There’s a reason millions of people are willing to spend money on a Costco membership. The $65 a year you fork over for a basic membership or the $130 you pay for an Executive membership that rewards you with 2% cash back gives you access to a host of benefits.
But that doesn’t mean shopping at Costco makes sense for everyone. And if these signs apply to you, it may be time to cancel your membership — which, thankfully, you can do at any time during the year for a refund.
1. You always overspend
Costco offers members plenty of opportunities to save money, whether by gassing up their cars with cheaper fuel or buying low-cost apparel. But if you find that you’re making at least one impulse purchase every time you go to Costco, and you’re on a tight budget, then you may want to stop shopping there.
It’s hard to say no to impulse buys at a store like Costco that sells so many products under one roof. But if you’re trying to shed credit card debt or work toward a financial goal, those extra purchases could be a huge setback. If you can’t break the habit, you may want to stop going to Costco instead.
2. You constantly throw out food
It’s easy to save money on food at Costco thanks to the store’s bulk discounts. But if you’re constantly throwing out a large portion of your bulk grocery purchases, then you may not be saving nearly as much as you think you are — or any money at all.
Think carefully about the things you buy at Costco and ask yourself if bulk quantities are truly necessary. It may be worth it to spend a tiny bit of time seeking out sales at your local supermarket and buying regular-sized quantities of your household staples so they don’t go bad on you.
Besides, if you use the right credit card at the supermarket, you may find that you’re able to save big in the form of cash back or rewards on your purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for groceries.
3. You get stressed about going to Costco
Jam-packed aisles. Crowded parking lots. These are some of the things to expect when you visit a Costco warehouse.
Some people manage to take these factors in stride. They build in extra time to wait in long checkout lines, and they tell themselves that the delicious $1.50 food court hot dog that’s waiting as their reward for completing a Costco run makes the hassle worth it.
But if shopping at Costco stresses you out, so much so that you truly dread going there, then it may not be worth it. It’s a nice thing to save money. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of your mental health. If you can afford to do your shopping elsewhere for a more pleasant experience, it may be worth spending a bit extra if your budget allows for it.
There are plenty of benefits to shopping at Costco. But if these signs apply to you, it may be time to take a break and see what happens. You can always go back to Costco if you miss it. But you may find that sticking with other stores works better for your finances and results in less aggravation.
