5 Smart Costco Tips That Put $250 Back In Your Wallet

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1. Know Which Costco Items Are Worth Buying in Bulk

You know how Costco feels like a wonderland of giant boxes and endless snacks?

Well, not everything in bulk is a bargain. Some items end up spoiling before you even open them.

• Stock up on shelf-stable items like paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. They never go bad.
  
• Avoid perishables in bulk like milk or produce unless you have a big family or freezer space.
  
• Check unit prices on shelf tags; sometimes, smaller sizes at regular stores are actually cheaper.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make a short “Bulk Buy Only” list on your phone and stick to it when shopping.

Make It Easy: Keep a small vacuum sealer handy to store bulk food portions and prevent waste.

2. Stick to Kirkland Brand for Huge Savings

Have you ever noticed how Costco’s Kirkland brand quietly beats name brands?. And for way less?

It’s basically the store’s little money-saving secret hiding in plain sight.

• Kirkland batteries last just as long as Duracell but cost almost half.
  
• Kirkland coffee? Roasted by the same supplier as Starbucks. Your wallet won’t taste the difference.
  
• Kirkland olive oil and vitamins often come from the same factories as top brands, just in simpler packaging.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Swap one name-brand item per shopping trip for its Kirkland twin and see if you notice any difference.

Make It Easy: Try a set of clear pantry bins to store your new Kirkland favorites neatly.

3. Look for Price Tags Ending in .97 for Hidden Deals

Ever seen those weird “.97” endings on Costco price tags?

That’s your clue that a product’s on clearance. And it’s usually a steal.

• .97 endings mean markdowns approved by the store manager (aka, a hidden discount).
  
• Asterisks on tags mean the item won’t be restocked, so grab it while you can.
  
• .00 or .88 endings mean manager specials. Those rare “just get it now” prices.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Snap a photo of Costco’s price tag codes on your phone so you remember what each one means.

Make It Easy: Keep a small notepad in your purse for jotting down the best clearance finds.

4. Shop Midweek for Fewer Crowds and Better Prices

You know that feeling when Costco on Saturday looks like a concert?

Yeah, skip that.

Midweek shopping not only saves your sanity. It can actually score you fresher stock and hidden markdowns.

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays are your best bets for fully stocked shelves without chaos.
  
• Early mornings mean markdown stickers are fresh, and employees are restocking popular items.
  
• End-of-day trips midweek often have bakery and deli markdowns to clear inventory.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a recurring midweek shopping reminder on your phone and stick to it religiously.

Make It Easy: Consider grabbing a sturdy insulated grocery tote so your food stays fresh on the drive home.

5. Shop the Back of the Store for Clearance Items

Costco’s best deals aren’t in plain sight. They’re hiding in the back like a treasure chest.

If you skip the back aisles, you’re literally walking past hundreds in savings.

• Back corner aisles often hold clearance items and discontinued products.
  
• End caps (those end-of-aisle displays) rotate with seasonal markdowns. Think BBQ gear after summer or sweaters in spring.
  
• Avoid the flashy front of the store. It’s designed to make you spend more, not save.

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Start every Costco trip by walking straight to the back, grab deals first, then fill in your list.

Make It Easy: Consider a collapsible shopping cart to handle bulky clearance finds without breaking your back.

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