For a young married couple (no kids) is a CostCo membership really worth the money?

Question

I have been debating with myself over whether the $50 annual Costco membership fee is worth the money for us. We are a young married couple with no kids. Do you think the savings we would make by shopping at CostCo would offset the annual membership fee?

Answer 1

I would try it for a year and find out. Keep track of what you save when you shop there and see if it's more than $50. It'll certainly be *something*, so it's not as though you're risking $50. You're risking maybe $10 or $20 (if you only save $40 or $30).

Beware of overbuying, though -- if you buy a gallon jug of mayonnaise and throw away half of it, you're wasting money that way.

Also, consider the location. If you have to drive 50 miles to CostCo, then that 100 mile round trip costs you $30 or so per trip. I often buy overpriced single items like milk or half and half at a convenience store -- because it's cheaper than driving to the grocery store for just one item.

Good luck,

Doug

Answer 2

Is Costco Membership Worth It

Answer 3

Depends on what you buy, and how much storage space you have.

If the two of you are living in a 700 sqft apartment, then no. If you're living in a 1200sqft house with full basement, then you have the storage space to spare.

A friend of mine has a membership (my mother does/did as well), and regularily buys from there, while doing their regular shopping from Safeway / Supervalue / etc for perishables.

If you have the space, and especially if cost of living is high where you are, then you will definately save much more than the $50 fee each year.

Also, as someone else said...share a membership with another couple, and break-up the bulk packages at one house or the other.

Answer 4

Maybe it's just me, but this is my opinion. You save over time by buying in bulk, but not a lot if it goes to waste. For example a big can of beans. Sure it's cheaper but you throw out some of it. So you say I'll buy the bundle of smaller cans. Turns out Walmart has them for about the same price. Another thing, the more stuff you have around the house, because your buying in bulk, the more you'll consume. Think about that for a second. For stuff like cheese and bread, it just isn't worth it. Unless you have a big freezer, stocking up on meat isn't worth it neither, assuming you eat meat.

I will say this, you could save big time in gas. The Cosco's around here sell gas. If you live near one and commute a lot, is worth the gas saving alone.

Answer 5

most non- essential purchases are not really worth it if you think about it. If you are wiling to freeze food items Cosco could be worth it. Although, wholesale food stores have some of the worst nutrition out there. for the few healthy items they have, you may end up buying 2 weeks worth of things that will rot in your fridge. i would wait until you have kids, then you will enjoy the relative peace and quiet of buying diapers at costco.

my wife and her "sister-in-law" neighbor got a shared membership, so less goes to waste, I got tired of going because the food variety is low and I have all the non-food stuff i need.

Answer 6

YES! Their great prices are not just for bulk items which are great for couples with a freezer. But they also have computers, televisions, cameras, booze, clothes, home items and so on that are discount priced.

I recently purchased a Vizio 50" plasma for $1400 and by purchasing it there my one year warranty was doubled.

I have been a costco member for almost 15 years and enjoy going through the store.

Answer 7

Since you all don't have children I really don't think that it is neccessary. I mean you can buy in bulks which is cool but its going to be really hard to eat that amount of food. And you can only keep food so long without spoiling. I would say just continue going to regular grocery stores.

Answer 8

Hell Yeah! Not only is it great for cleaning and office supplies but they also have awesome deals on electronics! $50 a year is not much...i love Costco!

Answer 9

NO. You never need to buy bulk quantities of anything. Just go to Wal Mart instead and save the $50. Warehouse places are for people who need to buy cases of drinks and bales of TP, and pallets of groceries to feed their families, or for small business.

Answer 10

Have you considered going in on it with another couple or some friends? Then you'd have shopping buddies, too...