I was thinking this morning about the things I buy at Warehouse clubs (Sam's, Costco etc.) and wondered if they were really such a good idea. I realize you can save a lot of money by buying a box of fruit snacks there than at the grocery, but are my kids eating more junk b/c of the amount inside vs. the smaller amount you get when you buy them at the grocery?

I guess I'm thinking more in terms of the snacky stuff (and the muffins-great price, but do they need four days of it?). It may be saving us money in the long run, but I not so sure about the amount of junk my kids eat.

What do you guys think? I guess I'm rethinking my trips to these stores.

__________________
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

Since Costco is 90 miles from us we only go about once a month. I only buy diapers, some meat, sometimes the muffins, usually bagels and maybe crackers. I also get olives, beans and a few frozen items that I can't get any cheaper any where else in town.
Do you need the snacky stuff? Do you go there for other items? I plan my trip there very carefully so I don't get sucked in and buy things that I want and do not need. I hope this helps.
Have a great day,

__________________
Elizabeth

Mom to: Anna (02-27-91) Bradley (10-21-94) Shane (10-21-02) Samuel (02-16-07)
http://www.myspace.com/lizer3
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

At Sam's I regularly buy: Fruit 2Oh (we drink lots of this), Bisquick, Mrs Butterworths syrup, dinosaur nuggets, Go-gurts, apples & oranges, frozen veggies, breadsticks w cheese, spaghetti, garbage bags, paper plates, dishwasher detergent.

I think it saves me money and I don't buy that much junk type stuff.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

It depends on the item, but I have found that Wal Mart is competitively priced to Costo on many items and I don't have a ton of it. Like you my kids only eat the fruit roll ups if we have them in the house. They do not ask for them, I buy them as a treat. Well if I get 96 of them in a box (or whatever that mega pack at Costco has) they seem to want to eat 3 a day. If I buy the smaller 12 pack they only eat one.

I think having the stuff on hand definately makes them consume more.

Now I do buy stuff there, but I have found my food saver a great resource to freeze many of the items, such as the muffins and bread for a later use, so we can extend the enjoyment.

__________________
Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(4.5)

I don't know either. I just took a trip to Costco yesterday and had to renew my membership. It's now up to $55! I think it's good for some things, and especially when you're having a party, but I only pick up a half dozen things regularly because of the price as well as meats. For now, it works. We'll re-evaluate in the future.

You know, I guess I don't need the snacky stuff, but when you can get a lot for less money, I can't help but buy it. I do get my meats, laundry detergent and lately my veggies and fruits (from Sam's) b/c the price is better.

That's another problem is going from place to place for things, but that's a whole other thread! After going there I still need to go to the grocery!

__________________
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

I think Costco is great, but I don't buy snacky foods for the kids. I buy things like meat, fish, and bread in bulk and freeze them. I also buy their organic yogurt, which my family eats alone or in smoothies, on top of waffles, etc. They also have the best milk prices. Costco's prices are better than anywhere else I have to choose from around here. By the way, you can freeze their muffins.

I am planning on baking more bread and homemade treats, so I just bought a huge bag of flour there. It came to about 35 cents per pound, as opposed to Safeway, where it's now about 70 cents per pound.

__________________
Attaining financial freedom is like eating an elephant . . . it takes one bite at a time.

That's a great idea! Didn't think to freeze the muffins!

__________________
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

For us, the milk price alone makes it worth it $ wise. However, you don't have to buy the junk food you know! I know those muffins smell good, but stay out of the bakery! I don't buy the snack foods, except cases of yogurt. My kids go through 2 cases of yogurt a week.

__________________

I am only one, but I am one. I can not do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do. -Edward Hale

I just wrote on the food thread: heard on the local radio show this morning that sams is limiting the amount of rice they sell to consumers because of the expected huge increase in price. I guess there's a run on rice so they are limiting the amount they will sell. I don't shop there (not a member), I just couldn't believe that could happen here.