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To me, paying $130 per year for an Executive membership at Costco is an easy call. The money I spend comes back to me -- and then some -- in the form of savings on bulk groceries and household essentials.
But just because a Costco membership makes sense for me doesn't mean it's right for you. Here are a few signs that it may be time to cancel yours.
1. You've moved far away from the closest store
I shop at Costco pretty much every week. And that's doable, since my nearest Costco store is about 15 minutes away.
But if you've recently moved and you no longer have easy access to Costco, then it may be time to cancel your membership. You can tell yourself you'll do the 40-minute drive each way several times a month. But if you're busy, your membership might end up going to waste.
Also, don't forget that your time is worth money. Even if you can technically get to Costco often enough to justify a membership, you don't want to waste valuable time on the road when you have things to do.
It could make sense to stick to a regular supermarket if there's one less than five minutes away. Or you may want to join another warehouse club if there's a store that's much closer to where you live now.
2. You've repeatedly landed in credit card due to overspending at Costco
It's fun to roam the aisles at Costco and check out the store's rotating inventory. But if you keep overspending at Costco to the point where it's driven you into credit card debt, then it's time to think about canceling your membership.
It's one thing to occasionally make an impulsive purchase at Costco that adds $15 to your weekly grocery bill. But it's another thing to spend a few hundred dollars extra at Costco each month -- and then carry a balance on a credit card you can't pay off because of it. If you just can't seem to break that habit, then staying away from Costco could be a much better bet for your finances.
3. You throw away most of the food you buy in bulk
There's a world of potential savings to be had when you buy groceries at Costco in bulk. But if you find that you typically throw away a good part of your haul, then you're probably not saving yourself money. In reality, you may be wasting money repeatedly.
Be honest about your bulk food needs and cooking habits. Not everyone has the time or patience to prepare meals at home. If you can afford takeout five nights a week, there's nothing wrong with that. But if that's the case, there's no sense in constantly buying bulk food from Costco that only gets thrown away.
And if it doesn't pay to buy food at Costco, you'll need to make sure the other items you might buy there save you enough money to justify a membership. If that's not the case, canceling and looking out for sales on items like toilet paper could make more sense.
It's okay to cut ties with Costco
I can't imagine not shopping at Costco all the time. But I have the benefit of living close by and doing a fair amount of cooking at home. I also have a larger household, so buying groceries in bulk makes sense for us. And while I do my share of impulse shopping at Costco, it's not to the point where my finances are taking a beating.
But you might be in a very different situation on all accounts. And so if, don't hesitate to cancel your membership if it's just not right for you.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
