How I save money at Costco, from a mom who shops there every week

I am an avid online shopper, but there is one store that I love to frequent: Costco. For almost two years now, I have been making weekly trips to the warehouse to shop for my family.

These regular visits have given me a unique perspective on the store’s operations: I’ve learned valuable tips that many Costco members may not know, which have helped me save hundreds of dollars.

If you want too maximize your Costco membership and save money, here’s what I suggest.

Shoppers should keep an eye out for executive discounts exclusive to their local warehouse

Sometimes Costco has discounts for the last unit left of a product.

Kristen Markel

Part of the thrill of being a Costco shopper is that you never know what you’ll find in the warehouse.

This means that not all offers are listed online. In my many travels, I’ve learned to watch tags for markdowns — especially in the home goods and electronics sections.

I’ve seen hand written deals at my local Costco.

Kristen Markel

I have seen display models on sale at a deep discount and handwritten lower prices on the tags for items that are out of stock.

Based on what I have observed and reports from Costco employees onlineif a price tag ends in .00 or .88, it could be an executive discount.

These deals are limited to what’s in stock, so if you spot something you want, it’s best to grab it right away.

Product placements can also change frequently, so you may also want to look for items in different locations in the store from week to week.

Costco sends daily emails, but keep an eye out for monthly sales

I check my email to see if Costco has any good deals.

Kristen Markel

Although Costco does not accept or offer traditional coupons, it still offers plenty of sales.

Members can sign up to receive daily discount update emails, but the monthly sales emails highlight the best deals.

In my opinion, the best sales are in emails with the month in the subject line, because they give monthly deals.

If you’re scrolling through the daily emails, check the “Hot Warehouse Buys” section for some great in-store sales to add to your list. Watch out for items that don’t have a discounted price – some aren’t on sale, they’re just seasonal or popular.

Mondays are often the best day to shop for deals

Most Costco sales end on Sundays, making Mondays the best day to shop for deals.

Kristen Markel

If you’re looking for new deals and sales, Mondays are a good day to visit the warehouse. Most sales end on Sundays, so you’ll get first dibs on the latest bargains.

I can’t speak for all Costco locations but when it comes to picking a good time of day to shop, I’ve found that arriving a little after opening (around 11am) is ideal.

That way I avoid Instacart shoppers which usually comes as soon as the store opens, and I’m just in time for free samples. (They start getting passed out around 11 at my local Costco.)

Plus, that time is still early enough that I’ve still been able to grab manager cuts before they sell out.

If mornings aren’t feasible, I’ve found that an hour before closing is the next best shopping time to avoid crowds.