7 Reasons You Should Always Buy Girl Scout Cookies

Advertiser Disclosure ▾

This page contains affiliate links from which we receive a compensation. Like many publications Wise Bread is supported by affiliate commission from partner companies whose products appear on our site. This may influence which products we write about and the location and order in which products appear. We aren't able to cover every product in the marketplace.

Wise Bread Picks

• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Yes, you're going to buy those Girl Scout cookies. No, you don't need to feel guilty about it. In fact, depending on how you look at it, they can actually be a really smart buy. Here are various reasons why you really should buy those cookies… right now.

1. You're Helping to Fund Tomorrow's Leaders

The best reason to justify buying cookies is that you're helping little girls reach their dreams. Girl Scouts take a lot from the cookie-selling experience. They learn about sales, marketing, teamwork, branding, and responsibility. They also utilize five key skills that can help them later in life, including "goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics." Most importantly, they will learn self-confidence and pride in a job well done.

Girl Scouts are also shown to have a higher success rate in life. In fact, 80% of today's female business owners were Girl Scouts. Studies have shown that even facing failure can lead to a positive learning experience with Girl Scouts. Just think, your humble little box of cookies is doing all that… go ahead, pat yourself on the back while you enjoy your favorite cookie.

2. The Net Revenue Benefits Your Local Community

Did you know that 100% of the net revenue from cookies sales stays with the local council and troops? The money earned goes toward things like helping fund troop activities and outreach projects.

3. You Won't Get Much for the Same Price

One box of Girl Scout cookies will cost between $4-$6. They were originally $4, but have recently experienced a price increase to $5 per box. While not all states have implemented the price increase yet, it's just a matter of time until all boxes are $5. Some specialty cookies are even $6 a box now. The good news is that there shouldn't be another price increase anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this price increase of 25% is also lower than the 32% overall cookie inflation rate throughout the country.

While the prices of your favorite Girl Scout cookies may be higher, you have to ask yourself if you get the same level of enjoyment from other sweet treats in the same price range. For instance, do you eat an Oreo and feel the same level of enjoyment and excitement as you would from a Thin Mint?

(See also: 15 Fun Things to Buy for Under $5)

4. They Can Last a Long Time

Girl Scout cookies freeze exceptionally well, and some varieties (like Thin Mints) taste even better when stored in the freezer. Each box of cookies has a "Use or Freeze Before" date on the package. This means you won't have to worry about any of the cookies ever going to waste (if that was ever really a concern). If you have some cookies leftover after a few months, you can even use them in unique new recipes.

5. They Are a Special Purchase

Girl Scout cookies are only available for a limited time, during the cookie-selling season. If you limit yourself to only eating these types of cookies during this particular time of year, you'll spend way less. Instead of buying cookies from the store each week, buying Girl Scout cookies only when they're available will save you money in the long run. Besides, having this special cookie season to look forward to will curb that cookie guilt if you only indulge for this occasion.

6. They Make Affordable Gluten-Free and Vegan Cookies

Let's be honest, gluten-free and vegan cookies typically don't taste great. Fortunately, Girl Scouts now make gluten-free and vegan varieties that taste just as good as the traditional versions. This means you can stop throwing away cookies that just taste like cardboard. Best of all, these varieties typically don't cost any more than the traditional cookies.

7. You Can Use Them as Currency in Your Household

Once your cookie stash starts dwindling, everyone in your household is going to be clamoring for those last few pieces of gold (the cookies, that is). If you have been savoring your cookies and have some to spare, you can use them as a sort of currency around your home.

Editor's Note: Carrie Kirby, one of our Senior Writers, has a daughter selling girl scout cookies! Order and get it shipped anywhere in the country! Click here to buy now and support the Girl Scouts!