I was recently shocked to discover that in 2024, I have been a Costco member for 20 years. Costco has helped me furnish my home, stock my small business, feed my children, and equip my daily life.

Here are 20 of my best Costco purchases from the last 20 years.

(All deals were available for online or Costco Same-Day purchases powered by Instacart with prices listed for my local Costco warehouse in West Des Moines, Iowa, as of October 31, 2024. Prices may vary by location.)

1. Living Room Futon ($799.99)

My family’s Costco futon has been a mainstay in our TV room for 17 years. The same model of futon I purchased years ago is no longer available. But you can get a similarly priced Ravenna Relax-a-Lounger Euro Lounger for $799.99.

2. LG 55-inch C4-Class OLED TV ($1,299.99)

Watching football or Netflix is ​​a pure delight on this massive, colorful screen with its several million pixels. The $1,299 price of this TV is valid until November 11, 2024 and includes five years of warranty.

Here’s one regret from my 20-year Costco membership: I should have applied for a Costco credit card sooner. Especially when you’re shopping for big-ticket items like TVs, the best Costco credit cards are worth it! Click here to learn more about the best Costco credit cards This can help you earn an extra 2-3% (or more) cash back on Costco purchases.

3. Costco Home Improvement Services

Costco Home & Installation services help you hire local, reliable contractors for home improvement projects like bathroom remodeling, cabinet remodeling, and flooring installation. We took the opportunity to purchase new window coverings for our house. It was totally easy and worth it – and we got a Costco Shop Card for 10% of the project price.

4. Kirkland Signature Trail Mix ($15.99)

Costco’s private label trail mix has been a major part of my diet for 20 years. It’s the perfect blend of sweet raisins, M&Ms, almonds, cashews and salty peanuts.

5. Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Chicken ($19.29)

My kids have always loved the orange chicken from Costco. This easy-to-prepare meal is a delicious, low-cost dinner for a busy young family.

6. Chobani Greek Yogurt Variety Pack – 20 ct. ($18.71)

Here’s another Costco grocery item that brings back fond memories of feeding my kids when they were little. You get 20 5.3 ounce cups of yogurt in a range of flavors, for less than $1 each!

7. Vintage Weather-Resistant Men’s Outdoor Socks ($11.99)

Over the past 20 years, Costco has become my go-to destination for buying socks. I live in a Midwestern state with a chaotic climate. These versatile socks stand up to cold and wet conditions.

8. Orvis Men’s Tech Pants ($19.99)

These Costco technical pants are ideal for traveling and hiking. They are weather resistant, lightweight and have a built-in zippered cargo pocket for cell phones. I’ve worn them in the Scottish Highlands, the Bavarian Alps and White Sands, New Mexico.

9. Costco Tires

Buy your tires at Costco. Even though tire prices aren’t the lowest in town, you can relax during your date with a $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.

10. Costco Optical Annual Eye Exams

I am self-employed and do not have vision insurance. Costco Optical has provided me with affordable eye exams year after year.

11. Cheap Laptops

As a freelancer, Costco has provided me with several inexpensive laptops. Right now, you can get a 13-inch MacBook Air laptop with Apple M2 chip for $699.99 (price includes $200 savings valid through November 17, 2024; limit two per member, until while stocks last).

12. Vaccines at Costco Pharmacy

Every year, I get my flu and Covid shots at the Costco pharmacy. Prices for vaccines, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications are generally the cheapest at Costco.

13. Kirkland Signature Paper Towel ($23.27)

These sturdy, absorbent paper towels are custom created. This means you can get the perfect amount for microwaving a meal or wiping up messes.

14. Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken ($5.84)

Here’s another classic choice when you don’t want to cook. Costco’s beloved rotisserie chicken is a tender, juicy, well-seasoned bird and a versatile protein for effortless meals.

15. Kirkland Signature European Cookies with Belgian Chocolate ($18.71)

This huge box of cookies is a treasure trove of textures and styles of things sweet, crunchy, chocolatey and frosty.

16. Lindt Lindor Chocolate Truffles – 21.2 ounces ($11.34)

This is a big bag of luscious truffles, ranging from white to dark chocolate. And the price is cheaper than what you’re likely to find at any grocery store. (Price valid until November 17, 2024, limit of 16 items per member.)

17. Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup – 33.8 Ounce ($14.61)

On a purely per ounce basis, this might be the best deal at Costco. Use it for pancakes, waffles or cocktails with maple syrup.

18. Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Chips ($7.01)

These tortilla chips can upgrade your taco night or microwave nachos. $7.01 gets you 40 servings of crispy, not-too-salty chips that can handle a vigorous dipping in salsa, guac, or queso.

19. Kirkland Signature Sweet Heat Snack Mix ($11.10)

I just tried it for the first time, but it’s already on my Top 20 Costco Buys list. Sweet, spicy, crunchy – a delicious addition to my daily snack rotation.

20. Costco Hot Dog Combo ($1.50)

If I can spend another 20 years eating hot dogs at Costco, it will be a life well lived. And the price will probably stay the same.

Conclusion

Costco has been a constant presence in my life for 20 years, providing family meals, tire repairs and fond memories. I hope to continue maximizing my membership for years to come!