A question about your view of Costco

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm sure we all agree that they're a swell company and seem to treat both customers and employees respectfully.

But here's my question ...... do you think you save money by going there? Or do you wind up overindulging, overbuying, and giving in to impulse when you see stuff?

We often get home from a Costco trip and ask why we bought this or this or that.

I won't mention Sparkly's bag of frozen chestnuts that is getting freezer burnt from age ...... or my now dessicated GoJo berries from China that just seemed so cool when I sampled them at the store ......

[murphymom]

1. I think I learned my lesson

after my oatmeal episode when I realized that the Costco bulk package was going to last my husband and me for the rest of our natural lives. It took me months of making oatmeal bread every week before we finally went through it.

I won't buy milk there anymore (unless I'm planning on making something that requires a lot of it) because I've found it starts to turn before we can use it all up (just the 2 of us in the household). I have to be careful with the fresh veggies sometimes too, same problem, we don't go through them fast enough.

I've noticed they are starting to go with multi-packs of smaller containers rather than big food-service containers on some things. Murphydad is a jalapeno junkie and the nacho rings used to come in the giant jars that took up half the refrigerator - now they're in double packs.

[Warpy]

2. No, I'm pretty disciplined

and living in a very small house encourages not overspending on a year's worth of toilet paper or other bulk items. I worked it out, and I'm saving just a little over the price of the membership. In addition, they do have things I can't find elsewhere, something that will always keep me going back.

[kestrel91316]

3. I'm single and can't remember the last time I entertained, lol.

Bulk purchases of anything perishable won't work for me, and with the $50 or whatever it costs to join, it almost wouldn't pay. And it's far enough away and such a hassle once you get there - nope, sorry......

But I agree they are a good company. I know a guy who has worked for them for almost 15 years and has no plans to leave.

[NashVegas]

4. I Learned My Lesson Early

I absolutely do not buy what I don't KNOW I'll be able to make use of.

The first few trips was a different matter.

[blue neen]

5. I absolutely save a lot of money by shopping at Costco.

I generally shop there every 3 to 4 weeks and am very disciplined about what we purchase. The coupons we get in the mail from them also help us try some products that perhaps we wouldn't have been able to sample before. One example is the Propel Invigorating Water. We love this stuff and didn't even know it existed until Costco had a coupon offer for it.

We buy meat at Costco and freeze it in the freezer bags that we buy there! :)

Just don't go shopping when you are hungry!

[Warpy]

22. Costco is one of the places you can shop when you're hungry

Just hit all of the sample stands in the food section first, shop the rest of the store, and come back to shop for food at the end of the trip.

Works like a charm. It's a free meal, too.

[noamnety]

6. I do pretty well there.

We buy the bulk things like toilet paper and laundry soap. And I have some favorite food items I know I can eat (fresh mozarella). Some things I buy for the classroom, like peanut butter, bread and nutella - my kids can go through a loaf of bread a day. I got a container of humus there for the kids once and they were all excited and wolfing it down - and then a water pipe broke and we had to evacuate the building and the kids were sent home for a couple days, so I ended up having to eat way more of that myself than I ever intended.

Their veggie trays make nice little green houses for seedlings. I just scored a costco muffin tray (I think that's what it was) with a clear lid from a funeral today, so I'm ready to start some more seeds in that.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Nutella

You **had** to mention Nutella.

I have a perpetual Jones for Nutella.

I am not supposed to eat Nutella.

I love Nutella.

I think Nutella deserves to be its own food group.

I will not buy Nutella on my next trip to any store that carries it.

You **had** to go there, didn't you?

:)

[mtnester]

11. I feel your pain...I love nutella

A lightly sauteed banana added to any nutella dish adds a wonderful layer; add to your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe instead of the peanut butter..

Oh, and the glory samwich for me, nutella, good super good rich dark chocolate layered in between sliced brioche...grilled....swoon, OMG, orgasm, beyond good.

And the best thing to put nutella on? A spoon.

Sorry, I just had a little nutella sex there in front of you...
:evilgrin:

speaking of sex and nutella......................

[Stinky The Clown]

14. .

:spray: :rofl:

I'm gunna getcha fer that! :)

[mtnester]

19. I only tease folks I like..

I hope you are able to indulge a time or two a year on the Nutella...I have been on a diet to lower my cholesterol, and have done so by 34 points since last June...so I totally understand about wanting to east one thing, and having to eat another. However, I have a great doctor who is very clear up front about "visiting" old food friends. If a grilled nutella sandwich with a slice of chocolate an banana inside with the nutella on brioche is a friend you want to visit twice a year, then my doctor says by all means visit, but like any other visit, you plan ahead, know when it is, DO IT, and then come home, leaving said friend behind.

I have always self regulated White Castles like this. They are yummy, but, they are bad for me and they punish me. So, I plan on when I have them (weekends during the day only...Oh the humanity of the GAS) and how often I visit, which is maybe 2 times a year. And they are heaven when I have them.

And, based on the other threads I see on this subject, it looks like everyone is on a mission to find you a substitute! :)

[The empressof all]

15. Alas, I can no longer indulge in the Nutella either

This is actually a pretty good substitute. Made in Holland and relatively low in Carbs. You still can't eat the whole jar but for those watching the sugar and carbs it's a great option in moderation. It's not bad for a sugar free product.

[Stinky The Clown]

16. Twist, huh?

I've never seen that anywhere. Where do you get it?

[grasswire]

18. I hate to break the news, but Twist is discontinued.

No longer made by the manufacturer. You can see that note here:

http://www19.netrition.com/deboer_twist_page.html

HOWEVER...

there's another version here: http://www19.netrition.com/lanouba_spreads_page.html

Considering the fact it only contains approximately 0.75 grams (net) of carbohydrates per tablespoon, it keeps a creamy, rich chocolate flavor, It’s perfect on low-carb breads, cookies, and crackers. You can eat it every morning or you can warm it up as a dip for fresh fruits. Made with Belgian premium “Callebaut” chocolate and roasted hazelnuts it is impossible to tell it apart from any regular chocolate hazelnut spread.

[hippywife]

20. Here's their home page

http://www.lanouba.be/home.php

It was a little hard to find since la nouba is also the name of a Cirque du Soliel show. So I put in la nouba fruit spreads. Even then, it didn't come up til the second page.

You can order directly from them but it has to be ordered in bulk. There are minimum order sizes.

[The empressof all]

21. Well that just SUCKS!

I don't like the la nouba one as much as the Twist. I'm glad I have an unopened one in the pantry. I'll have to savor every bite. Well the La Nouba is better than no spread at all. Damn....

You can get it an netrition. That's where I got my Twist.

http://www19.netrition.com/lanouba_spreads_page.html

[grasswire]

23. what about making a nutella type spread?

There must be recipes out there.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

8. Long story, but I remember the first time I went to Costco.

My parents & I were visiting my grandparents in San Diego and my parents dragged me there. Absolutely dragged me there. This was the very fist Costco that had opened. I yawned through the whole thing. Then we got to the beer. DH and I had just started dating seriously and Mom and Dad saw one of those Beers From Around The World. Knowing that then boyfriend (now DH) was a beer aficionado they bought one for him.

Months later, we've married. And DH & I are visiting my grandparents. I tell him he's got to see this place. Grandmama gives me her card and tells me that we have to pay cash because if we pay by check they'll want to look at the card (things were different back then and you only had to show your card to get in the door and if you paid by check. If you paid by cash no one asked to see the card again). I tell her a couple of times that we're not buying anything, that I just want to show DH this place. She keeps telling me that we need to pay in cash. I keep telling her we're NOT GOING TO BUY ANYTHING!. About the fourth go 'round it's like Okay, Grandmama, we'll pay cash. (BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUY ANYTHING)

So we get there and I flash the card and we walk through. Of course we don't get a cart BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUY ANYTHING. DH sees a fabulous deal on something. Then I see a fabulous deal on something. Then DH sees a fabulous deal on something. Pretty soon I'm standing there guarding our treasure and DH goes back to the entrance to find a cart because of course, WE'VE ENDED UP BUYING STUFF!. About 80 buck if I remember correctly and this was about 1980 or maybe 1981.

[Duer 157099]

17. That reminded me of my first visit to the pre-Costco

This was waaaaaay back, in the early 80's; it was a Price Club (which was either the precursor to Costco, or contemporary but a different coast, not sure now - but eventually they merged and the Price Clubs turned into Costcos).

I had never seen anything like it, my mouth was agape the whole time. I didn't buy anything that time because I was just on a "field trip" with a friend who was a member, but I soon became a member and, well, have been ever since.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

24. You are absolutely right. It was Price Club, not Costco.

It's been so long I had forgotten that.

You know how businesses make their employees park in back and leave the front spots for customers? Well my dad told me that when Price Club first opened the store in Diego they had the employees park in front to help create the impression of a busy, successful store.

[Stinky The Clown]

25. Oh yeah .... Price Club ...... that all closed here and then we got BJ's and :::shivver:::: Sam's

I didn't know Price Club was connected with Costco. My first exposure to the genre was Price Clubs ... way back when. The first Costco I ever went into was in San Diego when I visited my brother. I recall clearly thinking how much better it was than Price Club.

[Duer 157099]

26. I agree, I liked Costcos better than Price Club

and I was bummed when they merged, they went by "PriceCostco" for a while. But eventually it seems like the Costco version won out and they dropped the "Price" part of the name altogether.

Ahhh memories! I probably still have all of my old membership cards, lol.

[Dora]

9. We make a list before going, and stick to it.

If we stay away from the impulse purchases, we save significantly. We stick to the staples, no snack foods.

[Tektonik]

10. I think we always end up wasting food

I buy things I think I'd eat at any supermarket, Costco or not.

I know for certain things Costco is a HUGE savings such as 3 lbs. of Craisins for 7 or 8 bucks.

I don't go often but I shop there for the occasional snacks and especially electronics (I bought my HD lcd tv from there).

[NMDemDist2]

12. :cry:

I miss Costco :cry:

and no, rarely anything went to waste, but I usually just bought staples there, and yeah, I did transport 15# of bread flour I had left from #25 pound bag from AZ to NM and used it up. My freezer looks a lot emptier now that there's no Costco in my life that's for sure, but no way I spent frivolously there. Well, not TOO often anyway :rofl:

now when the Schwann man used to visit (before I re-learned to cook) that's a whole 'nother story

:hide:

[hippywife]

13. We don't have them here

thank goodness! I'm bad enough at the grocery as it is and have a teeny tiny house. If I buy a 12 pack of paper towels, I'm hard pressed for where to put them! LOL

I hate to clothes shop but watch out when I hit the grocery! :rofl:

[badgerpup]

27. Sometimes I need to be physically restrained...but it's a seasonal thing.

Like when they have fall bulbs...tulips, daffs and such...and in the spring the roses, lilacs, oriental lilies and trees.
:bounce:
Got some beautiful plants there a couple years ago...pale blue "Fantasy Creation" grape hyacinths, Japanese-style peonies and more Oriental lilies than was probably legal.
This year I succumbed to temptation and bought a bastard hybrid grafted cherry tree that has three kinds of sweet cherries on it. :blush:
If they weren't selling the roses in double packs, I probably would have broken down and bought a rosebush this year too.

Last year (just for the helluvit) I bought my ex-partner and his son matching plaid flannel shirts. You know, those good heavy ones...and both the guys look good in hunter green.
Was glad of the selection of size offered too...XX and XXLong. They're pretty big guys...kiddo is over six feet and not sure he's done growing yet.
I really need to make a Costco run when he and his dad come to stay for the weekend...:yoiks:

Usually though I have a general list of stuff I use and don't deviate much from that- chicken, tuna fish, cheese, milk, eggs, veg (I get onions and spinach for dehydrating as well as fresh use :thumbsup: )...ingredients rather than food, as a friend of mine says.
I get olive oil and balsamic vinegar there too. They're really spendy...but I only need to buy them once every couple years or so.


Ummm...please forgive me for bringing up a sensitive subject...
but what is Nutella? :hide:

[Stinky The Clown]

28. I'm better now. I can talk about it calmly. Really.

It is a chocolate and hazelnut spread from Italy.

Here's the Wiki entry for it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutella.

I can leave it alone by simply willing myself.

Really.

I can.

I can leave it right there on the store shelves.

I can.

No kidding.

[hippywife]

29. I can seriously feel your pain, Stinky.

For some reason, I'm drawn the same way to the Little Debbie Nutty Bars. I have to make myself walk by them because I know I will empty the box within two or three days. I don't know what it is but at times they can taste better to me than nearly anything else on the planet. :crazy:

[wryter2000]

30. I don't save money

But after eating their beef, I won't buy it anywhere else (except the insanely expensive butcher shop that I avoid looking at as I drive by.)

I wonder about their salmon, though. It's delicious, but I don't know how it's farmed. You can farm fish intelligently, but I don't think too many companies do that.

I'd love to feel free to buy their salmon.

[Duer 157099]

31. I still don't know how to answer your question

I've been thinking about it since you posted it, and of course it's a question I've been thinking about for many years, lol.

But last week for the first time, I actually bought that huge jar of fresh peeled garlic cloves, because I was tired of buying garlic and when I went to use it found, there were green sprouts in the center, and at least with the jarred stuff, you can see what the status of the cloves are. Plus, I had seen on FoodTV, when they did a segment on Christopher Ranch, how they process the garlic, I realized it's actually pretty fresh, probably even better than the whole heads at the store since they go straight from field to process to refridgeration.

Plus, I hate peeling garlic, no matter which method I use.

So after cooking a few dishes with garlic, and using more garlic than I normally would since it was so readily available and easy, I still have a ton left. Last night I poured a bunch into a bowl and tossed with EVOO and baked in a terracotta garlic baker thing for an hour at 300. Nice fresh roasted garlic, but I didn't have a use for it at the moment, so it's in the fridge now. I was thinking to add it to mashed potatoes, but what else can I use it for? Ideas?

Still, there's at least half a jar of garlic still left.

So, yes, Costco does make me buy things in larger quantities than I might actually use before I have to toss it. Yes, there, I admitted it. I feel so much better, now the healing may begin! :D

[badgerpup]

32. I use a LOT more spinach than I did before...

...both fresh and dehydrated. More green veg is good for ya if you've been neglecting that part of your diet...:blush:

And the good thing about dehydrating spinach is that you can use it in so many things...eggs, salads, salad dressings, soup, casseroles, stew, baked taters...
and since it's dry and crumbly, you can use it as an herb as well as veg. It doesn't lose its flavor, color or scent...concentrates it, actually.


Costco stuff...I buy Christmas candy there every year...four boxes of those chocolate truffles. These have become my 'traditional gift' to my doctor's office, my vet, the public library, and several other places where the folks have to deal with the public all day.

They like it, and that makes me happy..."Hey everyone! badgerpup brought THE TRUFFLES!"
Instant crowd...and lotsa thank-yous. :bounce::blush: <----- "aww shucks" happy blush

[mike_c]

33. MOSTLY I do fine and save money...

...but sure, after a while there's stuff that's percolated to the bottom of the freezer that's no longer identifiable. I've learned to never buy fresh vegetables or fruit there unless I can freeze them, but I still buy them occasionally anyway, because the quality is so damned good, and usually end up throwing some away uneaten, sometimes a significant amount. Mostly though, over the years, I've learned what to buy at Costco and what not to buy there. I consider Costco a godsend.

[fortyfeetunder]

34. Self (ugh) restraint

I go in Costco with a list and rarely stray from it. I did make the mistake one day and took the spouse with me and he went up and down every aisle. Very expensive trip. That didn't happen again.