A few years ago, I moved from my native California to the Florida Keys to scuba dive and live a relaxed life. The Keys, an island chain off the southern tip of Florida, are beautiful but far from many conveniences — including Costco.
As a Florida Keys resident, I don’t have access to many big-box stores where I can buy my groceries in bulk. So, I drive two hours to a Miami-based Costco to stock up on necessities and a few splurges.
The retailer, which has been a leader in customer satisfaction for at least seven years, carries the products I need to last me a few months or so. Here’s what I get at Costco on a $250 budget.
Prices may vary by location.
When our toilet paper supply runs low, I know it’s time to go to Costco.
The Kirkland Signature bath tissue is one of my favorite household items. Whenever our supply is low, I know it’s time to head to Costco.
Plus, I get a lot of bang for my buck. Each $20 package has 30 rolls (about $0.67 per roll) and lasts a few months.
Liquid IV hydration-multiplier packs keep me feeling energized.
These powdered electrolyte drink mix-ins come in individual packets, so they’re perfect for bringing with me when I go scuba diving.
I combine this electrolyte drink mix with water to help fight off headaches and dehydration. There are lots of different flavors, but my favorites are the strawberry, golden-cherry, and firecracker (yes, like the Popsicle) varieties.
Pouches of 24 to 30 packets cost about $30, but they’re often on sale for up to $8 off at my Costco.
Emergen-C vitamin C daily immune-support packets come in handy when I travel.
Emergen-C is a powdered vitamin supplement that comes in individual packets, similar to Liquid IV.
Each packet contains 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, and the 120-pack at Costco includes three different flavors: super orange, raspberry, and tangerine.
I like mixing water, Liquid IV, and Emergen-C together for an electrolyte- and vitamin-rich drink when I travel. I add varying amounts of Liquid IV and Emergen-C powder so I can control how much flavor I want in my drink.
This variety pack of Emergen-C costs about $30 at my Costco, and each box lasts my household half a year.
Natrol melatonin 5-milligram fast-dissolve tablets help me catch up on sleep and fight jet lag.
As a journalist, I never know where my work will take me. So, I keep melatonin tablets in my suitcase to help me fall asleep fast and adjust to different time zones when I travel.
A 250-count bottle of 5-milligram tablets costs $12 at my Costco.
I love Campari tomatoes, and I can’t find them anywhere else.
These are my favorite tomatoes to get at the grocery store — and I’ve never seen them outside Costco. Unlike other varieties I’ve tried, these tomatoes burst with flavor throughout the entire fruit.
To me, these golf-ball-sized tomatoes taste more savory than grape or cherry varieties. I think they also have more to them than the Roma and beefsteak types.
They’re perfect in sandwiches, with sliced mozzarella for a caprese salad, or as nutritious, tangy, sweet treats. A 2-pound pack of tomatoes is $4.90 at my local Costco.
I like to elevate my salads using butter lettuce.
Butter lettuce is my favorite green. These leaves are softer than romaine lettuce and have a really nice mouthfeel.
When I have a fancier meal planned, I’ll opt for butter lettuce. It elevates my salad bowls, chicken-lettuce wraps, and spring rolls.
My Costco sells a package of three lettuce heads for $7.
I love the Kirkland Signature chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken.
This dish, made with Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken, is full of flavor. Its texture is more creamy than chunky, so it’s really easy to incorporate into meals.
It’s made with chicken breast, celery, onions, sour cream, and the perfect amount of salt, making it a savory yet nutritious treat. I like to eat it by itself, with crackers, or on top of greens for a light dinner.
At my Costco, this salad is located on the refrigerated shelves near the rotisserie station. It costs $6 per pound, which comes out to about $13 to $14.
I can’t get enough of the Harmless Harvest organic coconut water.
The Harmless Harvest organic coconut water is a “treat yourself” item that almost always finds its way into my cart. The naturally pink coconut water tastes like you’re drinking the beverage straight from the fruit.
At my store, a six-pack costs $14, or just over $2.30 per bottle. This is about $1 to $2 cheaper than prices I’ve seen at other stores near me.
The Tillamook medium-cheddar snacking cheese is the perfect light bite.
These individually wrapped cheese squares are perfect for quick, on-the-go protein.
They’re also my household’s preferred “emergency cheese” (when we need a little something to make a dish taste better). However, we inevitably use the cheese for more than just emergencies — it’s delicious.
A bag of 52 cheese squares costs $14 at my Costco.
The Kirkland Signature Italian-style beef meatballs add protein and flavor to quick meals.
The Kirkland Signature Italian-style beef meatballs are always in our freezer. We add them to pasta, meatball subs, or straight into sauce for quick meals.
My favorite preparation is with Rao’s marinara sauce, also from Costco — this combo packs a ton of flavor.
A large bag costs $18 at my store.
The Brazi Bites remind me of meals in Rio de Janeiro.
Air-frying these frozen Brazi Bites, or Brazillian cheese bread, reminds me of when I lived in Rio de Janeiro.
The cheesy dough is delicious in a way that’s not overwhelming or greasy. Plus, they make a great gluten-free dinner-party appetizer.
They’re an affordable delight that I love rediscovering in my freezer every few weeks. At my warehouse, a bag of about 62 bites costs $15.
Bagged beets may seem weird, but they instantly elevate any salad.
I love having big, colorful salad bowls for lunch. Roasting beets takes effort, and canned ones sometimes have a funny texture. But the Beetology bagged beets from Costco are amazing.
They come precooked and skinned, so I can immediately open the package, slice them, and enjoy them.
A box containing three bags of beets costs $8 at my store.
Bottled lemon juice is my finishing touch for many drinks and meals.
Sour is my favorite flavor profile, and lemon juice is a convenient substitute for fresh citrus.
I opt for the Italian Volcano 100% organic lemon juice when I want to splurge. This bottled juice really hits like a fresh-squeezed lemon.
Otherwise, I stick with the ReaLemon lemon juice. These bottles of juice upgrade almost any meal, and they practically last forever.
At my Costco, two packs of the Italian Volcano and ReaLemon lemon juice cost $9 and $5.80, respectively.
We’re huge coffee fans, especially when it comes to the Kirkland Signature brand.
My house goes through iced coffees at a breakneck pace. To keep our habits affordable, we use Kirkland Signature ground coffee.
The 3-pound tins of 100% Colombian coffee come in regular and decaf varieties. We get the regular dark-roast, fine-grind variety — perfect for drip-coffee machines.
It’s robust but not bitter, with an earthy aroma. At my store, each tin costs $15.
I love that I can buy my favorite Aveeno daily-moisturizing lotion in bulk.
I love Aveeno’s daily-moisturizing lotion. It has a mild scent and locks moisture in, which is necessary for life in South Florida. I love how nourishing it feels on my skin without leaving any greasy residue.
At my Costco, a two-pack of Aveeno lotion costs $18.
My roommate loves to stock up on the Celsius sparkling energy drinks.
My roommate is a gym enthusiast who enjoys Celsius energy drinks alongside his daily workouts.
However, they can be expensive at other stores, so I stock up for him at Costco. At our location, an 18-can variety pack costs $24.
Before we leave, we head to Costco’s gas station.
On my way out, I fill my gas tank for the long drive home. No gas stations in my area are cheaper than Costco.
On my latest visit, gas was about $3 per gallon. I’m always happy if my 14-gallon tank is near empty because I feel I’m maximizing my Costco experience and value.
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