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With summer coming to a close and ushering in the cool winds of fall, many people wonder how they can save money on back-to-school shopping, travel and seasonal favorites.
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Savvy savers often find themselves at the membership-only warehouse, Costco. Costco is one of the most popular retailers in the United States and across the globe. With over 70 million paid members, the warehouse club is known for its bulk buys and deep discounts.
Whether you are hoping to score deals on food for your football party or want to get a head start on Halloween decorations, check out these six ways to save by shopping at Costco this fall.
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Wait Until the End of the Season
As with other retailers, you will find bigger deals if you wait until the season is nearly over or just after a holiday to purchase goods.
“Typically, you can save money at Costco on seasonal items by waiting until the end of the season when Costco is clearing the shelves to make room for the next season’s products,” explained Scott Lieberman, the founder of Touchdown Money.
“If you have space in your home, you might consider buying non-perishable items a year ahead of time. For example, Halloween and Christmas decorations.”
In addition to fall decorations, you can snag discounts on summer-themed items. Costco insiders note that you can tell whether something is a markdown by its pricing. According to SFGate, products with a price ending in .97 are on sale, and those ending in .00 are at their lowest price. An asterisk next to the price means that the item will not be restocked.
Use Your Costco Coupon Book
Don’t throw out your Costco Coupon book; it may offer additional discounts and savings.
“As a Costco member, look for Fall deals in your Costco Coupon book and online,” said Lieberman. “Remember, there are some online-only deals. Shopping online also adds the convenience of shipping right to your home so you can skip the crowds in the stores.”
The member-only deals in the monthly book can save you hundreds of dollars on appliances, snacks and everything in between. It is important to know that many of the savings have limits on the number that can be purchased by a member.
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Try the Costco App
In addition to the coupon book, Lieberman suggested downloading the Costco app to look for savings.
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“The Costco app also has Fall deals,” he said. And better yet, “You can show the cashier [your] coupons on the app.”
Use a Credit Card That Offers Cash Back
For shoppers hoping to dip into double savings, Lieberman recommended using a credit card that gives you cash back.
According to him, “The Costco Anywhere Visa card gives 2% cash back. The Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card gives you 3% cash back in the category of your choice, and that includes online shopping.”
Shop Gift Cards
While the membership-only club is well-known for its bulk items, bargain hunters will want to check out the retailer’s gift card section.
“Costco has a large selection of gift cards,” said Lieberman.
“For example, if you’re flying this Fall or Winter, you might consider looking for discounted gift cards for Southwest Airlines at Costco,” he continued. “You can also find gift cards to movie theater chains, restaurants and more. These can make for fun stocking stuffers or back-to-school treats for the students in your family.”
You can often find gift cards to popular attractions and restaurants for significantly less at Costco. For instance, you can currently snag four $25 Domino’s e-gift cards for only $74.99 or a $50 Cinemark e-gift card for $39.99. These gift cards make great birthday presents and can help you save on dining and entertainment.
Save Big With Bulk Items
Lieberman also pointed out that “Costco is famous for their discounted bulk items.”
He continued, asking, “But what if your back-to-school college kid doesn’t need much toothpaste or your family doesn’t need so much candy? Team up with a friend to split the cost and share it.”
One of the biggest savings for Costco shoppers comes from bulk buying. You can snag significant discounts on pantry staples, produce and more. If you are gearing up for back-to-school, the warehouse retailer is one of the best places to get snacks and lunch-box fillers for substantially less.
By finding deals in the app and Coupon book, you can stack savings, meaning you will pay a fraction of what you would at other stores.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Ways To Save Big Money Shopping at Costco This Fall
