Comparing Costco to couponing

[Tweetybird999]

AT the risk of getting lamb basted, here's what I've found out couponing seriously for the last 6 months. It is very difficult to get enough food coupons even combined with a sale to make a product cheaper than going to Costco (Ritz, Ocean's canned oysters, extra virgin olive oil, V8 fusion, soup, yogurt, cereal for example). The Purex at Costco is $.08 per load. That means spending no more than $2.60/32 load of detergent. Which is not so difficult to do, but takes effort. Costco is not a good deal on diapers/pull-ups. The everyday price of Newman's pasta sauce is $2/jar at Costco (must buy 3 per time). I stacked to get some at $0.50 and $1.00 a few days ago. Much cheaper than the $4-5 regular. Tomatoes and tomato sauce in a giant 4 L can are $4. Can't beat that anywhere (except free). So the free Dove, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine care can't be beat, but it takes a lot of effort. Obviously free cleaning products beat cheap any day and I have enough Vim and bleach to last years. Moral of the story...up to you. But personally I'm going to leave my $3 stack for olive oil at home and just get some at Costco the next time I need it.

[Rika]

I have always wondered about this comparison too.... but does Cosco take coupons

[katysmuma]

how much is a membership? I know costco has coupons as i recieved some that icould only use there....im now wondering too...

[slayer_glade]

Membership costs are on their website. Costco does not take coupons outside of their own. And most of the time it's instant rebate at the cash instead of an actual coupon.

And you're right. It's all about personal choice. There are lots of products I buy only at Costco because it's cheaper. Others I won't, because it's more expensive. You kind of have to go through the store, figure out what you buy and how much the unit cost is and compare to grocery stores' sales + coupons.

I also gas up my car at Costco.

[luvfreestuff]

I personally love costco. They have really good deals but you really have to know your prices as some things are way overpriced. My boyfriend and his mom share a membership and both pay half of the membership fee which helps cut down the cost (they both have their own cards).

I also really enjoy stacking as well and shop about once a week at LD. I enjoy organizing my coupons, matching sales, and making my stacks.

[frugalkitty]

Costco can be a great deal and though not always as cheap as couponing it can be more convenient. I usually only buy frozen fruit from Costco. Most of the other things there are too large for me. I have foil and Saran Wrap from Costco and after 5 years they are finally starting to run out.

I buy chicken breast there because they reasonably priced and nice looking and frozen fruits because they work out cheaper.

Some things like toothbrushes I wouldn't buy from Costco because by using coupons I can get them for free, I also wouldn't buy sanitary pads from Costco for the same reason.

[aww]

There's select things from Costco that we use on a regular basis, so I just have someone pick up those couple of things when I need them, it turns out to be way cheaper than a membership, and way cheaper than the two hundred dollars (on average) that I manage to spend on every trip there in the past! I think pharmacy wise (behind the counter stuff) they are cheapest. Lactose intolerance pills are cheapest there, and the agava nectar syrup is cheaper there than anywhere else - plus my kids don't notice that it's different than maple syrup so it's cheaper on their pancakes! (compared to real maple syrup that is, not the simulated stuff). IMO Costco has the best baby wipes around, they are a better environmental alternative to the compressed plastic fibres that Pampers and Huggies are. We use to get a pasta sauce there, 3/$6 or something that are $4-$6 apiece in regular stores. I think it's hit and miss really.

[GypsyGirl]

We love the quality of meat at Costco.
And we buy the flour ($6.99 for 10lb bag) which I think is a really good deal too. I make our own bread so can't wait for better deals at stores if there are any. (SOF had I think 5 lb for $6.99 this week) (hope I'm not wrong on these prices - sorry!)
Other things we get that seem to be way cheaper - their bags of quinoa, hemp seed, maple syrup and organic olive oil which my husband insists on.
Also construction work pants for husband - can't beat the price there.

We also get the membership that gives us back a certain percentage. They guarentee that if you don't make enough of a rebate to make it worth your while to upgrade, they will refund you the money back. As husband buys construction stuff there, it has been to our benefit so far.

Admit you have to be disciplined in there. Helps that we have too many allergies in our family to buy much of the prepackaged/premade stuff!

[BCSparkyGirl]

IDK, Costco is good for diapers, when they are on sale, and you have no other options. 15 cents a diaper is better than 25.

[Pinkflowergirl86]

I totally agree. There are just some things (food primairly, like you mentioned) that are cheaper than going to the store, and a heck of a lot less effort than rounding up coupons and watching for sales. I am all for saving money wherever, but, there are times that Costco is the best option for our family. The quality of the meat is great - same with produce.

We get my sons formula from there (Kirkland Omega). After trying various 'brand' names and not having them work for us, we are not only saving a TON of money going this route, I have a happy and thrieving little boy. The 1.46kg cans are normally $23.99, but go on sale every few months for $18.99. We usually get 6-8 each time they go on sale and it lasts us through to the next sale. I tend to have more faith in Kirkland products than most others. They stand behind their brand. I will not vouche for their Kirkland diapers though. Baaad idea for our son. But, when I complained about them to customer service, they pulled up my card # and refunded me the $ for the case. It has been worth the membership $ for us. For those that do not frequent it usually, best to go along with a friend that has one.

The only section we do not really ever shop in is the Personal Care one - that's what the majority of my coupon deals are.

AT the risk of getting lamb basted, here's what I've found out couponing seriously for the last 6 months. It is very difficult to get enough food coupons even combined with a sale to make a product cheaper than going to Costco (Ritz, Ocean's canned oysters, extra virgin olive oil, V8 fusion, soup, yogurt, cereal for example). The Purex at Costco is $.08 per load. That means spending no more than $2.60/32 load of detergent. Which is not so difficult to do, but takes effort. Costco is not a good deal on diapers/pull-ups. The everyday price of Newman's pasta sauce is $2/jar at Costco (must buy 3 per time). I stacked to get some at $0.50 and $1.00 a few days ago. Much cheaper than the $4-5 regular. Tomatoes and tomato sauce in a giant 4 L can are $4. Can't beat that anywhere (except free). So the free Dove, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine care can't be beat, but it takes a lot of effort. Obviously free cleaning products beat cheap any day and I have enough Vim and bleach to last years. Moral of the story...up to you. But personally I'm going to leave my $3 stack for olive oil at home and just get some at Costco the next time I need it.

[Kelkens]

I don't care for Costco as they do not send out flyers so it is hard to comparison shop unless you go there. I can't possibly remember the exact prices on the items so I would have to write them down then compare when flyers come out.

The other thing though is even though we are a family of five some of their stuff is just too large packaging for us and it spoils. Hummus, spreads, crackers, pasta sauce to name a few.

But the thing I really dislike is d/h likes shopping there and he has a habit of buying the high fat pricey non-essential foods..not good for the waistline and not good for the wallet.

[Inlovewithblue]

We buy all our meat at Costco. We like the quality and in comparison to the grocery store $$ in our area, it can't be beat.

I compared the veggie prices when we were there last, and some things like Romaine Lettuce that we use frequently are a terrific price per head, but other things like avocados were not that good. I think in couponing in other grocery stores, I've come to know what a good price is so I was able to say yes or no to a lot of things in Costco based on this.

Frozen veg and fruit are an awesome deal though for the amount you get.

[Vanishingacts]

I enjoy couponing. I am a little obsessed. Sometimes, I will get so frustrated with not getting a deal, I will just use a coupon on something that may not even be on sale.. Just so I can feel like I got a deal! Haha.

Not to mention it makes me purchase things I don't even need/want just because I have a coupon for! However, it has made me a very generous person.
Prior to couponing, I was not all that generous. I didn't feel like I had anything worth giving.
Now that I am buying all of these excessive products because I have gotten a deal on them, I feel an overwhelming need to give!

I still am living with my parents while I go to school full time, and am not required to contribute financially. I have been using my own money to buy laundry detergent, fabric softener, shampoo, cleaning products, etc. Which, when I reflect.. Probably seems nuts.. But I get so much enjoyment out of getting a deal.. That it beats spending my money on a shirt that may be the most fabulous one in the world and that I like!

I am so cheap when it comes to (some) of my clothing. I have invested in (and received as gifts) 7 pairs of rock and republic jeans. I feel like denim is something you NEED to invest in so that in a few months it doesn't sag and look like you have pooped yourself!

I spend max 20 on tops. Max 15 on jeans/pants (I don't need pants.. But if it's a deal I will buy them! Haha)

I do not know how I started going off about clothing when this thread is about Costco...
BUT, I will get a membership (hopefully get one with my sister or something) when I become a first time home owner!
Which will hopefully be around this time next year.. If I can manage to distract myself from deals @_@

[HillClimbingirl]

I like Costco for certain items: Cavendish fries, Harvest hot dogs, mixed frozen veggies, Bacon, and a coupld of other items. I don't have to buy much meat at the moment but my parents are impressed with the quality and price of the meat. While my 'family' is only 2 alot of items I just pass by. I appreciate this post because there are certain items I will look for now such as the Purex.

The lineups bug me. That is the biggest deterent for me. I put a value on my time and if I have to wait 20 minutes to save a couple of bucks I just walk out. I feel this way about couponing in general though.

I do get one of my dog's prescription here though. One I have to buy through the vet and the other (a version of meloxacam) is half the price than the vet. Even cheaper than G&E. So if anyone has prescriptions for their pets...check Costco.

[Vanishingacts]

My german shepherd is epileptic and gets his meds through the vet. Though, I imagine Phenobarbital is only available through a veterinarian. The next time you go, would you please take a peek for me?