Many families usually consider stockpiling some daily necessities and long-lasting food for emergencies. Costco, a warehouse-style chain store in the United States, is known for selling goods in bulk and is one of the preferred shopping destinations for stockpiling among average households.
Currently, the inflation rate in the United States has eased somewhat but has not reached the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%. Many ordinary people still feel that the prices of groceries, cars, and real estate are still significantly higher than a few years ago. Saving money has always been a topic of interest for the media and the public.
Compared to 2019, food prices in the United States have increased by about 25%. When asked about which expense has increased the most in the past year, 56% of consumers surveyed by the Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability indicated it was food, even though official government data may not reflect that.
Results from the consumer survey at the University of Michigan show that consumers have noticed a slight easing in inflation since 2022 but still feel frustrated by high prices. According to the research center, a preliminary report from June indicated that 47% of consumers mentioned high prices as a reason for poor personal financial conditions, higher than the peak of 38% from January to April.
Joseph Balagtas, an agricultural economics professor at Purdue University, told “USA Today” that while expenses such as insurance, housing, and childcare have seen faster growth, consumers tend to notice food price increases more because people frequently purchase food.
One way to control your food budget is by storing some long-lasting food items at home. Purchasing dry goods in bulk at Costco is one method. Simply storing grains in a sealed container can help extend their shelf life.
The following are the top six dry goods from Costco that cost under $100, curated by gobankingrates. Please note that prices may vary over time and by location.
Price: $24.99
Rice is a staple that can be stored. At Costco, you can purchase a 20-pound bag of Basmati Rice for $24.99, which is cost-effective compared to smaller packages at regular grocery stores.
Basmati Rice is aromatic rice with long, slender grains that have a nutty aroma. This rice has low stickiness and is easy to digest.
Price: $19.99
Flour is another staple that can be bought in bulk and stored. If you enjoy pasta and baking, flour can be consumed quickly. Costco offers two 10-pound bags of organic bread flour for $19.99, approximately $1 per pound, which is significantly lower than regular supermarket prices.
Price: $15.99
Pasta has a relatively long shelf life. At Costco, you can purchase a large bag of Italian pasta, approximately 9 pounds, for $15.99. Made from 100% organic durum wheat semolina, this pasta comes from Gragnano near Naples, with high protein content.
This pasta is easy to cook, requiring about 11 minutes to boil.
Price: $10.99
Quinoa is a health food. At Costco, a 4.5-pound bag of organic quinoa costs only $10.99, much cheaper than elsewhere.
Quinoa is a superfood containing all nine essential amino acids, is gluten-free, high in fiber, and rich in various vitamins and minerals.
According to the Costco website, this quinoa is grown in the Andes Mountains of South America, rich in plant-based protein and amino acids, high in dietary fiber for satiety, and is already thoroughly cleaned before packaging, eliminating the need to wash it before consumption. It can be added to rice or oatmeal.
Price: $10.49
Costco sells a 20-ounce bag of dried blueberries for a very reasonable price.
Dried blueberries are not only a tasty snack but can also be added to breakfast oatmeal or yogurt.
Price: $9.99
Oatmeal is a traditional breakfast staple. Costco sells a 10-pound bag of whole grain oats for $9.99. Even compared to store brands at regular supermarkets, this price is hard to beat.