My wife and I were loyal Costco members in New York City back in 2015. (Yes, there are Costco warehouses in the city, and one was actually closer to us than other big-box retailers.) However, after a cross-country move, we let our membership lapse.
We have been back in New York for over three years (in the suburbs this time), and were happy shopping at national retailers and our local grocery stores — until this year. We just missed pushing those oversized carts down the exceptionally wide warehouse aisles. We finally decided to rejoin Costco, and our renewed membership has been absolutely worth it. Here’s why.
1. We welcomed a new family member.
Our second child was born at the end of 2024, which means that for the next two to three years, we’ll be going through a lot of baby wipes, diapers, and more laundry detergent and more cleaning supplies than usual. It just made sense to rejoin Costco and buy these items in bulk. Plus, our little one already loves berries, and we quickly learned that Costco has some of the best prices for raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
2. We moved to a bigger home.
When we were living in an apartment, we had little to no storage space. Once we moved into a house with a two-car garage a few years ago, we got a massive storage space upgrade. Like many of our neighbors, our garage is mostly filled with various home supplies and tools rather than a parked car. Since rejoining Costco at the beginning of the year, it’s now fully stocked with bulk toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, paper plates, and tissues.
3. The gas is ridiculously cheap.
I fill up my gas tank almost once a week and mainly pay using my credit card. Most gas stations around here have different prices for paying by cash or credit card. Paying with a credit card is always 10 and 12 cents more per gallon — unless I’m at Costco.
Costco always has the most affordable gas price and is at least 10 to 15 cents less per gallon than the gas station. It’s seriously the cheapest gas around. Plus, in New York, Costco gas stations are self-serve and you pay at the pump. There’s no extra surcharge when using a credit card, so I save at least 20 to 25 cents per gallon every time I put gas in the car.
4. We support the company’s DEI policies (and more).
Now more than ever, I’m more conscious of where my money goes and try to align my spending with my values. Earlier this year Costco defended its diversity policies, including its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices while other major retailers — Amazon, Target, and Walmart — rolled back similar DEI initiatives. The company demonstrated a true commitment to their diverse customers, which I personally appreciate.
I understand companies can change their policies however they want, but prioritizing DEI efforts shouldn’t just happen when it’s politically convenient. It should be a consistent practice. Do I still shop at Amazon, Target, and Walmart? Yes, but since we joined Costco I buy only a small fraction of what I used to at these retailers.
5. Every visit is a fun, food-court-fueled family outing.
No trip to the warehouse is complete without a stop at Costco’s legendary food court. We buy ice cream sundaes at the food court and eat them while we shop, which is quickly becoming a favorite tradition for our 7-year-old (and us adults, too). Plus, we have stumbled upon many delicious organic Kirkland Signature products — tortilla chips, maple syrup, raw honey, and more — that have now become staples.
What’s the low-key best part about shopping at Costco? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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