Many people see retirement as an opportunity to save money on day-to-day expenses. This could explain why Costco, a membership-only wholesale club based in the Seattle area, is so popular among retirees.
According to research, elderly buyers prefer the bargain warehouse club to rival big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. Furthermore, baby boomers, who number 76.4 million in the United States now, are more likely than millennials to renew their Costco memberships, which range from $60 to $120 each year.
As a baby boomer who frequents Costco, I’ve discovered that the warehouse club’s own Kirkland Signature brand of products offers some of the finest deals. Kirkland is found on one out of every five products on Costco’s shelves.
Many of these limited-edition things appeal to retirees and near-retirees. Oh, and don’t let the fact that you have an empty nest deter you from shopping in bulk. Check expiration dates, stock up on things that have a lengthy shelf life, and keep in mind that many foods may be frozen. Take a look at our list of 7 Kirkland items from Costco that are suitable for retirees.
82 Responses
No Cosco near me-therefore shop BJ’s- any way of buying these and other Senior Cost Friendly Items, on- line/email, etc. ?, from COSCO ???
Yes, some. Problem is that the prices go up a few bucks more than being in-store.
COSTCO
You need a membership to buy online.
You can get an online membership they ship direct, but hearing aids might need a Rx to fill order properly
Yes, you can order many items on Costco.com. However, you still need to be a member.
I love Costco. As far as the Rotisserie chicken is concerned you didn’t mention that at only $4.99 per chicken at Costco, they are also larger plumper and more juicy than those sold at places like Cub foods and Walmart at much higher prices.
Larger and plumpier may mean too much antibiotics and other additives in their meat
They are not ! They take a loss on each chicken to get you to walk through the store to spend your money on other items. It is a very effective marketing tool and that’s why the chickens have stayed $4.99 for so long ! That’s why they are always located at the back of the warehouse !
Absolutely! Reported not long ago in 2024, that too many unhealthful additives to the Costco chicken. Most stores selling whole rotisserie chickens were criticized. The one recommended cost about $2. more and was smaller, it was sold at Whole Foods. But nothing harmful was put in it. My daughter picked one up and it tasted better than any Costco chicken I ever ate. (Tuesday nite it’s on sale at Whole Foods). It’s worth it!
Excellent point. I don’t buy them at Stop n Shop nearby after finding out what’s in them.
Larger and plumper because it’s better quality to begin with, they are better than homemade .
I found them to be under cooked. Bought them twice. Had to cut them up and put them in the oven and cook them more. I don’t buy them anymore.
Thx .. ditto .. no way those chicks grew without chems. Costco skirts rules. 80 % UTI are attributable to cheap chickens …
I have the Jabra hearing aids and love them!! The staff at the Oakbrook store are professional and super friendly. I have sent quite a few customers their way.
I’ve been going to Costco since the first store opened in Kirkland. I’ve always found the quality of the products there to be excellent. I’ve also used many of the Kirkland products over the years and been very happy with them. I travel much farther now to get to our nearest Costco than when I lived in Kirkland and am happy to do so because I know I get great products and great value.
Thanks for scoops on Cost Co. we do love that store and try to go monthly.
They should wave the annual dues for longtime COSTCO members
I agree.
I have always been satisfied with the products sold at Costco. My son, Ronald Allman has assured me that “all of the products sold at Costco are excellent.” So I shop with confidence at the Costco in Danvers, MA.
Leah Allman
No, my husband bought Costco’s hearing aids and they don’t do a thing. He’s had them adjusted and are still useless. Don’t waste your money.
The toilet paper isn’t as good as others. Actually, pretty bad.
The chicken is ok, my cats like it now and then.
I love their toilet paper. I go sometime to but just the toilet paper🙄
And my hearing aids experience is the opposite. The first pair lasted almost 7 years. Now have a new set. Both sets were sound adjustable on my iPhone. Can hardly hear without them. They are great.
Sounds like you don’t like costco at all. Try walmart they may be of better quality for you.
Sounds like you don’t like costco, why don’t you try walmart they may be a better fit for you.
My husband purchased his hearing aids at Costco about five years ago and they have been GREAT.
I buy batteries for them at Costco, and they are very reasonably priced. My husband goes there for checkups, and they adjust them and clean them for nothing. Can you beat that?
Costco was rated #1 oner Sam’s Club and BJs in every category. That’s why Costco stock is over 900 a share.
Go to the inferior BJs since you seem to be miserable at Costco
I already take advantage of some of the great deals
I wish there was a Costco closer to me I’d go there instead of Sam’s or Walmart, but I do go to Costco whenever I’m in the area.
Because I am a senior living on a fixed income when I can get to store I stock up on as much as I can of what I can. Thank you.
Agreed! Have been using most of these products with satisfaction for years.
I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to order the toilet tissue on two occasions..actually, three times because once the computer would not allow me to finish the ordering transaction..Costco informed me that I would receive the credit for both .
Why did you add this political bullshit on this ad ?
You want to stir more Republjcan hatred ? Fools.
Huh?
I’m in my late 70s, $60 to renew my membership is a lot for me.
I don’t buy much because I’m alone so I don’t save by going to Costco.
Lower price to half it would bring many seniors back.
I don’t think you should have to buy a membership to shop at any store.
I saw a review on the Patriot Solar generator and they said it was the worst one on the market. I have ordered other stuff from them before but they are very over priced. The solar bug lanterns were worthless to me.
A review from a source I trust says that your brand of olive is one of the best.
Kirkland Olive Oil is manufactured by Filippo Berio.. [forgive the spelling.]
Problem with Costco is you can no longer use cash to buy a hot dog or anything at the food court a lot of elderly people and others are not financially secure enough to have credit cards or debit cards and only use cash. Especially a burden for handicapped to have to go into the store to buy a cash card and having to Waite in two lines now to purchase a hot dog . This concern was raised with Costco a few times they refused to address the matter or response back
Wow! You hit the nail on the head. Agree totally. I helped an elderly couple with their order and I paid for it with pleasure, since they didn’t know how to use the machine. Easier for me to gift them their meal than giving them a training lesson. I love shopping at Costco, however I prefer to pay cash at the food court. I also shop at Sam’s. Like their meat counter better than Costco’s. Don’t like the steaks tenderized with their machines. Transfer of bacteria from one cut of meat to the other. No thanks.
They do have a register open for cash payments.
Love Costco, excellent variety, great service and affordable prices!
Kirkland coffee is the best. I try to stock up when I can.
Yes I agree love Kirkland K cups and I too try to stock up on it.
Costo has many great products but their toilet paper is not one of them. It is thin and takes at least twice a much to do the job as most others I have used. I don’t buy it anymore, I spend a little extra and get three times the extra value.
I agree, Costco needs to follow up on these complaints and make corrections as needed, rather than promote false ads. I shop at Costco and buy their gas, and get back a fair credit for doing so, but there are several products I would NOT recommend, and their bathroom tissue is at the top of the list!
Costco should have a discounted membership for senior citizens.
Agree
Agree I think senior citizens should get a discount on membership
I agree COSTCO should have a reduced membership fee for seniors. Several members of my senior living community gave up their membership do to the cost.
Costco has some great deals and some not so great deals! You have to shop wisely- and read all ingredients carefully!!! Shop around for electronics check against Amazon and Best Buy! –
Several things come to mind. As a senior I find that buying bacon, olive oil, etc in bulk goes to waste unless you freeze it. Agree with buying paper goods in bulk. Alos, wondering why you found it necessary to point out that the rotisserie turners in Virginia are white?
Because that’s what color they happened to be!
I was beginning to think that I was the only one who noticed.
Costco now refuses to except cash at the food court making it impossible for many to buy a hot dog or any other food item a lot of seniors as well as others are not financially secure enough to have credit cards or debit cards . This is also a major burden on handicap individuals to have to go into the store wait in-line to purchase a cash card only to have to go back to the food court Waite in line again to purchase a hot dog 🌭 or other food or drinks
I purchased a Kirkland hearing aid 2 & 1/2 years ago and have been pleased with it, but it has become difficult to charge the last couple months. I called the hearing center and took it in, as it’s guaranteed for 3 years. A front desk person ran it through the same steps the manual directs .. which I had done repeatedly before I called. The woman told me it seemed okay and if it continued to act up, I should bring it back in and they’d mail it in to be checked out. When asked how long that would take, I was told “a couple weeks or so.” I opted to just keep it because I’m dependent on it. I get up early and readjust it in the charger if not fully charged. So far, this is annoying, but is working for me. I do wish, tho, that Costco could provide a loaner for instances like this, even if there was a fee to the borrower.
I am looking forward to the opening on the Costco being built in Daytona Beach. I shopped at Costco for many years in Maryland and really miss it. Many of their products are great (like their rotisserie chicken and cakes), but I would NEVER buy a hearing aid at anyplace other than from a audiologist. Costco only has Hearing Aid Specialists who have weeks of training rather than the years of training an audiologist has. An audiology practice will make every effort to be sure your hearing aid is fitted and adjusted properly.
I shopped around and the hearing aids from an audiologist (who I never met) were $8,000. The ones I bought from Costco were $1600 and I have been working with the same wonderful hearing specialist for over eight years.
I note that Springfield, VA COSTCO has an audiologist and she trains all the other hearing aid dispensers there. I got my hearing aids from her.
The vast majority of hearing aid shops have no Audiologist. This is particularly true in rural areas. I urge people to see an Audiologist for an initial exam but buy a unit locally or at Costco as fittings and adjustments are best done locally. Costco units are also top quality for less.
yes Costco should offer seniors discounts for memberships. I know more seniors would be able to take advantage of what Costco has to offer.
The see-through toilet paper is no bargain. I have to fold it four-ply for it to be of any use.
Using FedEx for shipping is a travesty. Three days for an overnight delivery and the boxes look like they were thrown off the truck! Too bad I can’t post pictures.
Where Is The Closest Costco For Me To Shop? I Live In Fruitport, Mi. 49456
Wish Costco would open earlier for seniors.
I would like to see an option of scan and go to be offered at Costco. This feature is great for the customer to get their purchases without waiting in long lines. It’s also great for Costco b/c it allows for less line back up in the store.
I’ve used this feature at Sam’s especially during the pandemic, which enabled me no contact with any person or machine in the store.
Costco in Houston, Tx. is very expensive. Compared to Sam’s Club they do not compete. Now and then you might find a good deal, but not too often.
For instance I buy the 46 oz. bag of Community Coffee at Sam’s for $14.99 regular price. Costco sale price was $16.99.
Also the membership cost is twice as much as Sam’s Club.
I have shopped at Costco for many years. One complaint I have is that you no longer carry Kirkland grapefruit in the individual cups in the 12 pack, it was wonderful. Now you carry Del Monte, very bad, pithily. Please go back to the Kirkland brand.
Costco has the best beef hotdogs on the market.
Month before last, they didn’t have their usual Kirkland Brand Beef Hotdogs, So I brought Sabrett hotdogs, and Nathan’s hotdogs… BUT I had been buying Kirkland for the last two years, they did not compare.
So when I went to Costco this month, Kirkland Hotdogs were back… I stocked up on them and will not be eating the others
I could not believe the difference,
Costco Kirkland Hotdogs WINS HANDS DOWN.
Be Blessed.
Discounts for Veterans, say Tues. 10:A.M. till noon. A long time ago i heard a woman saying leaving Costco is like walking out after seeing a good movie.
Everything I have ever bought from Costco has been of very good quality. Even their Kirkland brand batteries are actually Duracell made.
When we are in Fl we go to Costco once a month regularly. We are very senior and buy a lot of thing to last a month or more. However we come back to Amsterdam NY for 6 months and no Costco even as close as Albany NY where they were supposed to build 3 years ago my family goes to BJ’s cause it is the closest to home but I WANT THAT Costco’s built in ALBANY!!!!!’ What is the holdup? But a different place to put it? 3 years is crazy to wait!!!
Costco turned me away when we ran out of gas in their lot, my card had not expired but they said technically there was a lull between my renewals so card no good
They couldn’t take my exboyfriend’s name off my card so I ended up paying for his membership when I renewed
I’m a senior and disabled I’m disgusted by their money grubbing attitude!
1. The cosco chicken is great at 3lbs for $5. The meat section also has fillet mignon at a fair price.
2. Motor oil with dexos was way over priced but Kirkland oil was 1/2 price.
3. All vendors in Denver beat Cosco microwave oven prices even on sale.
4. Bakery is good quality and priced about the same as other box stores.
5. Produce prices were slightly less than Kroger. Avacado quality was good.
6. Gasoline discount at Cosco beats King Soopers stupid point system.
Should offer discount price for membership for seniors & be allowed to use cash for purchases.
As longtime Costco customers now in our 70’s we would really appreciate if a discount ws available to us.
I go to Costco at least once weekly. Don’t always buy something, but that is rare, as they almost always have a ‘deal’ I cannot pass up. They have surprise ‘closeouts’ fairly frequently — great buys, if something I can use.
My husband and I loved going to Costco however with gas prices going up and it takes about 30 minutes to get there. Then you have the Costco yearly membership dues to shop there a senior citizen on a fixed budget has to rethink whether it really is economically fit for us to purchase in bulk. Something’s got to give. I believe it would be wise for them to not charge seniors the annual dues. Perhaps they would get more seniors to buy there.
I agree sr. Citizens should get a discount on membership fee.
Gotten 4 hearing aids over 12 yrs. Originally battery required now get Resound hearing aids. Hearing evaluation excellent . Had to turn a hearing sud and was immediately replaced .
Ten yrs ago WSJ noted Costco best value for hearing aids. Same hearing can be bought at Costco for $1,800 with three yr warranty that audiologist charges $4000-$6000 for. Great company with solid knowledgeable staff who seem to enjoy working there as customers enjoy the store
Our local COSCO takes cash at the register in the food court. In fact each register has a sign saying “CASH ONLY”. Maybe they are testing that.
For years I have always felt one of the top brands sold at COSTCO was their store brand (Kirkland) in all categories. They have never let me down.