That is until a few weeks ago when a FaceBook friend of mine told me about a LivingSocial deal where when signing up as a new member (a new member qualifies if your membership has expired over 18 months ago, or you have never had a membership with Costco) you receive a $20.00 Costco Cash Card, and a coupon book mailed to you that has coupons for free rotisserie chicken, toilet paper, and apple pie. They had me at apple pie. Say no more- I was signing up. :) The toilet paper is about a $15.00 value, so that alone with the gift card is a savings of $35.00- plus the pie and chicken, so I decided yes. I.need.a.membership.
My first trip, I spent $23.00 of my own money and my $20.00 gift card. I had my list made out and I knew what I could buy and how much I could spend. No impulse buys. That's what I kept telling myself. I did not buy the laundry soap on my list because I saw a sneak peak of the October monthly coupons that Costco puts out and I decided I would buy my laundry soap then. So I replaced my soap with some Febreze instead :). Here is what I bought. Please no judging or bashing on my items. You may eat differently than us and that is fine. We all do what we have to do. There is no need for any bashing.
My trip included:
40 Capri Sun on sale for 7.49
1 (2) package box Cheeseitz on sale for 5.99
24 GoGo apple sauce pouches on sale for 7.99
36 Dannon smoothies for kids on sale for 6.99
3 Febreze Sprays
110 Dishwasher Pacs
I think Costco puts out a coupon book each month. (Please correct me if I am wrong). So For example, Capri Suns are normally 8.99. From 9/4 thru 9/28 they are basically on sale for 1.50 off list price with a limit of 4. The man that helped me with my membership said that I could buy 4 on Monday and come back on Tuesday and buy 4 more. It limits your 'per day' amount. I thought that was pretty cool of him to tell me that. But-- there are not any prices on the food/grocery items in the coupon book. For me, that is a pain because I like to know the starting price and figure out the math of the discount so I am not shocked at the checkout. Other items have a no limit on them.
I want to share my findings in what I like to call "Costco VS. Meijer" Is bulk always better?"
Here are some typically grocery items and prices from both stores.
M= Meijer C=Costco
Paper Towel: M- Bounty Basic 11.99/12 ct. .999/Roll
C- Kirkland brand 14.99/12 ct. 1.25/Roll
I had a .25 off Mperk coupon for Bounty as well bringing the price to 11.74/12ct
Toilet Paper: Costco won. I could not even find a 36 count package that came near the price.
14.69/36ct of Kirkland Brand.
Dishwasher tabs: Hands down Coscto. 9.69/110ct .09/tab/wash
Toothpaste: This is a good one. Meijer always has sales on toothpaste. Usually the sale is 2/6 or 3/5, and that usually a 5.8 oz tube.
M: 2 for 6 = 3.00 each or 2 for 5 = 2.50 each
C: Kirkland (6) 7.5 oz tubes for 9.99 = 1.67 each
Detergent: Meijer usually has a different brand on sale each week. If you are a coupon cutter and enjoy hunting for a good deal, Meijer may beat Costco.
C: Kirkland Powdered detergent 15.89/200 loads .08/load.
If you do not like powdered detergent, here is the liquid breakdown
C: 13.99/126 loads .11/load (Kirkland brand).
I found if you can get under .08/load then you are getting a great deal!
Frozen Waffles: We eat this for breakfast with fruit :)
M: If you stock up when Meijer is running a 10 for 10 sale, you can get (6) 10 ct. boxes for 6.00 which equals to .10/waffle.
C: 6.99/60ct = .12/waffle
M: (not on sale) 4.49/24ct = .19/waffle
Frozen Chicken Breasts: I have heard awesome things about Costco's frozen Chicken Breasts. I can't wait to buy some!
M: (Sale Price) 9.98/4lbs 2.50/lb I think the regular price is 11.99/4lbs which is 2.997/lb!!
C: 22.99/10lbs 2.30/lb
Frozen Pizza: We eat this sometimes since Jon has such a crazy work schedule.
M: Their sale price is usually 10/3pizza = 3.33 each or 10/4= 2.75 each.
C: 9.99/4= 2.50/pizza
Cheese Block: This is crazy how much better Costco price is!
M: usually on sale for 3/6 for an 8oz block. Buy 4 to get 32oz for 8.00/32oz=.25/0z or 4.00/lb
C: 5.99/32oz block. .19/0z or 2.99/lb
Goldfish:
M: 7.69/30oz =.26/oz
C: 8.99/58oz= .16/oz
Capri Suns: (No judgment, remember!)
M: They have them on sale sometimes for 1.88/10 =.19/drink
C: 8.99/40 =.19/drink.
The trick is buying them when they are on sale at Meijer if you happen to be there.
Applesauce Pouches:
M: Sale price usually of 2 for 4.00 (4pk) that's .50 a pouch.
C: 10.49/24ct =.44each
BBQ Sauce:
We like Sweet Baby Rays. I grew up on that stuff! If you buy it when its on sale 10 for 10 at Meijer then it is very comparable to Costco price.
M: (sale) 1.00/18 oz = .06/oz
C: 4.89/ (2) 40 oz bottles = .06/oz
Cooking Spray:
M: They usually put theirs on sale for 2 for 3 or 2 for 4 and it is normally a 6 oz bottle. that is .25/oz or .33/oz.
C: 5.89/(2) 16oz bottles = .18/oz
Sugar:
M: 2.39/5lb (sale Price) .48/lb
C: 3.99/10lb = .40/lb
Fruit snacks:
M: These usually go on sale for 2.00 a box. 2.00/12ct = .17 each
C: 10.99/80ct = .14 each
I can tell you that the boxes of Kirkland Diapers are 38.99 (count varies) and wipes were right around 19.99 for 1000.
I did not look at the produce or fruit yet. I hope to be able to do so soon! What do you guys think? Do you have a membership? Have you ever compared costs before? What are your go to items at Costco? What do you think you get for a great deal? And who know where the croutons are!? I could not find any on Saturday! We eat a lot of side salads and Jon loves croutons!
I understand that people can be picky on their brands and that is fine! I am too when it comes to certain items. This was seriously just a fun
I hope to be back in action in a few days to bring you the Must Have for the October Coupon Deals. I have my list wrote out, but I want to wait until Costco is public with their coupons before I post.
*If you see an error that I need to fix, please let me know! Thanks all!!
