Groceries option even cheaper than ALDI
<p>With the cost of living crisis many Aussies are struggling to put dinner on the table, so they’re turning away from big chains like IGA and Coles and heading over to supersize store Costco.</p>
<p>Originally an American chain, there are only 15 Costcos across the country, but with inflation rising to seven per cent and interest rates sitting above six per cent, Aussies are rethinking where and how they shop.</p>
<p>Costco is being boasted as a lifesaver and worth the drive if you don’t live near one of the stores.</p>
<p>Many Aussie parents have turned to Costco to help their families through the tough times, but it’s not your ordinary grocery store.</p>
<p>Costco required you pay a $60 annual membership fee to shop there. The fee entitles members to exclusive access to its petrol stations as well.</p>
<p>Although an upfront fee may leave shoppers hesitant, plenty of Aussies have shared online that it’s worth the money.</p>
<p>Costco differs from other grocery stores because it’s a wholesaler, so you can only buy things in bulk.</p>
<p>The idea is that shoppers spend more to begin with, but it ends up costing them less in the long run. It’s very much suited to large households.</p>
<p>An Aussie mum posted on Facebook to share that popping her “Costco cherry”, saved her over $500.</p>
<p>“I did a bit of maths, if I did the same shop at Woolies/Coles, I would have spent $1160. If I shopped at Aldi, I would have spent $985. If you can afford to buy in bulk, I highly recommend it will save you in the long run,” she wrote on Facebook.</p>
<p>She shared exactly what she bought to have that much cash left over, and believes she managed to buy enough snacks to last an entire school term.</p>
<p>“School lunch snacks x3 kids, will last the whole of next term (I do a three snack rule and put them in a zip lock bag, to grab and go, chips – vege chips, smith’s or jumpys, tiny teddy’s or panda Bickies and some muesli bar/fruit stick) then I just have to add a sandwich, fruit and popper.”</p>
<p>The mum also bought some everyday items like, “Toilet paper, poppers and water,” and stocked up on meat to last a good while.</p>
<p>“Mince, pork, beef, all divided up into 1kg lots and frozen,” she explained.</p>
<p>She also stocked up on hand wash, cheese and fruit and veg, but shared that some of the most significant savings came from buying pantry basics.</p>
<p>“Spices and sauces, Big savings here if you use a lot, like I do, as I cook most things from scratch,” she said.</p>
<p>She added she thinks the membership is worth it if shoppers are savvy in their approach.</p>
<p>“Everyone says the $60 membership isn’t worth it; well, if you shop smart, it’s well worth it; I’m going to aim to go 4 times a year,” she shared.</p>
<p>She’s no outlier when it comes to Aussie mum’s shopping at Costco.</p>
<p>One mum shared that with three kids in high school, the savings are worth it.</p>
<p>“The snacks are so much cheaper than at supermarkets,” she revealed, adding that she heads over to Costo every few months to stock up.</p>
<p>“I spend a few hundred every two or three months, and it saves me on buying expensive snacks every week.”</p>
<p>Another mum chimed in, agreeing that it was a lifesaver for snacks and cheap meat options.</p>
<p>“It is good for meat products and lunch box items,” the woman said.</p>
<p>Another shared that it is worth the investment, particularly to find affordable options for school lunches.</p>
<p>“If you have kids at school! 100 per cent I recommend it. I got a month’s worth of school stuff for what I was spending a fortnight,” she shared.</p>
<p>While another revealed that Costo has helped keep her budget down during these tough times.</p>
<p>“Costco saves us so much money on school snacks and meat alone!”</p>
<p>Plenty of shoppers have been referred to ALDI if their regular shop is proving too costly, but Costco can save you the big bucks.</p>
<p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>
