Membership is practically free when you shop smart.
Itsnot free to shop at Costco, and for some, theannual membership feecan be a barrier of entry.
So, why pay for aCostco membershipwhen its free to shop elsewhere?
Photo:Costco
Diehard Costco shoppers know that the membership typically pays for itself because of the impressive savings to be had.
However, some items alone save you enough to cover the annual fee in one fell swoop.
For starters, get your essentialsdiapers, wipes, baby formula, and so onfrom Costco.
Prescription Glasses and Contacts
One of the perks ofshopping at Costcois the optical center.
The savings on eyeglasses are significant, especially if your prescription calls for a transition coating or progressive lenses.
That $200 savings more than pays for the Executive Membership.
Another Redditor saved $80 per year by getting contacts from Costco instead of some big-name competitors.
Plus, if you dont like it, Costco has a generous return policyjustdont abuse it.
Several Redditors have purchased Casper mattresses from Costco, saving them around $200 a pop.
Others have saved even more on other brands.
Costco had the exact same mattress for $1,600.
Saving $1,400 on a product you were already going to purchase?
Not bad at all.
Many Redditors recommended getting your car batteries and tires from Costco.
Saved over $100 on a car battery, one person said.
Someone else saved $400 by getting their tires at Costco instead of the other place they were quoted.
Plus, youll earn 2% back on that large purchase.
Gift Cards
One Costco hack thatsoften overlookedis buying discounted gift cards for yourself.
Sometimes these deals are available online, while other times youll need to go into the warehouse.
Ooni Pizza Oven
If youlove to grill, youd probably love having your own pizza oven.
Buy it anywhere else and youll pay the full sticker price of $599.
One Redditor did this and saved nearly $140.
Pizza night here you come!
Costco carries many of the same brands and models as other stores, but at a discount.
The savings on pet food and flea medicine alone make the membership worth it, one Redditor commented.
