Shopping at Costco is not quite like shopping at your local supermarket.
Signing up for aCostco membershipdoes not automatically equate to huge savings.
Discourages impulse purchases," one shopperrecommendedon Reddit.
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Make a list and don’t let yourself deviate from it.
This method requires a ton of discipline, of course.
If you need some leeway, perhaps allow yourself one or two off-the-list items," a shopperwrote.
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Some shoppers work around this problem by splitting up their groceries with other people.
“As a single person, my hack is to split items with my neighbors.
A vacuum sealer also lets you pre-portion your foods for extra convenience come cooking time.
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“It’s way handier than one would think,” one shoppersaidof the hack on Reddit.
To fix this issue, many Costco shoppersrecommendinvesting in a chest freezer.
Those will give you plenty of extra space to store your bulky freezer finds .
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“I like going to the food court before shopping.
The tier that’s right for one personwon’t necessarily be right for another.
But the pricier Executive Membership can actually pay for itself when you spend enough at Costco each year.
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Executive members receive a 2% annual reward on qualifying purchases.
Upgrading also gives members access to thoseextra Executive Membership perkslike additional travel benefits and lower prices on check printing.
“The executive membership is cheaper than standard depending on your spending habits.
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For us the reward usually covers the membership plus cash back,” a shopperwrote.
Like, really, really busy!
It’s nuts!”
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Shopping later in the evening, especially on weekdays, will typically be much quieter.
From groceries to other household goods, you will find a variety of options at different price points.
Like other grocery stores, Costco also carries products under its own private label: Kirkland Signature.
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And, like other store brands, Kirkland Signature products usually offer better savings.
“Any branded Kirkland product is a safe bet,” wrote anotherRedditor.
“The company cares about quality.”
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In fact, someKirkland products at Costcoare fan favorites, like itsSuper Premium Vanilla Ice Cream.
you could shop for everything from jewelry to electronics and even new automobiles and vacation packages.
AnotherRedditorrecommended purchasing airline gift cards through Costco to save on future flights.
Courtesy of Costco
Members are not shy in sharing their favorite food-court hacks online.
Trying it requires you to insert the famously cheap Costco hot dog into its popular chicken bake.
Filling up your tank at Costco is more than merely convenient.
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It’s a great way to save at the pump as well.
Membersreportthat Costco’s gas stations are commonly cheaper than any other gas station in the area.
Bring your own shopping bags
At Costco, shopping for groceries is all about buying in bulk.
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And, importantly, Costco does not have a single paper or plastic bag in sight.
Therefore, it’s important to come prepared with your own shopping bags.
OneRedditorshared how they bring the oversized reusable blue bags from Ikea whenever they make a Costco run.
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Reader’s Digestsuggested a great hack to save time at the food court.
Members have come up with other hacks that save time at the food court, too.
One of the most recognizable is, of course, the famed rotisserie chicken for $4.99.
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Seemingly inflation-proof, the fully cooked chicken has been priced under $5 for years.
Simply look up the phone number of yourlocal Costco food courtto call ahead and order your pizzas.
(Note: Costco currently does not take pizza orders online.)
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By the time you pay for your groceries, your order should be ready.
You have to come up with several different dinners each and every week.
Don’t feel as though you have to make all of your meals from scratch.
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Costco sells many differentready-to-eat mealsin its grocery section, from chicken taco kits to macaroni and cheese.
According to shoppers,any prices that end in .99 are typically standard pricing.
“Buying ingredients is generally a better deal than buying processed foods,” one shopper pointed out onReddit.
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This story was originally published in July 2023.
It has been updated to include new information.
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