4 Smart Reasons to Cancel Your Costco Membership This Year

You know that weird feeling in the pit of your stomach when you consider breaking up with a perfectly decent partner? There's nothing wrong with them per se; you're just not sure they're right for you anymore.

That's where I am right now with Costco. I find myself making the trip to our local Costco less often and, frankly, rarely look forward to it. It may be a passing phase, or it may stick. I'm still trying to figure it out.

In the meantime, I've come up with four reasons any member might want to rethink their dedication to Costco.

1. You have to force yourself to shop

If the idea of making a Costco run gives you the heebie-jeebies, it may be time to consider if it's still in your best interest to stick it out. First, though, you may want to consider whether there's anywhere you enjoy shopping more than the warehouse store.

Let's say you prefer to buy items like paper towels and over-the-counter medications at Target. In honor of your household budget, do a quick price comparison on some of your favorite items to determine whether Costco's prices are the lowest and, if so, how much they save you.

2. You're buying things you don't need

When my boys were little, I often found myself purchasing items I didn't need because they seemed like a "bargain." For example, I'd look through books or games, convince myself that I would save them for a birthday or Christmas, and throw them in the cart. By the time the birthday or holiday rolled around, I'd forget what I'd already bought and buy even more.

While it seems ridiculous in retrospect, parents of young children deserve grace. After all, it's tough to keep everything straight when you're juggling toddlers, a job, and all the surprises life throws your way.

While I can forgive myself for my actions as a young mom, the truth is I still buy stuff I don't need at Costco. Most recently, it was a nearly four-pound container of Peanut M&Ms. I don't even like Peanut M&Ms. On the other hand, my husband was thrilled with the purchase.

3. You don't know anyone you can split an order with

Back in the day, if I had too much of anything (like fresh produce, bread, or anything else that could go bad), I lived close enough to friends and family to stop by and share with them. Better yet, I could coordinate a shopping trip with one of them, split an order, and come home with only what I needed.

We've moved so often that our situation is now quite different. I realized the other day that I do not currently know any of my neighbor's names. I'm pretty sure they would find it odd if I asked them if they wanted to split a four-pack of pork and beans.

4. You've embraced price comparison apps

When the first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle in 1983, none of us had ever heard of price comparison or cash back apps. We had no way of knowing whether we were snagging the best deal unless we spent hours poring over the newspaper or store circulars. While some people dedicated themselves to comparing prices, it was hard work.

Today, we don't have to take a retailer's word for anything. We can check an app to find the lowest price in our area on the items we need. If you've become a comparison shopper thanks to apps, you may find that you'll save money by shopping elsewhere.

Ultimately, the goal of joining a warehouse club is to make life easier and to improve your personal finances. Once you realize that you're not meeting one or both of those goals, it could be an indication that it's time to move on. Of course, like breaking up with a perfectly decent person, the decision may not come easy.