Hacks That Will Change The Way You Shop At Costco

Freeze your cheese

One of the main challenges Costco shoppers face is managing the expiration dates of bulk cold items. Even if you score a fantastic deal on a massive block of cheddar, it only makes sense financially if you consume the entire package. Fortunately, some cheeses freeze quite well, significantly extending their shelf life by several months.

So, which cheeses can you safely store in the freezer? A useful guideline is to consider the moisture content and intended culinary use of the cheese in question. The moisture in the cheese will inevitably freeze into ice crystals, resulting in a crumbly and less smooth texture upon thawing. In general, the higher the moisture content, the more negatively it will impact the cheese's texture. This means you should avoid freezing cottage cheese, ricotta, and queso fresco.

Instead, focus on freezing cheeses that will be incorporated into cooked dishes, such as pre-shredded or block varieties of mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, provolone, muenster, and Colby. Conversely, cheeses that are best enjoyed fresh on charcuterie boards, like brie or Gorgonzola, depend on a creamy, soft texture, so it's best to skip freezing them. Delicate cheeses, such as dill-flavored Havarti, will also lose some of their subtle flavors when frozen. Parmesan and pecorino don’t require freezing since they have a longer shelf life in the fridge (around 12 months), so take advantage of the Kirkland's Parmigiano Reggiano cheese deal when you can.

Download the Costco app

If you want to enhance your Costco shopping experience, downloading the app is definitely a smart move. One of the app's greatest advantages is its ability to address many common Costco challenges. Did you forget your membership card? The app lets you generate a digital membership card, ensuring you’ll never be denied entry again. Not sure what items are on sale? The app provides instant access to the Costco savings booklet and allows you to clip the coupons that interest you most. Want to check your reward balance? If you're an Executive Member with the 2% cash-back credit card, the Costco app will track your earnings, helping you determine if your investment is worthwhile.

Beyond solving problems, the app also helps you organize your shopping by allowing you to create a Costco shopping list directly within it. You can upload your Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi and make payments through the app as well. Additional features include the ability to look up past receipts, compare gas prices at different warehouses, and order your prescriptions.

Ask for price adjustments

Have you ever felt let down when an item you purchased suddenly goes on sale right after you paid full price? At Costco, you don’t have to endure that kind of buyer's remorse. If an item you bought is discounted later in the same month, you can return with your receipt and request a price adjustment for that item. Once confirmed, Costco will refund the price difference to your credit card. This is part of Costco's 30-day price protection policy, a benefit for members that can help you recover from unfortunate timing.

This policy applies to both online and in-store purchases, but it does not allow for comparisons between online deals and in-store warehouse prices. For instance, if you find that the seaweed snacks are cheaper online than what you paid in-store, you won’t be eligible for a price adjustment, as Costco considers shipping and handling for online orders. Remember, this program is for price adjustments, not price matching. It only covers sales or discounts available at Costco — they do not match prices from other retailers like Walmart or Target.

Read price tags like a pro

There is a treasure trove of information concealed within the Costco price tags—if you know how to interpret them. For instance, price tags ending in .97 indicate a sale, while those ending in .99 or .09 reflect regular pricing. However, just because a price ends in .99 doesn't mean it's not a good deal; manufacturers frequently sell in bulk to Costco at reduced rates, which can still make these items cheaper than what you'd find at a typical grocery store. It's essential to verify that you're truly getting a bargain.

Additionally, keep an eye out for prices that end in .88 or .00. These signify that the product is on sale, but the discount was applied by the store manager rather than Costco itself. This could be due to the item being a floor model, one of the last remaining units, or, often, a returned item that has never been used. Furthermore, if you notice an asterisk next to the price, it indicates limited availability, suggesting that you might not encounter that item at Costco again.

Take advantage of the food court

When people think about scoring a great deal at Costco, they often overlook one of the best bargains available: the meals at the food court. If you make smart choices, you can find options that are half the price of similar fast food items. A prime example is the $1.50 combo of a 20-ounce soda and a quarter-pound hot dog, a deal so good that Costco likely loses money on it, especially since this price has remained unchanged since 1984 (inflation aside).

Another excellent option is the $1.99 pizza slice or the $9.95 whole 18-inch pizza, which is more affordable than offerings from Domino's, Pizza Hut, and even Sam's Club, Costco's main rival. Plus, there's no extra charge for choosing pepperoni over cheese. The chicken bake is also a favorite among customers, packed with cheese and chicken in a jumbo hot pocket style. The one food court item you might want to skip? The chicken Caesar salad, which you can make larger and more economical by purchasing Costco's rotisserie chicken and Caesar salad kits.

Avoid the canned goods

One psychological pitfall that shoppers often encounter at Costco is the mistaken assumption that everything is less expensive there. While many items are indeed cheaper, some products can actually cost more. For example, a 6-can pack of Genova Yellowfin Tuna at Costco is priced at $17.99, whereas a 4-can pack of the same brand at Walmart is only $8.18—this represents a significant price difference even after accounting for the two extra cans.

In some cases, the price difference between Costco and other grocery stores is negligible. For instance, a 6-count pack of Le Lechera sweetened condensed milk at Costco costs $15.99, while a 4-pack at Walmart is priced at $10.56. In this case, the Walmart option is just three cents cheaper, and you avoid the hassle of finding space for two additional cans in your pantry. It's important to remember that buying in bulk is only a smart choice if you're getting a fantastic deal or if you frequently use the product.

The Kirkland brand stands out as a notable exception, as items bearing that label tend to offer both quality and better prices. Overall, it's wise to do your research and verify that the products you're purchasing are truly worth the space they occupy in your pantry.

Find the Kirkland dupes

One of the most effective ways to save money at Costco is by opting for name-brand alternatives that are sold under the Kirkland Signature label. Many consumer products, such as ice cream, alcohol, and bottled water, often carry a premium due to brand recognition. A popular choice among shoppers is Kirkland's French vodka, which is frequently compared to Grey Goose. Although it has been debunked that Grey Goose is the actual supplier for Costco's brand, Kirkland's version is available at nearly half the price, making it an easy decision.

But that's not the only fantastic liquor deal at Costco. Kirkland's Canadian whiskey is widely regarded as a solid alternative to Crown Royal. Additionally, Alexander Murray produces Kirkland's well-respected Scotch. Beyond alcoholic beverages, H.K. Anderson is believed to manufacture the popular Kirkland peanut butter pretzels, while Reynolds is responsible for Kirkland's aluminum foil, and Humboldt Creamery supplies the signature vanilla ice cream. Some customers have even noted that Kirkland's sparkling water resembles Pellegrino, and the granola bars are strikingly similar to Kind Bars. The list of great finds and savings continues!

Avoid bulk items that have short expiration dates

Caution: expiration dates may be closer than they seem. Many items at Costco should definitely carry this warning on their packaging. It's important to enter your local Costco aware that some foods can spoil more quickly than you realize. Common culprits include dry goods such as nuts, seeds, peanut butter, almond flour, coffee, and spices, which contain oils and fats that can go rancid in just a few months, rather than years. While you might consider storing some spices and peanut butter in the fridge or freezer to prolong their shelf life, treating your refrigerator as an extension of your pantry can lead to problems.

The same applies to certain condiments like mayonnaise, olive oil, and salad dressing. These products often have expiration dates that approach quickly, making it challenging to use them up before they go bad. Additionally, be cautious when purchasing items that can become stale, such as cereal, chips, or bread. Unless you're feeding a large group, buying in bulk can result in unnecessary waste.

Make use of Costco's generous return policy

Claiming that Costco offers the best return policy is no exaggeration. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in their "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back" approach. For starters, you don’t have to worry about keeping your flimsy receipt; your purchases are linked to your membership card, allowing Costco to track them easily. Additionally, the return time frame is quite flexible. Aside from certain items—like electronics, which must be returned within 90 days—most products can be returned at any time.

So, what items are eligible for return? In the grocery category, if you're not happy with a product, Costco will issue a refund. Even if you've sampled or tried a food item and find it unpalatable, Costco will accept opened perishable items as valid returns. A good guideline is to ensure that no more than 50% of the grocery item has been consumed for it to qualify for a return. Plus, if you feel that the benefits of your Costco membership aren't worth it, you can even get your membership fee refunded.

Skip the soda

Similar to canned goods, soda can appear to be a great bargain at Costco. At first glance, it may seem like you're getting a large quantity of soda for a reasonable price, but a closer look reveals that local grocery stores often offer better deals in this category. The reason? Soda is considered a "loss leader" in the grocery industry. Loss leaders are items that are frequently sold at a discount (resulting in a financial loss for the store) to attract and retain customers. For example, Costco's well-known rotisserie chicken is one of its primary loss leaders, appealing even to the most hesitant shoppers.

For smaller grocery chains, soda—especially in liter-sized bottles—serves as a reliable loss leader. Therefore, it's wise to compare Costco's soda prices with those at other grocery stores when making a purchase. You might be surprised by how much money you can save.

Go to the Costco bakery for your special cakes

Are you gearing up for a birthday or celebration with a large guest list? Consider placing your big cake order with Costco's bakery. They typically have jumbo chocolate and vanilla layer cakes readily available in their refrigerated section. Additionally, you can often find cheesecakes, tiramisu, and pies to enhance your dessert selection.

If you're looking for something more customized, you can order a 10-inch round cake for $19.99 (serves 16) or a half sheet cake for $24.99 (serves 48) using the Special Cake Order Form, which must be submitted in-store at least 24 hours in advance. The available flavors include chocolate with chocolate mousse icing and vanilla filled with vanilla cheesecake mousse. Plus, you can have your cake beautifully decorated, with a variety of designs such as roses, flags, balloons, and rainbows.

And if you're planning a simple, intimate wedding, Costco offers elegant two-tiered wedding cakes (serving 16 to 22) online for just $299, significantly less than what most bakeries charge for wedding cakes. Even a standard sheet cake can be transformed into a wedding-worthy dessert with some tasteful decorations. It's definitely worth the effort for the savings!

Use the Costco savings booklet

Whether found online, in-store, or delivered to your mailbox, the Costco savings booklet is far from your average coupon collection. In fact, Costco doesn’t even accept coupons. The deals highlighted in the booklet are accessible to all members, both in-store and online, and you don’t need to present it at checkout to enjoy the discounts. So, what’s the purpose of the booklet?

Consider these impressive statistics: a typical Costco store spans 147,000 square feet and features around 4,000 products at any given time. While this may seem like a limited selection compared to a standard grocery store, the high turnover rate of products means your local Costco is essentially a vast, ever-changing maze of bargains. This is where the Costco savings booklet proves invaluable. Think of it as a convenient tool for shoppers to keep track of sales, functioning like a monthly roadmap.

Store your Costco muffins (and other bakery items) in the freezer

I've already highlighted the cost-effective advantages of purchasing cakes from Costco, but what about the other delectable bakery items available? It’s no surprise that Costco also provides a variety of freshly baked goods, including sandwich bread, baguettes, coffee cakes, muffins, and loaf cakes that are definitely worth buying in bulk. However, the main challenge with this strategy is that you might end up with more baked goods than you can consume before they go bad.

Fear not, fellow shopper—your freezer is your friend! You can and should freeze your Costco muffins until you're ready to enjoy them. The same goes for other fresh breads, cheesecakes, quick breads, croissants, and Danishes available at Costco. The only baked items you might want to avoid freezing are chocolate chip cookies (it's best to freeze the dough instead) and any treats made with custard or meringue. Additionally, while streusel-topped quick breads will keep their interior texture, the topping may become soggy during the thawing process.