I’m a Costco Superfan Who Lives Alone: 8 Things I Only Need to Buy Once a Year
Written by
Diana Kelly Levey
Edited by
Maria Concepcion
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We reached out to Costco superfan John in Southern California, founder of the blog, ILoveCostco.com, to ask him how he makes the most of being a Costco member who lives alone.
Twenty years ago, John was living in a government-subsidized apartment by himself. “During that time, I learned that Costco could save money even for a poor, single person like me,” he said. “Through Costco, I could enjoy quality products at a good price. I found out that, with proper planning, I can save time and money while I enjoy high-quality products.”
He wanted to share the joy he felt in shopping at Costco, so he founded the blog ILoveCostco.com 16 years ago while still living in that apartment. Now, he owns a three-bedroom house where he lives alone and still blogs about his Costco finds.
His pro tip? “If you live alone, you must know how to freeze food and you need a food vacuum sealer,” John says. (Yep, Costco sells those, too.) “With proper vacuuming and freezing, you can make a lot of food items last much longer.”
He has all of the following foods stashed in his freezer, vacuum sealed and ready to eat that day: jumbo shrimp, rib-eye steak, baby-back ribs, Costco rotisserie chicken that’s been picked from the bones, pesto, salmon, tortillas, sourdough bread, ground beef, and edamame.
Here’s what this Costco Superfan buys at the warehouse once a year.
On a middle-class budget? Here are 8 things you must buy at Costco.
Holiday Cookies
During the Christmas season, Costco sells European Cookies (Belgian Cookies). “I buy four to five cans of them and eat them on the weekends until the next Christmas season,” says John. “This is my 16-year-old tradition. By eating Christmas cookies, I enjoy a little spirit of Christmas year-round.”
Frozen Atlantic Salmon
“I buy three bags of the Kirkland Signature Farmed Atlantic salmon filets when they are on sale,” says John. “They last a year in the freezer.” He likes to pair them with pasta and pesto for dinner.
Processed Meats
Shelf-stable SPAM Classic cans and Libby’s Vienna sausages are added to John’s cart when he peeps a deal. He’ll also stock up on bacon and stash it in the freezer.
Thanksgiving Turkey
Okay, many of us also only buy a big turkey once a year in November. But do you make it last all year? “Every Thanksgiving I buy a 20-pound turkey and bake it alone,” says John. “A whole turkey is likely to be big and you’ll have to buy a large one to cook even if you live alone. I vacuum pack and eat the rest throughout the year.”
T-Shirts
“I recently picked up three, six-packs of Kirkland Signature Men’s Crew Neck white T-shirts,” he said. “They will last for several years.”
Sneakers
“I always look for sneakers like PUMA and Adidas at Costco and buy a pair when I see a good deal – even if I don’t need them right now,” he says. “It may take several years, but I will eventually wear those sneakers!”
Salt and Pepper
The large containers of these basic spices don’t intimidate John at all and he buys them at Costco maybe once every year or two. “Other food items such as cooking oil and spices are huge at Costco and have a fixed shelf-life so I don’t buy them because I know I won’t use them enough to make it worthwhile.”
Energy Drinks
Okay, he does restock on these throughout the year but, John always adds two cases of Monster Energy Drinks to his cart when they’re on sale. “Monster Energy Drinks have the best deals when they are on sale at Costco and it only happens maybe twice a year.”
Stock Up During Sales
Some savvy savers know how to time the market – the Costco marketplace. “I always keep a year’s worth of toilet paper, paper towels, Q-Tips, dishwashing sponges, razors, Dove soaps, Irish Spring soaps on hand,” says John. “I only buy these items when they are on sale at Costco. Since I have a nice stash, I have the flexibility to wait for the next sale.”
Apply these more pro shopping tips when discovering 20 ways to pay less at Costco.
“There is a misconception about single living and bulk buying,” says John. Living alone doesn’t mean clutter. Single living often means more space and more luxury. Only one person lives in the house, so there will be more space.
It’s worth noting that bulk-buying doesn’t take up as much storage space as you might think, he says. “If you can find the room to store winter clothing and holiday decorations, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find space to store 30 rolls of toilet paper if you want to.”
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