5 Costco Items Retirees Should Avoid When Black Friday Arrives
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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The biggest benefit of shopping at warehouse clubs, like Costco, is the money you can save by purchasing in bulk. When combined with Black Friday sales, retirees on a fixed income can potentially save more than they would shopping elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean everything is worth the price.
Here are five Costco items retirees should avoid when Black Friday arrives.
Bulk Batteries
Costco’s Kirkland Signature batteries are generally considered good quality, but that doesn’t mean you should buy them in bulk on Black Friday. Unless your household goes through a lot of batteries, it could be a waste of money.
According to How-To Geek, all batteries slowly discharge their stored energy when not in use. The rate of loss depends on the battery type, storage temperature and initial charge, but it typically ranges from 2%-3% each month for lithium-ion batteries.
Outdoor Furniture
Costco sells outdoor furniture all year round. The prices are typically reasonable, but you might be able to find better prices at discount stores. If you have limited space and live in a colder region, it can also be difficult to find a place to store furniture until it can be used.
Jonathan Rodgers, CFA at BestDaily, previously explained to GOBankingRates that it’s better to refrain from purchasing furniture unless it aligns with an immediate need, as non-essential expenditures can strain a tight budget.
Toys
This may only apply if you’re buying gifts for grandchildren or other kids in your life, but Black Friday isn’t the best time to purchase toys.
Misty Lynch, a certified financial planner and the owner of Sound View Financial Advisors LLC, told U.S. News & World Report that toy prices drop after the second week in December — but don’t wait if it’s the year’s hottest toy, as it could sell out before then.
Books
Costco has an OK book selection, but its prices are not likely the best you can find. Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, told BestLife that Costco has a small selection of books covering a wide variety of genres, so it can be difficult to find exactly what you want.
Instead, she recommended shopping at dedicated bookstores, like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million or small indie bookshops.
Beauty Products
Costco’s beauty products often come in large bottles or multi-packs, which may be difficult to use before their expiration date. Plus, Black Friday may not have the best deals on beauty products.Â
Lynch recommended waiting until Cyber Monday, which is the best time to buy all things beauty. Not only are there big discounts, but you may also get bonus buys and free gifts with your orders.
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