7 Items I Never Leave Costco Without (They're All Under $20)

Every Costco member has that set list of things they have to get each time they go to their favorite store.

Sometimes, the best Costco hacks include snacks or household items you can't live without, or maybe you like trying new things that become pantry staples. 

Here are the Costco items I always make sure are on my list and why you should add them to your cart the next time you head to the store.

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

Price: $10.20 (on sale from $13.50) 

Costco has two options for Goldfish Crackers, but I prefer this pack of 45 pouches of crackers compared to the box with more than four pounds of crackers in three stay-fresh bags.

The pouches have proven to be an easy-to-grab snack that I like to throw into a backpack, purse, lunchbox, or even grab for a car ride when I leave the house. 

Price: $16.99

I prefer the 4-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Trail Mix rather than the box of snack packs.

It's a great way to get a small bowl of trail mix that I like to snack on while working at my desk when I need a quick bite — if I can get to it before the rest of the family eats it all. Buying this item in bulk is also a great way to save money shopping. 

Price: $13.38

The Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizzas come in a box with four pizzas, and I can adapt them to make everyone in the family happy.

I'll usually grab a small package of pepperoni, some vegetables, and a bag of shredded mozzarella from my local grocery store so everyone in the family can customize their slices with their favorite toppings.

Price: $8.39

I normally don't recommend buying produce at Costco because it could be hard to get through a bulk amount of fresh produce before it goes bad.

But my family loves eating apples, so the 4-pound bag of Cosmic Crisp Apples gets finished way before they start to rot, and it's a simple-to-grab, healthy snack.

Price: $4.99

I always have space in my cart for a Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken. I usually pick it up because it's an easy dinner option that night, but sometimes, I'll take it home to cut it apart and make my own chicken salad.

Price: $7.93

The Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Chips are a good snack to have on hand, but I also like to use them for a tasty Nacho Night dinner.

I'll spread them on a sheet pan with some black beans, leftover rotisserie chicken, and cheese, and toss them in the oven for a few minutes.

Then, the family can decide what to put on top of their own nachos, such as salsa, guacamole, olives, and other toppings.

Price: $11.99

The Kirkland Signature Moisture Shampoo comes in a 33.8-ounce pump bottle, so it dispenses the right amount of shampoo every time, but it takes me a while to use it all.

I also usually grab a bottle of the Kirkland Signature Moisture Conditioner at the same time, so I'm stocked up on hair care. Plus, at such a good price, it helps me eliminate some money stress. 

Costco can be a great place to shop for special items or staples you pick up every time you visit.

But it can also be tempting to pick up some impulse purchases when you're shopping, so consider making a list before you go if you're on a tight budget and trying to save money on groceries.