Jun 28, 2026

6 Items the Frugal Middle Class Should Buy at Costco Before Summer Price Hikes

Written by Jamela Adam
|
Edited by Amen Oyiboke-Osifo
6 Items the Frugal Middle Class Should Buy at Costco Before Summer Price Hikes

With summer in full swing, some everyday essentials may get more expensive as demand picks up. 

So if you have a Costco membership, now’s the time to stock up on a few household staples before prices go up even more. 

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Here are six items that frugal middle-class shoppers should consider buying before summer price hikes.

Find Out: The Best Costco Buys for the Money Right Now

  • Price: $14.99

Summer is the time to gorge on fruit, but certain fruits can get quite expensive in this season. If you’re on a tight budget, these organic fruit and vegetable pouches are an easy and affordable way to get all your nutrients while on the go.

Each pack comes with 24 pouches, including Apple Strawberry Spinach and Apple Mango Yellow Carrot Peach flavors. Plus, they're USDA Organic, gluten-free, kosher, and contain no added sugar.

  • Price: $17.99

Laundry doesn't stop when summer arrives. You might actually find yourself washing your clothes even more often because of all the sweat from the summer heat. So if you’re planning on doing laundry a lot this summer, definitely invest in Costco's oversized detergent containers. This one in particular can wash up to 200 loads of clothes, which means it could last you months, or even years. 

  • Price: $28.99

Sunscreen is a must in the summer, but it can be pretty expensive if you buy it individually at Sephora or Ulta. If you have a Costco membership, it generally makes more financial sense to buy multi-packs like this 3-pack Biore UV Aqua Rich Weightless Moisturizer. It leaves no white cast and protects your face from UV rays without clogging pores.

Get Instacash
  • Price: $19.99

Summer means outdoor activities, road trips, and drinking more water to stay hydrated. Instead of buying individual water bottles from convenience stores or grocery stores, get them in bulk at Costco so you can spend less per bottle. This 24-count FIJI water only costs $19.99, which means you’re getting each bottle for just $0.83. 

  • Price: $23.99

Paper towels may not be the most exciting thing in your Costco cart, but you'll almost certainly use them, especially if you’re hosting backyard parties this summer. So if you have the storage space, buy a bulk pack now to save you from paying higher prices later in the summer. And when spills and messes happen, you'll be glad you stocked up.

  • Price: Varies

Though gas is not technically a warehouse item, Costco's gas stations are one of the cheapest places to fill up. According to CNN, Costco routinely undercuts local gas stations by around 30 cents a gallon. So if you have a Costco membership and want to save money on gas this summer, make sure to head over to take advantage of their lower gas prices.

Summer spending adds up fast. Enter MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway for a chance to win $500 — and give your budget a break. (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See Official Rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by
Jamela Adam
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke-Osifo