I’ve consulted my Costco Price List and my Costco Deals: Organic Price List 2013, and I’ve narrowed down the 5 things to buy at Costco to give your family the most bang for their monthly food budget buck. Keep in mind, not everything at Costco is the lowest price. And you can often times find a better deal by combining a coupon with a sale. However, sometimes you want to know that you can walk in on any given day of the week and find solid, everyday savings. This is particularly important when you are trying to buy organic. Since buying organic tends to be more expensive, shopping at Costco can be a great strategy to save on buying organic items.
With everyday savings in mind, here are the 5 things to buy at Costco:
1. MEAT – Whether you buy conventionally raised meat or organic meat, you can’t beat the everyday savings you get buying it at Costco. Since most families serve some form of meat most meals, it can save you a bundle by buying it in bulk. It does require that you have adequate freezer space, but by stocking up once a month, you know you will have the makings of a meal on hand. Not to mention if you plan to have a party or dinner guests, buying in bulk stretches your dollar.
2. MAPLE SYRUP – The price you pay at Costco is definitely less than what you’d pay at the grocers. Real maple syrup can be an expensive ingredient, but the taste is worth every penny. Knowing that I am getting a great price keeps our pantry stocked with real, delicious maple syrup.
3. ORGANIC WHOLE BEAN COFFEE – The savings on organic whole bean coffee is substantial. I’m talking about saving $1.50 to $2.00 per pound over what you’d pay for regular coffee beans! Say your family goes through a pound of coffee a week. Buying organic whole bean coffee at Costco offers a minimum of $78 in savings over the course of a year. That savings alone is worth the price of a Costco membership.
4. ORGANIC LETTUCE, SPINACH AND SALAD MIXES – Hands down, Costco has the best price on tubs of organic spinach and salad mixes. In order to really reap the savings here, you have to be committed to using what you purchase before it spoils. That goes for any produce you buy. However, if you are trying to feed your family whole foods, then the large quantities actually make sense. We should be buying large tubs of spinach and lettuce.
5. NUTS - Whether you are from the South and prefer pecans, or from up North and use more walnuts, raw, bulk nuts from Costco are significantly cheaper than buying them from the grocers. We love raw almonds, and the Costco price is the best in town. Since the bags of nuts are large, don’t forget to store your nuts in the freezer to keep them fresh.
Although these are the 5 things I found to offer the best savings, these aren’t the only items that find their way into my cart each month. I also like the prices on bananas, organic eggs, craisins, stretch island fruit leather, yeast cakes, and Luna bars.
What are the 5 things you buy at Costco?
Did you know I spent an entire month eating only at Costco and only spent $425 for a family of four (with teenagers!)? Find my meal plans and shopping list.
Don’t forget to check out my price comparison between Costco and Sam’s Club!
I love that Costco now offers quite a few organic choices. I too have been buying their organic ground beef and chicken, whole beans and much more. The savings are incredible.
My five: Frozen organic fruits and vegetables, organic sugar for kombucha, quinoa, organic chicken breasts, and salmon
Besides the items you mention, I love to buy blocks of cheese (cheapest around for us) and whole chickens. I used to love the organic peanut butter until they changed the supplier. I also like the organic strawberry jam.
Charry ~ Great list! I love the frozen organic blueberries and cherries. I always have a bag in my freezer. Very impressed you make kombucha. Love that stuff! Thanks for your list, Andrea
Tanya, I switched to Costco from Sam’s just for the organic selection. It’s awesome, isn’t it! Thanks for your list, Andrea
Barb, Blocks of cheese are a great thing to add to the list! I always buy my blocks there. I used to buy the strawberry jam, but I haven’t found it in awhile. That is my least favorite part of Costco – it can be hit or miss. Thanks for adding to the list, Andrea
Here is my must have list from costco
1. coffee
2. bananas
3. AB-free chicken
4. maple syrup
5. nuts (pecans & walnuts for my homemade granola recipe)
will have to see if mine carries organic eggs!
Emily, If your Costco doesn’t carry organic eggs, put in a request. I save about a $1/dz when I buy them at Costco. We go through a lot of eggs, so it really adds up! Thanks for adding your list – it looks like we shop for the same things!
Andrea
Jif Natural Peanutbutter
Eggs
Quinoa
Spinach and Lettuce
Avocados
Susanne, Thanks for adding to my Costco list. I often buy the avocados too. They aren’t always the best price, but we really, really like avocados & I’m not willing to drive somewhere else just to pick up a few! Andrea
Pure vanilla and balsamic vinegar — both are good and both are a bargain!
Michelle, I’ve bought the vanilla before & you’re right – it’s a great price. Did you happen to see the whole vanilla beans at Christmas time? Those were a rockin’ price! The only times I’ve seen them is at Christmas but I’m hoping they’ll have them around Easter too. Thanks for sharing your best Costco finds! Andrea
1) Yeast (I keep mine in fridge. Bought it over a year ago and it still works great!)
2) Soy and Rice Milk
3) Vanilla
4) Cinnamon
5) Tortillas
I do the yeast too Ashley. I keep it in a mason jar and so far so good! Now what tortillas do you purchase? My friend brought over half a package of the tortillas you cook yourself, and I must say those were tasty! Thanks for leaving your list – it was a good one. Andrea