Our Top 10 Favorite Things to Buy at Costco

Our Iowa City Moms Blog team LOVES Costco!! Out of curiosity, I asked our writers to name some of their favorite things to buy there. Once they got started, they couldn’t stop!!  In the interest of keeping things simple, I’ve narrowed the list down to our top 10!!

1. Meat. Costco offers organic meat at prices similar to (or lower) than conventional meat at competitors. They also offer chicken in prepackaged sets that are perfect to cook up for tonight’s dinner or stick right in the freezer to use later! And they have terrific seafood!
2. Produce. Costco has the best strawberries. Even when other stores carry them in-season, it’s hard to find some as good as Costco’s! All of their produce is super-fresh, and priced so well…including organic!
3. Paper Products. Make a little room for storage…and stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and Kleenex!
4. Laundry Detergent. If you have kids you can go through a LOT of laundry detergent. Costco’s Kirkland brand is awesome, and they also offer a free and clear option!
5. Diapers & Wipes. The price/diaper at Costco is great and our team LOVES the Kirkland brand baby wipes!
6. Pantry Staples. Flour, sugar, and 5lb bags of chocolate chips. Definitely need to stock the pantry with the essentials!
7. Dessert. Costco makes the best cakes! You can get a big sheet cake for a really reasonable price, and it comes with a filling that is to.die.for.  And if you’re looking for a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving (or a random Wednesday), go get one now! They are amazing.
8. Baked Goods. If your family loves carbs, you will be in Heaven at Costco! Not only can you find national brand baked goods at great prices, but Costco also has their own…the wheat bread is amazing!
9. Clothing. I can’t tell you how many people buy their kids’ coats/gloves/snowpants at Costco every year. They’re great quality and reasonably priced. Kids’ pajamas are another favorite!
10. Wine & Alcohol. You can’t beat the prices and you’re likely to find some new favorites!

This is just a short list…we’ve bought kids’ toys, kitchen utensils and gadgets, electronics, gas, and even furniture at Costco. If it’s on your list, there’s a good chance Costco has it! And that it’s high-quality and a great value to boot!

And for good measure, here are a few more reasons to shop at Costco:

• Competitive pricing on quality merchandise meets or exceeds local competitors.
• Kirkland Signature products are rated higher than most leading brands.
• Free demos and samples on a daily basis.
• Costco is leading the nation in organic sales.
• The environment in Costco speaks for itself with its cleanliness and well-lit warehouse shopping experience.
• Costco offers many services in and outside of the warehouse: Auto Buying, Check Printing, Travel and Car Rentals, Insurance, Mortgage Financing, Water Delivery, Leaf Guard, Flooring and Windows, Identity Protection, Pharmacy, Hearing Aid, Optical, and Photo Lab.
• Discounts to restaurants, movies, spas, and many more.
• They offer a 100-percent member satisfaction guarantee. We will refund your membership if at any time you are not satisfied.
• Free healthy heart screening, osteoporosis screening to all members and non-members.
• They offer pet meds for your fur babies.
• Costco’s meat department is USDA Choice grade or better.
• They have the best Rotisserie 3-pound chicken for $4.99 – no preservatives, MSG free, gluten free, and USDA grade.

If you’ve been considering joining Costco – now is the time to check it out! We’re excited to announce that Costco in Coralville is hosting Costco Mom Hour for Iowa City Moms Blog readers on November 13th!!  Costco has graciously agreed to not only open their doors an hour early just for ICMB readers and their friends, but they will also be offering an exclusive membership special for new members (that day only). Not only that, but the first 100 moms who show up will receive a swag bag from Costco, chock full of some of their most popular Kirkland Signature brand items for YOU to try! There will also be special samples specifically chosen for moms and their kids, along with a continental breakfast (coffee, juice, water, muffins, danishes, fruit, etc!).

{Membership Special}: If you’re non-member and you purchase a membership that day ($55/yr), Costco will give you a free $10 Costco cash card!!  (Woot!) If you’re already a member and bring a friend who signs up for a membership, Costco will also give you a $10 Costco cash card as a thanks for the referral! (Awesome!!)  Get more details about the memberships here.

You do not need to be a member to attend, but you do need a membership to make purchases. Although, once you are there and see what they have to offer, chances are you will want to take advantage of their membership special! This event is free, but you do need to register in advance to attend. Simply fill out the registration below and we’ll see you there!!