Good Morning. To Costco or not to Costco, that is the question

OT: Please tell me why to join Costco and and how to save money by going there. We're looking for ways to cut the home budget and I was thinking joining Costco might be a good idea. DH is skeptical and doesn't want to change his routine of going to the grocery store at o'dark thirty on Saturday mornings. Are there significant weekly savings on perishable food, bulk processed food, or just big ticket items? I've browsed their website but I'm not seeing prices of perishable food. Need pointers and examples. So far I see I can order 21 pounds of grass fed beef at the tune of $15 a pound...um, not so great. I can get grass fed beef for less at the farmers market or individually wrapped at Whole Foods. Help!

My daughter has a membership there.  She buys quite a few things, but not her normal grocery shopping.  I know she saves pretty big on diapers.  I got my Keurig there for a real good price. 

I had a Sams Club membership when I lived in TC.  I went there for bulk stuff - toilet paper, paper towel, dog food, etc.  Buying in bulk for food, I just didn't have the space nor tended to use it all in a timely manner.

Now - I know Sams had good meat... not the grass fed (wasn't into it then), but good quality meat otherwise.

Maybe you need to find someone who has a membership and go with them to see what they have.  That might help you make your decision. 

I was thinking of dragging Son#2 with me to the Chantilly Costco while DH is out of town and seeing what it's like. Might do that today or tomorrow.

Hey! Want to do lunch or dinner this weekend?

I'd like to but I have to be in Falls Church at 11 for an appt at Dominion Jewelers and back in Manassas at 2 for a hair appt.  I figure it will take me 45 minutes (no traffic) to make it there and then back.  I've already got plans for dinner tonight. 

Tomorrow is a "motorcycle riding day" if the weather holds. 

I could do breakfast today... could meet you somewhere at 8:30 or 9 around I-66 and Old Centreville Rd if that works for you - is there a place on Rt29?

This morning I'm grocery shopping with DH instead of going to Whole Foods. We'll make it another weekend. Have fun tomorrow, it's supposed to be nice and warm. : )

Let's plan on next weekend - how about Sunday?

That should work. We can plan details later in the week.

LOL, sorry I was lurking.  This sounds like a conversation I have with one of my friends.  Almost impossible to get a time when we both can get together.  Hope you two managed in the end.

I had a Sams membership for years.  I bought paper stuff, cleaning supplies, veggies in the winter and meat.  You have to have the storage space for huge amounts of paper and it isn't tons cheaper that cheap stuff in walmart.  You really have to know your prices because it can end up as much or more when you work out the per ounce price for food and you have to be able to use it before it goes bad.  They do have good prices on meat and good meat.  I would buy large packet and come home and repack it for 2 of us.  They have good fresh fruit and veggies at good prices.  Like I used to buy a bag of avacados 5 for 4 something.  But then you have 5 to use which is a lot for 2 people.  Now I just eat out of the garden (thanks to global warming) and freezer.  I've read folks buying protein at both but haven't had a membership since I started on protein.  As much as it isn't my favorite, I find the best prices at Walmart.  I also shop Grocery Outlet here which is kind of a scratch and dent grocery with overruns, etc.  and Aldi.  Aldi has great prices and their brands are fine.  Just not a huge selection.  But for basics you can't beat them.

We have both a Costco and a Sam's...they do have different things.

Example, cat food...we get the shreds cause our cats abhor pate. Sam's has both, Costco only carries the pate. Couldn't find the Magic Erasers at Costco, we know Sam's carries them.

BUT I like the way Costco packages the meat I buy...I get the 6 pack of chicken thighs (4 to a pack) and that way I don't have to cut my own. I also buy the prepackaged (4 to a pack) of pork roasts, they are all about 2 lbs each, just perfect for us.

Either one will work, just check prices against what you already pay.