Jennefer@SSA Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I am about to go to Sam's for the first time since we got a card through dh's work! :) My mom always tells me that you have to be careful b/c just their prices are not lower on all things. So what are the best buys that are always in your cart??? I should add that I am only going to spend $100 there each month (or at least that's the goal right now. I reserve the right to change my mind! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) Produce Canned goods Paper towels Toilet paper Some meats (check price against local markets) Frozen veggies (plain) Butter Milk (I'll buy 2 gallons. We go through one a week. One gets frozen as soon as we get home.) Eggs ETA: tall kitchen trash bags (I buy a box once ever 6 months), Members Mark dish liquid, MM dishwasher liquid, All laundry soap, Snuggle liquid fabric softener. Edited February 15, 2010 by Parrothead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Milk Sarah Lee Delightful Bread A box of individual serving size Baked Lays, Cheetos, etc. (not a super deal but keeps my eating under control) Nutragrain Bars Kashi Cereal Pack Whole Wheat Tortillas (they are the best I have ever eaten!) Box of Mixed Greens Lunch Meat Printer Ink Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches Fruit that is in Season A big bag of Brocoli, Cauliflower, Carrots (sometimes I heat them up or we just eat as a snack fresh) Big bag of frozen mixed veggies Laundry Detergent Fabric Softener which reminds me that I need to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I think the best buy at Sam's for our family is cheese. Shredded cheddar and shredded mozzarella in big bags, kraft american slices, real parmesan - they are all priced significantly lower than at my regular grocery store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 There is this most amazing tomato salsa in the aisle by the cheeses. Yum-O! I buy their Romaine lettuce pack. It's .28 more than buying one pack at the grocery. And even if some of it goes bad, it's still a better deal. I also buy water and Fiber One granola bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muffinmom Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 TP paper towels feminine products laundry detergent diapers and pullups (though we no longer need these) we love their frozen breaded flounder filets (Simply Bake--Treasures from the Sea) they always seem to have good quality fresh fruit at good prices that's all I can think of right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Here are the things I ONLY buy from Sam's, but they are not on my list each time that I go: organic spring salad mix, the frozen hamburgers and bags of fries, paper plates and plastic cups, spaghetti sauce and noodles, velveeta mac and cheese, detergent (dish and laundry), batteries, toilet paper, paper towels, pineapple spears, strawberries, onions, buttermilk flavored eggo waffles, hormel precooked bacon, blocks of cheese, beer, canola oil, bread flour, sugar, olive oil, maple syrup. Things that I sometimes buy from Sam's: books (I always browse their book section, I just saw Pioneer Woman's cookbook there this weekend), clothing (I check out what they have when I notice something different), movies (they don't always have the best price, especially for new releases- you can usually get those cheaper the day they are released at Target or Wal-Mart), baked goods, other snacks, meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I always get there big bottles of calcium citrate since they have the best price on that. I buy Kleenex and Cascade there and ziplock bags, liquid hand soap. Shredded cheese and the extra sharp block cheese, spring green salad mix and the 6 pack of romaine lettuce. Mushrooms, I sometimes buy tomatoes, and some of their seasonal fruits are great deals. I buy my frozen mixed veggies there but the individual kinds I do better at the grocery store. I use to buy their whole wheat tortillas and their breadsticks until I started making all my own bread products. Their milk price is good but there are too far away for me to use it for my regular supply I think they have good prices on their spices. I used to buy all of them there until I started buying from Country Life. I buy my olive oil there. Their brown sugar, sugar and flour prices are comparable with good sales (but not great sales) so I will pick it up if I'm there and getting low so I don't have to run around as much. I use to buy more of their prepared frozen foods but as my family has grown a single package no longer feeds us and 2 packages gets pricey for a single meal. However they do have a good price on Stouffer's Lasagne. I buy the huge cans of tomatoes. I used to buy spaghetti sauce there but now I make my own with the big cans of tomatoes because it's a bit cheaper and we like the flavor better. I bought a huge bag of garlic last time and I was planning to buy it again but then I noticed it was grown in China so I decided to skip it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Lettuce Eggs Romano Cheese American Cheese Velveeta:001_huh: Laughing Cow cheese bread Hershey Kisses Hershey Brownie Mix Water filters Frozen veggies Frozen chicken Mac N' Cheese Salsa Cheese sauce Nachos Member Mark Paper Towels and Toilet Paper Mucinex Pepcid Fish Oil Other vitamins Also occasionally you will see things priced unusually low, then I may the item:) The thing to be careful with is not to buy all the extra goodies:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 My always-buy-at-Sam's items are fancy cheeses, potatotes, onions, bell peppers. . . Unless I have a great coupon price, all cheeses are on my list. Especially fancy cheeses that you can't get coupons for. (goat, gouda, fontina, gruyere. . .) Also, cream and milk. Chocolate chips, cocoa, and spices we use in large quantity (chili powder, taco seasoning, rosemary, basil, etc.). Plastic cups, plastic utensils. . . Big bags of baby spinach, romaine hearts, bell peppers, potatoes, onions, berries in season. . . Meats are usually a very-good-but-not-fantastic price. If I need a big load of pork chops or ribs or whatever and don't have time to wait for the best sale price, then I buy them at Sam's. If you're a big couponer, then your savings are more variable on things like chocolate, spices, cheddar, etc. . .but the fancy cheeses are definitely great prices no matter, and the produce prices are very good on most items if you can use the quantity they sell. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 little cups for the bathroom, toilet paper, honey, peanut butter, chocolate chips, nuts, meatballs, trashbags, paper towels, frozen chicken breasts (the price is better than Walmart, at least our Walmart), granola bars, yeast, and paper products we might need, such as paper plates, cups, plastic forks/spoons, etc... That's all I can think of for now. I have priced everything at one point, and know that these are better deals for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 kitty litter laundry soap dishwasher soap paper towels TP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in KS Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Milk is about a dollar / gallon cheaper!!! We go through almost a gallon a day, so this pays for the membership for us! Huge container of organic spinach (around $3) Large container of blueberries (prices vary, but are generally very good) Walnuts (you can freeze extra) Large bags of frozen vegetables Apples Whole grain bread It's always worth looking at books and clothes--there are sometimes great deals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my2kidsmom Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I buy the organic spring mix (We usually don't eat it all before it goes bad but it is still way cheaper than buying it at the reg. grocery store). I also buy grape tomatoes and Stacy's Pita Chips every time I go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Milk eggs bacon frozen fruit frozen vegetables fresh vegetables like salad, tomatoes, peppers toilet paper all my meats chicken fish frozen and fresh whole wheat thins sandwich thingies (forgot the name) shredded cheese lunch meat sliced cheese mayo some spices nuts (raw nuts only, no oils added) dried fruit (no added sugar) zip lock bags oxy clean sometimes books or dvd's Can't remember what else right now but I shop there frequently and buy most of my stuff there. The rest of the stuff is mosly bought at Aldi's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Produce Cheese Yeast Nuts Fiber one bars Naked juice Vitamin water Pesto And $40 worth of junk that wasn't on our list but we can't live without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia On My Mind Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) These are my always buy at Sam's items: Breaded Flounder - Treasures of Sea (a quick dinner meal or fish sandwiches in a hurry) Unbreaded flounder - individually wrapped filets Fresh chicken tenders - always $1.99 and more versatile than boneless skinless whole breasts at market - I divide into family sized servings and freeze when I get home Eye of round roast feeds a large family or average family with leftovers for under $8 (a nice company or ministry no fail meat for under $10) Steaks for special occasion meals in summer are always cheaper at Sam's and they are great Beef stew (when it's cold) - weigh and divide into bags and freeze when I get home Rotisserie chicken - larger than grocery store varieties and cheaper - I find it a "must have" versatile meat for wraps, chicken salad, green salad with chopped chicken, etc. for quick easy meals and sandwiches Laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent Double roll Member's Mark Tall Kitchen Bags last 6 months Toilet Tissue - My fav. brand, not the MM Fresh organic spinach Fresh organic mixed greens for salad Avacodas in the mesh bag Russet Potatoes Bananas Seasonal fresh berries - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, black berries Navel oranges in season Butter Eggs Tropicana OJ in gallon jug Chili Powder (seasonally) Cinnamon Yeast for bread making Diced tomatoes - case Extra Virgin Olive Oil packaged in Italy (that's important) Canned chicken - for chicken salad and quiche and more Canned tuna - you know Lunch meats in large plastic container Sliced cheeses Cabot individually wrapped cheese snacks Goat cheese - Chevre - cheaper than anywhere and great for quiche, pizza, salad, spreads, etc. Great Parmesean, Aged Gouda, Asiago and other hard cheeses - we keep the Parm on had to grate over pizza, pasta, salad, etc. all the time Northland Pomegranate Cranberry Juice Motts Apple Juice Frozen stir fry vegetable, mixed vegetable (broc., carrots, caul.) and sometimes you find organic frozen vegies and fruit Whole broiler chickens in a two pack are bigger and cheaper than grocery Raw whole mixed nuts - no longer available at our store :( Tortilla chips for a crowd and salsa mentioned above Large container of sour cream when needed for holiday baking and taking Bird Seed - 6 bags in a large box of premium bird seed that our birds and squirrels have loved for years All our prescription meds and supplements Eye exams and contacts and glasses (when needed) Copy paper for printer Tires (Michelin) for our automobiles as needed (will rotate and balance free for life of tire) Take and bake fresh store made pizza with meat under $8 and some less than that. Birthday or team party cakes are cheapest and best from Sam's. I am talking 1/2 or full sheet size not quarter sheet as in grocery stores - there're always cheaper and very good. I shop at Sam's twice a month and all these items will be purchased at least once in the monthly cycle or as needed when I run out. I try new things all the time when they are demo'd and we think we would like them and the price is right. On the weeks I don't shop at Sam's, I fill in with items from grocery store. I watch the prices and if there is a bogo at a local store, I will drop it from my Sam's list for for the grocery store price but that rarely happens with the above list. I am shopping for 2 adults, 3 grown boy/men children and lunch for my gdd that I home school. Edited February 16, 2010 by Georgia On My Mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I belong to Costco, but here are the things I almost always get: milk half n half Cascade Coffee frozen Chicken breasts bread tuna oatmeal soap contact solution toilet paper and tissues cereal It is important to know your prices, or make a price list to be sure it's worth it. But a few of this items I listed cannot be bought anywhere else as cheaply. The milk alone is a big savings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 (edited) This is my typical every 2 week Click N Pull Order: eggs butter sliced cheese shredded cheese milk sour cream potatoes broccoli onions bananas spinach celelry carrots oranges apples coffee honey # 10 cans tomatoes peanutbutter toiletpaper When I run out I get: yeast spices baking supplies white flour sugar pancake syrup frozen blueberries white rice trash bags zip lock bags Edited February 15, 2010 by Quiver0f10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Sam's is one of my favorite places to shop. Gas (if there is a gas station) Get film developed or digital photos printed Paper towels Toilet paper Garbage bags Vitamins Generic Tylenol & IB Generic Allergy Medication Hydrocortizone cream Bandaids Floss Sonic toothbrush refill heads Hand Soap Bath Soap Dishwasher soap Downy Books DVDs Clothes for children Mens Jeans Computer ink refills Pillows Eggs Cream Cheese Milk Cheese slices Cheese, grated Sharp cheese Jack Cheese Deli meats Salami Hot link sausages Boneless skinless Chicken breasts Fresh Meat on occasion Water Carrots Mini bell peppers Celery Lettuce Fruit Canned vegetables Canned fruit Applesauce Egg Noodles Salsa Lipton decaf tea bags Spices Sugar Brown Sugar Cheese dip Occasionally Chips Cheese balls Graham crackers Garetto Mix (sp) French bread Muffins Chocolate bundt cake (yum) Pumpkin pie Cinnamon Apple Pie Their bakery cakes are wonderful! We buy all our birthday cakes from them. We really prefer the "whipped frosting" they offer. Of course there are always "extra things" to look at and buy occasionally :). They have a great return policy and really stand behind what the sell. Happy Shopping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammaruss Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Milk is ALWAYS a definite at Sam's!! Eggs Cheese Cream Cheese Garbage Bags Laundry Soap Dish Soap Butter Peanut Butter Soups Fresh Fruit Fresh Veggies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 This is my typical every 2 week Click N Pull Order:eggs butter sliced cheese shredded cheese milk sour cream potatoes broccoli onions bananas spinach celelry carrots oranges apples coffee honey # 10 cans tomatoes peanutbutter toiletpaper When I run out I get: yeast spices baking supplies white flour sugar pancake syrup frozen blueberries white rice trash bags zip lock bags Quiver, how much do you have to order in order to qualify for the Click and Pull? Last time when I was there just to check out prices the day we got our photos taken I saw all the pre-loaded carts ready to go. That would be niicccceee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 extra virgin olive oil cheese bacon pure vanilla extract croissants - the best around here glass cleaner - it's a foam spray- I love it! Nestle chocolate chips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 boneless, skinless chicken- family pack dog food TP feminie products RX butter cheese Olive oil milk cottage cheese fresh fruit and veggies tea/ bulk coffee office supplies bulk yeast bulk seasoning bulk baking supplies noodles sour cream cottage cheese 5# peanut butter & jelly books/DVD's bread pretzals, chips, crackers toothpaste/shampoo dishsoap auto dish soap car supplies- oil and anti freeze solution. Tires- they have a 1 year warrenty that is terrific! (we also replaced all of our bedding from the fire, sheets, pillows, feather down pad). glasses and contact supplies clothes and toys (they have great after holiday sales) Trampoline (we'll replace ours that was burned from there again and hope to add a pool -they have great seasonal items). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Just got back from Sam's: Fresh boneless, skinless chicken breast--$1.77 lb. I cut them into smaller pieces and freeze, or cook them and dice before freezing (for soups). peanut butter walnuts craisins vitamins and supplements 90% lean ground beef (usually around $2.49 lb.) maple syrup fresh baby spinach microwave popcorn I agree with your mom--only buy what you would regularly buy at the grocery, and have an idea of the price there. I have found Sam's to be less expensive on most of the regular food items I buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Quiver, how much do you have to order in order to qualify for the Click and Pull? Last time when I was there just to check out prices the day we got our photos taken I saw all the pre-loaded carts ready to go. That would be niicccceee! I don't think there is a minimum amount. I have ordered under $100 and much larger orders :D I absolutely love click n pull! I order it and DH picks it up the next day on his way home from work. Can't beat that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I *LOVE* getting cat litter from Sam's. That, meat, and fruit are on my short list every time I go. Oil and other baking products are sometimes items. I saw someone else with yeast on their list, and with all the baking I've been doing lately, boy, do I need to add that to the Sam's list! I do buy Kleenex, paper towels, detergents, and toilet paper there. I know they're on par with grocery store prices, but it saves me the space in my cart and I can store it in my garage without losing a roll here or a box there, which makes it worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 I don't think there is a minimum amount. I have ordered under $100 and much larger orders :D I absolutely love click n pull! I order it and DH picks it up the next day on his way home from work. Can't beat that! That is definitely the way to go! Thanks so much. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I have shopped Sam's now for years. Honey Frozen green beans Frozen Peas Frozen broc/caul/carrot mix package of romaine lettuse Celery Bananas These are things that I get from there every month. I try to keep my visits down to once a month. Paper towels Toilet paper pecans (raw) These I purchase from there every 2-3 months. I don't buy desserts or prepackaged foods there as we never use them any more. If my cheese doesn't come in with my food club order it is least expensive there. IF I run out of eggs from my farm sources I purchase them there. You do really have to watch as you can get majorly sucked in to the convenience items in the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoife Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 We go almost once a week and get: Soy milk cottage cheese mushroom romaine lettuce bags of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses - 1x a month Prego spaghetti sauce spaghetti noodles Spices - most are way cheaper! nutrigrain bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Things we buy/have bought that are always cheaper there: DiGiorno pizzas bulk shredded cheese Kashi cereal Planter's individual nut packets (in boxes) frozen breakfast/lunch pockets Huggies (but they don't take coupons) nutritional supplements -Member's Mark brand Also, dry erase markers in quantity packs of binders pens tires Happy shopping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMary2 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Sliced and shredded cheeses Gogurt Milk Butter sticks Salmon and various other fish Pancake Mix Seasonings (large size last about 1.5 years) Garbage Bags (last me 9 months and they are only $12 a box!) Bag chicken Boxed Hamburgers Pickles- big jar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeanestMomInMidwest Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Good luck staying in budget at Sam's! We had to quit going because we would always find so many "bargains" that "we just couldn't pass up" we ended up overspending every time. And when I say "we" here I mean....well, not me. If you have better impulse control your experience may vary. Now that I know about click-n-pull, I'm tempted to try that, but just setting foot inside Sam's is dangerous for some members of my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2abcd Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 We live about the same distance from Aldi and Sam's. I use Aldi more, but there are some things that are cheaper at Sam’s than Aldi: Salsa Pure Vanilla Butter Extra virgin olive oil Fiber One bars Cheese Bacon – the already-cooked kind Spices Chicken breasts have been on sale a lot - $1.77/lb. Pork roasts $1.68/lb Ground beef 90/10 – If you have a Business membership, you can go in early before others and get the marked down meats. Laundry detergent Toilet paper (POM) If you're having a big party: paper plates, cups, plastic forks/spoons, etc Where you can really save $$$: Tires Computer ink Glasses/contacts Gas (if you can go there often) Trampoline -- Some things just taste better than the Aldi brand: Tuna Frozen broccoli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerriF Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 Sugar Brown Sugar Vanilla Honey Chocolate Chips Butter (if I haven't found a better sale) tortilla chips salsa (fresh) tilamook cheese (sp) salt (for water softner) Bagel Bites Tyson Chicken nuggets frozen fruit for smoothies pancake syrup fresh berries bananas large can of crushed tomato garlic (minced) spices (as needed) That is the main list. Extras get thrown in :) depending on who is shopping or how hungry we are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 We went last night and I had a set amount of money to spend so I tried to be very selective it what I bought. I plan on going once a month and it will take me a few months to get a really good stock of things. I had some bigger ticket items but many of them will last for 2-3 months and they were at huge savings compared to my grocery store - and they were all items that rarely if ever have coupons. My very best buys I put * by. I got: *First cold pressed olive oil *Pure maple syrup Cliff Organic Kidz bars *Raw Almonds Pistachios Cheerios Juice boxes (rarely use these so they'll last me for months!) Organic baby carrots bag of onions (will chop in food processor and freeze into 1 cup servings) *organic blueberries blackberries Fresh chicken breast that I divided up and froze for a few meals (good price but not amazing) Frozen Tilapia Frozen blueberries Frozen strawberries So many people mentioned that cheese was so low there but I guess my local store has great sales on cheese b/c I can get it lower there. I saw so many things I want to get next month and the month after and the months after that! :) Thanks to everyone. It was so helpful to have an idea of what I was looking for before I ever went in!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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