These 3 Costco Strategies Could Save You a Bundle

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Looking to save big at Costco? Read on to see how. [[{“value”:”

The average American’s credit card balance is $6,501, says Experian. Given the way living costs have risen dramatically over the past few years, that’s not very shocking.

But if you’re not in the best shape financially, then it pays to do what you can to save money on purchases like groceries and household essentials. And even if you don’t have credit card debt, it still pays to keep these costs as low as possible so you have room in your budget for other expenses and savings.

Shopping at Costco strategically could be your ticket to doing just that. Here’s how to save yourself a nice chunk of money.

1. Get your shopping done early

Shopping at Costco could be a stressful experience. The store tends to be crowded even when you think you’re shopping at off-peak times, and the selection can be overwhelming.

That’s why hitting the store early could be a good bet. If you arrive right when the store opens, you might face fewer crowds. That could make it possible to evaluate your purchases more calmly and make smarter decisions.

Also, if you arrive at Costco early enough, you might get there before the free samples start popping up. Those samples might be fun to try, but they can also lead to impulse buys that hurt your budget. Avoiding them entirely could mean leaving Costco with a smaller grocery bill.

2. Stick to the Kirkland brand as much as possible

Kirkland is Costco’s signature brand. You’ll find the Kirkland label on a host of products at Costco, from groceries to cleaning supplies to apparel. It pays to load up on Kirkland items for the savings involved.

Costco says it intentionally prices its Kirkland line to offer at least 20% savings compared to brand-name alternatives. So if you’d normally spend $100 on groceries and household products at Costco per week, switching to Kirkland could mean spending $80 or less. Do that every week, and you’re looking at pocketing a lot of extra money during a year.

3. Fill up your tank while doing your grocery shopping

Costco’s fuel stations usually offer some of the cheapest gas in town. But it’s not just that you’ll pay less money per gallon. You might also get better performance out of your car.

Costco gas carries the TOP TIER designation, which means it’s designed to clean your engine and enhance your car’s performance. So you may find that a tank of Costco gas lasts longer than gas from a different fuel station nearby. It pays to try to do your Costco shopping when your tank is getting low so you can accomplish two errands during the same trip.

It’s gotten frustratingly expensive to function as an adult. This is something a lot of people complain about regularly, and understandably so. But you can do your part to save money by shopping at Costco strategically.

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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.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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