I don't shop at Costco to save $. I shop at Costco because they have better quality meats, seafood, produce, baked goods, honestly most if not all their products are better than BJ's or Sams. I don't mind taking the trip once or twice a month. Plus the amount of samples they give, especially on the weekends is obscene compared to Bj's or Sams. A lot of times I plan my trips to coincide w/ lunch and we literally just eat samples for lunch
They aren't hitler w/ the samples either. The sample gals are constantly saying "help yourself, its the perk of your membership" my kids take full advantage of that when we pass by their bakery!