How to Become a Pro Costco Shopper in 5 Easy Steps

Walking into a warehouse store like Costco for the first time can be daunting. It’s easy to fall into the trap of the promise of big savings when you’re buying in bulk. So easy that I, in fact, did fall victim to that mindset when I first started shopping at Costco. But my error is to your benefit. I’ve learned the hard way that you have to go in with intention. We’re not here to shop for the person we aspire to be. “Well I should be eating more yogurt so let me get the 50 pack.” No. Shop for the person you actually are. Buy things you will use and get those first. Save the aspirational buying for stores that sell things in smaller quantities.

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But that’s just rule #1. I consider myself a true Costco pro, and these are five more tips for getting the most out of your membership.

Come hungry

When you’re going to a regular grocery store, you should never shop on an empty stomach. That’s not the case when it comes to Costco! Between the unbeatable deal of the $1.50 hot dog combo at the snack bar and the plethora of samples you’ll find in the aisle, you’ll want to come prepared. And in this case, being prepared means quite literally not preparing any food to eat in the hours before you shop.

Pantry space is key

We’re buying in bulk. That means the more space you have to store things at home, the more you can buy. Your mileage will be greatly increased if you have more nooks and crannies in which to stash your new purchases.

Variety packs are vital for…variety

Honestly, variety packs feel like a cheat code. Households of one can get the discount of buying in bulk without the monotony of just getting one product to slog through over the course of a month. Those shopping for a few mouths can get a little something for everyone. It’s a lot harder to hit a bullseye when you’re only given one dart to throw, as I always say.

Check out the bakery!

And the neighboring deli section for that matter. Buying perishable foods, like baked goods and deli offerings, in Costco-sized quantities can be a daunting. I promise it’s a lot easier to manage than it seems. Often, you’ll find products in the deli section are sold in smaller quantities than their dry goods counterparts. Most of Costco’s bakery items are freezer friendly so you can split them up for later consumption. The bakery items that Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand is putting out have impressed us time and time again. You’re just limiting yourself if you’re not checking them out.

Go without a cart if you can

This seems antithetical to everything we’ve talked about so far. And the whole point of a bulk store like Costco. But I promise you, it’s the way to go if you can swing it. Maybe it’s because I have the luxury, or curse, of having to go to Costco every two weeks to get my allergy meds. That means I can get a few things here or there instead of going once a quarter to get my goods for the coming months. The freedom you experience of reaching a flowstate, weaving in between a blockade of carts, is unmatched. Fill your arms with what you can carry and waddle your way to the self checkout like a true pro.