3 Secrets Costco Shoppers Need to Know
There's a lot more to the warehouse club than buying in bulk.
Some families swear by Costco – and why not? The warehouse club can offer substantial savings on everything from TVs to toilet paper. But before you invest in an annual membership, here are three things you need to know.
First, you don’t actually need a membership to shop at Costco. You can tag along as the guest of a member, so long as the member pays for everything at checkout. Or, a member can purchase a Costco Cash Card for you. The Cash Card then allows you to shop on your own without a membership.
Second, Costco’s Kirkland Signature-branded products can be good buys. Bulk packages of Kirkland coffee and paper towels were cheaper in our price comparisons against national brands.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Third, Costco offers special deals for drivers. Not only can you fill up on discounted gasoline, but members can also get a no-haggle club price on a new car.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.
-
10 Local Social Security Offices to Close After DOGE Cuts
Check this of 10 local Social Security Offices that have been or are in the process of being closed to see if your location is closing.
By Donna LeValley Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Struggle After Trump's EU Tariff Threats
Stocks pared early gains after Trump threatened the European Union with 25% tariffs.
By Karee Venema Published
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Smart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Last updated
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Credit Cards Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? These cards may pay hundreds of dollars, with minimum hassle.
By Ellen B. Kennedy Last updated
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career Skills
Smart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
By Kim Clark Published
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?
Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge Discounts
Smart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup Means
Smart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
By Brandon Copeland Published
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your Home
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
By Brandon Copeland Published