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60 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • July 2015 family money S ometimes it may make sense to buy something at Costco, but many times it could be more of a waste of money. After years of shopping Costco, I have learned how to navigate the aisles and to know what is a good deal and when I should walk away. Before you put it in your cart, do the math. Ask yourself, is it more cost effec- tive to buy in bulk, or will I just end up throwing excess product away before its expiration date? Remember, condiments, sunscreen or HBA products lose potency over time. Another item that loses efficacy is laundry detergent; most only have a shelf life of 6 months to a year. An even cheap- er option is to make your own! What may seem like a good deal may not be. Just because Costco has it is on the shelf doesn't make it cheaper. Would buying that item elsewhere on sale stacked with a cou- pon be cheaper? Paper goods, cereal, books, CDs, DVDs and diapers may be found cheap- er at Target, Wal-Mart and on Amazon with a bit of sleuthing and patience. Keep in mind, Costco does send out a monthly coupon book. This is when I stock up on non-perishable essentials for my fam- ily and buy the fun snacks for my kids. BY NIKKI DUCAS Take advantage of membership perks. Buy Costco's Kirkland brand and save money over name brands. I like their paper towels, baby wipes, contact solution, apple sauce squeeze pouches and maple syrup. Also, don't forget to fill up your gas tank. I use my Costco membership card for gas , and it's usu- ally 10-20 cents lower than the Valero or Exxon right around the corner. BJ's has also brought gas to its Fredericksburg membership. They recently opened a gas station on Route 3 West. As I stand there in the aisle contemplating whether or not my family will use all 96 ounces of pancake mix, I know we will because there is a yummy banana bread recipe on the back — and besides, it's a great way to use up all those extra bananas! Nikki Ducas is a Fredericksburg mom teaching her two young sons financial responsibility. at Wholesale Clubs Deals and Steals I have found the coupons for diapers, dishwasher tabs, aluminum foil, plastic bags and snack items to be great deals. [ [