5 Groceries You Should Skip at Costco If You Want To Save Money
Costco has a lot to offer its budget-conscious members, including groceries. That said, you might not want to buy everything on your list there. Some things just aren’t worth it, especially for smaller households or those who tend to have trouble with things expiring before they’re used or consumed.
Bulk buys, after all, are best for those who can use them. If you get certain things at Costco that you won’t end up eating, they’ll just go to waste. And that’s money lost, rather than savings gained.
So, what are the top grocery items you should skip at Costco if you want to save money? These are some of the main ones according to our research and a few Reddit users.
Try This: 8 Best Kirkland Items To Buy at Costco in September
See Next: 6 Money Moves You Must Make If You Want To Be Like the Wealthy
Milk
Aside from the ice cream, you might want to skip milk, cream and other dairy products when shopping at Costco.
In response to a post about what they don’t buy at Costco, Redditor agitpropgremlin said, “Milk and cream. We can’t go through those sizes before it spoils.”
For example, you can get an 18-count of Kirkland Signature Organic Whole Milk for $15.99 online. Each container is 8 fluid ounces, which might not seem like a lot. But when you have so many of them, it can be hard to get through them all before they go bad.
Find Out: 5 Reasons You Should Always Buy Electronics at Costco
Baked Goods
Baked goods are nice to have around, but only if you know you’re going to eat them — and won’t feel guilty about it afterwards.
“I [go] out of my way not to buy baked goods there,” Redditor Dirtheavy said. “I occasionally make exceptions (like pumpkin pie) but I just can’t have 36 enormous delicious cookies around me. I can’t have a 9-pound cheesecake.”
Another Redditor by the name of Shot-Artichoke-4106 added, “We don’t typically buy fresh food from Costco — produce, baked goods, etc. The portions are just too large.”
Take Costco’s peanut butter cake as an example. It’s 6.8 pounds and costs $72.99. It might be a good buy for a large gathering, not so much for a smaller family.
Fresh Produce
Costco has a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. The quality is generally decent, but like anything else, you’ll want to make sure you only buy what you can use. After all, produce tends to go bad quickly — though freezing it can sometimes extend its “shelf” life. You may also want to compare the per-unit prices at Costco with other retailers, like Aldi or Walmart, to make sure you’re really getting the best deal.
For some people, including Redditor Key-Ad-8944, fruit at Costco just isn’t worth it.
“Higher prices than I typically pay, requires buying bulk (fruit can spoil), and quality is often not great,” they shared.
If you do want to get fruit or vegetables at Costco, consider an alternative. Frozen or canned options tend to last a lot longer than fresh ones. You can also often find a good deal. For example, a 12-count of Del Monte Canned Cut Green Beans costs $12.99. That’s a little over $1 per can.
Frozen Fries
Frozen foods can last a long time, which is why they’re generally a good option for buying in bulk. But if you don’t end up eating what you purchase in time, those frozen foods could still end up with freezer burn.
Foods with freezer burn are generally still safe to eat, but they might be less appealing. They can also lose some of their moisture and flavor.
In response to the question of what they wouldn’t buy, Redditor Top_Wop wrote, “That gigantic bag of frozen French Fries. By the time I got half way through the bag they had freezer burn.”
Toilet Paper
When it comes to toilet paper — as well as other paper products — there are several things you should consider before making a purchase. Quality is a big one, but so is the cost per roll. Along with that, you’ll want to make sure you have the space to store what you buy.
Take toilet paper as an example. At Costco, you can get 30 rolls of Charmin Ultra Strong Bath Tissue (two-ply) for $29.99. This is about $1 per roll and an overall good deal. But if your budget is tight, you might want to opt for a cheaper option at another store. You might get fewer rolls, but you won’t have to spend as much all at once.
More From GOBankingRates
You'll Need at Least $50K Saved To Buy a Home in These 13 Affordable Housing Markets
If You Shop Online, Make Sure You Do This -- It Could Put an Extra $200 in Your Wallet
9 Moves For Building Lasting Wealth: What Smart Americans Are Doing Right
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Groceries You Should Skip at Costco If You Want To Save Money
