Costco has a way of making a shopping trip feel like you’re getting more for your money. Between the bulk packages, warehouse prices, and Kirkland Signature products, it’s easy to assume every item in your cart is a bargain.
But a low price on a large package doesn’t always mean you’re saving money. A few common shopping habits can leave you buying things you don’t need, letting food go to waste, or spending more than you planned before you even reach the checkout.
If you’re trying to get more out of your Costco membership without letting your spending get out of hand, these are some of the habits worth watching.
Letting the Membership Go Underused
A Costco membership comes with an annual fee, so it makes sense to think about how often you’re actually using it. If you only stop by a handful of times a year, you might have a harder time making up that cost through your purchases.
Frequent shoppers may find the membership easier to justify, especially if they regularly buy household staples or other items at warehouse prices. Before renewing, take a look at how much you actually shop there and whether the savings you’ve received are enough to make the fee worthwhile for your household.
Related: Costco vs. Sam’s Club: Why I Ended Up Going Back to Costco
Buying in Bulk Without a Plan
Buying a huge package can feel like an easy way to save, but only if you’re going to use everything. A bargain doesn’t do much for your budget if half the package ends up sitting in the pantry until it expires.
This is especially easy to do with food. Before buying a bulk item, think about how quickly your household goes through it and whether you have enough storage space. If you wouldn’t normally buy three smaller packages, there’s a good chance you don’t need the warehouse-sized version either.
Shopping While Hungry
Going to Costco hungry can make sticking to your list much harder. The food court, bakery, snack aisles, samples, and giant packages of treats can all look a lot more tempting when you haven’t eaten.
I’ve found that having something to eat before grocery shopping makes it much easier to walk past things I didn’t plan to buy. A full stomach can save you from coming home with an extra box of cookies, frozen snacks, or bakery items that weren’t on your list.
Related: 8 Things I Never Buy At Walmart
Ignoring Unit Prices
A bigger package isn’t automatically the better deal. Costco’s large sizes can make the price look impressive, but the only way to really compare two products is to check the cost per ounce, pound, item, or other unit.
Take a few seconds to compare the numbers with other sizes and stores. You might find that a smaller package somewhere else costs less once you do the math.
Purchasing Produce You Can’t Finish
Costco can have great prices on fruits and vegetables, but the packages can be much larger than what a small household can eat. Buying a giant container of berries doesn’t save money if half of it gets moldy in the refrigerator.
Before putting produce in your cart, think about how much your household actually eats. If you don’t have a plan for using the entire package, buying a smaller amount somewhere else may leave you with more food and less waste.
Related: Costco Employees Say This Food Sampling Behavior Drives Them Crazy
Falling for Every Seasonal Display
The seasonal sections can make it very easy to add something extra to your cart. Holiday decorations, patio furniture, outdoor toys, clothing, and limited-time products can catch your attention before you’ve even made it to the items you came in to buy.
These purchases aren’t necessarily bad, but they can push your total much higher than planned. If you’re trying to stick to a budget, having a list and giving yourself a minute to think before grabbing a seasonal item can help.
Assuming Every Item Is the Cheapest
Costco has plenty of good deals, but you shouldn’t assume that every price in the warehouse is lower than what you’ll find elsewhere. Grocery stores, discount retailers, and online shops sometimes offer better prices on individual items, especially during sales.
It’s worth comparing the prices of things you buy often. Aldi, Walmart, Target, and local grocery stores may have lower prices on certain staples, so a quick check can keep you from automatically buying everything at Costco.
Related: 10 Signs It’s (Sadly) Time to Cancel Your Costco Membership
Buying Electronics Without Research
Costco sells plenty of televisions, laptops, appliances, and other electronics, and the warehouse can have appealing deals. Still, it doesn’t hurt to compare the exact model and price before making a purchase.
Electronics can have different model numbers or features depending on the retailer, which can make a quick price comparison more useful than simply comparing the brand and product name. Check the specifications and current prices before assuming the Costco version is the better buy.
Overlooking Kirkland Signature Products
Some shoppers head straight for the name brands and don’t give Kirkland Signature products much thought. That’s a missed opportunity because Costco’s store brand covers a wide range of groceries, household goods, clothing, and other products.
For many everyday purchases, Kirkland can be a less expensive option worth trying. If you’ve been buying the same name-brand product out of habit, compare the ingredients, size, and price with the Kirkland version before automatically putting your usual choice in the cart.
Shopping Too Frequently
A Costco trip can turn into a much bigger shopping trip than planned. You might walk in for toilet paper and milk and walk out with a new kitchen gadget, snacks, seasonal decorations, and a few things you didn’t know you needed.
Going less often can make it easier to control those impulse purchases. Having a list and setting a spending limit before heading into the warehouse can also keep a quick restocking trip from becoming a major expense.
Related: Before You Buy These Items at Costco, Check Sam’s Club First
Not Splitting Bulk Purchases
Some Costco packages are simply too large for one household. If you know you’ll never finish a particular food or household product before it goes bad, consider splitting it with a friend, relative, or neighbor.
You can divide the cost and the products, which lets everyone get a smaller amount without paying the full price of a regular-size package. Just make sure everyone involved agrees on the cost and how the items will be divided before making the purchase.
Buying More Meat Than You Can Freeze
Large packages of meat can be a good buy if you have enough freezer space and know you’ll use them. The problem starts when you bring home more meat than your freezer can handle or more than your household can eat in a reasonable amount of time.
