The internet is obsessed with the Costco Guys—the father-son duo reviewing Costco food with infectious enthusiasm. ‘We bring the boom!’ has become a rallying cry for bulk buying, and suddenly everyone wants to make Costco runs content.

But here’s the thing: Costco saves money when you’re strategic. Treating it like entertainment and buying everything they review? That’s just expensive influencer marketing with a membership fee.

The Costco psychology

Costco is designed to make you spend money. The treasure hunt vibe, the samples, the ‘deals’ that make you buy 48 rolls of paper towels you don’t need—it’s all strategic.

Average Costco trip: People plan to spend $100, leave with $300 worth of stuff.

Why it happens:

  • Bulk sizes make unit prices look better (even when you don’t need that quantity)
  • ‘Deals’ that aren’t actually deals compared to regular stores
  • Impulse purchases disguised as ‘investments’
  • The sunk cost of the membership making you feel like you need to maximize value

When Costco actually saves money

Good buys:

  • Gas (genuinely cheaper)
  • Rotisserie chicken ($4.99, a legend)
  • Basics you actually use in bulk (toilet paper, trash bags, laundry detergent)
  • Prescriptions (often cheaper than pharmacies)

Bad buys:

  • Perishables you won’t finish before they go bad
  • ‘Deals’ on things you wouldn’t normally buy
  • Giant quantities of snacks (you’ll eat them faster, not save money)
  • Trendy items influencers review that you don’t actually need

The membership math

Costco membership: $60-120/year

Break-even point: You need to save at least $5-10/month to justify the membership. That’s doable with gas alone if you live near a Costco.

The trap: People convince themselves they’re saving money while buying $200 worth of stuff they didn’t need. You’re not saving if you weren’t going to buy it anyway.

The Costco Guys effect on spending

Content creators reviewing Costco products make buying feel like participating in something fun. But entertainment value doesn’t mean financial value.

The danger:

  • Buying things because they went viral, not because you need them
  • Making extra trips ‘just to see what’s new’
  • Treating Costco like an experience instead of a shopping trip

The bottom line

Costco can absolutely save money—if you’re disciplined. Buy what you actually need in quantities you’ll actually use, skip the impulse purchases, and don’t let influencer content convince you that buying 48 muffins is a smart financial move.

The Costco Guys bring the boom. You should bring a list and stick to it.