15 Costco Items I Confidently Skip Every Time I Go

It's not difficult to save money at Costco, which is why so many of us are avid fans of the big box juggernaut. Thanks to bulk items and competitive pricing, it seldom takes long for me to recoup the cost of my Gold Star membership.

However, not all Costco products mean I'll get the best price or that it makes sense for my household. From limited space in my freezer to finding better-priced deals at other stores, here are the Costco products I always skip — and why maybe you should, too.

Costco sells a variety of soft drinks, from Coca-Cola products to sparkling water and more. The prices aren't bad, either.

But my local supermarket has BOGO sales on a regular basis, so I often can get a better price on these items.

If you have a large family, buying fresh produce in bulk is a great way to ensure everyone eats their fruits and vegetables. But if you're not feeding a crowd (and I'm not), chances are something is going to spoil.

Plus, Costco's produce has, at times, been known to wilt faster than what I can get at the farmer's market.

Unless I'm going to a large potluck or hosting a party, I feel absolutely fine skipping the baked goods section at Costco. It's not to say they aren't delicious; plenty of people love these treats.

But fresh baked goods in bulk are perishable, and freezing them defeats the purpose of fresh.

Some condiments can last longer in your fridge than others, such as mustard and ketchup. However, mayonnaise, which is made from eggs, has a much shorter shelf life — about 4 months after opening as opposed to 1 year for the others.

Buying it in bulk (in this case, a 46-ounce container) means I'll no doubt end up wasting the majority of the product.

Like many Costco shoppers, I'm an enthusiastic reader who loves books. And I enjoy perusing the book section to see what's new and popular.

But there's only one place I go to get books, and for a good reason: the library, which, as we know, is free.

The Scoop Away cat litter that Costco sells is a good deal; 42 pounds for $27.99 is especially cheap. However, the product is overhyped, something plenty of reviewers have pointed out.

Many lament the dusty, smelly formula that later turns muddy, adding that the quality used to be far superior.

This doesn't apply to all canned goods, as Costco has great deals on canned albacore tuna, for example.

However, you can get better deals if you're willing to do some price comparison at stores like Aldi and Walmart. For example, Walmart sells canned corn for $0.68 per can, whereas Costco's option costs $1.08 per can ($12.99 for a 12 count).

Frozen meals are a convenient way to eat a relatively healthy lunch during the work week, and many have come a long way in terms of quality.

The issue is that Costco sells bulk packs of the same meal (like Amy's Lasagna), which leaves something to be desired in terms of variety.

Did you know that spices have a shelf life? That means you should be switching out your stock regularly to ensure they're fresh and potent.

So unless you're buying for a restaurant or have a very large family, you can skip buying bulk spices at Costco, as I do.

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I'm not especially picky with regard to my fashion choices. But my issue with Costco clothing, even though it's popular for its style and affordability, is that it's often fast fashion made with synthetic materials — even Costco's pajamas.

If they offered other materials like cotton, wool, linen, etc, I might be more inclined to add clothing to my Costco shopping list.

Let's face it: 20 pounds of flour is a lot, even at Costco's great price of $19.99 for a two-pack of 10-pound bags from its Kirkland Signature brand.

I'm not an avid baker, so a smaller bag is all I need for use in my kitchen. Only a hardcore baker needs as much as Costco sells.

I seldom feel seduced by Costco's selection of gift cards, even if they do appear to be a great deal at face value.

There's a big chance the card will sit in a drawer until it expires. Plus, there's always fine print to get through and potential restrictions.

The pet food at Costco is generally well-reviewed and popular with members. The prices are also extremely competitive.

However, I'm willing to pay more to feed my pets the formula recommended by my veterinarian, which Costco doesn't sell.

Yes, really! I feel confident skipping the frozen produce section at Costco, and it's not because I'm not a smoothie aficionado.

It's that giant bags of frozen fruits and vegetables are susceptible to freezer burn unless you use them up within a few weeks. Plus, they take up a lot of space.

If you have a large family who loves having cereal for breakfast, bulk can be the way to go. But it would go stale in my home before the box is finished.

Plus, local supermarkets often have BOGO sales on cereal, which can be a better deal than Costco's offerings.

Shopping strategically at Costco is a smart way to save money, and few would be willing to argue that assertion. But not every product the bulk king sells is a fit for your kitchen, bathroom, or living room.

That's why it's best to include a variety of stores in your shopping agenda. No one store can do it all, but with some legwork, you'll get the best deals that suit your needs.