If you’re on the fence about whether a Sam’s Club membership is worth it, I’m here to tell you it definitely is—especially if you take advantage of the $20 membership deal they often offer. Even the regular $50 a year membership is worth it.
Sam’s Club consistently has prices that beat most grocery stores, and if you’re patient enough to watch for their rotating instant savings sales, you can save even more on everyday essentials. Here are the items that make my Sam’s Club membership truly worth it.
Toilet paper
Toilet paper is one of those things I never want to run out of. I always buy mine at Sam’s Club because the prices are amazingly low. Charmin is my go-to, and I pay significantly less per roll than almost anywhere else.
I’ve learned that if I wait for a sale, I can save even more, so I stock up for months at a time. At this point, my garage basically has a Charmin stockpile!
Baked goods
I love the Sam’s Club bakery—they always have amazingly low prices on cakes and breads. My go-tos are the croissants and sourdough bread—you just can’t beat the $3.98 price for sourdough bread or the $5.98 giant tub of croissants. They cost way less than what I’d pay at a bakery or grocery store.
Dishwasher Pods
I go through dishwasher pods pretty fast, but Sam’s Club lets me buy in bulk at a low price per load. Cascade pods are my go-tos, and they’re often part of the Instant Savings sales. Buying them on sale means I don’t have to worry about running out anytime soon.
Hand Soap
My family of four goes through a lot of hand soap, so I always make sure we’re stocked with both bottles and refills. Sam’s Club sells multi-packs and large refill jugs for way less than buying individual bottles at the store. When they go on sale, I buy enough to keep every sink fully stocked.
Razors
Razors and razor refills are notoriously overpriced at drugstores, which is why I always buy the big packs at Sam’s Club. I usually go with Gillette, and the per-razor cost is so much lower than what I’d pay elsewhere. They also go on sale pretty often, so I stock up whenever I see a good deal.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are an everyday household item that can get expensive fast—Sam’s Club has saved me so much money. Their jumbo Member’s Mark packs typically have lower prices per sheet than my local grocery store.
Plus, if I wait for one of their rotating sales, I save even more—so I always keep an eye out for instant savings deals and stock up when the price drops.
Sunblock
My family uses a lot of sunblock, especially during summer camp season. I always buy it at Sam’s Club because the prices are way better than at the drugstore. They usually have a good selection of major national brands, and I wait for the sales to stock up—there’s almost always at least one great deal.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is one of those things I never want to run out of. As a mom of two, I go through a lot of laundry. My go-to is Gain, and the cost per load at Sam’s Club is so much lower than anywhere else. They often run sales on detergent, too—so I stock up to save even more.
Trash Bags
Trash bags add up quickly, but Sam’s Club bulk boxes give me strong, reliable bags at a fraction of the price I’d pay at the grocery store. I love the Member’s Mark brand—they never tear or leak. And when they’re on sale during those rotating promotions, I make sure to buy extra.
Disposable Paper Plates
I always make sure to have disposable plates at home, and my go-to is Chinet. They’re thick, durable, and hold up even with saucy foods. The cost per plate is much lower than what I’d pay at the grocery store, and I always make it a point to only buy it when it’s on sale.
Fabric Softener
I always buy my fabric softener at Sam’s Club—Downy is noticeably cheaper here than anywhere else. I also use Lysol laundry sanitizer, and Sam’s Club is my go-to for that too. When it goes on sale, I make sure to stock up so I’m set for a long time.
Shampoo and Conditioner
I love that I can get shampoo and conditioner in jumbo bottles at Sam’s Club for way less than at the drugstore. They carry my favorite brands, Pantene and Head & Shoulders, at prices that beat drugstore costs. These brands often appear in monthly Instant Savings events, so I make sure to stock up when they’re on sale.
Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning products are another category I always buy at Sam’s Club. From Clorox Clean-Up disinfectant sprays to Lysol wipes to Windex, I get everything I need for way less than I’d pay at the grocery store. And when they go on sale, I make sure to load up to save money.
Sanitary Napkins
I always buy my sanitary napkins from Sam’s Club. Not only are the prices significantly lower than at drugstores, but the selection is also better—especially when it comes to Always pads—even compared to Costco. I always make sure to stock up when they go on sale.
Baby Wipes
I always buy baby wipes at Sam’s Club because they’re consistently cheaper there. And no, I don’t have babies at home—but I still use wipes to clean everything, even my car interior! I make a point to wait for the sale and never buy them unless they’re discounted. Check out 31 Sam’s Club ItemsThat Make Backyard BBQ Easy and Affordable
Dish Soap
I buy my dish soap in bulk from Sam’s Club. I usually go with Dawn or Palmolive—whichever one is on sale—and the price per ounce is much better than the smaller bottles at the grocery store. It definitely pays to wait for a rotating sale, because one of the brands always ends up in the Instant Savings deals eventually. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: 14 Major Differences You Should Know About
Produce
Sam’s Club has amazing prices on produce—often even lower than Costco (check out my article comparing Costco vs Sam’s Club produce prices!). I usually buy avocados, grapes, salad greens, and berries there because they’re frequently priced below what I’d pay at my local grocery store.
Disposable Utensils
I always make sure to have disposable utensils at home—especially forks (I somehow always run out of those). One thing I love about Sam’s Club is that they sell large boxes by utensil type, so I can stock up on just what I need. The price per fork, spoon, or knife is way better than the tiny boxes at my local store, and I never buy them unless they’re on sale. Check out What I Buy at Sam’s Club But Never at Costco (and Vice Versa)
Meat
Sam’s Club is where I buy most of my meat because the prices are amazing. Bulk packs of chicken, ground beef, pork, and steaks cost much less per pound than anywhere else. It’s often even cheaper than Costco (check out my article comparing Sam’s Club vs Costco meat prices). I freeze whatever I don’t use right away and always watch for meat specials to save even more.