Costco Membership: Is It Still a Money Saver for Empty Nesters?
Written by
Andrea Norris
Edited by
Jasmine Browley
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When you had kids at home, a Costco membership likely saved you significantly. But now that you have emptied the nest, does it still make sense?
3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
Here’s how to figure out if a Costco membership can still save you money and offer a valuable shopping experience.
Ways To Save With a Costco Membership
The key to saving with any type of shopping membership, whether Amazon Prime, Walmart+ or a warehouse club membership, is saving more than the membership cost. The annual cost of a Costco membership is $130 for an Executive membership and $65 for a Gold Star membership.
When feeding hungry kids, saving more than $65 or $130 throughout the year with a membership is easy. But buying groceries in bulk for one or two isn’t usually practical. For couples and singles, the question is whether you can benefit enough from other Costco products and services to make a membership worth it.
Gas and Auto Maintenance
Costco promises to provide high-quality gasoline to its members at the lowest possible price. You’ll also get 15% off maintenance at participating auto service centers up to $500 per visit and discounts on quality brand tires.
If you own a gas-powered car, the money you save on gas alone can almost cover the $65 Gold Star membership. For instance, if Costco’s gas is 10 cents cheaper than other stations in your area and you use 10 gallons a week, you’ll save $52 a year — just $13 short of the membership cost.
Hearing Aids and Glasses
You can check your hearing and vision at certain Costco locations and buy discounted corrective lenses, hearing aids and related accessories.
Prescriptions
Costco members save up to 80% on prescriptions. Check prices for your medications on the Costco website to determine your savings. Costco also fills many pet prescriptions. Additionally, pharmacy locations offer vaccines and boosters.
Gift Cards and Event Tickets
Costco offers a variety of gift cards, including those for retailers and restaurants, often at a 10% to 20% discount. Save on gifting to others or buy discounted cards for your favorite stores and eateries. Additionally, you can grab discounted tickets for movie theaters, sporting events, theme parks and more.
Travel
Now that the kids are gone, you might want to plan some vacations without them. Costco can help you save money on hotels, rental cars, cruises and other travel expenses.
The Product That Can Make a Costco Membership Worth It
The Executive membership costs twice as much as the Gold Star but offers a valuable perk. You’ll earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases, including products, gas and some services, up to $1,250 annually. Buying 10 gallons of Costco gas weekly at $3.50 a gallon will give you $37.40 cash back annually on gas purchases alone.
Other Costco Money-Savers
- If you’re a teacher, medical professional, first responder, government employee or military member, inquire about discounted membership options.
- Apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi to earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases up to $7,000 annually and 2% on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases. You’ll receive cash back twice on every purchase when paired with an Executive membership.
- Consider splitting bulk purchases of paper goods, meats, spices, canned goods and other bulk buys — including the cost — with your adult kids or friends.
- Stay current on sales and limited-time deals by regularly checking the Costco website or app.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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