I'm a Costco executive member who hates cooking, but loves a good deal. I buy these 12 products every month.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer with her cart of groceries at Costco.
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Annmarie Gajdos

I've had an executive Costco membership for 10 years. It pays for itself — and then some.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Gabrielle holds up a Costco executive member card in front of the store.
I've had a Costco executive membership for 10 years.

Gabrielle Lenart

Costco has 3 ways to shop without a membership, but the math still favors paying the fee

Tech Insider : Business, Style
costco nyc
You can shop at Costco without a membership, but it doesn't really make sense to.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

I recently became an executive member at Costco. Here are 11 items I buy for my family that make the $130 annual fee worth it.

Tech Insider
Chicken pot pies from Costco in the bakery section of the store.
Although Costco's chicken pot pie is huge, every bite is delicious.

Anne James

I compared Costco locations in the suburbs and the city. Here were the biggest differences.

Tech Insider
costco nyc
The first Costco in Manhattan opened in 2009.

Gabbi Shaw/Business Insider

Costco says its $1.50 hot dogs and $4.99 chickens are helping members stomach the annual fee increase

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Costco membership shopping cart
Costco reported a renewal rate of 92.9% in the US and Canada during the fourth quarter.

Damian Dovarganes/AP

I canceled my Costco membership after a year. I loved the store, but it fueled my worst habits.

Tech Insider
A Costco sign on the outside of a store.
I didn't renew my Costco membership because the bulk-buy structure overwhelmed me.

Dominic Lipinski - PA Images / Contributor / Getty Images

I'm a Costco superfan. The prices are hard to beat and you can get pretty much anything there — I've even booked my mom a cruise.

Tech Insider
Michael McKinlay standing outside the entrance to a Costco store in Canada, pointing at his shopping bag
Michael McKinlay describes himself as a Costco superfan.

Courtesy of Terumi Morita

With my Costco executive membership and store card, I earn enough rewards to pay for a whole shopping trip — here's how

Tech Insider
costco shoppers exiting the store by the membership counter
I love my Costco membership.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

I've worked at Costco for 18 years. These 8 perks make a membership worth it.

Tech Insider
A hand holds a black executive Costco membership in front of a gray floor and other bulk products
Costco plans to raise its membership fees, but there are plenty of reasons to keep shopping at the store.

Veronica Thatcher

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