11 Top Costco Tips I Live By for Shopping & Saving

Costco has grown to be the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States, so no wonder I’ve been asked for Costco tips!

The warehouse club offers high-volume products at low prices. It’s always busy and packed with eager customers ready to fill their carts!

I can help you save big on food and so much more with these top-secret tips to becoming a master at Costco shopping.

Key Takeaways for Shopping at Costco

• Time Your Visits: Shop mid-week mornings for fewer crowds and faster checkout.
• Use Gift Cards if You’re Not a Member: Get a friend to buy Costco Shop Cards so you can shop without a membership.
• Look for Special Pricing: Prices ending in $0.97 or with an asterisk indicate markdowns and clearance items.
• Take Advantage of the Food Court: Enjoy budget-friendly meals and creative food hacks like the cookie sundae.
• Check the Costco App: Access digital coupons and monthly deals to save money at every corner.
• Buy in Bulk Wisely: Stick to non-perishables and freezer-friendly items to avoid waste and keep costs low.

11 Top Costco Tips I Live By for Shopping & Saving

1. No Costco Membership Needed- Just Shop Cards

No, Costco doesn’t offer trial memberships, but you can shop there with Costco Shop cards without a membership. These are gift cards valid at Costco called Shop Cards.

They can only be purchased by members (so you have to have a friend or family member buy them and reload them for you), but they can be used by anyone to pay for food, gas, or even memberships.

Here’s what the Costco site says:

You must be a Costco member to purchase or reload Costco Shop Cards. If you have a friend with a Costco Membership, give them cash to buy you a shop card so you can shop next time.

Members and non-members may use the cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and online at Costco.com or on Costco.ca.

Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.

Other things to remember:

• Costco Shop cards have no expiration date
• They’re rechargeable at any Costco warehouse location
• Cards can be purchased in denominations from $25 to $1,000
• Get your balance on costco.com, the warehouse “red kiosk,” or by calling the toll-free number on the card

Since you can use this card for merchandise or membership, I’d suggest giving it a try. It would even be great for members who need a little help staying inside their grocery budget.  

Or you might want to get your own membership and get paid at the end of the year!

2.Learn The Pricing Guide & Check Price Tags

Here are some of their top secret pricing strategies that all Costco members should know:

• Prices that end in $0.97 have been marked down from the regular priced items.  Regular price items end in $0.99.
• Look for the items with odd pricing, such as $0.79, $0.49, or $0.89: These indicate specially priced items that Costco got a deal from the manufacturer directly .  These prices are often lower than
• If you see an asterisk* on the upper right side of the sign, that means the item won’t be reordered and it is a last chance buy.
• If there is over stock, the items price will end in $0.88 or $0.00 endings. These are typically manager markdowns meant to move a product very fast.

3. Executive Membership Pays Your Back

The Executive Membership gives 2% back at the end of the year. Yes. Costco gives 2% of your entire year’s purchase back to you after 12 months.

While that level of membership costs a bit more than the standard ($110 for Executive Gold Star Membership and $55 for Gold Star Membership), the savings through this incentive could easily pay for itself (see chart above).

There is a short list of purchases that are NOT included in the 2% back offer:

• Cigarettes or tobacco-related products
• Gasoline
• Costco Cash Cards
• Postage stamps
• Alcoholic beverages in certain states (including Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan)
• Purchases at food courts

You’ll automatically receive a Costco certificate in the mail at the end of the year. You can use this in the warehouse to pay part of your membership renewal or just pay for merchandise when you checkout.

I always use it toward my membership! It just helps me remember so I don’t forget to renew.  You can renew right in the checkout lane with all your other purchases from that trip or you can renew at the customer service desk.

4. Plan Your Costco Visits

Timing your Costco visits is crucial if you want to get in and our while avoiding crowds or frantic shopper.

To avoid the weekend rush, try weekday mornings or late evenings.

The best times to visit are typically mid-week, just after opening or before closing.

For a quicker checkout, arrange items with barcodes facing up, making it easy for the cashier to scan.

When I was teaching, I would use my lunch break to swing by on a Thursday afternoon, and there was never more than a few people in every aisle I was in.

5. Return Policy: 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Costco has outstanding customer service and their return policy is quite generous.

Here’s the lowdown on returning merchandise bought in stores:

• If you are not completely satisfied, return the product to any Costco warehouse.
• It helps to have the original packaging and the original receipt, but they’ll process returns without those.
• Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players and cell phones must be returned within 90 days for a refund.

Best of all, Costco will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied. That’s no joke. So it’s really ZERO risk if you just don’t feel like it’s a good fit for you.

6. Save Big on Non-Food Items

I hope you already know that you can save big on photographs at Costco. Plus, they offer HUGE photo deals around major holidays so you can get gifts and larger prints at giant savings.

My kids love to shop the stacks of clothes and books where we can find great deals that sometimes beat our other go-to places to save on books.  

We get fun workbooks for the kids during summer or even new books on the bestseller list at rock bottom prices.

7. Grab Prescriptions

You might not know that non-members can have their prescriptions filled at most Costco Pharmacies (where required by law).

This can be a huge savings for many people who have monthly prescription expenses.

Give them a call and see if Costco Pharmacy can help you save on those drugs.

You can manage your prescriptions directly in the app, including refilling and checking prices.

You can also learn how to use GoodRx.com and compare prices at Costco stores to other local pharmacies and see who is giving you the best price!

8. Visit The Food Court For A Cheap Meal

Am I the only one that is hungry after a big shopping trip? My hubby and I are excited to check out and order an ice cream and hotdog each for cheap mini date!

Costco has the best price on cooked pizza in their concession area. You can sit and enjoy the pie in the store or take it home.

Get a Kirkland brand ready and hot pizza at a large savings over other pizzerias and it’s conveniently located in Costco to avoid another stop after shopping.  

We also dig the hot dog and a drink for just $1.50! Where else can everyone in your family get a giant hot dog and a drink for less than $10?

Let me share some Costco Food Court hacks!

Try the cookie sundae by combining a soft-serve ice cream with a Costco chocolate chip cookie. Or add extra toppings to your hot dog to make it feel like a loaded treat. 

9. High Quality Bulk Meats

Quality control at Costco seems to be on track as the meat in the store is very appealing to the eye and high quality.

Buying these in bulk is great for bigger families, and saves you with a lower unit price overall, but the quality is better than you could get at Walmart.

Compared to a local grocery store or even some chain superstores, the meat sold at Costco is of a higher USDA grade.

In-house butchers prepare meats for sale and they’re super helpful with answering questions about all of their products.

If you’re searching for good quality meats at reasonable prices, this is definitely the place to look.

10. Rotisserie Chicken: The Ultimate Bargain

Costco’s rotisserie chicken is a customer favorite for its unbeatable price and quality. Other grocery stores just can’t compare!

Not only is it a budget-friendly meal on its own, but you can also use it in various ways with other grocery items you get from Costco.

From chicken salads and sandwiches to enchiladas and soups, the rotisserie chicken is incredibly versatile.

Don’t forget to save the bones to make homemade broth! You can simmer the bones and get a wonderful broth for future meals.

11. Don’t Forget Costco Coupons & Deals

Don’t forget to check out the available Costco digital coupons on the app. These are automatically taken off at the register when you scan your card or use the mobile app.

Not only that, pick up a monthly coupon flyer from the customer service desk each time you visit.

They still mail coupons, but these may have a few changes or just help you get repeat coupons on items you need more of.

You don’t want to miss some of the awesome deals that they put out every month! Make sure you plan your trip around these extra savings!  You can find a list of deals here.

Do’s & Don’ts Of Costco Shopping

When Costco shopping, it’s essential to know which items offer the best value and which might not be the most cost-effective. 

You’ve got to be smart, go to your Costco store, and buy what fits your budget and makes sense for your family!

Here’s a concise list of dos and don’ts to guide your purchases:

Do Buy

• Frozen Foods: Stock up on high-quality, budget-friendly options like frozen lasagna and large bags of fruits and veggies, which are convenient and cost-effective.
• Lunch Staples: Look for deals on lunch meats, string cheese (which freezes well), and family-friendly snacks such as fruit snacks, granola bars, and pretzels.
• Fresh Produce: Items like bananas, potatoes, and seasonal berries tend to be fresh and affordable, as are large bags of leafy greens like romaine and spinach.
• Baking & Cooking Staples: Buying essentials in bulk—such as spices, minced garlic, oils, canned goods, and baking basics like flour and sugar—can save significantly over time.
• Dairy Products: Bulk dairy items like eggs, milk, and shredded cheese (which you can portion and freeze) are generally high quality and well-priced.

Don’t Buy

• Chips and Snacks at Full Price: Unless they’re on sale, skip bulk chips and snacks to get the best deal.
• Bulk Perishables: Only buy perishable items in bulk if you know you’ll use them up quickly; otherwise, they may spoil before you can enjoy them.
• Unplanned Items: With Costco’s tempting variety, it’s easy to overspend on things you don’t really need, so stick to your usual shopping list.

By following these dos and don’ts, you can make the most of your Costco trips, ensuring you get top value while avoiding unnecessary spending.

Other Bulk/Membership Clubs

If you love Costco, you may be interested in the other Warehouse Club stores too – check out this post I did on Costco vs Sam’s Club vs BJs to find out more.

I’ve met so many Costco shoppers who double-up and have multiple memberships so they can shop around wisely.

FAQs

Can I shop at Costco without a membership?

Yes, you can shop at Costco without a membership by using a Costco Cash Card (gift card), which can be purchased by a member and used by non-members.

What’s the best day and time to shop at Costco?

To avoid crowds, try shopping mid-week in the morning, right after opening, or late in the evening before closing.

How can I tell if an item is on clearance at Costco?

Look for price tags ending in $0.97—this usually means the item is marked down.

Additionally, if you see an asterisk (*) on the tag, it indicates the item won’t be restocked so the sale might be the last of what they have.

Are Costco’s rotisserie chickens really a good deal?

Yes, Costco’s rotisserie chickens are known for their low price and quality. Many people use them as a quick meal option or for recipes, and the bones can be used to make broth.

Can I return items to Costco without a receipt?

Generally, yes. Costco has a generous return policy, and they can often look up your purchase with your membership number.

How does the 2% reward work with an Executive Membership?

With an Executive Membership, you’ll earn 2% cash back annually on eligible purchases, which can be used to cover part of your membership renewal or spent in-store.

Final Thoughts

There are SO many great ways to save at Costco, but don’t get overwhelmed!

Shopping at Costco is all about strategy and timing, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

From scoring a rotisserie chicken deal to saving big on prescriptions, you can make the most out of every trip with these tips.

Do you have your own Costco shopping secrets? Let’s swap ideas! I’d love to hear your favorite items that save you big at Costco.

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