Buying health items at Costco or Sam’s Club can be cost-effective.
My friend Janice asked me, “Do you floss your teeth?”
I told her I did, and asked her the age-old question, “Why do you ask? Do I have spinach stuck in my front teeth?”
Janice told me she bought some floss soft picks in bulk at Costco and wanted to share some with me. She stopped over and gave me about 25 of them. I was surprised she shared so many because when I buy my soft picks, they usually come in packages of two or three, or I would get one sample from my dentist after a visit. I asked her why she was so generous and gave me so many, and she replied that when she was at Costco, she grabbed a box and noticed when she got home that she had purchased 180 of them. She had so many soft picks that she offered to share some with me.
I thanked her and joked about how she could share with me anytime, especially if she was buying shrimp or ground beef!
The point is that when you purchase items at big box stores or warehouse stores, you get a great price, but you must buy in quantities that qualify for a great price.
The question is, what do you do with so many items? Is it cost-effective to buy certain items in bulk? Before you buy, it might help to narrow down which products you need and who would use them.
Consider the products you need. If you use gauze, Band-Aids, antiseptic creams, over-the-counter pain medications, allergy pills, generic or brand vitamins, eye glass cleaners, or facial wipes, these are items that are available, and more. It might be helpful to ask your health care professional where to buy items they recommend using for your specific health condition. Many times, they may suggest bulk items at Sam’s or Costco.
Be realistic about how much you need or could use. Once you determine what you could buy, figure out if you could realistically use them for your family.
If you are buying Band-Aids, you might consider buying a variety size pack and using them for the whole family. Items like Motrin, Tylenol and their generic equivalents could be used by both parents and children, too.
If there are only two or three of you at home, ask a relative or neighbor if they’re interested in splitting an order, since many of these items have long shelf lives, which may not expire in a year or two.
When I buy generic pain pills, I use a small pill bottle to put the new ones in, and I always write down the expiration dates with a black permanent marker on the bottom of the container.
Even before you delve into the world of wholesale buying, there are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros of shopping at Costco Cost savings:
Costco often provides significant discounts on bulk-sized packages of healthy foods like nuts, seeds, frozen fruits and vegetables and pantry staples. Bulk quantities:
Great for individuals or families who regularly consume items like protein powder, vitamins, or shelfstable goods, reducing the frequency of shopping trips.
Convenience:
Costco offers a wide variety of healthy food options, including fresh produce, meat, and seafood, making it a one-stop shop for many healthy meal planning needs.
Quality:
Costco is known for its Kirkland Signature brand, which often receives positive reviews for quality and value, particularly in areas like vitamins and supplements.
Cons of buying health items at Costco Bulk quantities:
It may not be ideal for individuals or small families who struggle to consume large quantities before expiration dates.
Storage:
Consider if you have adequate storage space for bulk-sized items, especially perishable goods.
Impulse purchases:
Costco’s vast selection and enticing prices can lead to overspending on items you might not need regularly.
If you are curious about membership options, there is a membership fee for two individuals. Costco allows for primary and secondary users on a membership card if a family needs to split the cost of a Costco membership. The cost of a Gold Star membership or basic membership is $65 for an annual membership.
It may take a little homework and planning to decide if a membership to a warehouse store works for you and your family, but the benefit of a yearly membership could be worth it to improve your family’s health. Therefore, if you can utilize the bulk quantities and have the storage space, buying health items at Costco or Sam’s Club could be a cost-effective way to stock your pantry and fridge with healthy options.
However, be mindful when you consider your needs, consumption habits and storage capacity before committing to large purchases.
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-8243543.
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