$60. That’s what a basic “Gold Star” annual Costco membership is going to cost you. It’s really easy to justify the $60 if you’re getting at least that much back in savings every year.

And while it can be really easy to overspend at Costco if you aren’t disciplined, it can also be really easy to find products that provide killer savings. The best things to buy at Costco can often be hidden behind the bright and shiny electronics that catch your eye as you walk into the warehouse.

My frugal hero Clark Howard recently broke down the 9 best things to buy at Costco that can single-handedly pay for your membership in terms of savings.

Here are a few of the best things to buy at Costco, along with one I think he really missed.

The Best Things to Buy at Costco:

Tires

Costco is an excellent place to buy tires for your car with savings in the $70-80 range depending on the brand and time of the year. I have even heard you can negotiate the price on a set of four to bring your total down further.

While you obviously don’t need a new set every year, the savings you’ll eventually rack up will easily help pay for your Costco membership.

Lunch

$1.50 for a big ol’ hot dog and a drink? Yeah, I’ll take seven please. Their pizza is a really good deal too. But would I go to Costco to just eat lunch if I wasn’t also shopping? Probably not. The warehouse where I live is just way too crowded.

Wine

If you’re a big wine drinker, you can easily save a 5 spot on every bottle you buy. If you buy at least a dozen bottles a year, you just paid for your Costco membership.

Movie Tickets

This one I never considered. If you’re a big moviegoer, you should be buying your tickets from Costco. According to Howard, you can save about 25% off the face value which can add up to some decent savings.

With ticket prices right around $12/each nationally, you can get your membership fee back fairly quickly.

Here’s a Costco smart buy that I would add to the list:

Gift Cards

Costco has some killer deals on bulk gift cards that make great gifts, especially for teachers, graduates, and random birthday parties.

Usually you have to buy a pack of 4 or 5, but the savings is in the 20-30% range off the face value of the cards. Look for gift cards to stores like Jamba Juice, Coldstone, Starbucks, and local restaurants.

Check out the article below to see all of the best things to buy at Costco:

9 Items That Will Pay for Your Costco Membership | Clark Howard.com

Photo by Nazareth College.