3 ways a Costco membership can save you money, even if you live alone

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Many shoppers rave about Costco. They love the product offerings and the member-only pricing helps them keep more money in their checking accounts.

However, many Costco members live with roommates or have larger families, so they benefit greatly from buying groceries and other goods in bulk. But what if you live alone?

Can a Costco membership help solo households save money? The answer is yes. I’ll tell you some ways a Costco membership can save you money, even if you live alone.

1. Buy discounted gift cards

You can buy cheap gift cards at Costco. This is a membership benefit that I never gave much thought to before becoming a member. I joined almost three months ago and have already saved $90 thanks to Costco’s discount gift card offers.

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

As an individual shopper, purchasing discounted gift cards at Costco is an easy way to save money.

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2. Fill your gas tank

A big benefit of membership is the ability to receive discounts on gas. This is especially helpful if you drive a vehicle with a larger gas tank or drive a lot of miles in your car. If you live alone, you can save a lot of money on gas at Costco. Savings vary by location.

Let’s see how much you can save on a tank of gas. According to AAA, the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline in the city of Chicago is $3,615 at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, the price per gallon for regular gasoline at the Chicago South Loop Costco Warehouse is $3,299. Let’s imagine you drive a sedan with a 15-gallon gas tank. Elsewhere the average cost of a full tank of gas would be $54.23, but at Costco you would pay $49.49, saving you $4.74.

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

Related: Take a look at our favorite strategy to maximize your savings at Costco.

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

Here’s another way for those living alone to save money at Costco. The Warehouse Club brand sells OTC medications at affordable prices. You can restock your medicine cabinet without worrying about it going broke.

Here is an example of the savings potential for allergy sufferers:

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

Meanwhile, Target’s generic version costs more. A 300-pack of up&up Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Relief Tablets costs $31.99. Save $17.50 and get more medications with your Costco card.

This is just one example of how single households can save money when purchasing over-the-counter medications at Costco. You can also save money on cough and cold medicines, pain relievers, fever reducers and more.

Costco is for everyone

Many items sold in bulk at Costco are great for multi-person households. But a Costco membership can help you save money even if you live alone. This is just one example of how having a Costco membership card in your wallet can benefit you financially.

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We strongly believe in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any advertisers involved. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offerings on the market. Motley Fool Money’s editorial content is separate from The Motley Fool’s editorial content and is produced by a different team of analysts. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.