Costco vs. Grocery Stores

I went to lunch today with my mom and she 'needed' to go to Costco.

After a few minuet discussion I agreed to go with her.

I know, I know- I don't love Costco. Why would I go to Costco and save maybe 10% or 15% when I can save well over 50% at the grocery store?

Here is how my mom talked me into it- 

My mom- Well... their new coupon book coupons can be used today and I needed to get a few things.

Me- Mom you are not going to save money there with or without a coupon!

My mom- ............They have pumpkin pie that you can eat!  After today you are doing that 30 Day Shred and Weight Watchers... so we can go get a FREE sample.

OK so I am a sucker. However during her thinking time of what to say to get me to go with her I thought what a great time to compare and see if you really do save money at Costco. 

Here is what I found-

Costco Fruit by the Foot Variety Pack 42 ct. $9.99

  Use $2.50/1 Q from Costco coupon book (mailed to you if you are a member)-limit 2

 You pay $7.49 

That breaks down to $0.18 a piece.

Smith's Fruit by the Foot 10 ct. $1.00

  Use $0.50/2 Q from General Mills 8/8 or 9/12

 You pay $0.75

That breaks down to $0.08 a piece.

Costco Kirkland Signature Diapers 168 ct. size 5 $39.59

  Use $5.00/1 Q from Costco coupon book (mailed to you if you are a member)-limit 2

 You pay $34.59

That breaks down to $0.20 a diaper.

Rite Aid- 3 packs of Huggies Pure & Natural for Free!

 Go here to read how.

That breaks down to $0.00 a diaper!

Costco Cinnamon Toast Crunch $7.99 (? I did not write it down-I'm going off memory)

  Use $2.00/1 Q from Costco coupon book (mailed to you if you are a member)-limit 2

 You pay $5.99

That breaks down to $2.99 a box.

Smith's Cinnamon Toast Crunch $3.19

  Use $1.00/2 Q from General Mills 8/8 or 9/12

PLUS

  Buy 4 box of General Mills cereal and get $6.00 taken off at register.

 You pay $1.19 wyb 4

That breaks down to $1.19 per box.

Costco DayQuil 60 ct. $8.89

  Use $3.00/1 Q from Costco coupon book (mailed to you if you are a member)-limit 2

 You pay $5.89

That breaks down to $2.95 per box of 30 ct.

Walgreens DayQuil 30 ct. 2 for $10.00

  Use $1.50/1 Q from P&G 8/29

   Transaction Idea-

     Use 2 $1.50/1 Q from P&G 8/29

    You pay $7.00

     Get $5.00 in Register Rewards

   Final price $2.00 for 2

That breaks down to $1.00 per box of 30 ct.

I could have done more comparisons but I was not prepared. This is just want I saw looking though Costco's coupon book and what I had seen in the ads for this week. However as you can see the 4 things I did do you will save way more at the grocery store. Not to mention that to even get the Costco price and coupons you need to be a member- and that will cost you! 

Do you save money at Costco?? I would love to hear your opinion. 

Getting the Red Plum in Your Mail Box

I recently did a class just south of Price Utah and they do not get the Red Plum.

I thought this would be a good time to remind anyone who is not getting the Red Plum in your mail box how to go about getting it.

As you all know the Red Plum no longer comes in the Sunday newspaper.

You should be getting the Red Plum in your mail box on Tuesday.

If you are not here is what you can do-

Go here to Red Plum and enter your address and see if Red Plum is offered in your area.

It should take about a month after you request the Red Plum for it to start showing up in your mail box.

If you get a message that it is not currently available in your area you just need to get everyone that you know to request it for your area.

Once there is enough interest they will start to deliver it.

So Many Bags

If you have been couponing for a bit you know that you get several of the same item- well at my house so we don't get sick of 8 bags of regular potato chips I get 8 different flavors or as many different flavors as they have. The problem is that all 8 of the bags some how gets opened. I hate wasting food so my solution is when the bags are about 1/2 way gone and the family has tasted each and everyone of them ;) I take an hour one morning and I cut all the bags open and I then place them into smaller sandwich bags. This is great for two reasons. One- the bag of chips does not just sit in the pantry. Second- I now have several different super easy option for snacks on the go or kids lunches.

Sense I am in the kitchen I make homemade pancakes and French-toast. I then put two in a sandwich bag and put them in the freezer. This saves me time in the mornings when there is no time. It is also great when I make dinner and my two year old wants nothing to do with salmon- it is a super easy dinner that she loves.

Do you do anything to save from wasting food- or quick things that you pull out??
I would love to hear what you do- leave a comment.