I'll be honest. I typically walk into Costco with a specific amount of money I'm planning to spend in my mind and walk out with a receipt that has a completely different (and higher) amount on it. And I know I'm not the only one.
The truth is that Costco is very good at getting people to spend more money on each trip to their local warehouse club. And here are three of the most effective ways it happens.
1. Bulk items you didn't know were there
This is the main reason why I walk into Costco with a specific budget in mind, and then walk out looking at my receipt and saying to myself, "What just happened?"
Packaged items at Costco tend to be at least two to three times larger than what you're likely to find in the grocery store. As an example, my kids love to take the popular snack Pirate's Booty to school. My local grocery store sells 10-packs of individually portioned bags. Costco's package has 40.
Now, spending more than you planned for this reason isn't necessarily a bad thing. The 40-pack of snacks costs roughly twice what my grocery store charges for 10. So, while you might end up spending more than you planned if you find items you love in bulk, it can actually be good for your overall budget and personal finances.
2. Samples, samples, and more samples
Costco is well-known for offering samples of products throughout its store, ranging from cheeses to energy drinks.
While Costco doesn't share data about how effective its sampling strategy converts to sales, other studies show that sampling can increase sales of a particular product from 600% to 2,000%. I've personally thrown an item or two (or 10) into my Costco shopping carts over the years simply because I enjoyed a sample of something I wasn't planning to buy. And I'd be willing to bet many people reading this have done the same.
3. Impulse buys -- and not just checkout candy
When I go to the grocery store with my kids, they always ask for something on display right near the register. Usually it's candy, but it could be a drink from the cooler or a bag of chips. And while I usually won't let them get candy, if it's something at least moderately healthy and they behaved in the store, I tend to say yes and add a few dollars to my grocery bill.
Thankfully, Costco does not have checkout candy. If it did, it would likely be in massive packages, and us parents would be in trouble.
However, Costco takes the impulse buys to the next level and targets the parents. Here's an example: I live in the Southeast and football season is coming up. Just inside the door, Costco had a stack of comfortable-looking tailgating chairs with my team's logo when I went to the store a few weeks ago. At about $40, it's certainly a good deal for a quality chair that would typically cost closer to $100. But at the same time, it's $80 I wasn't planning on spending – after all, who just buys one tailgating chair? I'd have to buy two.
Strategies to control your Costco spending
If you are like me and have spent way too much money at Costco in the past, it can be frustrating, especially if you have a "what just happened" moment like I sometimes do. If this is the case, there are some ways you can attempt to get your Costco spending under control.
One effective strategy is to leave your credit cards at home and shop with cash. Now, I completely understand that finding new things at Costco is a big part of the draw for many people, so give yourself a little wiggle room. But bringing cash can help keep impulse buys to a minimum.
Also, don't shop hungry. That's one of the most commonly cited reasons for people to try a free sample of a product and buy it. There's no excuse, as long as Costco continues to offer its $1.50 hot dog and soda deal. Or, as fun as it can be, avoid free samples altogether to remove temptation.
A Costco membership can be a great way to keep your grocery bills low. But it can certainly take some discipline to avoid going overboard.
