Costco’s 50 best buys (and 10 products not to buy)

• Frozen fruit and vegetables
• Bananas
• Romaine lettuce hearts (package of 5-6)
• Taylor Farms Creamy Dill Pickle Salad (in the fridge with fruit and vegetables)

• All cheeses (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Burrata, Brie, Oka, Babybel, Allegro, etc.) and Ficello
• Almond and vegetable milk
• Coffee creamer
• Yogurt
• Eggs (pack of 30) and egg whites

Note that a dozen eggs at Costco costs about $3.48. So if you see a special at the grocery store for $3.47 or less for a dozen eggs, then it’s best not to buy them at Costco.

• Tuxedo cake and Biscoff cake/biscuits
• Bread, bagel, tortilla and English muffin
• Maple syrup
• Kirkland hazelnut spread
• Cereals and Peanut Butter
• Flour, brown sugar, yeast, organic cocoa, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and powdered sugar

• Fresh salmon
• Box of four Bâton Rouge seasoned beef flank steaks
• Marinated butterfly shrimps (frozen)
• Sliced cold cuts

• Realemon lemon juice
• Hummus Fontaine Santé
• Unisoya tofu
• Kirkland basil pesto
• Kirkland granola bars and protein bars
• Nuts (all types)
• Oil (avocado, organic olive, canola, etc.)
• Better than bouillon (vegetable, beef or chicken broth in concentrate)

• Kirkland plastic wrap
• Gift cards ($79.99 for $100, several local restaurants, Porter, WestJet, WaySpa, Cineplex, Xbox Game Pass, ski ticket for the mountains near the warehouse)
• Kirkland Batteries
• Dog bed
• Dog food
• Qualicat cat litter
• Cut flowers in bouquet
• Annual spring flowers (at the Garden Center, around May)
• Gas (at Costco service stations)
• Garbage bags
• Kirkland dishwasher detergent tablets

• Seasonal allergy medication
• Kirkland Acetaminophen

• Carbonaut gluten-free bread
• Kirkland almond flour
• Pizza with gluten-free crust
• Crunchmaster gluten-free sweet potato crackers
• Organic meat, milk and fruit at lower prices than elsewhere

• Monster snow suit for kids (on sale from July each year)
• Kirkland shirt for men
• Pekkle baby pyjamas

Everyone can eat and enjoy under the red and white umbrellas, as the restaurant is open even to non-members!

• • Hot dog and soft drink at the unbeatable price of $1.50
  • Poutine

Based on my experiences as a Costco shopper and prices elsewhere, here are some items that may be worth buying outside Costco.

• Seasoned roast chicken 1.2 kg, $7. 99: You either like it or you don’t! Fat, undercooked, too salty… At this price, try it at least once to find out. It’s the best price for a roast chicken, but the quality leaves something to be desired in my experience.
  
• Fresh fruit and vegetables: Unless used within a short time, these large-format fruits and vegetables spoil quickly.
• Soft drinks: When you’re on the lookout for certain specials in grocery stores or liquidation centers, it’s cheaper to buy them in smaller outlets.
  
• Laundry detergent and tissues: Pharmacies and grocery stores often have better prices, especially when there are promotions.
• Kirkland toilet paper: The quality of this product has unfortunately declined in recent years.
• Cans: There’s a chance of a better deal elsewhere, as they’re more expensive at Costco.
• Sunscreen: The choice of sunscreen available in the warehouse is limited. The best cream will depend on your skin type and whether you prefer a mineral or chemical sunscreen. Keep a close eye on whether the ingredients are right for you, because a sunscreen shouldn’t be based solely on economic criteria.
• Items you don’t need: It’s so easy to get carried away the first time (and every visit thereafter…) at Costco. We go in to get bananas and come out with 10 other unexpected things, all the while forgetting about the bananas.
• Spices: Even if the price and quality are excellent, you need to think about how long that huge jar of spices or box of dried herbs is going to last. Over time, the flavor will be altered.
• Gold or silver bars or coins: Costco sells 24-carat gold bars and .9999 pure gold or silver coins in one or more ounces. They are slightly above market value. But if you have an Executive membership card, you’ll get 2% back, as well as points or cash back on your credit card. You need to have the right insurance at home, the right storage and know exactly where this purchase fits into your investment strategy. So it’s not for everyone.