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I’m a new Costco member, and so far, I’ve enjoyed using my membership benefits to save money on everyday essentials. Getting a discount when shopping for groceries and household goods can help you keep more money in your checking account.

Costco can also help you save money on personal care items like prescription glasses and contacts. Despite having a Costco membership, I ordered contact lenses earlier this week through a different retailer. Let me explain why this was a better money move.

Costco members get a discount on eye care purchases

If you wear glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses, you can use your Costco membership to get a discount on these necessary eyecare items. Whether you need to order new glasses because your prescription has changed or you’re almost out of contact lenses, you’ll likely feel a noticeable impact on your wallet after buying these items.

Because of the cost, you should use any discount opportunities available to you. Costco members can save money when ordering new glasses or contacts through Costco Optical. But it’s wise to compare prices elsewhere before placing an order.

As a first-time customer, I qualified for a 30% discount elsewhere

I recently needed to order more contact lenses and I assumed Costco would offer the most savings. The first thing I did was check the pricing across various retailers, including Costco. While the retail price listed on other retailers’ websites was more expensive than I would pay to order my prescription contact lenses from Costco.com, I decided to order from 1-800 Contacts.

Why? As a new customer, I was eligible for a 30% discount on my first order — meaning I would pay even less than if I had used my Costco membership perks.

Plus, I was able to earn cash back rewards through Rakuten. I have used this popular cash back app and browser extension for many years, and every dollar I earn makes a difference. Thanks to my recent order, I will earn around $25 back with Rakuten.

Because of these savings, it felt worthwhile to order through 1-800 Contacts. However, in the future, I plan to order my contacts from Costco because I’ll pay a reasonable price without having to rely on a first-time customer discount. But my experience serves as a good reminder that it’s beneficial to spend time shopping around.

Costco doesn’t always have the best price

While Costco is known for its low prices, the warehouse club doesn’t always have the best deals. It’s worthwhile to shop around and compare prices, especially before making a costly purchase like prescription contact lenses. Buying from another retailer during a sale or using a first-time customer coupon code may be a better move.

Maximize your savings by earning rewards

If you’re looking for ways to maximize your savings, don’t ignore the chance to earn rewards. Using rewards credit cards is an easy way to earn cash back when you shop. Many people use cash back credit cards to earn rewards when making everyday purchases. If you’re a Costco loyalist and shop with the retailer often, check out our list of the best credit cards for Costco.

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!

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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.