Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
I’ve been asked upon more than one occasion whether or not I think a membership to a wholesale club like Sam’s Club is worth it or not. While there is no tried and true answer – it depends upon the size of your family, your shopping habits, and exactly how many times you will go – there are still plenty of ways to save money at Sam’s Club. Plus there are at least 10 things I think you should purchase there because it’s rare to find them priced lower anywhere else.
Employer Membership? Plus Membership?
You may not know it, but your employer might have a group membership at Sam’s Club or it might be a perk of your job. We’re thankful that this is the case for us, but I’ve chatted with people that didn’t even know about theirs before. So check with your HR department and ask. As a side note, you might also have reduced or free rates at fitness clubs, community organizations and more so it’s always a good idea to ask. If you’re debating a membership at Sam’s, it’s a good idea to get a handle on your options at home before you go into the club. You can see all of the benefits between the different levels of membership here. If you’ve determined that you’ll stay at a basic level, go in with your mind made up. Like any good business, Sam’s will want to dazzle you with the benefits of a plus membership. It might be in the best interest of a select few, but most of us don’t shop at Sam’s often enough to require a plus level membership.
Shop with a List
Probably one of the biggest pulls of a warehouse club like Sam’s is that you never knew how many things you wanted until you walked into the door. You came for a bulk package of diapers and left with a big screen TV. Or you only needed snacks for your child’s sports team and came back home sporting a new diamond ring. If you want to save money at Sam’s Club, do yourself a favor and be sure you have a targeted list and then stick to it.
Formula Checks
If you use formula, you might be able to score a good deal at Sam’s Club on it. While Sam’s Club does not take coupons, formula checks are considered legal tender so you should be able to use them there (unless the policy has recently changed).
Check the Unit Price
Buying in bulk is not always your most economical move. I constantly have to remind myself when I’m shopping at Sam’s Club that just because it’s in the biggest container, it doesn’t mean it’s the best price. So be sure you’re calculating how much you’re spending per unit or oz. before you dive in and load up your cart.
Clearance
Hallelujah, I love me some clearance at Sam’s Club. Especially when it comes to clothing, you can find a humdinger of a deal on clearance items. Our Sam’s Club typically has a few items pulled up front near the registers, in the clothing section, and then in the back of the store. The electronics section also has a scratch and dent/opening box/display model clearance aisle, too. Zip through the clearance and see what you can find. Last night, I spied $2 jeans.
Instant Savings
If you’re a Sam’s Club regular, you may have noticed little signs declaring “Instant Savings” recently. These price reductions are automatically electronically loaded to your membership card. If your address information is current with Sam’s Club you should also receive a booklet throughout the year that lets you know what those special prices will be. You can read more about Sam’s Club Instant Savings here.
Skip the Warranties
This might make some of your cringe, but we skip any kind of additional warranties that you’re offered in any store. These are a sales tactic to make you feel safe but rarely do you actually end up using them. Or if you actually do purchase one, they run out right before you need it. It’s a money making system
Ten Items to Buy at Sam’s Club
- White Vinegar: It’s our number one household cleaner and the best price I’ve been able to find per unit. You’ll find a box of 2 1 Gallon Bottles in the dry goods/salad dressing area of the store. I almost always miss it even though I have purchased it for years. It’s a green and white box and clocks in for under $3 total.
- Taylor Farms Asian Chopped Salad: So this is a complete personal taste but there are two varieties of Taylor Farms Chopped salads that you can find in the produce refrigerators at Sam’s for only $2.58 (usually around $4 at Meijer & other grocery stores). Not all of the prices on other produce are the cheapest, but I typically pick up a large bag of Pink Lady Apples and a double pack of sugar snap peas whenever I’m at Sam’s. The quality has always been high and the price per unit low. I recently grabbed some organic carrots while I was there, too because they were an Instant Savings special.
- Meat Special Buy: Each week, our Sam’s Club features a special meat deal. I always peek and see what’s on sale when I’m there. Last night there was pork loin for $1.98 per pound. Granted, unless you’re feeding a large number of people, you might need to divide and freeze the meat into meal sized portions.
- Deli Pizza: Sam’s has rather large and delicious deli pizzas for as low as $5.98. It will feed a troop of people and you can even request that they bake them in their cafe area. I have a friend who also swears by buying the pizza dough from the cafe area in bulk. Then she thaws it, spreads with her own toppings, and feeds her hungry boys.
- OTCs: Our ENT actually pointed out to me that Sam’s Club had the best price for the nasal spray our daughter has been prescribed. You definitely don’t want to glaze over the Pharmacy area.
- American Girl Books & Gifts: I have two daughters who are gaga for American Girl but obviously we don’t buy too many of these items. When it comes to books and gifts, Sam’s Club has a regular rotation at a fraction of the price. They do not carry the toys or accessories, but occasionally there will be a gift set with a book and stuffed animal or book and miniature doll.
- Swim Suits: I almost always purchase our swim suits from Sam’s Club. You can purchase a well built suit for around $13 for girls. Adult suits are a bit more expensive but last for years.
- Books and Bibles: I love the competitive pricing on books and Bibles in Sam’s. I’ve bought more than one title and a gift or two from their selection.
- Gift Cards: Most gift cards are for sale under face value at Sam’s Club. My favorite offering is a three pack of $25 Outback gift cards that includes a $10 bonus card priced at $71 and change. You’ll have to look around the kiosk to find it because there’s more than one special packaging of Outback gift cards. More than one friend has mentioned to me the advantage of purchasing Disney Gift Cards at Sam’s and then using them to purchase souvenirs at or even their tickets to Disney World.
- Photo Cards: Sam’s Photo development area has some of the most competitive prices when it comes to speciality photos like Christmas cards, collages, and posters. The photo mini-books at $3.96 are awesome and make a great gift.
What would you add? What items do you think Sam’s Club offers at the most competitive prices?
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
