Shopping at Costco is usually good for my personal finances. My membership gives me access to a host of low-cost grocery items and household essentials. The result? More money in my savings account.
But there are certain Costco items I’ve been known to buy on a whim that I need to pledge to stop buying. Here are three products I’m telling myself I will not purchase in 2024.
1. Seasonal cheesecakes
Last year, I bought a red velvet cheesecake at Costco around Valentine’s Day and a pumpkin cheesecake in the fall. Now to be fair, the pumpkin cheesecake was purchased for my Thanksgiving dinner. And since I had a house full of people to serve dessert to, that purchase seemed reasonable. It’s not my fault only two of my guests had a slice, leaving me to consume the rest in less than a week in the absence of having freezer space.
The red velvet cheesecake, though, was bought for yours truly alone. While I pride myself on being able to take down copious amounts of sweets in a single sitting, even I had to eventually give up and toss most of that cake because it was just too much for one person.
This year, I’m banning seasonal cheesecake purchases unless there’s a really good reason for it (such as bringing one to a large gathering or meal). It’s one thing to buy packaged cookies in bulk that could last months. Cheesecake has a limited shelf life, and even if you have room for it in your freezer, it doesn’t taste the same after it’s been defrosted. And I can’t justify buying it in such large quantities knowing I’m often the only person in my household who eats it.
2. Pumpkin-flavored snacks
Notice a theme here? Costco tends to be a big source of snacks for me in general. But it’s time to stop buying pumpkin items there.
The reason? They can be hit or miss. Recently, I bought a massive bag of pumpkin spice popcorn that I found to be horrendously sweet. Everyone else in my family felt the same. I wound up tossing most of it out, which was a giant waste of money.
I love pumpkin, but I prefer to buy the snack version of it in smaller quantities. And since Trader Joe’s tends to have an awesome selection of pumpkin items in the late summer and early fall, I’d rather spend my money there.
3. Cozy Kirkland clothing I don’t actually need
Junk food isn’t the only thing I tend to impulse buy at Costco. If you look in my closet, you’ll need a variety of fleece tops and sweatshirts that were scooped up at my local warehouse club store.
It’s hard to beat the price point on Kirkland clothing in particular. And some of it looks so darn comfy it’s hard to say no, like this cozy crewneck that would be a great addition to my wardrobe.
But this year, I’m staying away from Kirkland clothing because I frankly don’t need it. As someone who works from home, I don’t require a variety of sweatshirts. I can rotate the same few items and no one would be any the wiser.
You may want to make a list of banned items, too
There may be certain Costco items that tempt you as much as the above items have tempted me in the past. But if money is tight and you’re trying to work on saving more of it, then you may want to make an actual list of off-limits items and take it with you to Costco so you’re motivated to stay on track.
This doesn’t mean you can’t buy anything fun at Costco. But if there are certain items you’re likely to be tempted by that you know you don’t need, or you know won’t be great for your stomach (red velvet cheesecake, I’m talking to you), then pledge to just say no to them. You may end up with more money — and, if you’re me, fewer tummy aches — by the end of the year.
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