How to Make a Costco Membership Worth It for One Person

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Costco is known for its bulk items and notably low prices. But is membership worth it for a single person? Learn how to save if you’re shopping for one. 

Costco membership is an easy call for many families. A basic annual membership costs only $60, and you can save money on tons of products, ranging from groceries to travel packages to kayaks and clothes and electronics. But for those who are single, the question is a bit more complicated. After all, even if you did eat enough potatoes to justify buying a 20-pound sack of them, would you even have the space to store Costco’s bulk goods?

While it’s not for everyone, a Costco membership can still be worth it if you’re single. Here’s how.

1. Save on paper products

You might not eat enough perishable foods, like carrots and ground beef, to justify buying groceries in bulk at Costco. But you could buy paper products, like toilet paper and paper towels, in bulk and stock up. At my local Costco, for instance, I can buy toilet paper for about $0.80 a roll, while similar toilet paper from Walmart would cost me around $1.12. Even better, the toilet paper at Costco has 380 sheets, while the Walmart brand has 242.

So Costco’s toilet paper is cheaper and will last longer — a win-win savings situation to help any single person’s personal finances.

2. Get a Costco travel package

You really don’t have to look far to save money at Costco. But for those travelers who are looking far, Costco Travel can help you get there — and save tons on domestic and international travel.

Every now and then, Costco Travel will advertise exclusive, limited-time travel packages to members. For example, I’ve seen all-inclusive vacations in Hawaii that are not only cheaper than booking the pieces of your trip separately, but will give you resort credits between $50 and $200. I’ve also seen cruises with jaw-dropping prices and all-inclusives in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Booking travel through Costco could potentially save you enough to cover your membership dues with one purchase.

3. Buy Costco tires

Costco’s Tire Center is one of the warehouse’s few underappreciated departments. To be sure, Costco doesn’t always have the cheapest tires, especially when other tire shops, like Walmart and Discount Tire, are offering promotions. But when Costco is offering tire promotions of its own, Costco Tire Center could save you between $100 and $150 on a set of four tires. That’s enough to pay for a Costco membership — and leave some cash in your checking account for a few $1.50 hot dogs.

4. Shop for your pets

Finally, even if you’re the only human in your home, you might have dogs and cats to feed. Costco’s bulk pet food comes at a low price — especially in comparison to other pet stores, like Petco — and its flea and tick treatments are significantly cheaper. Costco may not have the same variety of pet supplies as other stores, but for basic food, cat litter, and toys, it’s hard to beat the warehouse retailer.

Here’s the thing. Even if you’re not sure Costco could save you money, it doesn’t hurt to try. That’s because Costco will reimburse your annual membership dues if you try it out and decide it’s not for you. And if you’re really ambitious, you could try out Costco’s Executive Membership for $120 per year. You can earn 2% cash back (up to $1,000 in annual earnings) and save on additional Costco services.

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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.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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