Food Theory: Costco DOESN’T Save You Money!

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Inflation is getting out of hand! With rising gas prices, egg shortages, and interest rates, most of us are looking to save a buck where we can. And a great way to do that is buy buying BULK! Or is it actually the way to go? We’re breaking down the biggest myth when it comes to Costco and the best hacks for saving money at your local retailer.
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#Costco #GroceryShopping #SaveMoney #Grocery #GroceryStores #MoneySavingTips #MoneyHacks #CostcoHaul #EggPrice #Inflation #Theory #FoodTheory #Matpat

[thedealguy]

Amazing video Food Theorist Team! 😀Costco Hot Dog + Soda Combo Forever!!!

[samanthamark]

When I lived in LA in a large, poor, family, my mother used her Costco membership exactly how you're suggesting. Every other dinner was Costco hotdogs, and it kept our family fed for years. We couldn't afford meals, so 3.00$ to feed 5 people was a great deal. My mother is an amazing and thrifty woman.

[readysetgameover]

Matpat’s inner dad is on full display. Trying to be as cheap as possible with shopping like a true father.

[T-Sharp]

As someone who worked there, they also move products around regularly to make you spend longer looking for things. Its not just the random placements, the placements change constantly.

[soren]

We did the math, back when we lived near a CostCo. The best deal was actually the gas--it typically ran about 10-25 cents a gallon below the nearest stations in any direction. That pretty much covered the cost of our basic membership over the course of a year.

[keiz_]

I used to work at Costco, if you have a $120 membership you get money back from your purchases. If you have and upgrade from the base $60 Gold Star to the $120, but for that year you don't at least earn back the $60 for the extra upgrade costs, they'll refund you the difference at the end of the year.

[Mythikron]

As the oldest of 7, Costco and Sam's Club are a lifesaver. When you have to buy 9 peoplesworth of things, you end up getting way more bang for your buck, you use everything, and it's way less individual items to handle when shopping. So while it's a mediocre deal for an average family, it works wonders for a large family like mine.

[nata]

Some really great points made. One thing to consider re bulk purchasing that first came to my mind is: bulk buy what doesn't expire. Ie toilet paper, kleenex, unwaxed floss, pasta, flour, dried legumes etc. Even toiletries and skincare can expire and you'd be surprised how quickly you get sick of the fragrance, or you skin decides to reject your favourite moisturiser you've been using for 10 years - or it's just not moisturising enough now that you've turned 27. Another thought that came to mind - you can really make some cost savings if you have growing sons, even more if they're athletic.

[superpikachusam]

5:23 jokes on them I was raised to always check prices

[frankfilippelli]

I think the point many people miss is it’s not just about the savings but more about the quality for price. Costco brand products are second to non when it comes to big box stores like Walmart. The best of almost everything, in bulk, at a reasonable price. The chickens, prepackaged food, and bakery alone are worth the trip. You just can’t beat it!

[MylingCyrus]

Shrinkflation is also terrifying
I work in a grocery store and noticed that a brand of pasta sauce had changed their Alfredo sauce to be like 100ml less. Noticeably smaller jar and same price

[Boringcountrylife]

I have the $120/yr membership, but I don't pay a dime for it. The 2% cash back they give on all of my purchases pays for the membership and usually leaves me $20-40 left over to pur toward my shopping bill.

The main reason I keep shopping there is the quality of their produce. No store in the area can beat it. Family of 4.

[VortexMagus]

Mom and I literally did the math on the costco membership and we figured that if we filled up on gas 8 times a year between the two of us, we'd be saving money with the membership. We barely shop there (maybe once a month on average) but the gas savings alone put us ahead.

Might be different or not so different for you depending on exactly how much gas you need and how much the costco fuel savings are for you on average. These calculations were done assuming costco was charging 70 cents less than other gas stations for fuel which is roughly accurate to our area.

[tpierce]

Another factor you didn't mention: as long as one person in a group is a member, a whole group can get in. A lot of families across multiple households will shop together to "share" a membership. Sometimes people three or four households will all go at once.

[BryanDDavis]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention gasoline purchases. I easily make my membership dues back in gas savings. Anything I save on food is just extra. Also, the quality of food that I get is usually better than what I’d get at Walmart.

[TheMillennialMint]

Having enough discipline, I have more than made my money back on things we do not waste in our house. With my executive membership, I’ve also earned myself over a grand in rewards this year, so I’m happily pro-Costco haha

[jeanieologist]

This is no different than any other grocery stores tactics. I have been a loyal Costco member for over 33 years so your depiction of what they’re doing is the same as what everybody does in a grocery store and they do save me money. I also get my prescriptions filled at Costco and thereeighth of the price that I would pay at CVS Walgreens, or any other pharmacy

[lexmori]

Back when I lived with my parents, brother, and grandparents, Costco was an ideal place for us to buy most of our groceries. When I moved out with my fiance, it became a LOT harder for us to justify Costco while living in a 1 bedroom apartment with very limited kitchen/refrigerator space.

[HOTTAKECITY]

As a Costco worker for more than 5 years, I agree with everything he said, Costco also makes their stores in a “horseshoe” fashion, with the expensive items, plus the free samples, being on the ends, with the deals more towards the middle of the isle, making you stay on the main isle GENIUS!!

They also make their gas around $0.30 cheaper than competitors around the area, with the Visa card, which also has deals (and basically a free membership when you signup) is definitely an anti-inflation strategy that shouldn’t be overlooked.

[Southernbredbread]

I’m a consumer electronics product manager and have done business with Costco. Just a PSA, it really is a solid deal to buy electronics at wholesale pricing. We take the price we receive from our factories and mark it up by about a 2.5x multiplier for a recommended MSRP. Your normal run of the mill B&M stores we take anywhere from 4-5x the price for a recommended MSRP.