Are You Using These Costco Hacks? They Could Save You Time and Money!

Costco is the warehouse that makes buying in bulk feel irresistible. Those gigantic jars of peanut butter and cases full of your favorite cookies are too much fun. Plus, there are definite financial savings to be found within those warehouse walls.

If one of your new year’s resolutions was to save some money or better manage your time, you need to check out these awesome hacks to make shopping at Costco even better!  

1. If a price tag has an asterisk (*) by the amount, it means that item is going to be leaving the shelves. Stock up if it’s a nonperishable favorite!

2. Skip the traffic on the freeway to find an empty Costco! When commuters are busy making their drive home, Costco is usually empty and easier to peruse. This is a great time to stop in and get out quickly!

3. Did you know you can get ink refilled at Costco? Bring in your old ink cartridges for your printer and have them refilled to save money! This is not only better for your wallet, it’s a great way to care for the environment!

4. How does the price look? If an item ends in a $.97 it’s an indication that the item is on clearance. If an item’s price ends in $.88 it usually means Costco is hoping to move the item more quickly. Keep this in mind when grabbing items from the shelves.

5. Skip the membership. Although being a Costco member has tons of great perks, the yearly fee is not always in the budget. Have a friend or family member purchase a gift card on your behalf. You’re then able to shop in the store without the membership card.

6. Don’t stress about receipts. Costco has an incredible return policy. But they also make returns simple for shoppers! Using your shopper card, the store can look up your purchases and makes returns simple even without a receipt.

7. Spot the Kirkland. Most people know (and if you didn’t, now you do) that Kirkland is the Costco store brand. In many instances they make products that are much cheaper than name brands. In addition, Kirkland Brand products are known for being extremely high quality and can even sometimes surpass the name brands. Try the paper towels, you’ll thank us later.

8. Figure out smarter ways to buy in bulk. Meat is almost always cheaper at Costco, but you may not need 10 pounds of ground beef this week! Learn how to divide and freeze things like meat and even bread items when you shop at Costco. It’ll save you loads of money in the long-run. Plus, it’s nice to know there’s something you can cook when you don’t feel like running to the store!

9. Be a smart shopper. Get to know the prices at your regular and discount grocery stores. If you’re a Costco member there to save money, you may be surprised. Some items aren’t cheaper at Costco. You may also find you’re wasting money on groceries that end up in the trash if your purchases are too large. Be mindful of your Costco purchases to determine if your regular grocery store is a better choice.

10. Reward yourself with a no-cook or low-cooking dinner! Costco has plenty of prepared foods that are delicious. Their rotisserie chicken is one of the best deals around and makes a great base for a simple meal. Add a bagged salad mix, and some dinner rolls, and call it a night. Costco’s pasta bakes or take-and-bake pizzas are also delicious ways to do dinner quickly and for a great price. You’ve lugged around that 50 lb bag of dog food on your shopping trip, you deserve an easy dinner!

With these tips, your next Costco trip can be a breeze and save you some real cash! Let us know, what’s your favorite thing to buy at Costco?

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