Costco shopper spends $129, says the same haul would've cost $172 at Walmart

A Costco shopper raised a familiar budgeting question: Does buying in bulk really save money once you factor in food waste, a bigger checkout total, and the cost of a warehouse membership?

Here's what to know

In a TikTok, Budget with Brenda (@budgetwithbrenda) said she spent $129 before taxes and that her "true total" was $124 after getting 4% cash back with her Costco credit card. She said the same items would have rung up at Walmart for $172.

@budgetwithbrenda 1. Food can go to waste 2. Larger upfront cost 3. The cost of the membership #bulkshopping #savingmoney #groceryshopping #budgeting ♬ original sound - Budget with Brenda

She used those numbers to address three common objections to bulk buying: membership fees, higher one-trip spending, and the risk of wasted food.

Brenda didn't dismiss the waste concern, saying the savings disappear if people buy more than they can use. "A lot of food can go to waste, which is very true. You have to know how to bulk-shop," she said. For that reason, she said she avoids big perishable purchases and instead chooses items that will last a while, can be frozen, or will be eaten quickly.

Brenda noted she doesn't usually buy vegetables or fruits because, for example, a bag of 20 onions will go bad before she uses them all. "Am I the only one who would buy the bag of onions, chop them up, and freeze them?" a commenter asked. 

Brenda also said the higher total on a single Costco receipt can be misleading. In her view, the better measure is how often you shop.

"You do end up coming out of Costco spending a lot more than had you gone to Walmart," she said. "But you go to Costco once or twice a month, if that, depending on the size of your family. And buying in small quantities is a couple times a week."

More background

A large one-time buy can strain a budget, even if the unit price is lower. And bulk shopping isn't the cheaper option if shoppers overbuy or spend money on products they don't use.

Brenda likewise addressed the warehouse fee, arguing that one trip can cover it. "I saved $50 in just this one Costco trip, and the cheapest Costco membership is $60," she said.

The calculation worked especially well in her case because of the rewards tied to her account. "I have the $120 Costco membership," she said, noting her credit card rewards included 5% cash back on gas, 4% cash back on Costco purchases, and 3% cash back on dining and entertainment.

"My cash back ends up paying for my membership and I get a little extra cash," Brenda concluded.

What can be done?

In her view, the main pitfall is letting produce or other short-lived groceries spoil before they are used. She said the way around that is to buy in bulk only when it matches what your household actually goes through.

Instead, she said, "I just try to buy items that I know they're going to last a couple weeks or I can put in the freezer or I know we're going to consume right away."

Where can I learn more?

These stories delve into more grocery-saving ideas. 

• Martie customers can buy surplus groceries online and cut food bills below typical supermarket prices.

• At salvage grocers, shoppers sell closeout and dented items for far less than traditional supermarkets.

• Costco shoppers can trade in old Apple devices and turn the credit into free groceries.

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