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I’m a first-time Costco member. Previously, I never felt it was necessary to join a warehouse club. I’ve been able to get all the essentials I need while shopping deals at retailers like Target. However, I made a change a few weeks ago and joined Costco for the first time.

Here’s why I finally gave in and joined Costco in 2024.

1. I want to get a better deal on pricey items

Now felt like a good time to join because my spouse and I are planning to make some purchases for our home, including upgrading some furniture and appliances, in the coming months.

I had previously spent time comparing product prices at other retailers and Costco.com. I felt confident we could keep more money in our checking account by getting these buys from Costco.

2. I can stay in my pajamas and shop deals from my couch

I love traveling the world — so much that I typically spend four to six weeks traveling internationally each year. But I’m a bit of a homebody when I’m not jetting around the globe. When shopping, I generally prefer to order what I need online.

While I have a Costco club within a 30-minute drive from my house, I plan to primarily use my Costco membership to shop on the retailer’s website. Doing this will allow me to save money on the purchases I need to make without having to throw on regular clothes and deal with people. As an introvert, that’s a major win.

And since I’ll shop online, I’ll use a cash back credit card to pay for my Costco.com orders. By doing this, I’ll earn cash back rewards. Explore our list of the best credit cards for Costco to see how you can be rewarded for your next Costco haul.

3. It’s a resource that can help me avoid overspending

I’m a big fan of saving money. I’m used to comparing product pricing online before making a purchase. I decided a Costco membership was worthwhile because it would provide another resource for me to compare prices across retailers.

When researching the prices on other retailer’s websites, I can now check Costco’s price to see if I can get a better deal thanks to my Costco membership card. My new membership has already helped me avoid overspending.

I made my first Costco.com purchase two weeks ago because an item I had planned to buy was available at a discount. I bought a multi-piece Pyrex storage container set for 50% off the retail price, thanks to a Costco promotion.

Had I not become a member, I would have spent $40 more for my new storage container set. It only took a few seconds to compare Costco’s price to other retailers’.

4. I saved money by taking advantage of a new member promotion

Since I didn’t feel a Costco membership was a must for me, I wasn’t in a big hurry to spend money on another yearly membership fee. However, I finally joined because of a membership promotion I purchased through StackSocial.

Thanks to this deal, I became a Costco member and received a free $20 Costco Shop Card. While I had to wait a week or two to receive my digital Shop Card, I treated this promotion as if it were a $20 discount on my first year of membership.

It felt like the perfect opportunity to give Costco a try without draining my wallet. So far, I’m pleased with my decision to become a member. If all goes well during my first year of membership, I may decide to renew again at the standard membership rate.

Is a Costco membership right for you?

If you want to save money when shopping and are open to paying an annual fee to access members-only discounts and deals, consider joining Costco. But before joining, review the benefits and consider your shopping habits to decide if it’s a good fit for you.

It costs $65 to $130 annually to be a Costco member. But if you get value from the perks provided, it may be worth joining. If you join and are unsatisfied, Costco has a membership guarantee. You can cancel and get your entire membership fee refunded.

Maximize your savings with credit card rewards

In addition to shopping Costco’s many deals, you can maximize your savings by earning rewards. Paying with the right credit card makes getting rewarded a breeze. Our favorite strategy to save money at Costco is using a rewards credit card at checkout.

Every dollar you save or earn adds up. Want to get rewarded when you shop? Click here to see our curated list of the best cash back credit cards that earn cash back when you swipe your card.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.