20+ Things You Should Never Buy Anywhere but Costco

Maybe it’s me, but I feel like I’m working harder than ever to stretch my dollars. I’m “clipping” digital coupons, performing complex cost comparisons in the aisle, and often ping-ponging between stores just to save a few bucks on the things my family can’t live without. And while we’ve all got our tricks to save a few dollars, chances are if you’re buying these items anywhere other than Costco, you might be overpaying. The next time you need to pick up one of these items, save yourself the headache and just make a beeline for Costco.

Costco food and grocery items everyone swears by

Eggs

Remember when eggs topped $12 a dozen and people lined up at Costco, desperately clutching their Executive Memberships to elbow past neighbors in a race to grab just one package if they were lucky? Good times. Avian flu economics aside, Costco eggs are still an unbeatable deal — an 18 pack from Costco costs less than a dozen eggs at the grocery store.

Hint: If you celebrate Easter, now is the time to stock up so you can dye and decorate eggs with the kids.

Rotisserie chicken

Just last year, deciding whether I grabbed a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store or made a special Costco run to get one was a toss-up. But with grocery stores charging at least double what you pay for a rotisserie chicken at Costco these days, it’s well worth my trip. They’re still just $4.99. And no matter when you grab one you can always turn it into a quick family dinner — usually in less than 15 minutes.

Maple syrup

My kids look forward to making fresh blueberry pancakes on Saturday mornings, and at the rate they go through syrup, I could go broke keeping it stocked. But Costco’s L.L. Bean maple syrup dupe keeps them flush with the amber stuff and me flush with the green.

Olive oil

This is another one of those pantry staples that can really add up if you have to replace it every couple of months at the grocery store. I prefer purchasing it at Costco where I only have to buy a new bottle every six months or so.

Cosmic Crisp apples

I’m pretty choosy about the bulk fruit I buy at Costco because even with three kids, we can’t always eat everything before it spoils. But I never shy away from picking up the 4-pound bag of Cosmic Crisp apples. I put half in the fruit bowl and half in the fridge. Even if my kids’ current fruit obsession changes midweek (it never fails), we always make it through these in time.

Berries

This is another buy I’m confident won’t go to waste in my house. Costco’s berries are fresh, flavorful and usually less expensive than similar quantities at the grocery store. And if you’re lucky enough to find the cups of pomegranate arils next to the strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, add them to your cart too.

Mini cucumbers

We go through cocktail cucumbers at our house pretty quickly. I tuck them into lunchboxes, cut them up for an after-school snack paired with hummus or Ranch dressing, or I toss them onto a salad at dinnertime. And if I’m feeling extra ambitious, I may turn them into freezer pickles.

Cheese

If you have kids, you probably go through a lot of cheese — in all its forms. Luckily that’s the way Costco sells it too — in all its forms. Here’s how I save on my family’s cheese habit:

• Shredded Mexican style blend. Sure this is a two-package deal, but I freeze one while we work through the first. I use it to make quesadillas, homemade macaroni and cheese, nachos, scrambled eggs, and sometimes I sprinkle it over fresh steamed veggies as an incentive for my kids.
• String cheese and Tillamook cheddar cheese snacks. These two packaged cheese options are lunchbox and snack staples for my daughter. And I love that I can grab them as we’re running out the door to a play date, sports practice or errand running sesh.
• Parmesan. No matter what you sprinkle this one on, it’s hands-down the most cost effective way to buy it.

Kirkland organic coconut water

If coconut water is a regular purchase in your family, you can’t beat the price of the Kirkland Signature brand. It’s got a refreshing, clean taste and is less sweet than competitor coconut waters. Snag a case on your next trip.

Packaged snacks

Ah, packaged snacks. You so get me. I’m a sucker for any grab-and-go foods my kids will eat. And Costco has more than a few I add to my cart on the regular. Here’s what’s been on my shopping list in the last few months:

• Archer beef sticks. It’s an easy protein boost for kids on the edge.
• Individual bagged chips. My kids are very into PopCorners right now, but we’re just as likely to buy Pirate Booty, Sun Chips or Goldfish.
• Organic applesauce. A never-fail option with my kids and their friends.
• Z-bars. I’m not usually a fan of multi-flavored packs because there’s always one that no one wants to eat. But these get eaten by my kids, regardless of flavor.
• Nuts. I usually grab a bag of trail mix or mixed nuts because they are always a crowd pleaser.

Household items you shouldn’t pass up

Toilet paper and paper towels

If you’ve got the storage space, stocking up on paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels at Costco is a smart buy. Even with Target’s Red Card savings (5 percent), Costco’s prices are often better, especially if you’re buying the Kirkland brand.

Kirkland kitchen trash bags

Trash bags are another one of those household staples that adds up over time. But if you buy the Kirkland Signature 13-gallon bags at Costco, you can check that one off your mental list for at least six months (although I’ve heard rumor of one family who made it a whole year before replacing the box of 200). It’s another easy win for your wallet.

Plastic wrap and aluminum foil

I once joked that I had my Kirkland stretch-tite plastic food wrap for a decade. Looking back, I’m not sure I was too far off. While prices on these two kitchen staples have gone up across the board, the Costco two-packs remain a great value.

Allergy and pain relief medications

Anyone who has allergies knows Costco’s bulk allergy meds are — by far, hands down — the cheapest game in town. The same is true for pain relief brands like Aleve, Tylenol and Motrin. Bonus: Save even more on these FSA-eligible products if you’re enrolled in a program.

Batteries

Even if your playroom isn’t stocked with battery-operated toys, families go through a lot of batteries. Remotes, flashlights, fire alarms — there’s a reason they’re on Ridwell’s pickup list. Costco helps keep the cost down when you pick them up here. And if you grab them when there’s a coupon, the savings are even more noticeable.

Diapers and wipes

If you’ve got a baby, you know how quickly you can go through a box of diapers or a package of wipes. Buying them at Costco means fewer trips to buy more; they’re also just cheaper, even if you’re not buying the Costco brand.

Other notable items to help you save money

• Costco gasoline. If you’re filling up rather than plugging in (no shame, I am too), it’s hard to beat Costco’s gas prices, especially with the recent price surge. While paying for a full tank is still painful, it’s a little less painful at Costco.
• Costco cakes. An easy way to cut costs on your kid’s next birthday party? Order a Costco sheet cake. Kids love them and it averages about $1 per slice, depending on the size ordered. Plus, Costco rolled out online ordering for this popular item last month, so you may not have to do it old-school style in the store anymore.
• Costco pizza. You can buy it by the slice, but if you want to do family pizza night, it doesn’t get more cost-effective than ordering your favorite from Costco (sorry, Pagliacci’s). Grab a big salad while you’re there and it still costs less than typical pizza delivery.
• Bottled water, juice boxes, flavored sparkling water. While I tend to shy away from multi-flavored drink flats, if you’re hosting a crowd, you can’t beat Costco’s price on multipacks. Not to mention: bottled water is always good to have on hand for emergencies.