We're hitting that point. With baby #4 on the imminent horizon and the mountain of diapers looming before us, with five mouths to feed and a stand-alone freezer that functions well, The Hub and I are starting to wonder if it's time to switch back to the Bastion of Bulk known as Costco.
Thanks to my two new favorite sites (A Year of Slow Cooking and freezerdinner.com, in case you missed it), I know that cooking in bulk for easier prep later is in my future. We consume more milk, more cheese, more meat, more rice and pasta than I ever thought we could. At least the produce is fresh weekly through our co-op (bountifulbaskets.org for locations in your area), so we don't have to worry about that. And with three (soon four! Did you forget? I'm trying not to) kids in tow, one-stop shopping has become a necessity rather than a convenience. We've tried shopping separately, but when we aren't there to check each other, Mat and I are terribly prone to impulse shopping. TERRIBLY. Plus, everything I know about bargain shopping I learned by observation. Therefore, that's how my kids will learn.
But will it be worth the annual fee? Will it be worth the monthly 17-mile trek? Because if we do start to shop there, we will ONLY go once a month. What's been your experience, friends? Is it time for us to take the plunge? Are we way overdue for the plunge? I'd love to hear what you have to say.
8 comments:
While I do love Costco (we got a membership last year), I don't know that the savings would make up for the 17 mile drive. That's a long way! Ours is just 2 miles away, so we use it as our regular gas station. Just my opinion :)
Regarding diapers, I calculated it out once, and Target brand diapers have a lower unit price than those at Costco (at least at the time when I compared), so Target is where I buy.
So excited for you to have baby #4! Congratulations!
Okay, so I don't have much experience with Costco since we have only one kid. But, after I read your post I saw a post here: http://lifeasmom.com/2011/03/how-costco-saves-me-money-grocery-geek.html. Maybe it will help.
I love Costco. I buy everything in bulk, and this year we upgraded to the business membership because I do so much of my grocery shopping there. All dairy, all bread, all snack food, all grains, all baking goods, baby wipes, some clothing, lots of birthday gifts. I often buy produce there. I saved canned goods and things that regularly go on sale for the chain grocery stores where I can get great deals.
We have found that the cheapest way to buy diapers is through Amazon.com. There's a free subscription to "Amazon Mom" and "Subscribe and Save." You can adjust the schedule of delivery (which is free). The net result is about a 30% discount off retail, and we buy Luvs for the greatest savings. We buy Pull-ups this way, too. If you can't figure it out, let me know!
I don't do Costco, but I'm a Sam's Club girl. It is much closer than 17 miles though.... not sure if I would do it if it were so far away. For us, it is worth it just in the money we save on milk every week. We go through at least 5 gallons a week, and I save over a dollar on each gallon. It adds up pretty quick.
Regarding diapers, I don't actually buy mine there. With two kids in diapers, I go where I can get them cheapest, and for us that is actually Walmart. The Parent's Choice brand is pretty good, just as leak resistant as the pricier brands (except perhaps in the newborn size, but once you grow out of that definitely), and it is WAY cheaper than the name brands.
So, diaper wise, I say it's not worth it, but with other foods, possibly yes. Depends on what you buy there.
we've got cards for both Costco and Sam's club. We buy most of our groceries at these places. In some ways, the prices are better, in some ways not. If you want to be scientific about it, you could make out a list, go to your local grocery or Target (which I think is expensive for food - I'd do Walmart instead) price out the list,then drive to Costco and get a visitor pass, and price out your list. That's a big time investment, but it would answer your question.
Some things, like the artificial tears we use for Piper, are much cheaper at Walmart than they are at the Sam's club pharmacy. So it depends on what you buy and eat, and how much you need.
You'll find yourself going to the grocery store for the things you use in smaller amounts, though - because the big box stores don't have everything, or a wide selection of things - and have too much of one thing for you to buy and keep and then throw away.
I don't know ... I never come away from a Costco trip feeling like "Look at all the money we're saving!" More like ... wow, how did we spend that much?? But that's just me.
I think it really depends on what you intend to buy there. Is it only for bulk food that you really need? Are the items cheaper there? Will you be able to stick to the necessities and not impulse buy (assuming you're trying to stick to a strict budget)?
It's a fun store though, and I love the samples. :)
Ah, I need to clarify: It would be 17 miles round trip. Really not impossible....
Walmart. We'll price match almost anything - even online coupons, so you'll always get the cheapest price and you can buy almost everything there.
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