Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

I was a member or Bjs and our membership expired. We've been meaning to renew it. I have to say though, as much as it was great to have the ability to buy some items in bulk (in particular if they were a deal compared to other stores), overall I just have a feeling that we may end up spending less by NOT joining. I'm contemplating not rejoining. Anyone not rejoin and feel they were better off and not miss anything?

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

We took a while to renew and I ended up spending more. We limit what we buy there to things I know I am getting a better deal on (Like toilet paper and diapers)

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

It doesn't pay off for me.

For example, it's great to get a 6 month supply of clorox wipes, but I would rather just buy them as I need them, shopping on sale at stop and shop, other stores, I don't think the savings is enough for me.

I think it depends on what you buy there, how much your family uses, etc.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

I find that since it's just DH and I we're better off just buying what we need. We have a Costco card but only use it once in a while.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

we have a membership for BJ's, but haven't gone in awhile.

To be honest with you, I have been getting most of my groceries at Target. They have great deals. It's not even worth it to go to the grocery store anymore! I only go to get my deli meats and produce I can't get at target...

my soups are 3.79 at stop and shop, where target has them for 2.89 amongst other things too, you can't go wrong...

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

DH usually makes the trip to BJs, and he too says that when we go to target and he compares Bjs and Target, that more often than not, basic staples are cheaper in Target than Bjs. In reality that is what we buy in Bjs-the staples. This is why I am second guessing BJs membership.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

i go but every other week since each time I go to BJ's, even for a few items, im spending $50 at the least.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

I find Target to be just as cheap on some things too. For some things it pays off though. I think DH & my gum addicitions alone pay for the costs of membership

I just find it a total PITA to go to Bjs for certain things, Target for certain things and still have to go to King Kullen and Trader Joe's for certain things. This summer it felt like grocery shopping was my full time job!

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

we only go as needed.

and I agree with the PP about the clorox wipes. nobody needs 12 cases of that stuff. and we can get them on sale at target when we need them.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

I was a Costco member when I first got married. I didn't go a lot and then when the membership expired, I didn't renew. We don't have a big family and our house is not huge so it really wasn't economical to buy a lot of stuff in bulk. I do the shopping and buy on an as-needed basis, and always on sale. And I get GREAT brand name paper products and cleaning supplies, bottled water and bath soap, for even less at Dollar General (I live in NJ). For those things, Dollar General is even cheaper than Target.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

We let our BJs memebership lapse for a while - but there are just some things that are less expenive there that make it worthwhile for us. For example - I wear glasses. Price w/ my insurance at Davis Vision for one pair $450. Price at BJs for two pairs (no insurance) $300. That $150 savings is more than the cost of my membership. So for us, even without bulk buying it's worth it.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

DW is a diligent price shopper, so she only buys things at BJs that are less than other stores, so we definitely save money by going there.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

Funny, I was just thinking about not renewing my membership.
I buy for two of us, so I can't really use a lot of bulk stuff. TP and paper towels I buy at Target or Waldbaums because they are cheaper there.
I am frugal and shop sales. I just don't think I'm getting such a bargain at BJ's anymore, especially when I have to factor in the cost of the membership.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

We only purchase certain items at Costco; Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Tissues, Head & Shoulders Shampoo, Dove Soap, Cottonelle Wipes, Dish Washer Tab Things & Tampons. Those things come out to $150. They usually last us 4 months.
When I price compare at our usual store it is cheaper for us to purchase those items at Costco.

Re: Anyone stop going to Bjs, Costco, etc and spend less?

I hate going there. Whenever we go, we never walk out of there for under $500. In addition to buying stuff we need and will probably use at some point, we invariably end up buying stuff we see there that we really dont need or wouldnt buy otherwise.

My parents go every week, so if I really need something I feel I can get cheaper at Costco, I will just have them pick it up for me.