So is Costco worth it??

So who has managed to get down to Costco Sydney? I have to admit, I couldn't wait too long myself and to date, since it has opened I have been there about 5 or 6 times. I do believe I will be attending more often though until I get the hang of shopping there. So do I think it is all worth it? I have had some many people ask me this question because it seems like the burning issue on a lot of people's minds is the whole concept of a membership. I personally don't see a problem with it and you may even consider that we are paying a membership of sorts when we go to Coles or Woolies because their prices have always been so high, the difference of what they should be charging us and what they actually charge us is kinda like a membership fee in my opinion. That being said, when you break down a $60/year membership you are paying $5/month.  That really is not a big issue is it? If you bought yourself a big ticket item like a TV that you know full well is $200-$500(or more) more expensive elsewhere, then you know your $60 membership is gonna be handy. As for me, I will shop at Costco at least once a month and therefore I will know that I will definately get my $5 back in savings and then like times that by at least 20!!
So with the membership issue out of the way, the next question I have been asked is, do I really save money? As we neared the checkouts for our first big shop we had a guessing competition, as I am sure a lot of you had when reaching the checkouts. My hubby, bless his soul, thought it would be around $600 and our friend said more like $500. I had to giggle because I knew we were not near either of them. So my guess was around $430 and I also told them if we went past $450 I would be totally shocked. So the total for our first bill at Costco Sydney was $446!! I so need to sell my skills for guessing groccery bills because I have a talent for it;). I never tally my groceries like I should I just take a look at what I have and guesstimate.  I went to a baby shower once and where the host read out a list of baby items and we had to write down what we thought the price of each item, tally them up for a total and the closest guess won. Of course my first question was where were the items purchased? (nerd!) To everyone's surprise I wrote the the exact amount to the cent for each item and won! What does this say about me?? I did get a cool prize out of it!!

Anyway, I digress. Back to whether or not I think Costco is worth it. Well, I tallied up the first 5 items on my list and put the amount that the items would cost at either a Coles or Woolworths and for the first 5 items I saved around $20, so that kind says it all doesn't it!  I will say this though, I am not too happy with all their fruit and vegetables. Somethings are cheaper, some on par, and some more expensive. I might go so far as to say, if you are already in a routine to purchase fruit and veges from a local fruit market then keep to that. I don't like how big the apples are. They are just too big for my kids and I also don't like how everything is bagged for me. I tend to find items that are prebagged, you will always get fruit that you know you would never pick if it was in a pile, but you have to pay for a bad one because its in your bag! I also don't think all the produce is 'heaps' cheaper and not all of it is good quality either. Its a shame really because if it was quality and well priced, I could get almost everything in the one shop!  So somethings are good, others yada-yada for fresh produce. I purchased a lamb roast on my most recent trip and I do have to say, it was amazing! So tender and yummo! I also like the beef Bulgogi, its super quick to cook and a little goes a long way.  I am not happy about the lack of variety in the icre-cream department. Only one type of basic vanilla ice- cream. Very little to choose from with ice-cream on a stick. I honestly thought there would be bulk boxes of Billabongs or Paddle pops to choose from, but nothing like that at all.  If you have ever been to an American supermarket the choice in ice-cream will bowl you over! Its as extensive as the cereal isle, but Costco has let me down.
Costco has also let me downwith things like strip ice-blocks. You really only get to choose from Smoozes, which I really love, but would also like Orchy sips or something like this that we go through big time in summer.

 Anyway,  my overall assessment, is it's cheaper for my family. Unfortuntately I will still make trips to Coles or Woolies for small items that I can't get at Costco, but I can say that once I have been to Costco, I don't step foot in another supermarket for at least a fortnight! Yay, less grocery shopping!!

 If you can store the bulk amounts and you know your family will consume the goods, its a great place to purchase your groceries. As for all the other stuff? Well you tell me! I think there are some really bargains to be had in the non-grocery area. What did you score?

Costco Recipe Files: Cookie Bakes with Ice-cream

Otis Spunkmeyer chocolate chip cookies are, to my knowledge, only available here in Australia, at Costco. If you know otherwise, please let me know.Anyway, I had not heard of them being here in Australia until I saw them at Costco. The box is in the frozen dessert section and you got a box of 72 portions, which is 72 cookies for around $16.56 which is about 23cents/cookie. The cookies are delicious and I created a new dessert which I think you will like. This dessert can easily be created with Aunty May's cookie dough logs but you would have to experiement with how much to use. Also, if you make your own cookie dough, again, no reason why you can't use your own. I would suggest freezing portions to make it easier to bake in the cupcake pan/tray.

Cookie Bakes with Ice-cream

12 capacity cupcake/muffin tray - spray with oil spray or lightly butter each cupcake hole.
12 portions of Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough
1 scoop of vanilla ice-cream per cookie bake.

1.Oven to 180C
2. Place cookie portion in each greased cupcake part.
3. Cook for about 10-15mins, or until very lightly browned on top - if you like a chewier cookie, don't let it brown much at all. Allow to cool for 10mins. The cookie bakes will dip in the middle, but this is what you want it to do.
4. Take out the cookie bake from tray and add scoop of vanilla ice-cream - or ice cream of choice and serve immediately.

Bon Appetit!

Still Curious about Costco? Part 2

So it seems you are all still curious about Costco and as promised here is my second installment. I was told that sales for the opening day reached $1.3M! How amazing is that? I drove past Costco late Saturday afternoon as I was returning home from a women's conference at Home Bush and the traffic was pretty congested and the foot paths were crowded with poeple and their full trollies. The only upsetting site was Costco trollies scattered up and down Parramatta road as far the Silverwater Rd intersection:( Anyhoo, lets get back to what's hot at Costco. I would also love to hear from anyone who has actually been to the store. I have talked to many friends, but I think reader would love some comments from those who have been to the Sydney store and what purchased.  Personally, I will be going if not this week, then next for sure.

You can get more than just groceries at Costco.

 Kitchen Aid mixer $699

Business Shirts

A great selection of books, especially Cook books that are alot cheaper than RRP.
There is also a great range of all different types of non-grocery items. From top brand clothing to towels, outdoor furniture, toys, camping gear, TVs, cameras, expensive jewelry, kitchen ware, to name but a few things. You can also get your vision checked and purchase glasses and print up your photos. 

Now back to the groceries!!

i purchased one of these from the Melbourne store and it last me almost 12months!

Have you tried a Smooze? My kiddies love these ice blocks. The look like a mini Sunny Boy but they don't have an artificial colours or flavours or preservatives and the main ingredient is coconut milk. At the regular supermarkets they range in price from around $6-$7 down to $4-$5 depending if they are on special or not. As for me, I tend to purchase them on special, but my last trip to Melbourne Costco, I  purchased the box and my kids loved me forever!!  They are a great snack for after school or for dessert especially in summer.

 This is a great bargain! 24 x 250ml poppers for $1/each! I usually only get these on special $3 for 3 which is the same as the price abova, however, they don't often go on special at the supermarkets. I can rely on this price regardless of when I go.

Now lets head to the freezers and fridged goods.

These look so yummy! I would get these for a special occasion or for a party. I have seen these in smaller quantities at specialty fruit markets and they cost a lot more than this price!!

Again, for me, this is a treat! I wouldn't purchase this everytime I go to Costco, at least I don't think I will;) If you are a having a get together with your girl friends, a mothers group, friends for dinner or a special occasion of some sort, these are an affordable addition to your table. These are about the same size as ones I have purchased before at the David Jones food court in Sydney CBD. They're sold for $1.85 each but if you purchase these from Costco they will set you back less than 60c/each! A lot easier than making them for sure!!!

I have a lot more photos to share with you but, I can't stay up late tonight:( I will leave you with a picture of me and VJ who is in charge of the cashiers. He is a lovely man, very friendly and willing to help in anyway he can, I really believe him when he said this. He seems to love his job, and why not? I am sure if you have been already he will be a familar face and if you are yet to go, you will recognise him quickly.

We are holding our refillable drinks in one hand and our creamy chicken bakes in the other!!!

There will be one more instalment with more pictures of things to look out for. I have had fun writing these posts and thanks to all who have read the first instalment and for those who have left comments.

Curious about Costco? Part 1

So are you also curious about Costco?? I was able to attend the preview night last night, and I have to say I was most impressed and so excited about Costco finally coming to Sydney. I love Costco, with a fat capital 'L'. I would consider myself, whether you think it sad or not, a Costco groupie! I almost said, die-hard, however it I truly was die-hard I would have been there at 6am this morning lining up to be one of the first Sydneyites to purchase something at Costco, so I draw my line there. I am not 'die-hard'.

How good was it? I hear you desperately asking. Well, we loved it! I had a good friend come along with me and she surprised me by bringing her beautiful camera and photography skills so that my pictures will look totally professional. It was a non-purchasing night but a great opportunity to taste test some of Costco's offerings from, fresh foods to packaged frozen and dry foods. We taste tested their amazing pizzas that are super massive and only $14.99, move over Pizza Hut and your tinsy winsy (in comparison) Pizza Mias. The toppings are ample and there are a great selection to choose from, my favourite being the margarita.

I will mention at this point, that I have titled this post as Part 1. The pictures in this post are the ones I took on my standard digital camera until the battery died on me!  Part 2 will have heaps more products and better pictures as they are coming from my friend's camera. I am hoping to give everyone a taste of what to expect and my opinion on the product if I taste tested or if I have purchased it already from one of my Melbourne Costco trips.  This way you can plan a little bit ahead and not spend too much time checking everything out.

Some survival tips

Be aware that everything here is bulk size. We Australians have come to accept that small really does mean small, but in American terms, small means medium, medium means large and XL is normal!! You can see this not only in grocery but also in fast food. When you come to Costco, everything is in large or XL or multiples of 6 or 12 are normal. Which for me is great because feeding a family of 6 is big business and I don't like making multiple trips to the supermarket and I especially don't like it if I have to take 4 kids with me. So expect everything to be big!


Costco is also a great place to shop if you are catering for a party or some celebration where heaps of people need to be fed.

Here are a few survival tips for your trip to Costco.

1.Take a list of the kinds of things you would like to purchase and do your best to stick to it, otherwise you will be shocked at the checkout!

2.Tally the cost of the items as you go, otherwise you will get a SHOCK at the checkouts!!

3.Make sure you can eat what you are purchasing. I am hoping most families will think this through before they impulse purchase because a lot of good food can go to waste.

4.Make sure you can take everything home in your car, and that you have space to stock your items, especially your frozen goods.

5.Take it easy, Costco is here to stay and what you don't get to see, taste, or purchase this time, you can do it next time.

6.Lastly have fun! Its a great day out and be sure to make time for a snack or two at the canteen/tuck shop/cafeteria whatever you want to call it. You can get a great feed for a reasonable amount of money. My favourite has to be the choc-vanilla swirl yoghurt for $2.50, and its really large!!!

A selection of breads that you see at your regular supermarket.

Bananas are still expensive at Costco!!

This is a good price for Broccolini, there were a few bunches in this pack.

Asparagus is $8.49/kg and this is the pack you get. This is a great price! Product of Peru

36 pack of dinner rolls for $5.99. I love these bread rolls. They are great with soups but even better for your little peeps' school lunches. Freezable.

12 pack of 'large' muffins for $9.99

Another of my favourite items. Bagels that a baked fresh daily. 2 pack of 6 for $9.99

Large upside down pineapple cakes and apple pies.

12 pack of variety danishes (large) for $12.99.

Yummy XL birthday cakes.

20 pack of large cupcakes with whipped frosting $19.99.

XL cheesecakes $21.99

What to expect at COSTCO

I have have recently checked the Costco website for an update when the store will be opening. The scheduled opening is for JULY this year!! So excited, its finally happening. It is going to make my life a lot easier and I can't wait to stock up when it comes. For those of you who are completely new to COSTCO or at least aren't sure what kind of good you can get there, I have taken a couple of pictures of items that I purchase when I visit the Melbourne store when I am there. When I am there, I usually only choose items that I can take home easily with me. So I can't choose the enormous pizzas, or gorgeous dips, or deliciously deli style yoghurt that actally comes in 1kg tubs!! Yes you heard me right, 1Kg not 720g or or 800g, its actually by the kilo! There is also a colourful array of ice creams - tubs, bars, on stick etc etc. I could go on and on, and in fact I will, but I will show and share a little bit each week of what I like about Costco.

I like to bake a treat for my kids to eat for little lunch, or recess(whatever you want to call it!) but its not always easy for me to do that. So I don't mind giving them some kind of packaged treat or food if the price is right. Usually I will purchase something on special or if I get an opportunity to buy something decent in bulk I will. So naturally, when I am at Costco I go bananas for Fruit Nuggets! In the supermarkets, ie Coles or Woolies they cost $3.99 for a box of 7 packets ( 57c/packet). I don't pay this for them, I usually wait till they go on special for $2.99( 42c/packet) and get a couple of boxes, but this doesn't happen very often. However, I discovered them at Costco for a box of 48 packets, it only cost $9.99( 20c/packet). My last purchase I got them on special for $7.99(17c/packet) and I think I got about 3 boxes of them. What are they you are asking? They are little pieces of chewy candy like pips - thats the best description I can come up with! They are hard to describe, but the kids love them and they are fruit based (predominantly pear). They are small packets, kinda like IXL Naughts and Crosses. As I said, you can find them in Coles or Woolies where the museli bars and Roll-ups are, check them out next time you shop and see what you think and keep them in mind when you shop at Costco.

The box at costco contains all of the above flavours. At the supermarkets you can only purchase one flavour in a box.

COSTCO HERE I COME!!!!

So I am off to Melbourne this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing my sister-in-law and her family and my sister (even though she was only up about 2 weeks ago!) I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my husband as his work has been keeping him away from us for the last month or so. It will be a road trip, so this will be the interesting part of the trip, to say the least. It will be the first long road trip with all 4 kids. We are armed with a DVD player and craft supplies, and a few little back up plans up my sleeves!! I am hoping we will get there all in tack and I will still want to spend the next week with my kids!!!



I am also looking forward to visitng Costco!! Whoo!! The last Costco I went to was in Edomonton Canada. It was massive and as I didn't have any room left to take anything more home with me I just enjoyed taste testing, which I hope they will be doing at the Docklands one. If anyone has been and has some advice or products I should look out for, please let me know. My sister and sister-in-law have both been and my sister-in-law will be coming with us when we go, so I will be in good hands!! Needless to say, I shall be documenting all the good stuff to keep in mind when it comes to Sydney. I checked the site this evening to see what the plans are for Sydney but all that info has been taken off the site, not sure why though. A couple of months ago there was a fair amount of info about the proposed site at Auburn on Parramatta Rd. If anyone knows some inside details, please share.



Well, I have to get back to packing. Egg powder orders are still open if anyone is interested. For all those local gals, you can purchase 2L H2O bottles of water at the Refect Shop at Castle Towers for $1. Big W has there Decor TellFresh containers at 50% off again this week.