We love Costco for all it offers. Like everything else that involves your hard earned cash, spending it intentionally and wisely can make a big difference. ALSO: The closest Costco with gas station is an hour away.
I love the fact that for a couple type video , Flo speaks in even , calm tones. And has good pacing, timing. I really hate those who run on at the mouth a mile a minute with a forced smile and forced phoney "happy tone of voice". It's not natural or attractive in the least. Thank you Flo.
Thanks! I love Costco's too, but TRY to stick to a list, but of course I always something that's not on the list. 😕 I actually went in once for two items, didn't get a cart so that all I could carry was those two (slightly heavy) items.
Hey, I live in Edmonton and feel lucky my Costco is 10 minutes from my house and on my way to work so I stop and get gas on my way home. I have found that if I go to the back side of the line up there are less vehicles waiting to get in line so there's usually only about 4 vehicles ahead of me so a short wait. Of course, living here means we have our "lovely" weather as opposed to gorgeous Vancouver.
I've been buying at Costco for years and I never knew items went on sale. You really do learn something new everyday. I have no problem shopping at Costco because I have 2 kids and 3 grandkids so I shop with them in mind and share so everyone benefits from my shopping spree. :)
as an employee the prices drop/rise daily and weekly. ending in .00 is a store price drop. ending in .97 is a corporate price drop. we move things around because certain products pay extra to be upon front for two weeks or we have a road show that needs to be placed in the proper place. there is a lot to done in the mornings. I workout 4am long before anything else starts. we have had as early as 1 am start times.
a couple hundred dollars? really? I cant get out of there without spending at least $400-$500. I go in for a gallon of milk and come out with a trampoline
Came in for some soda and ended up buying a gtx 1080 Asus G701vi with a 144hz ips panel for only 2k😂 extremely cheap considering it comes with a 2 year warranty (also if you pay with their visa you get an extra 2 year of warranty) and during that time that same laptop went for around 3,5k on all the other retail stores
The reason for the price difference in the KS rice over other brands is because Costco makes sure that it's vendors pay liveable wages to farmers and also try to provide health care to the farmers and their families. Sustainable farming practices also increase the price but are very important to the environment. A lot of people only look at the lowest price but "behind the scenes" practices are more important in the long run over price. More companies should follow Costco's example.
I did a test on my own wife. She bought by impulse a few items, and items that we needed, when we got home I hid the inpulse items and brought them out a week after and she had forgotten about these items.
Flo: I go to Costco with a neighbour. On many things - especially toilet paper and Kleenex - we buy a package and split it. It’s easy to figure out the half-cost from the bill. It works with meat and fish as well. And even cheese. Lots of stuff it doesn’t work with but those are things we buy individually at the supermarket. Peter Moskos
I love Costco all year long, I am going to donate food from Costco to the local food bank because a lot of Moms cannot afford the Executive Costco card like me. They need food that their kids can eat like a lot of yogurt, butter, milk, and peanut butter as well as a lot of Mac and cheese. A few boxes of oatmeal or dry cereal too. Sharing is good for the soul.
@@nimbinguy food banks wont take healthy food. And besides, how would they distribute it? Go ahead... try it yourself.... take in 1 bag of fresh vegetables and a steak and see how they distribute that with 120 people..
Thanks for the good work and valuable tips. You are an excellent presenter, Ms. Lum, and the occasional banter between you and your partner provides a pleasant lightmotif. In Mexico, Costco has many items for sale at a higher price than other local stores, including fresh vegitables, canned goods, even ironing boards -- the list goes on. Its main attraction is one can find U.S. products unavailable elswhere. Keep up the good work, and best of luck!
Thanks for putting this vid together! I think it’s important to be aware of this kind of thing because falling into these traps deletes the benefits of having a Costco membership budget wise.
A friend gifted us with a membership and we hardly go there. Me and my husband don't find it cheap ad we factor in the membership fee you pay. You kind of end up paying the same price outside of Costco. You can make mayonnaise easy for cheap too!
I still shop at Costco but not nearly as much as I used to. I have found that if you have a large freezer you are better off to shop around for the bigger giveaway type sales, regardless of how many stops you have to make. Buying in bulk actually cuts down on the shopping time even if you make lots of stops, simply put you're not shopping as much or as often. TheReaper!
I keep a 4x6 index card in my kitchen. I write down whatever I need on the card. I know the layout of my grocery store, so I write down items on the card in the order I would get to them in the store -- so fruits and vegetables go in the top left of the card, followed by bread, meat, etc. The key is to get in the habit of writing down an item as soon as it comes to mind. Today I noticed that I would soon need soy milk, so I immediately put it on the right side of my card. This allows me to go through the store quickly and concentrate on only the things I need. It also helps prevent me from getting home only to realize I forgot to get bananas.
As a recovering Costco shopper, I appreciated this segment. Note to the wise... there are Spam-like pork products sold at the deli counter in most supermarkets. There are a couple of supermarkets near me where they will package random end bits of deli meats and cheeses into an unattractive package, then put a super cheapo price on it. Almost always, a big, odd-shaped lump of Spam-like meat is in there. Really cheap, plus you get other interesting bits of beef, cheese, olive loaf, and what not that you can chop up and stir fry, or add it to salads, sauces, etc.
Impulsive buying...that’s why Costco doesn’t have signs indicating what’s on each aisle like supermarkets. Notice you don’t see signs showing mayo, soy sauce, cookies like you would see at a market? They want you to have to search and walk down every aisle looking and hoping you pick up something you don’t need.
The first thing I do when going to you tube, is look for you guys, I really enjoy your chats you do and then the cooking is a big plus, thank you so much for all the things you bring to the fans on you tube. Beth justus
All of your points are spot on! We shop at BJ's Wholesale Club here in Southern New England, and have hit exactly the same issues. We now make a shopping list before going, clip coupons (they take both store and manufacturer coupons) and STICK TO THAT. We have discovered that it really is cheaper to shop elsewhere. The saddest part is - we keep the membership going primarily to get gasoline at a "wholesale club" rate from the onsite gas station, but now we can even find that cheaper elsewhere.
I do enjoy shopping at Costco but I agree that we often times buy more than what we should. This video has some good ideas for being a smarter shopper.
I had to smile at this video, I know so many people who don't go into Costco anymore because they overspend and impulse buy. We go to Costco about once a month for our chicken and hamburgers, bread, nuts and seeds, almond flour and a few vegetables (the ones where you don't have to buy a bushel!) The rest of our groceries are purchased at Walmart and a fruit market. When our 3 children lived at home we bought a lot more at Costco!! I like that you pointed out the traps, like the giant jars of mayonaise, very helpful video!!!
I have recently come to the same conclusion myself. Just because everything is under the same roof i thought I’d just stick it in the cart so that i don’t have to go elsewhere. One significant difference is that here in Japan Costco is ALWAYS packed with people. Japanese people love getting free samples and because shopping carts are a rarity here a trip to Costco can result in bruised ankles. Keep up the great work, folks.
It’s the same here. It definitely gets more busy at sample time. The one we go to though is significantly less busy than the other 2 larger Costco’s close by.
I used to fall into the London Drugs trap... but no more. I take the same approach at COSTCO - a.)I have a list in my hand or my mind - and I stick to it. I don't like crowds SO I go during the busier times and it gets me out faster. AND b.) I do not go down every aisle - only aisles that have what I need. NOW: when I am in the Kona, Hawaii COSTCO in January -- ALL BETS ARE OFF! LOVE OUR INSTANT POT - Thank you for the inspiration! Colin and Andrea in Victoria
Hello Flo and Dude! I am a new viewer/subscriber to your channel. I have been enjoying your videos for a few days already, but was pleasantly surprised to learn from this video that you live in Vancouver! I live in Regina SK. Best regards to you in YVR, from YQR !!
My wife and I love going to Costco but we are careful from what we're buying. My advise is if you're a small family or just a couple, then only buy what you really need like for example, paper towels, detergent, toilet paper or those boxes of tissues. As for foods, that's where you have to draw a line except for those you consume almost everyday. Example, I drink coffee every morning so I buy a large box of Dunkin Donuts k-cups and cream for my coffee. The only time you buy foods in bulk is that if you're throwing a party or visitors coming over.
I get a kick out of you two and your banter. We used to belong to Costco when the kids were home, but now we are empty nesters and have moved further away from the nearest Costco, so we did not renew our membership. I am happy for that because I was always tempted with the books and clothes and would spend more and get more than what I came in for. Near the end of our membership I started going into Costco without a cart and just my shopping bag. That technique helped greatly. Keep up the great work guys!
My wife and I shop at Costco only for Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Nuts when on Sale (we keep them in a freezer to preserve freshness), Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Soap, Dishwashing soap, Detergent, Frozen Berries for smoothies (we drink them everyday, sometimes a couple times a day) and that’s pretty much all.
We pretty much shop there for the same exact stuff! Except for toilet paper. The ones they carry at Costco are too thick and kids clog up the toilet with it. We use Scott because it lasts longer! I wish Costco sold Scott TP.
I stay clear of Costco, Sams, etc. I spent 1,200.00 one year on everything I needed. I swore never again. I save money by staying out. Tested, proven, in my case, lol. I have stood by this 12 years now, lol.
The pre-seasoned meats, they don't wash the meat before seasoning it. When they run ribs or pork chops through the meat saw, I realize there is that bone grit residue still on the meat. Plus the ribs they leave the membrane on the back side, no good man... Last month my mom had to return a pack of pork to Costco the next day since it was rancid. The temp for the meat fridges are not that cold, they just know meat product will move out the door ASAP.
one thing we've done about the problem of buying out of convenience is to plan to go to costco every other week instead of every week, then we go to Winco every other week, as long as we plan properly it works great. We used to go to costco weekly, and then go to other stores when we couldn't find something.
I’m convinced that unless there at least 6 people in one’s household, grocery shopping at Costco (or sams club) is a waste. For our household of 2, in a 1 bedroom flat, it’s useless. Even deals on paper products (like Kleenex or TP) would be a hassle for us, just based on the storage space they’d take up.
BarleyJack72 I think the same for fresh fruits and most of veggies and perishables, but just for the gaz, meat, spinach (yup I eat a lot of them) and toilet papers, it's totally worth a stop since it's right beside the stores I have to go to.
Buy a whole bag of toilet paper should last you a couple of months buy gallons of dish soap and should last you foreverrr Its stuff like that, that DOES DO YOU GOOD
As someone who used to work at Costco I agree with the marinated meats. They are often much MUCH more expensive than if you buy meats in smaller portions, possibly on sale, and then make your own marinade.
I've fallen for the COSTCO trap, myself, a time or two but I learned my lesson. Bulk isn't always better or cheaper when you end up tossing it out. Now I only go there once every two or three months to load up on staples. I spent $414.00 (U.S.) today but I'm good for several months with many grocery items, detergents, and paper products. It's too bad your COSTCO doesn't sell gas. It is so much cheaper than from regular gas stations. Today, at COSTCO, I paid $3.19 (U.S.) per gallon here in highly taxed California. It's much cheaper outside California.
Love Costco; especially the day when they are having samples. I enjoy getting fruit from Costco. When we are having a party/cookout the large quantity comes in handy. Costco is not for everyone. TFS
Thank you for your Costco tips! I agree that Costco encourages overconsumption and waste. Especially as a single person, I have strict limits on what I buy there. I primarily use Costco for cat food, cat litter, and gasoline. ☺️
Even for a family of 5, it's tough to consume that much bulk product. Not meaning to point fingers at Costco, it's really a societal issue of consumerism
My supermarket (Kroger) has an app for my smartphone, so when I'm in Costco, I'll enter the item in my Kroger app to see the price per ounce/pound/etc. and compare to Costco's pricing for the same amount. Help's me make smarter buying decisions. Love your IP videos, Flo!!!
Let the buyer beware. Caveat emptor. Thank you for the suggestions. It doesn't matter whether you are in Canada or the U.S. these are good ideas that work no matter where you are at.
Master Chief Costcos gas is of no difference in gas mileage my man. Also you can avoid those long lines by hitting the gas stations early in the morning. Gas is open at 6am and the warehouse doesn’t open til 10am. I get gas on the way to work in the morning and never a wait.
It's so true that we look at the unit price and think we get a big bargain, without calculating how fast we have to consume the products instead of ending up wasting them. I guess one way to stop this from happening is to find people to share the products.
I’ve said for years that I get better deals at the super market. I rarely shop at Costco and when I go I always find a couple of good deals but the majority of what I see is higher than what I pay at Kroger, Target or Walmart.
Rice World sounds like my kind of place. My friend in the Philippines has a rice plantation so if I am over there during the season I will bring home 2-3 KG of it. Fresh rice tastes so good.. If you were closer to the border you could do your shopping and get gas in the US to save a little. Then also you could visit the Spam Museum in Minnesota.
I wish I could tell Christopher Columbus that 500 years after he “discovered” North America people were flying to the Philippines and flying back with a bag of rice.
Hi from Tokyo Japan!! I live too far from my nearest Costco, don't have enough storage space, and I don't own a car but your tips are gold. Gasoline prices in Japan is ranging between 125 to 132 yen per liter (1.50 to 1.56 CAD) so it is pretty similar. They sell roasted chicken at around 8.5 to 10 CAD. One whole raw chicken will cost double or triple.
How can you be "joyful" if you don't have the bulk-pack of Spam??? You're absolutely right about prices often being higher. Buyer beware!! We've also found, as a current Costco member and former Sam's Club member, that these places all do the same thing. Offer "one-time" deals that if you don't buy now, will not be available again, and we always find that we really have to discipline to NOT buy it! Hard to do, and not spend three times what your budget would allow, and I would imagine for some people that have problems with that kind of thing, it's just a total enabler. . . .!!!!
I don't have a Costco but shop at Sam's and have found many of the things you pointed out to be true. They often have month long deals and I had not thought of buying all of my toilet paper when it is on sale. That is such a good idea. My only problem would be storing it. We have a family of 6 adults, 5 of whom are at home all day so we use a lot of toilet paper (1 1/4 Sam's packs a month). You really do have to do a item by item cost comparison because some items are less expensive, while others are a good deal more expensive. And that is comparing between Sam's and Walmart. I am pretty good about what I buy at Sam's. I don't look around really and just get in and out and buy the same things every week. It helps that it is usually my first stop of about 4 stores I hit weekly and I'm in a hurry. Maybe that's the key also is to limit your time so you don't have time for browsing. ;-)
I purchase Himalayan pink salt at Tractor Supply, 3 lbs. for 10 bucks(in the horse section) then I use a mortar and pistol to break the big chunk into small grains for my salt mill. And then I throw larger chunks into soups.
Over the years I've become better at resisting temptations. I just get what I need and take pictures of what I want to try and 1 or 2 of those things the next visit. Works well!
My husband and I love getting our latte at the food court and weaving through the aisles. We end up buying way too much sometimes. My husband came home with a $900 shed once, but hey, it was on sale and he saved $200. This is how we justify spending the $900 we did not need to. It is a nice shed.
Great video. You mentioned deals pages and one from a guy from West Canada that records all the Costco deals. Do you plan to make a video about all that? Would you share the links you have?
If you're complaining about gas prices, move Houston, TX. Presently, it's about $2.70 per gallon for regular. Of course, it's hot, humid, mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and the occasional Hurricane Harvey with 50 inches of rain with the government releasing the flood waters from its' dams to wipe you out. Otherwise, paradise.
i have learned so much from your video about Costco. I can say that I do too fall into the trap of convenience and I do buy everything at Costco while it is cheaper elsewhere. i should try harder next time. kiss from Montreal quebec
I don't remember where I read this but the inventor of Costco said the reason why there wasn't description signs of whats down the isle was to increase the likelihood of impulse buying
I work at Costco and it just makes my job harder because people always ask me where something is and it’s hard for me to remember because there’s no signs
You guys ROCK and THANKS for the great Tips....was at COSTCOS last night....love it there but like you said, you gotta be carefully wise! Take care.....til the next video! xoxo
as you asked whether you could buy more spam, the "NO" was absolute, definitive and showed very clearly that SHE is THE BOSS :P (same here ;-) ). best from Greenland!
+Hi Flo I go to other grocery stores as well as do the usual Costco safari. I make a point to know all the good sale prices to get the best deals possible in every store. They're all en route so no extra driving. The points you mentioned are fine for one or two people but the fact remains that for a family Costco can't be beat. Oh yes, a budgeted shopping list helps too.
Hey Flow..re-watching your videos again 🙂. Potential idea for a vlog? How to choose the best rice for cooking? I use Jasmin rice primarily but I don't know if it's the best (or one of) the best Jasmin Rice's to use. How can you tell? Also what rice to use for different dishes.. ie: Jasmin vs sticky vs brown rice etc. I think a vlog on this would be very beneficial for the channel? Anyway just a thought. Thanks for all you do Flo!!
You are 100% correct. I used ot go in their and come out with a whole cart loaded for a family of 2. We always ended up throwing things away. We no longer do that as it is true. Prices their are not always the best.
Also if you really wanted to save money you could just leave Vancouver. I moved to Edmonton 11 years ago and I would never go back. At least you can still own a home here and are not stuck in traffic all day. Plus there is lots of open space to go hunting and fishing. Also people here are more down to earth and are not living in some fantasy world.
Not sure if you know how food samples work at Costco.......The manufacturers pay both the worker, Costco and for all food consumed. The worker (not employed by Costco) then receives bonuses on top of hourly pay to sell as many of that particular item as possible ...Just an FYI....They see this as a less costly way of 'advertising'. These items are not well known brands that have print or TV ads.
Star Gazer Costco has Brand Ambassadors like every other venue selling stuff. They are the companies employees or hired contractors so right, not Costcos. All companies hire including well known brands, they're either introducing new product or a sale.
Excellent! This confirms what I had been wondering about. I've also noticed that they sell "superior" versions of common products rather than the "regular" version. I don't think I've seen the "superior" versions elsewhere. Might be that it's the same as the regular version, just in Costco exclusive packaging for more money. Hmm.
Thanks for the video. I am researching Costco as they are building one across the state line in Davenport Iowa. Looking to buy groceries there to mitigate the always rising taxes in Illinois(eventually I'm leaving).
Costco trap is named brand items that are discounted. You end up with large portions, while you can go to grocery stores with sane portions and off brand labels, for the same portion prices.
We go with a list and try not to deviate from it. However sometimes we wind up purchasing 1 - 3 items Not on the list. Other things I purchase at the other stores, even a fruit and veggie market. Cheers!
We love Costco for all it offers. Like everything else that involves your hard earned cash, spending it intentionally and wisely can make a big difference.
ALSO: The closest Costco with gas station is an hour away.
I love the fact that for a couple type video , Flo speaks in even , calm tones. And has good pacing, timing. I really hate those who run on at the mouth a mile a minute with a forced smile and forced phoney "happy tone of voice". It's not natural or attractive in the least. Thank you Flo.
Thanks! I love Costco's too, but TRY to stick to a list, but of course I always something that's not on the list. 😕
I actually went in once for two items, didn't get a cart so that all I could carry was those two (slightly heavy) items.
Flo Lum Costco adds MSG to many prepared foods including Rotisserie chicken. Funny you said who knows what they put in there.
Hey, I live in Edmonton and feel lucky my Costco is 10 minutes from my house and on my way to work so I stop and get gas on my way home. I have found that if I go to the back side of the line up there are less vehicles waiting to get in line so there's usually only about 4 vehicles ahead of me so a short wait. Of course, living here means we have our "lovely" weather as opposed to gorgeous Vancouver.
If I plan to get a few things, I don't get a cart.
I've been buying at Costco for years and I never knew items went on sale. You really do learn something new everyday. I have no problem shopping at Costco because I have 2 kids and 3 grandkids so I shop with them in mind and share so everyone benefits from my shopping spree. :)
as an employee the prices drop/rise daily and weekly.
ending in .00 is a store price drop. ending in .97 is a corporate price drop.
we move things around because certain products pay extra to be upon front for two weeks or we have a road show that needs to be placed in the proper place. there is a lot to done in the mornings. I workout 4am long before anything else starts. we have had as early as 1 am start times.
a couple hundred dollars? really? I cant get out of there without spending at least $400-$500. I go in for a gallon of milk and come out with a trampoline
but a trampoline sounds fun
LOL! I know the feeling. 🤣
Came in for some soda and ended up buying a gtx 1080 Asus G701vi with a 144hz ips panel for only 2k😂 extremely cheap considering it comes with a 2 year warranty (also if you pay with their visa you get an extra 2 year of warranty) and during that time that same laptop went for around 3,5k on all the other retail stores
Ooooh...killer gaming laptop > trampoline
Hahahahahaha
The reason for the price difference in the KS rice over other brands is because Costco makes sure that it's vendors pay liveable wages to farmers and also try to provide health care to the farmers and their families. Sustainable farming practices also increase the price but are very important to the environment. A lot of people only look at the lowest price but "behind the scenes" practices are more important in the long run over price. More companies should follow Costco's example.
That is good to know.
Thank you. This is becoming more and more important to me. And just another reason why I LOVE Costco. Costco 2020!
I did a test on my own wife. She bought by impulse a few items, and items that we needed, when we got home I hid the inpulse items and brought them out a week after and she had forgotten about these items.
Flo: I go to Costco with a neighbour. On many things - especially toilet paper and Kleenex - we buy a package and split it. It’s easy to figure out the half-cost from the bill. It works with meat and fish as well. And even cheese. Lots of stuff it doesn’t work with but those are things we buy individually at the supermarket. Peter Moskos
Made me chuckle with the Spam as that is my husband when we go to the warehouse store! He adores it!!!
I love Costco all year long, I am going to donate food from Costco to the local food bank because a lot of Moms cannot afford the Executive Costco card like me. They need food that their kids can eat like a lot of yogurt, butter, milk, and peanut butter as well as a lot of Mac and cheese. A few boxes of oatmeal or dry cereal too. Sharing is good for the soul.
Marilyn Mclean thats nice
Beautiful gesture! ❤
Ever heard of real food like meat n vegetables! Nah just load the poor people up with dairy and processed foods.
I did that when we did a canned food drive at church. I bought a 12 can case of corn and donated it.
@@nimbinguy food banks wont take healthy food. And besides, how would they distribute it? Go ahead... try it yourself.... take in 1 bag of fresh vegetables and a steak and see how they distribute that with 120 people..
Thanks for the good work and valuable tips. You are an excellent presenter, Ms. Lum, and the occasional banter between you and your partner provides a pleasant lightmotif. In Mexico, Costco has many items for sale at a higher price than other local stores, including fresh vegitables, canned goods, even ironing boards -- the list goes on. Its main attraction is one can find U.S. products unavailable elswhere. Keep up the good work, and best of luck!
You both brighten up an already good day. Thank you.
Thanks for putting this vid together! I think it’s important to be aware of this kind of thing because falling into these traps deletes the benefits of having a Costco membership budget wise.
A friend gifted us with a membership and we hardly go there. Me and my husband don't find it cheap ad we factor in the membership fee you pay. You kind of end up paying the same price outside of Costco.
You can make mayonnaise easy for cheap too!
I still shop at Costco but not nearly as much as I used to. I have found that if you have a large freezer you are better off to shop around for the bigger giveaway type sales, regardless of how many stops you have to make. Buying in bulk actually cuts down on the shopping time even if you make lots of stops, simply put you're not shopping as much or as often. TheReaper!
Simple, Ordinary and Joyful. Boy did I need to hear that this morning! Thank you!
Glad to help! 😉
Always have breakfast or lunch before you go shopping at Costco.
And when you do visit the place, have a specific shopping list to work from.
I try not to spend much time at Costco, only like 40 hours a week
I usually have an entire meal by eating the samples
It’s also an inexpensive treasure hunt type of activity with younger kids... distracting and taste test galore... fun if you do it right. 😉
I always get my 2 year old the full meal.
I love taking my boyfriend with me to Costco... I do the shopping while he hunts down the free samples. Teamwork!
Yeah...because of my hubby's many returns, they have almost done away with the samples near us...he will not stop at one! 🙄🙄😂😂
If you get there at the right time, me too!
Great video! You have a lovely way and I like your peaceful background music. I can relate to the Costco experience.
So appreciate your kind words and feedback!
I keep a 4x6 index card in my kitchen. I write down whatever I need on the card. I know the layout of my grocery store, so I write down items on the card in the order I would get to them in the store -- so fruits and vegetables go in the top left of the card, followed by bread, meat, etc. The key is to get in the habit of writing down an item as soon as it comes to mind. Today I noticed that I would soon need soy milk, so I immediately put it on the right side of my card. This allows me to go through the store quickly and concentrate on only the things I need. It also helps prevent me from getting home only to realize I forgot to get bananas.
Yep... I do the same but on my phone. But sometimes it's just hard to stick to the list. 😉
As a recovering Costco shopper, I appreciated this segment. Note to the wise... there are Spam-like pork products sold at the deli counter in most supermarkets. There are a couple of supermarkets near me where they will package random end bits of deli meats and cheeses into an unattractive package, then put a super cheapo price on it. Almost always, a big, odd-shaped lump of Spam-like meat is in there. Really cheap, plus you get other interesting bits of beef, cheese, olive loaf, and what not that you can chop up and stir fry, or add it to salads, sauces, etc.
Impulsive buying...that’s why Costco doesn’t have signs indicating what’s on each aisle like supermarkets. Notice you don’t see signs showing mayo, soy sauce, cookies like you would see at a market? They want you to have to search and walk down every aisle looking and hoping you pick up something you don’t need.
Totally makes sense! That's why I walk every aisle, to see what's new.
Yes and they move and rearrange items for this purpose as well. Best to have a list and shoot directly to those items.
One of the employees says they rearrange it constantly to create the treasure hunt effect.
Word
Oh my that's so true
The first thing I do when going to you tube, is look for you guys, I really enjoy your chats you do and then the cooking is a big plus, thank you so much for all the things you bring to the fans on you tube. Beth justus
What a pretty woman! A natural beauty who doesn’t need makeup (or not much).
100% natural beauty.
DudeLum .... Lucky man.
Milfalicious
All of your points are spot on! We shop at BJ's Wholesale Club here in Southern New England, and have hit exactly the same issues. We now make a shopping list before going, clip coupons (they take both store and manufacturer coupons) and STICK TO THAT. We have discovered that it really is cheaper to shop elsewhere. The saddest part is - we keep the membership going primarily to get gasoline at a "wholesale club" rate from the onsite gas station, but now we can even find that cheaper elsewhere.
I love learning things and you guys put a lot of information into 9 minutes. Thanks for the video
I do enjoy shopping at Costco but I agree that we often times buy more than what we should. This video has some good ideas for being a smarter shopper.
I had to smile at this video, I know so many people who don't go into Costco anymore because they overspend and impulse buy. We go to Costco about once a month for our chicken and hamburgers, bread, nuts and seeds, almond flour and a few vegetables (the ones where you don't have to buy a bushel!) The rest of our groceries are purchased at Walmart and a fruit market. When our 3 children lived at home we bought a lot more at Costco!!
I like that you pointed out the traps, like the giant jars of mayonaise, very helpful video!!!
Glad you found it helpful! Costco definitely has its upsides, when you can control your shopping desires 😊
I have recently come to the same conclusion myself. Just because everything is under the same roof i thought I’d just stick it in the cart so that i don’t have to go elsewhere. One significant difference is that here in Japan Costco is ALWAYS packed with people. Japanese people love getting free samples and because shopping carts are a rarity here a trip to Costco can result in bruised ankles. Keep up the great work, folks.
It’s the same here. It definitely gets more busy at sample time. The one we go to though is significantly less busy than the other 2 larger Costco’s close by.
Awesome kindness.....the way you speak to each other.
I used to fall into the London Drugs trap... but no more.
I take the same approach at COSTCO -
a.)I have a list in my hand or my mind - and I stick to it.
I don't like crowds SO I go during the busier times and it gets me out faster. AND
b.) I do not go down every aisle - only aisles that have what I need.
NOW: when I am in the Kona, Hawaii COSTCO in January -- ALL BETS ARE OFF!
LOVE OUR INSTANT POT - Thank you for the inspiration!
Colin and Andrea in Victoria
Split with family or a friend. Freeze what you can for great savings.
R L Exactly!! That’s a great idea for perishable items!!
Great idea except absolutely no one does that
I really enjoyed your video :) you guys are sweet and well-spoken. Thanks for the info!
I really enjoy their 45 gallon drum of old fashion peanut butter, the one that comes with a free canoe paddle to mix it up!
my laugh of the day. Thanks
Hilarious
A low hp outboard motor is more efficient than a paddle, especially for us seniors.
Hello Flo and Dude! I am a new viewer/subscriber to your channel. I have been enjoying your videos for a few days already, but was pleasantly surprised to learn from this video that you live in Vancouver! I live in Regina SK. Best regards to you in YVR, from YQR !!
My wife and I love going to Costco but we are careful from what we're buying. My advise is if you're a small family or just a couple, then only buy what you really need like for example, paper towels, detergent, toilet paper or those boxes of tissues. As for foods, that's where you have to draw a line except for those you consume almost everyday. Example, I drink coffee every morning so I buy a large box of Dunkin Donuts k-cups and cream for my coffee. The only time you buy foods in bulk is that if you're throwing a party or visitors coming over.
I get a kick out of you two and your banter. We used to belong to Costco when the kids were home, but now we are empty nesters and have moved further away from the nearest Costco, so we did not renew our membership. I am happy for that because I was always tempted with the books and clothes and would spend more and get more than what I came in for. Near the end of our membership I started going into Costco without a cart and just my shopping bag. That technique helped greatly. Keep up the great work guys!
My wife and I shop at Costco only for Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Nuts when on Sale (we keep them in a freezer to preserve freshness), Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Soap, Dishwashing soap, Detergent, Frozen Berries for smoothies (we drink them everyday, sometimes a couple times a day) and that’s pretty much all.
We pretty much shop there for the same exact stuff! Except for toilet paper. The ones they carry at Costco are too thick and kids clog up the toilet with it. We use Scott because it lasts longer! I wish Costco sold Scott TP.
Sometimes if we go on a cleanse we would buy large sacks of apples, carrots and other cheap fruit and veg for straight up juicing.
I stay clear of Costco, Sams, etc. I spent 1,200.00 one year on everything I needed. I swore never again. I save money by staying out. Tested, proven, in my case, lol. I have stood by this 12 years now, lol.
The pre-seasoned meats, they don't wash the meat before seasoning it. When they run ribs or pork chops through the meat saw, I realize there is that bone grit residue still on the meat. Plus the ribs they leave the membrane on the back side, no good man...
Last month my mom had to return a pack of pork to Costco the next day since it was rancid. The temp for the meat fridges are not that cold, they just know meat product will move out the door ASAP.
one thing we've done about the problem of buying out of convenience is to plan to go to costco every other week instead of every week, then we go to Winco every other week, as long as we plan properly it works great. We used to go to costco weekly, and then go to other stores when we couldn't find something.
I’m convinced that unless there at least 6 people in one’s household, grocery shopping at Costco (or sams club) is a waste. For our household of 2, in a 1 bedroom flat, it’s useless. Even deals on paper products (like Kleenex or TP) would be a hassle for us, just based on the storage space they’d take up.
BarleyJack72 I think the same for fresh fruits and most of veggies and perishables, but just for the gaz, meat, spinach (yup I eat a lot of them) and toilet papers, it's totally worth a stop since it's right beside the stores I have to go to.
Buy a whole bag of toilet paper should last you a couple of months buy gallons of dish soap and should last you foreverrr
Its stuff like that, that DOES DO YOU GOOD
As someone who used to work at Costco I agree with the marinated meats. They are often much MUCH more expensive than if you buy meats in smaller portions, possibly on sale, and then make your own marinade.
Omg.. You guys have a store called "Rice World"?!? My husband would be in heaven!!! 😊😊😊
I've fallen for the COSTCO trap, myself, a time or two but I learned my lesson. Bulk isn't always better or cheaper when you end up tossing it out. Now I only go there once every two or three months to load up on staples. I spent $414.00 (U.S.) today but I'm good for several months with many grocery items, detergents, and paper products. It's too bad your COSTCO doesn't sell gas. It is so much cheaper than from regular gas stations. Today, at COSTCO, I paid $3.19 (U.S.) per gallon here in highly taxed California. It's much cheaper outside California.
Love Costco; especially the day when they are having samples. I enjoy getting fruit from Costco. When we are having a party/cookout the large quantity comes in handy. Costco is not for everyone. TFS
You two are so relatable AND adorable!
Thank you for your Costco tips! I agree that Costco encourages overconsumption and waste. Especially as a single person, I have strict limits on what I buy there. I primarily use Costco for cat food, cat litter, and gasoline. ☺️
Even for a family of 5, it's tough to consume that much bulk product. Not meaning to point fingers at Costco, it's really a societal issue of consumerism
My supermarket (Kroger) has an app for my smartphone, so when I'm in Costco, I'll enter the item in my Kroger app to see the price per ounce/pound/etc. and compare to Costco's pricing for the same amount. Help's me make smarter buying decisions.
Love your IP videos, Flo!!!
Thanks for the great tips, Flo. You've just saved me some $$.👍🏽
Let the buyer beware. Caveat emptor. Thank you for the suggestions. It doesn't matter whether you are in Canada or the U.S. these are good ideas that work no matter where you are at.
Great video! Thank you soooo much!🙏🏼🙏🏼💕💕
Why not get cheaper gas from Costco?
The Costcos in the city don't have gas stations yet 😕
Which city are you in?
Is that the Costco by Stadium? Only had hotdogs there before a game.
Vancouver, BC Canada
Master Chief Costcos gas is of no difference in gas mileage my man. Also you can avoid those long lines by hitting the gas stations early in the morning. Gas is open at 6am and the warehouse doesn’t open til 10am. I get gas on the way to work in the morning and never a wait.
Have you tried their cilantro and lime shrimp............. it's wonderful and it's right next to the pok'e ....yummmmmmmm
We don’t have either of those items. 🤔
Thank you Flo for giving me tips on shopping at Costco, have a wonderful weekend.
It's so true that we look at the unit price and think we get a big bargain, without calculating how fast we have to consume the products instead of ending up wasting them. I guess one way to stop this from happening is to find people to share the products.
Best rotisserie chicken! Use it to make various dishes. And the carcass is used to make broth!
Your timing is amazing. We just joined Costco, so this is perfect! Thank you so much
Great video... Subbed .. Keep up the awesome content.
Omg you two are the cutest! Love the music in the background too. Thanks for the vid.
Within the first minute of this video, you two have turned into your parents. :P
I’ve said for years that I get better deals at the super market. I rarely shop at Costco and when I go I always find a couple of good deals but the majority of what I see is higher than what I pay at Kroger, Target or Walmart.
Rice World sounds like my kind of place. My friend in the Philippines has a rice plantation so if I am over there during the season I will bring home 2-3 KG of it. Fresh rice tastes so good.. If you were closer to the border you could do your shopping and get gas in the US to save a little. Then also you could visit the Spam Museum in Minnesota.
We are not that far from the border (35-45 mins) but it takes time to go. Fresh rice sounds so good!
I wish I could tell Christopher Columbus that 500 years after he “discovered” North America people were flying to the Philippines and flying back with a bag of rice.
Hi from Tokyo Japan!! I live too far from my nearest Costco, don't have enough storage space, and I don't own a car but your tips are gold. Gasoline prices in Japan is ranging between 125 to 132 yen per liter (1.50 to 1.56 CAD) so it is pretty similar. They sell roasted chicken at around 8.5 to 10 CAD. One whole raw chicken will cost double or triple.
How can you be "joyful" if you don't have the bulk-pack of Spam???
You're absolutely right about prices often being higher. Buyer beware!! We've also found, as a current Costco member and former Sam's Club member, that these places all do the same thing. Offer "one-time" deals that if you don't buy now, will not be available again, and we always find that we really have to discipline to NOT buy it! Hard to do, and not spend three times what your budget would allow, and I would imagine for some people that have problems with that kind of thing, it's just a total enabler. . . .!!!!
I do have a Costco spam pack at home. There is joy 😙
Ha! Not to worry. Dude has a stash of spam at home. And absolutely Buyer Beware! They're all in business to sell more, it's up to us to save more.
Num Num Spam. So bad for you but taste so good.
DudeLum I don't care how bad spam is for us... It's sooooo yummy. We are going to die one day. Spam sandwiches mmmm
I don't have a Costco but shop at Sam's and have found many of the things you pointed out to be true. They often have month long deals and I had not thought of buying all of my toilet paper when it is on sale. That is such a good idea. My only problem would be storing it. We have a family of 6 adults, 5 of whom are at home all day so we use a lot of toilet paper (1 1/4 Sam's packs a month). You really do have to do a item by item cost comparison because some items are less expensive, while others are a good deal more expensive. And that is comparing between Sam's and Walmart.
I am pretty good about what I buy at Sam's. I don't look around really and just get in and out and buy the same things every week. It helps that it is usually my first stop of about 4 stores I hit weekly and I'm in a hurry. Maybe that's the key also is to limit your time so you don't have time for browsing. ;-)
went to Thailand 2 months after that never used toilet paper
Get a bidet put in & no need for toilet paper - save $ & the environment 😊
We
Target often has better prices and a useable size. About the only thing I get at Costco are berries, cheese, and supplements.
energymaven Where I live in San Diego the Target brand tp is cheaper than Costcos!
No target in Canada 🤮
And costco has better drinks and Kirkland products!
energymaven you don't need a Costco membership, that's attainable easier at Whole foods
I purchase Himalayan pink salt at Tractor Supply, 3 lbs. for 10 bucks(in the horse section)
then I use a mortar and pistol to break the big chunk into small grains for my salt mill. And then I throw larger chunks into soups.
Costco is like my second home although, I've been doing good and not falling into the trap in the past 6 mos. 👍
Over the years I've become better at resisting temptations. I just get what I need and take pictures of what I want to try and 1 or 2 of those things the next visit. Works well!
My husband and I love getting our latte at the food court and weaving through the aisles. We end up buying way too much sometimes. My husband came home with a $900 shed once, but hey, it was on sale and he saved $200. This is how we justify spending the $900 we did not need to. It is a nice shed.
What an awesome video Flo. I fall in the costco trap all the time. 😂😂😂
Thanks so much for understanding, Gustavo! I knew I was not alone. 🤣
I love both your channels! Keep up the awesome videos!
Buen
Great video guys loved it love the music also. Wish I had a rice world here in NYC
Omgoodness I didn't realize you are a Vancouverite!!! No wonder I enjoy your channel so much. I'm in Coquitlam 😊
I go to Aldi and an ethnic store for all my needs. I spend so little (
I only get toiletries & cleaning supplies... The Marathon TP is a MAJOR DEAL, even not on sale! Tires are a bargain too!
Great video. You mentioned deals pages and one from a guy from West Canada that records all the Costco deals. Do you plan to make a video about all that? Would you share the links you have?
If you're complaining about gas prices, move Houston, TX. Presently, it's about $2.70 per gallon for regular. Of course, it's hot, humid, mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and the occasional Hurricane Harvey with 50 inches of rain with the government releasing the flood waters from its' dams to wipe you out. Otherwise, paradise.
🤣
not sure if you understood the math.... its $4.99 a gallon here. give or take 10-30 cents...
I think he is suggesting we move to Texas because their gas is cheaper.
Mr Ken- u might consider moving !!😉
i have learned so much from your video about Costco. I can say that I do too fall into the trap of convenience and I do buy everything at Costco while it is cheaper elsewhere. i should try harder next time. kiss from Montreal quebec
I don't remember where I read this but the inventor of Costco said the reason why there wasn't description signs of whats down the isle was to increase the likelihood of impulse buying
That makes sense... that's why I walk the aisles... to see what's new.
I work at Costco and it just makes my job harder because people always ask me where something is and it’s hard for me to remember because there’s no signs
What is the site you’re referring too I’d love to see Costco prices before going shopping thank you
Interesting. We in the Northwest of America (Seattle, WA) also complain about the gas and weather.
Must be a PNW thing! 🤣
You guys ROCK and THANKS for the great Tips....was at COSTCOS last night....love it there but like you said, you gotta be carefully wise! Take care.....til the next video! xoxo
as you asked whether you could buy more spam, the "NO" was absolute, definitive and showed very clearly that SHE is THE BOSS :P (same here ;-) ). best from Greenland!
LOL! Nevermind that he already has a stash of SPAM at home.
You guys are so smart & amazingly funny!!
Go in get what you went there for.. Pay and go.. When you browse ALL the isles you're done..
+Hi Flo I go to other grocery stores as well as do the usual Costco safari. I make a point to know all the good sale prices to get the best deals possible in every store. They're all en route so no extra driving. The points you mentioned are fine for one or two people but the fact remains that for a family Costco can't be beat. Oh yes, a budgeted shopping list helps too.
Different Costcos in the same city can also have different deals...each store can have their own specials!
Wow! I hope that mortar & pestle is still there. That's a pretty good price 😁.
Thank you for shopping at Vancouver Downtown 552.
Hey Flow..re-watching your videos again 🙂. Potential idea for a vlog? How to choose the best rice for cooking? I use Jasmin rice primarily but I don't know if it's the best (or one of) the best Jasmin Rice's to use. How can you tell? Also what rice to use for different dishes.. ie: Jasmin vs sticky vs brown rice etc. I think a vlog on this would be very beneficial for the channel? Anyway just a thought. Thanks for all you do Flo!!
My visits to Costco are limited these days... I’m on to them lol figured it out. As for the IKEA thing God I always want my two hours back 😤
You are 100% correct. I used ot go in their and come out with a whole cart loaded for a family of 2. We always ended up throwing things away. We no longer do that as it is true. Prices their are not always the best.
Also if you really wanted to save money you could just leave Vancouver. I moved to Edmonton 11 years ago and I would never go back. At least you can still own a home here and are not stuck in traffic all day. Plus there is lots of open space to go hunting and fishing. Also people here are more down to earth and are not living in some fantasy world.
We've been talking about doing just that. Lots of incredible places to live in our great country.
It’s also cold in the winter.
Bahahaha!
I started my Costco career in Surrey,BC in 1992. Been employed with them to this day. Cheers
Not sure if you know how food samples work at Costco.......The manufacturers pay both the worker, Costco and for all food consumed. The worker (not employed by Costco) then receives bonuses on top of hourly pay to sell as many of that particular item as possible ...Just an FYI....They see this as a less costly way of 'advertising'. These items are not well known brands that have print or TV ads.
Star Gazer Costco has Brand Ambassadors like every other venue selling stuff. They are the companies employees or hired contractors so right, not Costcos. All companies hire including well known brands, they're either introducing new product or a sale.
Star Gazer b
Excellent! This confirms what I had been wondering about. I've also noticed that they sell "superior" versions of common products rather than the "regular" version. I don't think I've seen the "superior" versions elsewhere. Might be that it's the same as the regular version, just in Costco exclusive packaging for more money. Hmm.
Is it true ppl drive down to the states to fill up the tank? Really worth it?
We don’t but I know people who do. They say it’s worth it if you’re going down anyway.
Yes we do all the time if we're going for milk and eggs, however driving to mission or Abby is almost as good if you live fairly close.
mic wang Yes, I do that sometimes. Factoring in the exchange rate, I save $8.00CAD per fill up.
Thanks for the video. I am researching Costco as they are building one across the state line in Davenport Iowa. Looking to buy groceries there to mitigate the always rising taxes in Illinois(eventually I'm leaving).
Costco trap is named brand items that are discounted. You end up with large portions, while you can go to grocery stores with sane portions and off brand labels, for the same portion prices.
We go with a list and try not to deviate from it.
However sometimes we wind up purchasing 1 - 3 items Not on the list.
Other things I purchase at the other stores, even a fruit and veggie market.
Cheers!