We scoured Reddit posts authored by current and former Costco employees, in addition to content from personal finance creators such as @ecommjess and @financeunfolded, to crack the retailer’s price tag code. Keeping just a few of these tips in mind can help you understand when to jump on a deal, when to wait, and when an item is saying “farewell” forever.

1. Full-Priced Items Always End in .99

If a price tag ends in .99, you’re looking at a full-priced item. The price tag means that this is the best deal Costco was able to get from the supplier, and there haven’t been any further markdowns. You’re still getting a great deal compared to other supermarkets with less leveraging power, but as far as Costco goes, you aren’t seeing added savings on top of the already-low price.

2. Other 9s Are Discounted by Manufacturers

Products ending in .49, .59, .69, and so on (up to .89) represent special offers from manufacturers. This is done for a variety of reasons, from trial runs on new items to attempts to boost low sales. It’s not guaranteed that these products will stay at that price — they could go up if sales do well and the manufacturer sees a need for more, or they could drop even lower if they don’t fly off the shelves. If it’s a product you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to grab it now, in case the price goes up later.

3. 8s Mean Manager Discounts

You’re likely to see full-priced items sold at a discount if you can wait to make your purchase. Costco managers will mark certain products down for faster sales before they replenish their inventory, and these decisions are reflected right on the price tag. You’ll sometimes see price tags ending in an 8, which means an item has been reduced for quick sale.

4. .00 Also Means Low Stock for Quick Sale

You’ll also notice price tags ending in .00, which signals that a product has been marked down to get it off the shelves fast. Tags that end in an 8 or .00 generally represent discounts on a local level, which are, again, determined by management to get products out of the store as quickly as possible. If you spot tags ending in these numbers, those items are nearly out of stock and probably won’t be there if you come back for them later.

5. Great Deals End in a 7

If you see a tag ending in the number 7, such as .97, you’re looking at a fantastic offer that won’t last long. These tags represent clearance or markdown items that didn’t sell well, and management wants them off the shelves to make space for something fresh. These discounts may include perishable goods that are about to expire or overstocked items.

6. Check the Upper Right Corner for an Asterisk

An asterisk on a price tag, regardless of the number, means the item number is pending delete in the system, according to a Costco employee’s Reddit post. This happens for a few reasons — either an item is being discontinued, they’re changing the packaging (the most common cause), or it’s only available seasonally. The item won’t be restocked in its current form, however, so if it’s something you really love, you may want to ask a manager for clarification.

7. Don’t Overlook the Bottom Corner

Already-fluent Costco tag readers will want to keep this tip in mind — look for the date listed on the tag. You’ll see it in the bottom right corner, and it will tell you in an instant when the price was last changed. If it’s been weeks without any movement, the item may be set for a price drop soon.  

Pesto and Garlic

Pesto’s bright color and aroma make it summertime in a jar, and you can’t go wrong keeping it in your fridge. That said, the Kirkland Signature basil pesto is much bigger than its supermarket equivalent — a whopping 22 ounces — and it’s often hard to finish before mold develops. The answer? Get it into your freezer.

You could simply place one of the plastic jars in your freezer, as pesto maintains a firm, yet scoopable consistency when frozen. However, packaging it into zip-seal freezer bags is even more convenient because they can be stored flat and take up minimal space. When you want to use the pesto, just open the bag, break off a piece, and drop it into your pan.

You can use the same freezing technique with those 3-pound bags of peeled garlic cloves. Put them through your food processor in small batches, with just enough oil to help them puree to a smooth paste. Scoop the puree into zip-seal bags, press them flat to squeeze out any air, freeze them, and break off a spoonful as needed.

Shrimp

Frozen shrimp are a supremely versatile ingredient. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live in a place where fresh-caught shrimp are readily available, individually quick-frozen (IQF) shrimp aren’t a compromise; they’re your top-quality option. The shrimp are commercially blast-frozen immediately after harvest, so they stay super fresh.

To extend their shelf life in your freezer, open up the bulk bag and separate the shrimp into meal-sized portions. Use a vacuum sealer, if you have one, to maintain freshness; otherwise, use zip-seal bags and suck out as much air as possible with a straw. Pull out the preportioned bags and cook as needed for stir-fries, salads, or grilling. 

Baked Goods

Costco’s in-store bakery stocks some delicious items, albeit in “feeding an army” quantities that can be intimidating to smaller households. Most of these baked goods lend themselves to freezing, in their respective ways. Let’s look at a few, and how they should be frozen. 

Breads and Rolls

Freeze sliced loaves whole, then separate them into portions that make sense to you (from a half-loaf to two slices), and bag them for freezing. Rolls can be frozen, then wrapped individually, or bagged in small groups. Portion baguettes and other unsliced loaves before freezing and bagging.

Pies and Pastries

Costco’s oversized pies, sweet or savory, are excellent candidates for freezing. Portion them into halves, quarters, or slices; freeze on a parchment-lined sheet pan; then wrap or bag the portions. Danishes and other pastries can be wrapped individually or divided into smaller bags; freeze them first if bagging together to avoid sticking.

Muffins and Cakes

Muffins and cakes are some of the most easily squished baked goods, so they need to be frozen before you package them. If you find Costco’s jumbo muffins too big, halve them before freezing. Cakes can be frozen whole or in smaller portions down to the individual slice, whichever works for you. Just remember to freeze them on a sheet pan first, and if you’re putting multiple slices in the same bag, separate them with parchment paper.

Meats, Fish, or Poultry

A Costco-sized pack of meat, fish, or poultry will often rival the price of a loss leader at your local supermarket and typically offers superior quality, making it a better deal. Here’s how best to freeze these protein sources.

Steaks and Chops

Divide the steaks or chops into meal-sized portions, or wrap or bag them individually. If bagging multiple pieces, freeze them first and put parchment paper in between.

Roasts and Large Cuts

Roasts can be frozen whole, or broken down into smaller roasts, stew meat, stir-fry strips, or individual steaks and chops. Once the pieces are cut, wrap and freeze them individually.

Whole Fish or Fillets

Large fillets can be frozen whole for a big meal or cut up for several smaller ones. Bulk packs of smaller fillets can be divided and frozen, similar to steaks or chops. Whole fish can be frozen individually or filleted, depending on your needs and expertise. Skin-on portions will usually be scaled when you buy them, but you should always double-check. They’re easier to scale (or skin) before portioning.

Rotisserie Chickens

Costco’s famous rotisserie chickens are so popular and well priced that recipes calling for the leftovers are practically an industry in their own right. Shredding and portioning the chicken into freezer bags ensures you’ll always be able to knock out one of those quick meals. Plus, you can use the carcass to make delicious broth.

Butter

When Costco offers butter at a good price, it’s definitely worth it to stock up. Butter freezes beautifully and is already portioned, so it’s no fuss. If you plan to use it within a month or two, there’s no need for wrapping; for longer storage, a bag or storage container can prevent it from developing off flavors.

Fresh Produce

Finally, let’s look at which produce items are best suited for freezing. Scoring a deal on a large quantity of fruits or vegetables is an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget, but not all candidates are ideal for freezing. Certain items freeze better than others, and some (looking at you, potatoes) just aren’t worth it, because they’re cheap and plentiful. 

A quick online search, or a look through your supermarket’s frozen section, reveals the best vegetables to freeze. But this raises another question: Are you better off just buying them frozen? Commercially blast-frozen produce is often higher quality than home-frozen, so if a bag of prefrozen vegetables is comparable to the price of fresh, you’re usually better off skipping the extra work.

How To Freeze Vegetables

Most vegetables freeze better if you blanch them first in boiling water for 30 seconds or more, and then cool them rapidly in ice water. (Refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation for detailed instructions.) Drain the vegetables thoroughly before freezing them on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bagging them. Some vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, are best if sliced, briefly sautéed, then frozen in single-serving portions.

How To Freeze Fruits

Unlike vegetables, most fruits don’t require blanching, but those that are prone to browning, such as bananas, peaches, or apples, should be dunked in diluted lemon juice or a commercial anti-browning solution first. Your best bet for most fruits is cutting them into bite-sized pieces and freezing them on a sheet before bagging. Berries should also be frozen this way, though only the largest will need to be cut.

Tip: If you’re freezing apples or peaches for a pie, you can sweeten them, add the starch and spices, bag the mixture, and freeze it in your pie plate so the fruit assumes the right shape.