Membership at Costco, Sams, etc.
 

Have you found these memberships to be a good investment? Do you have a big family, small family or is it just you?

Does your location have a gas station? Is it less than htose prices for other stations? What is your membership price?

We have a membership to Costco. I have had a membership since 1995 and will never give it up. As far as household, there are just the 2 of us and 2 furbabies (cats).

Re: gas. The price is one of the least expensive in town

I.LOVE.COSTCO!

in undergrad we would run mad in that store and be good for an ENTIRE year... no joke... even now... I hate grocery shopping so with Costco, one trip and i'm good for months...

I have to agree with this. I'm single in my mid 20s, no kids, but I've had my Costco membership since early college when I moved out of my parents' house. My mom said that I didn't really need one (I could just go shopping with her), but I decided to get one anyway. The annual membership fee is pretty reasonable.

I was quite popular with my chapter sisters as well. On the weekends we used to make group trips to Costco!

Most of the stuff I buy at Costco are non-perishables. I really don't need milk and cheese that's big enough to feed a 3rd world country. For those things I still go to the grocery store.

And the gas is always the least expensive in town. Usually when prices drop, there's a line of cars wrapping around the block. But hey...it's worth it.

Definitely worth it for gas savings. You're aware of how much I drive (between Orange County and San Diego nearly every weekend), so low-cost gas is key.

i have a free Sam's Club membership and i definitely use it. i get my cleaning supplies from there, my contacts and a few food items (i swear by On The Border nachos, they're the bomb:D). if i had to pay for it, i definitely would:p

I agree. Even if you just use it for the essentials like bathroom tissue, papertowels, detergent, etc. . it will last for a minute. Like I bought dishwashing detergent from there and I had it for like 2 years!!

I.LOVE.COSTCO.TOO!!! :D

We have 2 back home (AK); I prefer it over Sam's any day. I don't have a membership yet; I'll get one when I move back. I just love getting food samples, and THE.BAKERY.IS.THE.ISHT!!! :D

Oh man...the weekends.

I always tell my people on the weekends -- go on an empty stomach.

Those samples are the BEST!!!

I have one child. September '05, I renewed my membership, bought $200 worth of stuff (paper towels, toilet paper, girlie stuff, snacks, ramen soup, etc), and JUST three months ago, did I run out of toilet paper. It was a 48 double roll pack. So yeah, even with two people, its worth the $45 per year.

My husband and I have two children. We have a joint membership with my parents to Sam's. My mom and daughter eat their way through the store just about every weekend. I use it when I know family is coming to visit. I'd probably use it more if I had a larger vehicle to haul stuff in (my trunk is only about 3 cubic feet, and with two car seats, the backseat has no room). We bought our clothes dryer there for a pretty good price. I buy diapers there (their packs are so big, some of them have two sizes together in one box, because they figure your kid will be in the next size up by the time you use them all:) ).

Costco.
 

I have a membership to Costco. I use it to buy food and supplies for business purposes, and I use it for things I can buy in bulk, like cleaning supplies, paper goods, and other non-perishables. Sometimes you can find good deals on workout clothes, socks, and other essentials.

I have a BJ's membership. I am there every two weeks to pick up a case of water ($4.49 for 35 half-liter bottles), a gallon of skim milk ($2.19), a three-lb bag of bananas ($1), ground turkey, chicken breast, etc. The general membership is $45 but this year I upgraded to rewards ($80). I am not up for renewal until September, but I hope the extra $35 will pay for itself.

Our BJ's also has a gas station and is usually pretty competitive with other stations in the area.

I've had a Sam's Club membership since '95 and there are only 2 of us, and my new Sam's club has gas and that is the only place that I go. It's the cheapest in my area. I want to say that my membership was $35 up until last year and it increased to $40.

The main things I get from there on a regular are gas, contact lense solution, lotion, and soap. Other odds and ends the those are the mains things.

Costco's sheet cakes are THE TRUTH.

That is all.

:D :D

GET.OUT.OF.MY.HEAD.SOROR!!! :D

Those cakes are one of my all-time favs (along with pound cake, red velvet, German chocolate, and carrot cake).

Yes Soror I know! And that is a good point. I have a one way commute of 25 miles myself and I am noticing that I am filling up twice a week. At almost 3.00 a gallon, it is adding up! I may spring for the card just for the gas savings.

Soror, what is the most economical grocery store and drug store in the LA/OC/SD areas? I have been shopping at Ralph's in the Ladera area near where I live but it seems like everytime I come out of there it's $40 and I barely have enough to last a week! How is a person supposed to eat at these prices? I can't even imagine having another mouth to feed (other than my dog's lol).

Soror, can you put me on to economical grocery and drug stores in LA/OC/SD?

PM me with details of any of your upcoming events. Any good BBQs coming up? :)

SC

Thanks to everyone for the replies. The cost for a Costco card is $50 here in Cali so it's a little high but it seems like it might be worth it - especially for the gas savings.

I've been a Costco Member when it was Price Club... My dad pays for my membership as a wholeseller/business.

It's worth the gas.

When I lived in SoCal, my Dad and I go almost every weekend for his dental business...

Yay Costco. I break even with the membership cost in one visit. And there is one not far from my home so the gas station is definitely worth it.

I just upgraded to the executive membership this weekend. Mr. 1228 is kicking himself for not doing it before we bought our plasma TV last fall, even though I told him to back then.
You ain't nevah lied! They are the bomb!

Summerchild,

Try Trader Joe's for good deals on produce, frozen foods, bread and meats. Their freshly prepared salads and deli meats are good too. The closest one in your area is probably the one in Westchester. You don't need a membership card to save money there either.

Costco is my choice. They have a better selection and less oppressive work environment than Sam's Club. I try not to support the Wal-Mart plantation system.

I have had a Sam's card since 98 (got a free membership while working at Wal-Mart). Once I left Wal-Mart in 2000 my membership fee was and still is $35 per year. I hardly used it at first b/c it was just me and my little one but now it's me, fiance and 2 kids so I try to go a least once a month to buy detergent, dishwashing liquid and other things. They do last you for a while if your not heavy handed. Also use it for the gas b/c u get a 5 cent discount.