'Costco-ing' for a Small Family 

We always shop at nearby Costco in Pentagon City even though we are only a family of two.  

There are a few key ways to navigate through the bulk-buying process to maximize your dollar and not have any waste even with the big amounts of food purchased.  

Here are some tips for families of all sizes:  

Samples! — Taste testing is a great way to ensure that you like what you are buying because at a bulk store you are going to get a lot of it and you have to make sure you like it. If you can't make it on the weekends when Costco does the most sampling, buy the product in a grocery store first to try it out.

Know Your Prices — If there are products you buy all the time (cereal, juice, bread, etc.), compare prices to ensure that a bulk purchase is the best bang for your buck. Make a note of price per pound or package in the notes section of your phone so that it's handy to reference next time you are in the store.  

Freeze — The freezer is your friend. Either separate the product and freeze part of it immediately or cook meals like stew, soup and meatloaf that can be frozen and then thawed at a later date. 

Rotisserie Chicken — This is a great deal. It's offered at a good price, it's fresh and makes for a delicious dinner. You'll also have a cooked chicken ready to go for one or two more meals.   

Multi-Purpose Recipes — Grab a recipe that uses a lot of one ingredient you can buy in bulk at Costco and then make a double or triple batch. Utilize that dish in different ways throughout the week. I'll share my favorite Costco "reuse recipe" next in part two.