Unlike a regular supermarket or big-box store, there's a cost to walking into a Costco warehouse and doing your shopping there. The current cost is $60 a year for a basic (Gold Star) membership, or $120 a year for an Executive membership that rewards you with 2% cash back on your purchases.

Now for many people, those fees are more than worth paying. But still, if you're going to pay for a Costco membership, it's important to make the most of it. And if these situations apply to you, it may be that you're letting your membership go to waste to some degree.

1. You're assuming it never pays to buy fresh food in bulk

Buying fresh food in bulk can be risky. If you don't consume your haul before it goes bad, you're essentially throwing away money.

But if you've never even considered buying perishable food at Costco in bulk, you may want to rethink that. There are certain so-called bulk items you'll find at Costco whose sizes aren't all that enormous.

Milk, for example, is sold by the gallon, which is a common size. But you may find a gallon of milk is cheaper at Costco than at your local supermarket. And certain fruits and vegetables may come in quantities that your family can easily go through before risking spoilage. So don't write off the idea of buying fresh food in bulk entirely.

2. You're not gassing up your car when you do your shopping

In many areas, the price you'll pay for Costco gas is considerably less than what you'll pay at other stations. So if you're not in the habit of filling up your car in conjunction with your Costco trips, you're missing out.

In fact, one thing you may want to do is specifically time your Costco outings to when your tank is low. It may not make sense to drive all the way to Costco to fill up your tank only. But if you're already there, you might as well benefit.

3. You're not giving Costco Travel a chance

If you're someone who's used to researching travel deals online and booking your own vacations, then you may not be so inclined to give Costco Travel a look. But that could be a huge mistake.

Costco offers dozens of travel packages that could save you a lot of money. Plus, when you book through Costco, you get the support of a team of dedicated customer service representatives to help you navigate any snags you might hit. It's also worth noting that booking a cruise or resort stay through Costco could give you perks you won't otherwise be privy to, like credits for things like spa services.

4. You're not scooping up gift cards on the cheap

Costco's selection of gift cards may be somewhat limited. But it pays to browse that section of the store or look online for the potential savings involved.

When you buy gift cards through Costco, you're paying less than the face value of those cards. So right now, for example, Costco is offering $100 worth of IHOP gift cards for $79.99. If your family's tradition is to eat breakfast at IHOP every Saturday, picking up these gift cards is an easy call.

The benefits you reap from a Costco membership may be more than worth the fee you're paying. But if any of these signs apply to you, it means you're potentially giving up a membership perk you should be taking advantage of. And in that case, you may want to change your approach to Costco shopping so you're able to enjoy your membership to the fullest and save as much money as possible in the process.

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4 Signs You're Letting Your Costco Membership Go to Waste was originally published by The Motley Fool