Are you ready to unlock the secrets of shopping smarter at Costco?
Whether you’re a long-time member or considering joining, our guide to 16 must-know Costco hacks and money-saving tips will revolutionize the way you shop.
From leveraging your membership to finding the freshest products, we’ve got insider strategies that can help you save big.
Three Ways You Can Shop at Costco Without a Membership
Costco is a membership-based grocery store, but there are a few ways to shop there without a membership. Here are three ways to save money at Costco without being a member.
Shop as a Guest
If you have a friend or family member with a Costco membership, you can tag along with them on a shopping trip.
Costco allows members to bring two guests into their warehouses with them. This way, you can get in on the bulk deals without having to pay for a membership.
Use a Costco Shop Card
Another way to shop at Costco without a membership is to use a Costco Shop Card. These cards can be purchased by anyone, and they can be loaded with as much as $1,000.
When you shop with a Shop Card, you don’t need to be a member or someone’s guest.
This is a great option if you want to purchase a big-ticket item or need to stock up on essentials.
Shop with Instacart
You can also get groceries from Costco delivered to your door through Instacart without a membership. However, there is a catch. Costco members get same-day Instacart deliveries at no extra cost, but non-members will have to pay additional fees.
Despite the extra cost, it can still be a convenient way to get your bulk essentials without having to leave your home.
If you’re looking to save even more money, it may be worth getting a Costco membership.
Download The App
If you shop at Costco, downloading their app is a smart move! With the app, you can quickly find out about sales and special promotions, which helps you save money.
You don’t even need to carry your membership card anymore because the app has a digital version.
Plus, if you’re an Executive Member, you’ll get extra deals and discounts just through the app. It’s an easy way to make sure you’re getting the best prices every time you shop!
Take Advantage of their Lifetime Guarantee
A store with a great guarantee shows they believe in their products. Costco offers a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee because they care about your satisfaction. They carry reliable brands and set prices to meet your expectations.
If you ever find you’re not happy with your Costco membership, you can get a complete refund.
Moreover, Costco’s guarantee covers most of their products at any time, although electronics must be returned within 90 days.
You can check out all the details of what’s not included in the money-back guarantee on their website.
Find the Best Bargains in the Center of the Store
Costco is a wholesale store that offers a wide range of products, and it can be overwhelming to navigate the large store. However, the best deals can often be found in the center of the store.
By heading to the center of the store, shoppers can find great deals on a variety of products. For example, shoppers can find bulk items such as paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies at discounted prices.
Additionally, the center of the store often has pallets of products that are on sale, providing even more opportunities for savings.
One tip for shoppers is to keep an eye out for the yellow price tags, which indicate a clearance item. These items are typically marked down significantly and can provide even more savings for shoppers.
Costco Has a Secret Pricing Code
Costco is known for offering great deals on bulk items and discounted prices on high-quality products. However, many shoppers are unaware of the secret pricing code that Costco uses to mark down items.
Savvy shoppers have discovered that the last two digits of the price tag can reveal whether an item is on sale or not.
If an item ends in .99, it is at the regular price and is not on sale. However, if an item ends in .97, it has been marked down by the store. Additionally, items that end in .88 or .00 are manager markdowns, which typically means they are either returned items, seasonal items, or floor models.
It is important to note that markdowns are made to move items out of the store, so if you see an item with a markdown price, it may not be available on your next visit.
By understanding Costco’s secret pricing code, shoppers can save money and avoid the frustration of finding out that an item they recently purchased is now significantly cheaper.
The Price Tag Tells the Future
Costco’s price tag system goes beyond indicating the item’s current price. In fact, it can even predict the future of your favorite products.
By paying attention to the price tag’s code, you can find out if a product is on its way out. If you see an asterisk on the price tag, it means that the product will not be restocked anytime soon.
This symbol serves as a warning to stock up before it’s too late.
Next time you’re at Costco and spot an asterisk on your favorite product’s price tag, grab as much as you can before it’s gone for good!
Get Your Pictures Developed Here!
The Costco photo department is a great place to save money on both personal and business printing needs. It’s simple to get started—just download the Costco app, set up your account, and you’re ready to order prints, like I did for a business folder.
You can upload your photos to create various projects or gifts, including business cards, posters, and flyers.
If your local Costco has a photo department, you can pick up your items there, or you can choose to have them delivered to your home.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Save Big on Costco Gift Cards
One of the best ways to save money year-round is by purchasing gift cards at Costco. Costco offers a wide variety of gift cards, including those for restaurants, entertainment venues, and retailers.
These gift cards are generally marked down, sometimes by as much as 30%. For example, a set of five Bahama Bucks $10 gift cards (worth $50) is sold at Costco for $34.99.
Planning to Go to the Movies? Tickets Are Cheaper at Costco
Movie tickets can be expensive, but there are ways to find deals. One option is to check out Costco. They offer bulk discount gift cards for movie theaters, including Fandango gift cards for $39.99 instead of $50.
In the past, Costco has also offered amazing deals such as 4 AMC movie tickets for only $11.97. That’s a steal!
If you’re a movie lover, keep an eye out for these deals at Costco. You could save a significant amount of money on movie tickets. It’s important to note that these deals may not always be available, so be sure to check regularly and take advantage of them when you can.
In addition to saving money on movie tickets, it’s important to develop good financial habits.
Get the Low Down on When Sales Run
Costco has a unique approach to sales, unlike traditional grocery stores. However, it still follows a sales cycle.
Savvy shoppers can expect to find out-of-season goods on sale. But that’s not the only way to save money at Costco.
Shoppers should pay careful attention to Costco’s mail-out coupon pamphlet. While it’s not necessary to clip the coupons, it will alert shoppers to items that are currently on sale.
This way, they can purchase them before they return to regular price.
Here are some recent savings examples:
- $200 off a laptop
- $70 off a vacuum
- $40 off an Apple watch
- $4 off shampoo
- $2.50 off Godiva chocolate
By keeping an eye on Costco’s mail-out coupon pamphlet, shoppers can save money on a variety of items.
These savings can add up quickly, making the membership fee worth it.
Buy Kirkland Signatures Brand Products
Many people prefer Kirkland Signature products over brand-name products because they are just as good, if not better.
Costco doesn’t manufacture any of the products under their private label, but they get big brands like Starbucks, Duracell, and Bumble Bee tuna to produce them.
By buying Kirkland Signature products, customers can save money without sacrificing quality. Costco’s private label offers a wide range of products, including groceries, clothing, and electronics.
Some popular Kirkland Signature products include organic Greek nonfat yogurt, extra virgin Italian olive oil, and AA batteries.
Customers can also save money by taking advantage of Costco’s bulk buying strategy. Buying in bulk can lead to significant savings, especially when it comes to non-perishable items like toilet paper and laundry detergent.
By buying Kirkland Signature products in bulk, customers can save even more money.
Consider An Upgrade
Upgrading to an Executive membership at Costco could be a great idea if you shop there a lot. With this upgrade, you get a 2% reward on many things you buy, which means you save more money.
Executive members also get special discounts on services that aren’t available to Gold Star members.
This is only if you’re a mega Costco shopper, as it can make a big difference in the end. Look at how much you’re currently spending at Costco and see if an upgrade makes financial sense.
If you use your membership a lot, the rewards you earn can even pay for the cost of the upgrade. It’s like getting your membership for free while enjoying extra benefits!
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN!!
Yes, their chicken is a serious life HACK.
Grab a Costco rotisserie chicken for just $4.99 and stretch it over several meals. Keep an ear out for the bell—that’s when they bring out the freshest chickens.
Choose the largest one you can find to get more meat. Deboning it can make your cooking even easier, letting you add delicious chicken to various dishes!
Buy Costco Gas
Costco is known for its low prices on everything from groceries to electronics, and this also extends to gas. Members can save a significant amount of money on gas by filling up at Costco gas stations.
In fact, Costco gas prices are usually about 20 cents per gallon cheaper than the market average.
The savings on gas can quickly add up, making it a major reason why people choose to become Costco members.
While it is possible to shop at Costco without a membership, the benefits of having one, including the lower gas prices, may make it worthwhile to join.
In addition to the already low prices, members can also save even more money by using Dosh to get $20 cash back when they renew or sign up for a membership. This is just one of the many ways that Costco helps its members save money.
It is important to note that while Costco gas stations are open to the public, only members can take advantage of the lower prices.
However, the savings on gas alone can often offset the cost of a Costco membership, making it a smart financial decision for those who frequently need to fill up their tanks.
Buying gas at Costco is a wise choice for those looking to save money on their gas expenses.
With consistently low prices and additional savings opportunities, it is a great way for Costco members to keep more money in their pockets.
Leave a Reply