Costco is not for small spenders. You will not make out good that way. If you have a family, get the Executive membership and fill that cart up. The CASH BACK of the Executive membership will practically pay for the membership in most cases. We only shop there every couple months and our cash back was $88 the first year. The membership fee is $13, and I saved that much today on 2 cases of 5 hour energy drinks ($1.40 per shot compared to $2.99 or $3.99 everywhere else!) You have to know your prices anywhere you shop because NO WHERE and I mean NO WHERE is every item the cheapest. Oh and Gabe, you need more information about shopping effectively at a warehouse because your claims are ALL FALSE!

. . . just get the prices down to what I already pay with zero membership at my super-walmart!

Costco and BJ's are for suckers. Honestly, if you have a membership there you need to do your price shopping again. Be sure to calculate for per unit prices. I seriously considered joining both of these chains this summer but after price shopping I figured out I'm already paying less, in some cases a lot less, for the items I usually buy. Plus I don't have to buy cereal by the truck load at wal-mart.

If you've got to belong to one of these clubs then at least join Sam's. Their prices are a little, albeit not a lot, cheaper than wal-mart's regular stores. So, if you've absolutely got to be a "member" Sam's is the only reasonable choice. Otherwise you're paying an annual premium for the opportunity to purchase three times as much of an item at a higher per unit cost. Genius, right?

Seriously, don't write this one off if you're a member. Shop the prices. Pick 30 - 40 items and write them down, item, quantity, price. Then drive right over to wal-mart.

And lets be honest here, it's not like you're shopping costco for the great environment. If you can handle costco/BJ's, you can certainly handle wal-mart.

I like to shop at Costco, but I don't go overboard. I use their coupons, and try to avoid multi-packs of stuff that I don't need a cart-full of. I also carry a list; but I also fall victim to impulse buys.
I like Costco because:
- The name-brand products they carry are of good quality.
- Their house-brands are good or better, & are a better value.
- Their product return policy is very liberal - basically, if you don't like it, your money back.
- Many of their locations are union shops, & are happy to be working there, which shows in superior customer service.
- Costco management seems to respect their employees.
By the way...
- I also use coupons at grocery stores + a list + stock up on sale items.
- I shop "dollar stores", too!
- I refuse to shop Wal-Mart or its Sam's Club because of the way the company treats its employees.

WHEN MY CREDIT LIMIT WAS DROPPED BY 500.OO WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE.THE REASON THEY GAVE WAS THAT I WAS OVERSPENDING..I ASKED THEM TO CLOSE MY ACCOUNT..I HAD BEEN PAYING THEM ALMOST 4 TIMES MORE THAN THE MONTHLY PAYMENT..DAY AFTER RECEIVING THE STATEMENT..BUT EVEN THO I TOLD THEM TO CANCEL EVERYTHING..THEY ARE STILL TAKING OUT A DEDUCTION OUT OF MY PAYCHECK EVERY TWO WEEKS..I CALLED THEN I WAS TOLD I HAD TO GO INTO SAM'S TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE..TO GET THE PAYROLL DEDUCTION STOPPED..WHY..DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY OR WHAT I CAN DO TO STOP THE PAYROLL DEDUCTION..I TALKED TO MY HR AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING..I WANT THEM TO REFUND MY MONEY IF POSSIBLE..ANY SUGGESTIONS...

Are we nuts? WE pay the store just for the honor of getting in the door? Shouldn't THEY pay US to shop there?

I work for a non profit credit counseling agency that helps consumers learn how to manage their money and get out of debt. The biggest reason that our clients have a debt problem is the lack of money management training or skills. Having a budget and being prepared for an emergency can make the difference for most folks. Take the time to organize your finances and only buy what you need and can afford

Try this - don't renew membership (or magazine subscriptions) without finding out what deals there are for new memberships. I have found that new memberships often have a longer term than a renewal (three to six months), and have coupons to use on your first purchase! This happened when I checked at BJs for the heck of it and got a new membership (I didn't fib about anything, they didn't say anything about my expired membership when putting in my info) and got 18 months for the price of 12. The next year I got 15 months and $25 off my first purchase of over $50.

Magazine subscriptions - the same thing. I have a subscription to a woodworking magazine for which I was a charter subscriber back in 1979. I faithfully renewed my membership until once in the 90s I noticed their card in the magazine offering a significantly lower price for new subscribers. I complained and got that price. I found I had to do that every year until one year I just submitted a new subscription on line and they took it!

Several years ago, I wanted to renew a couple of months after my membership expired - as I hadn't been to Costco in those 2 months. The female at the desk said that the renewal would start on the date it expired (2 months prior). She said, "it's like when you renew your car insurance." I said, "I need my car insurance - but I don't need Costco." Glad Costco was made to realize this. Costco is my favorite store & I shop there monthly.

I can appreciate your no cart policy, however the most expensive items in the warehouse don't require a cart. Doing inside marketing for Costco; it amazes me how many people can't refuse walking by the jewerly counter, and of this % how many take the next step & purchase a piece.

Next time you shop, try to find something at Costco or Sam's that is NOT made in China, goos luck, but a sad state of affairs when all our manufacturing is going overseas.
On a positive note, the beef prices are a steal vs. the local grocery store.

Ok, Target had on sale 2 Pur water filters for $22.00, Sam's club 4 pack $39.87, So on sale at Target #11.00 each, Sams $9.96 each, So $1.04 less at Sams, all will be used

When I last renewed my Sam's Club membership, I was going to do it a few weeks before my membership actually expired. When I asked to do that, one of the employees there said that I should wait, because if I did it early, my next expiration date would occur as of the date of the new renewal. He said I would lose any time that remained on my current renewal, in this case, a few weeks. Something to be aware of.

Ever try shopping with a list! Mom and dad knew how to shop and still live within a budget.