I can never get out of that place without spending $250-$300
and now I have learnt hw to use coupons,I wonder if it really does save money.
What items are still worth the trip for me?

I don't make it to Costco very often, but I split the membership with my sister. I agree that now that I have started couponing I don't get as much there. There are a few things like dried fruit that I get there and save money. It is a big hit in our house so I would buy it anyways. Also, a few of the frozen items I can't find elsewhere or I can't find them on sale.

However, since I have found AFC I don't get nearly as much there. HTH

I have a membership and think it is worth it. I coupon for lots of things but sometimes when the deals/coupons are just not out there for something Costco is my better choice. I eat EggBeaters (or some other Egg Substitue) every morning for breakfast. I can get 6 cartons of their brand for 7.99 which works out to $1.33 a container. The Better 'n' Eggs is $2.50 at FL and with a $1 coupon that makes it $1.50 a container. If I am in the area of Costco I pick it up there but it not I buy it at FL.

Another thing I save a lot on at Costco is already shelled Walnuts & Pecan Halves. Much, much cheaper than the grocery store. I use nuts for protien in salads. I buy the big bag at Costco and split it out into smaller pint bags and keep them in the freezer until I need a bag. I can't remember the bag sizes but it is several pounds for $8-$9.

My DS loves the samples. If we are in the area I plan to stop there around meal time and we graze our way through the store. I may pick-up one or two things but never go overboard.

Well, we dont have a Costco here BUT we have a Sam's Club which is similar. We used to spend $200-$300 a month there. I would get my TP, Paper Towells, Coffee, Snacks, Drinks and even frozen foods there. Now that I have started couponing and CVSing, I have cut out Sam's Club all togeather! And on top of that I have cut our regular weekly grocery bill from $150-$200 a week to $50-$75 a week!!! I am saving us over $400 a month by couponing!

Now when it comes to having prescriptions filled on a regular basis, I get mine through Costco online Pharmacy. You do not have to be a Costco member to use the pharmacy. I was paying $30 a month on one script but after research I found that Costco had the same script for $13 for a 3 months supply!!!

So, for me, buying groceries and other textiles at Costco or Sam's is not economical and does not save me money.

It depends on the items you get there. Usually milk is cheaper by about $1/gal., we only buy gas there as well and the savings from that alone pays for our membership. They have these wonderful roasted red peppers that come in a 2 jar pkg that I can't find anywhere else. There's no way I'd be able to buy that many red peppers for what I spend for the jars. It's the only place I buy my huge bags of big white onions and red bliss potatoes. I also get other produce that I need that isn't on sale at my regular grocery store. I probably shop inside the store once every few weeks but we're over there at least twice a week filling our tanks up.

I could have written that post! We, too, used to spend around $200 a month at Sam's. Once I started couponing in Jan I discovered that I can get much better deals with my coupons at Kroger or Target than I could at Sam's. The only good thing about it is it saves on big purchases....we got a new printer and cordless phone set there much cheaper than we could hav somewhere else. Oh...and a TV.

I split a membership with my MIL and don't think I'll renew. We just don't use it enough and it's so far away, I don't think it'll be worth it.

I just canceled my membership after having it for 6 years. I didn't think it was worth the membership fee and my gas going there (15 miles). With all the great deals I'm learning about here who needs it?

I still have a Sam's membership and a BJ's. I get one as a Christmas gift each year. I always get milk, salad, Feta, bread, spaghetti, specialty baking mixes, bottled water, the kid's dino chicken nuggets, hamburger and chicken there. I save enough in other ways, that I can still get things reasonably at Sam's and BJ's.

BJ's takes coupons too. Oh, and they both sell jeans and stuff at a reasonable price. Plus, good prices on video games, etc.,

I could go on and on, but IMO, I think they are worth it.

I use it for the savings on the milk..My family drinks 4-5 gallon a week and there are some things you just can't find at a regular grocery store...The last time I got milk it was 3.15 and I had to buy it once at CVS which cost me 4.89...I about the have a heart attack...

I like the membership and do believe that it pays for itself in the savings.

It does in milk and gas...

I just got an AWESOME zippered, 2" binder with a shoulder strap for $10.

I still go to Sam's for some things. It helps that it is 2 miles from my house and I like that they have gas, because it is the cheapest around.

Other items we get there: some produce, milk, etc

I used to get more like wipes - but not anymore!

Their photo area is a great deal especially with Christmas photo cards.

Also if you are needing a purchased cake or cupcakes they are a great deal (some places, schools don't allow things that are homemade)

so - being that it is so close I find it is still worth it.

Plus I love the samples!! and the lunch counter. Our whole family can eat there for less than $6!

I think in the long run it does save you money...however sometimes sure you can get a better deal in the grocery store or CVS....I get my formula there (19 bucks for 2 cans, kirkland brand) and they have alot of other stuff that are great deals. Now I know I never leave there without spending $100 mind you, but it is all great stuff that we use....I have the executive membership and the AMEX that gives you rewards, so with all my spending thru the year and those rebate checks pretty much pay for my membership for the next year, so it is nice! HTH I did kinda babble a bit...

I'm a Sams gal, and I definately still shop there for certain things. My regulars there are gatorade, water, frozen chicken, and butter. I have also found that the Wine we usually buy is about $2 a bottle cheaper. We also get gas there. There are other things that are definately cheaper to buy at Wal-mart with a coupon, but I do still like it for some things.

At Sam's Club I love their rotissererie chicken, just got 1 last night

Butter
1/2 n 1/2
milk
pepper
taco mix

sometimes gas too

not much really but would hate to give up the chicken

We buy milk there (8 gallons a week adds up quickly!), bread, dried fruit, buns, and a few other things randomly.

You have to stick to your list (I know it's hard!). You also have to know your unit price to figure if you are getting a deal. Sometimes it is better to go to Target or Walmart.

Here's what I get (not every time I go)
ground beef
brisket
flank steak
pork tenderloin
strawberries
blueberries
apples
cheese
tp
paper towels
trash bags
starbucks frapaccino
dino chicken nuggest
ball park franks
eggs
string cheese
ketchup

Mary

That's pretty much my Costco staples as well. I tend to buy the things I need as the bimonthly coupons come out and only buy them then. I think they're much less expensive than even using qs at other places that way.

And I lurve their return policy. You can't beat their customer service too. I Costco!

I shop at BJs - work pays for membership - good prices on milk & deli counter. I get goodies from bakery routinely for birthdays at work and to bring in treats. A lot of the items I do not buy because I can get better prices with sales & coupons at CVS, Target and ShopRite. They are doing construction in front of ours... hoping for gas stations.