While Costco is a great store to grab many bargains on household items, there are also some items that you should avoid if you’re looking to save money in the long run. These are the 19 items to stop wasting your money on when shopping at Costco.
Produce that’s Prepackaged
If you’re looking for the best quality produce, you’re best avoiding Costco’s prepackaged versions, as these can risk spoiling before you’ve managed to eat them all! It also ends up being more expensive for the total package compared to buying the items individually at alternate grocery stores.
Clothing
Another thing you should definitely skip at Costco is their clothing range: “Compared with other big box stores like Walmart or Target, the selection is limited,” says CNBC. You’re more likely to buy something of low quality, and there’s also the reality of no fitting rooms!
Books and Magazines
There are plenty of better places to grab your books and magazines than Costco, so you’ll want to skip buying these, too. Specialized bookstores or shopping online will grant you a better selection of books at a better price than Costco’s.
Office Supplies
If you’re looking to bulk-buy a lot of office supplies, Costco’s options might not be worth it for the high upfront cost. There’s a limited selection of products, so you may end up buying a pack just for the sake of it when you can buy cheaper options in office supply stores.
Soda and Other Sugary Drinks
When you’re looking to stock up on soda, Costco’s bulk packs can seem to be a cost-effective choice, but this is another item you’ll want to skip. They’ll take up a vast amount of storage space, and you’ll find they’re often more expensive than soda sold at local grocery stores.
Ready Meals
We understand if you want to skip homemade meals after a busy day, but Costco’s selection of pre-made meals might not fit the bill. They have a shorter shelf life, so you’ll likely waste a lot of food if you don’t eat them quickly, and they’re also more expensive than cooking from scratch.
Electronics
Costco’s selection of electronics might seem handy when you need a new charger or two, but in reality, they have a very limited selection – not to mention their prices won’t often match those of online suppliers or specialized electronic stores.
Cleaning Supplies
We also recommend skipping Costco’s range of cleaning supplies if you’re looking for the cheapest and most eco-friendly options. There’s a limited selection at a higher price tag. Forbes advises that if you have baking soda and white vinegar on hand, you can easily make your own DIY cleaning products for free.
Spices
Buying spices at Costco means wasting money on large packs that could easily lose their potency before you’ve had a chance to use them all up. They’re often more expensive per ounce than they are in other local stores, so you’re better off looking at specialized spice stores for the best deals (and tastes)!
Toys and Games
Another thing to skip at Costco is their selection of toys and games, as branded toy stores will have a much larger selection at a much better price. There can be very limited options at Costco for even some of the most popular toys, and you may even be compromising on quality!
Frozen Foods
If you buy frozen foods at Costco, you’ll often need to buy them in bulk to feel as though you’re saving money. However, this will require a lot of freezer space and may result in wasted food. You’ll also have a very limited choice compared to buying fresh food.
Condiments
Buying large quantities of Costco condiments might not be the good deal you think it is, either, as they’re likely to expire before you can use them all. You also might end up paying a higher price per unit than you would at standard grocery stores – not to mention the limited selection!
Any Paper Products
Admittedly, Costco has a fantastic selection of paper products, such as huge packs of trusty toilet tissue, but how much are you actually saving by buying them in bulk? You should skip any large packs of paper products to avoid running out of storage space and compromising on name-brand quality.
Canned Goods
Real Simple states that you might not want to stock your pantry with Costco’s canned goods because you can get them at a much better price from your local supermarket. You’ll also have a much bigger choice of better products at other local stores.
Kitchen Gadgets
You really shouldn’t waste your money on Costco’s selection of kitchen gadgets, either, as you’re much better off going to a branded gadget store you can trust. Not only will you find a limited selection at Costco, but you won’t get the same level of support you’d get from an electronics supplier.
Bakery Items
You may also be wasting money on baking items from Costco if you buy too many (and don’t eat them quickly enough)! If you’re looking to stock up on baked goods, Costco’s prices are likely not cheaper than those of local bakeries, and you’ll be getting better quality with the latter.
Coffee
Coffee is another item that may not be cheaper than your local supermarket’s, and if you’re a coffee connoisseur, Costco won’t be able to offer a vast selection of brands or blends. Your money will be better spent at your larger supermarkets or even a specialized coffee store.
Diapers and Baby Products
Parents spend an average of $18 a week on diapers, says Healthline, but that could risk being even higher if you’re bulk-buying Costco baby products. This is because they’re often not any cheaper than your local supermarket’s, and bulk-buying them extensively may result in waste if your baby outgrows them quickly!
Snacks
And finally, not only will you be wasting money on Costco snacks, but you’ll also be risking a higher calorie intake! Costco makes you think you’re getting a great deal on bulk-buying snacks, so it’s easy to spend a lot more than you usually would, as well as eat a lot more!
Up Next: 17 Phrases Older People Use That No One Else Gets
Each and every generation has its own phrases and sayings that separate it from the rest, and the boomers certainly have plenty. Discover 17 popular boomer phrases that aren’t often used today and what they mean. Maybe you’ll want to bring some of them back!
17 Phrases Older People Use That No One Else Gets
People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits
The world would be a better place if everyone had a little more empathy. But sadly, in reality, some people show much less empathy than we’d like. Here are 18 traits of people who don’t show empathy.
People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits
The 17 Unhappiest States in America
The US has hit an all-time low position in the World Happiness Index, tumbling to 23rd in 2024. However, it’s important to remember that location is an important factor; many US states are very happy, unlike the following 17 US states that appear to be the most unhappy.