So, this may be a no brainer…. but even though I’m not buying all that much at Costco each week, I feel like I am spending too much. So far this year I have spent a whopping $193.20 on groceries. See the 5 pound sack of clementines? Those were $5.99. Which really isn’t a bad price, but if I was going to buy clementines at the grocery store my price point would have more like $3.99 for a 3 lb pound bag {which incidentally costs more per pound than Costco}.
The little things {like portion size} are starting to really add up. 
And well, there are those once a week splurge items for my son that are adding to my bill too.
On the plus side though, shopping at Costco each week has made our meals a little more exciting this year. Fresh breakfast weenies and Dave’s Killer bread are things I wouldn’t have normally purchased if I was shopping at Albertsons because their everyday prices seem too high on those particular items. But buying them in bulk at Costco and being able to pop the extra portions in the freezer, does save me money in the long run. It’s weird. It almost makes me believe my freezer and pantry will be full at the end of the year because I’m buying larger portions.
Am I crazy? Have I been brainwashed into the Costco way of thinking? Does buying in bulk really save money? What if you are buying items you normally wouldn’t buy {but taste delicious}? 
Technically, I didn’t need to buy those chocolate doughnuts because I made a batch of homemade chocolate chip brownies this week and froze the extras for the HH and Money Boy’s lunches. They were an impulse item. Which is what Costco is all about if you ask me.
I also made a month’s supply of freezer pancakes.
And tried freezing fried rice for the first time as well. {It worked! The rice was not mushy at all}
In addition to serving freezer meals and Zaycon Cod and breaded chicken for dinner this past week, I also made stir fry chicken as well. I used some green beans I froze last summer and some sweet peppers I had in the freezer to stretch the meal.
Maybe I’m crazy, but I still think Costco is going to save us money in the long run this year.
Am I delusional?
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $38.54
Total Spent Year to Date $193.20
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Laura says
Yes, I am thinking you might be delusional. There are very few items that I can’t get cheaper elsewhere so my Costco buying has gone to about 1 or 2 times per month and for 3-4 items, mostly cheese. I am minimizing my shopping as well, but focusing on Fred Meyer, Grocery Outlet, and the markdown bins at QFC. Working well and my bill is lower than ever. I don’t spend a ton of time on shopping either because I don’t really enjoy that.
Will be interesting to follow your progress and see your outcome at the end of the year. Glad it is you and not me, lol!
Marcia says
I don’t know where you live exactly, but in my experience, Costco is cheaper in certain towns and areas of the country.
We don’t have many discount stores at all, and I’d say most items that we buy are actually cheaper at Costco than even sale prices at stores.
Mavis says
I still have hope! It will be an interesting year for sure!
Tina says
I am sure you will do fine. I would anticipate a cooking from the freezer and pantry month when those seem to be full – which is always a money saver. I know most all my shopping splurges are for my kids. I can be very disciplined when it comes to buying myself a treat – but I do love to get a weekly treat for my kids! It’s Monkey Boy’s last year for you to do that – enjoy the time, as you know, it goes fast!
Lori says
I think you can do well if you can control the impulse buying but, as you said, it’s what Costco is all about. You seem to be doing very well though.
Jennifer says
I also love the quality at Costco-you know its going to be good/better-thanks for sharing about freezing rice
Lana says
I think you will save money but do like me and don’t even go to that bakery part of the store. It will get you every single time.
Linda says
I would shop more at Costco if we still had our extra freezer. When we do I’ll do more of my shopping there. But there are some things I would still buy at the regular store. We can’t seem to eat some of the veggies fast enough.
suzanne says
You’re doing fine as long as your not tossing the extra produce. I agree with the above comments. Avoid certain isles, there will always be splurges and quality is very good. It’s important to stick to a budget but life is short. Enjoy your meals and the time you save is priceless.
Heather T. says
I find it a good thing our Costco is 45 min away so its every two months or so I go. And remember once you get some food growing it will keep you in fresh foods and busy 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s true! Bring on the sun.
Stephanie B says
I just looked back at last year’s week 6 shopping total, and you were at $225 for the year at that point, so you’re still on track to spend less than last year!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hey, thanks!!! 🙂 Sometimes I forget how much less we spend in the summer months. 🙂
Rachel says
Hi! I’m new to your site from the $20/$20 pantry challenge done by Thy Hand Hath Provided. I’m enjoying your Amazon deal alerts and learning more about Costco. But looking at your pictures, it’s hard to get an idea of how you’re feeding your family for a whole week on what you purchased there. Could you give an idea of what you’re supplementing with from your pantry/freezer? Especially with fruit, my family of 6 goes through lots more fruit than just a bag of clementines in one week (although that IS a really big bag), and some weeks you’ve only bought a bunch of bananas. Did you can fruit last year?
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Rachel, you can see the items I’ve bought in previous weeks here —> http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/category/weekly-shopping-trips/
Carol says
Living alone, I always freeze part of each batch of rice I make. I have found that all types of rice freeze very nicely: short grain, basmati, jasmine, brown or white. It’s convenient to take a half cup of rice from the freezer to have with a quick veggie stir fry, especially when I may have just a small amount of each of many different veggies from the garden. I keep reading that rice should not be frozen, but it works for me! I also see it for sale in the grocery store freezer case, so something doesn’t add up:>)
Marcia says
I am REALLY impressed with your budget so far this year. I decided to set our budget for 4 at $80 a week (after a few weeks though, so we were at $400 before I set that budget). You are doing so much better than that! I’m impressed.
Mavis says
Good work! $80/wk is an awesome goal!
Mary P says
I’ve just started shopping at Costco, and it does tend to skew the grocery budet, so I’m having to work with longer-term budgeting for groceries. I’m still a hardcore shopper, though, so Costco has to have a better unit price than anyone else on a particular item for me to buy there. I’m interested to see how your project works out.
Jennifer Jo says
I WANT A CHOCOLATE DONUT.
Tracy L. says
MEEEEE TOOOOOO!!!! How did I miss those?!?!!!! Note to self. Find chocolate donuts on next trip to Costco.
Mavis says
Walk away! They are soooo good. Poor Monkey Boy had to share! 😉
Kate says
Hi Mavis, I couldn’t find your homemade chocolate chip brownie recipe. Was I looking with my eyes shut?
Thanks,
Kate
Mavis Butterfield says
Nope, lol I have not posted it yet. I’m working on writing it up though.
Kate says
Ah, glad it wasn’t just me not looking properly. My husband and his fishing mates look forward to tasting your delish recipe.
Sharon says
I think buying in bulk at the best price and putting the extra in the freezer for later is the best! Eventually, my freezer is full and I can live off it for a good long while with just a few supplements. And that saves money…
tracy says
I live across the street from Costco and just started going back, first for gas
Then I walked thru and compared some prices. I have 3 boys, 14 13 and 8.
I bought some frozen chicken, pork, etc, and I realized I havent had to ‘pop’
In to sny other store for 1 quick item, which turns into 10, so for me its working.
Cristine says
Costco is way cheaper if you know what to buy. I let our membership expire and found I was spending a lot more. I usually buy some staples in bulk and then snacks. Also things like batteries are much better quality than the ones you’d have to buy to get the same price point (crappy ones). I just bough their bag of clementines and found some neat recipes for jam and a cake that otherwise I’d never make. For me, it’s all about being creative with the things that are good deals. Avacades for example. Super good healthy fat but usually too expensive. I just got a whole bag, I’ll make a nice avocado salad. This saves me from going out and spending more money because there isn’t’ anything inspiring to cook with in the house. I also only buy organic so generally I’m always getting the same items that they carry.