Costco Membership Fee Too High? Explore These Wholesale Shopping Alternatives

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A Costco membership could unlock savings, but it’s not the only place with low prices. Find out which other retailers also have good deals. [[{“value”:”

Investing in a warehouse club membership like Costco can be a great money move for many shoppers. The retailer sells bulk essentials at discounted prices. Maximizing the value of your Costco membership by shopping these deals can help you avoid overspending.

However, not everyone can afford a yearly membership to Costco. Membership fees are now $65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive) annually, which is a lot of money to spend to access the retailer’s members-only deals. If you can’t afford the yearly fee, it’s not a good idea to join Costco.

The good news is that Costco is just one of many retailers with great deals. You can save money by shopping elsewhere. Want to trim your spending when buying groceries and household goods? Here are a couple wholesale shopping alternatives to help you keep more money in your checking account.

Target

Target is a popular retailer with reasonable prices. While not everything sold here is a deal, many items are affordable. I’ve been doing a lot more of my shopping at Target, especially when buying pantry essentials like condiments, canned goods, and seasonings.

Since I live in a two-person household, it’s not beneficial for me to purchase all of my everyday essentials in bulk. I might get a great deal, but the best-buy date will pass before I finish it. Because of this, I buy some essentials like spices and seasonings at Target. I’ve found that Target tends to have more affordable prices than my local grocer.

For example, I can get a 2.62-ounce container of store-brand onion powder for $1.19 at Target. The equivalent at my local grocer, Market District, costs $3.49 for the same-sized package. That’s nearly three times Target’s price, and thanks to the reasonable size, nothing goes to waste. You may want to see if you can save money on pantry essentials by shopping at Target.

But that’s not the only way I save. I maximize my savings by using a rewards credit card at checkout. This allows me to earn cash back rewards. Want to maximize your savings? Click here to view our list of the best cash back credit cards with big rewards.

Aldi

Aldi is another wholesale shopping alternative that could save you money. This low-cost retailer primarily sells grocery items, but you can also find household goods like hand soap, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper products here.

I’ve found Aldi to be an excellent alternative to Costco for fresh produce. Buying fruit and vegetables in bulk doesn’t make sense for my small household, but Aldi’s produce prices are cheaper than those at my local grocer.

This week, Aldi is selling an 8-ounce package of sliced white mushrooms for $1.29. Meanwhile, Market District is selling the equivalent for $2.79. That’s a savings of $1.50 for one package. Aldi can be an excellent place to shop for those wanting to fill up their grocery cart with fresh produce without going broke. You may want to visit your local store to see what I mean.

A Costco membership isn’t required to unlock savings

If you’re trying to keep your spending in check, you’re not alone. Don’t assume you have to spend money on a pricey membership to save money when buying groceries and other household goods. Retailers like Target and Aldi have great deals that offer significant savings.

Review the weekly sales flier before you shop to maximize your savings. Outlining a shopping list based on what’s on sale and buying store-brand essentials can also help you save more. Finally, consider paying for your haul with a credit card that earns rewards.

Earning points, miles, or cash back when you swipe your credit card is a win for your wallet. Want to get rewarded when you shop? Explore our list of the best rewards credit cards to find out how easy it is to earn rewards.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
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.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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