Food is more expensive now than it was a year ago, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The bureau's Consumer Price Index for food showed a 12-month increase of 2.1% as of May 2024.
In fact, all categories besides energy-used vehicles and medical services are up in price. If you want to save money on everyday purchases , you could benefit from implementing the tactics of seasoned Sam's Club shoppers .
Head to Sam's Club for your weekly or monthly shopping with the following tips in mind.
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1. Shop the seasonal sales
Sam’s Club rolls out discounts on many of its products throughout the year. Some of these monthly or seasonal savings could reduce your bills substantially.
Stock up when items you need go on sale. Buy cold meds, cereal, and sugar in larger quantities when it’s on sale. Do the same for meat and other items you can safely freeze.
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When you link an eligible credit card to your Sam’s Club account, you can start looking for bonus offers at other places you shop, including restaurants, tech subscriptions, and even monthly TV subscriptions.
You’ll earn Sam’s Cash, with 20% or more on some offers. Then, you can spend that cash back at Sam’s Club for things you want and need.
3. Buy online to get cash back
Getting even a small amount back from your shopping trip is always a good idea. You can purchase dry goods, electronics, and health supplies online from Sam’s Club.
When you do, use a cash-back website like Rakuten to help you get some money back. Shipping is free on most items.
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4. Get the Plus membership
For those that love to shop for most of their needs at Sam’s Club, it’s worth it to upgrade to the Plus membership.
The Plus membership is $110 per year and gives you added benefits like access to Sam’s Cash for Plus , free shopping, pharmacy discounts, and vision savings.
5. Shop mid-week for big savings
The weekends are the busy time for the warehouse club. That’s why you should skip it and shop Tuesday through Thursday instead.
That’s when you’ll get the best deals, especially if you shop early in the day when customer service reps discount items that haven’t sold over the weekend. This is especially true in the produce and meat sections.
6. Get to the clearance sections
Did you know that Sam’s Club has a clearance section? Most do (both online and in-store), and this can provide you with a simple but significant amount of savings.
Clearance is often scattered throughout the store, and you’ll likely notice stickers on them indicating sale prices.
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Many Sam’s Club locations offer gift cards at a lower price than their face value.
That means if you are going to spend $100 at dinner with friends, you could pick up a gift card from Sam’s Club for that restaurant for $86 instead.
The amount of savings depends on the offer and how many cards you purchase in bulk.
8. Get your prescriptions at a discount
Some people may qualify to get a lower price on their prescriptions if they purchase them through Sam’s Club.
Stop in at the pharmacy to find out what your prescriptions' out-of-pocket costs will be. Some are free for Plus members, including Vitamin D 5,000 IUs, Finasteride, Donepezil, and Escitalopram.
9. Get the credit card
The Sam’s Club credit card offers a nice bonus for members. Plus members get up to 5% cash back when shopping at the warehouse (2% from their Plus membership and 3% from Sam’s Club Mastercard).
You also get 5% cash back on the first $6,000 worth of gas you purchase at the club, 3% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases. That can add up over time.
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If you qualify, you could save substantially on your Sam’s Club membership as a veteran or a military spouse. You’ll need to have military identification.
As a new member, you could receive $10 off your initial purchase or more, plus you can save more when you renew your membership annually.
11. Split your purchases with a friend
If you have a friend who wants to save on Sam’s Club goods but doesn’t have a membership, split your purchases with them for added savings.
That’s a great way to take advantage of bulk savings options available through the warehouse without letting items go to waste.
You also get those membership cash back rewards on all the purchases made, even those of your friend.
12. Get your flat tire fixed for free
If you are a Club or a Plus member, you may be able to bring your vehicle into the Tire & Battery Center with a flat tire and get it fixed without cost.
They also will provide you with free wiper blade installation (you’ll need to purchase the wiper blade) and free battery testing. You don’t even have to buy your tires or battery at Sam’s Club to get these perks.
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13. Sign up for email updates
Don’t miss this trick. Sign up for emails from Sam’s Club. You could receive new item alerts for must-have goodies, but you’ll also learn about special savings events and promotions.
This includes special offers that may not be advertised through other methods. In-club events are also a good way to save money at Sam’s Club.
14. Shop the codes
Sam’s Club uses letter codes on their price tags that can shed some light on whether or not items may drop in price even further.
If you see an “N” that means it’s “Never Out” or always in stock. Items with an “A” are “Active,” which means they have ample stock available.
For those with a “C” though, buy them now. That indicates the product has been “Canceled” and is likely coming off the shelves soon.
15. Buy the Member’s Mark items
Member’s Mark is the in-house brand for the warehouse and often is significantly cheaper than the more well-known brands you’re used to buying.
Here’s a simple way to save money on essentials : Switch to the Member’s Mark brand, and you’ll get high-quality products at a lower price.
From patio furniture to groceries, the quality tends to be very high, and it’s almost impossible to tell the difference from the original on-brand items.
Bottom line
These days, figuring out how to stretch your dollar further could help lower your financial stress . If you shop at bulk stores like Sam’s Club and Costco, these tips can help you.
To save money shopping at the warehouse retailers , consistently check for savings options on groceries, travel, entertainment, auto care, and more.
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