Shopping at Sam's Club can be a fantastic way to save money on everyday purchases . Although the per unit savings can be quite attractive, buying certain goods there is not so cost-effective.
Some things at Sam's Club are just a waste of money. When planning your next Sam's Club run, strike these 14 items off your shopping list.
Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
Don't Miss: 9 ways to tackle high grocery costs you won't hear about from your grocery store
1. Fresh produce
Sam’s Club specializes in bulk savings , but fresh fruit and vegetables have short shelf lives. When bought in bulk, they often spoil before you can eat them.
Save your veggie purchases at Sam’s when you need 20 pounds of carrot sticks and red peppers for a party tray.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Lotion
It turns out lotion isn’t shelf-stable, or at least not as shelf-stable as one would like. Once you unseal a bottle, it’s generally good for 12 to 24 months — although you should still adhere to any expiration dates stamped on the bottle.
Old lotion won’t harm you, but it won’t be as effective. If not stored properly, harmful bacteria can build up.
3. Milk
If you’re not a heavy dairy drinker, hold off on purchasing it at Sam’s Club. It only sells milk by the gallon, while other grocery stores sell it by quart or half-gallon. This gives you time to consume the milk before it goes bad.
Avoid these money mistakes: 9 dumbest things smart people waste money on
4. Diapers
As a mom who has used Maker’s Mark diapers before, I can tell you I am not a fan. Compared to Pampers or Huggies, they leak more often. Plus, they’re not even the cheapest.
Per unit, Maker’s Mark diapers start at $0.15 each, matching Target’s pricing for Up & Up. Target, however, has regular diaper promotions that make their diapers much cheaper, like spending $50 to $100 on diaper goods to get a gift card of $10 to $30.
5. Shampoo and conditioner
As with body lotion, shampoo and conditioner can lose effectiveness with age. Don't buy that jumbo three-pack unless you and your whole household use the same hair products.
Beyond wasting your money, you could be hurting your hair. Over time, ingredients separate and become unstable, leading to bacterial contamination that causes irritation, dryness, follicle damage — and even hair loss.
6. Cooking oil
Sam’s is known for selling cooking oil by the gallon, But you should skip it unless you have an army-sized family. Cooking and olive oils are good for up to four months.
Expired cooking oils can cause healthy fats to break down and harmful free radicals to start forming — not to mention the rancid taste that comes with it.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially 7. Spices
While spices typically can’t go bad (unless they get contaminated with other food products), they can go stale and bland over time.
Unopened, ground spices lose their potency quickly and typically don’t last beyond six months.
8. Flour
Expiration dates don’t always mean much, and well-sealed flours can safely last for years. However, other flours that contain rye, almond, or buckwheat have a shorter shelf life and go rancid more quickly. You’re better off buying smaller quantities that you’ll definitely use.
9. Gift wrap
Buying gift wraps — especially in holiday-themed prints — can be a ginormous waste when purchased in packs of four or more. You’ll likely tire of the paper before you go through the entire roll, and dollar stores offer a cheaper way to get new-season variety every year.
Are you a homeowner? Discover 8 savvy money moves to stretch your budget 10. Salmon
Sam’s Club sells fresh salmon at the bargain price of $10.98 per pound. However, the farm-raised salmon you’ll find at the discount retailer has numerous health concerns.
Farm-raised salmon contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) linked to type-2 diabetes, obesity, and increased risk of stroke. Red dye is added to color their gray-tinge flesh pink, and they also contain higher levels of saturated fat.
11. Greek yogurt
Although Sam’s Club and Walmart are the same company (both part of Walmart, Inc.), the prices aren’t always identical. Chobani Greek yogurt is just one example.
You can find variety packs at Sam’s Club with a per-ounce price of $0.21, while Walmart stores have similar packs starting at $0.17 per ounce.
If the cheapest price per unit is your top concern, make sure to compare prices closely in the weekly store ads.
12. Fresh chicken
Along with Greek yogurt, fresh chicken is another popular grocery item that can be cheaper at Walmart.
Currently, prices are nearly identical, with chicken running $2.67 per pound at Walmart versus $2.68 per pound at Sam’s Club, but at times, Walmart’s savings can be even greater.
And even if Sam’s were a couple of cents cheaper per pound, given the club fee of $50 per year, the savings in poultry may not be enough to justify your membership.
Get Out of Debt for Good: Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt
13. Books
Books are another item to skip over on your next run to Sam’s Club. They’re not necessarily badly priced, but they’re not the cheapest you’ll find, and the assortment is random and limited. You can find a better variety of books with attractive prices at other stores.
14. Gift cards
Some shoppers swear you should always buy gift cards at Sam's Club, but I would advise against it. On more than one occasion, I've been gifted a gift card (properly rung up) from Sam's Club that didn't work when I tried to redeem it.
Additionally, for true deal seekers, many gift card portals offer a much wider selection of gift cards and far deeper discounts.
Bottom line
Sam’s Club can be a fantastic store to save money, but not every item is a deal. Beyond the pitfalls of buying in bulk, review prices carefully. Amazon, Target, Costco, or even Walmart often have better “deals” than the popular warehouse giant.
Regardless of where you shop, consider paying with one of the best cash back credit cards to help you save more on your next 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).
Local News
