Every year, Costco attracts droves of new members looking to score bargains on everything from personal care products and paper towels to fresh and frozen foods in bulk. Exclusive perks such as deeply discounted gasoline prices, deals on big-ticket electronics and appliances, and access to coveted Kirkland Signature store-branded items are among the major draws of membership to the warehouse club. While these incentives are, indeed, used to reward card-carrying Costco members, many of them are also designed to get shoppers to spend more.

We asked several shopping experts to reveal various methods the warehouse club uses to entice members to shop more frequently and impulsively. The retail pros also offered advice on how to avoid these spending traps that often ensnare newer members. Here's what they had to say.

Paying for a Costco Membership When You Don't Have to

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It's no accident that there are loopholes to Costco's membership policy that allow non-members to shop at the warehouse club. After all, what better way to lure in new members than offering a free glimpse of the benefits of paid membership.

The simplest way to shop at Costco without your own membership is with a free "household" card -- you're eligible if you live at the same address as a Costco member (perhaps a family member or a roommate) -- that allows you