I recently became an executive member at Costco. Here are 11 items I buy for my family that make the $130 annual fee worth it.

I recently became an executive member at Costco. To make the membership worth it, I buy Kirkland Signature diapers, eyeglasses, and ground beef.

May 7, 2025 - 16:16

I recently became an executive member at Costco. Here are 11 items I buy for my family that make the $130 annual fee worth it.

Chicken pot pies from Costco in the bakery section of the store. — Though Costco's chicken pot pie is huge, every bite is delicious.
Anne James

I buy nearly all the groceries for my family at Costco and recently became an executive member.
My family loves the Pura Vida fire-roasted root vegetables and Kirkland Signature chicken pot pie.
I also pick up Kirkland Signature diapers, Clorox ToiletWands, and eyeglasses from the retailer.

My husband and I have had a Costco membership for eight years, but we recently decided to upgrade to the executive level. This membership costs $65 more than the standard version but offers an annual 2% reward of up to $1,250 on most purchases.

Though Costco raised its executive-membership fee from $120 to $130 last year, it's definitely still worth it for our family of four — especially considering we buy the majority of our groceries at Costco.

Here are 11 of our favorite items to buy that help us make the most of our membership.

The Pura Vida fire-roasted root vegetables add variety to our veggie rotation.

Bags of Pura Vida fire-roasted root vegetables in black boxes on a shelf at Costco. — I love cooking the Pura Vida fire-roasted root vegetables in the air fryer.
Anne James

The bag of fire-roasted root vegetables from Pura Vida includes sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and red onion.

They're already tossed in extra-virgin olive oil, Himalayan pink salt, and black peppercorns, but we also like to add a bit of honey to give it a nice glaze.

I've found that the air fryer caramelizes the vegetables better than other cooking methods and gives them a nice crunch and texture.

Kirkland Signature’s everything-seasoning breaded cod is a quick and nutritious air-fryer staple.

Blue boxes of Kirkland Signature's everything-seasoning breaded cod on shelves in Costco. — I appreciate that the Kirkland Signature everything-seasoning cod isn't too smelly while cooking.
Anne James

The breading on the Kirkland Signature everything-seasoning cod is crisp and flavorful, and the fish falls apart nicely.

Plus, as someone who's sensitive to smells, I haven't noticed any offensive odors while it's cooking.

The Kirkland Signature diapers are high quality and come in cute patterns.

Boxes of Kirkland Signature diapers with a picture of baby on the front on a shelf at Costco. — My son loves the bear and bumblebee design on the Kirkland Signature diapers.
Anne James

The diapers from the Kirkland Signature brand are strong, with a high waistband that serves as an extra precaution against leaks.

They come in fun animal patterns in each size — which is absolutely adorable. My son became especially attached to the bear and bumblebee design.

Costco’s chicken pot pie is like a warm hug.

The chicken pot pie from Costco is simply heavenly. Everyone in my household enjoys the crisp crust and flavorful fillings.

The only downside is that it's huge — but that can also be considered a plus since it's good for several servings.

The Sanders sea-salt caramels melt in your mouth.

Jars of Sanders' sea-salt caramels on the shelves in Costco. — The Sanders sea-salt caramels are some of the best chocolates I've ever had.
Anne James

I am a chocolate aficionado, and the Sanders sea-salt caramels are some of the highest-quality chocolates I've found. We've used them for s'mores, and they elevated the experience to new levels.

The sea-salt caramels would also be great in the center of a cookie or served on a party tray. They frequently go on sale, and Costco sells a peppermint flavor around Christmas.

The Rouge River Farms sweet corn is amazingly fresh.

Cobs of River Farms' sweet corn packaged in boxes at Costco. — The sweet corn from Rouge River Farms tastes great even in the offseason.
Anne James

Being from Nebraska, I have high expectations for my corn, as I'm used to the version from farm stands. I was amazed by the quality and freshness of the River Rouge Farms sweet corn, even outside peak season — which makes it a good option in winter.

The corn is great when boiled, microwaved, or cooked. It creams well to make tasty cornbread, elotes, and soups.

The Essential Baking Company’s take-and-bake loaves taste just like homemade bread.

Boxes of The Essential Baking Company's take-and-bake garlic bread at Costco. — I use The Essential Baking Company's take-and-bake loaves for sandwiches or as an easy addition to a meal.
Anne James

As someone who enjoys baking bread and eating Parisian baguettes, The Essential Baking Company's take-and-bake loaves are a dream.

They're already partially baked, so they only need to be in the oven for a short amount of time before the crust crisps up nicely.

I've seen three varieties at my store — traditional baguette, rustic, and garlic. They're great for sandwiches or as a simple slice alongside a meal.

If a loaf goes stale, we'll make croutons or a French toast casserole — or even just top off a bowl of soup with the crumbs.

The Kirkland Signature ground beef is another money saver.

Packages of Kirkland Signature ground beef in the refrigerated section at Costco. — There's plenty of meat packed into the Kirkland Signature ground beef.
Anne James

The large quantity of ground beef in each Kirkland Signature pack can make it difficult to repackage into smaller bags to freeze, but the versatility of this meat makes it worth every cent.

Among a myriad of other recipes, we've even made gluten-free meatballs for friends with dietary restrictions.

The Clorox ToiletWand refills save elbow grease.

Boxes of Clorox ToiletWands on a shelf at Costco. — I prefer Clorox ToiletWands over regular brushes.
Anne James

Though Clorox ToiletWands can be bought elsewhere, Costco often has its bulk size on sale. The ToiletWands cost more than a standard brush and cleaner, but they do such a great job that I think the price is worth it.

Costco’s eyeglasses are a steal.

A pair of red sunglasses and a pair of eyeglasses photographed with a black case on a white surface. — In my experience, Costco sells glasses at lower prices than other retailers.
Anne James

Even without in-network insurance coverage, I've found that Costco glasses are incredibly inexpensive. They offer a good selection of brands, and I've been just as happy with these pairs as the ones I've bought from other stores.

At the price my Costco sells pairs for, I was able to buy both prescription glasses and sunglasses.

The Paisley Farm four-bean salad is a family favorite.

Jars of Paisley Farm four-bean salad in a box with other products. — Even my preschooler loves the Paisley Farm four-bean salad.
Anne James

I usually dislike green beans, but in the Paisley Farm four-bean salad, they're packed in pickling juice, making everything in the jar delicious.

My preschooler is a huge fan, and it's a quick addition to any meal. Sometimes, we'll add extra red beans — a favorite of ours — to the mix, which makes the salad last a bit longer.

This story was originally published on November 14, 2024, and most recently updated on May 7, 2025.

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