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10 Costco Shopping Secrets That Save Families Thousands Every Year
Advertiser Disclosure
Every dollar counts more in retirement, and every time you shop at Costco, you’re missing opportunities to make those dollars stretch further.
There’s a small group of retired shoppers who’ve figured out Costco’s hidden discount system. They know how to read the secret signals on price tags, exactly when to shop for the deepest markdowns, and which strategies help them save $200-500 monthly on everything from groceries to prescriptions – money that stays in their retirement accounts instead of Costco’s registers.
These aren’t your typical ‘buy in bulk’ tips – these are the closely guarded strategies that work perfectly for seniors who want maximum value without waste.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: this same insider approach to finding hidden savings works everywhere – from your monthly bills and subscriptions to travel, dining, and everyday purchases that matter most in your golden years.
1. The insider price decoder that will protect your retirement funds
Prices ending in .97: This item is marked down for final clearance and will NEVER be restocked once it’s gone. These are often 30-50% off original price, but there’s no “I’ll come back next week” – grab it now or lose it forever.
The Asterisk (*): That tiny asterisk in the upper right corner means the item is officially discontinued. No rain checks, no special orders, no exceptions – when it’s gone, it’s gone permanently.
Prices ending in .00: The store manager personally marked this item down to clear it out fast. These manager specials often appear when they need space for incoming inventory.
Prices ending in .88: This discount is unique to your specific store location, often due to damaged packaging or local overstock. Other Costco locations may not have this same deal.
Prices ending in .99 or .49: These are standard Costco prices that follow normal sale cycles. The item will be restocked and may go on sale again in the future.
2. Stop overpaying when you shop online (Amazon too!)
You might be surprised how often you’re overpaying on Amazon and anywhere else shopping online.
Forget multiple tabs and browsing windows searching for a better deal yourself, let Capital One Shopping do the work for you – it’s genius.
Here is how it works:
- The app will search for any available coupons around the web and automatically applies them to your cart at checkout
- It looks for better prices on items you are searching for – notifying you if a better deal was found elsewhere
- You don’t have to be a Capital One customer to use the app
Simply download the app and add it to your browser, then shop as usual and thank us later.
Download Capital One Shopping and stop overpaying online.
3. Homeowners can save thousands on home insurance in Columbus
Alright, friend, let’s talk about something that might be draining your wallet without you even realizing it: your home insurance. Yep, you could be paying thousands more than you need to, and the kicker? It’s totally fixable.
Too many homeowners skip this step — not realizing that they could save potentially $1,000s over the lifetime of owning their house just by switching. And yes, you can switch your home insurance at any time starting today.
It’s totally free to check. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your home and let the rest do the job for you.
Enter your zip code to see if you are eligible for cheaper home insurance rates
4. Save as much as 80% on weight loss meds
If you’re finally ready to lose weight, FDA-approved GLP-1s — like Semaglutide & Tirzepatide — burn fat fast. The best company we recommend is ranked #1 on Forbes Health, called MyStart gets them to you 80% cheaper!
It might sound crazy, but MyStart operates on a cash-only basis and does not accept insurance. This is how they’re able to provide up to 80% off the typical cost of weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Zepbound. (You can pay via credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.)
Skip the surgeries, diets, and expensive costs of weight loss. Get real results with GLP-1s at 80% less than name brands! Plus, get access to U.S.-based doctors 24/7 when you go through MyStart. No insurance is required and there are no hidden fees.
Dr. Ritu Chopra (from the show “The Doctors”) says this is the future of weight loss. Join now before prices go up! You could qualify in 5-minutes or less.
Take the quiz to get up to 80% off weight loss medications starting at $180/month ($6/day)
4. Seniors that know the strategic shopping calendar save more
Saturday Nights After 6 PM: This is when employees walk the aisles with price guns, marking down items that need to move before Monday’s deliveries. You’ll find the freshest markdowns and the biggest selection of clearance items.
Tuesday Mornings: Fresh shipments arrive Monday night, and Tuesday morning is when new sales go live and yesterday’s clearance gets final markdowns. Be there when the doors open for first pick of both new arrivals and final clearance.
End of Month: Store managers need to hit monthly numbers, so the last week of each month brings aggressive markdowns on slow-moving inventory. This is when you’ll see the most .00 and .88 manager specials appear.
Season Transition Windows: The two weeks after major seasons (post-Christmas, end of summer, back-to-school) are when seasonal items get slashed to move out fast. Think 70% off patio furniture in late August.
Avoid Weekends for Clearance Hunting: Weekend crowds mean clearance items disappear fast, and employees are too busy to mark down new items. If you’re hunting deals, weekday mornings are your secret weapon.
5. Ohio drivers can save $1,025 on car insurance
You might not even realize it, but your car insurance company is probably overcharging you. In fact, they’re kind of counting on you not noticing. Luckily, this problem is easy to fix.
This company called Insurify shows you all your options at once — drivers who do this save up to $1,025 per year.
Here’s how to quickly qualify:
- Click the link below and start by inserting your zip code
- Answer a few questions about your car
- Choose the best offer and lock in your rate
Find out how much you can save on your auto insurance
6. Borrow from your home equity with this new program
You can now tap into the equity you’ve worked hard to build in your home, without any hassle or expensive fees, whether you are tackling short term debt or looking to make home improvements.
That’s right, with LendingTree’s New Program, homeowners can unlock equity funds without affecting their mortgages. It works more like a credit card — giving you access to funds when you need them and letting you pay back only what you use.
Get started with these easy steps:
- Check out LendingTree’s HELOC calculator
- Tell them a bit about your home
- Lock in your rate today
700+ Credit Score: Calculate how much you’re
7. Ohio residents could save a fortune on new windows
Old windows drive up your home’s electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save $1,000s.
WindowsUSA is actively helping homeowners score huge savings on new windows. They bring top local vendors into a bidding war for your business, providing the best deals without sacrificing quality. This can drive the cost down for you by orders of magnitude.
Slash the cost of new windows by tapping into hidden rebates, unlisted discounts, and local incentives most homeowners don’t even know exist.
You might be eligible if you check these 3 boxes:
- Own your home
- Have windows that are 5+ years old
- Live in an eligible zip code
Complete this short questionnaire to see if you qualify
8. Earn up to $483 every time you win this viral game
We get it – this sounds too good to be true. Apps that actually pay you real money? For playing a card game you already know?
But here’s the thing: Solitaire Cash is legit, and phone users are making up to $483 every single time they win a game.
Look, you’re not going to replace your income with this, but if you’re already killing time on your phone anyway, why not get paid for it? Instead of scrolling social media for free, you could be earning actual cash playing the same solitaire you’ve been playing for years.
Here’s how simple it is:
- Download the free app
- Play solitaire (same rules you know)
- Win games, earn cash
- Cash out instantly via PayPal or Apple Pay
9. This credit card debt relief program eliminates 40-60% of what you owe
If credit card payments are destroying your retirement, you’re not alone. This IRS-approved debt relief program has eliminated $5+ billion in senior debt
Freedom Debt Relief negotiates directly with your creditors to slash 40-60% of your total balance. You pay the reduced amount over 12-48 months, then you’re free. No bankruptcy needed.
Here is how to qualify:
- $15,000+ in credit card debt
- Struggling with monthly payments
- Over the age of 50
Take this short questionnaire to find out if you’re eligible for debt relief today!
10. Retirees don’t ever skip the secret deals zone
Electronics Back Corner: Head to the far back corner of electronics for returned items, display models, and open-box products at 20-40% off.
Book Section: Most shoppers skip books entirely, making this section a clearance goldmine that restocks slowly. You’ll regularly find $30 hardcover books marked down to $7.97, and they stay available much longer than other clearance items.
Clothing Center Racks: The center clothing racks (not the walls) rotate constantly with overstock and returns. You’ll find $80 brand-name jackets for $29.97, often in perfect condition with tags still attached.
11. Stop Paying Out of Pocket for Vet Bills
You protect your home, your car, and your health — because it saves you from massive, unexpected costs. So why not do the same for your pet?
Lemonade’s Pet Insurance has the best coverage plans for your pet and protect you from expensive vet bills due to unexpected accidents, illness, or emergency care — the kind that can run you thousands out of nowhere.
Having insurance for your pet is no different than having insurance for yourself, it would save you serious money and avoid the stress of having to choose between your pet’s health and your budget.
For just a few bucks a month, you can protect the animal that protects your heart.
Click here to find the perfect policy for your pet
12. Diversify your hard-earned retirement savings with gold
You’ve spent your whole life building up your retirement savings, but market volatility and inflation could be threatening everything you’ve worked so hard for.
Hartford Gold is actively helping Americans like you find greater retirement security with precious metal investments. They offer everything from physical ownership to IRAs in gold and silver that have a proven track record during unstable markets.
In fact, from 2005 to 2020, the price of gold increased by 330%. And during the stock market crash of 2008, the value of gold actually increased by 25%.14
Take control of your legacy today in 3 easy steps:
- Request your FREE Gold IRA guide
- Speak to a dedicated specialist about the best option for you.
- Transfer a min deposit of $10K & diversify your portfolio.
You’re in good hands, as they boast an A+ rating with the BBB, are ranked #1 gold company on the Inc. 5000 list, and are exclusively endorsed by Bill O’Reilly.
Take control of your savings and start investing in gold today.
Advertiser Disclosure
Companies mentioned in this article have not been reviewed, approved or endorsed by included advertisers. Opinions are ours alone.
*Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 24 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.”
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