Shopping at Costco can be a great way to save money, but you might not be maximizing your savings. Imagine how much extra cash could be in your wallet if you optimized your buying strategy. With a little extra effort, you can fine-tune the way you shop at the bulk retailer and find unique Costco deals.

As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart boasts a massive selection on everything from staples like groceries and clothing to camping equipment and pet supplies.

However, don’t let the retailer’s 5,000 location footprint lead you to believe that you’re always getting the best deal.

Here are the 12 best and worst ways to spend your money at the superstore.

No matter what type of budget you’re working with, there’s a chance you’re overspending on a few purchases without realizing it. Whether you’re shopping online or heading to the grocery store, you need to be aware of average prices and retail trends so you can really get the best deals. Doing so can help you save money and keep your budget in check.

Click through to discover the easiest ways to save money now — and take notice of what you’re overspending on.

The round of tariffs imposed on some $200 billion worth of goods imported from China went into effect in early September. The tariffs are currently at 10 percent but scheduled to kick up to 25 percent at the start of 2019, barring a deal with trade representatives from China. And as America heads into the holiday shopping season — a critical period for the retail industry — plenty of concerns abound about where consumers will be feeling the pinch.

The simple fact is that many shoppers aren’t familiar with what, exactly, they’re buying that’s coming from China. But that might change in a hurry if prices on some of the country’s favorite things jump just in time for Christmas. So, here’s a closer look at what things you love that might soon cost a lot more.

American shoppers are going gray. Chalk it up to aging baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. There are roughly 74 million of them alive today, still outpacing millennials, with the first wave of boomers already entering retirement. And boomers like to shop. In particular, they like to shop at Costco. More older shoppers prefer the warehouse club over popular retailers such as Walmart and Target, and boomers are more likely than millennials to renew their Costco memberships.

So it makes perfect sense that Costco caters to retirees and near-retirees, despite the stereotype that it only sells bulk items that are too much for an empty nest. As a boomer and regular Costco shopper, I already knew this from personal experience, but recent research trips to my local warehouse clubs revealed even more deals aimed at the mature market that I hadn’t noticed before. Here are 15 things I found that uniquely appeal to retirees. Check them out.

Nobody wants to be thought a cheapskate. But, at times, it makes good financial sense to purchase a cheaper option if you can.

A high price tag doesn’t necessarily make something better. Often low-cost items will serve your needs just as well, or the higher quality option may not be worth the extra money.

Other times, there’s little or no difference in quality between the priciest and cheapest versions of products. Here are eight times when it’s smart to be cheap.

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WALMART VS. DOLLAR TREE

Dollar stores are brimming with bargains, and often beat Walmart on the price of many items. But Walmart can give shoppers more bang for the buck on some consumer favorites. Cheapism.com compared prices on similar items at Walmart and Dollar Tree, the nation’s largest chain of dollar stores, and found 10 that are cheaper at Walmart. The savings are substantial on some items, and pocketing a few extra pennies on others can add up over time. (Although the products were comparable, they weren’t always identical, as the dollar store carries relatively few name brands.)