Here are some tips when buying Costco items – or those from Warehouse bulk shopping centres.  Whether you are a family of 2, 4 or 6, you will have different needs – especially those in smaller families will tend to need less bulk items.  But there are still savings to be had at every level if you keep the following in mind before your next visit to the store:

• If you are a smaller group of 2 or 3, consider sharing a membership with another couple and splitting the costs, especially of bulk packaged items and non food purchases.
• Opt for non perishable foods to avoid overbuying in bulk and throwing half the food away when its done.
• Milk can be frozen, and buying organic milk is a big cost saver so if you have the freezer space and drink lots of milk this would be a good option for you.
• Avoid one piece items such as electronics or books (you can still find savings on some clothing and toys though) – these items aren’t usually marked down as much because they don’t expect people to buy them in bulk and therefore won’t make much of a difference.
• If you have a baby, get the membership now!  The pampers, wipes, and formula alone – which are as good if not better than the quality brand names – will save tons of money in those first three years.
• Other non perishable items such as garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels, compost bags, dish detergent etc. are great money savers and will last a while – so long as you have some storage space to keep them.
• Buying baking soda and vinegar are also a good plus – I use them to naturally clean a bunch of things and to get some odours out of the garbage and compost bins, so even if you live solo, those two items which don’t go bad are worth the purchase.
• Jewellery – not so much.  Especially since you won’t get the branded bag and box, it’ll come in small plastic bags.  If you’re buying it for yourself than fine, but as a gift might look tacky without that magical packaging.
• Surprisingly detergent as an expiration date – so don’t buy bulk unless you have a very messy household and check the expiration date.
• If you have the freezer space, get the rye and organic breads – the cost difference is significant and it keeps very well if frozen.
• Spices and salts (along with some baking goods such as flour) loose their taste and freshness after a while, so again if you’re not into catering on cooking a whole wack of things in the near future, it’s best to buy those items from your local store on an as needed basis.
• Organic eggs stay a good while if refrigerated and worth the cost saving, plus they are so versatile you’ll be finishing them up faster than you had expected.

I’m sure there are a few more items worth buying (or not) from wholesale sellers such as Costco – would love to hear suggestions?