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11 Costco Hacks That Help Child-Free Couples Maximize Their Membership Benefits

You don’t have to buy in bulk for a large family to get big savings at the warehouse retailer.

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Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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Costco is a great place to buy things in bulk if you have a big family to feed. But shoppers who are child-free also can benefit from a membership to the warehouse club.

There are plenty of options that are great buys if you’re a couple without kids living in your home, even if you might want to skip bulk perishable items such as fresh fruit or Costco’s chocolate cake.

Following are a few reasons why shopping at Costco can still boost your bank account even if you don't have any kids.

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Buy individually wrapped frozen products

eldarnurkovic/Adobe happy woman standing in kitchen cooking food on stove top with vegetables on table

Costco sells frozen chicken and seafood items that are individually wrapped.

That means you can cook up one or two at a time without worrying about freezer burn getting to the rest of them.

Paper products are cheaper

Tada Images /Adobe shopper outside store moving around trolley with different home items in tigard

You can head to Costco to make bulk buys of items such as toilet paper, paper towels, or facial tissue. That way, you will always have these around when you need them.

However, remember that you will need to have storage space for bulky items.

Freeze items

qwartm/Adobe person taking out small shoppers of frozen vegetables from freezer

Costco sells many perishable items that freeze well, so you can store them before they spoil.

For example, you can buy fruit to freeze for smoothies or muffins, or you can purchase other foods you can freeze and heat up when you are ready for them.

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Save money on gas

Refrina/Adobe vacant costco gas station in manassas during day time

Singles and big families alike can save money on gas by purchasing their fuel at Costco.

Check with your local Costco to see if it has a gas station and compare the warehouse retailer’s prices to those of other local gas stations. You might find that you can save enough money on gas each year to cover the $60 membership fee.

Canned and bottled drinks are cheap

John Mantell Photo/Adobe kirkland signature purified water bottles on table with black background

Beverages such as sodas, energy drinks, or flavored sparkling water are great items to stock up on at Costco.

These items come in individual cans or bottles, so you can open one as you need it instead of worrying about a whole bottle of soda going flat if you don’t drink it fast enough. They also store well if you want to stock your pantry for a while.

Save money on pet needs

LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe man feeding cute dog in living room at home

Your pets can also benefit from savings at Costco. For example, you can buy bulk food at affordable prices, or pick up accessories such as dog beds and cat trees.

Check with your local Costco pharmacy to see if it has your pet’s prescription medication in stock. You might find it cheaper here than at other retailers.

Buy single-serve products

Kristina Blokhin/Adobe noosa fruit flavor yogurt packs with blur background

Costco has some great deals on single-serve products that you can buy in bulk.

Check out items such as individual packs of oatmeal for breakfast or yogurts for lunch. And don’t forget to stock up on single-serve dessert foods for your fridge or freezer.

You can save money on prescriptions

Adriana/Adobe flu shots on shelf at costco store in sacramento with other supplements

Costco has a great prescription drug program that can help you save money at thousands of pharmacies that are in the retailer’s network.

You can get prescription drugs at Costco even if you don’t have a membership. Costco even allows you to have your prescriptions filled at their stores regardless of membership status.

Get deals on household goods

MelissaMN/Adobe brookstone heated throw on shelf for sale at costco store

Costco isn’t just about buying food in bulk. Check out the retailer’s selection of furniture, such as sofas, dining sets, and more.

You can also stock up on accessories for your home, like lamps and rugs, or outfit your kitchen with small appliances, for example a new coffee maker or blender.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

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Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

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Eat a meal at the Food Court

Grandbrothers/Adobe half pepperoni pizza in cardboard box from costco food court

After a trip to Costco, stop by the Food Court to grab a quick bite before you go. You might save a lot of money on your meal.

For example, Costco is famous for its $1.50 hot-dog-and-a-drink deal. Or, you can grab any other number of delicious items on your way out of the warehouse retailer.

Get an affordable membership

MelissaMN/Adobe costco wholesale sign up now sign outside in street in minnesota

A Costco Gold Star membership costs $60 a year, which breaks down to only $5 a month. That’s less than the monthly cost of a streaming service and about the same price as one fancy coffee from your local coffee shop.

Many members can easily save that much shopping at Costco when you factor in the lower cost of buying in bulk or the savings the warehouse retailer offers on any number of items each month.

Bottom line

IC Production/Adobe happy lady with high bun showing black credit card

You don’t have to buy for a big family to take advantage of Costco’s membership benefits. And if you try a membership and decide it is not for you, Costco will refund your fee.

So, you have nothing to lose when trying Costco. If you shop there, remember to use one of the top credit cards for Costco shoppers so you can save even more.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.