Money Management

Want to get the most out of your Costco membership? Check out these five Kirkland Signature products that members love. 

When you walk into your local Costco and see the Kirkland Signature logo, you probably know you’re getting a bargain on a quality product. Kirkland Signature is Costco’s umbrella private label that includes a huge array of products, including pantry staples, coffee, alcoholic beverages, household essentials, clothing, and gasoline.

Surprisingly, many Kirkland Signature brands are actually manufactured by big names like Starbucks, Jelly Belly candy, and Huggies diapers. Here are five Kirkland Signature products Costco members can’t stop raving about.

1. Rotisserie chicken

Costco sells over 100 million of its Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken each year. And the $4.99 price tag, which Costco hasn’t raised since 2009, has a lot to do with that. If Costco had raised the price to keep pace with inflation, its signature birds would cost over $7 by now.

Costco’s rotisserie chickens are what’s known as a loss leader. The warehouse giant is willing to sacrifice profits because the cheap chickens lure more people into the store. Customers who might just stock up on essentials once or twice a month stop by their local warehouse more often to pick up an easy, low-cost dinner.

Of course, Costco knows that you’ll probably buy more than just a $4.99 chicken when you drop by the warehouse. So keep that in mind, particularly if you’re prone to impulse spending.

2. Aged balsamic vinegar

Costco members rave about the Kirkland Signature Aged Balsamic Vinegar, which is made in partnership with Modena, Italy-based company Acetum. Fans say it makes for the perfect salad dressing and that it also pairs nicely with ciabatta bread.

Many report they’ve never been able to find anything quite like it at their local supermarket. Plus, it’s a deal at just under $20 for a 1-liter bottle.

3. Dental Chews dog treats

Humans aren’t the only ones who can score bargains at Costco. One favorite product among pet parents is Kirkland Signature Dental Chews for dogs. A 72-count box costs just $36.99 at Costco.com.

The treats are grain-free and gluten-free. Many dog owners report that their dogs love the treats. Moreover, they say the treats keep their canine companions’ teeth healthy and their breath fresh. Of course, chew treats are no substitute for regular vet checkups and dental cleanings. To help defray the costs, consider purchasing pet insurance.

4. Praline pecans

Some redditors warn that you may just get hooked on the Kirkland Signature Praline Pecans. Fans say they’re great with oatmeal, on top of a salad, paired with fruit, layered over ice cream — or straight out of the jar. And a 2.5-pound jar will only set you back about $17.99.

5. French vodka

If you’re a drinker, Kirkland-brand liquors are an inexpensive way to stock your home bar. One fan favorite: the French Vodka, which costs about $21 for a 1.75-liter bottle. The smooth taste has led to a long-standing rumor that Kirkland French Vodka is actually pricy Grey Goose vodka in different packaging. (Grey Goose says the claim is “completely false.”)

Not all Costco warehouses sell liquor. But if you live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas, or Vermont, you can buy alcohol from Costco without a membership due to state laws.

Will Kirkland Signature products save you money?

Kirkland Signature products can save you money in the same way buying generic brands does. Essentially, you’re getting the same product you’d get from a pricier brand name, often with less fancy packaging.

But it’s also important to remember that to shop Kirkland Signature products, you have to buy a Costco membership. Annual membership costs start at $60. If you have several people or pets in your household, the cost may be worth it, especially if you live near a warehouse. However, if you’re a household of one and you have limited storage space, the cost may not be worth it.

That aged balsamic vinegar may be tasty. But if you live alone in a small home, you may not want a 1-liter bottle of the stuff hogging up your pantry space.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Robin Hartill, CFP® has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Building emergency savings is tough when you’re a lower earner. Read on to see how much money is reasonable to put in the bank on $25,000 a year. 

A recent SecureSave survey found that 67% of Americans don’t have enough cash on hand to cover a surprise $400 expense. And that’s pretty scary. But if you’re in that boat and you’re a lower earner, that’s totally understandable.

It’s one thing to earn $75,000 a year and have less than $400 in savings. But it’s another thing to earn one-third that much. In that case, it’s easy to see how every dollar of yours gets eaten up by living expenses, whether it’s car payments, medical bills, or food. There may not be more than a few dollars left over, if that, by the end of the month.

That said, it’s really important to have a solid emergency fund to fall back on, no matter what you earn. Yours might have to start off small and get built up over time if you only earn $25,000 a year, and that’s okay. But the key is to start somewhere.

Building that safety net takes time

The whole purpose of having an emergency fund is to have money in the bank to tap when unplanned expenses arise. That money could help you avoid racking up costly credit card debt.

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund that’s large enough to cover three full months of essential bills. That way, if you were to lose your job, you’d have money to tap in order to cover your expenses while looking for work.

As such, your emergency fund should be a function of what you spend each month on essential bills. If that amount is $1,500, then you should aim for a $4,500 emergency fund.

READ MORE: Emergency Fund Calculator

If you’re thinking that sounds like a joke based on your income, then rest assured that no one in their right mind would expect you to build a $4,500 emergency fund in one year on a $25,000 salary. After all, that’s 18% of your income.

But is it possible to save 5% of your income, or $1,250, in a single year? That may be doable if you’re able to live very frugally and only spend your money on essential bills. And while $1,250 doesn’t give you enough cash to cover three months of bills, it gives you some protection.

It means that if you end up facing a sudden $700 car repair, you won’t have to charge it on your credit cards and rack up interest due to not being able to cover your balance in full. So it’s a good start.

However, even $1,250 may not be realistic anytime soon, and that’s okay, too. In that case, pledge to save something every month. It could be $10, $20, or $50, depending on what you can swing.

Do your best

Having any amount of money in savings is better than having none at all. So take a look at your expenses and see if there’s anything you can cut back on to free up a small amount of money on a monthly basis. And if you’re able to set aside $40 a month for the next 10 months, then hey, you’ll be better off than the 67% of Americans who don’t have so much as a $400 balance in their savings accounts.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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