12 Budget-Friendly Costco Finds That Are Worth Every Penny

Are you getting everything you can from your Costco membership?

Sure, items like toilet paper and that famous rotisserie chicken are easy buys whenever you're at the warehouse retailer. And, of course, there are plenty of bulk food items that can help you unlock the true value of your membership.

However, there are likely other great items you're overlooking. So the next time you walk into your Costco, consider adding these items to your cart.

Costco's own Kirkland Signature brand, along with services such as its tire centers, gas stations and optical departments, can add up to meaningful savings over the course of a year.

Red meat can be expensive, but savvy shoppers know the big retailer has some great prices on steaks.

Check out the different options at your local Costco. These meats can be a good deal compared to what you would pay at your local grocery store or butcher for a similar cut.

Costco's Kirkland Signature steaks come in both USDA Choice and USDA Prime grades, and Prime is the highest grade the USDA awards for marbling. Boneless ribeye runs about $17 per pound for Choice and about $22 per pound for Prime, while top sirloin is a leaner, cheaper option at about $11.50 per pound for Choice. Most steaks are sold in multipacks, so freeze what you won't cook right away.

Electric toothbrush heads cost more than what you would pay for a manual toothbrush. But you can save some money on toothbrush heads if you buy them from Costco.

The warehouse retailer carries several electric toothbrush brands, so check and see if they have the option that you need.

Costco typically sells Philips Sonicare replacement heads in six- and eight-packs, including C3 and W DiamondClean styles. Buying in bulk makes sense because Philips recommends replacing brush heads every three months, so an eight-pack can last one person about two years. 

Many Sonicare heads also include BrushSync technology, which reminds you when it's time for a new head if you have a compatible handle.

The cost of wine and liquor can add up, especially if you're stocking a bar or wine rack or throwing a party.

Costco's wine, beer, and liquor selection has a little bit of something for everyone at affordable prices.

Kirkland Signature spirits are made under contract by established distilleries, and Costco keeps its markup low, which helps explain the prices. Selection depends on state law, so what you'll find varies by location. In some states, including California and Vermont, you don't even need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco.

Pro tip: A great way to save on groceries is to buy items from its Kirkland Signature in-store brand. The quality typically is great, and you can save compared to purchasing name brands.

Replacing your tires can be expensive, but your Costco membership helps you cut this cost.

The retailer includes rotation and balancing when it installs tires through Costco's Tire Center. You also get a warranty that covers mileage, road issues, and manufacturer defects so you can save money on your car.

The installation package also covers flat repairs, pressure checks and new rubber valve stems for the life of the tires. Costco fills tires with nitrogen instead of regular air, which it says holds pressure better over time. 

The Costco Road Hazard Warranty covers cuts, nonrepairable punctures and impact damage on a prorated basis for 60 months or until the tread wears down to 2/32 of an inch, whichever comes first.

Everybody needs toilet paper and other paper goods, so keep an eye out for those items the next time you go to Costco.

Even if you don't need more of them at this very moment, they're good products to keep in stock so you're not scrambling someday to find a paper towel when something spills in the kitchen.

Kirkland Signature bath tissue comes in a 30-roll pack of two-ply rolls with 380 sheets each, and it's septic-safe and FSC-certified. Kirkland Signature paper towels come in 12-roll packs with Create-a-Size sheets, so you can tear off only as much as you need.

Sure, you might stock up on paper towels and toilet paper, but what about a household staple such as trash bags?

Buying them in bulk at Costco saves you money as well as time, since you won't have to constantly run to the store to buy replacements for the home, office, or any other place you need them.

The Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech 13-gallon kitchen bags come 200 to a box, which could last a household that uses one bag a day more than six months. They have a reinforced top and a gripping drawstring that stretches around the can, then contracts to keep the bag in place. You can choose scented or unscented versions.

Oatmeal can be a filling and healthy breakfast item, and Costco has different options for you to choose from.

Grab bulk-size bags of oatmeal for breakfast or even to add to recipes. You can also grab variety packs that include individual portions in different flavors.

For example, Costco sells a 10-pound package of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, split into two 5-pound bags with about 113 servings, for less than $9 at most warehouses. The whole-grain oats are Non-GMO Project verified and contain 4 grams of fiber per half-cup serving. 

If you prefer a grab-and-go breakfast, the Quaker Instant Oatmeal variety pack comes with 52 packets.

Check if your local Costco has a gas station that can help you save cash the next time you fill up your vehicle. The warehouse retailer's gas stations often charge a little less than other stations in the area.

Costco gas typically runs about 20 cents per gallon below the market average, though savings vary by location. Its Kirkland Signature gasoline is Top Tier certified and contains five times the detergent the EPA requires in both regular and premium grades. 

You'll need an active membership to fill up, and the pumps accept only debit cards, Visa credit cards and Costco Shop Cards. Costco Anywhere Visa cardholders also earn 5% cash back on Costco gas, up to an annual limit.

Costco's eye care centers can help you save on vision correction, including frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Find your local Costco Optical to see what types of deals the retailer can give you.

You could find out if your local Costco does vision screenings, which might help you save cash when you're ready to update your prescription.

Consumer Reports has named Costco Optical the best place to buy eyeglasses, based on a survey of more than 11,000 members. Basic prescription glasses start around $129, and the department carries designer frames and sunglasses from brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley. 

Eye exams are performed by independent optometrists and typically cost $79 to $110, depending on location.

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Check out Costco's selection of gift cards and see if they can save you some cash.

You can buy some gift cards at Costco for less than the actual face value of the cards. For example, you can purchase $60 worth of Krispy Kreme cards for only $45.99.

Costco sells gift cards for restaurants, movie theaters, travel and more, often in multipacks. The Krispy Kreme deal, for instance, comes as four $15 eGift cards that are emailed within 24 hours and never expire. 

Keep in mind that gift card purchases are nonrefundable, and some can be used only at participating locations. Krispy Kreme's cards, for example, can't be redeemed at grocery or convenience stores.

Coffee is another item where it's easy to run out and not realize the fact until it's too late. But Costco has you covered.

The retailer has plenty of options for coffee ranging from single-serving cups to ground coffee for a pot. See if your local Costco has a coffee grinder so you can buy whole-bean coffee and grind it in the store before you leave.

Kirkland Signature House Blend, a medium roast custom roasted by Starbucks, is a popular pick. Dark roasts such as French Roast and Espresso Blend come in 2.5-pound bags for $13.99, which works out to less than $6 per pound.

Sure, you don't need flowers. But it's nice to pick up a bouquet or two to brighten your home or office space, especially during dreary winter months.

Costco has a good selection of bouquets at different price points. You can also pick up roses and other flowers for holidays like Valentine's Day at your local Costco. You might even get them at a bargain compared to what you would pay other florists in your area.

Costco also sells bulk flowers online, such as 50 long-stem roses for about $58 or 100 carnations for about $70. They arrive in bud form and need two to three days to open, so plan ahead for events.

Before you go to Costco, check your wallet to make sure you have one of the best cash back credit cards. Using one can help you earn cash back and other perks.

Also, remember to try new items that you haven't purchased in the past. If you don't like the item, Costco has a great return policy that lets you take most items back to the store if you're not satisfied.

Just note that some electronics, such as TVs, computers and major appliances, must be returned within 90 days. It's also worth weighing your membership level. A Gold Star membership costs $65 a year, while an Executive membership costs $130 and earns 2% back on eligible purchases.