JIT Management

When I had a job in the corporate world, I was sent to a training where we learned about various money saving strategies, and one really stuck in my mind, Just-In-Time, not that I really could apply it to my job as a systems analyst, but because of what it could do for my home.

The idea is that most major companies, if possible, will only have minimal inventory in warehouses, factories, etc. Inventory costs money, and there is no use paying to own more than you need.

Enter Costco. There are so many things that you can buy at Costco, but you likely don't need the Costco size version of it. Example, the 6 large cans of Comet that I bought 3 years ago and am barely half way done with the first one. Or even worse, food that is perishable, and you end up throwing it away cause you can't consume it in time.

Another pitfall is that you consume more and are more wasteful when you know you have a large quantity to go through. Like that tub-o-animal crackers? Who cares if junior doesn't eat his handful, we've got tons to go through anyway.

My personal gripe...when my kids go into food binges where they simply can't get enough of a particular food, then I buy the Costco size, only to realize they are so over it. Great, now I have 7 packages of edamame from last year still in the freezer.

Well, if you just try to keep the JIT (Just in time) concept in your head, you really try to buy the minimal amounts. Buy things at Costco only if you are sure you really will use the entire amount. Or at least enough of it to be cost-effective to buy. (Like 6 heads of romaine for $2.99 is still probably cost effective even if you use 2/3 of it.)

I try to fight the urge to stock up on things. Even if I know I'll use it eventually, the $22 I spend on detergent that I won't even open for 6 months is really money better spent on things I need now. And if you have any sort of credit card debt, then you're probably paying 10%+ interest on that Tide.

I am from a long line of pantry queens who prepared for Armageddon should it break before the next trip to the grocery store. And while certainly it doesn't hurt to have a few dinners packed away (esp. if it keeps you from going out to eat), its good to try to keep your household inventory as low as possible and make more frequent trips to the store. Maybe easier said than done (esp. with kids), but no one said saving money was easy.

Updated with August/Sept Coupons

I updated a lot of items (and added more) to reflect many of the coupon prices that are valid between 8/17 and 9/6.

Some really great deals, too. Like DVDs are B1G1 and down to $.147 each! My personal favorite is the Danimals, which my kids love, for $.22 a serving...used to be $.35! Or now Odwalla bottles for around $1 each! Now would be a good time to replace those Sonicare heads with $7 off.

Albertson's Kraft Sale

Well, one good use of this index was to realize that when Albertson's had Kraft mac & cheese for $.49 a box...that was indeed cheaper than Costco. Plus, when you spend $25+ in Kraft products, you can get a rebate for $25 back, so essentially you could get 51 boxes of mac and cheese for free.

I bought a ton (read 37 boxes) of the stuff because it is one of the few foods (and I mean precious few) that all three kids like to eat. And even without the rebate, and even with the butter and milk, it is still less than $1 for a meal. Can't beat that with a stick...

Costco August Circular

I've updated the index to reflect the price with the coupons valid from 8/17 to 9/6. There seem to be some good deals out there.

I hope to add some more items, esp. those that are on sale, but that may not be done until sometime next week.

I also added a few more items, including some batteries, produce items, etc.

The Return Policy

If you are somehow not familiar with Costco's return policy, it is one of the best features of your Costco membership. With the exception of certain electronics, you are guaranteed satisfaction on anything you buy.

I've taken back weird tasting orange juice, apples that didn't measure up, and (before the policy changed) an iPod (and exchanged it for a much better one with still $$ left over). One time I took back a shirt that I felt shrunk too much for my postpartum figure.

Recently I took back a coffee maker that suddenly stopped working. I loved the fact they just handed me the cash back, and didn't ask me to exchange it for another one.

You also don't need to have a receipt. Costco has a record of everything you've bought.

Because of this policy, we generally buy small appliances (vacuums, coffee makers, printers, etc.) at Costco since, if they break down, we don't have to worry later. Not to mention they usually have good deals on them.

I have heard that if you are unhappy with a food item, you still have to bring in the "unhappy" portion...they won't just take your word for it.

I've never had them complain or give me a guilt trip for taking something back. And I totally appreciate that!

Updated Index

I realized the initial version of the Costco Index wasn't sorted by item description. Now it is.

Pinching Your Pennies

I recently found this blog which shares great deals on making those $$'s go further. They even go through certain circulars (i.e. Albertons) and tell you where to find coupons to make the stuff on sale even cheaper or even free. Their daily email also includes some great tips.

http://pinchingyourpennies.com/

For Residents of Margaritaville Only

This post is simply to demonstrate that not everything at Costco is cost-effective.

This is a Margaritaville-brand mixed drink blender complete with a mega-ice vault and a oh-so-convenient carrying tote, which makes me think, if I owned one of these, would I be hauling it around? Or maybe the tote is to make it look nicer when it inevitably ends up in the closet where it is never used.

I love my margaritas as much as anyone, but for $190, you can buy your ticket to Mexico for that price! And you don't need to bring your margarita suitcase for that!

The Costco Index

Download this excel file or this PDF version by clicking here.

I'd love any feedback, even if you find this moderately useful or have suggestions for other Costco items to add.

Thanks!

Using the Index

So how can the Index be useful to you?

1) Print it out or load it onto your fancy-dancy-pocket-ringing device.
2) When you see an item on sale in an ad circular or at another store, you can compare prices and determine the relative value to the Costco version.
3) You probably want a calculator with you to compare the units. Costco usually sells mega-sized vs. the stuff elsewhere, but if you compare ounces to ounces, etc. you can tell which one is better.

This is the way I see it, if I buy, say, garbage sacks at Fred Meyer for cheaper than Costco, I've probably gotten a good deal. On the other hand, nothing is a bummer like knowing you bought enough Costco "whatever", and have to go through it all, knowing you paid too much.

Motivation

I'm a stay-at-home mom with three kids 4 and under. I live in East Seattle, and like many families, I'm always finding way to make our dollars stretch further. And as much as I love shopping like any other girl, I do NOT particularly enjoy grocery shopping with my kids. I will do it when necessary, or drag my husband along, but I've found in recent years that most everything I buy at Costco.

Costco has most everything I need, but sometimes I've begun to wonder if they really deserve the largest part of our paycheck second to the mortgage. Are things really cheaper there? But the problem is, that while I have many super powers as a mom, I do lack telepathy. If I buy "x" at Costco, would it be cheaper at Albertons today? or Fred Meyer in two weeks?

The nice thing about Costco is that the prices are more or less constant. Produce can vary significantly, of course. And those coupon books can be killer. In general, though, prices are more constant than most grocery stores.

So the question is, what if you knew when you saw something advertised in a circular or were standing in Aisle 20 of Safeway, whether a given sale item was cheaper at Costco or not.

This list, or as I call it, the "Costco Index" is simply a compilation of common household items and their respective prices at Costco. I shop at the one in Issaquah, and my guess is that most other Costcos, esp. in this area, are probably the same price for most items.