10 Incredibly Common Mistakes People Make at Sam's Club

For the price of a small membership fee, Sam’s Club members can access low prices that are tough to beat at other retail stores.

But if you go in without a plan or purpose, it can be easy to spend more money than you intended. This quickly defeats the purpose of shopping at a discount or warehouse store.

By doing your research before you shop, you can avoid wasting money . Here are the 10 most common mistakes that cost shoppers when they shop at a Sam’s Club.

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1. Sleeping on subscription discounts

Did you know that your Sam’s Club membership gives you access to discounts on certain subscription services that help you keep more money in your bank account ?

For example, Sam’s Club members currently save 33% on the at-home fitness subscription service Daily Burn Premium.

You won’t find these offerings in stores, so it’s important you do your research online to unlock them.

2. Shopping on the weekend

The weekend is probably the most convenient time to do your warehouse shopping. The only problem is that it’s likely the best time for everyone else.

Shopping among big crowds is an easy way to burn yourself out. It’s not easy to stock up on the latest deals when all your mind can think about is how quickly you can escape the throes of people.

Try to get your Sam’s Club visits done on weekdays. If you must shop on the weekends, do it early.

3. Buying expiration dates you can’t outrun

In addition to saving money, one of the benefits of buying in bulk is that you don’t have to worry about repurchasing items anytime soon.

However, this is really only convenient for items that don’t expire or that have expiration dates far in the future.

When you’re stocking up on a product, make sure the expiration dates give you plenty of time. The last thing you want to do is create product waste.

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4. Paying full price for a membership

At $50 per year, a Sam’s Club membership is often cited as one of the best deals in retail.

However, if you’re feeling particularly thrifty, there are many opportunities throughout the year to get a discount on the full-priced membership.

For example, during the July 4 holiday in 2022, Sam’s Club offered $8 yearly memberships to new members for a limited time. We’re not sure if that will happen again this year, but it might be worth it to wait and see.

5. Going in without a list

If you don’t keep a grocery list, you’re not alone. We’re all so busy that many of us barely have the time to put a list together. Or worse, we take the time to make a list and then accidentally leave it at home.

Taking a list into Sam’s Club makes it easier to avoid impulse buys and stick to your budget, which can prevent you from getting out of debt .

If you find that you often lose paper lists, it might be time to keep your supply needs on your phone. Chances are good you take your phone everywhere.

6. Not double-checking prices

One of the reasons Sam’s Club maintains a loyal customer base is that its retail model allows it to offer low prices on everyday items.

However, if you unconditionally accept this as the truth, you’re bound to get caught up in the exception that proves the rule.

While many items at Sam’s Club are cheaper than they are elsewhere, make sure you still do your research before buying. This is especially true if you’re buying a high-ticket item, such as a TV or other electronics.

7. Shopping for a small army

Warehouse shopping centers have long been a favorite of large families. However, there are still ways you can benefit from buying items in bulk if you live by yourself or with a small family. You just need to shop mindfully.

While that giant bag of potato chips may make sense for movie night when you have a family of five, those in small families need to consider whether they will be able to finish the chips before they go stale.

This is especially important to remember when dealing with perishable items, like produce, meat, or dairy. Don’t shop like you have an army to feed — unless, of course, you do.

8. Eating before you shop

In most cases, the rule is to eat before you shop. After all, shopping when you’re hungry just means your eyes will likely be bigger than your stomach, and you’ll pick up more food than you actually need.

However, when you’re shopping at Sam’s Club, you can go about things a little differently, thanks to the retailer’s cafe.

At the cafe, there are many low-price snacks and meals to keep you well-fueled while you shop. Choose from pretzels, pizza, hot dogs, sundaes, and more. So, it’s OK to come into the store a little hungry.

9. Ignoring the clearance section

When you’re shopping at Sam’s Club, you might not even think about visiting a clearance section. After all, the items at the store are already discounted, so what’s the point of looking for sale items?

Big mistake. Sam’s Club maintains a revolving door of clearance items in its warehouses, and it carries a selection of home goods, toys, and more. They’re well worth a look.

10. Shopping without a Sam’s Club MasterCard

If you’re shopping at Sam’s Club often, you might want to look into applying for a Sam’s Club-branded MasterCard.

This card gives you the potential to earn cash back on your Sam’s Club purchases — a game changer for anyone who shops at Sam’s Club often. Plus, the card conveniently doubles as your membership card.

Bottom line

Now that you know the costly mistakes to avoid at Sam’s Club, compound your savings by using one of the top rewards credit cards when you shop (be it a Sam's Club MasterCard or not).

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be making cash back on all of your purchases at Sam’s Club, or anywhere else. Happy shopping!

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).