Costco for One (Is it worth it, how much do you pay to save + more)
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Costco is a great place to shop if you’re looking to buy food and household items like tissue, toilet paper, and when you buy in bulk, you’ll save a little money compared to shopping at regular retail stores.
But if you’re single, you might be asking: Is a Costco membership worth it for one person? I’m curious about the same thing, here’s everything I’ve found throughout my research!
Is it worth it to buy Costco alone in 2022?
If a person is spending at least $250 a month or $3,000 a year in 2022, a Gold Star Costco membership is worth it. Costco’s Gold Star membership costs $60 per year. Additionally, the best single-serve Costco products include frozen meals, shelf-stable products, and paper products.
If you want to learn more about buying a Costco membership as a single, which products make the most sense to buy, and more, keep reading!
Is Costco Membership Smart for Singles?
A Costco membership is a smart choice for singles. However, if you live alone, there are very special circumstances that make a Costco membership worthwhile.
Also, if you live alone, it’s wiser to buy certain products at Costco, as follows:
frozen food
Shopping in the frozen food section is a must if you want to make your Costco membership worthwhile.
In fact, several singles report that the freezer portion of Costco alone makes their membership worth it.
With this, you can store an entire freezer for a month (or more) with one Costco running alone.
Plus, frozen foods stay fresh for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about wasting money.
shelf stable food
Another Costco product that gives members value for money is the shelf-stable food section.
Plus, some of Costco’s shelf-stable food options are very healthy, including:
- Organic Almond Milk
- soy milk
- raisin
- Fig
- applesauce
- natural almonds
- Chia seeds
- flax seeds
- and more!
Because you’re buying these foods in bulk, you’ll save more money than buying at regular grocery stores.
paper products
Paper products are a great way to store essentials like toilet paper and paper towels without spending a fortune.
So, if you have space to store these products, a Costco membership is wise if you live alone.
Plus, if you live alone, a pack of Costco’s tissues can last almost a full year.
So you don’t have to worry about running out or making extra trips to the store.
What Costco membership is best for singles?
As mentioned earlier, Costco offers a number of membership programs to customers. However, if you live alone, the Gold Star membership plan may be the wisest.
Additionally, here are some of the things that come with Costco’s Gold Star membership program:
- a free family card
- Available at all Costco locations worldwide
Also, this membership program costs $60 per year, so you’ll have to make sure you spend a certain amount throughout the year to make the cost worthwhile (see below).
How much do you need to spend to make a Costco membership worth it?
If you had a Gold Star membership at Costco, you would have to spend about $250 a month or $3,000 a year to break even. Fortunately, you can cancel your Costco membership at any time.
So if you start noticing that the fee is not worth it for your lifestyle, feel free to terminate your membership!
How do you make a Costco membership worthwhile if you’re single?
Fortunately, Costco membership comes with a number of benefits that aren’t available to those without membership.
So, to get the most out of your Costco membership, here are some products and services you should know about:
avoid perishable foods
This may seem obvious, but it’s best to avoid buying perishables at Costco, as the store sells them in bulk.
Plus, it’s hard to eat all the perishables you buy before they go bad. However, let’s say you only intend to freeze perishable items (blueberries, strawberries, etc.).
In this case, it makes sense to buy them at Costco, as they will be much cheaper than at the grocery store.
Buy tires at Costco
Buying tires from a wholesale retailer only makes sense if you have a Costco membership.
That said, Costco consistently offers some of the best deals on new tires, and the staff will even install the tires for you.
Plus, the savings you get on tires at Costco are enough to make your membership price worthwhile.
Additionally, Costco tires come with a five-year hazard warranty.
Buy Movie Tickets at Costco
When you buy movie tickets at Costco, the prices are so good that it’s almost a two-for-one deal.
So if you’re an avid movie lover or just looking to buy a gift for people, Costco’s movie ticket prices are a bargain.
Additionally, Costco sells other gift cards at discounted prices. As you can see, these savings make the membership fee worth it.
To learn more, you can also read our post on the Costco Membership Assistant, what you need to know before buying a Costco membership, and whether Costco memberships auto-renew.
in conclusion
In some cases, a Costco membership is worth it if you’re single. With this, you have to spend at least $250 per month or $3,000 per year to get a Gold Star Costco membership worth the $60 annual fee.
Also, if you’re single and have a Costco membership, it makes the most sense to buy paper products, frozen meals, and shelf-stable products.
