When DIY Isn’t Enough: Reconsidering the Membership

While the strategies above provide excellent workarounds, there are specific scenarios where attempting to bypass the membership fee costs you more time and money than it saves. You should strongly consider purchasing the $65 Gold Star membership if:

• You Drive Extensively: If you take frequent road trips to visit grandchildren and live near a Costco, the savings at the gas pump alone will generally pay for the membership fee within a few months.
• You Rely on Costco Optical or Hearing Aids: While the exams are open to the public, the Kirkland Signature hearing aids and eyeglasses require a membership. Given that premium hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars elsewhere, paying $65 to access Costco’s top-rated, low-cost hearing technology is a superb financial decision.
• You Frequently Buy Big-Ticket Items: If you are furnishing a new downsized condo or upgrading appliances, the 5% online surcharge for non-members will quickly exceed the $65 membership cost.

For assistance analyzing your annual expenses to see if a membership fits your budget, resources from the NerdWallet budget tracking tools can provide valuable baseline metrics.