Every Person Over 50 Should Buy These Items From Costco

In the wide world of shopping, Costco and other big-box stores are in a league of their own. Where else can you buy, say, massive containers of Nutella and a filing cabinet in one fell swoop, followed by a $1.50 hot dog? But once you look past the novelty of the $4.99 rotisserie chicken and the food court's oddly delicious chicken bake, there are a lot of really useful things for sale, especially for folks over 50. Not only can you save a lot of money on food, but there's a whole slew of goods and services available under one roof that will make your life just a little easier.

Not only can you get an eye exam at Costco, you can also choose from a wide selection of frames, get great customer service, and buy them for a great price.

Kirkland Signature mattresses are made by Stearns & Foster, and are generally of the same quality but much less expensive than what you'll find at a mattress store. And not only will Costco deliver your new mattress, they'll even haul off your old one for an added fee.

If you're off to see the world but have an expired passport, it can be hard to know where to get new passport photos taken. But all you need to do for photos is drop by the Costco photo shop and present your membership card, and you'll be on your way with four photos for $4.99 in about 10 minutes.

No visit to Costco is complete without a trip to the food court. The $1.50 hot-dog-and-soda deal is one of the absolute best lunch deals anywhere (the price hasn't changed in more than 30 years!), the pizza is great in its own special way, and it's a good way to relax for a few minutes before loading up your car. And if you strategize correctly, you can eat enough free samples to comprise a decent lunch, too!

You can stock up on name-brand vitamins in bulk, but it's the Kirkland Signature vitamins that will really save you a lot of money in the long run. Not only can you buy them in much larger quantities than at your local pharmacy, but they'll be much less expensive here, as well. And if you're getting older, there are most likely some vitamins you should be taking, but aren't.

Rotisserie chicken is perfect for a weeknight meal, with leftovers that can last for days. And at $4.99, the rotisserie chicken at Costco is the cheapest you'll find pretty much anywhere.

No matter how old your dog is, you'll find top-notch dog food at Costco from Kirkland Signature, for a reasonable price. 

If you're looking for a heart-healthy snack, you can't do much better than nuts. And Costco sells them in huge containers for a great value, making this purchase a no-brainer.

Olive oil is the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet (named the year's best health regimen), and one of the healthiest oils around. Kirkland Signature's olive oil is one of the highest-quality mass market olive oils on the market; in a recent study by the University of California-Davis, Costco's brand was found to be one of the few imported olive oils that wasn't diluted or tampered with in any way. It also sells for a great price.

Regular Costco shoppers know that there are some great wine deals on offer. Costco is actually the country's largest wine seller, and with good reason: The Kirkland Signature line of wines, which mostly retails for less than 10 bucks, is uniformly very drinkable, and the other wines the store carries, from mass market to super high-end, are all great deals.

Kirkland Signature's toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues are all as good as — or better than —comparable products from the major producers. Add to that the facts that they're less expensive, and that they're sold in super-bulk, and you really can't go wrong.

If you need a flu shot, a shingles vaccine or a comparable immunization, you can get one at Costco without a membership. And if you don't have insurance, you'd be hard-pressed to find a less expensive provider.

Whether you're looking for a good summer beach read, a nice coffee table book for a gift or a hardcover of a classic novel, the book section at Costco is always full of inspiration. The prices are often marked down off the list price, as well.

If you're a regular Costco shopper (and are already buying vitamins and other OTC medication there) then there's no reason not to treat it like your regular pharmacy as well.

Costco Travel is an absolutely massive travel agency, and can get you great deals on all-inclusive vacation packages, cruises, theme park trips and hotel stays.

Costco does a robust rental car business, and finds great deals from all the major rental car companies. It also throws in some additional perks, like waiving the "one additional driver" fee.

Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are vitally important to have on hand, and Costco sells them all at great prices.

Dental health becomes more and more important as you get older, and Costco regularly offers great deals on electric toothbrushes.

Costco sells probiotics in larger quantities than just about anywhere else, and the price is also very competitive.

Golf balls may sound like an odd thing to buy at Costco, but in reality these are some of the most in-demand, highest-quality golf balls on the market, and are similar to Titleist Pro V1 balls but cost about 60 percent less.

The egg selection at Costco is pretty enormous, with just about every size on offer in varying quantities, along with free range and organic eggs. If you're in the need of two dozen large eggs for a great price, you know where to look.

If you're a cheese fiend, we're sure you've already noticed just how amazing Costco's cheese selection is, full of international cheeses everyone should try. So go ahead and get crazy; cheese is full of calcium, right?

Flowers are always a great gift, but they're also a perfect way to brighten up a house. Don't forget to drop by the flower department when you're at the store, and you can also order flower delivery through the website. 

Gift cards are always a welcome present, especially when you're pressed for time and unsure what the recipient is into. It's also perfectly reasonable to buy them for yourself, especially when they're selling for 20 percent off face value, as many of them do here. Buying gift cards at a discount is just one secret of Costco super shoppers.

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