8 Massive Ways to Save at Bulk Stores

By Angela Colley

Bulk stores like Costco and Sam’s Club do have some great deals, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always save money shopping at one of them. If you’re like me, three things are working against you while you push that ginormous cart…

1. You assume everything is a good deal because it’s bulk pricing.
2. You really believe you won’t let it go to waste.
3. You greatly overestimate your love for one type of food.

Fall prey to those pitfalls and you might end up wasting money. Shop smarter and you’ll not only stop wasting money – you’ll start saving a lot of it. Here are some tips for bulk-food shopping that really helped me…

1. Stick to one membership…

Having multiple bulk-store memberships ensures you get deals on different products – since they all carry slightly different stuff – but you could end up paying more than $100 each year just to get inside the store. As of December, club memberships varied from $40 to $55 annually.

It’s cheaper to pick one bulk store and stick to it for a year. If you need help choosing, check out How to Pick the Best Wholesale Club.

2. …Or don’t buy a membership at all

Bulk stores generally let a member bring in one guest. (I usually bring a friend with me to Sam’s Club.) If you don’t plan on going more than a few times a year, why not piggyback on someone else’s paid membership? You just saved at least $40.

If you do plan on going regularly, you can split the cost of membership with a friend or family member. For example, Sam’s Club gives you two membership cards for $40, which I split each year with my sister. We don’t live in the same house – or even the same city – but it’s never been a problem.