Costco is a great place to get amazing deals on bulk buys, but not every item is a smart choice for small households. For families of 1 to 4 people, some Costco buys can lead to wasted money. Based on my personal experience with my family of four, I’m sharing the items I never buy from Costco because they just don’t make sense for small households.
Pies
Never buy pies at Costco if you’re a small household. They’re massive, and finishing one before it goes bad is nearly impossible. I get it—it’s hard to resist a giant pumpkin pie for just $5.99. But trust me, the temptation isn’t worth the inevitable food waste.
Avocados
I have a love-hate relationship with Costco club-sized avocados. Every time I’m there, I convince myself to buy a bag because I love avocado toast for breakfast. But no matter how hard I try, I can never get the timing right. They all seem to ripen at once, and I just can’t keep up. Inevitably, a few go bad and end up in the trash.
Gourmet Crackers
Every now and then, I come across large tubs of gourmet crackers or specialty chips that look delicious—and I can’t resist trying them. But I always regret it. For a small household, it’s unrealistic to finish them before they go stale.
Unlike packaged crackers with preservatives, these gourmet crackers don’t have preservatives, so they lose freshness quickly. That tub of bagel chips might look amazing, but it’s just not a practical buy unless you’re entertaining.
Croissants
Costco croissants are a favorite in my household, but I always brace myself for some waste whenever I buy a pack. No matter how quickly we eat them, my family of four—including teenagers—can never finish the entire tub before they start to get moldy.
Yogurt
Yogurt is another item I avoid at Costco. While it’s cheaper in bulk, it’s hard to finish an entire case before the expiration date. Plus, the mixed-flavor packs are tricky—my kids will eat their favorite flavors first, leaving behind the ones they don’t like, which inevitably go to waste.
Shredded Cheese
Costco’s shredded cheese deals are incredibly tempting. I always pause when I see them, but I’ve learned to resist because we never manage to finish those huge 2.5 lb bags. No matter how much we eat, it’s hard to use it all before it starts to mold. Even if you’re making cheesy casserole dishes every night, the quantity is just too much for a small household without some waste.
Soups
Fresh, refrigerated soups may seem convenient, but they’re a bad buy for small households. The large containers are just too much unless you eat soup with every meal, which can get tiresome fast. If you love soup, stick to canned versions or tetra packs—they last much longer and are easier to manage.
Spices
Those giant tubs of spices might seem like a good value, but they’re not practical for small households. They’ll take up valuable pantry space, lose their potency over time, and, honestly, could last you years (yes, with an “s”). Costco’s bulk spices are better suited for restaurants or caterers, not your kitchen.
Plastic Food Wrap
I regret buying the Kirkland plastic food wrap. The two-pack has lasted me years—way longer than I expected. Plus, it’s bulky and takes up precious cabinet space. It might seem like a good deal, but for small households, it’s just overkill. Check out 24 Best Kirkland Products I Always Buy at Costco
Tzatziki and Other Dips
I love tzatziki, and I’m always tempted to buy the giant tub at Costco. But I stop myself because I remember all the times I’ve never managed to finish one before it spoils. I’m the only tzatziki fan in my family, which makes it an impossible task to consume that much dip in such a short time. The same goes for other Costco-sized dips—they’re great for parties, but they’re just a waste for small households. Check out 21 Best Bulk Buys from Costco that Will Last You All Year (and Save You Money)
Big Bags of Chips
It’s always tempting to buy chips from Costco because the prices are hard to beat. But finishing a giant bag before it goes stale is nearly impossible for small households. Unless you’re hosting guests or throwing a party, it’s better to skip the chips at Costco to avoid waste. Check out 15 Best Costco Breakfast Items for Busy Mornings
Strawberries
Buying a big tub of strawberries at Costco is almost always a bad idea. No matter how fresh and vibrant they look, strawberries tend to mold quickly. For a small household, it’s tough to eat them fast enough, and you’ll likely end up tossing half the container. Check out 15 Best Costco Prepared Meals my Family Can’t Live Without
Spring Mix
I always regret buying the giant tub of spring mix from Costco. I give myself a pep talk every time, vowing to eat more salads to justify the purchase. But honestly, I can count on one hand the times I’ve actually finished the tub before the greens turn wilted and slimy. Unless you’re a serious salad eater, skip it—you’ll end up wasting more than you eat. Check out 10 Costco Shopping Mistakes that Waste Money for Couples and Small Families
Club Size Meat
Bulk meat packages at Costco are not ideal for small households. It’s tough to go through that much meat before it spoils unless you freeze it. Even then, it’s easy to forget about it in the freezer, leading to freezer burn and wasted food. For small households, it’s usually better to buy smaller portions from your local grocery store. Check out 24 Best Healthy Foods that I Only Buy at Costco Because It’s Cheaper
Probiotic Drinks
I try to avoid buying probiotic drinks at Costco because we almost never finish them. It’s tempting, especially when they’re on sale and seem like a great deal, but it often ends in wasted bottles. No matter how good the price is, it’s not worth it if you can’t get through the entire case. Check out 24 Best Costco Asian Food that You Need to Try
Muffins
Costco’s famous muffins are an amazing deal—$9.99 for a dozen jumbo-sized muffins? It’s hard to resist! But if you’re a small household, finishing all 12 before they go bad is nearly impossible. Unless you plan to freeze them, you’ll likely end up wasting food and money. Check out 17 Easy Costco Meals for Lazy Weeknight Dinners
Specialty Cookies
Costco often has specialty cookies that are very tempting to buy—I’ve fallen for them more than once in an impulse buy. The problem is that these cookies usually don’t contain preservatives, so they spoil quickly. For a small household, it’s tough to finish an entire tub before they start going stale or bad. Check out 28 Things I Always Buy at Costco
Fresh Salsa
I love salsa, but I avoid buying the giant 48 oz tub of fresh salsa from Costco. It’s just too much for a small household to finish before it expires, no matter how much you love snacking with chips or adding them to meals. Check out 17 Costco Meals Cheaper than Restaurant Take Out to Save You Money
Guacamole
I never buy the large tubs of guacamole at Costco because they’re simply too much for a small household. Guacamole browns quickly, and you’d have to eat a lot in a short time to avoid waste. A better option is the single-serve guacamole cups—they’re more manageable, stay fresh longer, and you won’t end up with a container of unappetizing brown guac. Check out 25 Easy Costco Frozen Food Staples for Quick Dinners
Brie
Brie and other soft cheeses are a bad buy for small households at Costco. The club-sized portions are just too large to finish before they spoil. Soft cheeses have a shorter shelf life, making them impractical unless you’re hosting a party. Hard cheeses like gouda and cheddar are a better choice for small households since they last longer in the fridge. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco
Condiments
I never buy condiments like ketchup and mayo from Costco. The bulk sizes are just too much for my family of four, and it would take us years to finish them. The worst part? That giant tub of mayo hogs valuable fridge space. Unless I’m hosting a party, I steer clear of buying ketchup and mayo in bulk. Check out 18 Easy Meals from Costco for When You’re Too Lazy to Cook
Sugar
Costco’s oversized bag of sugar is far more than a small household needs. Trust me—I made the mistake once, and I still have that same bag sitting in my pantry years later! We simply don’t use enough sugar to justify the bulk purchase. Unless you bake frequently, skip the sugar at Costco. Check out My Kids Got the Flu and I was Glad I Stocked Up on These 22 Things from Costco
Lemon Juice
Avoid buying bottled lemon juice at Costco. The 2-pack of 48-ounce bottles is way too much for a small household. It would take years to finish, and by then, the quality might not be the same. Stick to a smaller bottle from your local grocery store instead. Check out 19 New Costco Snacks Too Unique to Pass Up