I finally got a Costco membership last year and I'm already saving money in 5 ways
- The basic Gold Star membership at Costco costs $60 per year, but the membership pays for itself with savings.
- With a new addition to the family, we are in a better position to use bulk items Costco is known for.
- Sticking to a shopping list or specific budget is a good idea, as Costco has many tempting products throughout the store.
- You can use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi to earn 2% back on eligible in-store and online purchases.
When walking into a Costco store, I always have a mild sense of wonder. I can buy nearly anything needed to keep my family fed, clothed, entertained, and more all under one roof. And I know that the prices are going to be competitive without spending a lot of time shopping around.
I've had Costco memberships on and off over the years, but I signed up again in 2019 in anticipation of welcoming the fifth member of our family.
With two adults, three kids, and two dogs in my busy house, I find the basic $60 Costco membership to be well worth it. Here are five top ways I'm saving money with a Costco membership.
Growing family's growing food needs
My three kids don't eat very much at their young ages, but we pack a lunch for my oldest for preschool, have two growing girls who love to snack, and a baby not too far behind. For kitchen staples and items we go through quickly, Costco offers savings over going to our regular grocery store and even Amazon in many cases.
Dairy products, fresh produce, and individually packaged snacks are the most common items in our shopping cart at Costco. And it's a big cart, so we have room for a lot of food in one visit. Thankfully, we also bought a minivan in anticipation of our third child so we have plenty of room to take everything home.
Deals on gas and tires
Speaking of minivans, they take a lot of gas. Living in California, where gas prices are the second highest in the nation according to AAA, I'm always looking to save on gas.
I often find Costco to be around 20 to 30 cents less per gallon than the gas stations closer to my house. For a 20-gallon fill up, that could save us $6 on a tank of gas.
The tires on my 2008 Toyota Corolla are also from Costco. After searching around town when my treads were wearing low, I found the best deal for a set of four tires installed for my car was at Costco. As a bonus, Costco members who buy their tires at the store or Costco.com and have them installed by Costco get inflation pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations, and flat repair for the life of the tires.
A great signup deal
I knew I wanted to sign up for Costco mid-way through last year, but it took a little extra motivation to get me to pay up.
What ultimately got me to pull the trigger was a deal at Groupon that included a one-year membership, $20 Costco gift card, and $68 in coupons for items we would likely buy anyway.
That's $88 in additional value on top of the regular $60 membership price. We landed that deal for $60, so it felt like getting paid to join Costco.
While we won't get all of that free stuff on renewal, we buy enough at Costco to justify keeping the membership even without the bonuses. To keep offsetting my annual Costco costs, I have an eye on the Costco credit card for even more value.
The Costco Visa
The Costco Anywhere Visa from Citi is only available to Costco members, and it has no annual fee (though you do need to pay for a Costco membership). The card features 4% cash back on all gas purchases up to $7,000 per year (then 1%), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% everywhere else. I'm more of a miles and points person over cash back, but the bonuses for gas and Costco items have me getting ready to sign up.
If you spend $3,000 per year at Costco, or an average of $250 per month, you'll earn enough cash back to offset a $60 membership fee. Adding in cash back from gas, dining, and travel helps you get there even faster. If you use this card enough, it makes your Costco membership effectively free.
The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 2% cash back on in-store and online purchases and has no annual fee with a paid Costco membership. See Business Insider's review of the Costco Anywhere Visa card for more »
Kosher selection
I'm in the minority of Americans with a kosher kitchen at home, but following this Jewish tradition is very important to me. Costco makes following it easier and more affordable.
Many locations, including the second closest store to my house in Westlake Village, California, have a selection of kosher cheese, deli meat, and other products. Seeing as I won't buy any packaged product without a kosher logo on it, this is a big deal for my household.
Oh yeah - and samples
There's no such thing as a free lunch, but if you have a Costco membership you may be able to get close. Wandering around the grocery sections of the store is a fun way to sample new and interesting items, but I didn't sign up for samples.
I signed up for Costco because it's financially prudent for my family's needs. It saves us money on groceries, disposable kitchen items, automotive needs, pharmacy purchases, and more.
While a single person who lives alone may not get a great deal at Costco, it works great for my family. I suspect we're going to keep this membership for years to come.
Earn 2% back on eligible Costco purchases: Click here to learn more about the Costco Anywhere Visa »
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