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18 Costco Buys That Literally Pay for Membership (12 Loaves of Bread? 6 Packs of Drumsticks?)

Uncover the magic number of visits to make your Costco membership truly cost-effective.

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Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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At $60 a year, A Costco membership can pay for itself when you buy a handful of products just a few times.

However, you may be wondering exactly what it takes to make your membership worth it.

Here’s a breakdown of how often you’d need to buy these popular Costco products to make your membership pay for itself.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Kirkland Signature Country French Bread, 2-Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz Rosemary Parmesan Bread

Price: $7.99

You can buy this delicious loaf every month and pay for your membership.

It's made with aged parmesan cheese, rosemary, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil. It's hand-scored and hearth-baked.

Enjoy the taste of country French bread without making it yourself and spending even more buying the ingredients.

Kirkland Signature Fresh Chicken Drumsticks

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature fresh chicken drumsticks packs

Price: $9.84

Even if you had drumsticks only every other month, these value-packs would soon pay for themselves.

Serve them for dinner, and stock your freezer for a handy meal any time. They’re also great for parties and get-togethers.

At just over a $1 a pound and roughly an eight-pound bag, it's a deal.

Kirkland Signature Platinum Performance Ultra Shine Dishwasher Detergent

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland ultra shine dishwasher detergent

Price: $13.59

Keep your dishes clean and your wallet full with this steal.

Other brands like Up & Up cost $6 more, meaning you could put that savings toward a new membership card in only a couple of purchases.

And for busy households, this purchase can be a must-have for keeping all your kitchenware shiny and like new.

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Kirkland Signature 10” Chocolate Cake Filled With Chocolate Mousse

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature chocolate cake with mousse

Price: $18.19

Mark every occasion with this delicious cake, and make your membership worth it! Use this for birthdays, holidays, and more to savor a freshly made cake without all the work.

At just $19.89, it’s less than Walmart’s cakes. It's definitely worth it.

Kirkland Signature Premium Paper Towels, 12 Rolls

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature 12 pack paper towels

Price: $22.89

Keep your home mess-free with this affordable bulk buy that can save you $4 more than other brands.

Buying these paper towels 15 times a year will pay for your Costco membership. That’s a lot of spills to clean, so you might want to share a few rolls with others.

Kirkland Signature Breaded Panko Shrimp

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature breaded panko shrimp box

Price: $21.59

These make a great appetizer or easy dinner that anyone can enjoy.

Feed the family while paying for your Gold card with this buy that saves you around $10 compared to competitors’ prices.

You can buy this breaded panko shrimp every other month to make your annual fee worth it.

Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue, 30-Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature  30 pack bath tissue

Price: $23.49

Don’t let your household run out of toilet paper; keep your home stocked with this must-have.

This 30-pack can last you for months, and you’d just need to buy this fewer than five times a year to match the price of your membership at $9.50 less per package compared to Charmin.

Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature beef hot dogs pack

Price: $18.19

You can bring Costco’s famous hot dogs home at a deal of $1.75 less than name-brand hot dogs.

Use these for your barbecues or grill-outs for a tasty hot dog. And if you buy a package twice a month, you’re getting your money’s worth for your membership.

Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Salted Butter

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature grass fed salted butter

Price: $11.39

If you purchase these grass-fed butter nine times a year (less than once a month), you’ll pay for your membership in no time.

This creamy, salted butter is perfect for various dishes and recipes. Four sticks per package cost $5.00 less than Kerrygold, making it easy to pay for your Costco card with the savings.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Kirkland Signature House Blend Whole Bean Coffee

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature house blend bean coffee

Price: $12.39

This house blend was made in partnership with Starbucks for a tasty cup of coffee over $20 less than typical Starbucks coffee bags.

And when you buy just three bags, your Costco membership is paid for with those savings. Enjoy a cup of joe any time, right from the comfort of your home.

Kirkland Signature Canned Cat Food Variety Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature canned cat food pack

Price: $30.59

You're getting an unbeatable deal when you buy this canned cat food just twice a year. This variety pack gives your cat two delicious flavors of grain-free food in gravy.

You can feed your cat their favorite food year-round while getting your money’s worth by spending $25 less than other brands.

Kirkland Signature Organic Oat Milk

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature organic oat milk box

Price: $12.19

Costco’s non-dairy oat beverage is a fan favorite for good reason. You get six containers for $35 less than other oat milk brands in this affordable package.

That means you’ll only need to purchase this bulk buy twice a year to match the cost of your Gold membership.

Kirkland Signature Extra-Large Absorbent Dog Pads

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature xl absorbent dog pads

Price: $19.69

Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, these dog pads come in handy!

Just four purchases of these pads will earn you money back on your Costco membership. Buy a few packs for $17 less than Up & Up’s prices to stock up and save!

Kirkland Signature Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature heavy-duty laundry detergent

Price: $24.99

Keep your clothes clean while making your Gold card worth the buy. At almost $35 less than Tide detergent, it's worth the buy. You’ll need to buy it only twice a year to pay for your membership (and then some).

This heavy-duty laundry detergent is perfect for larger households that need constant cleaning. It can be used to wash bedding, clothes, and more.

Kirkland Signature Diapers

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature diapers on store shelf

Price: $34.99

Anyone with babies will know that diapers are definitely a repeat purchase, and buying this pack six times a year means you’re getting your Costco membership’s worth.

This bulk buy can ensure that your nursery is all stocked up for the baby while saving you $10 compared to Huggies. And Costco has many sizes for all stages of your baby’s growth.

Kirkland Signature Men’s Athletic Socks 8-Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature 8-pack athletic socks

Price: $13.99

If you wear out socks quickly, then this may be the pack for you.

These athletic socks are great for any activity; six purchases can pay for your membership. Buy them as holiday gifts to get your money’s worth at $8 less than Hanes’ prices.

Kirkland Signature 6-Piece Sheet Set

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature queen 6 piece set

Price: $74.99

With Costco’s Gold membership, you just have to buy this sheet set once, and the card will have more than paid for itself.

This sheet set comes in many sizes to fit any bed and a ton of versatile colors. And with a 680-thread count, you’ll sleep comfortably while saving around $100 compared to other brands.

Kirkland Signature AA Batteries, 48-Pack

Courtesy of FinanceBuzz kirkland signature 48-pack aa batteries

Price: $15.99

Just three purchases of this household must-have can save you serious money.

This pack of double-A batteries is useful for any family and can save you nearly $25 compared to Duracell AAs.

Bottom line

BINGJHEN/Adobe Costco wholesale storefront Kaohsiung Taiwan

Many bargain shoppers will visit Costco multiple times per month, making the savings well worth it.

As a member, you can also take advantage of the best credit cards to help you earn more when you shop at Costco.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details