When I first joined Costco, my husband and I would go there together about once a month to stock up on household essentials and specific grocery items. We didn’t buy much fresh food from Costco in bulk because it was just the two of us, and we knew it largely didn’t make sense.
But since having kids, our Costco shopping has picked up. And with two fourth graders and a middle-schooler at home, a weekly Costco run is now a part of our grocery shopping routine.
You may be someone who shops at Costco every week, too. And in many cases, that’s a good thing for your wallet. But here are a few pitfalls you might encounter if you visit Costco on a weekly basis.
1. You might lose money in the form of wasted food
Although there can be savings in buying fresh groceries in bulk, there’s also the risk of food waste. And if you end up throwing out enough food, it can wipe out your savings entirely.
The problem with going to Costco every week is that if you’re constantly buying a lot of your food in bulk, you risk not being able to finish it before it spoils. So if you’re going to buy in bulk every week, follow some ground rules.
First, ensure the item is something that most people in your household eat. Next, make sure it’s something at least a few of you eat regularly.
Finally, pledge to track your consumption to see if the item in question is going to waste after bringing it home. You may find, for example, that while it pays to buy your milk and eggs in bulk, it makes less sense to buy tomatoes and strawberries in bulk because you don’t eat them quickly enough to finish your supply before it molds.
2. You may be tempted repeatedly by impulse buys
Costco’s wide range of inventory is downright impressive. And on top of its usual array of products, it often introduces seasonal items that can make for an even more unique shopping experience.
The problem, though, is that constant exposure to those fun, interesting products can lead to an excessive amount of impulse buys. And if you’re shopping at Costco weekly, it means you’re opening the door to extra spending at least four times a month. If you’re not careful, that could lead to some serious credit card debt.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to make a habit of sticking to a shopping list at Costco. On top of that, promise to stay out of aisles that don’t contain a list item. And if you find that sampling Costco food products leads you to buy more snacks than your finances allow for, tell yourself you’ll say no to those, too.
3. You might lose your patience because of the crowds
While I won’t pretend that shopping at my neighborhood supermarket is my favorite weekday activity, it doesn’t tend to stress me out. Shopping at Costco is a different story.
Even though I love Costco, the perpetual crowds often get under my skin. And while I enjoy exploring new products at Costco, there are times when I find myself practically begging my husband to go in my place just so I can get a break from those jam-packed aisles and long checkout lines.
If you’re similarly sensitive to crowds, then shopping at Costco every week could take a toll on your mental well-being. In that case, I’d recommend scaling back or alternating with a partner if possible.
And remember, in a worst-case scenario, you could occasionally fall back on Costco.com. You’ll generally pay a bit more online than in a store, but sometimes, it’s worth it for the sake of avoiding stress.
As someone who shops at Costco every week, I’m certainly not going to tell you not to do the same if it makes sense for your household. But be mindful of these pitfalls, and consider cutting back if your frequent Costco shopping is hurting your wallet or harming your mental health.
