10 tricks to get the most out of your Costco membership (COST)
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- Costco memberships offer customers discounts that go beyond savings on bulk food items.
- Many consumers may not know that Costco gives its members access to some of the best deals on travel, prescription drugs, gift cards, and more.
- Here are 10 tricks from a consumer-savings expert for getting the most out of your Costco membership.
Like many consumers, I have something of a love-hate relationship with Costco. I’m still working through a lifetime supply of paper clips, and I rarely escape the warehouse store without at least $100 of items that weren't on my shopping list.
On the other hand, Costco offers top-quality products at fantastic prices, and some of those unplanned purchases have proved to be great buys. It wasn't on my list, but I am glad I bought a truMedic InstaShiatsu Shoulder and Neck Massager — and Costco offered it at a great price.
Consumer-savings expert Andrea Woroch said that she thinks a Costco membership can pay off, but it depends on your shopping style.
If all you want are the bales of toilet paper, you can do better shopping sales and using coupons. But, she said, there's more to Costco than 12-packs of paper towels. Particularly for business owners and people with larger families, Costco can be a great place for bargains.
Woroch shared some of her tips for getting the most out of your Costco membership.
1. Hone your Costco shopping list and stick to it.
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"Don't become overwhelmed with the deals," Woroch said. "That's actually an easy way to blow your money." She advises coming up with what she calls a "strategic shopping plan." Make a list and focus on the items you want to buy. Limit the amount of time you spend wandering the aisles trying to justify buying a Vitamix or a five-year supply of Scotch tape.
It might take a few trips to find out which items you like and fine tune your list. My current favorite bargain is Verka organic yogurt. It’s delicious, and the 64-oz tub can cost the same as a 16-oz yogurt at the grocery store.
2. Check your pantry before you shop.
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Woroch said she advises people to do a pantry inventory as you make your list, so you don’t buy something you already have or forget an item you need. Then stick to that list!
3. Don't forget Costco deals on large purchases.
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You get more from your Costco membership when you think beyond groceries, according to Woroch. You can find great deals on clothing, patio furniture, even beds. She also said that other discount outlets might have low prices, but they won't match Costco's quality.
Woroch suggested checking what's available at Costco when you need to make a large purchase. Don't be like me: I recently discovered (too late) that I could have saved $300 on my new iPad had I bought it at Costco.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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