Costco Anonymous

I love Costco. There, I said it. Sure the parking lot is a nightmare, but I’m that person who drives directly to the far back corner of the lot where no one’s looking for a space, laces up my hiking shoes and hoofs it (carefully) to the buzzing entrance. 

There’s nothing wrong with loving Costco. But buying in bulk can set off an addictive rush of delicious dopamine that can be hazardous to your bank account and challenging for anyone trying to stay organized.  The key is prepping in a way that helps you to resist overbuying. 

When shopping at Costco, don’t only go in with a shopping checklist, go in with a reality checklist. It may be great to get a deal on a forty rolls of toilet paper, but think ahead about where you’re going to store it. Where is that very large package going to live? How much toilet paper do you already have in the house? Are you purchasing out of necessity, or out of fear of scarcity? 

Sticking to a list will not only save you time and money, but also keep your house from becoming too cluttered with things that you don’t need. How many sticks of deodorant are already waiting in the wings in your bathroom closet. If it’s two or more, then hold off on purchasing more, even though the deal makes you feel like the winning contestant on The Price Is Right. 

Going to Costco may require a little more prep time than a quick run to the grocery store. Take stock of the things you already have in the house. Sometimes resistance is a better deal than the purchase!