I had a Sam’s Club membership for years, but when Costco opened up within driving distance, I let it go and signed up with Costco instead. Once my yearlong Costco membership was up, I chose not to renew it.
Explore More: 5 Best-Rated Sam’s Club Products With the Fewest Complaints
Read Next: 8 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
I went back to Sam’s Club, renewed my membership and quickly started noticing how much money I was saving. I save more by shopping at Sam’s for several reasons. Here are the three that make the biggest difference.
I Stick To My Shopping List
When I shop at Sam’s, I have a list of items I buy on repeat. I normally go in, get the items and get out. Rarely do I browse the aisles of Sam’s to see what else it has that I might want to buy.
When I had a membership at Costco, I frequently browsed the aisles — mostly because I was unfamiliar with the club’s offerings but also because it seemed to be set up in a way that encouraged it. I ended up making impulse buys and spending more money than I do at Sam’s.
Because most items are sold in bulk, those impulse buys added up quickly. On every Costco trip, I estimate I spent at least $50 beyond what was on my list.
Check Out: 9 Best Value Member’s Mark Products To Buy for Under $25 at Sam’s Club
The Items I Frequently Buy Are Cheaper
Items I find to be of good value at Sam’s Club include Member’s Mark paper towels, laundry detergent, snack food, chicken strips, personal care products and over-the-counter remedies.
At Sam’s Club, I can purchase a package of 15 rolls of Member’s Mark paper towels with 150 select-and-tear sheets each for $20.93. To compare, a package of Costco’s Kirkland Signature premium towels with 12 rolls and 160 create-a-size sheets costs $23.99. By shopping at Sam’s, I save $3.06 and get 330 more sheets per package.
Another product I buy at Sam’s Club is 128 fluid ounces of Tide with Ultra Downy for $19.48. The identical product at Costco is $23.49.
A 30-count variety pack of SunChips is another item I frequently buy at Sam’s Club, which is priced at $18.48. At Costco, the same item is $21.99.
I save $10.58 every time I shop at Sam’s Club on just those three items. Add that to the $50 in impulse buys I no longer make, and that’s a savings of over $60.
I’m Saving Money and Time
Costco was never a quick in-and-out trip for me, as it didn’t have an option comparable to Sam’s Club’s Scan & Go, which is a fan favorite.
One Reddit user said that Scan & Go has changed the game for Sam’s because shoppers can get in and out without hassling with long lines. Another Redditor said the app-based technology is literally the reason they joined Sam’s over Costco (though Costco has since started testing the technology at its stores).
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
More From GOBankingRates
- 6 Little Luxuries You Can Buy at Dollar Tree in February
- 6 Affordable Sam's Club Items Retirees Should Consider Buying in 2026
- 9 Low-Effort Ways to Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
- Boomers Are Facing a New Retirement Problem -- Here's How To Deal With It
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Canceled My Costco Membership for Sam’s Club — Here’s How Much I’m Saving
