<p>I know everyone loves Costco but we don’t have one near us. Today, Living Social is offering a Sam’s Club 1 year membership for $45 with a $20 gift card and $20 worth of vouchers for some food items; so it is a pretty sweet deal. But I am not sure what I would really buy there. There are only two of us now at home so we don’t need/want giant packages of food. So, again, what do you buy there?</p>
<p>I shop at Costco, but Sam’s Club is very similar in my opinion. There are just 2 of us as well, so I look to purchase things that we use frequently that I know I can get a better deal if I buy in bulk. Examples would be chicken stock (especially since it has gotten cooler - I go through a few cans a week for soups), pancake mix, bacon, oatmeal, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, etc. I know that some of these items are just huge, but if it means saving money for us, I find room for them. I also love big box stores like this for Christmas gifts, they tend to have really nice gift baskets and such around the holidays. </p>
<p>It’s been a long time since I was a Sams member, and I haven’t signed up for Costco yet either. However, when we did belong we never used it that much. But i do remember getting a great set of tires for much less than anywhere else. We’d buy some entrees that looked good, but mostly the non food items. They have alot of that, and it was fun to look around. Xmas decorations, It hink DH bought a watch once. I think the price you are looking at is a very sweet deal and worth getting it for just the year to see if you would use it ongoing (and worth the $45).</p>
<p>We’ve been diehard Costco customers for years and also have a Sam’s Club membership through my husbands work. My friend with five children swears by the Paper towels – best per unit price around. If you have a gas station at your Sam’s, it’s competitive with Costco. Gallons of milk are typically cheaper than regular stores (if you drink milk or use it in recipes), Thomas Whole Grain Light muffins – 9 are priced a little better than 6 at costco. Egg prices go back and forth being competitive. The fruit has been delicious, especially the grapes this last visit; but depends how you feel about the quantity. Prices on some books are decent, as are clothes. All in all, if the membership fee basically ends up being free, why not go for it? Also, unlike Costco, anyone can go into Sam’s Club I think – maybe check it out first and then hurry back to the computer!!! </p>
<p>We have a BJ’s here - we buy toilet paper, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, soap, some otc meds, garbage bags, they have some better cuts of meat than our grocery store, flour, spices, toothpaste, deoderant, eggs. </p>
<p>Batteries, trash bags, vitamins and calcium supplements, eye drops, food for the breakfast I prepare every month for the homeless shelter, cat litter.</p>
<p>Lots of non-perishables like TP, paper towels, bottled and canned drinks. I get my face wash and Oil of Olay at much below drug store price. I love the fresh produce, its much better quality than available at my grocery store, and in quantities that are manageable. I also think the meat is better and cheaper than that available at the grocery story. I buy good steaks or low fat ground beef in bulk and separate it into single meal quantity portions and freeze.<br>
Every once in a blue moon we make a big ticket purchase and have been very happy with the prices - patio furniture, flat screen TV, etc.</p>
<p>fuel (gasoline, coffee beans), pecans, walnuts, salmon, roasted chicken…these alone save enough to pay for the membership easily. oh, and clif bars.</p>
<p>At that good of a deal, it’s the perfect time for you to try it out at with little investment. If it’s near to your home the gas alone is a big savings. As mentioned above, great this time of year for good quality gift wrap, tissue paper, decorations, party food, food gifts, etc. </p>
<p>We get our Frontline for our dog at a good price (Costco). Does Sam’s have plants? The Costco seasonal plants - mums, lilies, poinsettias, are HUGE and a very good price. </p>
<p>Organic greens, bags of avocados, dried fruit and nuts (esp pine nuts during pesto season), tires. Having said that, I stopped in last week and discovered my membership had expired last May. I had a cartload of stuff or I might have just let it go. I think Costco has a better selection but don’t have one nearby.</p>
<p>Nothing–gave up my membership a few years ago. I don’t need large quantities with an empty nest. Non-perishables like dish soap, detergent, etc are just as cheap at a local store (Market Basket–one that was in the news earlier this year). I might consider renewing if I could get cheaper gasoline prices. I know BJs does that–don’t know if Sam’s Club does.</p>
<p>When we had monthly meetings right next to Sam’s Club, would buy a pizza, salad and freshly baked cookies to feed attendees. Now the meetings are only once a quarter or so, so allowed membership to lapse, since Costco is only 5 minutes from my house and suits my needs fine. </p>
<p>Paper products, big bottles of ibuprofen, big packs of pre-cooked bacon, big packs of ground beef, rib eye steaks, and king crab claws.</p>
<p>I got that deal about a year ago and was thinking of doing it again. You would more than break even just getting the card, using the $20 card and getting the free items. The closest Sam’s club is not close to us but it is a pretty good deal.</p>
<p>In addition to non-perishables already mentioned, I have had good luck with their meats. The beef is good quality and usually a good savings compared to my regular stores. I also bought a nice patio set there last spring. Shopped around and it was a good deal. No Costco in my area, so this is the best option.</p>
<p>Our most frequent purchases for just DH and I were:
nuts
trail mix
fruit
yogurt
salad
green beans (comes in 2 separate bags so can freeze one)
frozen fish
milk
fish oil
glucosamine </p>
<p>I bought it. I think what pushed me over the edge was a bag of Brookside’s Dark Chocolate Crunchy Clusters that my mother-in-law bought there. They are incredible!</p>
<p>Ziploc bags
Over the counter medicine</p>
<p>When we lived in the States, I always picked up one of their awesome, piping hot, rotisserie-roasted chickens-- yuuuummy!!!</p>
<p>Wonder if it works if I was primary nember and sis was seckndary and now she becomes primary and me secondary. </p>
<p>I’m not that much of a fan. </p>
<p>Ours sells wine at a pretty decent discount over grocery stores.</p>