15 Costco Members Reveal the One Item They Bought That Paid for Their Membership
As a mom of five—including three eternally hungry teenage and young adult boys—I consider Costco less of a store and more of a lifeline. Supersized bags of chips? Yes, please. A 10-pound bag of shredded cheese? Throw it in the cart. A mega pack of extra-strength deodorant? An absolute necessity.
I proudly hold the Executive Membership (aka the fancy one), which costs $130 per year but comes with 2% cash back on eligible purchases. Thanks to my regular grocery hauls (which could probably sustain a small army), my membership pays for itself without breaking a sweat. And while I may run the risk of sounding like a Costco ad, I’m not alone—Costco superfans everywhere swear their membership is worth every penny.
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How much is a Costco membership?
Costco offers three membership types:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, but includes 2% cash back on qualifying purchases (Translation: Costco literally pays you to shop there if you spend enough.)
- Business Membership: $65 per year
While frequent shoppers—like my family (who inhale snacks at an alarming rate) can earn back the cost of membership easily, even occasional shoppers can make their money back with just one or two smart purchases.
Read on to find out exactly what those big-value items are, according to Costco shoppers themselves.
Is a Costco membership worth it?
We asked Costco members to share the one purchase that single-handedly made their membership worth it. Here’s what they told us:
New cars
Many Costco members don’t realize that their membership can score them exclusive discounts on new and leased vehicles through the Costco Auto Program. Plus, certain promotions even offer extra incentives like Costco Shop Cards. One of our editors here at Reader’s Digest shared that in 2024, she leased her Polestar 2 through a Costco promotion and saved $2,000!
Prescription medications
Costco’s pharmacy prices often beat those of big-name pharmacies. “I get my blood pressure and diabetes medications through their mail-order pharmacy—each one is just $10 a month,” says Yvonne W., of Mesa, Arizona. The best part? You don’t need insurance to get these savings. “My diabetes pills alone would bankrupt me without Costco,” she adds.
Pet medications
It’s not just humans who can get their meds for a steal. “My dog requires daily allergy medication, and I don’t have pet insurance,” says Liliana T., of Seattle. “My vet wanted to charge me nearly $300 a month, but I can get the same drug at Costco for $180 for a three-month supply.”
Tires
Need new tires? Costco offers competitive pricing on Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear, including installation, plus free lifetime balancing, rotations, and flat repairs. “I replaced the tires on my SUV with higher-quality tires that ended up costing less than the local tire chain store,” says Michelle P., of Superior, Colorado. “Of course, I ended spending that ‘savings’ in Costco while they were replacing my tires.”
Window treatments
Decorating your home can get pricey fast, which is why you should check Costco first for basic items—some of them can even be customized to your exact specifications. “I ordered custom window treatments for our windows and sliding glass door, and it saved us over $1,000 compared to the quotes we got from other companies,” says Erika C., of Los Angeles.
Costco travel deals
If you haven’t checked out Costco Travel, you’re missing out. You can save big on vacation packages, rental cars and hotel stays. Dayna B., of Issaquah, Washington, shares: “Besides the amount of milk we go through in a given year, my Costco credit card and membership rebates quite literally pay for our membership. And I use that as my mini ‘savings’ account, which I then use to pay for a vacation through Costco Travel. This past year alone, I’ve earned $1,300 back in rebates. Hello, Hawaii!”
Meat
With the price of meat increasing by the day, a little savings can go a long way. “I go to the business center for meat, where I can fill my deep freezer for six months,” says Quish T., of Minneapolis. “When the price is broken down, it saves quite a bit vs. the regular club or grocery store.”
And while you’re at it, you can get a great deal on that extra freezer to store your meat in. (Whole pizzas are also a fan favorite and can save you some serious cash over delivery!)
Home and auto insurance
As a Costco member, you have access to discounted insurance products including auto, home, renters, umbrella and specialty insurance, as well as term life, business health, and pet insurance. “The savings we get on our homeowners insurance policy with American Family Insurance by being able to show we are members of Costco pays for the membership,” says Desiree R., of Aurora, Colorado.
Furniture
Costco’s furniture section is the hidden gem that many shoppers don’t take full advantage of. Whether you’re looking for a plush sectional, a solid wood dining table or a premium office chair, Costco carries high-end, name-brand furniture at a fraction of regular retail prices. “We save by booking trips through Costco Travel, and they often give Costco cash back,” says Lisa B., of Broomfield, Colorado. “We recently used that cash to buy a new patio set from—you guessed it—Costco. We saved hundreds of dollars on that patio set vs. what we would have paid for it at a furniture store.”
Appliances
From 4K TVs to laptops and kitchen appliances, Costco’s pricing often undercuts other major retailers. I personally bought a washer and dryer set from Costco that not only saved us about $800 but is also still going strong 10 years later. Bonus: Costco extends the manufacturer’s warranty by up to two years.
Discounted gift cards
Costco sells $100 worth of gift cards for $70 to $90, which means if you regularly eat at chain restaurants, go to the movies or need gifts, this hack alone could cover your membership fee. “I buy these as Christmas gifts every year for my family and friends, and they are universally appreciated. Last year, I got gift cards to a local escape room,” says Paul W., of Charlotte, North Carolina. “It saves me a ton of money. And who doesn’t love a fun experience?”
Gasoline
Costco’s gas stations consistently offer some of the cheapest fuel prices around. If you drive a lot, the $0.30 per gallon savings can add up to hundreds of dollars a year—which means your membership fee is gone before you even step foot in the warehouse. “My Chevy Tahoe has a 24-gallon tank, so I’m always keeping an eye on gas prices,” says Jordan A., of Ogden, Utah. “Pretty sure the gas alone covered my membership within the first three months.”
Flowers
“I ordered all my fresh flowers for my wedding from Costco,” says Maddie J., of Portland, Oregon. “My mom, my best friend and I put all the bouquets together ourselves, and then I used the rest to decorate the venue. It was extra work, but it saved me thousands.”
The Costco Visa card
This last one isn’t a purchase, per se, but rather a savvy savings strategy that makes a Costco membership more than worth it. Memebers are eligible to apply for the Costco Visa, which gives you 1% to 5% back, depending on what you buy. “We put our childcare expenses on it each month and pay it off right away,” says Meghan J., of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. “At the end of the year, we get back a $2,000-plus rebate from the Visa card.”
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on whether a Costco membership is worth it, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist and Costco member. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
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