10 tricks to get the most out of your Costco membership

1. Hone your Costco shopping list and stick to it.

"Don't become overwhelmed with the deals," Woroch said. "That's actually an easy way to blow your money." She advises coming up with what she calls a "strategic shopping plan." Make a list and focus on the items you want to buy. Limit the amount of time you spend wandering the aisles trying to justify buying a Vitamix or a five-year supply of Scotch tape.

It might take a few trips to find out which items you like and fine tune your list. My current favorite bargain is Verka organic yogurt. It’s delicious, and the 64-oz tub can cost the same as a 16-oz yogurt at the grocery store.

2. Check your pantry before you shop.

Woroch said she advises people to do a pantry inventory as you make your list, so you don’t buy something you already have or forget an item you need. Then stick to that list!

3. Don't forget Costco deals on large purchases.

You get more from your Costco membership when you think beyond groceries, according to Woroch. You can find great deals on clothing, patio furniture, even beds. She also said that other discount outlets might have low prices, but they won't match Costco's quality.

Woroch suggested checking what's available at Costco when you need to make a large purchase. Don't be like me: I recently discovered (too late) that I could have saved $300 on my new iPad had I bought it at Costco.

4. Visit the alcohol section.

"If you want a $2 bottle of wine, Trader Joe’s is the store," Woroch said. If you want a really nice wine, go to Costco for the best prices. She gives Costco's Kirkland brand vodka high marks, too.

5. Get great deals on wedding gifts.

"I find that their selection of small kitchen appliances is really good at really good prices," Woroch said. Costco may not be the best place to buy a specific china pattern, but if the wedding registry includes a generic request for a blender or food processor, you're sure to find something to please the happy couple.

When you shop for wedding gifts at Costco, you get more than the benefit of lower prices. You'll also be giving the gift of Costco's quality assurance and great return policy.

6. Buy your next sheet cake at Costco.

Don’t miss out on Costco’s great bakery deals, especially the sheet cakes. You can get any flavor you want, as long as you want chocolate or white cake. A half sheet cake can cost less than $20 and feed up to 48 people.

You can get a custom-decorated cake if you order ahead, but don’t worry if you have poor planning skills. The bakery keeps sheet cakes in stock and you can pick one up an hour before your son’s birthday party. He'll never know the difference.

The cakes aren't just cheap — they’re tasty, too. One of my friends got a Costco cake for her daughter’s graduation party and it was so delicious that the entire giant sheet had disappeared by the end of the night.

7. Buy discounted gift cards.

Costco sells gift cards for restaurants, theaters, and more. You can often save 20% on a bundle of cards. Woroch suggested using these cards not only as gifts but to save money at your favorite restaurants.

8. Use Costco for travel deals.

You might not realize that Costco offers deals on hotels, packages, and attractions, because you can’t put a beach vacation in your giant shopping cart, but Woroch said this is a great way to save.

She said she was recently able to book a car for a week in Maui for around $200, a great deal for Hawaii.

9. Fill your tank and your belly before you go home.

Woroch said that Costco’s gas pumps can be significantly cheaper than local gas stations, so be sure and fill up before you go home. A recent survey by Oil Price Information Servicefound that Costco gas stations in Pennsylvania were between nine and 22 cents cheaper than the average gas price in the state.

She also likes the food court; it's a great way to feed the whole family for just a few bucks.

"I think [Costco pizza] tastes really great compared to the other pizza places in my area," she said.

10. Still not convinced? Skip the membership fee.

"If you don’t really have a necessity to go often," Woroch said, "you can give a friend or family member cash and they can buy a Costco cash card," which allows you entry to the store. Better yet, tag along with your friend: Each member can bring in one guest.

Costco now lets guests pay with their own Visa credit cards or debit cards, so it's easier than ever to take advantage of all that Costco has to offer.