The Single Best Thing To Buy at Costco When You’re on an Extra Tight Budget
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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Costco is known for its high-quality items at affordable prices. Although a membership costs at least $60 per year, Costco fans say they still save money compared to other stores.
“The key when shopping at Costco is to plan ahead and stick to your list to avoid wasting your savings on impulse purchases,” said Andrew Latham, a certified financial planner with Supermoney.com.
When you’re on an extra-tight budget, it’s important to stretch your dollar as far as possible. Here are some of the best things to buy at Costco when you’re low on cash.
1. Bulk Items
It’s widely known that buying items in bulk at Costco can save you money. “When shopping at Costco on a tight budget, I recommend prioritizing bulk staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods which offer substantial savings over time,” Latham said.
Dave Ramsey even recommended bulk buying certain items at Costco, including toiletries, dental care items, paper products, batteries, canned goods, rice, cereal and dry beans. But not everything in bulk is a good deal. Ramsey said to avoid buying fruits and vegetables, dairy and other perishables and condiments and spices, as previously reported by GOBankingRates.
2. Kirkland Signature Products
“Kirkland Signature, Costco’s in-house brand, generally offers comparable or superior quality products at lower prices than name brands, making it a smart choice for everything from groceries to clothing,” Latham said.
Kirkland Signature is about 20% cheaper than national brands, according to The Motley Fool. There are over 350 Kirkland products available, so you’re sure to find an alternative to name brands on your shopping list.
3. Restaurant Gift Cards
“Hands down, one of the best items you can buy at Costco has to be restaurant gift cards,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst at DealNews.com. “You’ll pay less than the face value, so your dollar is going further and you’re getting a much better value compared to shopping elsewhere.”
For example, Ramhold said you can find $100 worth of gift cards to restaurants like Fogo de Chao and IHOP for $79.99. Other deals offer $100 to Sullivan’s Steakhouse for $69.99 after an additional $5 off, she added.
“There are a variety of restaurants available too, so it’s worth a look if you want to gift someone or yourself. While high-end restaurants like Texas de Brazil, Morton’s and more are available, there are also plenty of gift cards that would be ideal for gifting to college students ahead of graduation to help them treat themselves when they’re away from home for the first time,” Ramhold explained.
4. Pharmacy Items
Latham also recommended picking up pharmacy items at Costco. The retailer also offers a Costco Member Prescription Program, which provides discounts on prescription drugs up to 80% or more, depending on the medication.
According to users on Reddit, over-the-counter and prescription items at Costco’s pharmacy are priced way below retail. Also, you don’t need a membership to use the pharmacy, in stores or online.
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