13 Costco Bulk Buys That Can Add up to Hundreds in Savings a Year

Bulk buying can unlock the true value of your Costco membership. After all, why overspend on a single bottle of tomato sauce when you could get a pack of three for less?

However, not all bulk buys are indeed bargains. But don't worry. We scoured the store's aisles for the top Costco buys that offer the most value for your money over time.

Stock up on these staples that combine high quality, great taste, and low price.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $7.59

Unlike refrigerated almond milk, this non-dairy beverage won't spoil within weeks. And at $7.59 for six 32-ounce containers, you'll have enough of the organic vanilla shelf-stable selection to last for months.

At Target, the same milk from Almond Breeze costs $1.99 for 32 ounces, which is 6 cents per ounce. At Costco, Kirkland's version is just 3 cents per ounce, which is half the price. If you go through one container a week, that means about $50 of savings in a year.

Price: $9.99

Kirkland's Diet Iced Green Tea offers a crisp, citrusy flavor that rivals name brands, but at a much lower cost.

At just $0.29 per 16.9-ounce bottle, it's less than half the price of Lipton's version, which sells for around $0.60 per bottle. For regular iced tea drinkers, switching to Costco's bulk pack could save nearly $100 a year.

Price: $9.99

Eight pounds of spaghetti is a bulk buy that can feed your family for months. And bonus, this multi-pack costs less than $10, which means you're paying $1.24 per box.

Target sells a one-pound box for $1.89. You'll pay 65 cents more at the superstore for the same pantry product. Over the course of a year, if you have pasta once a week, that means about $32 worth of savings.

Price: $6.89

Unless you squirrel away the free soy sauce packets that come with takeout, this bulk buy is a must-have deal. You'll pay $6.89 for 64 ounces of the brand-name buy, while Target charges $3.79 for 15 ounces. Shoppers who use two jugs of the condiment from Costco could save over $32 annually.

Price: $11.99

Add a case of organic sauce to your pasta nights with Costco's 12-pack of 15-ounce cans for just $11.99. Buying the same amount of Hunt's sauce at Target costs about $16.88. That's nearly $5 more per case. Use one a week and you'll save around $21 a year, all while getting USDA Organic, vine-ripened California Roma tomatoes for less.

Price: $15.79

Whip up quick, healthy sammies all season long with Costco's eight-pack of KS tuna ($15.79). The generic's low price and larger-than-average seven-ounce size make it a better annual bulk bargain buy than brands like StarKist.

At Walmart, the latter name-brand 5-ounce can costs $1.63. If you consume about two cans a week, Costco's option can save you about $32 per year.

Price: $18.39

Kitkland Signature's Organic EVOO ($18.39 for two liters) is renowned for its smooth flavor and affordable price. Get more for your money with this gourmet Costco pantry purchase.

Whole Foods Market sells half as much of the 365 store-brand olive oil for $17.29. If you go through a bottle per month, you will actually save hundreds of dollars a year with Costco's option versus Whole Foods'.

Price: $11.99

Will you use up to four containers of syrup in one year? One liter of Kirkland's organic, 100 percent pure Grade A Amber maple syrup costs just below $12, which will save you well over $25 annually versus similar products. For reference, a slightly smaller 32-ounce jug sells for $18.49 at Whole Foods Market.

Price: $9.99

Make a quick, protein-packed lunch or swipe this salty spread across a bagel for breakfast. However you use it, KS's two-count (28 ounces each) of organic peanut butter is one of the best bulk buys in the store for $9.99.

For reference, sixteen ounces of Smucker's costs $5.89. Shopping at Costco will save you over $10. So if you use more than two jars per year, you'll save at least $20.

Price: $17.99

Bake bread, sweet treats, and more any time you want with this 20-pound bag of organic unbleached flour. Costco's $17.99 price tag is a bargain compared to $5.59 for five pounds from King Arthur at Target.

A typical home baker who bakes once or twice a week (such as bread and cookies) might use about 3 to 4 bags a year, saving around $16 a year. A serious baker could save about $45 a year or more.

Price: $7.79

Costco's Old Style Distilled White Vinegar offers major savings at just $7.79 for six 64-ounce jugs. Compared to over $22 for the same amount at Target ($3.79 per jug).

If you mainly use vinegar for cooking or pickling, you'll save about $15 a year. But if you also clean with vinegar (using it for surfaces, laundry, or DIY cleaners), your yearly savings could climb to over $30, making Costco's bulk deal even more valuable.

Price: $5.99

Spice up a year (or more) of Mexican-inspired meals with Costco's 1.53-pound jug of premium, gluten-free chipotle taco seasoning for just under $6.

Buying the same amount from Old El Paso at Target would cost nearly $15. For frequent cooks who go through two jugs a year, switching to Costco could save you up to $20 annually, all while keeping taco night flavorful and affordable.

Price: $12.99

Name brands can still mean significant savings when you buy in bulk. Costco's 12-pack of Del Monte corn is just $12.99, about $1.08 per can, compared to nearly $1.60 at grocery stores. With a shelf life of years and no risk of spoilage like fresh corn, stocking up could save you almost $27 a year if you use it weekly.

Costco's bulk buys are a smart way to save money on pantry products. But these items aren't the only bulk bargains we spotted.

Spend less on beauty items and stock up on Kirkland Signature essentials like shampoo and body wash, kitchen trash bags, laundry detergent, and the list goes on.