10 Costco Items That Practically Pay for Your Membership
Sure, a Costco membership isn’t technically free, but for smart shoppers, it may as well be. With the Gold Star card at $65 a year and the Executive membership at $130 (with a sweet 2% reward on eligible buys), it doesn’t take long before you’re basically making money just by shopping. Some Costco finds cover your fee in just one trip.
Here’s the scoop on a few Costco buys that fans swear are worth every penny.
Diapers and Baby Formula
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If you’ve got a tiny human at home, you know the costs can stack up faster. Costco makes life easier with Kirkland Signature diapers and name-brand formulas priced well below most other retailers. Some parents say they save $50 to $100 every month—meaning your membership basically pays for itself by the time your little one outgrows their first onesies.
Prescription Glasses and Contacts
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Between lenses, coatings, and frames, eyewear can cost an eye and a leg. Costco’s optical department ensures your vision stays sharp and your wallet fat. Shoppers regularly save $200 or more each year just by buying glasses or contacts through the warehouse. Plus, you can still snag those stylish frames without selling a kidney.
Mattresses
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Nothing says “adulting” like buying a new mattress, and nothing says “winning” like scoring it for half price. Shoppers have reported snagging top brands for 20% to 50% less than retail prices. One couple found a mattress listed at $3,000 elsewhere for just $1,600 at Costco—saving enough to buy matching PJs and breakfast in bed, every day, for a year!
Pharmacy Savings
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Costco’s pharmacy offers serious relief on prescription medications. Many members save hundreds a year thanks to low prices and Costco’s free Prescription Program, which even covers some common generics at no cost. Bonus: You don’t even need a membership to use their pharmacy in some states!
Bakery Deals
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If you need a reason to treat yourself, Costco’s bakery has your back with massive cakes, muffins, and croissants for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. Spoil yourself once a month, and you’ll be surprised how much you save.
Gift Cards
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One of Costco’s best-kept secrets is its discounted gift cards. You can get $500 airline credits for $430, or big savings on dining, ride-shares, and entertainment. Buy a few throughout the year for yourself or as gifts, and you’ll easily pocket enough savings to cover your membership—and then some.
Home Appliances
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Costco dishes out amazing deals on refrigerators, washers, dryers — plus perks like free delivery, installation, and old appliance haul-away. That’s a $200+ bonus just for showing up and flexing that membership card.
Travel Packages
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Costco Travel offers some of the best vacation deals around. It sneaks in all kinds of perks: cheaper hotel rates, free resort credits, no sneaky fees, and sometimes even Costco cash cards to spend on souvenirs. Some members get $500–$1,000 back just for booking smart.
Costco Rotisserie Chicken
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If Costco had a mascot, it would be Costco’s legendary $4.99 rotisserie chicken. Juicy, flavorful, and large enough to feed a family, it’s one of the best meal deals out there. Pick up one (or a few) each month, and you’ll save more than you might think—all while dodging the temptation of pricey takeout.
Hearing Aids
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It’s not exactly glamorous, but hearing aids can be seriously life-changing. They can easily cost thousands, but Costco makes them far more affordable. Members have shared stories of saving enough on hearing aids to fund their memberships for decades.
Computers and TVs
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Tech deals at Costco are tough to beat. Members routinely save $200 or more on laptops, TVs, and accessories compared to other big-box stores. Factor in Costco’s extended warranty at no extra cost, and you’re getting serious value without the buyer’s remorse.
Pet Food and Medicine
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Your furry BFF deserves the best, and your wallet deserves a break. Costco’s pet aisle is stacked with premium food and meds at bargain prices. Households with multiple pets can easily save $300 a year — enough to buy all the toys, treats, and matching sweaters you swore you wouldn’t.
Bottled Water and Pantry Staples
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It’s easy to overlook how much everyday basics can cost. Water, rice, beans, canned goods — the boring but essential stuff. Stock up at Costco, and you’ll watch small savings snowball into a hefty chunk of change by the end of the year. It’s the slow-and-steady way to pay off your membership without even trying.
Gasoline
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Fill up at Costco’s gas stations and you’ll feel like you’re getting away with something. Prices are usually 20–40 cents lower per gallon than nearby stations. Multiply that over a year’s worth of commutes, soccer practices, and road trips, and you’re looking at $200+ back in your pocket.
Kitchen Essentials
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Costco’s got you covered for when you’re upgrading your kitchen gear or just replacing that one pan you scorched during a “Pinterest experiment.” Buyers get $100+ savings on Vitamix blenders, Instant Pots, knife sets, and all the other toys that make you feel like you could host a cooking show.