Costco for One
Maximizing groceries in THIS economy
Is it too much to say that the greatest gift my girlfriend has ever given me is a Costco membership? There have been MANY good ones, but this one is especially dear. The crowds. The sample hunting. Examining every aisle. The overwhelm melted away the second a Costco hot dog hits my hands. It’s all deeply nostalgic.
It is, however, natural to question how the hell Costco is even useful for me - a single human living in a modest one-bedroom apartment.
I will die on the hill that it is ABSOLUTELY still worth it; it just requires a lot of focus, and the following tactics:
Bring a friend to split things like:
Paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper, etc)
Cleaning products
Oat milk (or your milk of choice)
Dental/personal hygiene products
Always buy:
Eggs
Butter - Since the recent incident regarding Kerrygold packaging, I started using the Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter and it’s SO GOOD.
Fish - This is really easy to cut into individual portions and freeze. I like to switch off the kind of fish I buy for some variety.
Rotisserie Chicken - $5.99. That’s half the price of what you’ll get anywhere else. This is also very easy to break down into individual portions to freeze.
Purchase as-needed:
Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Don’t be intimidated by the size!!! Slice into four and freeze. Here’s how.
Parmesan Cheese: I generally go through this quickly. It’s really high quality. Don’t forget to save the rind for your soups and sauces!!!
Tinned Tuna
Chickpeas
Coconut milk (full fat canned)
Wine - Did you know you don’t actually need a membership to buy alcohol??
Budget for a little treat: Even a cushion of $10-$15 could get you a box of boba bars or whatever will make you smile.
Remember that there is NO FULLY ETHICAL consumption under capitalism. So give yourself a break for getting the cheap rotisserie chicken as a human who doesn’t make 1 million dollars per year.
Always finish with a hot dog.
Still, no one with a limited budget (like me) can survive on Costco alone.
What about other staples? Grains? Produce? PASTA??? And where do farmers markets come into play?? Here’s the breakdown on where to get the most bang for your buck while maintaining the highest possible quality:
TRADER JOE’S: Grains, spices, pasta, beans, nuts, condiments (gochujang, harissa, + tahini), “fun cheese” (i.e. feta, burrata, brie, etc), frozen meals, frozen garlic + ginger, beverages
FARMERS MARKET: Seasonal produce, herbs, fish (if there’s a fish monger booth)
SPROUTS: Kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, smoothie ingredients, bone broth
COOKBOOK (or other local bakery): Sourdough bread. Sliced. Kept in the freezer. (I love Bub & Grandma’s sesame sourdough so much.)
I have SO MUCH MORE TO SAY when it comes to grocery shopping, so this will not be the last time I write about it here. Drop a comment if you have any specific thoughts or questions on the subject!!
Yours Truly, Mary