Growing up in South Georgia, Sam’s Club reigned supreme for me when it came to grocery shopping.
However, I started shopping at Costco 12 years ago — which became a game changer when it came to budgeting for my family of four. From snacks for my kids to dog food, here are 11 items I typically make sure to put in my cart.
Prices may vary by location.
I stock up on big bags of snacks to feed my kids and their friends.
My two kids, aged 9 and 13, are perpetual snackers. Most of their friends live nearby, so our house — and especially our pantry — feels like it has a revolving door of snackers.
That’s why I like to keep a steady supply of snacks on hand for them. On Costco runs, I always buy their favorites: the Frito-Lay variety snack pack ($18), one large bag of Dot’s pretzels ($10), and one large bag of Wonderful pistachios ($20).
Kirkland Signature dog food and treats keep our pups healthy and happy.
I exclusively buy our two cattle dogs food from Costco. The Kirkland Signature healthy-weight dog food ($32) is not only a great deal, but it’s also filled with protein.
I buy the Kirkland Signature dental chews ($37) as well because they keep our pups’ teeth clean and cost less than the Greenies dental treats.
I firmly believe Costco has the best-tasting sparkling water.
This Kirkland Signature sparkling water 35-count variety pack ($11) includes lime, lemon, and grapefruit flavors.
My husband likes to pour a can over ice and drink it throughout the day, and I mix it with tonic water and flavored bitters for a dry mocktail in the evenings.
Costco sells my husband’s and daughter’s favorite ramen.
My husband and 13-year-old daughter consume massive amounts of ramen, and Costco carries two of their favorite quick-cooking varieties: Cup Noodles in the chicken flavor and TanTanMen with chili oil ($12 each).
Eaten as a hearty snack, lunch, or dinner, ramen is a go-to at our house, so I make sure it’s always in my cart.
I buy Campbell’s chicken-noodle soup year-round.
In addition to being delicious, Campbell’s chicken-noodle soup is made with real broth and hearty chunks of chicken breast, making it a go-to for sick days in our household.
Our local grocery store doesn’t stock this variety, so I get an 8-pack at Costco for $13.60.
I buy children’s liquid Tylenol and Motrin as sick-day staples.
I keep plenty of children’s liquid Tylenol and Motrin ($13 each) on hand, especially during cold and flu season.
Costco’s three-packs are a steal compared to buying single bottles at my local grocery store or pharmacy.
I only buy bread at Costco since loaves come in a two-pack.
When buying a two-pack of bread ($5), I refrigerate one and freeze the other to prevent mold.
I like to try different kinds, but I opted for Grandma Sycamore’s white bread on this particular shopping trip, which is ideal for making cinnamon toast or sandwiches.
I’m obsessed with the Kirkland Signature Italian-sausage-and-beef lasagna.
I’ve seen people rave about the Kirkland Signature Italian-sausage-and-beef lasagna ($17) online — and I can see why. It’s nice and thick, with hearty layers of sausage that add an extra kick of flavor.
I prefer to cook it in the microwave before throwing it in the oven broiler for a minute or two to get the cheese brown and crispy on top.
Kirkland Signature’s whole-bean coffee House Blend is my go-to for a daily pick-me-up.
I brew freshly ground coffee every morning, and the Kirkland Signature whole-bean coffee House Blend in the medium roast ($14) is my favorite by far.
The Kirkland Signature version is exceptionally smooth with a mild acidity, meaning it’s not too strong or weak. It’s perfect for everyday coffee drinkers.
I make dinner using the Kirkland Signature farm-raised Atlantic salmon filets.
The Kirkland Signature farm-raised Atlantic salmon filets ($35) are boneless and skinless, making them great for the kids.
For dinner, I prefer to oven-roast salmon on a sheet of Kirkland Signature parchment paper. Sometimes, I’ll marinate them in a teriyaki or miso sauce so the edges caramelize to a brown, crispy texture.
I love the notebooks Costco sells.
I prefer to handwrite the first draft of anything I’m working on, so I’m very particular about the look and feel of notebooks I use. I bought this three-pack of notebooks ($15) on a whim a while back and now I write in them exclusively.
They have an exceptionally sturdy cover and pages that lie flat, making them ideal for writing and transcribing.
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