3 Tips to Avoid Impulse Buys on Your Next Costco Run

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Impulse buys can wreak havoc on your finances. Read on for ways to steer clear of them at Costco. 

Adding impulse buys to your shopping cart on a whim is a pretty natural temptation to have. Whether you’re shopping for groceries, clothing, or school supplies, you might easily end up adding items to your cart you weren’t planning on buying in the first place.

The good news is that 38% of Americans have managed to decrease their impulse spending this year, according to an annual survey commissioned by Slickdeals. But if you’re a Costco member, avoiding impulse purchases is not an easy thing at all.

For one thing, Costco sells such a wide range of products that you’re likely to be tempted by something. And also, given the lower price points, it can be easy enough to justify those extra credit card charges.

But if your goal is to save money or trim your spending, then you may want to do everything in your power to avoid impulse shopping at Costco. Here are some tips for pulling that off.

1. Make a list before you shop — and reward yourself for sticking to it

The simple act of making a Costco list won’t guarantee that you won’t stray. But having that list as an anchor might help you stay focused as you make your way around the store. And if you implement a reward system, you may be more likely to stick to your list.

Of course, you don’t want the cost of your reward to outweigh the cost of a typical Costco impulse buy. But let’s say you tell yourself that if you stick to your list, you can stop at Starbucks on the way home and treat yourself to your favorite latte. That drink might cost you $5. But if that reward system saves you from making a $15 impulse purchase at Costco, you’re ahead financially.

2. Don’t sample new goodies

Costco’s free samples are designed to tempt customers into buying new things. If you’re serious about avoiding impulse purchases, don’t try that yummy-looking cookie or cheese or granola cluster. Instead, keep walking. If you don’t know what you’re missing, you may be more inclined to keep those new products out of your cart.

In some cases, staying away from those samples can be pretty easy, such as when you don’t want to wait in a line or get stuck in a crowd. But seeing as how some Costco stores have rolled out machines that offer free samples, the temptation can be strong, so you’ll really need to try to steer clear of those.

Another option? Hit the store early in the morning or late at night. You’re less likely to find a variety of samples when the doors first open or when the store is getting ready to close.

3. Stay out of aisles you don’t have a need for

The more corners of Costco you explore, the more tempted you might be to purchase different things. If you want to cut down on impulse buys, make a point to steer clear of aisles that don’t contain an item on your shopping list. If you don’t have a need for apparel, for example, don’t walk over to that section to see what’s available. If you do, you may be tempted by the cute $10 shirt that seems affordable, but is really just an extra one you don’t need.

The temptation to buy extra things at Costco is real and intense for a lot of us. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to succumb to it. If you follow these tips, you might manage to reduce your impulse spending at Costco — or perhaps even kick that habit altogether.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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