I spend at least $275 every time I go to Costco. Here are 11 items that typically end up in my cart.
- I spend at least $275 at Costco when shopping for my family of four.
- I stock up on several essentials, including snacks, dog food, and sparkling water.
- I also buy non-food items like journals and children's medicine from Costco.
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 โ 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.
My two kids, aged 9 and 13, are perpetual snackers. Most of their friends live nearby, so our house โ and especially our pantry โ 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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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've seen people rave about the Kirkland Signature Italian-sausage-and-beef lasagna ($17) online โ 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.
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.
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 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.