You’ll need a lot of room in your home to store your bulk Costco purchases, but if you have a big family or like shopping once a month, a Costco membership may be well worth the cost. It’s more than a warehouse store – you can get a lot more than food and household goods.
The Costco membership card offers so many benefits that you can quickly make up the $60 membership fee in other ways.
Check out the top 23 ways to save at Costco today.
1. Buy ‘Costco’ brand products
You already know generic brands save you money, but sometimes they aren’t up to par. Costco’s brand, called Kirkland, almost always hits the mark. You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the ‘name brand’ and Costco’s brand.
When you buy Kirkland versus the name brand, get ready to save a pretty penny. Not just because it’s generic, but because you’re buying in bulk too. Costco has 356 Kirkland brand items.
2. Get your money back if you don’t like something
Costco has an amazing return policy. They guarantee 100% satisfaction and take back almost everything for an indefinite period except for electronics (90 days). You may not be able to return tires/batteries, diamonds, custom products, cigarettes, and alcohol.
You don’t even need a receipt if you return your items in store.
3. Request a price adjustment
If the price of an item you bought at Costco drops within 30 days of your purchase, you can get a price adjustment. If you bought it online, request it here. If you bought it in store, take it back to the warehouse where you bought it.
4. Look for reduced prices
You’ll know when an item is marked down when it ends in ‘.97’ Any prices ending in anything else is the original price, but ‘.97’ means it’s marked down and possibly going away. If the price tag has an asterisk in the corner, you won’t see the product again.
Prices ending in ‘.88’ or an even dollar are usually warehouse specific markdowns and a manager’s attempt to sell the items fast.
5. Earn cash-back on your purchases
If you pay extra for the Costco Executive membership, you can earn 2 percent back on your purchases. Costco pays the reward back annually, putting some cash in your pocket for all your Costco trips.
If you upgrade to the Executive Membership mid-year, Costco will prorate the cost based on the number of months left in the year.
6. Download the Costco app
If you’re trying to keep yourself on a budget, download the Costco app and price out your trip before you go. See what’s on sale and make a list – and stick to it. There’s a lower chance of impulse buying when you know exactly what you need and what it’s going to cost.
7. Get your gas at Costco
If it makes sense to do so, get your gas at Costco and you’ll save money. The prices are typically well below the ‘regular’ gas station. If you fill up often enough, it may even pay for your membership.
7. Get a free hearing test
Costco’s members get free hearing tests, free follow-up appointments, and even free hearing aid cleanings and checkups.
If you buy your hearing aids from Costco, you get free loss and damage coverage and a decent warranty.
8. Buy your tires at Costco
Costco offers great deals on tires, but that’s not all. You get free tire rotation and balance for the life of the tires. All tires sold by Costco are also covered by their 5-year Roadside Hazard Warranty. If your tires suffer premature wear due to normal use, Costco will replace them or give you a discounted rate on new tires.
9. Save on gift cards
Costco has a great selection of gift cards at a discounted rate. Everything from restaurants to retail stores, and even entertainment. They make great gifts at a discount or you can buy them for yourself and enjoy the savings.
10. Get glasses and contacts at Costco
If you don’t have insurance (or even if you do), you’ll find significant savings on eyewear at Costco. Price out the glasses and contacts and compare them to what your insurance would pay elsewhere. You may find that you come out ahead not using your insurance.
11. Show your teacher ID and get a Costco card
Teachers pay the same membership fee as everyone else, but if you show your teacher ID when you sign up, you’ll earn a $30 Costco Shop Card. You can use the Costco Shop Card (gift card) on anything in the store, that’s like $30 in free products.
12. Book your travel with Costco Travel
Before you book your travel, compare Costco prices. They have many packages and deals that could save you hundreds (or more) on your travels. They have deals on hotels, cruises, and even rental cars.
13. Look for Costco coupons
Costo offers coupons and/or deals when you sign up for a new membership. Always check for deals before signing up. You could earn a free cash card with your new membership, offsetting the $60 membership cost.
14. Shop at the end of the season
Even though the season’s over, you can stock up on goodies for next year shopping at Costco. They mark down their items considerably, so it’s worth the wait.
Their end of summer clearance is usually the biggest sale, but the end of any season usually means decent savings.
15. Sign up for the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi and earn cash back
The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi is exclusive for Costco members and pays great rewards. For the first year, earn 4% back on Costco gas purchases (1% after that), 3% cash back on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% everywhere else. You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted – not just Costco too.
16. Eat out for cheap
Costco’s food court is delicious and cheap. A hot dog and a drink sets you back $1.50! They have a nice selection of food, including pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs, and ice cream. The entire family can enjoy a nice meal for less than $20.
17. Eat before you shop
It’s easy to buy anything and everything you never knew you wanted when you shop on an empty stomach at Costco. Even though they don’t give out samples any longer, the temptations are still around every corner. Make sure you have a full stomach and your list in hand to save the most.
18. Have a ‘member’ friend buy you a Costco Shop Card
This is a little secret most people don’t know. If you don’t think you’ll use the membership enough to make it worth it, but have a friend who does, have them buy you a Costco Shop Card. You can use the card in-store or online (if you shop online you’ll pay a 5% surcharge). But you can reload the card and keep using it without ever paying for a membership.
19. Review Costco’s coupon book before shopping
Know Costco’s latest deals before you go. It’s easier to make a sound decision when you’re at home rather than in front of the products and learning about the ‘great deal’ for the first time. Process the deals at home and decide whether it’s really a good deal and/or if you need it before you head to the store.
20. Stock up on meat
You already know you buy everything in bulk at Costco, but meat is one of the best areas to save. Even if you have a small family, buy your meat there, use what you need, and freeze the rest.
You’ll pay much less per pound buying 5 pounds of ground beef versus one at your local grocery store. Bonus – they have a nice selection of organic meats affordably priced.
Whether you buy the basics like chicken and ground beef, or you love more expensive cuts of meat, you’ll find an incredible assortment at Costco.
21. Shop the center of the store
Walk right past all the displays at the front of the store – that’s not where they put the deals. You’ll find the most savings in the center of the store, or center court as they call it. You’ll find the markdowns, rebates, and other great deals there.
22. Split your purchases with friends or family
If you have a small family or just don’t need to buy items in bulk, but love savings, split your purchases with a friend or family member. Most items can be split up easily whether it’s food, drink, paper goods or even household goods.
Take Advantage of the Savings at Costco
Costco is so much more than a store. They offer incredible services for members, sometimes free, and always at an incredibly low price. Where else can you get your tires, gas, organic meat, plan your vacation, and buy a couch all for an incredible price?
