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I use them [Costco] for my business. I get a cash refund every year that pretty much pays for the membership. I think this year I went over by about $10 because I bought a couple of high ticket items (some air conditioners and a generator.)

I just like them. Their meat and seafood is always high quality. Their Kirkland products are great. You see the same staff there year after year. As a single person it wouldn't normally make sense for me to buy in that kind of bulk but I get stuff for my parents so I think it save enough to justify the basic membership I have.

For a single guy, I enjoy shopping at Costco. I picked up a new netbook a couple of weeks ago that was discounted $50. I bought a new Panasonic 60" 3-D plasma TV a couple of years ago at a deeply discounted end-of-model year price, even had it delivered. I get mainly dry goods, with a little fresh produce and refridgerated food items, and ready-made food (yep, rotisserie chicken). I don't have enough storage space for 30 rolls of TP or 12 rolls of paper towels.

What pays for my membership is buying gas - I save at least $0.20 / gallon on the low end for regular, and even more on premium; it's about a block away from work, and the gas station opens early, so I tank up during the week, and watch everyone else wait in line starting Friday afternoon all the way through Sunday afternoon. Between my Costco cash refund and my Costco AmEx annual rewards check, my membership fee is covered and I normally have enough for another shopping trip. This year it paid for the new netbook.