Sam’s Club Drops Its Membership Fee to $15 — and Now Even Costco Fans Are Tempted

If you've been thinking of joining a membership-only warehouse club, now is the time to act—and grab a seriously discounted Sam's Club membership. Sam's Club's main competitor, Costco, is raising membership prices, and in response, Sam's Club is offering a limited-time offer for new members.

The regularly priced annual membership is $50, but if you join before Sept. 27, you'll get a price of just $15.

Joining now and implementing the best Sam's Club hacks can make that $15 instantly worth it in savings. Check out the top 10 discount buys that Sam's Club members say make it worth joining.

Don't Miss: 9 ways to tackle high grocery costs you won't hear about from your grocery store

1. Member's Mark Decorative Handwoven Storage Baskets

Price: $39.98

These Member's Mark Decorative Handwoven Storage Baskets come in a pack of four in either black or grey depending on what you need for your home.

You can get similar woven storage baskets at Target, but they’ll cost you $15 for one, making a four-pack cost $60.

2. Member's Mark White and Chocolate Cupcakes

Price: $15.98

No party is complete without cupcakes, and you can get enough to feed the whole crowd at Sam’s Club with a 30-count Member’s Mark package of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes

At just over fifty cents per cupcake, you’ll save a bundle compared to the 12 mini cupcakes for $4.79 at Target. You’ll end up with 36 mini cupcakes for the same price as 30 regular-sized at Sam’s Club.

3. Member's Mark Italian Style Beef Meatballs

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $17.98

Meatballs are a great appetizer for a party or an easy meal with some spaghetti, and they cost around 19 cents per ounce at Sam’s Club.

Target also has Italian-style meatballs under its Good and Gather label for $5.99 or 23 cents per ounce, so you may want to let those meatballs roll on by.

Stay prepared: 10 things you must do before the next recession

4. Member’s Mark Cotton Gauze Pillows

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $19.98

Member's Mark Cotton Gauze 2-Pack Pillows come in a variety of colors with each one measuring 22 inches by 22 inches.

Target carries similar-sized pillows, but a two-pack will cost you more than $70 for the pair.

5. Member's Mark Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $10.48

Enjoy delicious caramels encased in milk chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt in a 36-ounce container from your local Sam’s Club.

Walmart, which also owns Sam’s Club, has the same exact caramels for sale at Walmart.com, but they’ll run you $30.30.

6. Member's Mark Blueberry Muffins

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $4.98

Start your morning off right with a blueberry muffin from Sam’s Club that features plenty of blueberries and is sure to keep you going all day.

Blueberry muffins are also on the shelves at Walmart and for a dollar less too, but the $3.98 muffins come in a pack of four and not six muffins. That makes them more expensive per muffin than the Sam’s Club version.

7. Member's Mark Wild-Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $23.98

Salmon is a healthy fish option that you can cook with different toppings or toss on your grill in the summer. It’s also easy to grab when you have a two-pound bag from Sam’s Club.

You can also get Alaskan Sockeye Salmon at Target for $12.99 for one pound, making it $2 cheaper at Sam’s Club than at Target.

8. Member’s Mark Beach Towels

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $13.98

Always be prepared for the pool or the beach with a Sam’s Club two-pack of Member’s Mark towels for kids in a variety of prints. You’re bound to find something they like.

Compare that to a Licensed Character Beach Towel, which you can also get at Sam’s Club for $11.98 — but that’s only for one towel.

9. Member's Mark Clear Plastic Cups

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $11.98

It’s time to party, and you’ll know your guests have plenty to drink when you buy 264 clear plastic 9-ounce cups at Sam’s Club for 4.5 cents per cup.

Walmart also has the 9-ounce cups but in a pack of 100, which costs you 4.7 cents per cup or $4.68 for the pack.

It may be a better idea to get the bigger pack and make sure your friends and family are well-hydrated at your next party.

10. Member's Mark Apple Lattice Pie

Courtesy of Sam's Club

Price: $10.98

There’s nothing quite like an apple pie, and you can get a big 72-ounce version at Sam’s Club.

You could try an apple pie at Walmart, but the Freshness Guaranteed Apple Pie comes in a 24-ounce version for $5.87.

You would have to spend $17.61 to get the same amount of pie at Walmart as you would at Sam’s Club for almost $7 less.

Bottom line

If you love bulk deals, the $15 membership price promotion combined with Sam’s Club versions of products will help you save money on everyday essentials.

Don’t forget to make a list before you start shopping to help you stick to your budget and save money on groceries and other items when you shop.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).