this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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Let's get a list going. Like with a Target debit card you can get $40 cash back and it takes 1 to 2 days to be withdraw from your checking.

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[–] [email protected] 35 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (15 children)

If you have a Sam's or Costco in your area, you can get past the membership by using a gift card. You can also buy a gift card without a membership. Sometimes they're sticklers about it if you're there super early, because that's apparently "special members hour" or some shit, but the worst that happens is they tell you to leave.

If you can save up $15-20 for a 25lb sack of rice, it'll last about 100-150 meals, which means it's about 10-20¢ per meal. Just keep it in a plastic container to keep bugs out.

Get some cheap frozen vegetables and bulk, dried beans and you can eat pretty good for like a dollar per day.

Honestly it's kinda cruel that buying in bulk saves a ton of money, but the people that need it most can't afford to.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago (8 children)

I'm not 100% convinced that buying in bulk at Costco saves significant amount of money. At least on staples anyway.

The best deals I've gotten at Costco were electronics. But things like chicken thighs ($1.39 / lbs at Costco vs $1.49 / lbs at the local grocery store)...I don't think it's worth the price.

I bought soap there for $2 or so less than at Walmart. I'm sure it all adds up but between the shitty parking and long lines, I've been debating giving up my Costco membership.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

But things like chicken thighs ($1.39 / lbs at Costco vs $1.49 / lbs at the local grocery store)…I don’t think it’s worth the price.

2 things:

  1. The chicken you get at Costco is probably a better quality, and generally you get more actual chicken per pound. Google "air chilled vs water chilled."
  2. Get the things there that make sense for you. We like calrose rice in this house for a lot of stuff, go through quite a lot of it. At costco, the gigantic bag is like $20 compared to a tiny little bag that is $10-$12 at the cheapest regular grocer.

Combine those factors and I think it's worth it. I have things that are "costco items." Bulk spices, rice and some grains, dog food and treats, chicken, paper towel and TP, plastic wrap, hot dogs, pretty much any cheese, laundry soap, frozen convenience foods (dino nuggets, kirkland pizza, eggos, etc) and even some produce. Anyway, I go maybe once a month, and I've done the math many times over and it more than pays for itself. I wish I lived closer, because there are some things that I would buy more frequently that are way cheaper usually - milk, eggs, salad mix, fruit, etc.

But yeah, this is a 6 person house, with 3 adults and two teenagers.

Oh, last thing. Buying quite a lot of things at Costco is basically like buying an extended warranty or insurance. If you're going to buy a TV, for example, and Costco sells something that's close, buy that one. The OEM is going to offer a 1 year warranty, Costco will take that return for much longer.

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