Ah, finally, summer is here. Time to break out the tank tops and swimming trunks and pack up the ice scrapers and floor heaters. Where I currently live (Oregon), the rainy weather has finally subsided and the days are filled with sun, sun, and more sun.
To be fair, my local Costco has been preparing for this moment for quite some time, replacing the old winter jackets and sweatshirts with short sleeves and sandals even before our local temperatures broke 70 degrees. But now that summer is in full swing, my Costco has a full stock of warm weather products. If you’re looking to save money this summer, here are five Costco products to buy.
1. Off! Insect repellant
Price: $18.99 (in-store)
If you live where the mosquitoes like to bite, now might be the time to get your mosquito spray before the swarms come out of the swamps. At Costco, you can buy a three-pack of Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent for $18.99. This pack comes with two 6-ounce containers and one 4-ounce container. It can repel ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, and gnats, among other insects.
2. Gatorade
Price: $18.99 (online)
For about $19, you can buy 28 bottles of Gatorade. That’s eight Fruit Punch, 12 Lemon Lime, and eight Orange. This is one of the lowest prices on Gatorade you’ll find. For comparison, Walmart sells the same pack of Gatorade for $29.99, while Amazon sells an 18-pack of the same flavors for $13.99. In fact, the only retailer that has a significantly lower price is Sam’s Club, which sells 28-packs of Gatorade for $15.78.
3. Scotts Max Lawn Food
Price: $53.99 to $59.99
Fertilizing your grass keeps it looking healthy and green, but it’s not cheap. At Lowes, you can buy 10,000 square feet of Scotts Green Max Lawn Food for $65.98, while Ace Hardware sells half as much for $37.99. Meanwhile, Costco sells 14,000 square feet for an ultra-low in-store price of $53.99, or $59.99 online. I’ve even seen a special on this particular brand of lawn food that brought the price down to $42.99.
4. Ortho Home Defense Insect killer
Price: $29.99
Insect repellent can keep the bugs away when you’re outside, but for those critters that like to sneak indoors, you’ll need to buy insect killer for your home. Costco sells two 1.33 gallon jugs of Ortho Home Defense insect killer for $29.99. Last time I was at my local Costco, I even saw these jugs on sale for $23.99. That in-store price would beat Walmart, which currently sells a single 1.33 gallon jug for a sale price of $12.80.
5. Country Time Lemonade
Price: $10.99
After killing bugs and spreading fertilizer on your grass, you’ll need something to quench your thirst. Country Time Lemonade powder comes in a tall 82.5 ounce container that looks as if it was designed to hold tennis balls. Although there are cheaper lemonade powders out there, this is a good price for the Country Time brand name. Walmart, for example, sells the same size Country Time Lemonade for $16.88.
All in all, Costco’s deals can help you budget for your summer expenses. If you plan to stock up on any of these in large quantities — like, if you’re planning to feed a baseball team — consider getting an Executive membership ($120 annually). You’ll earn 2% in cash back on up to $1,000 in total rewards each 12-month period. The rewards can add up for summer expenses, especially if you’re planning to buy a vacation package through Costco Travel, as that, too, will earn 2% back.
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