When you shop for groceries at Costco, you’re likely to pay close to $100 for a single cart.
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But you can save about 28% on your purchase, bringing that cart down to $68 instead. Saving on your groceries at Costco isn’t difficult, but it does require a little planning and some careful strategy.
Bring a List
Saving on your grocery shopping starts before you step foot in the store. Rather than browsing the aisles and adding items as you shop, prepare a list while you’re at home. Include only items that you’ll need before your next shopping trip. To make your shopping as efficient as possible, plan out your meals for the week and focus on dishes that mainly use ingredients you already have.
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Check the Coupon Book
Check Costco’s monthly coupon book to shop smart. The book includes automatic discounts on many grocery items, so you can decide what to add to your list.
Checking the coupon book can help you save on previous purchases, too. According to Costco’s Price Match, if an item you purchased goes on sale within 30 days, you qualify for a price match. You can request a price match online and receive a credit for the difference in price.
Buy in Bulk
Save up to make bulk purchases when possible to increase the value you’re getting for your money. For example, Costco sells the Annie’s organic Homegrown Macaroni & Cheese Variety Pack for $19.99. If you buy this 12-pack, you’re paying $1.67 per box, while Target sells a single box of that same mac and cheese for $4.29. Making bulk purchases at Costco can add up to significant savings.
Avoid Pre-Made
Premade foods like salads and ready-to-eat meals might be convenient, but they’ll drive up the cost of your groceries and don’t deliver the best value for your money. Instead, plan ahead and buy ingredients for meals that you prepare at home. If you’re limited on time, try to set aside one day a week to prepare meals, then refrigerate or freeze them so you can easily use them during the week.
Shop for Kirkland Signature Items
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label brand, and it includes an extensive selection of grocery items. Kirkland Signature items are typically priced less than comparable items by other brand names. As you shop, look for Kirkland Signature versions of the products whenever available to keep your grocery bill down.
Look for Clearance Items
Shopping clearance items can further reduce the cost of your shopping cart. According to Tasting Table, clearance items are often placed on endcaps, but you can also find them by looking at the price tags. Tags ending in .97 indicate clearance items, while groceries ending in .00 or .88 are heavily discounted.
Finding clearance and sales deals is easier when you’re shopping online. Costco’s website has a grocery savings page that you can use to shop deals.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Mar. 18, 2026. Prices and availability may vary by location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: A Typical Costco Grocery Cart Costs $95 — Here’s How To Pay $68 Instead
