How to Save Money at Costco

Believe it or not I own a Costco membership card. The card has an annual fee of $100, but lucky for me each year my Mother “gifts”me a 1 year membership for Christmas.

The great part about the Executive Card is that it gives you back 1% in the form of a rebate check once a year. This past year I received a rebate check in the mail for $96.00!

FREE MONEY!!!

I’m not always the biggest fan of Costco’s food prices. 95% of the time you can get food and toiletries for less at the grocery store if you use coupons. But it’s a great store to buy socks, ski gloves, discounted gift cards, and the occasional kitchen or man tool. Most people I know cannot leave Costco without dropping a couple hundred bucks. I don’t have that problem.

So here are my Costco Shopping Tips to avoid blowing your whole paycheck there:

Step #1. Walk away from the shopping cart.

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT take a shopping cart into the store with you. If you can’t carry it, you don’t need it! Not having a cart will greatly reduce the risk of any impulse purchases. (Make an exception for landscaping trees, etc. Cause I don’t want to be responsible for your chiropractor bill from lugging those things around)

Step #2. Know EXACTLY what you plan to buy and how much it’s going to cost. That cuts down on those impulse buys too.

Step #3. Go during lunch time. Why? Don’t be silly. It’s because you can get a FREE lunch.

Parmesan Noodles and Pepper Jack Cheese

Sweet Potato Fries and a Soft Baked Pretzel.

Croutons. Hey, if you can get enough of these babies you can use them on a salad!

Chicken Burrito

If you’re still not full, $1.50 will get you a FULL MEAL at the food court.

#4. Use the self check out. This way you won’t feel tempted to stare at what other people are buying, thus getting the “I want that too” temptation.

#5. Be sure and pick up a FREE empty box or two if you need them. I personally like getting the soda or canned food item 1/2 boxes. They are perfect for setting dishes in when you are headed to a pot luck or for transporting desserts in the car!

Happy Shopping!