I can't really say that I've gotten my money's worth at Costco. The annual fees are proabably higher than any money I save, and really, how do you use a 1 gallon can (or whatever it is!)of tuna for sandwiches for a family of five? Having said that, I know lots of people who swear by it. I just have a problem with buying in huge quantities when half of it spoils before being used.

I have found that Smart & Final has the same or lower prices, and their big sizes are not as big as Costco's.

Recently I shopped for an upgraded Direct TV satellite receiver--same exact price as elsewhere. Ditto for a new computer when our old one bit the dust.

So...unless you can really use the big sizes, or benefit from the glasses/RX dept., I don't see it as being a good deal for a family (as opposed to a small business owner--it's great for that).