Costco, Shmosco.
The West Coast-based warehouse chain may be one of America’s favorite retailers, but don’t be blindsided by the bargains, experts warn. A store that has many products that are better purchased at a regular grocery store.
In the article “Eating Well”, Food writer Sujit Lin writes: No matter how much you love regular trips to the home of $5 rotisserie chicken — Lin counts herself as one of Costco’s many fans — Costco doesn’t always have to be your last resort. That’s why it’s important to shop smarter than most of us in-store. With discount shopping.
Favorites that Lin admits she can’t leave the store without include trays of the bakery’s fresh croissants and high-quality staples like Kirkland Brand extra virgin olive oil and Himalayan Sea Salt Kettle Brand. We have a lot. Crinkle cut potato chips only available at Costco.
But don’t bow your head. Not all deals are created equal, she warns.
Additionally, bulk purchases often don’t make sense unless you’re buying a small army, she says.
The seven items are listed below. Some of them are very popular and you may want to avoid them. I will also explain why.
milk
“While it may seem like a no-brainer to buy a gallon of conventional milk locally, a quick comparison shows that buying milk elsewhere actually costs 0.5 liters of milk per gallon. You can see that you can save close to $1,000,” Lin wrote.
sandwich bread
“It may seem like a no-brainer to buy a two-pack of soft sandwich bread at Costco,” she said.
“Even if you’re paying $5 to $7 for two loaves, it seems like it’s only about a dollar more expensive than buying one loaf at the grocery store.
“But depending on the type and brand you choose, you could end up paying too much.”
bagged salad kit
“Bagged salad kits are so convenient,” she says.
“But it’s not necessarily cheap for a family size. Extra-large kits often cost around $7 to $9, sacrificing more variety and, in some cases, eliminating waste when you can’t eat more than one serving.” You get the same price per serving at the cost of an increase (some Costco stores sell more 2-packs of smaller bags).
“Salad dressings don’t last very long.”
raw chicken
“There are some meats worth buying at Costco: salmon and steak, and of course that famous rotisserie chicken, known for its exceptional quality,” Lin said.
“But raw chicken is always a pass for me. Neat, vacuum-sealed, freezer-safe packs are tempting, but breasts and breasts cost about $3 a pound. If it’s thigh meat, it’s better to save $1 a pound at the grocery store and portion it yourself into freezer bags. ”
“I have purchased large family packs of chicken breasts for as low as $1.79 per pound at major supermarkets. It’s often a bargain at 59 cents per pound at Walmart.”
herbs and spices
“Dried herbs and spices lose potency and color over time. “Pre-Old Bay seasoning is almost non-existent,” she cautioned, noting that ground spices are best used within a year.
canned soup
“There’s nothing more reassuring than having an emergency stock of sick soup in your cupboard. It’s a gentle promise that you won’t have to sniffle or brave the outside world,” Lin said.
“While it may be tempting to stock up at Costco, it’s actually better to stock up at your local supermarket when they’re on sale.”
“Name-brand condensed soups are typically only $1 a can on sale, but you can save even more if you buy a store brand.
“Meanwhile, Costco’s unit prices are a quarter more expensive. For hearty soups, Costco sells 8 packs for just under $2 a can, while other stores sell 3 packs. They sell for $5, sometimes less.
“And best of all, when you shop at the supermarket, you don’t have to stick to a single flavor.”
grain
“It’s easy to be shocked when you look at the regular prices of popular cereals at the grocery store and find that $7 to $14 for two extra-large bags of cereal at Costco seems reasonable.
“However, most major cereals are made by three brands: General Mills, Kellogg, and Post, and supermarkets typically alternate which brands they sell.
“These manufacturers also often issue digital coupons that can be used for additional savings,” she writes.
