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Using a membership to a discount warehouse club is one of the best ways to save money on everything from groceries to gas. Sam’s Club is one of the best membership clubs, but even the most frugal shopper knows it’s easy to go over budget when good deals surround you.

To save the most with your Sam’s Club membership, follow these simple tips.

1. Compare prices ahead of time

I don’t buy anything without doing extensive price comparisons ahead of time. I like finding a good deal, and it gives me a certain amount of satisfaction if I know I’ve done my homework before buying.

Buying in bulk at Sam’s Club can certainly save you money if you plan your meals ahead of time, but it pays to do price comparisons with other stores. For example, my family regularly buys cereal when it’s BOGO at one of the local grocery stores. We’ve had memberships to discount warehouse clubs before, but the prices still don’t beat a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

The Sam’s Club app is helpful for this and includes a savings section that lists temporary discounts on items and when they expire. My app showed $2 off a 30-pack of Oreos for the next two weeks. Sold!

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2. Make a list and stick to it

If I walk into a grocery store without a list, I look like a deer in the headlights. There are too many versions of every product, and decision fatigue kicks in pretty quickly.

Not only does a grocery list keep me focused on what I need, but I rarely get enticed by a good deal if it’s not on my list. This is where the Sam’s Club app comes in handy again. You can create shopping lists in the app, so you’ll always have them with you.

And while you’re making the list, it may be helpful to view your past receipts in the Sam’s Club app. Viewing the receipts before your next Sam’s Club run will show you which items you may have splurged on last time, so you can avoid them the next time you’re shopping.

3. Use a credit card to maximize your cash back rewards

It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars in just one trip to Sam’s Club. Food prices jumped 10% in 2022 and another 5.8% last year, which has made saving money at any store more difficult than before.

One thing that can help make these rising costs a little easier is using a credit card that offers generous cash back rewards. I have a card that gives me 5% cash back on select purchases, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% back on everything else. At the end of the year, I often have hundreds of dollars in cash back that I usually spend on Christmas gifts.

Of course, a rewards credit card is only beneficial if you’re able to pay off the balance regularly and don’t carry a balance with a high interest rate. But if you can do that, it can be a good way to make rising prices a little less painful.

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4. Get the Sam’s Plus membership to earn 2% back

Sam’s Club offers two types of memberships: its standard Club membership, which is $50 per year, and its Plus membership, which is $110 per year. And while spending more money to save some money may seem counterintuitive, upgrading your membership may be well worth the price.

One of the most important perks you’ll get with the Plus membership is 2% cash back on in-club purchases, up to a limit of $500 annually. For example, let’s say you spend $3,600 on qualifying in-store purchases at Sam’s Club next year and earn 2% back with your Plus membership. At the end of the year, you’ll have $72 in cash back.

You’ll also get additional perks with your Plus membership, including free curbside pickup, extra pharmacy and optical discounts, and 50% off tire installation.

We could all use a few creative ways to save money these days. Thankfully, Sam’s Club makes it easy to do so, as long as you plan out your trips, maximize your savings with some rewards, and compare prices ahead of time. If you shop smart, you’ll feel better about splurging on those well-priced Oreos. I won’t tell.

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