A Warning for Costco Shoppers: Avoid This Expensive Mistake

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This common mistake we make while shopping at Costco is impacting us economically and environmentally. Read on to learn more. 

Costco, one of the biggest and most popular warehouse stores in the world, is known for its great deals and low prices. However, as a Costco shopper, you may be making an expensive mistake without even realizing it. This mistake can lead to overspending, and ultimately, it can affect your budget significantly. So, before you head out to your local Costco, keep reading to learn more about this costly mistake and how to avoid it.

Americans waste more food than any other country

The biggest mistake that many Costco shoppers make is buying things in bulk they don’t need. It’s easy to get carried away when purchasing items in larger quantities, especially when you see the savings. However, most shoppers don’t take into consideration whether they’ll use that item. If you end up throwing away unused or expired bulk items, the savings you thought you were getting will end up being a waste of money.

Every year, U.S. consumers waste a staggering amount of food — equal to one-third of all purchased food! This means that each person throws away an average of 1,250 calories per day, or $1,500 worth of groceries for a four-person household each year. And that’s not even counting recent food price inflation.

Sadly, it’s not just the food that goes to waste. According to the USDA, all the resources that went into producing, processing, transporting, storing, and preparing that food — including land, labor, water, chemicals, and energy — are wasted too.

Be careful when buying in bulk

Many Americans buy more food than they need or make unrealistic assessments about how much food they require. This impulsiveness leads to the discarding of nearly 40 million tons of food every year, amounting to 30%-40% of the entire U.S. food supply. Food in the U.S. is more abundant and affordable compared to other countries.

One of the most popular destinations for shopping is Costco. Shoppers can find a wide variety of high-quality items in bulk at competitive prices. Costco is also lauded for its Kirkland Signature house brand.

But here’s the catch: Since we have so much food to choose from, we often buy more than we actually need, which contributes to massive food waste. While buying in bulk can lead to a lower price per unit, the savings only work if you actually consume all of what you buy. You may end up wasting money at Costco by purchasing items that you just toss out before you have a chance to finish them.

What should you do?

It is important to understand the economic and environmental impacts of food waste. It makes up 11% of the world’s emissions and occupies almost 25% of landfill space nationwide. Being aware of the costs can help us be more mindful of our choices and make sure we only buy what we can use. Make a list of what you need by pre-planning your meals. Find recipes to use leftover food and work to improve how you handle and store food to reduce waste.

Avoid impulse buys at Costco, especially of perishable bulk items that have a short shelf life. Costco shoppers can go over budget when they get excited about trying new products that they don’t need and won’t finish. Costco is known for its sample stations and new product displays, which can sometimes lead to impulse buying. While trying new things is always good, it’s important to stick to your budget when doing so. You can always come back and purchase the product at a later time if you realize that you do, in fact, want it and will be able to finish it, reducing waste.

Shopping at Costco can be a great way to save money, but it’s important not to fall into the trap of buying more than you need. Always compare prices and don’t give in to the temptation to buy new products you don’t need. Most importantly, understand the impact that food waste has on both your personal finances and the environment.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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