4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Costco Trip

Shopping at Costco is a great way to save money on everything from groceries to cleaning supplies to apparel. But it's a good idea to approach your shopping trips strategically. Here are a few steps you can take to make the most of your next planned Costco visit. 

1. Go in with a list

If you've ever wandered the aisles of Costco and gotten overwhelmed by the vast selection, you're no doubt in good company. That's why it's so important to make a shopping list before heading to the store. 

If you don't have a list to stick to, you might end up with an oversized shopping cart full of impulse buys. That's not a good thing when your goal in getting a Costco membership is to spend less, not more.

2. Look online before hitting the store

The prices you see listed online at Costco are often higher than the prices you'll see at your local warehouse club store. This especially applies to fresh groceries. But you might also find a wider selection of products at Costco online than in the store. And if you're looking for a specialty item, like a piece of furniture, then it's important to know what your options entail. 

Let's say you want to buy a patio set and your local warehouse club store only has two options. Costco has more than 100 options on its website, so it's a good idea to do your research and take notes before heading to the store. That way, you won't necessarily feel pressured to buy a model you see onsite. And also, many of Costco's online items ship for free, so don't assume you'll end up incurring an added cost if you go the online route.

3. Read the deal book ahead of time

Each month, Costco posts sales on its website and sends members a deal book that's loaded with details on near-term discounts. It pays to read through your deal book to see which items are discounted temporarily. If you're running low on paper towels but still have enough to last another month, you might want to purchase some anyway if they're $5 off their usual price.

4. Fill up your car

Costco is said to offer some of the most affordable gas prices in town. It pays to time your Costco trips to when your tank is running low so you can fill up at a discount. And if you have the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, you'll also score 4% cash back at the pump if you swipe your card. You can then pocket that money and use it for future Costco purchases. 

Whether you shop at Costco once a week, once a month, or once a quarter, it's a good idea to go in prepared. Doing so could help you save money by avoiding impulse buys and capitalizing on discounts while they're available. It could also help you avoid buying an in-store product when there's a better alternative available online.