Sam's Club-Shopping Tips: Shop Right, Save Money

I was so glad when they built a Sam's Club about 20 minutes from my home and about 5 minutes from my work. I used to drive over 50 miles just to shop at a Sam's Club once a week. With a Sam's Club nearby, it has become a much more enjoyable shopping trip every week. To me shopping at Sam's does save me money in the long run, even though I spend more money up front. When buying in bulk, you are not having to buy everyday items every week. For instance, if I buy a container of laundry detergent from Sam's, it will last longer than one bought from a local grocery store. Even though Sam's does not accept coupons, the savings are well worth the yearly membership fee of $40.00. Sam's does not carry everything you need but they have a good selection of items in each department. Here are some tips that I have found that work for me when shopping at Sam's and reviews of some of the departments found at most locations:

Tip #1 - Walk Every Aisle. When shopping at Sam's, walk down every aisle in the store. Since Sam's will get in a lot of "seasonal items" that last a short time, by walking every aisle you can find these items. If you find a seasonal item you think you might be interested in, don't put off buying it because it may not be there when you return again, because once they run out they will not get it back in again. I have lost out on a few things I wanted by thinking I would get it on the next trip.

Tip #2 - Plan Ahead. Before making a trip to Sam's, think about what upcoming plans you have. This time of year with the holidays fast approaching, there may be events you have to attend and need to take some kind of dish. Whether you make it yourself or buy it pre-made, Sam's has just about everything you will need.

Tip #3 - Go On the Weekend. If you go to Sam's on the weekend you are likely to see little carts set up all over the store with people giving out samples of all kinds of food. These carts are scattered throughout the store in just about every department. Not only is it a great time to try something new before buying, but also get ideas of what to serve your family or guests.

Tip #4 - Stock Up for Holiday Baking. This time of year, Sam's will get in all your holiday baking items, such as spices, nuts, chocolate chips, oils and more. The packaging sizes will be a lot larger than you can find anywhere else. For instance, last year I found a huge bag of chocolate chips which lasted me all through my holiday baking needs.

Tip #5 - Fresh Meat Department. Sam's has some of the best fresh meat and poultry with the best prices you will find anywhere. I always buy my meats from Sam's, take it home and divide it up into freezer bags into meal size portions and freeze until I need it.

Tip #6 - Bakery Department. You will find a full-service bakery at most Sam's. I enjoy getting their fresh-baked pies, cakes, rolls, breads and croissants. They have some of the biggest pies and cakes I have ever seen from a bakery. You can also order your birthday cakes from Sam's. Even though their rolls and croissants come in large quantities, I place them in freezer bags and pull out what I need for a meal.

Tip #7 - Cheese Department. If you are looking for a variety of cheeses for your family or a party, Sam's has a great cheese department. They have all types of cheeses and dips. The cheeses usually come in larger quantities than you are used to buying, but they are great to keep on hand for cheese trays or snacks for the family or unexpected guests.

Tip #8 - Frozen Food Department. Because of my family's busy schedule, I buy a lot of pre-made items from Sam's frozen food section. There is usually enough in each bag to have for at least 2-3 meals. I make sure I get a sample of anything they are cooking the day I go so I can try some new dinner ideas.

Tip #9 - Pharmacy Department and Baby Products. Sam's has a good selection of vitamins, diapers, formula, soaps or any personal care items. You can also have your prescriptions filled at the pharmacy. Sam's has one of the lowest prices on medicines.

Tip #10 - Christmas Gifts. This time of year, Sam's has a huge assortment of Christmas gift ideas, decorations, wrapping paper and trees. You can find a great selection of gifts for the whole family, especially children. They have a few aisles filled with toys for children. These toys may be some you cannot find anywhere else. They also have a wide assortment of books, cd's and dvd's.

Sam's Club has their own brand of merchandise called "Members Mark". I have bought several items from Members Mark and found them to be just as good, if not better than some name brand products. Sam's also carries tvs, computers, clothing, tires and more. If you shop more one Sam's location, you might find that different locations have different items available, especially seasonal items.

For me, Sam's is a great place to shop. When I go to Sam's each week, I know that I am saving money and still buying quality products for my family. If you have a Sam's near you and you don't have a membership, you can still visit the store on a one-day pass. You can get this pass from inside the Sam's store. They will charge you a small percentage of your total purchase, but you can find out if shopping there is right for you.