Is Costco worth it for a two person family?

Before you pay for the membership, walk around the store, check the meat department. Verify that it is worth it to you. While I think that Costco is better than Sam's for meats, in my area, that may not be the case for you. There is a lot of variation from one location to the next.

I am also lucky that the Costco I use is a "Costco Business Center", which caters a bit more to the restaurant pro's (It is closed on Sunday though, the non-business centers are open 7 days). On another note, Sam's has recently upgraded their meat departments, the one near me is a lot better now.

Anyway, go in and walk around, they let you in without the card, you just can't purchase anything without it.

ive been a member since i was a kid but yes it is worth it.

Actually i have both Sams and Costco, believe it or not there are enough subtle differences to justify both to me.

And you have to love Costco's return policy...

If you have the balls to bring it back and ask they always say yes.

The wife and I have had the top tier membership to Costco since we were married. I spreadsheeted the price out and it pays for itself every year just on Gasoline. When you factor in the dividend at the end of each year its effectively free. You start adding big items in like new tires for the car, shop benches for my garage etc and i'm MAKING money.

I can't recommend Costco enough.

For me the savings on dog food pays for itself and everything else is gravy.

You come out a bit ahead. Meats are good quality. Electronics are not a great deal. Bottom line - membership is fully refundable, so try it

Depends on what you buy.

When our son was at home, we went for the next level (2% back). He ate enough to make it profitable.

With him gone, our savings now equals the cost of the membership, so we essentially get a free membership.

I'd go for it, especially when you're looking for prime cuts to smoke/grill.

We are smack dab in the middle of a bathroom renovation. We planned to replace the countertop on the vanity but found out it was glued to the wall. Looked all over for a replacement (big box stores, etc.) and couldn't find anything we liked. Checked Costco online and found one. It shipped from CA and arrived in 5 days (I live in MD). Super pleased with quality and price. It's just two of us in our family, we love the Rib Eyes, thick cut bone in pork chops, etc. not to mention everything else. I'm a sucker for Costco but I love it (and it's 45min from my house)!

Agree with everyone else. I also agree with being a Buffett fan. I’m going to see him in Nashville this April. My 11th time seeing him perform. Fins up!

Just remember, there is no PeopleOfCostco.com :laugh:

Congrats on the decision. At my Costco, they occasionally do brisket points, just on meat where the cryovac was damaged while opening. They just chop the packer in half. I buy every good looking point they have out on those days.

Just remember those stores make their money on you impulse buying. Everything on an endcap is designed for it. If you can control the impulses you will save money.

I don't see a downside to a Costco membership other then
crazy impulse buying. I have both Costco and RD, depending on what we
are doing determines where we go.

I have kids and they like to stop by Costo just for a hot dog and soda.
At a $1.50 each you can't beat it. The whole thing works for us.

Good Luck with your decision.

as soon as my Sam's expires I'll join Costco, and I'm single. Their meat selection is way better. Foil pans and catering stuff seems to have a good selection too.

BBQ_MAFIA said:

I don't see a downside to a Costco membership other then
crazy impulse buying. I have both Costco and RD, depending on what we
are doing determines where we go.

I have kids and they like to stop by Costo just for a hot dog and soda.
At a $1.50 each you can't beat it. The whole thing works for us.

Good Luck with your decision.

Click to expand...

Hi Costco Business Center in Hackensack, has better bbq meat selections.
Prime Brisket & Beef ribs.
DanB

We come out ahead at Costco on the gas, wine, seafood, and meat. Really good prices on wine, mussels and clams, mahi, and nice meat (prime beef). I just hate going because it’s like trying to shop in a bumper cars ring most of the time here. I go when it first opens or at night before they close.

We are executive members and always come out ahead (assuming we would buy the same amounts elsewhere). The wine prices are very, very good and of course the meat prices are tough to beat. Plus it’s always good to get 500 vitamins at a time!


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I'm a Costco member and I absolutely love it. That being said, Costco membership is absolutely not worth it for a family 2. We are a family of 5.

The problem is not the $50 you will spend on membership. If you fully use everything you buy at Costco you will absolutely come out ahead, the issue is whether you really want to do that. You will end up buying things in such huge quantity, you will have to eat the same food for weeks or using the same hand soap for years. That gets old real fast. I'm not going to put myself thru that torture just to save a few dollars, plus if food spoils before you can eat it, any potential savings go out the door with it. Now with 5 people in my household, I find I go thru things so fast there is really very little waste. Actually now I go to Costco because I can buy things in big packs.

The meat selection is ok and decently priced. Price will be lower at a regular supermarket when things are on sale and quality is much better at a real butcher shop. Your perspective may differ depends on what other options you have. I live in a nice area with at least 10 other very nice supermarkets within 5 miles, not to mention various specialty shops. I get much better fruits and veg at the Korean supermarket, seafood is much better at the specialty seafood shop, etc. I don't find Costco quality all that amazing.

Costco shopping experience is subpar as well. The ambiance kind of sucks and the check out line is almost always super busy.