Do you belong to a warehouse club like Costco or BJ's?

[cypher1]

Costco for 20 years. And executive for years.

Biggest savings? Auto/Home/Umbrella insurance. By far. So much savings I have friends who signed up to be costco members but shop at BJs. I turned 6 friends onto their insurance and it beat liberty mutal, geico, progressive, AAA, etc.

I never thought to look into that until now. Good to know on the insurance side.

I only go inside Costco once every 1-2 months for actual shopping, besides filling up on gas each week. Otherwise I cringe at the thought of going to Costco on the weekend with the parking and chaos inside. I get pretty impatient trying to maneuver around people who decide to stop in the middle of an aisle with their cart, or end up blocking others trying to go around them.

I still shop at Target for last minute items, but should probably focus more on Amazon to plan ahead, and cut out less driving.

[Gailete]

I had use of a Sam's Club membership for part of a year and didn't have any desire to renew. Even though I like to be stocked up on things, I din't like the way things were packaged. Like to buy ketchup you also got mustard and pickle relish as well. Always way to big packages and money was too tight to have it all invested in a a set of of ketchup, mustard and relish! Many times they didn't carry the brands I liked. I did find myself many times buying something I would normally have never buyer because it was a great buy!

At the time I had a step-son and was able to give him some knowledge that the commercials for them never seemed to sink in with him. He asked if we could buy this big box of Rice Krispie Treats. I told him I could make them for a lot cheaper and he was stunned that I could make something like that - so complicated is guess. I was stunned that this 16-17 year old had n't noticed the commercials and caught on when the mother wiped some flour on her forehead to pretend just how hard she had been working to make them! LOLs.

Anyhow the few times I went, I didn't see the point, especially as at that point I had a lot of energy and could use double coupons at all the grocery stores and fill up the pantry for a lot less than using Sam's Club. With just two of us now, I can't see much use of it even though it is in the same plaza as my Goodwill and Joann's Fabrics stores.

[~bs]

I do. In my area, it makes a huge difference. Milk and eggs are less than half of grocery store prices.

Fruits same. Meats are cheaper, in bulk so need to freeze obviously. paper goods cheaper. Office supplies cheaper. Gas prices, much cheaper etc etc.

I can see how in other low cost areas or places that have dollar store type grocery/household good locations where it wouldn't matter too much.

[Gailete]

In PA where I live, milk prices are controlled so you may find them only a few cents different in price depending on where you are buying it. I think sort of the same thing they do with cigarette's. With taxes there is a minimum prices that they can't fall beneath if I understand them right. I buy milk not cigarettes.

That is something that just jumped in my head. Does nobody here smoke? When people are doing their budgets, they are never mentioning their 2-10 cartons of cigarettes a month that they buy which adds up really fast.

[~bs]

In PA where I live, milk prices are controlled so you may find them only a few cents different in price depending on where you are buying it. I think sort of the same thing they do with cigarette's. With taxes there is a minimum prices that they can't fall beneath if I understand them right. I buy milk not cigarettes.

That is something that just jumped in my head. Does nobody here smoke? When people are doing their budgets, they are never mentioning their 2-10 cartons of cigarettes a month that they buy which adds up really fast.

One thing that tends to be much cheaper at costco is hard liquor and wines. From my understanding, they have a 15% or so cap on profits from liquor. Whiskey that may cost $50 at the grocery store is only around $30 at costco. Or you can get a 1.75L jug for around the same price they'll sell a 750ml bottle.

Milk prices in my area are obscene. A gallon goes for around $7-8 here. I just walked through walmart today and saw a half gallon carton for around $5. Costco is around $4/gallon I think. Eggs are less than $3 for 1.5 dozen. Would cost you $7 or $8 for that at the grocery store.

RE cigarettes, I think they're cheaper at costco as well.
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I think from what people have been saying, as far as warehouse clubs, YMMV depending on where you live. Where I live, we have the busiest costco in the world, and for good reason. It's pretty much a combination of better pricing than supermarkets, higher density urban neighborhoods, lack of nearby big box competition (sams club or otherwise), A LOT of restaurants in the area, and downtown offices nearby as well. Not to mention it's located half way between the tourist district and the airport.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Exactly since I've never seen a discount supermarket maybe I could do better. Farmer's markets aren't necessarily cheaper. And I find it a pain to park and hike and manuever. It's easier to shop at costco.

And if you hate weekends? Go at night at 7 or 8 pm. Or first thing in the morning. Supermarkets aren't any better on the weekends where I am than costco, they are all busy. I try to avoid food shopping during the week. But even working I would avoid weekends and before kids. But then again DH and I were late night people so we'd go out for dinner at 9 pm and shop after.

[Gailete]

And if you hate weekends? Go at night at 7 or 8 pm. Or first thing in the morning. Supermarkets aren't any better on the weekends where I am than costco, they are all busy. I try to avoid food shopping during the week. But even working I would avoid weekends and before kids. But then again DH and I were late night people so we'd go out for dinner at 9 pm and shop after.

I used to shop after 2nd shift myself. What I could never figure out was why I always saw some family dragging whining, crying children through the stores at midnight. I found it hard to believe that was the only time they could shop.

[cypher1]

I found going to Costco on a Fri night after 7PM is probably the best time. I just did it last night.

[Cristen Wyght]

we've been a member of Costco for years now, i love everything about costco. we save a lot of money from gas and groceries

[Eagle]

Exactly since I've never seen a discount supermarket maybe I could do better. Farmer's markets aren't necessarily cheaper. And I find it a pain to park and hike and manuever. It's easier to shop at costco.

And if you hate weekends? Go at night at 7 or 8 pm. Or first thing in the morning. Supermarkets aren't any better on the weekends where I am than costco, they are all busy. I try to avoid food shopping during the week. But even working I would avoid weekends and before kids. But then again DH and I were late night people so we'd go out for dinner at 9 pm and shop after.

I'd probably say that we don't go to warehouse clubs anymore. We had a Sam's Club membership but only shopped there 1-2 times every 6 months.

My wife would like to try out Costco. Her family of origin goes there a lot. Might give it a try this year.

What do you buy primarily there?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'd probably say that we don't go to warehouse clubs anymore. We had a Sam's Club membership but only shopped there 1-2 times every 6 months.

My wife would like to try out Costco. Her family of origin goes there a lot. Might give it a try this year.

What do you buy primarily there?

Read my post earlier about insurance and milk and gas and everything. earlier in the thread. Minimum should be you should shop insurance with ameriprise and see if it beats your current insurance. If it does and for everyone i referred it did except usaa, then it's worth signing up.

I recently bought 3 garage storage racks for $66 each, wagon $50 that is $75 on amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/MR482472BLB...whalen+storage

[~bs]

^

Not to mention that Costco's return policy is awesome, and generally no questions asked.

Last month I returned an unopened pack of Duracell batteries (duracel sucks btw) that was leaking acid. It was still within the expiration date, but I had bought the batteries years ago. They took the return no problem.

I've returned stuff like an electronic waste basket whos electronic mechanism failed after 1-2 years. No questions asked. No BS extended warranty purchase needed. Any other normal retailer would tell you to take a hike.

[Eagle]

Read my post earlier about insurance and milk and gas and everything. earlier in the thread. Minimum should be you should shop insurance with ameriprise and see if it beats your current insurance. If it does and for everyone i referred it did except usaa, then it's worth signing up.

I recently bought 3 garage storage racks for $66 each, wagon $50 that is $75 on amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/MR482472BLB...whalen+storage

Yeah we use Amazon Prime a lot. Love it for diapers, wipes, etc. I found your earlier post thanks!

[Gailete]

What is an electronic wastebasket?

[~bs]

What is an electronic wastebasket?

it has a lid that has a sensor that opens automatically.

you don't get garbage food smell because it's lidded. and you don't need to touch or use a foot pedal to open. pretty convenient actually... when it works.