I just had to post and say how happy I am that I got a Costco membership.  I was able to go in with a couple of co-workers on the same card as a business account.  It only cost me $12.50 for membership for the entire year!  ($50 split 4 ways)

 Anyone have any tips on shopping at Costco?  I definitely am going to be doing some paper towel/toilet paper shopping this evening.

 

Hurrah again!

My biggest tip is to not go overboard. It's easy to walk out of a price club $100 lighter and without a thing to eat!

Joyous:

My biggest tip is to not go overboard. It's easy to walk out of a price club $100 lighter and without a thing to eat!

 

I second that. With such large quantities, one has to be very selective in what is bought. We just got a Sam's club in town and I got a joint membership with my daughter. We used to go to one several years ago, but it hasn't been convenient until now.

Go with a list and unless something is a super good deal that won't last, don't deviate from the list. Be very critical of the prices on everything.  

If it's your first trip out there, I would take along your price book, a list of items you would like to investigate, and a calculator.  My mom only buys her papertowels and t.p. from a warehouse store, but other things she prices out.  I'm very impressed with your cheap membership cost.  Good for you!

Joyous:

My biggest tip is to not go overboard. It's easy to walk out of a price club $100 lighter and without a thing to eat!

 

 

THat's actually part of my plan (non food purchases).   As I plan on purchasing a new laptop in the next year, I am thinking i can get a lovely deal there, which may make me back my $12.50 membership fee right there!   I couldn't pass up the price of the membership... it was just too good.

 Do you all find that the medications are a good buy there?  (I saw a generic Kirkland Immodium AD... and with me and DH having IBS we go through that quickly in this house... sorry if that is TMI!)  I also use OTC allergy medications... so i was thinking about getting them there.  

 I know i can make the membership worth it just in Cheerios alone.  (Yes.. it's just me in the house who eats Cheerios... and NO i will NOT eat generic ones)  I have an...  addiction to put it lightly.  I need CHeerios anon!  I know they are such a great deal at the warehouse stores to buy those double boxes.

I find that the vitamins I buy at Costco are a good deal, and so are the hygienic supplies of all varieties (soap, shampoo, etc.).  Be very careful with the large quantities, especially of perishable foods, and do check the prices.  For example, Costco tends to run higher on soda than regular grocery stores, and I never buy it there.

Favorite things to buy at Costco.....garbage bags, spices, sugar/flour, chips, frozen fruit (for smoothies) and every now and then, I find some good deals on socks/underwear.  Many other things, but those are some of the things I buy regularly.  FYI, we did get an Acer laptop there about 2 years ago.  Saved hundreds!  They even gave us a discount since we bought the floor model. 

I find you just have to watch the prices.   most of the stuff I buy I can get somewhere else at the same price. We share a membership with mil.

some things like cheese I find good prices. and there is the items you can't get at other stores like the instant potatoes I got.    We went today because one thing on sil request list was slippers from costco which were $20.

They do sometimes have amazing gifts that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Two Christmases ago I bought a 20-DVD set chock-full of Charlie Chaplin movies for $18.00. We love old films, and the silents have a special place for us. The husband already had good copies of lots of the famous Chaplin movies, like City Lights, The Bond, or The Kid, but many of the shorter ones were new to us.

LJcoolJ:

Favorite things to buy at Costco.....garbage bags, spices, sugar/flour, chips, frozen fruit (for smoothies) and every now and then, I find some good deals on socks/underwear.

 

I am going to add Cat litter and yogurt to your list. Gas and tires have been worth it this year too.

I guess if you wanted a 'big ass' pointsetta this year that was the place to buy one for $10. I looked at them and figured I needed a church to put it in!