Costco is one of the most popular stores that delivers bulk savings on everything from toilet paper to rotisserie chickens. With nearly 137 million cardholders, the warehouse giant offers membership plans to customers who want to save more on exclusive deals.
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Currently, a standard gold star and business membership costs $65 per year, while the executive membership costs $130 per year and includes 2% cashback on qualified purchases.
But what if Costco doubled its annual membership? Here are three ways that change could impact your wallet.
Also learn about the key signs you’re not making the most of your Costco membership.
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Less Room in Your Monthly Budget
Doubling Costco membership fees, from $65 to $130 or from $130 to $260, could hurt your monthly budget. This is especially true now that economists predict a looming recession. The extra $65 or $130 could have gone toward a week’s worth of groceries, a utility bill or your emergency fund.
For households already juggling groceries, mortgage, utilities, and debt repayment, the additional cost squeezes an already tight budget. And unlike regular spending, Costco membership is prepaid. You pay the full amount upfront whether you use it or not. So, unless you’re shopping more often to recoup the fee in savings, the membership fee becomes a sunk cost.
Try This: What $100 in Groceries at Costco Will Cost You at Walmart
Pressure To Justify Every Trip
For many people, shelling out double the price of a Costco membership could mean every shopping trip should count. This pressure can lead to overspending to make the membership worth it.
And if you prefer visiting Costco in person, each trip would be an investment if you factor in gas costs, your time and effort. A casual $100 stock-up visit could easily turn to $200 because you feel you have to.
You Might Cancel Your Membership and End Up Spending More
If the membership cost feels too steep, you might cancel your plan and start shopping at other stores like Sam’s Club, Target or Walmart. While this might be a smart move, you’ll probably end up spending more moving from one store to another comparing prices of items you’ve been buying from Costco. Not to mention the high chance of impulse buying.
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Sources
Statista, “Number of Costco card holders worldwide from 2014 to 2024.”
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What If Costco Doubled Its Annual Membership Cost? 3 Potential Impacts To Your Wallet
