9 Best Costco Buys if You're on a Fixed Budget

There's a reason that Costco has a host of loyal members who don't mind paying $65 a year to shop there: It's cheaper than the competition without compromising quality. And if you sign up for a Costco credit card, you can save even more at the register.

The trick is knowing which bulk buys deliver the biggest bang for your buck. From pantry staples to household essentials, Costco's prices can help you spend less on items you use every day, leaving more money in your budget for other expenses.

However, some Costco buys can help save money on groceries than others. Here are 9 Costco purchases not to miss out on if you're on a tight budget.

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

Price: $1.50

One major rule of thumb when food shopping is that buying prepared food is more expensive than buying whole foods. There's an exception to this rule, though, and that's Costco's famous hot dog combo. For $1.50, you can score a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog and a 20-ounce soda.

The reason this costs so little is Costco's design, as the combo is a loss leader for the retailer. Still, that's an amazingly low price, given both inflation and the cost of beef.

It's an especially good deal when you need an inexpensive lunch while shopping. Buying the hot dog and drink together costs less than many individual fast-food meals, making it easier to keep a quick bite from blowing your daily food budget. Costco has maintained the combo's $1.50 price for decades, reinforcing its reputation as one of the warehouse club's best bargains.

Price: $20.99

There's one item you will see in almost everyone's cart at Costco, regardless of what kind of shopper they are, and that's Kirkland bath tissue. A giant 30-roll pack of the stuff will only set you back $20.99.

On top of that, this toilet paper is durable and well-made. So you won't have any issues with quality (like you might with some no-name toilet paper brands).

The two-ply tissue has 380 sheets per roll, giving you plenty of product to get through between shopping trips. The larger pack can also help you avoid paying convenience-store prices when you run out unexpectedly. Costco's warehouse-size bundle is particularly useful for families and households that go through toilet paper quickly.

At the listed price, each roll costs about 70 cents, making it easier to budget for this unavoidable household expense. Just make sure you have enough storage space before bringing home the bulky package.

Price: $9.99

You wouldn't expect something as banal and necessary as a pain reliever to have over 5,000 positive reviews, but Costco's acetaminophen does. Maybe it's because plenty of the reviewers noted how effective it is for various aches.

Or, maybe it's because you can get 1,000 500-milligram tablets for a mere $9.99: about a penny per pill. That's serious savings as opposed to buying big brand-name pills from a competitor.

The product contains the same active ingredient as Extra Strength Tylenol and is intended to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains and reduce fever.

Buying a large supply can mean fewer trips to the pharmacy and less frequent restocking, provided you use it safely and before it expires. Always follow the package directions, check other medicines for acetaminophen, and avoid exceeding the recommended dose because too much can cause serious liver damage.

Price: $12.49

Buying oats in bulk is a savvy move to make if you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck. But you also want to make sure you're getting the product with the best nutritional profile, which is where Bob's Red Mill steel-cut oats come in.

You get seven pounds of the stuff for $12.49. And since a quarter cup contains 140 calories, four grams of protein, and four grams of fiber, it's a monetary and dietary winner.

Steel-cut oats are made by chopping whole oat groats into smaller pieces, giving them a heartier texture than rolled oats.

Cook a batch for breakfast, then add fruit, cinnamon, or nuts for extra flavor without relying on expensive packaged options. You can also prepare savory oats with eggs and vegetables for a budget-friendly meal.

At about $1.79 per pound, this bulk bag can help keep breakfast costs down, especially if oatmeal is a regular part of your routine. Store the oats in a cool, dry place and use them before they lose freshness.

Price: $19.99

Rice is a staple in countless kitchens around the world thanks to its versatility and low cost. So if you and your family eat a lot of it, Royal's 20-pound bag of Basmati rice is a good option for your pantry. Grown in the Himalayan foothills, one bag costs $19.99.

You may see a different brand of rice at your local Costco, but don't hesitate to pick that up, either. Chances are that it's just as good.

At the listed price, the Royal bag works out to about $1 per pound, making it a practical way to stock up on a pantry staple.

Basmati rice has long, slender grains and a fragrant aroma, making it a natural match for curries, stir-fries, grilled meats, and vegetable dishes. It can also stretch a smaller portion of meat into a filling family meal. Cook only what you need, then refrigerate leftovers promptly for easy meals later in the week.

Price: $8.99

Rice and beans go hand-in-hand, and combined, they create a complete protein and a hearty meal. To that end, Costco sells some canned beans that are worth tossing in your cart. For $8.99, you can get an 8-pack of 15-ounce cans made by S&W. As a bonus, they're organic, too.

Yes, buying dry beans is cheaper, but those take a lot of prep time you may not have. Canned beans are a great compromise.

Each can gives you a convenient starting point for inexpensive meals, from black bean tacos and burrito bowls to soups, salads, and homemade chili. The beans are USDA organic, and the cans have a non-BPA lining, according to Costco's product listing.

At the listed price, the eight-pack works out to about $1.12 per can, making it easy to calculate the cost of each meal. Rinse and drain the beans to remove some of the canning liquid and sodium before using them. Keeping a few cans in the pantry can also save you from ordering takeout when you need a quick dinner.

Price: $15.99

Another great source of lean protein is tuna fish, and buying the canned stuff is a good way to stock up on a budget. As for a quality version of the product, there's Kirkland's albacore tuna; you can buy an eight-pack of 7-ounce cans for $15.99.

Each can has 190 calories and a whopping 42 grams of protein. Plus, cans can sit in your pantry for an extended period of time, thanks to their long shelf life.

Mix it with a little mayonnaise for sandwiches, add it to pasta, or serve it over greens for a quick lunch. You can also combine it with pantry staples such as beans and rice to make a filling meal without spending extra on takeout. At the listed price, each can costs about $2, so you can plan several lunches or dinners around this protein source.

Price: $23.82

Folks with savvy budgeting skills know how expensive a coffee habit can be, which is why they're committed to brewing their java at home. If they happen to be Costco members, they probably swear by Kirkland's 3-pound can of ground Colombian coffee, which costs $23.82.

The dark-roast coffee is made from Supremo beans and comes finely ground, so it's ready to brew without the added cost of a grinder.

At the listed price, the 48-ounce container works out to about 50 cents per ounce, giving regular coffee drinkers a convenient way to stock up. Brewing at home can also help you avoid the repeated expense of buying coffee on the way to work.

Use the grounds in your usual drip coffee maker, and adjust the amount to suit your preferred strength. If you don't go through coffee quickly, consider dividing the supply into smaller airtight portions to help preserve its flavor.

Price: $20.99

Cooking oil is a must-have staple in any kitchen, whether it's for sautéing onions and garlic, making salad dressing, or greasing a baking sheet.

If you want quality and you go through a lot of oil in your kitchen, you'll be able to save some money with Kirkland's organic offering; a two-liter bottle will run you $20.99 and last for months.

Costco's product listing says this olive oil as USDA organic, kosher, and cold-extracted. It also describes the oil as having a rich taste and full-bodied aroma, making it a useful option for dressings, marinades, and everyday cooking.

At the listed price, the two-liter bottle works out to about $10.50 per liter. That's a helpful figure to compare with smaller bottles at your regular grocery store.

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Costco is known for saving its customers money, and when you're on a tight budget, that matters even more. You can stretch your limited budget further at Costco and unlock the true value of your membership if you know what to buy.

The best bargains are the products your household already uses regularly, including pantry staples, coffee, toilet paper, and cooking oil. Buying them in bulk can lower the cost per unit and reduce the number of shopping trips you need to make.

And while buying in bulk can be a bargain, make sure you'll go through that 20-pound bag of rice or two-liter bottle of olive oil in a fairly timely manner. Otherwise, your savings and your larder may be spoiled.