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I've been a Costco member for 18 years now. And during that time, my shopping list has undergone some shifts.
When my kids were younger, my Costco purchases consisted largely of diapers and baby wipes. Now, I'm constantly buying snacks to replenish our ever-dwindling supply -- a side effect of having an almost-teenage son and twin daughters who aren't so far behind.
There are certain items at Costco I find myself buying on an almost-weekly basis. Here are three I can't seem to do without.
1. Bulk paper towels
Seeing as how I typically buy 12 rolls of paper towels at a time, it might astound you to learn that I often find myself replenishing my supply on a weekly basis. But alas, when you have daughters who love to bake and make slime, and when you have two large, clumsy dogs who love nothing more than to knock over your drink when the cup is filled to the top, you end up having to buy paper towels pretty often.
This isn't to say I buy 12 rolls of paper towel every week. But I easily buy 24 rolls per month. And I'm grateful to be able to save money on them thanks to Costco's great prices.
My go-to paper towel brand is Bounty, and I find that Costco often has the best price on that item. Right now, a 12-count of Bounty Advanced costs $29.99 at Costco.com. But Costco's online prices are almost always more expensive than the in-store prices, so usually, I pay less. At Amazon, a 12-roll count of Bounty Advanced costs $43.95 right now.
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2. Kirkland peanut butter pretzel nuggets
As I alluded to earlier, we're a household of snackers. And while I don't deny my kids gummy bears, sour worms, and other treats that are completely devoid of nutritional value, I also like to stock up on snacks that are actually filling and not just loaded with sugar.
Kirkland peanut butter pretzel nuggets fit the bill there. They're low in sugar and have a bit of protein thanks to the peanut butter component. They're also downright delicious. And so even though Costco sells them in a 55-ounce tub with about that many individual servings, I find myself replenishing these bad boys most weeks.
The online price for Kirkland peanut butter pretzels is $11.99, but remember, in-store prices are lower. I typically spend less than $10 when I buy them in person. Trader Joe's sells a similar product, but there, you'll pay $2.49 for 16 ounces. So when you do the math based on Costco's in-person price, Costco edges out Trader Joe's by just a bit.
3. Bulk produce
We've clearly established that snacks are a big part of my family's diet. So I make a point to balance that with plenty of fruits and vegetables. And I'm grateful for the ability to buy those in bulk at Costco for the savings involved.
The money you'll spend on produce at Costco will depend on what you're buying and what price is available at the time. At my local store, I find that prices can fluctuate quite a bit. Sometimes I'll pay $5.99 for a bulk supply of broccoli, while other times I'll pay closer to $8.
But when I compare the price of bulk produce at Costco to my local supermarket, Costco pretty much always wins by a long shot. If your family eats a lot of fruits and vegetables, I suggest buying the items you consume regularly at Costco.
However, I'll caution you not to buy produce in bulk if it's an item you only eat on occasion. Unlike paper towels and peanut butter pretzels, produce will go bad pretty quickly. So limit your purchases to foods you eat most days of the week. In my house, that list includes cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries.
So there you have it -- my list of Costco essentials I can't do without. And if you have products you need to buy almost every week, I suggest checking out the prices at Costco and seeing what they look like.
But also take advantage of rotating sales if you have the storage space. I'll often buy 24 rolls of paper towels at a time when they're on sale, and that saves me a lot of money. And even though I often inevitably blow some of that savings on snacks, overall, it's still a win.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
