8 Costco Perks You Can't Afford to Pass Up

Costco is well known for its affordable grocery and personal care products, as well as for good prices on household items. The warehouse club offers great deals that let you spend less on your credit cards, as well as many Kirkland brand products you can't find elsewhere.

But there are some other Costco benefits you may not be aware of that could help you keep more money in your checking account, too. Here are eight of them to look into.

1. Cheap drugs for yourself and your pets

Costco's pharmacy offers great deals on human medications, with some drugs coming in as much as 40% cheaper at Costco than at other pharmacies. But it's not just human drugs you can save on.

Costco also offers a wide variety of pet medications, including heartworm and flea preventives as well as more specialized meds. When my dog was on heart medication, I was consistently able to pay less than half of what the vet would have charged by buying the drugs at Costco.

2. Affordable hearing aids

Costco offers several models of prescription hearing aids, with prices starting as low as $1,599. With the average price of a hearing aid coming in at around $2,000 or higher, this can be a pretty significant savings.

You can even get your hearing test done right at Costco as well, and enjoy free remote follow-up services from home.

3. Low-cost eyeglasses and contacts

Costco also provides both contact lenses and eyeglasses at discount prices for members, including specialty products like prescription sunglasses and high-definition, high-index lenses. Costco Optical accepts vision insurance, and surveys have shown Costco's prices on glasses are around 54% cheaper than other retail chains.

4. Gas that comes at a great cost and cleans your engine

Costco's Kirkland Signature Gasoline is advertised as having five times the detergent the EPA requires and, according to Costco, it's "formulated to clean your engine and help your vehicle run like new."

Research has also shown Costco gas prices are significantly cheaper than what most competitors offer -- sometimes, as much as $0.30 less per gallon. Being able to get high-quality gas for less money is a major win.

5. Cheaper insurance

Surprisingly, it's possible to buy both home and auto insurance through Costco. Policies come from CONNECT, which is powered by American Family Insurance. Costco members who switched their coverage reported they saved close to $600 on premiums in their first year after taking advantage of this Costco perk.

6. Shutterfly discounts

If you're interested in buying photo prints or products created with your photos, you'll be excited to discover the Costco Shutterfly partnership. Through this partnership, Costco members save 51% off Shutterfly's regular price and qualify for free shipping for any orders of $49 or more. You'll just have to add your Costco membership number to your Shutterfly account to get these price breaks.

7. Cars at lower prices

While you may not necessarily think of Costo as the first place to buy a car, the warehouse club's auto program can actually save you quite a lot on both new and pre-owned vehicles.

Costco works with pre-approved dealers through its Costco Auto Program so members can get special pre-arranged pricing at more than 3,000 dealerships nationwide. Members-only incentives are also available on some vehicles, such as a current deal providing between $1,000 and $2,500 off certain Volvo vehicles.

8. Discounts on home improvement installations

Finally, Costco works with a partner network of trusted service professionals who can install various products, ranging from carpet to HVAC systems to countertops.

When you work with a service professional you find through Costco, you'll often get special incentives to help bring the price down. For example, if you have certain hardwood, carpet, or laminate flooring installed now, you can qualify for a 10% Costco Shop Card.

These eight perks can all help you save money on various purchases you may need to make. If you're passing them up, you're missing out.