Costco shoppers often miss small signals and perks that can save them cash, according to a new list of tips from FinanceBuzz.
What this means for you
You don't need a membership upgrade or a secret code to save more at Costco. You just need to know where to look. Here are the main tricks worth knowing, explained in plain terms so you don't need a dictionary to use them.
Watch for the asterisk. If a price sign has a star on it, that item won't be restocked once it sells out. Grab it now if you want it.
Check the price ending. A price ending in .79, .49, or .89 often means Costco got a special deal from the maker and marked it down from the usual .99 price. A price ending in .88 or .00 usually means a manager cut the price to clear it out, and it may not come back at all.
Use the Savings booklet. Members get a booklet of discounts with no coupon clipping needed. The savings show up automatically when you check out.
Shop beyond the warehouse. Each store carries about 4,000 items, but Costco.com has even more, including online-only deals.
Try delivery. You can now get Costco orders delivered through Uber Eats nationwide, and member pricing still applies.
Go early if you're an Executive member. You get store access an hour before everyone else, Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 a.m., and Saturday from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
Look into Costco Travel. It offers deals on vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, hotels, and gift cards for things like theme parks.
Get your tires there. Costco's tire install package includes free pressure checks, rotations, and flat repairs for life, plus nitrogen fill-ups that hold pressure longer than regular air.
Check partner discounts. Members can get deals like 25% off a Budget Truck rental, or shop third-party sellers at Costco prices through Costco Next.
Buy smart for your freezer. A vacuum sealer keeps meat fresh longer, and a chest freezer lets you stock up on fruit, breakfast burritos, or muffins without waste. Splitting bulk items with a friend or family member also helps if you have limited space.
If you're an Executive member, you can also cash out your yearly reward check instead of using it as store credit.
This site exists to explain money news like this in plain language, for people who are busy but want to actually understand what's going on instead of guessing at jargon.
Next time you're at Costco, snap a photo of the price tag codes above and keep it on your phone for your next shopping trip.
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