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I prefer a balanced approach when I make a budget, cutting back where I can but with room to spend a little more on the things I enjoy most. This philosophy is something my family applies to everything we purchase, including our household essentials.
When we like a brand-name product better, we go with that. When the store brand is better, we’re happy to stick with the cheaper option.
I keep my Sam’s Club membership in large part because Member’s Mark items often provide the best of both worlds. Not only do we save money, but we also simply like the products as much as — or even more than — the brand names we’re replacing. Here are a few examples.
1. Member’s Mark aluminum foil
We became dedicated Member’s Mark aluminum foil fans during our Summer of Smoke and Ribs. We especially love the Member’s Mark Heavy Duty Foodservice Foil, which is extra wide and easily enrobed our ribs without tearing or leaking.
The rolls are long enough (500 feet!) that we didn’t need to buy a new roll every weekend. And, happily, the price is just right. We save $0.03 a square foot over buying the brand name at Sam’s Club, and almost $0.10 per square foot over the grocery store:
| Item | Source | Price per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Member’s Mark Heavy Duty Foil 18″ | Sam’s Club | $0.040 |
| Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty 18″ Aluminum Foil | Sam’s Club | $0.067 |
| Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty 18″ Aluminum Foil | Price Chopper | $0.135 |
Pro tip: To credit card issuers, Sam’s Club is a warehouse club, not a grocery store. Make sure you’re using a cash back rewards card with the right bonus categories to maximize your Sam’s Club purchases.
2. Member’s Mark facial tissues
We were a very dedicated Kleenex house for many years before we joined Sam’s Club and started exploring the Member’s Mark alternatives. Now, I can confidently say we unanimously prefer the Member’s Mark tissues over any other brand we’ve tried.
Our tip-top pick is the Member’s Mark Ultra Premium 3-ply because they just feel the best on your face/nose. For everyday use, though, the Member’s Mark 2-ply tissues are excellent (we have boxes in most rooms of the house).
How much you might save will depend on what kind of tissues you typically buy. We buy a combo of the 3-ply, which is more expensive than some Kleenex options, and the 2-ply, which is cheaper than all but the lowest-tier Kleenex at Sam’s Club:
| Item | Price | Tissues Per Box | Price per Tissue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member’s Mark Ultra Soft 3-Ply Facial Tissues | $13.98 | 80 | $0.015 |
| Kleenex Lotion 3-Ply Facial Tissues | $17.48 | 120 | $0.012 |
| Kleenex Anti-Viral 3-Ply Facial Tissues | $16.74 | 55 | $0.025 |
| Member’s Mark 2-Ply Facial Tissues | $14.98 | 160 | $0.011 |
| Kleenex Trusted Care 2-ply Facial Tissues | $17.94 | 200 | $0.009 |
It’s worth noting here that these are all Sam’s Club prices. If you normally buy tissues at the grocery or big box store, you’re likely going to save a ton. My local grocer charges more for the 2-ply Kleenex than I pay for my 3-ply Member’s Mark tissues!
3. Member’s Mark parchment paper
We do a lot of cooking and baking in our house, so having parchment paper on hand is a must. I’ve been using Member’s Mark parchment paper exclusively for many years now, and it’s gotten me through many holiday cookie seasons.
The quality of the paper is top-notch. I rarely have issues with it, it cuts well off the roll, and the rolls are wide enough to cover a half sheet pan without issue. Plus, the length of each roll means I can get at least a couple of years from one package (I’m a fan of anything that means I shop less).
I’m also saving a ton. Even if I were to buy a name brand at Sam’s Club, I’d still pay less than half for my Member’s Mark. And it’s roughly a third of what I’d pay at the grocery store:
| Item | Source | Price per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Member’s Mark Unbleached Parchment Paper | Sam’s Club | $0.035 |
| Member’s Mark Parchment Paper | Sam’s Club | $0.038 |
| Reynolds Kitchens Pop-Up Parchment Paper Sheets | Sam’s Club | $0.085 |
| Reynolds Parchment Paper | Price Chopper | $0.102 |
It’s time to give Member’s Mark a try
I held off on trying Member’s Mark for a while because I’ve been burned by store brands before. But I can tell you from years of actual experience that many Member’s Mark products are absolutely the good-quality brand-name replacements you’ve been after.
Plus, with Sam’s Club’s excellent return policy, if you’re not happy with something, you can always just take it back!
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