18 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

Last updated Nov. 1, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Do you shop at Costco? If so, you already understand the joy of saving money and finding a great deal. But you're probably overlooking some other simple ways to be smart with your money.

Don't worry, though. We compiled a list of genius money hacks that could help your hard-earned dollars go even further. It might not be as good as a $1.50 hot dog meal, but we're sure you'll find something helpful.

Member-Only Benefits You Might Not Know About

  1. Costco members can now shop their favorite items for on-demand or scheduled delivery through Uber Eats nationwide, with all of Costco’s famous member savings available
  2. Costco has updated its hours to give Executive members early access on select days. You can now start shopping an hour before other members — Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
  3. You could score big savings on your next vacation with Costco. Costco Travel offers vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, hotel stays, and more to members at a great price. Plus, you could find gift cards for a variety of activities to save even more, from theme park tickets to city exploration passes.
  4. Buying and installing new tires at Costco has long-term benefits. The installation package includes lifetime maintenance services, including pressure checks, tire balancing and rotations, and flat repairs. Costco also uses nitrogen instead of compressed air for inflation, which retains better tire pressure over time.
  5. Your membership could qualify you for discounts with various Costco partners. For example, you could get 25% off a Budget Truck rental.
  6. With Costco Next, members can shop for products directly from third-party suppliers while enjoying Costco-level discounts.

See if you qualify for this free service helping homeowners in Ohio get gutter guards installed

Your gutters are your home's first line of defense against water damage. But if they overflow, clog with leaves, or need cleaning every season, it might be time for gutter guards. And gutter guards do a lot more than just keep leaves out. They can also:

  • Help increase your home's value and protect your roof and foundation from overflow and water damage
  • Keep out leaves, pine needles, seed pods, sticks, and insects, since a fine stainless steel micromesh blocks common debris
  • Stand up to heavy downpours and resist rust and decay
  • Possibly save you thousands on new gutters, since the guards install right on top of your existing ones

Get started today - it only takes a few minutes: 1) Click the link below and select your approximate home square footage and click "estimate LeafFilter cost." 2) Complete the short questionnaire about your home. 3) Enter your name, email, and phone number to submit your request.

It's that simple! Complete the short questionnaire here to start the process

Ohio Homeowner? Cancel your home insurance

Before you renew your current home insurance policy, you owe it to yourself to see what else is out there. Many homeowners stick with the same provider for years without checking if they could pay less … and that's exactly how you end up missing opportunities to save.

This free tool can help you compare options in just a few clicks, and the results could surprise you. A recent study shows the average cost of home insurance in the U.S. is over $200 a month!1 I figured that was as good as it gets, so why bother looking? Big mistake.

I used this tool and now I'm able to pay just $51 a month for my home.2That's real money back in my pocket every single month.

If you want to see if you could be paying less, here's what to do:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code, email, and phone number.
  2. Answer a few quick questions about your home to get matched with top-rated providers.
  3. Pick the option that works for you, and if you find a better rate, switch your policy and start saving.

Compare your options now and see if you could pay less for the same coverage.

Don't forget to cancel your old policy once your new one is active so you're not paying double. I can't believe I waited as long as I did. The whole process of getting matched with providers took me about 3 minutes.

Try this free service helping homeowners in Ohio get a new shower

Your shower should be easy to get in and out of. But if it’s outdated, has a tub that’s hard to step over, or hasn't been updated in years, it might be time to make a change. And a walk-in shower does a lot more than just modernize your bathroom.

Here's what a walk-in shower could do for you:

  • Remove the tripping hazard of stepping over a tub edge
  • Lower your water bill, since showers use far less water than filling a tub
  • Stand up to daily use with fewer parts that can break than a traditional tub setup
  • Give your bathroom a cleaner, more modern look that makes the space feel bigger
  • Possibly add resale appeal, since updated bathrooms are among the features buyers tend to look for

If you own a home in Ohio, HomeBuddy makes it easy to get started. Answer a few quick questions to see if you qualify, and get connected with pre-screened local contractors in your area.

Do you qualify? Check these 3 boxes:

  1. You own your home.
  2. Your tub or shower is outdated or hard to use.
  3. You live in a qualifying ZIP code.

Get your free estimate to get started

Pay no interest into 2028

Imagine getting an introductory 15 months with 0% intro APR on a big purchase or balance transfer (APR then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with one of the industry-leading low-interest cards — the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees).

Cardholders get a generous intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases (APR then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)) — that means you can cover bills, large purchases, or whatever you need to charge and not pay interest into 2028! 

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (APR then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

The best part? The Discover it® Cash Back card is accepted by 99% of merchants (according to the February 2025 issue of the Nilson Report), boasts an exceptional cash back rewards rate, and there's no annual fee.

Click here to Apply Now

Earn a $200 bonus with this incredible cash back card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0. 

It's almost a no-brainer to apply. 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Last Chance: Earn a $250 Bonus with this no annual fee card

Right now the Chase Freedom Flex®(Rates and fees) lets you earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer ends November 5 at 9AM EST). 

In addition to this welcome offer, this card lets you earn cash back on everything you buy. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

And it gets better (really): This card also gives you 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That means you could finance large purchases or pay down high-interest debt for over a year. After the intro period, the APR is 18.49% - 27.99% Variable. Oh, and the annual fee is $0. 

It's almost a no-brainer to apply — this card might the best-in-class amongst similarly-featured credit cards, especially with the bonus.  

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to Apply Now to the Chase Freedom Flex®

Don’t pay a CENT to contractors for home repairs until you do this

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. Choice Home Warranty makes it so you might be able to save $100s in home repairs!

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down from routine wear and tear.

Think of it like this: Say your water heater breaks down during a winter storm. Instead of paying $1,200 for repairs, you may only need to pay a $100 service fee with Choice Home Warranty, and their techs come and fix it ASAP. This could save you $1,100 almost instantly!

Choose a plan here and you can still lock in their ultra-low 2026 rates (for a limited time). Then, whenever a covered system in your home breaks down, all you have to do is make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.3

Choose a plan from Choice Home Warranty here and lock in 2026 rates

P.S. Use the links above and you’ll get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long this will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Make Sure You’re Always Getting The Best Deals at Costco

  1. If you see an asterisk on a price sign at a Costco warehouse, that typically means the item will not be replenished once it’s sold out. If the item caught your eye, you’ll probably want to snag it now while you can.
  2. Each Costco warehouse carries around 4,000 items, allowing them to buy in large quantities and passing the savings down to you. But you can find even more items at Costco.com, which also offers online-only savings.
  3. All members have access to the Costco Savings booklet, which contains savings on a large variety of items. The best part? There is no coupon clipping required — savings are applied directly at checkout.
  4. Pay attention to prices! Prices ending in .79 typically have been marked down from regular-priced items, which end in .99. Odd pricing, such as .79, .49, or .89 could indicate items Costco got a deal on from the manufacturer. Prices ending in .88 or .00 typically mean managers have reduced the price to clear out inventory. This could also mean the item is discontinued or won’t be restocked.

Set up direct deposit - pocket up to $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of $50 or $400.4 Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps. 

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.40% APY5on savings for up to six months on new accounts (3.30% APY standard + 1.10% APY boost; terms apply) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.4 That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 10/19/26)6 national average savings accounts offer. 

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Ohio homeowners, borrow from your home’s equity to pay down high-interest debt

Home equity loans are surging in popularity with homeowners with great credit to pay down high-interest debt quickly or make home improvements. 

This popular program lets you tap into $70,000 or more, without affecting your mortgage rate. The best part is you can actually keep your current mortgage rate by getting a home equity loan!

Compare home equity offers from LendingTree's network of lenders.

How to get started:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s Home Equity matching tool.7
  2. Answer a few questions about your home.
  3. Compare personalized offers.

Compare Offers

Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is settled, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!8

Try National Debt Relief


Did You Know?
On average, debt settlement saves clients around 32% of their enrolled debt after fees, according to a 2023 study by the Association for Consumer Debt Relief. The consultation costs nothing. People who enroll and complete the program could be debt-free in 24 to 48 months.
Sources: Association for Consumer Debt Relief (2023)

Get up to $300,000 in life insurance from just $46/month, 100% online

Getting life insurance sounds like a hassle to many people. A doctor's appointment, weeks of waiting on bloodwork, and a sales call you didn't ask for. It doesn't have to work that way.

With Ethos, you just answer a few health questions online. Many applicants could get a decision the same day, with no medical exams or blood draws required. And it's more affordable than you think. For a 55-year-old non-smoking female in good health, $300,000 in coverage could run around just $46/month on a 10-year term.9

Plus, most policies from Ethos come with access to estate planning tools like a will, trust, power of attorney, and more at no additional cost (up to $898 in value)!10

  • Skip the doctor's office (just answer a few health questions online)
  • Apply entirely online (an agent is available if you want one, but never required)
  • Coverage from $15K to $3M with terms from 10–40 years
  • 4.9/5 star rating on Trustpilot and an A+ BBB rating11
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

If you're looking to help cover a mortgage, set aside money for future tuition costs, or just give your family a safety net, Ethos lets you build a policy around your life and your budget. Now's the time to help protect your family's future.

Under 70 years old? Get your estimate now →

Try this service helping homeowners in Ohio get a roof replacement

Your roof is your home's first line of defense. But if it's more than 15 years old, has leaks, or shows signs of storm damage, it might be time to replace it. And a new roof does a lot more than just keep the weather out.

Here's what a new roof could do for you:

  • Stop leaks and water damage before they reach your walls and ceilings
  • Lower your energy bills, since modern roofing seals better in summer and winter
  • Stand up to heavy rain, wind, and hail
  • Add curb appeal and resale value
  • Possibly earn you insurance benefits, since a lot of insurers reward homeowners who replace aging roofs

If you own your home, your roof is over 15 years old, and you live in a qualifying ZIP code, you may qualify.

Getting started only takes a few minutes:

  1. Enter your zip code at the link below and click "get estimate"
  2. Complete the questionnaire about your roof and home (takes just a few minutes)
  3. Enter your name, email, and phone number and submit your request

Complete the short questionnaire to start the process

What happens after you click
Step 1
Enter your ZIP code

Answer a few quick questions about your roof and home.

Step 2
Get matched locally

You're connected with vetted roofing pros serving your area.

Step 3
Review your estimate

A rep schedules your free estimate. You decide if you move forward.

Free estimate No obligation to hire Takes just a few minutes to start

Find out how this free service is helping Ohio homeowners replace old windows

New windows could save you more money than you realize. This is because old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save now. New windows could help you:

  • Lower your energy bill, since energy-efficient windows let less heat escape than older ones
  • Possibly add resale appeal, since energy-efficient windows are among the features buyers tend to look for
  • Give your home a cleaner, more modern look that makes rooms feel brighter

HomeBuddy connects Ohio homeowners with pre-screened local contractors who install energy-efficient windows. Answer a few quick questions to see if you qualify.

You can get started now if: You own a home in Ohio, your windows are 5+ years old, and you live in an available ZIP code.

Start by getting your estimate here - 100% free

Save potentially $100s on home insurance

If you want to search for better or more affordable home insurance, there is ONE company you should never skip: Farmers Insurance.

Too many homeowners skip Farmers, not realizing that they could save $778 on average just by switching.12And yes, you could switch your home insurance at any time.

Farmers Insurance offers multiple discounts to help lower your overall cost, plus it backs its coverage with nearly 100 years of fast claims payments.

Just enter your zip code and answer a few questions to get your quote. And heads up, a Farmers agent may call you. Do NOT ignore the call, as they want to help you find the coverage and price that's right for you.

Enter your zip code to get a quote

Earn up to 5% cash back at restaurants and on entertainment and utilities when you activate this incredible offer

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing welcome bonus and benefits. Apply for the Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) and you can earn up to 5% cash back at restaurants and on entertainment and utilities now to December 31, 2026, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate.

There's no annual fee — plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. The generous welcome offer provides top-notch cash back rewards since you can receive a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (terms apply).

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then APR 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) (balance transfer fee applies). That means you could use this card to fund large purchases or even help tackle your debt. If you're traveling this summer or want to earn more on beauty essentials, this card is practically a no-brainer!

Click here to apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back.

National Debt Relief
4.7
info
National Debt Relief Benefits
  • No upfront fees8
  • One-on-one evaluation with a Certified Debt Specialist
  • For people with $30,000 in unsecured debts and up
Visit National Debt Relief