You probably already are a fan of Costco, but there is even more reason to delight in the giant-super store’s shopping experience. A lot of what you put on your list and bring home from Costco can actually help you by paying for themselves. If you were to add up the expenses during one month, you might find that these Costco buys actually save you money during that span of time. Below are four Costco products that could pay for themselves in a month.
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Prepared Meals
- Price: $12.25 to $159.99
Costco has an extensive selection of ready meals that are fully cooked or mostly ready to serve. These are often lauded as a convenient weeknight dinner option, according to Clay Cary, senior trends analyst and finance expert at CouponFollow.
“When you normally dine out three to four times per month at $15 to $20 per person (amounting to up to hundreds of dollars each time, depending on how many people), purchasing a single tray of a Costco meal for $18 to $20 can substitute for a whole outing,” Cary explained.
Cary went on to describe how if you dine on Costco meals repeatedly throughout the month, your savings build up. “Reviews often cite Costco’s ready meals as great value with healthy serving sizes,” Cary added.
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Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Price: $20.99
Cary highlighted how Costco also offers high-end olive oil sold in quantities that can’t be found at regular grocery stores, at a price that undercuts regular grocery store offerings.
“The 2-liter Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil will cost approximately anywhere from $19 to $31, depending on location. The Italian version comes in the same 2-liter bottle. A regular bottle size for an EVOO at the grocery store may run $10 to $15 for 750 ml to 1 liter,” Cary said.
“If your consumption is approximately 1 liter per month and your average price is $12, the move to the 2-liter Costco bottle will result in high savings per liter,” Cary added. “That’s enough to pay for itself within the first month, especially if you regularly cook at home.”
Reading Glasses
Price: $15.99 to $28.99
“Costco has very reasonable prices for eyewear and reading glasses. You can find an inexpensive option through their Reading Glasses section,” Cary explained.
For comparison, Cary shared that a drugstore or optical boutique might charge $60 to $100 or more for a single unit. “Paying $30 for a three-pack instead of two $60 pairs saves you $90 outright without losing quality,” Cary said. “The savings add up right away.”
This is especially a smart financial move if you are purchasing for more than one family member or want spares for business or holiday use, in Cary’s opinion. “Costco Optical is also highly respected for value for prescription lenses and glasses,” Cary added.
Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken
- Price: $5.66
Cary’s last pick is a Costco staple: Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken. It is a popular crowd-pleaser, selling for approximately $4.99, although occasionally a warehouse will ring it up a bit higher.
“A ready-to-go whole chicken for under $6 is way cheaper than buying raw chicken to roast from your own kitchen. This also beats out paying $20 to $30 for the same or comparable meal bought for take-out, for a family-sized dinner,” Cary said.
Cary explained that if you add some basic sides from your own home kitchen and dinner for under $10 is served. “With leftover meat to convert to sandwiches or soup, you save double,” Cary added.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Costco Products That Could Pay for Themselves in a Month
