the garage not to have to run to the store to get that stuff (at exorbitant prices) every time I turn around. <BR/><BR/>One could go on and on.<BR/><BR/>There's an easy way to get the $200-per-trip phenomenon under control: write a shopping list, remember to take it with you, and no matter what the temptation, don't deviate from it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-74630310186795114342008-11-01T20:05:00.000-08:002008-11-01T20:05:00.000-08:00I'm somebody who's been able to make Costco work o...I'm somebody who's been able to make Costco work out very well for us. I have been going since I was 6 years old in 1989 with my parents. <BR/><BR/>Point #1 - I don't pay for my membership, my parents cover that for me. Not a moocher child or anything, but more like a gift they generously give me every year.<BR/><BR/>Point #2 - I buy Costco stuff BECAUSE they come in bulk. I've searched the 100 mile radius for good deals, and Costco wins a lot. Bulk yeast, flour, spices, oatmeal, butter, cheese, meats. A deep chest freezer ensures that I don't have waste. I usually don't buy fresh fruits and veggies because I can't use them up in a timely manner.<BR/><BR/>Point # 3 - Impulse buy is not an issue for me. Half of the times I come in under budget. <BR/><BR/>Yes, it might be the $100 store - but that's ok with me, as I only go ever 2 or 3 months if I can help it. Costco is 80 miles away from me, so I have to make my trip worthwhile. I can't just "swing by" for a forgotten item or two.<BR/><BR/>I'm deaf, and I need hearing aid batteries. The amount of money I save in hearing aid batteries alone per year makes up for the membership cost (moot point, cuz I don't pay for it). The batteries don't go on sale at normal stores, don't have coupons and can corrode if I try to stock up on them. <BR/><BR/>Another place where I have huge savings is in contact solution. $8 buys me 48oz of Kirkland stuff, whereas before I could be paying $18 for 32oz. No brainer there! <BR/><BR/>Olive oil is another big savings for us. Can you tell that we cook a lot? ;) I go through a Costco packet of yeast a year, 75 pounds of their bread flour a year, and quite fond of their vanilla at $7 for 16oz. <BR/><BR/>If I see something that I really want, I'll write it down on my list with the price and debate about getting it at my next trip. Usually I don't, and therefore I avoid impulse buying and give myself time to really figure out if I need XYZ in my life. Other things I want I'll put it on my birthday or Christmas list. I'm still waiting on some Shearling boots, but did enjoy the Adobe Photoshop 6 nearly half off, thanks to a Costco coupon and not pay for it thanks to a Christmas Costco gift card.<BR/><BR/>That's the other thing I try to do, time my shopping trips when I get those coupon booklets in the mail. Again, I only use the coupons for stuff that we use. I plan my Costco trips with care and a full shopping list. <BR/><BR/>There's only my husband and I in our household (in an apartment to be exact), but Costco works out very well for us. Different strokes for different people. :)Leah Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16063458621042037769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-13998834705849305552008-10-27T22:14:00.000-08:002008-10-27T22:14:00.000-08:00Couldn't agree more. We're dropping our membershi...Couldn't agree more. We're dropping our membership in 6 months when our baby is done with formula--the ONLY reason Costco saves anybody anything!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-28244556859190502002008-10-26T12:29:00.000-08:002008-10-26T12:29:00.000-08:00We only ever go to Costco with a very firm list in...We only ever go to Costco with a very firm list in mind and we do our best to stick to the list. That said, if we weren't buying diapers and wipes I'm not sure we'd keep the membership. It helps me to know that they make their money on the impulse buys and the one time deals. I'm more wary of it all.<BR/>As for the food we get there we stick to items that can be frozen, such as chicken, ravioli, and salmon. <BR/>I'm saving money by not shopping at Target, because list or no list I have NO willpower when I walk into that place.Jessica R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-47679185137149469052008-10-25T21:31:00.000-08:002008-10-25T21:31:00.000-08:00I read in ConsumerReports that Costco allows you t...I read in ConsumerReports that Costco allows you to buy your medications without a Costco membership. I have a membership, so I have never really tried it.<BR/> <BR/>Keep your expired Costco card and 'flash' it to the front door clerk on your way to buy some pizza, smoothie, hot dog, etc. They don't ask to see your card at the deli. I have done that at Sam's Club a few times.<BR/>I live in Anchorage too and do wish we had more grocery options. I miss ALDI (when I lived in the midwest) and Winco (in the northwest). We really only have Safeway/Carrs and Fred Meyer. I save much more at Fred Meyer on their sales. Their gasoline is a 10 cent/gallon discount with the Fred Meyer card, which is much cheaper than Costco or anywhere else in town.<BR/>I must admit I am impressed with our Dimond Blvd. Costco's photo shop. They have always had great service and great printing results.<BR/><BR/>My trick at Costco is to go with a list an zoom and get those things and then go to the liquor register. I don't buy liquor, but the line is always shorter there.<BR/><BR/>Another way I have been saving money is using the 'Dave Ramsey' method of cash only and a strict budget on food. I get tempted to buy things, but then realize if I spend too much, I might not have enough for the essentials later in the month.Ami herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03377853407153620219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-56625717797902199772008-10-25T21:30:00.000-08:002008-10-25T21:30:00.000-08:00I read in ConsumerReports that Costco allows you t...I read in ConsumerReports that Costco allows you to buy your medications without a Costco membership. I have a membership, so I have never really tried it.<BR/> <BR/>Keep your expired Costco card and 'flash' it to the front door clerk on your way to buy some pizza, smoothie, hot dog, etc. They don't ask to see your card at the deli. I have done that at Sam's Club a few times.<BR/>I live in Anchorage too and do wish we had more grocery options. I miss ALDI (when I lived in the midwest) and Winco (in the northwest). We really only have Safeway/Carrs and Fred Meyer. I save much more at Fred Meyer on their sales. Their gasoline is a 10 cent/gallon discount with the Fred Meyer card, which is much cheaper than Costco or anywhere else in town.<BR/>I must admit I am impressed with our Dimond Blvd. Costco's photo shop. They have always had great service and great printing results.<BR/><BR/>My trick at Costco is to go with a list an zoom and get those things and then go to the liquor register. I don't buy liquor, but the line is always shorter there.<BR/><BR/>Another way I have been saving money is using the 'Dave Ramsey' method of cash only and a strict budget on food. I get tempted to buy things, but then realize if I spend too much, I might not have enough for the essentials later in the month.Ami herehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03377853407153620219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-31051135964243056522008-10-25T08:27:00.000-08:002008-10-25T08:27:00.000-08:00I know I'm late to this party so this may never be...I know I'm late to this party so this may never be read, but here we have a costco membership just for the savings at the pump. Costco's gas tends to be 10 to 50 cents less per gallon than anywhere else. That's a big deal when you are filling up 21 gallons. Plus with milk being close to $8/gallon in the grocery stores, Costco looks like a saint. However you are so right on the impulse buying. Its hard to walk out of there without spending our life savings on needless Stuff!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04268296505107380671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-18610042748873338762008-10-24T09:00:00.000-08:002008-10-24T09:00:00.000-08:00We don't have a Costcos where we are, but we have ...We don't have a Costcos where we are, but we have a Sam's. We have been members for 18 years. It's the same deal though, you have to watch the prices and buy the good deals and skip the rest. Even so, it is easy to pick up something you weren't even looking for. I have cut my Sam's shop down to where I can go just once a month, sometimes twice. At one point I was going weekly (diaper days). <BR/><BR/>The things that I find are a substantial savings at Sam's are milk (about 1.00 a gallon cheaper), chips (2.44/bag instead of 2.99 or more), chicken nuggets (5 pounds for the same amount as less than 4 pounds a the grocery store), and during baking season, it's the place to go for chocolate chips and nuts. There are other things for good prices, but many things that aren't and you do have to be aare and careful. And I do best if I only go once a month.Melissa Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12360547564199558860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-27153264585359090422008-10-23T17:20:00.000-08:002008-10-23T17:20:00.000-08:00I completely agree with you. We had the same feeli...I completely agree with you. We had the same feeling about Sam's Club a while back so never even got a Costco membership when they opened here. Not that I haven't been tempted from time to time - but then I just remember the large amounts of food that went to waste and I get over it. :)Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03806252705199445407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-25680894836919208322008-10-23T10:42:00.000-08:002008-10-23T10:42:00.000-08:00I live in Alaska as well and I can tell you I do m...I live in Alaska as well and I can tell you I do miss my Costco membership. We used to live about 20 minutes outside of Anchorage so we would buy our gas on the way out of town at Costco, along with non-perishables. It really did save us money on any perscription as well as photos. And you have to admit the 1.00 or was it 1.50 hotdog deal with a drink was awesome (let's not get into the health consequences from eating those).<BR/><BR/>We don't have a membership now, but went traveling through with our old card the other day to check out the differences. I am soooo tired of shopping at CARRS (Safeway) and Fred Meyer (Kroger) for food and really those are the only competitors... until now. WalMart just opened up to be Super Walmart (or whatever it is called) and Target FINALLY opened up here just a few weeks ago. They are not a true Super Target as there is no produce, but I can handle that. I am very excited to have all this competition to drive prices down... after a few more months of comparing, I will see where I will shop more often. Fred Meyers buys the produce from Costco if they run out - which explains the rotten fruit I get whenever I buy at Fred Meyer (Costco's goes bad quickly as well). Therefore, when winter hits, the Farmer's Markets close their doors and we are stuck with buying from the grocery store. I choose CARRS for produce. I hate to waste money, time, and my sanity on buying rotten produce!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-25029985765770801242008-10-22T18:13:00.000-08:002008-10-22T18:13:00.000-08:00Well let me sing the praises of Costco briefly. An...Well let me sing the praises of Costco briefly. And I am not on the payroll :)<BR/><BR/>Here the cost of milk and meat is significantly cheaper at Costco than at the cheapest grocery store. And milk is a gallon so no waste.<BR/><BR/>Also the cost of an executive membership with the cash back. Well here the difference between the $50 extra and your rebate is refunded if you don't break even.<BR/><BR/>We just got a flat screen TV for a steal. I have never seen anywhere near that price anywhere else.<BR/><BR/>Finally, if your Costco has a gas station at it, gas is typically around 10 cents less a gallon. That saves us a ton.<BR/><BR/>I don't think any of these mean much if your Costco is across town. I have had to learn not to buy everything I sample and just stick to a list. <BR/><BR/>Oooh, one final point. have you tried their cake or chicken pot pie. Yum!!thediaperdiarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031990766224099099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-53838984669820077052008-10-22T13:08:00.000-08:002008-10-22T13:08:00.000-08:00You made some really good points. My family spend...You made some really good points. My family spends a ridiculous amoung of money at Costco and your absolutely right about the impulse buy there! Not to mention blowing almost $200 dollars there and still needing to go to another store to finish the weekly list with another $50-$100. I've been number crunching with our budget lately, and I'm just in awe of how much goes to Costco!!<BR/><BR/>I think I'll do a little experiment to see if I can cut the bills down by avoiding Costco for a month or two...jolibehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13476841523910913351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-85024208470563772882008-10-22T12:56:00.000-08:002008-10-22T12:56:00.000-08:00Fascinating article. I'd like to see even more "co...Fascinating article. I'd like to see even more "cost comparisons" on the products. I've always wondered if buying items there was really worth the drive and the extra time.<BR/><BR/>One nice thing about Costco is variety. That's probably our #1 reason for shopping there. Costco offers DIFFERENT foods than our neighborhood grocery store so sometimes it's nice to go just to spice up our menu a little bit. Oh, and they're produce is usually pretty good too. Especially when blueberries are in season...Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18022046644708102752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-9353857214203445882008-10-22T05:34:00.000-08:002008-10-22T05:34:00.000-08:00I must live in Costco Nirvana. Milk at my branch ...I must live in Costco Nirvana. Milk at my branch was $2.49/gallon last week - about $2 less than SuperTarget. I can buy in single gallon quantities and the expiration dates are always good.<BR/><BR/>I actually have a "comparison shopping" spreadsheet I put together (and I update) so I know what is a deal & what isn't - AND I do really well only buying from my list.Cursing Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16525488337844130010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-69784203047743582822008-10-21T22:12:00.000-08:002008-10-21T22:12:00.000-08:00Blasphemy! I love Costco - for the exact reasons ...Blasphemy! I love Costco - for the exact reasons I shouldn't . . . Every time I walk in I feel like Zanna.Tiffanie N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01485763338616295506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-36836843214925468742008-10-21T21:59:00.000-08:002008-10-21T21:59:00.000-08:00I only buy certain things there in bulk - I don't ...I only buy certain things there in bulk - I don't do bulk milk there, and when I did I only did the organic, which was cheaper than FM. But hubby said it tasted funny so no more. I don't do the bulk yogurt - expiration is too short, or eggs - we rarely eat them. But I do get the laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, and other non perishable things, as well as enormous boxes of fruit snacks, granola bars and other assorted snack items because even with only 3 people in the house eating them, they're so dang TASTY we go through them like THAT. I do love Costco's prices on baby, toddler and little kid clothes - they are cheaper there than at other stores so I do buy things there, and other random things that I know are cheaper there, or even if they're not they last a long time so I don't mind.Laurel Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651690736938066392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-42085348868547498032008-10-21T21:54:00.000-08:002008-10-21T21:54:00.000-08:00I am fortunate to have two Costcos in less than fi...I am fortunate to have two Costcos in less than five miles. (The perk of actually living in KIRKLAND.) So, distance is not an issue. Like others comments, I save money on the generic medications, especially allergy. There are only four of us, but the other three are allergic to dairy and one of them is also allergic to soy. I save my membership cost when I buy soy milk and rice milk. Plus a case of them is easier to carry and store than when I have to buy them one at a time at a different store.<BR/><BR/>I, however, am not an impulse shopper so I only spend about $75 to $100 each month. And $25 of that is the two types of milk. I know they don't accept coupons, but I do like the ones they send. I saved $12.50 on a $57 purchase yesterday. And it was for things I would normally buy.<BR/><BR/>I do understand why others have a love/hate relationship, but it works great for my family.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00664475273724730656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-37645367241920285282008-10-21T21:14:00.000-08:002008-10-21T21:14:00.000-08:00I don't shop at Costco for the same reasons. For ...I don't shop at Costco for the same reasons. For those of us shopping on a budget it is hard to justify sending $150 on 15 items that you probably didn't even need in the first place. It's a great "deal" until you realize that every box you pick up is between $6 and $12. That adds up fast! If I had a limitless grocery budget I would shop there. But since I don't, I will continue to save money purchasing items on sale at the local grocery store.Kristen M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16071706292559158332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-22295317952210111632008-10-21T20:31:00.000-08:002008-10-21T20:31:00.000-08:00Here here! I completely agree with you and its the...Here here! I completely agree with you and its the reason we don't have a membership.Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02963721437864483580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-17879586686534217822008-10-21T20:24:00.000-08:002008-10-21T20:24:00.000-08:00Wait -- you hate puppies?:)We have a membership to...Wait -- you hate puppies?<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>We have a membership to Sam's Club, which is similar to Costco. We joined when friends insisted we absolutely had to when our baby was born. Funny thing is, I don't buy baby stuff there. Mainly, we buy beverages for crowds, and once in a while my husband goes and brings home a container of cookies, or a movie, or some fruit. That's it. So, yeah, we're paying for the privilege to shop in a giant, poorly lit warehouse and then wait in an infernally long line. Gah!Damselflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139191935886860839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-76080553465657185192008-10-21T17:12:00.000-08:002008-10-21T17:12:00.000-08:00I made the mistake of going to Costco, with my kid...I made the mistake of going to Costco, with my kids, on the Saturday morning before Mother's Day. It was so traumatic that I haven't ever been back. I do go to Sam's club. The other problem these bulk sale clubs cause is over eating. If I buy a regular size box of Wheat Thins at the store I only eat one box. But if I buy a 4 box equivalent size at Sam's I eat 4 boxes worth. Not good for the waistline even if I'm theoretically saving money.Ice Creamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10720267761985766740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-417289567175805672008-10-21T15:42:00.000-08:002008-10-21T15:42:00.000-08:00My husband and I had a membership to Sams Club whe...My husband and I had a membership to Sams Club when we owned a small retail space and had a little convenience store set up. It was then that I noticed some of what you have talked about. <BR/><BR/>We don't have children so bulk buying isn't really part of vocabulary, but paper products are always a draw for me. When we had that membership we had no room for anything in the closets because I had a near lifetime supply of paper towels. <BR/><BR/>That's when I learned that my storage space in my house is worth money and I don't need to fill it with a roll of paper. <BR/><BR/>My neighbor shops at Costco and he took me with him one day. He's an 89 year old man who lives alone. I teased him that he didn't need 20# of hamburger, but he mostly goes for cheap prescriptions and nibbles of food. And of course, everyone in the store knows him. It's social for him.<BR/><BR/>Great post - I'm applauding you.<BR/><BR/>KristinKristin - The Goathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08856336718919208752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14194867.post-29263513455040040422008-10-21T15:28:00.000-08:002008-10-21T15:28:00.000-08:00This fits Sam's Club to a "T" as well.My husband a...This fits Sam's Club to a "T" as well.<BR/><BR/>My husband and I (no kids yet) used to spend about $70 a week on groceries when we had a Sam's Club membership (and that's not including the yearly fee!).<BR/><BR/>Now we mostly shop at an indoor farmer's market (for fresh produce and meats) and at Aldi (for the rest). Our weekly bill is now about $40.<BR/><BR/>It's amazing, really. I thought I was saving so much money buying in bulk, but you're right...not only was it not much (or at all) cheaper, but a lot of it would go to waste. Now we get enough for each week (sometimes two) and it suits us just fine.<BR/><BR/>(Plus more money to buy clothes with, now!) :DApril Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12946968627887624127noreply@blogger.com