That Feral Housewife

I recently did a Costco run and I personally don’t go all the time. A few times a year at max, and I make it a fun trip with my grandma so we can spend some time together while accomplishing an important task. 

My most recent visit was highly chaotic especially for a random Friday afternoon, but that’s just how it is now apparently. So here are my top 5 do’s and don’t based on this recent trip. 

1. DO get the basics. I’m talking toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry soap – all of those daily things that you need on hand. There’s never a chance of it going bad and it will inevitably get used! 
2. DO price checks. Just because it’s bigger, does not always mean better. Most of the time it does – but sometimes not so double check! Amazon has a ton of dupes and similar products for less sometimes so it’s worth it to check. 
3. DO pay attention to deals, including membership savings, manufacturer coupons and deal stacking. You could be saving more if you do a little research beforehand! 
4. DO take someone with you. It will help keep you on track since there’s no aimless wandering, and it helps keep you both accountable by sticking to the list and not grabbing random things because it sounds good or looks like a good deal. 
5. DO stop at the food court on the way out. It’s the cheapest lunch you’ll ever get, and it saves that whole stopping on the way home for something else – and if you order one of their cheap pizzas – dinner is taken care of for the night as well! 

Now here come the don’ts  – and these are debatable depending on your family size and needs. 

1. DON’T buy the produce. If it’s just the two of you, either plan on eating nothing but that product for a week or just don’t buy it. It will most likely go bad before you can use it all up and there’s no need to waste the product or the money. 
2. DON’T do a blind freezer purchase. I know that some of these freezer deals are really good – but if you’re in a smaller space right now like I am and only have the one small freezer on top of the fridge – you have to use that space wisely and 4 bags of chicken just isn’t going to fit. 
3. DON’T skip the samples. It’s an easy way to give the kids a snack, expose them (and yourself!) to new foods and gets you engaging with other people that you would normally just walk past. It’s great for your brain to experience new things, and it’s a safe way to do so! 
4. DON’T buy things just because you were recommended something. Try a sample of it from a regular grocery / home goods store and then if you like it, then buy it in bulk. No sense in wasting money on a brand new kind of laundry soap if it gives you hives after the first load and then you’re stuck with over a gallon of it and no way to dispose of it. 
5. DON’T skip the clothing section. There are often very high quality shirts, pants and coats available in a multitude of sizes for very reasonable prices. The Nautica pajama sets though – (they come out usually after Halloween) they are by far the best clothing item I have ever gotten from there and the sets are super cheap! Get one for yourself and give one as a gift – it’s a win-win for everyone! 

When we get closer to the holidays I’ll do another article for holiday shopping – keep your eyes peeled until then! Happy shopping! 

TFH