Don't Go To Costco Without a Plan

I'm a big fan of Costco and other big box stores. I love getting those deals and seeing what products they have. But there can be a real danger when you shop at places like this because it's so easy to get wrapped up in the "deal", that you don't realize how much money you are spending in total dollars. Sometimes the "deal" isn't really a deal.

You need a plan!

When you buy in bulk, you typically pay less per pound, ounce, container, unit, etc. but make sure you are going to use this item in a reasonable amount of time or it may not be a good deal for you. You should also take into consideration the storage of said item. Think of it this way, you are storing money on that shelf or in that pantry for however long that item is there. Ask yourself the question, "is it worth storing that amount of money on the shelf for that amount of time?" Sometimes it's worth it and other times it's not.

A good hack to reduce your spending but also get the deal is to "food share" or "membership share". You can still buy in bulk and get that deal, but split the item with a neighbor, friend, co-worker, or family member so you can reduce the amount of money you spend.

Also, if you find you are wasting food or not going through the items in a reasonable time, do some math to see if it really is saving you money or if you'd be better off buying a smaller bag at a regular grocery store.

If you want more hacks, tips, tricks, tools, and resources to help you live your Ideal Life and get on the path to Financial Freedom, check out my Ideal Life & Money Academy

I also have a great online budget course called "Budgeting for your Ideal Life" to help you learn how to manage your money and get organized