Our family likes to enjoy baseball games, trips to the beach, and local events over the summer, which means it's easy for me to overspend this time of year. But with inflation still elevated and my natural tendency to want to save money, I try to balance out some of those spending impulses. One way to make it easier is to shop at Costco.
Whatever your plans are this season, here's how a Costco membership could save you $50 or more on your summer fun.
1. Backyard relaxation
Savings: $300
I bought some patio furniture from Amazon during the pandemic. While it's holding up fine, it's not as comfortable as I'd like. Now that I have a Costco membership, I've been browsing the outdoor furniture lately.
I recently came across a six-piece outdoor seating set, with a sofa, two club chairs, two ottomans, and a coffee table, for $2,499.99 -- $300 off the original price! That's more money than I want to spend, but for a large outdoor dining set, that's a significant savings equal to five years of the annual $60 membership fee.
2. A grillmaster's dream
Savings: $200
Last year, I bought a used gas grill after months of searching local social media for a good one. It took a lot of effort to find the one I wanted for the right price and close to where I live.
If I had a Costco membership at the time, I would have saved money and a lot of time. Right now, a top-of-the-line Weber Genesis II gas grill is on Costco's website for $1,149.99, which is $200 off the original price.
And if you're looking for something cheaper, Costco has the Broil King Baron 440C for $629.99, which is $200 cheaper than the original price.
3. Summer vacation to Disney
Savings: $200 to $300
I took my kids to Disney World a few years ago and we had the time of our lives. But anyone who's been to Disney knows that the costs can easily start adding up. A Disney vacation can quickly become a budget buster between airline tickets, park tickets, hotel rooms, food, and transportation.
But booking a Disney vacation package through Costco Travel could save $200 in instant savings when you choose a Value or Moderate Disney hotel, like Disney's Pop Century or Coronado Springs Resort Hotels. Choose a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney resort, like the Riviera or BoardWalk Villas, and you'll save $300 off your hotel cost.
Booking a Disney vacation through Costco Travel also gets you other perks, like early access to the parks and complimentary standard parking at all Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs.
4. Tickets to the ballpark
Savings: $60 or more
I'm taking my kids to their first Phillies baseball game in Philadelphia in a few weeks, and I'm excited for them to see the park. But I have to admit I experienced sticker shock when I was shopping for tickets.
I didn't find Phillies tickets when I searched Costco, but there were 15 MLB teams with discounted tickets. For example, a set of two Yankees tickets for the 200-section main level costs just $99 and comes with a $30 food voucher.
I priced similar tickets on SeatGeek at $160.76. With the added food voucher, the Costco MLB tickets will save you more than $90.
5. Airline tickets out of town
Savings: $50 or more
One of the best deals Costco offers its members is the ability to buy airline gift cards at a steep discount. For example, Costco members can buy a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for just $449.99.
Better yet, Costco sometimes offers a larger discount on the gift cards. I recently spied the Southwest gift card for just $429.99 -- over $70 off!
Whether you're creating a backyard oasis, catching a baseball game, or heading out of town on vacation, you can save significant cash shopping at Costco this summer. I'm tempted to start pricing out a trip to Disney myself. See, I told you it's easy for me to overspend during the summer.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
