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If your Costco membership is up for renewal this October, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. In September, Costco raised the cost of its fees. Now, a Gold Star membership costs $65 a year, while an Executive membership offering 2% cash back on purchases costs $130.
Of course, if you've been getting great value from your Costco membership, then it's worth keeping it, even if it'll now cost you a bit more. But if these signs apply to you, then it may be a good time to cancel your membership.
1. The crowds are keeping you out of the store
Crowded stores are a big reason not to shop at Costco. But if you've stopped going to the store and are doing the bulk of your Costco shopping online, then it may be time to stop paying for a membership.
Although Costco.com offers its share of competitive prices, the real bargains come by purchasing items in stores. When you buy online, there's always a markup because Costco builds the cost of shipping and handling into its listed prices.
On the positive, if you use the right credit card to check out at Costco.com, you can enjoy a nice amount of savings to make up for those higher costs. Check out this list of credit cards offering great rewards at Costco .
But for the most part, you'll get more value from your membership by doing your Costco shopping in person. If you can't stand that idea, you may want to come up with a different solution for stocking your pantry and fridge. You may, for example, find that another warehouse club store is less crowded and therefore more tolerable.
Not going to Costco very often is a good reason to cancel your membership. But so is going there too often .
If you're the type to pop into Costco on a day when you're bored or have a light schedule, then you may be putting yourself at risk of impulse spending -- and wrecking the budget you've set .
Costco has observed an uptick in non-food spending among members. On its most recent earnings call, CFO Gary Millerchip said, "We have seen that as inflation has dissipated, our members have started to spend more on non-food items, which is really encouraging in our mind. And what we're really pleased about is the widespread nature of that across the different categories that we've seen in non-foods."
There's nothing wrong with buying items other than groceries at Costco. But you need to be honest with yourself. If you're going too often and buying things you don't need, it may be time to take the option off the table.
3. There's a more convenient way to get your hands on bulk groceries
A Costco membership has numerous benefits. But if there's an easier way to get access to groceries in bulk, why not cancel and make your life easier?
Perhaps your closest Costco is 30 minutes away from your home, while there's a Sam's Club 15 minutes away. And as a bonus, a Sam's Club membership costs less than a Costco membership, whether you buy the basic one or an upgraded one. You'll spend just $50 for a regular Sam's Club membership, or $110 a year for a Plus membership offering 2% back, like Costco's Executive membership.
Or, you may not need a warehouse club membership at all. If your local supermarket down the road carries the grocery items in bulk that you tend to use the most, you may be able to get the large quantities you need without having to drive out of your way, period.
Plus, don't forget that Amazon carries a wide range of non-perishable foods. And thanks to the site's Subscribe & Save program, you can set up automatic deliveries so you don't have to worry about running out of household staples.
As a bonus, you may be eligible for up to 15% off your scheduled deliveries with Subscribe & Save. Costco doesn't offer such a service, so you have to actively keep track of the items you use regularly and make sure you have the supply you need.
You shouldn't cancel your Costco membership this October because renewing it will cost more. If you were getting great value out of your membership before the recent fee hike, then chances are, you'll continue getting great value in the coming year. But if the above signs apply to you, then it may be time to say goodbye to Costco for good.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
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