tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post3518836986022607888..comments2024-03-28T05:43:45.632-07:00Comments on Out My Window: Tuesday, Why I don't shop at Costco or other big box storesOut My windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-83265169979393592002017-07-26T19:53:32.997-07:002017-07-26T19:53:32.997-07:00Everyone around me is a costco convert. Except me....Everyone around me is a costco convert. Except me. I have never liked their late opening hours, their 'nazi' receipt checker, nor their membership dues. Waiting in line for gas, six cars deep - all of them idling, spewing out fumes. <br />Costco doesn't carry any of my alternative foods is my main reason for not shopping there. If they did happen to carry the brand, next month they wouldn't. Friends crow about the produce. It's not local and it's over-packaged. <br />My local store has sales and stocks my alternative foods. I don't have to pay to shop, nor do I have to contend with hordes of sampler people. And, my store has produce managers - who source local.<br />I have found most costco converts just buy because they ran out, not because they need it (starbucks frappachinos)and are not into budgeting. I'm also lucky to live in Oregon where I know the nut farmers and how to source grass-fed beef. Toilet paper goes on sale once a month at nearly every store I've ever been in. Costco does not work for me. It's easier to save money by watching the local store's ads. Actually, my biggest challenge on food budgeting has been to buy smaller quantities as there are only two of us in the house now. kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13468763091074811797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-1016510535524230712017-06-28T21:47:23.779-07:002017-06-28T21:47:23.779-07:00I do agree it is a major outing and some people go...I do agree it is a major outing and some people go just for the samples. The nuts and certain cheeses and meds are cheaper. I just don't shop there. I do take advantage of my mom's membership to get her to buy certain things.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-91821758047543424482017-06-28T13:36:53.544-07:002017-06-28T13:36:53.544-07:00My husband and I were given a Costco membership fo...My husband and I were given a Costco membership for Christmas. Our closest one is 45 minutes away. We are retired so we go during the week once a month. For us, it's an outing. It is true it's easy to overspend there, to buy things you didn't know you "needed". You do have to be careful. And we've learned with the food samples not to buy as it never tastes as good at home as when you were in the store. However, we have gotten some really good buys on things like bars of soap, ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, batteries and nuts, avocados and cheese to name a few. And when they add rebates to some of the things we buy we can really get some good deals. <br />I haven't heard about Costco opening its doors to the public. That would take some of the shine off it for me.olderandwiserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17988048366899947476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-20363981486765868412017-06-28T12:22:06.923-07:002017-06-28T12:22:06.923-07:00I so agree, we try to eat all our leftovers and ta...I so agree, we try to eat all our leftovers and tablespoon or two may go to the chickens. When the girls were young and home there was always a boy friend or two to feed then we never had a leftover.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-33999498004027219492017-06-28T10:39:53.727-07:002017-06-28T10:39:53.727-07:00You could call the amount of food(leftovers, unuse...You could call the amount of food(leftovers, unused produce, etc.)that get thrown away an epidemic in our society. Peoples food bills would go down enough for them to notice by eating ALL their leftovers and not wasting food. They wouldn't even have to change their shopping habits(store they go to or items they buy)just stop throwing out food!slugmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728856166374248591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-7070822006205712052017-06-28T09:36:52.415-07:002017-06-28T09:36:52.415-07:00I know, yet the store is full of people just like ...I know, yet the store is full of people just like us, do they throw the food away?Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-44532148960388873072017-06-28T09:36:03.564-07:002017-06-28T09:36:03.564-07:00So we have figured this out, how are they all so p...So we have figured this out, how are they all so popular?Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-36229053877386630862017-06-28T09:35:16.427-07:002017-06-28T09:35:16.427-07:00I still think she could save more money at local s...I still think she could save more money at local stores, but some people just don't want to take the time or don't have the time.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-36958774058857187542017-06-28T08:12:19.439-07:002017-06-28T08:12:19.439-07:00I have been noticing your totals getting lower and...I have been noticing your totals getting lower and lower - you're doing great! Yes, it is exactly because I have a $280 monthly food budget that I let my Costco membership a few years ago. When cooking for one or two it doesn't make sense to buy a bag of peppers that would feed ten people! I have a No Frills a block away and the prices are very good plus they have excellent sales. Just makes sense.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803104035204416080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-34729503253194553502017-06-28T08:02:04.325-07:002017-06-28T08:02:04.325-07:00Years ago I used to shop at Sams Club. I quit goi...Years ago I used to shop at Sams Club. I quit going for all the reasons you mentioned. Having moved two years ago, the nearest big box store is 3 hours away. I don't miss it! Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354023162037312551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-2413910508542154222017-06-27T19:06:26.919-07:002017-06-27T19:06:26.919-07:00My cousin shops there because she gets deals on bu...My cousin shops there because she gets deals on bulk meats and items that her family eats on a regular basis. Also, on sundries. But for groceries, we generally go to the local stores.Rhitter94https://www.blogger.com/profile/14730386238190105989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-75504396223037211702017-06-27T18:33:06.194-07:002017-06-27T18:33:06.194-07:00If you make everything from scratch buying flour i...If you make everything from scratch buying flour in large bags is great but the price is still higher than buying smaller bags on sale at the grocer.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-28095904864063001092017-06-27T15:22:57.053-07:002017-06-27T15:22:57.053-07:00I have been in Costco once and Sam's club seve...I have been in Costco once and Sam's club several times. You are so right about what a large chunk buying in quantity takes out of the grocery budget. A friend and I split the cost of the Sam's Club card. Still, I never saved anything because Sam's is 50 miles away. <br /><br />I bought 36 lbs. of sugar for $0.19/lb. I still have it since I don't bake much anymore. I bought it in 5 lb. bags using a store sale, store coupon, and sugar coupon. It's all in quart jars which I get out to refill the sugar canister. <br /><br />Canned goods on sale are cheaper. Everything you said is so true. Someone needed to spell this out. Thank you. Those people who buy 25 lbs of flour for an emergency are deluding themselves thinking it is cheaper. It's not!Practical Parsimonyhttp://www.practical-parsimony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-35140972718116087562017-06-27T15:12:59.031-07:002017-06-27T15:12:59.031-07:00Yes I agree you can shop there that way. I do try...Yes I agree you can shop there that way. I do try to get someone to buy nuts for me there at Christmas. I can my own tomatoes. If you are careful and only buy the few things that save it is great. I am not so great at ignoring the other great deals(not) :)Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-13878772242797762092017-06-27T15:10:55.160-07:002017-06-27T15:10:55.160-07:00I would go to Costco before I wised up, for soy sa...I would go to Costco before I wised up, for soy sauce, salad dressing, laundry soap. When they stopped making the laundry soap I liked I gave up.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-62885019617567593882017-06-27T14:56:25.065-07:002017-06-27T14:56:25.065-07:00Yes, we have a Costco less that 1/2 mile away and ...Yes, we have a Costco less that 1/2 mile away and I use it. I have a list of about 15 things I have carefully considered like canned organic tomato products, nuts, organic brown rice, oatmeal, coffee etc. I purchase these based on price comparisons to other local stores, and these items beat the prices. For example, the canned tomato products are half the price of Trader Joes. You just can't go crazy at Costco! What I buy is based on my careful monthly budget, and I don't go over.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13392594186592633707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-14274917300597386902017-06-27T14:08:43.689-07:002017-06-27T14:08:43.689-07:00When Sam's Club had a Groupon, I joined. Mostl...When Sam's Club had a Groupon, I joined. Mostly to get huge containers of EVOO and olive oil. For regular groceries Aldi is the cheapest in this area (west coast of Florida) Publix chased Albertsons out of here years ago...I shopped their sales as you do. I miss them. I get about 95% of what I need at Aldi and pick up the other stuff at a drug store, Dollar Tree or Publix. Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431565328544391933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-36151483998268395732017-06-27T12:50:42.407-07:002017-06-27T12:50:42.407-07:00See? You don't grocery shop there either. I ...See? You don't grocery shop there either. I know my in laws get gas there but someone has always paid their membership. We have the tribe here for gas so no one can beat them as they don't have all the taxes added on.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-2325545739538705712017-06-27T12:49:10.315-07:002017-06-27T12:49:10.315-07:00Yes but now that they don't charge a fee I bet...Yes but now that they don't charge a fee I bet you still won't shop there. I plan to have that bugger gone in the next couple of day!Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-23582669166471344082017-06-27T12:48:21.122-07:002017-06-27T12:48:21.122-07:00They are great for big parties and weddings and th...They are great for big parties and weddings and things, but who can afford to shop there?Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-13747965402004417562017-06-27T12:46:54.116-07:002017-06-27T12:46:54.116-07:00I can see how that would happen with a smell. We ...I can see how that would happen with a smell. We are pressured and I think people who shop there waste money or don't eat very well.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-28669128301761345082017-06-27T12:45:37.977-07:002017-06-27T12:45:37.977-07:00I do go to Costco but I mainly buy gas there (chea...I do go to Costco but I mainly buy gas there (cheapest in town) and gift cards. During the Christmas season you can get 4 $25 dollar Starbucks cards for 79 dollars. TheHub gives them to his support staff and when you need 20 of them the savings add up quickly. Other than that we pretty much don't use it.Anne in the kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533249631969001657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-12306576877901573672017-06-27T12:37:36.587-07:002017-06-27T12:37:36.587-07:00I don't live within driving distance of Costco...I don't live within driving distance of Costco so not tempted at all. I don't get the allure of a store that makes you pay a fee to even go in there....wtf?!?<br /><br />Just over $500 on the quick loc loan...woot! That one will be history before Summer is out I know it!slugmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12728856166374248591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-74505846201336229782017-06-27T12:08:54.452-07:002017-06-27T12:08:54.452-07:00Completely agree. We have a Costco locally but too...Completely agree. We have a Costco locally but took one visit and realised we would spend all of our money there. ON top of that we would have to pay to join and prove you were either a business owner or an accountant. very weird!I had a copy of my qualification on my phone (to show my new boss) but they couldn't persuade the £29 out of me!Lizzie@her MFW Homeworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13181986371554435192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809809639444040308.post-59501184182360739762017-06-27T11:27:25.086-07:002017-06-27T11:27:25.086-07:00Nope, we don't shop big stores like that. Sma...Nope, we don't shop big stores like that. Smaller grocers have great deals in amounts we can handle. I do buy artisan breads though - cannot stand the smell of baking bread. When I worked at an lab, the anaerobic bacteria in the autoclave would start smelling like baking bread, but then as the heat rose, it would start smelling worse and worse. So, whenever I smell baking bread, I gag. I am not even tempted by those stores though - and I get pressure for them by friends.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02863887265545701157noreply@blogger.com