Costco is a popular destination for shoppers looking for good deals on bulk items. While the warehouse store can offer great savings, there are some common mistakes that shoppers make when shopping at Costco that can end up costing them more in the long run.
First thing first, you gotta apply a little discipline to yourself: make a list before leaving home, and stick to it. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of finding great deals at Costco, but buying more than you need can lead to wasted food and money. Before heading to the store, make a list of what you should stick to it. This will help you stay on track and avoid impulse purchases.
Other bad practices you should avoid before heading to Costco for shopping
There’s a classic mistake that could end up making you spend a lot of money in unnecessary items. When you’re hungry, everything looks good. That’s especially true at Costco, where the aisles are filled with samples of tasty snacks and treats. If you go in hungry, you’re likely to end up buying more than you need, just because it looks delicious.
When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to reach for high-calorie, high-fat foods. And at Costco, those options are plentiful. From giant bags of chips to jumbo-sized containers of ice cream, there’s no shortage of tempting junk food. Your budget and your health will regret it later.
The short life of perishable items and the mistakes of bulk-shopping them
Buying in bulk might seem like a smart way to save money, but when it comes to perishable items, you’re better off buying only what you’ll actually get to eat before the due date. Otherwise, you run the risk of throwing out spoiled food that you didn’t have a chance to consume.
Buying bulky perishable items at Costco means you’ll need to have ample space to store them. If you don’t have enough room in your refrigerator or pantry, you could end up with food that spoils faster, and again, you’re throwing away money. Even if you manage to store all your perishable items properly, you might not be able to consume them before they go bad. It can be challenging to incorporate large quantities of perishable food into your meals without getting bored with the same recipes over and over again.
Split and share those gigantic Costco bulk packs and save even more
One way to make the most of bulk shopping at Costco is by sharing your purchases with someone else. For example, if you’re eyeing a giant bag of snacks or a massive tub of laundry detergent, consider splitting the cost and the goods with a friend or family member. That way, you can both enjoy the savings without having to worry about using up a massive amount of a single product.
Not only is sharing a smart way to make the most of bulk shopping, but it’s also a great way to build community and strengthen relationships. So next time you’re at Costco, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone and suggest splitting a bulk purchase. Sharing is caring, after all!