If you have a credit card that offers rewards, especially cash back, that's basically a discount every time you make a qualifying purchase.
I always use my Costco Business account VISA for all Costco purchases. I get a 2% rebate from Costco on everything I buy including gas & tires, PLUS I get another rebate from the Citibank Costco VISA card.
2022 rebates:
$ 132.81 Costco Credit Card Reward
197.72 Costco Gold Star Executive Rebate
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$ 330.53
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That's $330.53 I can use to offset the inflated prices of beef, gas, etc. I also use a vacuum seal system to package and freeze meats in smaller portions for later use.
The Citi Credit Card Reward rebate can be used toward another purchase OR redeemed for ca$h. The Costco member rebate is intended for use on future purchases, but if you ask the check-out person, they can ring up all but $1 on your Costco credit card and use the rebate certificate for the $1 amount. That way you get credit minus a buck for your next year's rebates, and you get the amount of the certificate minus a buck in cash as change. Otherwise, if you just pay for the purchase with the rebate certificate, and you get no credit toward your rebates. Have to learn the system to take full advantage.
Together, I'm getting about 3-5% in rebates combined each year. Inflation would have to rise above that to wipe out my savings at Costco completely. I use that Costco VISA at other grocery and department stores, too. In any event, the rebates more than pay for the annual membership fees, not to mention the deals you get over buying elsewhere. The price of gas alone can save you hundreds depending on how much you and your family use.
With reward cards, the more you spend, the more you save!