Core Insights - Costco membership can be a valuable investment for families, with potential savings on various products and services [1] - The stock has shown a total return of 216.83% over the past five years, indicating strong performance [2] Membership Fee Analysis - The Gold Star membership fee was $60 in 2020, and the Executive membership was $120, with a price increase occurring in 2024 [3] - Investing the current membership fee of $65 in Costco stock would yield approximately $205.67 today, enough to cover three years of membership and additional purchases [4] - An investment of $130 would result in approximately $411.73, covering three years of Executive membership and allowing for extra purchases [5] Stock Performance and Recommendations - Selling Costco stock would incur tax liabilities unless offset by tax-loss harvesting strategies, and could forfeit future gains [6] - Experts currently recommend holding Costco stock due to its strong growth potential and high valuation, suggesting new investors wait for a price pullback before buying [7]