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9 Tips to Save Money at Warehouse Clubs

October 30, 2015 by Lisa Park + 2 Comments

Tips to Save Money at Warehouse Clubs

I’ve had many people ask if it’s worth it to have a warehouse club membership such as Sam’s Club or Costco. The warehouse clubs claim to offer great savings because you are buying in bulk, but are you really saving money? If you think about it, every time you walk into a Sam’s Club or Costco you almost always walk out having spent at least $200 if not more. And on top of it you have a $45+ yearly membership fee.

I have a Sam’s Club membership because they do have good deals on certain products that I use regularly and I can’t always find those products on sale at a grocery store. But when I shop at Sam’s Club, it’s rare that I spend $200 in one shopping trip. So how is it that I don’t spend hundreds of dollars at a warehouse store? Here are 9 money saving tips how to save money at warehouse clubs and how to save when buying in bulk:

1. Create a Shopping List and Stick with It
Before you shop at a warehouse club, plan first by creating a shopping list. Once you are at the store, stick with the shopping list. It’s very rare that I add extra items into my shopping cart because I always stick to my shopping list. That’s part of the reason I don’t walk out of Sam’s Club spending $200+. Warehouse clubs have strategies to encourage impulse buying. They persuade shoppers to think they’ve found the best deal which leads to overbuying. If you see something you want that isn’t on your list, find out how long it will be around and then go home and compare prices.

2. Know the Price Points
When paying a membership fee you think all of the prices of the warehouse club products are slightly above wholesale price and that you are getting a good deal. However, that’s not always the case, and it doesn’t mean you always get the lowest price. There are many products you can get less expensive at a grocery store if you purchase it on sale. Be sure to know the price points of products and know what is a good deal and what’s not a good deal.  Buying in smaller quantities can sometimes be a better bargain, especially when taking into account sales, store and manufacturer coupons and other offers. Carry a calculator with you whenever you shop so you can break down the price per ounce or serving. To find the price per unit, divide the total cost by the amount in each container.

Products that you’ll more likely save money on by purchasing them at warehouse clubs include laundry detergent, batteries, diapers, wipes, milk, cheese and gasoline. Also you’ll save money on big-ticket electronics or major purchases, as long as you shop around first to make sure it’s the best deal, and eye wear. Read my tips here on how I saved 50% on my eye wear. And prescription medicine will cost you up to 50% less if you buy them at a warehouse store. There are many more items that could be listed here, but in the end make sure to know the price point of a product and if it’s a good deal before you buy it.

3. Shop Less
The more often you walk into a warehouse store, it’s likely you’ll end up spending more money. Plus, you’ll probably add items to your cart that aren’t on your shopping list. To save money at the warehouse store, shop there less. I only shop at Sam’s Club once every 2-3 months to pick up items that I haven’t been able to get on sale, use regularly, and isn’t less expensive on Amazon or at the grocery store.

4. Limit Food Waste
Don’t buy a product in bulk such as produce if you can’t use it all before it expires. Buy what you need and consume what you buy. There may be times when produce is a good deal at a warehouse club store, but if your family won’t be able to eat it all before it goes bad, then that’s a waste of money. Produce is often less expensive at a grocery store when on sale. I like to purchase produce at Walmart because I can price match all of the best deals from the grocery stores in my area and I’m saving money. Read these tips on how to price match at Walmart.

5. Purchase Store Brands
The store brands at warehouse clubs are almost identical to and often made by the name brands, but they are less expensive. Take time to compare the cost per unit, then purchase the store brand if it costs less. You’ll get the same quality only in different packaging.

6. Split the Tab
Team up with a friend who also wants to save money. Discuss which items you both use regularly and want to purchase at a warehouse club. Head to the store and shop together, split the tab, then return to to one of your houses to divvy up the products.

7. Extend Your Membership
When your membership is about to expire, stock up on enough nonperishable items that will last you three to six months. When you start to run low on those products then renew your membership. With this strategy, you only pay the membership fee every 15 to 18 months rather than every 12 months.

8. Look for clearance items
The best deals in warehouse club stores are many times the big displays or pallets in the middle of the store, around the perimeter and at the back of the store. They want to pull you in as deep into the store as possible because you are more likely to purchase something. If you are at Sam’s Club, look for a price that ends in a penny, such as $14.91, or anything marked with the letter C for clearance. If you are at Costco, check for a price that ends in 97 cents or an asterisk on the tag, which means the item will not be reordered.

9. Compare Online Before You Buy
Compare Sam’s Wholesale Club or Costco‘s online website before you shop at the physical location. Sometimes you can find better deals online their store websites. Plus, you’ll save money on gas by not driving to the store.

If you have a warehouse club membership, be sure you calculate if you are saving enough money to cover the membership fee. You may find that you’re not saving as much as you thought by shopping there. If that’s the case, then take what you would have spent on membership fees and use the money to stock up on sale items at the grocery store.

Warehouse Clubs

What are money saving tips and ways you save at warehouse clubs?

 

Buying Groceries on a Budget Final

Read these tips how to buy groceries on a budget.

Filed Under: Buying Groceries on a Budget, Frugal, Grocery Tips

Comments

  1. Joseph says

    October 30, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    I have a Sam’s Club Plus membership which cost an additional $60/year. With that I save more than enough in a year to pay for that addition through the rewards program and the instant savings. But like you said, you have to know your prices since not everything is cheaper at the club. Many times you can get meats on sale at grocery stores which will sell them at a loss to get you in, but I do find that most of the time the membership clubs can not be beat for cheap lean ground beef and their Rotisserie chicken which I can easily make 3 or 4 meals out of for two people.

    And using a shopping list is the only way to go. It is way too tempting to purchase those impulse items. Great article.

    Reply
    • Lisa @ Saving Cent by Cent says

      October 31, 2015 at 4:45 am

      It’s true that most of the time you can get meats on sale at grocery stores for less expensive. It’s important to know what is a good deal for meat and whether it’s a better deal that week at the grocery store or at a warehouse club. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by!

      Reply

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

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Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe
Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

#strawberryshortcake #strawberryshortcakecake #strawberries #strawberrycake #shortcake #homemadestrawberryshortcake #homemadeshortcake
Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe
Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

#strawberryshortcake #strawberryshortcakecake #strawberries #strawberrycake #shortcake #homemadestrawberryshortcake #homemadeshortcake
Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe

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