Buying in bulk sounds like an easy way to save money, but it only works if you actually use what you buy. We’ve all seen the giant package that looks like a bargain in the store, only to find it still sitting in the pantry or closet months later.
Sam’s Club is most useful for the things your household already buys on a regular basis. Toilet paper, coffee, rice, cleaning supplies, and other everyday staples can cost less per unit in larger quantities. You also make fewer trips to the grocery store, which can help cut down on those little impulse purchases that add up.
Of course, not every bulk deal is worth bringing home. A low price doesn’t mean much if you end up throwing part of it away.
These are some of the Sam’s Club buys that can make sense for households that go through them regularly.
1. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is one of the easiest bulk purchases to justify. Member’s Mark toilet paper is dependable and holds up well for everyday use. Buying a large package can bring the price per roll down compared with smaller grocery store packages, and one trip can leave you stocked for months. It’s not an exciting purchase, but it’s one less household staple to worry about running out of.
2. Paper Towels
Paper towels are another item that most households go through pretty quickly. Member’s Mark paper towels have worked well for me, and I like being able to buy a large package at once instead of picking up another smaller pack every few weeks. They’re useful for everything from kitchen spills to everyday cleaning. If your household uses paper towels regularly, buying a larger pack can make the lower price per roll worthwhile.
3. Chicken Breasts
If you cook at home often or prepare meals ahead of time, bulk chicken can be a practical buy. Sam’s Club sells chicken breasts at a reasonable price per pound, and buying a larger package gives me plenty to work with. I usually portion the chicken at home before freezing it. That little bit of prep makes it much easier to grab what I need for dinner without thawing more chicken than I plan to cook.
4. Member’s Mark Towels (Bath, Hand & Washcloths)
Member’s Mark bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths are some of those Sam’s Club finds that can be easy to overlook. They’re thick, absorbent, and hold up well after plenty of trips through the washing machine.
I actually use them in my Airbnb, so they get washed far more often than towels in a typical home. Guests regularly comment on how soft and comfortable they are, and they’ve held up well through all that laundry. Buying towels in bulk can also make sense if you’re setting up a rental, replacing old towels, stocking a guest room, or just trying to get everything matching again. The price is reasonable for towels that don’t feel cheap, which makes these a particularly useful warehouse-club purchase.
Related: 19 Airbnb Cleaning Hacks (Cleaning Secrets for Hosts)
5. Rice
Rice is one of those pantry staples that’s easy to use up, especially if you cook at home regularly. Larger bags at Sam’s Club can cost less per pound than smaller bags at the grocery store. Rice also stores well when kept in a sealed container, so you don’t have to worry about using the whole bag right away. A single bag can go into stir-fries, rice bowls, soups, casseroles, side dishes, and plenty of other meals.
6. Pasta
Pasta is another easy bulk buy for households that eat it regularly. The larger boxes and multipacks at Sam’s Club can bring down the cost per serving. Pasta takes up relatively little space compared with many other bulk foods, and it has a long shelf life. It’s also handy to have around for those nights when the refrigerator doesn’t offer many dinner ideas.
7. Olive Oil
If you cook with olive oil often, buying a larger bottle can save money over time. Sam’s Club offers several olive oil options at prices that can work out to less per ounce than smaller grocery store bottles. The savings are more noticeable if you use olive oil for cooking, salad dressings, marinades, and other recipes throughout the week. Just make sure you’ll use the bottle before you buy an especially large size.
8. Coffee
For anyone who drinks coffee every day, a large bag can make a real difference in the grocery budget. Sam’s Club sells coffee in larger quantities, which can bring the cost per ounce down compared with smaller supermarket packages. You can choose whole beans or ground coffee depending on what you normally drink. A few dollars saved on every bag may not sound like much, but it adds up over months of daily coffee.
Related: 15 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
9. Butter
Butter is another food that makes sense to buy in larger quantities because it freezes well. If you bake regularly or use butter for cooking, having extra sticks in the freezer can keep you from making an extra grocery run. Sam’s Club packages can also bring the price per pound down compared with smaller packages. Just divide it into the amounts you’re likely to use before freezing so you can grab what you need without thawing the whole supply.
10. Spices You Use Often
Bulk spices can be a great deal, but this is one category where you need to know your own cooking habits. Large containers of garlic powder, cinnamon, minced garlic, and common seasoning blends can cost less per ounce than small jars. If you use those spices several times a week, you’ll probably have no trouble working through them. If you only use a spice once or twice a year, though, the smaller grocery store jar may make more sense.
11. Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning products are some of the easiest household items to buy in larger quantities. Dish soap, laundry detergent, multipurpose cleaners, and other everyday supplies get used up regardless of how carefully you shop. Buying a larger container can lower the cost per ounce and keep you from having to pick up replacements as often. I also like having refills on hand because it means I’m not constantly running out of basic cleaning supplies.
Related: 13 Cleaning Mistakes You Should Stop Making
12. Trash Bags
Trash bags aren’t exactly an exciting purchase, but they’re a good example of something that can make sense in bulk. A large box can last for months, depending on the size of your household and how much trash you produce. Buying them in a larger package also means you don’t have to keep adding trash bags to your grocery list. It’s one of those household staples that’s worth buying before you run out rather than after.
13. Batteries
Small packs of batteries can get expensive, especially if you’re constantly buying replacements. Sam’s Club carries larger packs of batteries that can bring the cost per battery down. Since unopened batteries can sit for a long time when stored properly, this is one bulk purchase where you don’t have to worry about using everything right away.
Keep a pack around for remotes, toys, flashlights, and other household items that always seem to need a fresh battery at the worst possible time.
14. Vinegar and Baking Soda
White vinegar and baking soda are inexpensive on their own, but the larger containers at Sam’s Club can be a good deal if you use them regularly. They’re useful for cooking, baking, laundry, and a variety of household cleaning jobs. Both products also keep well when stored properly, so there’s little pressure to finish them quickly.
If you already reach for vinegar and baking soda around the house, buying larger containers can save you from paying the higher per-unit price of the smaller versions.
15. Snacks Your Family Actually Eats
Bulk snacks can either save money or leave you with a pantry full of food nobody wants. The trick is buying the snacks your household already goes through. Granola bars, nuts, crackers, cereal, and similar items can cost less per serving at Sam’s Club when you’re buying larger packages.
I wouldn’t buy a giant box just because the price looks good, though. If your family doesn’t normally eat it, the savings disappear pretty quickly. Stick with the snacks that regularly make it onto your grocery list, and the larger package can make much more sense.
