In a world where every penny counts, savvy shoppers know that Sam’s Club is a treasure trove of savings waiting to be discovered. With its reputation for offering quality products in bulk, this membership-based warehouse club is a haven for those looking to stretch their dollars further.
Our family has not ever had a membership to Sam’s Club in the past for a few reasons. First, there isn’t a Sam’s Club in the town that we live in. Second, I have never felt like I could justify the membership fee!
But, this month I got a promotion that allowed me to get a membership for WAY under what it usually is, so I went ahead and took the leap!
I’m excited to share with you guys the good deals I’ve found at Sam’s Club and the things that I think you could buy elsewhere and save money.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the top items you should always buy at Sam’s Club to maximize your savings and elevate your shopping experience.
The first thing that I noticed you should really get if your family goes through large amounts very quickly like mine does is pantry staples.
I’m talking oats, rice, pasta, canned goods, flour and sugar.
Pantry Staples that I Buy at Sam’s Club
Rice: Stock up on rice varieties, from long-grain to jasmine, for unbeatable savings. Rice has a long shelf life and is a versatile staple for countless dishes.
We go through SO MUCH rice. In the past I’ve just bought it in the 5 pound bags from Walmart. At Sam’s Club you can get it in a much larger package and it’s quite a bit cheaper per ounce than what I was buying at Wal-Mart.
Pasta: Sam’s Club offers an array of pasta shapes and sizes. You’ll not only save money but also reduce the number of grocery runs.
This is something that we don’t eat a TON of, but it’s always nice to have on hand for my kids that are always hungry! Pasta can make a quick lunch or dinner when I don’t have anything else ready. We have loved having several large boxes on hand, and the prices are really quite a bit cheaper than buying elsewhere.
Canned Goods: From canned vegetables to soups and sauces, the selection at Sam’s Club is vast. Buying in bulk means fewer trips to the store and more savings.
This is something that I’m picky about what I purchase! Some of the canned goods at Sam’s Club end up being MORE per ounce than their counterpart at Wal-Mart. Look at the products that your family eats a lot of (for us it’s black beans!) and check to see if the generic brand at Wal-Mart is cheaper than the multi pack you can get at Sam’s Club.
Flour and Sugar: These are things that our family goes through QUICK because we bake so much! So, I don’t have to worry about the product going bad before we can eat it all. However, if you don’t use a lot of flour or sugar, I would recommend that you DON’T buy these huge containers because you don’t want to waste food and let it go bad.
Household Products I Buy at Sam’s Club
When it comes to household essentials, Sam’s Club is a game-changer for your budget:
Cleaning Supplies: From laundry detergent to cleaning sprays, you’ll find brand-name cleaning supplies that will keep your home spotless without breaking the bank.
Toiletries: Stock up on toiletries like shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper. These items are essentials you’ll always need, and buying them in bulk means fewer last-minute trips to the store.
Paper Products: Sam’s Club offers an extensive selection of paper towels and toilet paper at super competitive prices. Also, whenever you don’t have to worry about buying toilet paper for a LONG time it is a good day in my book!
Savings Tips for Sam’s Club
Instant Savings: Keep an eye out for Instant Savings offers on select products, providing additional discounts. These change just about every month and they are SUPER good deals. I always am sure to buy things that our family uses if they’re included on the instant savings.
Scan & Go App: Download the Scan & Go app for a seamless checkout experience and access to exclusive offers. There are some items (check you app for the current ones!) that have savings that you’ll receive only if you use Scan & Go! Also, avoiding the check out line with a bunch of little kids it a huge win.
My Simple Rule Before I Buy Anything at Sam’s Club
Before I even put something in my cart at Sam’s Club, I quietly ask myself three questions.
Is this something we already use every week
Is this a better price than what I can get at Walmart or Kroger
And will we actually use it before it goes to waste
If the answer is yes to at least one of those, I will consider buying it.
If not, I leave it on the shelf no matter how tempting it looks.
That simple habit is what keeps me from overspending.
How I Use Sam’s Club in My Grocery System
I do not use Sam’s Club for everything.
Instead, I use it as my stock up store.
I still shop at Walmart for everyday groceries and Kroger for digital coupons and weekly deals.
Sam’s Club is where I go when I want to buy larger amounts of things we already know we will use.
That small change in mindset made a huge difference for our grocery budget.
Pantry Staples I Always Watch for at Sam’s Club
These are the kinds of items I almost always buy when the price is right.
Things like pasta, rice, flour, sugar, and canned goods.
I do not buy them every trip, but when I see a good deal, I will stock up.
The reason this works so well is because these are shelf stable items. They do not go bad quickly, so I can store them and use them over time.
Having a stocked pantry gives me peace of mind, especially with a large family.
Butter, Cheese, and Dairy Items I Stock Up On
Dairy is one of those categories that can really add up if you are not careful.
So when I find a good deal at Sam’s Club, I pay attention.
I will usually pick up items like butter, shredded cheese, and block cheese when the price per unit is clearly better than what I can find elsewhere.
We use these constantly, so it makes sense for me to buy them in bulk when I can.
I just make sure I freeze or store them properly so nothing goes to waste.
Meat I Only Buy When the Price Is Right
Meat is one of the biggest parts of our grocery budget, so I am very careful here.
At Sam’s Club, I will only buy meat if it is clearly a better deal than my regular stores.
When I find a good price, I will buy several packs at once and freeze them.
That usually includes chicken, ground beef, or pork when it is on sale.
This is one of the biggest ways I stretch our grocery budget over time.
Household Items That Save Me the Most Money
These are not the most exciting things to buy, but they are some of the most helpful.
I often stock up on:
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent
Dish soap
Buying these in bulk means I am not running to the store as often, and the cost per use is usually lower.
It is one of those quiet ways savings add up without you noticing right away.
Snacks and Kid Favorites
If you have kids, you already know snacks can disappear quickly.
At Sam’s Club, I sometimes buy snacks in bulk, but only when it makes sense.
I still compare prices with Walmart because sometimes Walmart is cheaper for snack items.
If Sam’s Club has a better deal on something we already buy, I will grab it. If not, I skip it.
How I Save $80 to $100 Every Trip
On a typical trip to Sam’s Club, I usually save between eighty and one hundred dollars compared to what I would have spent buying those same items elsewhere.
That savings comes from three simple habits:
Buying only what is on a good deal
Stocking up when prices are low
Avoiding impulse purchases just because something looks like a bulk bargain
It is not about buying more. It is about buying smarter.
What I Do Not Buy at Sam’s Club
This part is just as important as what I do buy.
I usually avoid:
Fresh produce unless it is clearly cheaper
Items we are not already using
Bulk foods that might go to waste before we finish them
Just because something comes in a big package does not automatically make it a good deal for my family.
I learned that the hard way early on.
How This Fits Into My Overall Grocery Routine
Sam’s Club is just one piece of my grocery routine.
I use it for bulk stock up trips. I use Kroger for digital coupon deals and weekly savings. I use Walmart for everyday low prices and fill in items.
Once I stopped expecting one store to do everything, grocery shopping became much easier and more predictable.
The Products I Always Buy from Sam’s Club
Every Sam’s Club shopper has their favorite go-to items. Here are some of my personal recommendations:
Rotisserie Chicken: An incredible value and a quick meal solution for busy nights.
Chocolate Chips: I was SHOCKED when I discovered that the brand name chocolate chips in this HUGE package was actually cheaper per ounce than the store brand I’ve been buying at Wal-Mart! That’s a big win for me!
Members Mark Peanut Butter: Sam’s Club Brand peanut butter is sold in a two-pack and is a great deal. It’s cheaper than I’ve found per ounce in generic brands at Kroger and Walmart.
Pumpkin: We go through a lot of pumpkin in our house. These multi packs are a good deal and allow me to not have to re-buy every time we want to make a pumpkin dessert.
Oats: We go through oats super quickly in our house! I was totally surprised that I could get the brand name oats cheaper per ounce than I could get the generic at Walmart and Kroger! This also isn’t a totally huge package, so if your family doesn’t go through this many as quickly as mine does you probably won’t have to worry about it going bad.
Members Mark Products: Sam’s Club’s private label offers quality at a lower price point. Look out for Members Mark Brand items throughout the store.
In the quest for savings, Sam’s Club is actually a pretty good deal! I was definitely a skeptic, but with a little bit of research it is something that has paid off. I’m really looking forward to finding the best deals this year and saving my family even more money! With its extensive range of products, Sam’s Club is a treasure trove of opportunities to save. By stocking up on pantry staples, fresh produce, household essentials, and more, you’ll not only reduce your grocery bill but also enjoy the convenience of fewer shopping trips. Make the most of your Sam’s Club membership, and let your savings soar to new heights. Happy shopping!