I’m a Costco Mom — Here’s How I Feed My Three Kids on $100 a Month

Food, drink

by David Landsel

Laura Avenius Eliasson is a busy mother of three who always tries to stay on budget.

To feed her growing tribe — all of her children are under 8 — without going bankrupt, the savvy mother often ends up cooking from scratch.

When she grabs her shopping cart and hits the aisles, she’s constantly looking for sales.

“Costco is one of my favorite grocery stores for finding great deals on foods made with simple ingredients,” she said in her first-person memoir. Published by Insider.

She said she tries to get in and out of the big box store for about $100 a month, a feat that certainly requires intense focus, given the sheer amount of attractive deals the retailer offers.

Here, in her own words, are the 10 items she’ll always find in her shopping cart—and why she keeps buying them.

Kirkland Signature Organic Berries

“I find a 3-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Organic Frozen Cranberries to be a great deal.”

“They’re great for snacking on or using in blueberry muffins, muffins and smoothies.”

“I love that frozen produce is nutritious but it’s often cheaper than fresh produce – and it also lasts longer.”

Avenius Eliason pays $7.90 for the bag at her local Costco.

Kirkland Signature Quinoa

“I often grab a bag of Kirkland’s Premium Organic Quinoa because it’s packed with nutrients and high in fiber.”

“My kids grew up enjoying quinoa because of its similarity to rice and other grains.”

A 5-pound bag cost her $9.50, about half of what she would have paid at her local grocery store.

Honest Kids Organic Juice Boxes

“I rarely give my kids juice, but they love having some Honest Kids juice in their lunch boxes.”

“I find that these juice boxes are lower in sugar and about $5 cheaper than many competitors. I always stock up when they go on sale during the back-to-school season.

A box of 40 juice boxes cost her $12.80 on her last trip to the retailer.

Tortilla and flour tortilla

“My family loves to have taco nights, but I’m not always a big fan of the ingredients and toppings that some tortilla chips have.”

“I was thrilled to discover Tortillaland, which contains simple ingredients like flour, water, canola oil, salt and sugar.”

For $8.50 at her local Costco, she was able to get a pack of 50.

avocado

“I’m a big fan of the quality of Costco’s large avocados, which are sold in bags of six each.”

“My family loves it in guacamole, and my kids enjoy it in avocado sushi rolls as a healthy after-school snack.”

I recently paid $6.40 for a bag.

Kirkland Signature Rolled Oats

“I think Kirkland Specialty Oats are a great whole grain to add to your weekly breakfast and snacks.”

“My family eats oatmeal for breakfast, in muffins and pancakes, or added to what my kids call ‘energy balls’ (I call them protein balls).”

“Oats are cheap, delicious and very filling.”

A 10-pound bag cost $8.

Sunmade Organic Raisins

“My kids really enjoy raisins, and I love the price Costco offers on a package of organic Sun-Maid.”

“We add raisins to oatmeal, custom mixes, cereal and crackers. My little one even loves to eat them on his own.

“Raisins contain antioxidants, fiber and nutrients such as iron, which are important for children’s health.”

For $8.40, she can buy two 2-pound bags.

Kirkland signature trail blend

“Kirkland Signature Mix is ​​one of my family’s favorites because it contains peanuts and M&Ms.”

“Although individual mix packets can be cheap, I find it more cost effective to get a larger bag and create my own individual packets at home.”

At her local store, 4 lbs. The bag is currently $12.50.

Kirkland Signature Maple Syrup

“I try to cook with as little sugar as possible, so I often rely on sweeteners like maple syrup.”

“Kirkland Signature Syrup tastes great and is organic, too.”

“I love that it’s not made with corn syrup, and I feel good about giving it to my kids to use in pancakes and waffles.”

A 1-liter jug ​​cost her $13.

Kirkland’s signature chicken breast pieces

“Kirkland’s signature chicken breast nuggets remind me of Chick-fil-A nuggets but are a fraction of the cost.”

“According to the chicken packaging, the chicken contains no added hormones or steroids. And for breaded chicken, the ingredient list is much shorter than other brands I’ve encountered.

“I serve chicken with chopped fruits and vegetables as a quick lunch for my kids.”

For 4 lbs. bag, and paid $14.