Can you really save on items at Sams/Costco?

E&RMommy

So I am really getting annoyed that each week my grocery store trip is at least $130.  I barely even bought food today for us - just stuff for the kids, paper towels, etc.

Do you feel that your Sam's or Costco memberships help you keep costs down especially on toilet paper, paper towels, etc?

kimarino13

Yes!  We save a ton on cheese, milk, toilet paper, paper towels, nuts, meat, etc.

MrsLnt

I think they are cheaper, but not the cheapest.  If one has time to really seriously coupon and shop the store sales, I think you can do better than Costco/Sam's for things like paper products.  Since we never have things like double coupons around here, and serious, serious couponing takes more time than I have or am willing to dedicate to it, it's a good compromise between buying at the grocery store and doing coupons.

I have found that Sam's is not cheaper on diapers than Amazon.  I'm also more willing to do coupons + store sales and things like CVS Extra Bucks on diapers.  Sam's also has a good price on gas, although ours is not close enough to use on a regular basis.

Our membership is up in November, right when we'll be done with formula.  We'll probably buy a ton of TP and paper towels before the membership expires and then not renew it. 

kafunder

We've found Costco cheaper on fruits, veggies, bread, milk, etc. Whatever you do, don't try to go to Costco today. It was going to be our big outing today with the LOs and I was so excited about all my potential purchases. I'd been making a list for a week since we haven't gone in months. We were just about to leave when we decided to call to make sure they were open--nope, closed for Labor Day. Boo hiss (although I'm glad the workers had the day off).

missfire

Compared to buying things full price, sometimes. I bought a bunch of $7 Carters outfits and $11 Hannah Anderson sleepers, but those prices are really easy to find elsewhere. Our formula is cheaper there than full price at the grocery store. But things are more expensive then sale prices at the grocery store, even without adding in coupons. And many things like cereal are more expensive. So to me, if the big sizes are convenient and you don't have time to keep track of what things usually cost, then it might be worth it. If you know what things cost in the grocery store and stock up during sales, you might as well skip the membership cost.

macchiatto

I have wondered that, too. We don't have a membership to either. Usually when I hear people talking about how much they pay for stuff there, it sounds like a little more than what I pay by combining sales/coupons at regular grocery and drug stores. But I'd think that if you don't have time or the desire to coupon, it'd be a more efficient way to save some money.

kimarino13

macchiatto:

I have wondered that, too. We don't have a membership to either. Usually when I hear people talking about how much they pay for stuff there, it sounds like a little more than what I pay by combining sales/coupons at regular grocery and drug stores. But I'd think that if you don't have time or the desire to coupon, it'd be a more efficient way to save some money.

Yeah, part of it for us is that I am not a hardcore couponer (don't have the time/patience) and Costco is 2 miles from my house, so it's an easy trip.

But, we do get 2 gallons of milk for the price of a single gallon at the grocery store, and the cheese we use a ton of (Tillamook) is much, much cheaper.  Also, the huge box of OxiClean is a good deal, as well as the laundry detergent, cat food, cat litter, etc.

macchiatto

Wow, yeah, if I had a Costco that close I'd definitely check it out! We don't have either very close to us so we'd have to make a special trip.

gumiberg

we get our paper goods, frozen goods, pantry staples and bread items there.  also vitamins, shampoo/conditioner, laundry soap, etc.  and gas.

we also get 2% back which makes the membership free.

 

atc282

I found it a lot cheaper to do a Costco run vs. getting it all at the grocery store, esp. during the 1st year with the girls. We felt we saved a ton on things like wipes, formula, and any other bulk item that they had a generic of (Kirkland brand).  Their wine was cheaper too

I esp. felt it was a cost saver to shop at Costco when we used to live in NY--the grocery store prices were always much higher. Now that we're in TX, we tend to just run to Super Walmart for the majority of items but we do plan on rejoining Costco once baby #3 comes and we'll need more bulk items for cheap.

 

kimarino13

gumiberg:

we get our paper goods, frozen goods, pantry staples and bread items there.  also vitamins, shampoo/conditioner, laundry soap, etc.  and gas.

we also get 2% back which makes the membership free.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about the 2% cash back.  We have an executive membership too, and it pays for itself!

saverchic

We use the Sam's Club Gentle formula, and it has saved us a ton!  I still do diapers and wipes on Amazon or with coupons, though.  Our Sam's Club doesn't have smaller Sam's brand diapers.  I think they start at size 3.

E&RMommy

Thanks girls!  I certainly don't have time/patience to coupon.  We love Amazon Mom and only like Pampers.  I already shop at Walmart (which I really hate but is the closest by far).....so it's not like I'm even going to an expensive store.   

Maybe we'll try it out and see. 

sdb421

I'm a die hard Costco fan, but I've recently found that Amazon Mom with Subscribe and Save is actually a good bit cheaper on most things like paper towl, TP, diapers, detergents, etc and you save on time and gas, since everything is delivered. I'd really like to get rid of my Costco membership, but I like it so much for jammies, wine, and other things, that I can't get rid of it, even thought the yearly $50 probably isn't worth it...

violaplayer

I compare prices closely. Sometimes Sam's does win. Sometimes Amazon mom. It really depends on what brand you buy.

iluvadam

kimarino13:

Yes!  We save a ton on cheese, milk, toilet paper, paper towels, nuts, meat, etc.

Same here.  If you stick to your list of items you need and stay away from all the impulse buys, you can save a ton! 

erinruns

On some things yes, it is cheaper.  But like others said, you have to pay attention to prices because not everything is cheaper.  In fact some things cost a lot more than what you would pay at the grocery store.  It works for us because we buy very specific things there.  I think if it was the only place you shopped, it wouldn't be a great deal.