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Many shoppers invest in a Costco membership to save money when buying everyday essentials. Are you looking to maximize your Costco membership? Knowing the best items to purchase in-club and online can help you get more from your investment.
The retail giant has a vast selection of products, but some items offer more savings or are of higher quality than others. It is crucial to understand which items to prioritize. Ready for your next Costco haul? Here are a few of the best products to purchase from Costco.
1. Over-the-counter medications
Searching for items that offer the most savings? Add over-the-counter (OTC) medications to your shopping list. If you buy these essentials at Costco, you'll pay a reasonable price and have what you need to be stocked up for a while. One example is OTC allergy medications.
You can purchase a 365-tablet container of Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec for $14.49. This is Costco's private-label brand version, but the active ingredients are comparable to Zyretc. Meanwhile, Walmart sells a 300-tablet container of Equate 24-Hour Allergy, Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets for $29.88. The savings available from Costco makes this an excellent buy.
Here's another way to save at Costco: Swipe the right credit card at checkout for cash back or rewards. Click here for a list of the top rewards credit cards for spending at Costco.
2. Gift cards
You may not realize that Costco sells gift cards. You can purchase physical and electronic gift cards from popular retailers and brands you already know and love. Since they're sold at a discount, the price you'll pay as a Costco member will be less than the sticker price.
Here's one gift card deal to consider: Costco sells a two-pack of $50 Uber gift cards for $79.99. With this members-only deal, you'll get $100 to spend with Uber -- a $20 savings.
These gift cards can be used to pay for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders within the U.S. As you can see, purchasing discounted gift cards from Costco can be a win for your wallet.
3. Paper products
Paper products are another great buy at Costco. You can get a massive amount of toilet paper and paper towels for a low price. Many members rave about Costco's Kirkland Signature toilet paper and paper towels.
You can buy a 12-roll Kirkland Signature Paper Towels package for under $20. I recently purchased this well-rated item in-club for $19.89. Each roll has 160 two-ply sheets that can be torn to different sizes.
How does the price compare to generic toilet paper rolls sold elsewhere? Target sells a 12-roll package of up & up Make-A-Size Paper Towels. Each roll has 150 two-ply sheets that can be torn to a size of your choosing. You'll pay $23.99 for fewer paper towel sheets.
Check the prices for paper towels and toilet paper at your local club. You may be able to keep more money in your checking account by purchasing these necessary items from Costco.
A Costco membership can help you stretch your dollars further
For those looking to get quality everyday essentials at affordable prices, Costco can be a great place to shop. You can get more from your membership if you understand which products will maximize your savings when you add them to your shopping cart.
It's a good idea to have a shopping list prepared before you step foot in your local club. This way, you have a game plan and will be less likely to splurge on impulse buys and instead focus on those products that you know are smart buys.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Target, Uber Technologies, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
