Ask:
I taped 20/20 and just watched it today. It was about shopping and sales. It really got me thinking. One of the segments said that people who shop at Costco tend to eat Costco size portions and don't end up saving the money they thought becasue they just end up eating more food and buying things they hadn't planned on getting when they went.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Agree or disagree? It's been on my mind all day.
Answer:
I agree with that. Personally, I wouldnt pay a store so I could shop there, but thats just me. MIL had a costco membership long ago, and we used to shop there with her. We did buy tons of stuff we normally wouldnt have bought. I dont see there is a cost savings going there - especially if youre buying things you normally wouldnt get - youre really spending more. I'd rather stick to the local grocery store where I could use my coupons and buy what I need.
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I used to love Costco...but I gave it up two years ago and for the most part I haven't missed it. I feel like I have more $$$ and less "stuff."
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We go to BJ's I only buy the things I would have to buy anyway. ie. diapers, cat food and other stuff like that. IF you stick to your list and bring coupons you can do well. I save a ton on diapers and paper products. I buy one package of toiler paper and it lasts for months and its only 10 dollars. And yes its good tp not the thin hard stuff.
You can also use multilpe coupons. So I can get 146 diapers for less than the cost of 96 diapers at other stores. IT does work if you work at it. But the bill is always over 200 so dont go if you arent ready to open your wallet. I love BJ's....
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That was a good episode. I only caught part of it but it was interesting to me to see the people taste test the name brand versus generic and that most picked the generic. And the clothing part was really ridiculous. I know that there are designer clothes out there but they were talking $300 for a pair of 18 month jeans To me designer is Gymboree or Gap (which I know it is not)and then I look for sales if I go there.
It really got me into realizing that generic is fine. I am ready to head off to Aldis now and not be afraid of buying the generic!!
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I was working but my dh saw it and thought it was way off for us. he justed laughed at the clothing part.
allgirls
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I have never been to a Costco, only a Sam's club and I didn't like it. I went with my mil and I didn't see any savings based on the fact that I couldn't use coupons. I like aldi and the generics I use from other stores. I just couldn't see having to pay a membership to shop there. Were I live the nearest Sam's club is 85 miles away so no real savings would be had. I'm just not a name brand person on clothes or anything.
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My MIL has a costco membership. When it's time for the girls b-day parties I usually go there for the food (usually buns and BBQ sauce). Sometimes I find some good deals on other things there, I got my youngest Carters pj's a set of 3 for $10. I used to be a member of Sam's but hoestly it seemed a little expensive, especially when we did not have an extra freezer. I mised most of the show though- I did catch the generic food part and something about regifting- how it is okay, just make a list of who you received it from and who you gave it to!
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I didn't see the show, but I agree and disagree. I agree that a lot of things are not cheaper at these places, and people end up buying things they don't need.
However, if you are disciplined and stick to a list, you can do really well. Milk is about $.50/gallon cheaper at our Sam's. Also, they have great prices on cheese and eggs. We also find great clothing bargains there (especially on work clothes for dh). But, if you load up your cart with impulse purchases you're really not saving!
Answer:
You're right in that many people do buy the large quantities and then end up eating it (Let's face it, only in America do we have the weight issues b/c of out of control portion sizes!). But if you can control it you do great! I personally have a BJ's membership and feel it was well worth the $40 a year...I get gas there and it is on average 5-10 cents less than any other station at a given time (during the gas spikes it was almost 20 cents lower!) I buy the kids juice boxes there...4.79 for a 30 pack of Hi-C (at best they go on sale for is occasionally 3/5 at the grocery store and that's only once every few months if at all), A few months ago there was a coupon for $1 off that at BJ's...I went back 3 times that week, with 2 coupons each time and stocked up! Milk is $2 less a gallon there than our grocery store (yes, you read that right...$...2. 49 at BJ's, $4.69 at the food store!), If I buy bulk food (on sale and with a coupon of course) divide it up to make smaller meals! The TP lasts for months and for their brand (which is still a soft 2 ply) it is only about $10 for a giant pack of it.
Plus with BJ's you can use a store coupon (which they put out a few pages of every month) AND a manufacturers coupon, combined!