Is a Costco Membership Still Worth It for Childfree Couples?

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Becoming a parent could make a whole bunch of new expenses a lot more justifiable. Take a Costco membership, for example. It'll cost you $60 for a basic Gold Star membership or $120 for an Executive membership (until prices increase slightly this September), and in exchange, you get access to the warehouse club's stores around the world.

That means savings on bulk food items, of course -- but Costco's other benefits also make joining a great idea for anyone, not just those with kids. Here are a few reasons why childfree couples should consider joining Costco.

You can still benefit from bulk purchases

My parents had a Costco membership when I was growing up. Actually, we shopped at the chain during its merger period with Price Club, and so that was the name of our local store -- talk about a blast from the past! With two kids in the house, there was plenty of justification to buy groceries in bulk.

But even if you and your partner are childfree, your budget might still benefit from buying some of your groceries in bulk. Buying larger quantities of items like coffee, cereal, and snack foods can be a solid way to save money and time -- does anyone really enjoy fighting with grocery store crowds any more often than necessary?

Plus, you'll still need household supplies like paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. If you have the space at home to store these items, you may as well buy them at Costco. Similarly, if you have extra freezer space, you can take advantage of deals on frozen convenience foods or stock up on meat and baked goods for future consumption.

You can score deals on big-ticket items

Costco might not be best known for sales on big-ticket items like appliances, electronics, and furniture, but this is indeed a valid way to use and enjoy your membership. And since Costco doesn't take manufacturer's coupons and instead creates deals for its members, you don't have to do anything special to save money on a big-ticket item.

Let's say you're looking for a new sofa. You can turn to Costco and save $350 on a Drayden fabric sectional (complete with throw pillows and an ottoman). Since the cost of your Costco membership is either $60 or $120, in either case, you're coming out ahead with a deal like this.

There are other perks to buying expensive items at Costco. For one thing, the retailer is legendary for its generous return policy. And if you buy a computer, TV, or major appliance, Costco will extend the manufacturer's warranty to give you two years of protection.

You can book a dream vacation

Costco members get access to Costco Travel, the warehouse club's in-house travel agency -- and while you can certainly book a family vacation there, you can also explore tons of options for couples' trips. For example, Costco just added package vacation options in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and you could book a stay at the adults-only Pink Palm Hotel in St. Thomas.

I put in some travel dates for October, leaving from my closest airport, and was quoted a price of $3,242.03 for myself and a companion for hotel, flights, and ground transportation. Plus, I'd get a $300 resort credit to use toward on-site activities or dining. If I was a Costco Executive member, I'd get 2% of that cost back, too.

But the big draw of Costco Travel is not necessarily the money savings (although, depending on where you go, you might indeed pay less for your trip). When you book with Costco Travel, you'll have travel professionals in your corner to help out when things go wrong or to ensure that your trip is otherwise the best it can be.

Costco is for everyone!

Costco membership isn't the exclusive purview of people with kids. Even if you and your partner have opted out of parenthood, there are still enough benefits to justify a Costco membership -- especially if you live near a warehouse location and will have plenty of opportunities to visit and save on in-person shopping. And getting a great deal on a vacation, a piece of furniture, or a new computer can more than cover your membership cost all on its own.

Pro-tip: Whatever you're buying, using one of the best credit cards for Costco is an easy way to benefit from rewards on your spending. Happy shopping!

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