When it comes to Costco, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
That’s because the wholesale retailer’s low-cost items are often sold in sizes that may be too large to consume before they spoil or go stale, depending on your household size.
Plus, the company doesn’t price match with competitors, so you could potentially find lower prices on the same items elsewhere, like at rivals Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club.
To help you determine what’s worth buying at Costco and what you can skip, CNBC Make It turned to Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst at DealNews.com.
Remember that you’ll need to purchase a $60 membership to buy almost all items at Costco, which can factor into how much you save. Additionally, prices can vary between Costco locations, and in-store prices tend to be cheaper than what’s found online.
1. Breakfast cereal
Costco’s breakfast cereal prices are similar to what you find at other wholesalers, although the selection is limited, says Ramhold.
The store offers brands like Honey Bunches of Oats, Raisin Bran and Cheerios, but doesn’t usually have a wide selection of “fun” sugary cereals, she says.
Typically, cereal comes in two-box packages, which means you’ll be eating “the same thing over and over to ensure you’ll eat it all before it goes stale,” says Ramhold. Ready-to-eat cereal lasts about three months after opening, although it starts to go stale much sooner if the packaging isn’t tightly sealed.
2. Lip balm
Lip balm can last a long time, although estimates differ. Some are good for at least a year once opened, while others with natural ingredients like beeswax, shea butter or coconut oil might get hard or clumpy sooner than that.
And most people don’t tend to go through stick after stick of lip balm in rapid succession, Ramhold says.
“It may sound like a great idea to buy the lip balm in bulk and have a container for every possible room in your home, plus your vehicle,” says Ramhold. “But the truth is that even if you use it habitually, it…
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