We are a family of 6 now. Our meal planning and grocery shopping looks TOTALLY different than it did just a few short years ago! We go through a lot of food (I mean A LOT!) and the way we eat has also changed. We value different things nutritionally now than we did before.
So, as many larger families find themselves in similar situations, we started shopping at Sam’s Club a couple of years ago. I must admit that at first we just wanted to go because it sounded like fun. We had a bunch of little kids and they got a kick out of riding in the double carts and looking at all of the seasonal decorations. We made it a family affair!
Now, we usually go to Sam’s about once a month. It’s a 45 minute drive for our family, so we don’t like to go too often, but we have found that in the grand scheme of things it really simplifies our life and the whole feeding my family thing just gets a little more manageable.
There are lot’s of things that make shopping at Sam’s club cost effective for our family, but there are a few things that just top the list. I’m going to share those with you today!
How We Save Money by Shopping at Sam’s Club as a Family of 6
Toilet Paper
With a big family, we go through toilet paper faster than we’d like to admit. Buying the small packs from a regular grocery store never lasts long, and we end up running back every few days to restock—spending more money in the long run. At Sam’s Club, we can buy toilet paper in bulk, which brings the cost per roll down significantly. Instead of paying for convenience-sized packs, we get a giant bundle that lasts us weeks, saving both time and money.
Another big perk is that we’re not constantly worrying about running out. With several kids in the house, toilet paper is one of those essentials that disappears quickly, and Sam’s Club’s bulk packs keep us stocked up. We’ve also found that the Member’s Mark brand offers great quality at an even lower price than name brands. For our family, buying toilet paper at Sam’s Club isn’t just about convenience—it’s one of those small, consistent savings that adds up to big benefits over time.
Paper Towels
With a large family, spills and messes are just part of daily life, which means we go through paper towels at lightning speed. Buying smaller packs from the grocery store barely lasts us a week, and the cost per roll is always higher. At Sam’s Club, we stock up on jumbo packs of paper towels, and the savings really show. Not only is the price per roll much cheaper, but we also don’t have to constantly restock, which saves us extra trips (and gas money).
Another benefit is that we can count on the quality. The Member’s Mark brand has become our go-to—it’s durable, absorbent, and just as good as the big-name brands, but at a lower price. With kids in the house, paper towels get used for everything from cleaning up juice spills to quick wipe-downs after dinner. Buying them in bulk at Sam’s Club keeps us prepared for the everyday chaos and saves our family money month after month.
Grass Fed Ground Beef
Feeding a large family means we go through a lot of ground beef, and buying it at regular grocery store prices can really add up—especially when we want the higher quality of grass-fed. At Sam’s Club, we’ve found that grass-fed ground beef is much more affordable when bought in bulk packs. The price per pound is lower than most local stores, and since we use it in so many meals—tacos, meatballs, burgers, casseroles—it makes sense to buy larger quantities at once. It comes in great one pound packs that make getting out the right amount from the freezer to thaw super simple and easy.
What we love most is that we don’t have to compromise on quality. Grass-fed beef not only tastes better, but it’s also leaner and healthier for our family. Being able to buy it at Sam’s Club means we can stick to our goal of feeding our kids wholesome meals without straining our budget. For a family that goes through ground beef quickly, bulk buying grass-fed at Sam’s Club is one of the smartest choices we make.
Milk and Eggs
With a big family, milk and eggs disappear from our fridge faster than almost anything else. Between cereal in the mornings, baking, scrambled eggs for breakfast, and using milk in recipes, we go through gallons and dozens every single week. Buying them in smaller quantities at the grocery store not only adds up in cost but also means extra trips when we run out. At Sam’s Club, we can buy milk by the gallon at a lower price per unit and eggs in larger cartons, which stretches further and saves us money in the long run.
The convenience of stocking up also makes life easier. Having several gallons of milk and multiple dozen eggs on hand means we’re always ready for quick breakfasts, after-school snacks, or family meals without worrying about running to the store. For our family, buying milk and eggs at Sam’s Club isn’t just about saving a few dollars—it’s about reducing stress, planning ahead, and keeping our kitchen stocked with the essentials we use daily.
Diapers
Anyone with little ones knows how quickly diapers add up in both cost and quantity. With a big family, especially when more than one child is in diapers, buying small packs from the grocery store just doesn’t make sense. At Sam’s Club, we can buy diapers in bulk boxes, which lowers the price per diaper and saves us from running to the store every few days. The savings really add up over time, and having a steady supply on hand brings peace of mind during busy family life.
Another reason we buy diapers at Sam’s Club is because they consistently have the best prices on trusted brands like Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs. We know we’re getting quality diapers that keep our babies comfortable while still saving money compared to other stores. With the bulk packs, we spend less, shop less often, and always feel prepared. For us, buying diapers at Sam’s Club isn’t just a convenience—it’s one of the smartest money-saving choices we make as parents.
Snacks for Car Rides with Little Kids
With a big family, car rides can get long and loud fast—so keeping everyone stocked with snacks is a must. Instead of buying small boxes of meat sticks, Larabars, or applesauce pouches at the grocery store (which disappear in a single afternoon), we grab the bulk packs at Sam’s Club. The price per snack is much cheaper, and buying in larger quantities means we can keep the car stocked and ready without constantly running out.
What we love most is that Sam’s Club carries the same name-brand snacks our kids already enjoy, just in family-sized packs that stretch our budget further. Having boxes of Larabars, packs of applesauce pouches, and plenty of protein-filled meat sticks on hand makes road trips, and errands so much easier. By stocking up at Sam’s Club, we save money and avoid the temptation of expensive drive-thru stops when hunger hits on the go.
Shopping Using Instant Savings
One of the best ways our family saves money at Sam’s Club is by planning our shopping trips around the Instant Savings deals. These limited-time discounts are applied right at the register—no coupons to clip or apps to download—which makes it simple for busy families like ours. We look through the Instant Savings booklet or check online before we shop, and then stock up on the items we use most while they’re at their lowest price. It’s an easy way to stretch our budget without sacrificing the things we need.
Since Instant Savings covers everything from pantry staples to household essentials, it gives us the flexibility to adjust our weekly meals and stock-up items based on what’s discounted. If chicken or snacks are on sale, we’ll plan more meals around those. If paper towels or laundry detergent are featured, we’ll grab extras to last us for months. By letting the Instant Savings guide part of our shopping list, we consistently save money and keep our home stocked with the things our family uses every day.
One of the main perks of shopping at Sam’s Club for me is freeing up mental energy.
As a mom, I feel like my brain is always juggling a hundred little details—meals, school schedules, laundry, errands, and everything in between. Shopping at Sam’s Club takes a huge load off my mental plate. Instead of constantly keeping track of whether we’re almost out of milk, toilet paper, or snacks, I know that one big trip to Sam’s will keep us stocked for weeks. Fewer shopping trips means fewer last-minute runs to the store and fewer decisions I have to make in the middle of an already busy day.
It also helps that Sam’s Club makes everything simple. I can grab bulk packs of the items we use every day, and I know I’m getting a good price without hunting through sales ads or clipping coupons. That peace of mind frees me up to focus on my family, not my shopping list. For me, shopping at Sam’s Club isn’t just about saving money—it’s about saving energy, time, and mental space so I can show up better for my kids and enjoy motherhood more.