These Costco Shopping Tips Will Save You Tons of Money

Trong Nguyen/ShutterstockWho doesn’t love saving money? Many people pride themselves on finding the best deals out there and even use it as a topic of small talk. Costco can be a magical dreamland when it comes to deals, but only if you know where to look for them.

Although buying in bulk at a store like Costco does save you money, there are still many tricks to learn that will save you more. especially when it comes to pricey items like meat or even alcohol.

Also, don’t forget to check out Costco scams you need to know about ASAP!

So before making your trip to the land of bulk items and extremely cheap jumbo hot dog and drink deals, be sure to take note of these tips to get more bang for your buck. Soon, you won’t be able to stop asking your friends, “Guess how much I saved at Costco?”

Yes, buy the store-brand products

At Costco, look for products with the label Kirkland, Popsugar reports. It’s actually a Costco label—and will save you lots of money! Sure, store-brand products can be a huge hit or miss, but Kirkland is known for creating high-quality products that will make you completely forget those popular mainstream brands.

The farther the walk, the better the price

That’s right. The farther you walk into the store, the better deals you are going to find, especially at the center of the store, also known as “center court.” Lifehacker suggests starting at the back of the store and working your way up for the best deals. And avoid the front of the store at all costs! It’s known as “action alley,” which tends to have the highest prices since it gets the most foot traffic.

Buy bulk meat to freeze

Even if you only need a pound of beef for that recipe over the weekend, buy a few extra pounds to store for later. You’ll get a better price per pound when you buy in bulk, and you’ll end up with a stocked fridge ready for easy weeknight dinners. It’s a win-win!

Team up with a buddy for deals

You probably don’t need that many paper towels or bottles of water, so why not split them up with a friend? Save at least half of your grocery bill by splitting up the bulk items with your other Costco-loving buddies. But fair warning: The two of you should never bother with these Costco items. They aren’t worth the deals.

Understand the price codes

Ever wonder why some prices end in .99, while others end in .97? It’s actually done on purpose as part of a secret pricing code that Costco has in order to show you where the deals are or aren’t. For example, if you find an item with .99 at the end, that’s a wholesale price. But if you find something with a .97, that’s the best discount you’ll be able to find. Make sure you look out for these other tricky ways supermarkets get you to spend more money.

Shop seasonal at the end of the season

This may seem counterintuitive, but trust me. You’re going to find the best deals for Christmas decorations and Halloween costumes after the holiday is over, just like any other store. You should also grab grilling supplies after summer is over to get the best prices possible on stuff you’ll need nine months down the road.

Try shopping online

The Costco app actually shows you the great deals and offers to take advantage of, which will help you in the long run. Almost out of toilet paper? Take a look at the Costco app to see if any deals are happening for your needs before even hitting up the store.

Want even more insider tips? Check out these 5 secret Costco shopping perks only members know about.