After having purchased way too much food and spent too much money at Costco, I have scaled back my shopping list considerably. I have thought about cancelling our membership but the price of bread, yogurt, and gas make it worth the yearly fee. Update: I changed my membership from Executive to Gold Star, saving $60 a year.
Here are some of the items that I still buy:
| Product | Brand | Price | Size | Unit Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bananas | $1.39 | 3 lb. | $0.46/lb. | |
| Bread | Arnold Omega 3 | $5.99 | 2 Loaves | $2.995/each |
| Bread | Schmidt Old Thyme | $4.39 | 2 Loaves | $2.195/each |
| Butter | Kirkland | $10.99 | 4/1 lb. | $2.747/lb. |
| Cereal | General Mills - Honey Nut | $7.49 | 55 oz. | $0.14/oz. |
| Cereal | General Mills - Original | $5.99 | 40.7 oz | |
| Challah Bread | $5.39 | 2 Loaves | $2.695/each | |
| Cheese | Kirkland- Sharp Cheddar | $5.39 | 2 lb. | $2.695/lb. |
| Frozen Blueberries | Kirkland - Organic | $11.99 | 3 lb. | $3.99/lb. |
| Frozen Mixed Fruit | Organic | $8.49 | ||
| Frozen Pineapple | Kirkland | $8.39 | 5 lb. | $1.798/lb. |
| Goldfish | Pepperidge Farm | $8.99 | 30 oz. | |
| Laundry Detergent | Ultra Clean | $13.99 | 194 oz. | $0.072/oz. |
| Maple Syrup | Kirkland-Organic | $10.99 | 33.8 oz. | $0.325/oz. |
| Oatmeal | Quaker Oats | $7.99 | 10 lb. | $0.79/oz. |
| Raisins | SunMaid Organic | $9.69 | 4 lb. | $2.422/lb. |
| Tortilla Chips | Kirkland-Organic | $4.99 | 40 oz. | |
| Tortilla Chips | Late July | 3.99 | 24 oz. | |
| Yeast | Red Star | $4.99 | 2 lb. | $2.495/lb. |
| Yogurt | Kirkland - Greek | $5.69 | 2/32 oz. | $2.845/per |
On my last trip: Our local store now has a 5 pound bag frozen pineapple for $8.39! At $1.69/lb. it is cheaper than Trader Joe's by $.30 a pound.
February 2018 Updates:
My children are getting bored of the Old Thyme bread. Often, they come home with half of the bread from their sandwich untouched. So, on my February 2018 trip to Costco, I skipped the bread purchase, only buying yogurt, cheese, and pineapple.
Here is a list of items that I have previously purchased. On some trips, I may purchase one or more items from that list when I need to restock.
Animal Crackers (organic) $9.79 Now $10.79
Bananas $1.39/3lb.
Brown Rice (Organic)
Cheerios
Cheerios (Honey Nut) $7.99/55 oz.
Coffee $9.99/ 3lb.
Cooking Spray (see note below)
Frozen Fruit (organic) $9.99/3lb.
Frozen Pizza $9.99
Maple Syrup (organic) $10.49
Olive Oil (Organic) 14.99/2L
Raisins (Organic) $9.49
Sugar (organic)
Various Spices (Cinnamon, Oregano, Salt, Cumin, Paprika, Garlic Powder)
Yeast
What I don't buy (anymore)
Yes, the price per unit may be cheaper on some of the items listed below, but for me I spent too much money and wasted food. We also ate too much! I noticed that when we had a large tub of nuts at home we definately ate more.
Mott's Organic Applesauce
Mott's Organic Apple Juice
Tropicana Orange Juice
Organic Milk (3 - 1/2 gallon)
Mixed Nuts
Premio Sausage
Organic Ground Beef
Ground Turkey
Apples
Organic Baby Carrots
Organic Salad Mix
Organic Tomatoes - Diced
Organic Tomatoes - Paste
Organic Salsa
Skinny Pop
Cooking Spray (see note below)
Have a Sharpie handy
I write the date I open larger items like coffee, it helps me keep track of how often we go through a certain item.
- I purchased a Misto because I had a gift card and coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond, so I no longer buy cooking spray.
