[Stormster]

It's time to renew our membership and I am pretty sure we will do it but I have some questions for more experienced Costco shoppers.

Is there a way to get an overview of what is available on a particular day? It's brutal going down EVERY aisle with DS and it would be so much easier if I could make a list!

Also, we've done this before but can you guys tell me what you like to get there? I'm thinking to start getting all of our chicken breasts there (i think i got 10 lbs packages for 18.00 last time and they are pre packaged so you can freeze and separate). That works so well for our family I think we will get our meat for the month there! I"m really wondering more about food thatn household and baby supplies.

Thank you!

[crick]

I tend to base the availability of things on the coupon book they send out every month. Do you get that? I will look through that and often they'll have the newer products in that book.

I've gone enough now that I pretty much only go there for certain things and don't bother going down every aisle.

I get most of my meat, cereal, coffee, milk, eggs, some school lunch stuff and a couple of frozen things that we eat. I rarely go into the produce section unless we are going/having a party because even with 6 of us, we can't seem to eat it all before it goes bad. Typically the only produce item I get is bananas.

[binkybear]

We've used Costco, but a BJs wholesale opened up much closer so we use that now...really same difference (both rated high by consumer reports).

We'll get most of our condiments, spices, maybe canned tomatoes, hub's soups, juices, cereal, hubs snacks like pretzels and stuff, and long lasting produce like potatos and onions there. Saving on meats can vary depending on what your local market runs as a sale. The chicken can actually cost more at some wholesale clubs at times. Thick cut pork chops are always better at Costco and Bjs, same with ribs..we load up on those in the summer for BBQ. London broil and eye roast can be better at the market again depending on sales. And use those coupons!! Use the costco/bj booklets AND combine them with your regular old manufacturer coupons. With a bj coupon and a manufacturer I'm looking at $ 5 off diapers this week Our store typically has the same things, I know what to look for and I keep my eyes open for any new things...like last month they had Pacific organic chicken broth at an unheard of price, we got 6 cases becuase it's all I use and I use it nonstop pretty much.

The bulk of our shopping is realy household from dreft, to trash bags, to girly products, soap, tp, toothpaste, etc...again use those coupons!! I got a 16 bar pack of Lever soap for $1 using their coupon and my own...hello!!

[Stormster]

Binky what is the best way to keep potatoes? Once they grow eyes are they still good?

I have SUCH potato issues!!!!!

[binkybear]

Store them in a dry, dark, cool place. It really really does make a difference. They sell potato bins, but we just use the bottom of the pantry... it's dark with a bifold door for air circulation, clean and cool.

Most stores don't store potatoes (veggies overall) very well to begin with, which is so dumb. I don't buy them with eyes, but little eyes that happen once home...you can just pop off, most peelers have that thing at the top to do just that...sprouting I'd personally just toss. Most of our produce comes from a local farm market, great stuff!

If you buy in bulk, open that bag up and smell the bag..if it's musty pass, if it just smells like dirt- they're not green or super damp - go for it!

[Stormster]

have you tried those special green bags? I don't think they always work. The veg has to be super dry and refrigerated as well. ANd even then, sometimes doesn't work. They are expensive too and you can't always reuse them (well i guess you can but i'm lazy when there's gross stuff in there i just toss)

I am DEF going to start getting cans of plum tomato and tomato paste in bulk at costco. Same with chicken and beef broth. I get those giant containers of shredded Parm Cheese, salsa and pre chopped Garlic too. i think i need to go without E and also get to work on the coupons! I still get some things at Whole Foods. We have an extra freezer but not an extra fridge so Costco doesn't owrk for everything esp. since we have a smallish fridge. But anything that can go in pantry.....even beans etc. i'm going to start doing in bulk.

I'm starting to get ready for winter! i'm such a nester!

[binkybear]

I tried those green bags a million years ago when they frist hit the market (I've always been a kitchen nut lol) and they did not at all impress. Work sometimes and not others...and I agree, I can't reuse a bag that's had mold or gunk in it *yuck*! lol

The first thing we did when we moved in was turn one of our closets off the kitchen into a pantry. It's stocked all the time with pretty much all the same things. Same with the freezer (we bought a full size for the basement). Everyone who cooks at home pretty much makes the same standards, so keeping all of the basics on hand in the pantry and the freezer lets you make without too much thought. Yesterday at 2:00 I threw together beef stew, took 10 minutes to prep and cooked slowly on the stove til 7.

Pantry standards like broth, tomatoes, rice (they actually say storing in fridge is beter), pasta, all the beans, paste, are a great there.

This is my favorite time to cook too, I LOVE soups, stews, chilis, and "warm" food!

[Stormster]

Binks I have stew in the S.cooker as we speak! Only had a lb of meat so added mushroom and extra potato.

Today I tried a new liquid combo: 1/2 cup beef stock, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons worsteshire sauce (sp?) and 1 tbs Soy Vay Teriyaki. I also added a tsp. of chile seasoning powder to the flower before i coated the meat. I think it took it a little too far!

I hope it's not too salty but i'm SUCH a savory lover!

[sheababy]

Let's see-I'm headed to Costco tomorrow so here's what we usually buy:

All meats-price may or may not be better but the quality is.
Batteries
Diapers or Pull-ups
Costco wipes
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Garbage bags
Plates
Dixie cups
Kleenex
Dog Treats
Dog Beds
Bottled water
Frozen fish-we have liked all the kinds we have tried
Jumbo muffins from the bakery
Crackers and snack items -much cheaper than the grocery store if you will use them.
Any canned staples if you have the room or will use a lot of the same thing
Pickles, olives, peppercini's - dirt cheap compared to store if you need a lot
Vitamins
Fresh flowers
Books
Contact lenses and solution

I haven't found much I don't like there and have loved all the Kirkland brands. I don't like the produce-seems to go bad VERY quickly.

I would try and go a few times by yourself so you can check out every aisle but then I usually just hit the aisle's I need.

[swd]

We do lots of produce there, but not all at once. My son is smoothie-crazy, so anything (fruit AND vegetable) perishable gets either eaten as usual, prepped and frozen (if possible, like the big bags of fresh spinach go right in the freezer), and tossed into smoothies once they start to get a little too old (like soft berries or brown spots on bananas, not rotten or moldy!)

We also get meat sometimes, depending on whether we need it or not. Our local market's prices are comparable and we don't have to buy as much at once.

Lessee...

Dog food
Smoked Salmon (lox)
Whitefish salad
Deli/lunch stuff
Sliced Jarslberg Lite Cheese
Eggs
Frozen veggies
Canned tomatoes
Gift cards for See's Candies

[sambob]

I wish there was a way to find out what's in the store on a particular day. I have my basic 'Costco' list of things I like (a few are listed below, off the top of my head), and I've learned that if there's a specialty item you want, you'd better snag it because it might not be there the next time.

TP
frozen chicken strips
frozen salmon
chocolate milk boxes
canned black beans
canned green beans
rotisserie chicken
rotisserie chicken noodle soup
frozen fruit
water bottles
contact lens solution

[Steph-Jason]

I love Costco shopping. I've found that I llike all of the Kirkland brands except the vitamins. I always try to go by myself so I can stay on budget. I try to go 1x per month & get alernate things at each visit. Paper products one month, the next toiletries, etc. Then each time I usually get chicken & some frozen items. I LOVE their meats. I've gotten rump roast there & it's the best that I've ever had. Thei beef tenderloin is out of this world!!! I try to stock up & put all meats in those vacuum seal bags to freeze - it lasts quite a while.The pantry items are also good- canned tomatoes, broth, soups, spices. That sort of thing. I've found that almost everything is quite a bit cheaper. The first time I got my card I went & spent about 3 hours before I wrote down the price of all the items I use & compared it to the cost per unit of Walmart & our grocery store.

Also- with the holiday's coming up I've found that Costco is a great place for gift shopping. They have wonderful gift sets & their clothes are really cute too!!

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by Steph-Jason

I love Costco shopping. I've found that I llike all of the Kirkland brands except the vitamins. I always try to go by myself so I can stay on budget. I try to go 1x per month & get alernate things at each visit. Paper products one month, the next toiletries, etc. Then each time I usually get chicken & some frozen items. I LOVE their meats. I've gotten rump roast there & it's the best that I've ever had. Thei beef tenderloin is out of this world!!! I try to stock up & put all meats in those vacuum seal bags to freeze - it lasts quite a while.The pantry items are also good- canned tomatoes, broth, soups, spices. That sort of thing. I've found that almost everything is quite a bit cheaper. The first time I got my card I went & spent about 3 hours before I wrote down the price of all the items I use & compared it to the cost per unit of Walmart & our grocery store.

Also- with the holiday's coming up I've found that Costco is a great place for gift shopping. They have wonderful gift sets & their clothes are really cute too!!

Thanks everyone, this post in particular really speaks to me!!!!!

[DPline]

I find that ours at least is pretty consistent in their stock. So once I got to know the store I know what goes on my Costco list and what goes on my Kroger list.

My membership pays for itself just with parmesan, peanut butter, chicken, cheese, apples, ketchup, granola bars, chocolate chips, and batteries. Then there are the other things like taco chips, pretzels, pancake mix, juice, Velvetta Shells & Cheese, etc. that we stock up on periodically. Fruit like blueberries or strawberries I get there in season. We can't ever seem to get through the bananas before they go bad. (Though then there is always banana bread.) I often buy their bagged salad as it is so cheap that even if we can't finish it before it goes bad it is still cheaper than the grocery store.

My problem is I go in with a list and find so many other cool things like clothes and books or housewares along the way! And I don't have the self control Steph-Jason does!

[Stormster]

Originally Posted by Steph-Jason

I love Costco shopping. I've found that I llike all of the Kirkland brands except the vitamins. I always try to go by myself so I can stay on budget. I try to go 1x per month & get alernate things at each visit. Paper products one month, the next toiletries, etc. Then each time I usually get chicken & some frozen items. I LOVE their meats. I've gotten rump roast there & it's the best that I've ever had. Thei beef tenderloin is out of this world!!! I try to stock up & put all meats in those vacuum seal bags to freeze - it lasts quite a while.The pantry items are also good- canned tomatoes, broth, soups, spices. That sort of thing. I've found that almost everything is quite a bit cheaper. The first time I got my card I went & spent about 3 hours before I wrote down the price of all the items I use & compared it to the cost per unit of Walmart & our grocery store.

Also- with the holiday's coming up I've found that Costco is a great place for gift shopping. They have wonderful gift sets & their clothes are really cute too!!

Steph i keep going back to this....so you are able to do paper towels/toilet paper/tissues/napkins once every 8 weeks? YOu must get double huge packs no?