Known for its top-notch customer service, generous return policy, countless good deals, and, of course, high-quality Kirkland products, Costco keeps getting better and better. No, really. According to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, the warehouse retailers’ satisfaction benchmarks are moving up, meaning customers are happy with their overall shopping experience. There are plenty of compelling reasons to shop at Costco, but before you head out on your next shopping trip, here are a few hacks from experts Best Life spoke with to help you score even bigger discounts.
RELATED: 17 Best Impulse Buys from Costco.
Don’t Skip the Gift Cards
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People typically think of gift cards as gifts for others, but at Costco, start thinking of them as a way to save money for yourself.
“Many Costco’s will offer discounted gift cards – for example, you could purchase a $100 restaurant gift card for $85,” Sarah Jankowski, Director of User Growth and Integrated Marketing at Shopkick, says. With the discount prices, you can buy gift cards for streaming services, retail stores, gas stations, and more and watch the savings add up.
Buy the Rotisserie Chicken
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While Costco is well-known for buying in bulk, you can also grab a healthy, cheap dinner that can be used for several meals in different ways. Jankowski says, “The rotisserie chicken is extremely versatile for any type of lunch or dinner (or shred it and freeze it!).) And it’s less than $5? Sign me up.”
Stock Up on Olive Oil
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Olive oil is another great deal at Costco. It’s used almost daily when cooking and is worth buying in bulk. “You can sometimes find this under $20 when you’re lucky,” Jankowski explains. “And when you do – stock up! You can get 2L of olive oil for $20-25.”
Shop Biweekly
Ever notice how, after grocery shopping, all the fruits and vegetables are eaten quickly, leaving nothing fresh for the following week? To stretch your money and groceries further,Allie Echeverria, MS, RD, LD, a modern home economics expert, says to plan out shopping trips for every other week.
“Each shopping trip should include perishable and nonperishable items,” she explains. “Eat all the fresh produce the first week and then plan your meals to use the frozen and shelf-stable items the second week.”
Know What Not to Buy
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While Costco has great deals, it’s okay to shop at other places offering savings. Not everything at the warehouse giant is worth buying. “Most people don’t realize that spices don’t have a super long shelf life,” Jankowski states. “I’d avoid buying these at bulk stores unless you have specific spices you constantly use. I’d instead opt for Good & Gather at Target!”
Take Advantage of the Pharmacy
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Prescription drugs are expensive and add up fast, and many can’t afford their medications. According to Bloomberg, one in five American adults has not filled a prescription due to cost. So, take advantage of Costco’s cheaper prices. “Leverage the pharmacy,” says Jankowski. “You’ll typically pay a lower price for your prescriptions.”