3 ways to save money with a Costco membership even if you live alone

Many shoppers rave about Costco. They love the products you offer, and our members-only pricing allows them to keep more money in their checking account.

However, many Costco members live with roommates or have large families, so they often see great benefits by purchasing groceries and other items in bulk. But what if you live alone?

Can a Costco membership help single-person households save money? The answer is yes. I’ll explain a few ways you can save money with a Costco membership even if you live alone.

1. Purchase a discounted gift certificate

You can purchase gift certificates at Costco at a low price. This is one of the membership benefits that I never really thought about before becoming a member. I signed up almost 3 months ago and have already saved $90 thanks to Costco’s discount gift card deal.

Costco offers gift cards to many popular retailers, including entertainment brands, restaurants, and airlines. Using gift cards to pay for everyday purchases yourself or to give them as gifts is a fantastic membership benefit.

As a solo shopper, purchasing discounted gift cards from Costco is an easy way to save money.

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2. Fill your fuel tank

One of the great benefits of membership is that you get discounts on gas. This is especially useful if you drive a vehicle with a larger fuel tank or if your vehicle has high mileage. People who live alone can save a lot of money by purchasing gas at Costco. Savings vary by location.

Let’s see how much you can save on a single charge. As of this writing, the average price per gallon of regular gasoline in the city of Chicago is $3.615, according to AAA.

Meanwhile, regular gas at the Chicago South Loop Costco Warehouse costs $3.299 per gallon. Imagine you are driving a sedan with a 15 gallon gas tank. The average cost elsewhere is $54.23 for a full tank of gas, but at Costco you’ll pay $49.49, saving you $4.74.

It may not sound like much, but the savings add up every time you fill up your tank. If you have a Costco near your home or work, consider signing up to save on gas.

relevant: Take a look at our favorite strategies for maximizing your savings at Costco..

3. Stock up on over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Here’s another way people who live alone can save money at Costco. The Warehouse Club brand sells OTC medications at affordable prices. You can stock your medicine cabinet without worrying about going broke.

One example of potential savings for allergy sufferers is:

You can purchase a 365-tablet pack of Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec medication for about $14.49 at your local club. The active ingredients are similar to those of Zyrtec.

Meanwhile, the regular version from Target costs more. 300 up&up cetirizine hydrochloride allergy relief tablets cost $31.99. Save $17.50 and buy more medications with your Costco card.

This is just one example of how a single household can save money when purchasing OTC medications at Costco. You can also save money by purchasing cough medicine, cold medicine, painkillers, and fever reducers.

Costco is for everyone

Items sold in bulk at Costco are great for multi-person households. But with a Costco membership, you can save money even if you live alone. This is just a sample of how having a Costco membership card in your wallet can benefit you financially.