The 3 Smartest Ways to Save Money at Costco This August

Shopping at Costco is a great way to spend less on the essentials you need, as well as special one-off purchases, like a new TV or camera. If you’re looking to save serious money this month, here are some key moves to make.

1. See what back-to-school items you can snag

This time of the year tends to be bittersweet for parents of school-aged children. It’s when it’s time to start winding down summer and focusing on back to school. And that could also mean racking up quite a large credit card bill.

Families with school-aged children expect to spend an average of $874.68 on back to school items this season, according to the National Retail Federation. And don’t worry — that doesn’t just mean pencils and paper. It includes everything from clothing to school-related electronics. But either way, it pays to see what items Costco has in store at a great price.

One thing you probably won’t find at Costco is actual classroom supplies, though. The warehouse club giant isn’t known for its vast selection of notebooks, pens, pencils, and binders. Rather, Costco is a great place to look for necessities like clothing, sneakers, and sports equipment and gear.

Also, don’t overlook some less-obvious school supplies your local Costco might carry. You may be able to find a quality backpack or laptop bag if your child needs one. You might also find lunchboxes for your kids, as well as insulated water bottles.

2. Create a system that helps you avoid impulse buys

Shopping at Costco can open the door to lots of temptation. You could go in to buy a bunch of groceries and walk out with a supply of skincare products you didn’t really need or a new sweatshirt that’s cozy in its own right, but an unnecessary addition to your already-stuffed closet.

Avoiding impulse buys at Costco could save you big money, so to that end, pledge to make a list before you hit the store. More so than that, pledge to stay out of aisles that don’t contain a list item. And that means no, don’t go wandering around for free samples if it means accessing corners of the store you’re supposed to be avoiding.

3. Get a membership before prices rise on Sept. 1

For years now, Costco has maintained the same membership pricing — $60 a year for a basic (Gold Star) membership, and $120 for an Executive membership that gives you 2% cash back on your purchases. But starting Sept. 1, 2024, these fees are rising to $65 and $130, respectively.

If your Costco membership has lapsed but you know you want to join again, be sure to sign up at some point in August. Similarly, you may want to upgrade to an Executive membership before it starts costing more to do so.

With a little planning, you can eke out some big savings this month at Costco. But remember, the second tip above doesn’t just apply to August. It’s a good idea to stick to a list and stay out of needless aisles any month you shop at Costco to avoid extra spending that hurts your budget.

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