Costco membership worth it for large purchase of canned/dry food?

[Fru-Gal]

The membership is $65 for a year. I want to buy 3+ months of food supplies before (more) tariff pricing kicks in. Normally I shop our discount grocers. Hate shopping to begin with, hate warehouse shopping even more. Should I buy the membership? If you buy it, can you shop there same day? I would not be likely to go to Costco more than 4-5 times in a year. If I buy today I will get gas there too I suppose.

I had a brief membership years ago when kids were little but my kids are like locusts and after one consumed an entire flat of instant noodles, causing me to fear for their life due to sodium intake, I cancelled.

[Fru-Gal]

BTW, had already bought more than normal in the past few months, but like I mentioned, locusts…

[dcheesi]

Really hard to say. I think you may be able to look at their website and see at least some of what's available without a membership(?), which might give you a better idea if it'll be worth it for you or not.

It's worth it for us, mostly for specific items that we buy regularly and that we've determined are significantly cheaper there (don't assume that everything is; verify!). You don't sound like the type to impulse-buy random finds, so you should be able to work out pretty quickly whether there's enough value there to justify the expense (and the crowds...).

[seattlecyclone]

We have a Costco membership. We go about once a month to stock up on things (mostly non-perishables) and supplement with smaller trips to a closer supermarket in between. For certain products (flour, vegetarian meat substitutes, certain cheeses, and beer come to mind out of our typical purchases) it's really hard to find a better deal than the Costco price elsewhere at any time. For other products (pasta and sauce as just two examples) the supermarket's "sale" price that they might offer one week a month will usually beat out the Costco price so we just stock up there.

[sonofsven]

Do you know anyone local with a membership that you can go shop with?
Alternatively, if you have friends or family that aren't local but have a membership, you could possibly get a membership card from them.
It would actually benefit them if more purchases were made on their account because of the cashback Costco offers.
My ex was using my account occasionally for ten years and I had no idea until I went to put my current partner on the account; ex was removed (heh) as I could only have one guest card.

I think it's only "with it" if you shop there consistently, and then get executive membership and the Costco Citi card for cashback.

[Turtle]

I still have a Costco card even though I’m mostly buying only for myself.  I gave one of my kids the second card.

There’s one close enough to me that I can pop over there during the middle of the day on a weekday, or shortly before closing time, both of which tend to be less crowded. 

[Dee_the_third]

Kids and locusts, lol. I cackled a little at the sodium content comment.

For what it’s worth, we’re breaking even this year on the cost differential for eggs alone. 3.50/doz at Co and 4.50 at the next best option(TJs) and nowadays you have to show up by noon or they’re sold out.

Oats are also much cheaper, also dried fruit and protein powder. Marginal savings on frozen foods, flour/other baked goods, and produce. Moderate savings on meats and cheeses.

[LaineyAZ]

Do you know anyone local with a membership that you can go shop with?
Alternatively, if you have friends or family that aren't local but have a membership, you could possibly get a membership card from them.
It would actually benefit them if more purchases were made on their account because of the cashback Costco offers.
My ex was using my account occasionally for ten years and I had no idea until I went to put my current partner on the account; ex was removed (heh) as I could only have one guest card.

I think it's only "with it" if you shop there consistently, and then get executive membership and the Costco Citi card for cashback.

Be careful about this.  During the last year or so, Costco has cracked down on the card sharing.   

[Omy]

You can use it the same day. We've done well with the cashback you get from the executive membership - it covers the annual membership and then some. Some items are well priced and others not as good as sales at the local grocery store.

[Fru-Gal]

Thanks everyone! Well perhaps I will hold off a little longer. Went to the discount grocers and bought $300 worth of food for $120. Pretty surprisingly good deals. Even eggs were cheaper than my regular store.

[Telecaster]

We've had tons of Costco threads over the years, but IMO if you shop reasonably regularly at Costco you can easily justify the membership.

Things like OTC medicine, coffee, spices, cheese, most meat (but you must buy large quantities), socks, underwear, men's dress shirts (actually clothes in general), batteries, laundry soap, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dish soap, paper towels, shop towels, pellets (for the pellet grill). 

[ohsnap]

I'm a huge Costco fan and think you should try it again even if you're not intentionally stocking up for economic upheaval. There are just so many items that are about 30%-50% off at Costco compared to my local grocer. For example, yesterday I bought 18-packs of eggs for less than the grocer is charging for a dozen.  Gas is at least 20 cents/gallon cheaper than elsewhere. It's not really convenient to me, but I manage to get over there about 1x/month - whenever I'm going to be in that area I put my cooler in the back of my car so I can stock up on eggs/cheese/bacon/berries.

[Dicey]

I'm a huge Costco fan and think you should try it again even if you're not intentionally stocking up for economic upheaval. There are just so many items that are about 30%-50% off at Costco compared to my local grocer. For example, yesterday I bought 18-packs of eggs for less than the grocer is charging for a dozen.  Gas is at least 20 cents/gallon cheaper than elsewhere. It's not really convenient to me, but I manage to get over there about 1x/month - whenever I'm going to be in that area I put my cooler in the back of my car so I can stock up on eggs/cheese/bacon/berries.

Erm, take another look at those eggs. In my area, Costco sells 24-count eggs and 60-count flats. That price may be even better than you realize.

@Fru-Gal, I was there earlier this week and was kind of staggered by how many ready-made foods they sell. If you ignore all that and stick to ingredients, you can do really well there. I think your other store might be a Grocery Outlet, which is my other fave. The primary differences between the two are Costco carries staples day in and day out. Their turnover is so high that expiration dates are never a worry. GO sells whatever it gets deals on, and those items are frequently at or very near expiry date.

When I shop at Costco, I have a list and seldom deviate from it, which is why I never realized they sell so much pre-made stuff until this week.

Costco also has a deal where if you don't earn back the cost of your membership, they'll refund some part of the fee. Between the Costco Rebate and the CC rebate, we've received over $500 back this year, so I'm fuzzy on the details.

A couple of years ago, I took a friend to buy hearing aids there. She bought nothing else, but the prices on hearing aids are amazing enough to make it worth the membership fee. At the end of the year, her rebate was less than the membership fee, so she did get some money back by going into the warehouse and asking for it. It was relatively hassle-free.

[41_swish]

Costco can be worth it if you are good about mitigating food waste. If you end up throwing away a third of your food, it is hard to get the value.

[Metalcat]

You used to be able to buy Costco gift cards and shop without a membership. Check if you can still do that.

That said, my experience is that Costco is almost never the cheapest option. I don't shop there to save money, I shop there because the quality is exceptional and they treat their staff well.

Costco produce is the best in my major city, by a decent margin. I could always get the bulk of our food: legumes, spices, pasta, rice, coffee, tea, etc cheaper at the bulk food store or the ethnic grocer. But the quality at Costco is always consistently superior for just about everything they have.

What Costco is much, much cheaper for is pet supplies. Their pet food is ranked very high quality and is dirt cheap. Pee pads, kitty litter, etc, all substantially cheaper at Costco than any other source I've found.

So whether it's worth it entirely depends on what kind of stores you have available in your region and what quality you are looking for.

Back when I ate normal human food, I would happily pay more for Costco peppers and avocados.

[Sibley]

I have done some price checking. Every item I checked was per unit cost cheaper than the same brand item at Meijer. If you're buying generics of course YYMV.

I got a Costco membership primarily to shift some of my purchases to a company that I am ok giving my money too. Costco has retained their DEI policies, even after getting some heat, and they are employee owned treat employees well. I also got it to way to stock up on some things prior to predicted price increases (my prediction, not necessarily anyone else's, though it does seem that I was right). Its nice to shop from my closet, and my weekly grocery shopping is definitely decreased since I have a stockpile. I was very careful only buy what I would use before it went bad, and I am also careful to only buy what I will use. Great they have the same brand of toothpaste, but it's not the flavor I use and I'm not willing to change.

For single people who aren't feeding a family, you just aren't going to go through a lot of things quickly enough to justify buying them in bulk. So you do need to be strategic. Also, I only paid half of the membership fee as I split it with my SO. So that helps with the cost/benefit analysis.

Edit: correction, thanks Dicey

[Dicey]

WinCo is employee owned, Costco is not. Their employees are well paid and can buy company stock at a small discount. There are thousands of millionaires among the ranks of current and former Costco employees.

[Kapyarn]

I am thinking Costco might be worth it just for some of the weekly deals.

Last week we tried the ground beef and short rib lasagna which was $5 off (so $10.99 IIRC).

Recommended 6 servings at 320 cal per serving, but we at it in just 2 meals.

Still, it was amazingly good for a pre-prepared lasagna, to the point that I was wishing we had bought 3 or 4 more and froze some.

Break it down, and that is $5.50 per meal or $2.75 per person per meal....that is McDonald's value menu territory.

Seems like you would only need to get 10 or so of these deals a year to make the membership worthwhile.

[41_swish]

You used to be able to buy Costco gift cards and shop without a membership. Check if you can still do that.

That said, my experience is that Costco is almost never the cheapest option. I don't shop there to save money, I shop there because the quality is exceptional and they treat their staff well.

Costco produce is the best in my major city, by a decent margin. I could always get the bulk of our food: legumes, spices, pasta, rice, coffee, tea, etc cheaper at the bulk food store or the ethnic grocer. But the quality at Costco is always consistently superior for just about everything they have.

What Costco is much, much cheaper for is pet supplies. Their pet food is ranked very high quality and is dirt cheap. Pee pads, kitty litter, etc, all substantially cheaper at Costco than any other source I've found.

So whether it's worth it entirely depends on what kind of stores you have available in your region and what quality you are looking for.

Back when I ate normal human food, I would happily pay more for Costco peppers and avocados.

To the best of knowledge you do need a membership to buy a gift card, but if somebody then gives you a gift card then you do not need a membership. It seems like more trouble than it is worth.

[SweatingInAR]

You used to be able to buy Costco gift cards and shop without a membership. Check if you can still do that.
....

To the best of knowledge you do need a membership to buy a gift card, but if somebody then gives you a gift card then you do not need a membership. It seems like more trouble than it is worth.

I did this for a while and it was pretty easy. I haven't done it in several years, though, so the rules may have changed. You only had to start each transaction with a gift card, and could finish with whichever credit card Costco accepted (Only Visa?). I would use someone's online account to order several of the lowest-denomination gift cards using my own credit card. At the time, that was $25 so I would buy 8x of them and guarantee 8x Costco trips.

Sometimes I would have a small total which was less than $25, so that gift card ended up being useful for more than one visit.

The biggest downside is that a manager had to be called over to the register to enter a code, which can slow down the line. I felt inconsiderate to the other shoppers and would only go during the least-busy times.

[Catbert]

You used to be able to buy Costco gift cards and shop without a membership. Check if you can still do that.
....

To the best of knowledge you do need a membership to buy a gift card, but if somebody then gives you a gift card then you do not need a membership. It seems like more trouble than it is worth.

I did this for a while and it was pretty easy. I haven't done it in several years, though, so the rules may have changed. You only had to start each transaction with a gift card, and could finish with whichever credit card Costco accepted (Only Visa?). I would use someone's online account to order several of the lowest-denomination gift cards using my own credit card. At the time, that was $25 so I would buy 8x of them and guarantee 8x Costco trips.

Sometimes I would have a small total which was less than $25, so that gift card ended up being useful for more than one visit.

The biggest downside is that a manager had to be called over to the register to enter a code, which can slow down the line. I felt inconsiderate to the other shoppers and would only go during the least-busy times.

I believe they have plugged this loophole.  Your entire purchase must be covered by the giftcard.

[41_swish]

You used to be able to buy Costco gift cards and shop without a membership. Check if you can still do that.
....

To the best of knowledge you do need a membership to buy a gift card, but if somebody then gives you a gift card then you do not need a membership. It seems like more trouble than it is worth.

I did this for a while and it was pretty easy. I haven't done it in several years, though, so the rules may have changed. You only had to start each transaction with a gift card, and could finish with whichever credit card Costco accepted (Only Visa?). I would use someone's online account to order several of the lowest-denomination gift cards using my own credit card. At the time, that was $25 so I would buy 8x of them and guarantee 8x Costco trips.

Sometimes I would have a small total which was less than $25, so that gift card ended up being useful for more than one visit.

The biggest downside is that a manager had to be called over to the register to enter a code, which can slow down the line. I felt inconsiderate to the other shoppers and would only go during the least-busy times.

I believe they have plugged this loophole.  Your entire purchase must be covered by the giftcard.

Based on my current understanding, this is also what I have heard. You need the entire gift card to cover the purchase. Tbh, it would be good to give costco a try, but you don't want to be fussing with this gift card mess forever.

[crocheted_stache]

If this is a one-time or twice per year kind of thing, find a friend or neighbor who's a member, go as their guest, and pay them back. Maybe spring for their food court lunch/snack to thank them for their trouble. This is also a good way to try-before-you-buy a membership of your own.

Alternatively, you can actually return your membership for a prorated refund. I've never attempted this, so I'd encourage you to ask questions or read up and make sure it's still a thing and applicable where you are. But I think you could buy your membership, do your big stock-up run, decide that it's not for you, go back to the membership desk, and get most of a refund. I wouldn't count on being able to do that more than once, but if it's really just a one-off, it's technically an option.

Costco is usually cheapest for gas if you use it. It's usually a decent price for decent quality groceries. If you buy a lot at Costco, it can be worth signing up for the rewards credit card and/or the executive membership. (They will specifically refund you the difference if your rewards don't make up for the upgrades.)

Costco might not be the very lowest price if you're really on top of coupons and loss leaders at regular stores. It's not a good value if you end up not using an entire bulk quantity before it goes bad, if you often end up going all over the place for things Costco doesn't sell, if you cannot resist impulse purchases, or if Costco is a long drive in a direction you don't otherwise need to go.

[41_swish]

If you can find a friend or family member with a membership, that is the move.

[Catbert]

Just be aware that if you go with a friend/family member but don't have a membership you might not be able to use your credit or debit card.  Technically the card used must match the membership but I don't know that they'd notice any more.

[41_swish]

Just be aware that if you go with a friend/family member but don't have a membership you might not be able to use your credit or debit card.  Technically the card used must match the membership but I don't know that they'd notice any more.

Datapoint, at my Costco in the burbs of Denver, they are pretty stingy about the person who presented the membership at the cash register must pay. I have used a friend's credit card, but they usually don't let you break it into two transactions. It is best to just put it all on one card and then have your friend/family member reimburse you.

[Dicey]

Just be aware that if you go with a friend/family member but don't have a membership you might not be able to use your credit or debit card.  Technically the card used must match the membership but I don't know that they'd notice any more.

Datapoint, at my Costco in the burbs of Denver, they are pretty stingy about the person who presented the membership at the cash register must pay. I have used a friend's credit card, but they usually don't let you break it into two transactions. It is best to just put it all on one card and then have your friend/family member reimburse you.

Paying cash is always an option.

[merula]

I use my sister's Costco card, while she almost always goes shopping with my BIL (who has the other card on their account) or uses her phone app. They are cracking down on card sharing, but I look enough like my sister that I scan my card and they wave me through.

In my experience, it doesn't matter if the credit card name matches the membership card name. I suppose it might if you handed your CC to the cashier for some reason, but they have the CC scanner machine separate so I never do. If they ever implement this, I'm going to add my sister as an authorized user on my credit card and use "her" card at Costco.

If you're going with a friend and you don't want to Venmo them after for your purchases, you can also give the member-friend your card and have them swipe it for you. (Visa only, used to be AMEX only but that was years ago, or any debit card.)

It's the $130 executive membership that gives a spending bonus and refunds you if you don't use it enough. You pay $130 up-front, and then get a bonus check for 2% of your total Costco purchases at the end of the year. If that check is less than the $65 upgrade fee from the normal membership, you can go to the member desk and get a $65 refund instead. (The bonus check can only be used at Costco, although normally that's not a problem for Costco members.)

According to the website, you can use a card for a bit and get a prorated cancellation, but I've never tried that.

[41_swish]

Just be aware that if you go with a friend/family member but don't have a membership you might not be able to use your credit or debit card.  Technically the card used must match the membership but I don't know that they'd notice any more.

Datapoint, at my Costco in the burbs of Denver, they are pretty stingy about the person who presented the membership at the cash register must pay. I have used a friend's credit card, but they usually don't let you break it into two transactions. It is best to just put it all on one card and then have your friend/family member reimburse you.

Paying cash is always an option.

Data point, at my costco, you have to scan a membership to pay with cash, but YMMV

[classicrando]

Costco is also a great option for protein and collagen powders.  I've found the cleanest (fewest ingredients) protein powder I've ever used there.  And the collagen powder is twice the size for about the same price as what you can get it for on Amazon; even less if Costco has a $6 or $9 off deal on it.  Also, nuts.  3lb bags of walnuts, almonds, or pecans for between $10 - $13.

[Omy]

Which protein powder do you use? I get their Pure Protein shakes but would like some sort of powder as well.

[classicrando]

Which protein powder do you use? I get their Pure Protein shakes but would like some sort of powder as well.

I use the Ascent 100% Whey, Native Whey Protein Blend in the 4.25lb bag.

[Omy]

Thanks!

[Telecaster]

Data point, at my costco, you have to scan a membership to pay with cash, but YMMV

You have to scan a membership card to pay, period.   The point is you can borrow a membership card and pay cash, but you probably can't borrow a card and use credit.   

[41_swish]

Data point, at my costco, you have to scan a membership to pay with cash, but YMMV

You have to scan a membership card to pay, period.   The point is you can borrow a membership card and pay cash, but you probably can't borrow a card and use credit.

Correct. The ONLY way around this is pay for your entire total with a gift card. If not, then a membership must be scanned and cash, credit, or debit is accepted.

[lhamo]

With their money-back guarentee on the membership fee, I don't really understand why everybody is recommending all these complicated mechanisms for avoiding the fee.  Just pay for it and use it for awhile -- 364 days if you feel like it.  If you feel you didn't get enough value for the fee, ask for a refund.

Just please don't abuse it so that this remains an option for everybody.

I'm currently still on a household card with TheX, and they haven't flagged it yet even though he is making most of his purchases in another state.  If they do flag it I will probably just pay for my own membership.  I save enough on the basic things I buy there to make it worthwhile,  and I like Costco as a company/business model.

[41_swish]

I am not recommending this convoluted method. Just buy a membership and if you don't like it get the prorated return.

[RetiredAt63]

If you bake or make a lot of hot chocolate, their vanilla extract is great. Also lots of nice whole bean coffees, and there is always a coffee grinder or 2 after the checkout if you don't have your own grinder.

When I had a house with a pool,  the savings on pool chemicals paid for the membership. Also the dog food and freeze-dried liver/salmon treats.

Eggs, packed as 2 cartons of 12 or a flat of 30.  The producer is local.  Dairy, Costco is the only place I see grass-fed butter. Cream prices are good.   Produce is good.

I'm single and my membership is still worth it. 

[Dicey]

If you bake or make a lot of hot chocolate, their vanilla extract is great. Also lots of nice whole bean coffees, and there is always a coffee grinder or 2 after the checkout if you don't have your own grinder.

When I had a house with a pool,  the savings on pool chemicals paid for the membership. Also the dog food and freeze-dried liver/salmon treats.

Eggs, packed as 2 cartons of 12 or a flat of 30.  The producer is local.  Dairy, Costco is the only place I see grass-fed butter. Cream prices are good.   Produce is good.

I'm single and my membership is still worth it.

It's an even better deal if you buy the Kirkland Vodka and their whole vanilla beans to make your own vanilla. I love having a 1.75L of vanilla on hand. I have two going all the time. One to use and one to steep until the first one is used up.

[lhamo]

there is always a coffee grinder or 2 after the checkout if you don't have your own grinder.

Not any more.   Many stores have closed the coffee grinders off, or removed them entirely, because people were putting non-coffee things into them and breaking them.

Another example of why we sadly often can't have nice things....

[41_swish]

I think an official reason was that people were putting peanut products through them and peanut allergies are treated very seriously by the FDA.

[Laura33]

Depends on what your normal stores are.  You will save money at Costco if you normally shop at a regular grocery store (and if you can avoid the impulse buys), and if you actually use what you buy.  OTOH, if you have an HMart or Lidl around, I'm not sure you'd save enough to make it worth it purely on a $$ basis. 

FWIW, I dropped my Costco membership because I discovered I was spending more, because I kept being tempted by great deals on things like whole beef tenderloins.  The deals were good enough that I found them hard to resist, and the food quality was great.  But after about 6 months of consistently spending $50-100 more every visit, I realized I am just not set up to resist temptation like that.  Plus I still had to go to a regular grocery store for the brand-name stuff my DH insists on, because Costco usually didn't carry them.   

[Shuchong]

What Costco is much, much cheaper for is pet supplies. Their pet food is ranked very high quality and is dirt cheap. Pee pads, kitty litter, etc, all substantially cheaper at Costco than any other source I've found.

This is what makes Costco worth it for me as a single person.  The dog food is half the price I would otherwise pay for the quality, and my dog loves it and does well on it.  She will also sell her soul for their freeze dried beef liver, which makes it a useful training tool.  Everything else (paper towels, toilet paper, the Kirkland french roast coffee beans, the 25 pound bag of jasmine rice, the bulk chocolate chips, the vanilla) is just a bonus. 

Also, my mother has Celiac disease and they have good deals on gluten-free flours, crackers, etc.

[Fru-Gal]

If you bake or make a lot of hot chocolate, their vanilla extract is great. Also lots of nice whole bean coffees, and there is always a coffee grinder or 2 after the checkout if you don't have your own grinder.

When I had a house with a pool,  the savings on pool chemicals paid for the membership. Also the dog food and freeze-dried liver/salmon treats.

Eggs, packed as 2 cartons of 12 or a flat of 30.  The producer is local.  Dairy, Costco is the only place I see grass-fed butter. Cream prices are good.   Produce is good.

I'm single and my membership is still worth it.

It's an even better deal if you buy the Kirkland Vodka and their whole vanilla beans to make your own vanilla. I love having a 1.75L of vanilla on hand. I have two going all the time. One to use and one to steep until the first one is used up.

OMGGGGG this sounds amazing

[jrhampt]

If you bake or make a lot of hot chocolate, their vanilla extract is great. Also lots of nice whole bean coffees, and there is always a coffee grinder or 2 after the checkout if you don't have your own grinder.

When I had a house with a pool,  the savings on pool chemicals paid for the membership. Also the dog food and freeze-dried liver/salmon treats.

Eggs, packed as 2 cartons of 12 or a flat of 30.  The producer is local.  Dairy, Costco is the only place I see grass-fed butter. Cream prices are good.   Produce is good.

I'm single and my membership is still worth it.

It's an even better deal if you buy the Kirkland Vodka and their whole vanilla beans to make your own vanilla. I love having a 1.75L of vanilla on hand. I have two going all the time. One to use and one to steep until the first one is used up.

OMGGGGG this sounds amazing

Wow, that is a LOT of vanilla!!!  What do you even do with that much vanilla?

[classicrando]

What Costco is much, much cheaper for is pet supplies. Their pet food is ranked very high quality and is dirt cheap. Pee pads, kitty litter, etc, all substantially cheaper at Costco than any other source I've found.

This is what makes Costco worth it for me as a single person.  The dog food is half the price I would otherwise pay for the quality, and my dog loves it and does well on it.  She will also sell her soul for their freeze dried beef liver, which makes it a useful training tool.  Everything else (paper towels, toilet paper, the Kirkland french roast coffee beans, the 25 pound bag of jasmine rice, the bulk chocolate chips, the vanilla) is just a bonus. 

Also, my mother has Celiac disease and they have good deals on gluten-free flours, crackers, etc.

You reminded me of another point: Costco is a good option for alternative flours and sweeteners (almond flour, stevia or monk fruit extract, etc.); especially if you're avoiding major chain grocery stores for the most part.

[jrhampt]

There are three important criteria for places I live:

Within 15 minutes of a Costco
Within 15 minutes of a YMCA
Walking distance to the library

Costco is right up there with the Y and the library.

[Car Jack]

What you buy at Costco matters.  How convenient it is matters.  If you want to be thorough, you could do what I did once.  DW had a list of what she was buying.  I took the list and went to Stop &  Shop which is NOT a discount market.  After pricing everything, I compared with DW's receipt.  Although DW had several things that were a year's supply worth, in general, Stop & Shop was cheaper.  Don't assume Costco always is.  We have good friends who did similar analysis (he's an engineer like I am, so I guess analysis is what we do).  They figured out that only when they needed to buy tires was it worth it to pay the Costco membership fee.

For me, I used to work 1/4 mile from one.  Now, the closest Costco is an hour away.  We instead go to Market Basket which is consistently cheaper than everywhere.  Costco included.  And there's no membership fees.

[Dicey]

There are three important criteria for places I live:

Within 15 minutes of a Costco
Within 15 minutes of a YMCA
Walking distance to the library

Costco is right up there with the Y and the library.

Lol, when my sister moved back to CA with her husband and four growing boys, I introduced her to WinCo. After a shopping trip there, she told her husband she could live anywhere as long as there as a Costco and WinCo within an easy distance. That's exactly where they ended up, and still are, twenty years later.

[41_swish]

What you buy at Costco matters.  How convenient it is matters.  If you want to be thorough, you could do what I did once.  DW had a list of what she was buying.  I took the list and went to Stop &  Shop which is NOT a discount market.  After pricing everything, I compared with DW's receipt.  Although DW had several things that were a year's supply worth, in general, Stop & Shop was cheaper.  Don't assume Costco always is.  We have good friends who did similar analysis (he's an engineer like I am, so I guess analysis is what we do).  They figured out that only when they needed to buy tires was it worth it to pay the Costco membership fee.

For me, I used to work 1/4 mile from one.  Now, the closest Costco is an hour away.  We instead go to Market Basket which is consistently cheaper than everywhere.  Costco included.  And there's no membership fees.

Convinience matters a lot. When I used to live in the city and had to park in a parking garage that was a 15 min walk from my apartment and then drive another 25 minutes and then drag all of the stuff from Costco back to my apartment I didn't even bother. Now that I live in the burbs it is much easier, but then again, I have to drive 9 out of 10 times I go anywhere.