How to avoid a big bill at Costco

Everyone who shops at Costco knows one of the biggest challenges is walking out with just what you went there for. This article contains some great advice on how to keep your Costco shopping visits under control.

Here are some of my tips:

• Only go to Costco if you have a shopping list.
• Go straight to those items and get them first before you buy anything else.
• Don't buy stuff just because it "seems interesting."
• Watch the quantities unless it has an unlimited shelf life.
• On food items always check the expiration date and then ask yourself if you will use all that by the date. If not, don't buy it.
• Fresh produce can be the worst. That crate of peaches may look wonderful, but if you can't eat them all in a week, don't buy them.
• Remember, Costco has a super liberal return policy. If you change your mind, just take it back.
• Costco has some great deals on clothing. But, just because the price is amazing, you may not need it. This is one of the reasons why I have way too many casual jackets.
• Costco's coupons can be attractive, but Costco now shows volume pricing and often the coupon item isn't the cheapest product. The Kirkland version will usually beat the coupon item.

Happy shopping.