I Spend At Least $275 Every Time I Go To Costco. Here Are 11 Items That Typically End Up In My Cart.
I shop at Costco for my family of four.
Erin McClure
- 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 — 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.
Erin McClure
My two kids, aged 9 and 13, are perpetual snackers. Most of their friends live nearby, so our house — and especially our pantry — 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).
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
I've seen people rave about the Kirkland Signature Italian-sausage-and-beef lasagna ($17) online — 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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.
Erin McClure
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.