How to Navigate Costco Shopping Wisely to Save Money

3 Expensive Costco Traps to Avoid

Shopping at Costco should, in theory, help you keep more money in your bank account since the warehouse club offers bulk deals. In reality, however, many club members find themselves falling into Costco traps that lead to them running up their credit card bills. You could find yourself wasting your hard-earned cash if you make any of these big errors.

1. Choosing the wrong membership tier

The Executive membership comes with some tempting added perks -- most notably, 2% cash back on purchases up to a maximum of $1,000 a year. But, it's not right for everyone. If you don't spend at least $3,000 a year at the warehouse club, then the Executive membership isn't worth it. To avoid this trap, think carefully about how much you'll be spending and make the choice that makes the most financial sense for your Costco spending habits.

2. Paying the online surcharge

While shopping online may seem more convenient, buying online at Costco.com can be a lot more expensive than visiting your local warehouse club. The price difference can be substantial, with even grocery items often costing a few dollars more per item when purchased online for pickup or delivery versus buying them in-store. Don't fall into the trap of just clicking and purchasing. Instead, aim to visit your local club around once or twice a month to buy everything you need.

3. Buying items you won't use up

If you buy 10 pounds of pancake mix for $9.99, but you later realize you don't use it all before it goes bad, you'd have been better off with a smaller quantity from another store. Make wise purchasing decisions to avoid wasting money on items you won't fully utilize.