<p class="ingestion featured-caption">I've shopped at Costco for a really long time. Jill Robbins</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I live with my husband and two teens, and we've had a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-costco-for-parties-from-executive-member-2024-8">Costco</a> membership since 2014.</li><li>Costco has some great deals, but sometimes buying in bulk isn't worth it for our family.</li></ul><p>When I moved with my husband and then-4-year-old sons from England to Texas in 2014, one of the first things we did was get a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-that-make-costco-membership-worth-it-from-employee-2024">Costco membership</a>. </p><p>The concept of buying groceries in bulk wasn't common in England, so Costco shopping was a real novelty. We loved the chain's deals and how it seemed to sell everything from freshly baked croissants to electronics. </p><p>Ten years later, we still shop there and have an <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-things-costco-for-family-four-from-longtime-executive-member-2024-9">executive membership</a> — but I've learned that not everything is an awesome value and that it doesn't always make sense for our family of four to buy in bulk. </p><p>I also try to remember that a Costco membership isn't free. Our membership recently went up to $130 a year, and although we get a 2% reward on purchases, it makes me a better shopper not to lose sight of this.</p><p>Here are a few things we usually <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-not-to-buy-at-costco-according-to-a-chef-2021-9">don't buy at Costco</a> and why.</p>