I'm a Personal Finance Expert: 5 Sam's Club Buys Worth the Annual Fee
Wholesale membership clubs like Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club offer lower prices in exchange for a membership fee. It takes careful planning and tracking what your family normally buys to see if the savings make the membership worth it.
A Sam’s Club membership normally costs $60, but new members can snag all the savings at just $25 for the first year. After that, does it pay to renew?
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Let’s look at five common purchases that ensure you’ll get your money’s worth out of a full price membership.
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Starkist Chunk Light Tuna in Water
Price: $9.98 for 12 cans, typically $10.98
Tuna is an affordable protein that can be used for salads, casseroles, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Sam’s Club has a 12-can pack of Starkist for under $10 now through October. We found the same product for $5.19 for four 5-ounce cans at Target, which means you’d pay $15.57 for 12 cans. That’s a $5 savings, or $4 off Sam’s Club’s regular price of $10.98. If you buy tuna monthly, you’ll nearly pay for your membership from that savings alone.
LG WashCombo All-in-One Washer and Dryer
Price: $1,795
If you’re in the market for new appliances, you can find great deals at Sam’s Club. But we only found a few stand-out instances where the sale prices were substantially better than retailers like Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
Sam’s Club offered incredible savings on many LG washing machine and dryer models. For instance, the LG WashCombo washer and dryer, perfect for small spaces, is only $1,795, compared to $1,999 at Best Buy. That more than covers your membership cost with savings of $205. This unique, energy-efficient washer-dryer saves space and electricity by using a ventless heat pump for drying.
Many other appliances showed savings of $5 or less compared to competitors. If you’re renovating your kitchen or updating aging appliances, that smaller savings can add up, so the Sam’s Club membership could still be a solid investment.
Nintendo Switch 2
Price: $449 plus $15 back in Sam’s Cash
Sam’s Club has the Nintendo Switch for $449, which is the MSRP. But members also receive $15 in Sam’s Cash back, which is one-quarter of the way toward covering your membership cost for a year.
Here’s where it gets interesting: On Sept. 1, 2026, Nintendo is increasing the price of the game system to $499, while the Sam’s Club sale goes through Jan. 1, 2027. If you’re looking to buy a Nintendo Switch 2 as a Christmas gift and don’t want to purchase it immediately, Sam’s Club will beat the MSRP this fall by $50.
Fuel at the Pump
Prices: Vary by region
Many wholesale club members join for the gas savings alone. In the case of Sam’s Club, that’s a wise decision. We compared gas prices in three states going into a summer weekend and found Sam’s Club cheaper across the board.
Sam’s Club gas on Long Island, New York, was $3.59 a gallon, 47 cents cheaper than the state average of $4.06. California Sam’s Club prices were impressively under $5 at $4.50, while the national average is $5.63. Ohio Sam’s Club gas was $3.19, compared to $3.70 state-wide.
California drivers can save nearly $20 per 15-gallon tank at Sam’s Club. If you fill up once a week, you’ll cover the membership cost in less than one month. Ohio drivers will save $7.65 per tank, while New York drivers save $7.05. That’s still enough to pay for your membership in roughly two months.
Kerrygold Salted Butter
Price: $12.22 for 1.5 pounds
If you prefer premium brand foods, you can save by shopping at Sam’s Club. For example, Kerrygold Irish butter retails for $6 for 8 ounces at a regional grocery store in New York, $5.19 for half a pound at Target, and $4.84 at discount grocer Lidl.
You’ll save $2.30 at Sam’s Club compared to Lidl, $3.35 compared to Target and $5.75 compared to Stop & Shop. Even if you’re a moderate butter using going through one pound a month, you’d save $18.40 annually compared to Lidl and much more if you normally shop elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
You may not cover your Sam’s Club membership with one large purchase, but the savings on gas, groceries and everyday items adds up over time.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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