Why Experts Say You Shouldn’t Buy Eggs or Milk at Costco
For most Costco members, the megastore is a one-stop shop that stocks quite literally everything you could ever want in your home, from a giant wine glass to jeans to grocery essentials. But did you know that there are some things that you might actually be better off buying at a traditional grocery store? The bulk system makes it tempting to buy staples like milk and eggs at Costco because it seems like you’re getting a great value for your money, but some experts contend it’s actually wasteful.
Speaking with CNBC, Charlene Haugsven, founder of MyFrugalAdventures.com, shared the eight foods she thinks individuals and small families shouldn’t buy in bulk at Costco.
- Breakfast cereal
- Ground coffee
- Condiments and sauces, such as soy sauce
- Flour
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Spices
Her reasoning? Even though your local grocery store will probably sell these items at a higher price than Costco, the packages are so large that the average person (or even family) won’t make it all the way through the contents before it goes bad. So if you end up throwing away half the milk or eggs you bought, you’re actually wasting your money in the long run.
Obviously, this does not apply to big families with five or six kids running around demanding to be fed at all hours. But that’s not the case in the average household, which is typically home to two kids. And it definitely doesn’t make sense for single people living on their own, or even with a roommate or partner.
Think about the fruits and vegetables category in particular: If you buy a one-pound box of produce for $5, you might think, Hey, I’m saving money. But greens tend to go bad quickly (within a week), so unless you plan to eat greens for every single meal, that $5 is going in the trash. As for an item like cereal, which has a longer shelf life, Joanie Demer, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady, tells CNBC that you’ll be able to find smaller quantities better suited to your family size on sale at your local grocery store.
The lesson here? Even if you find what you think is a good deal at Costco, keep in mind what you have the capacity to consume before the expiration date, so you’re not throwing your money out with the garbage.