Food is more expensive now than it was a year ago, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The Consumer Price Index for food showed a 12-month increase of 3.0% as of June 2025.
Consider implementing tactics to help you beat grocery inflation, allowing you to have some room left in your budget at the end of the month.
When you grab your Sam's Club membership and head over for your weekly or monthly shopping, keep the following tips in mind.
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Shop the seasonal sales
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Sam's Club rolls out discounts on many of its products throughout the year. Some of these monthly or seasonal savings could significantly reduce your bills.
Stock up when items you need go on sale. Buy cold meds, cereal, and sugar in larger quantities when they're on sale. Do the same for meat and other items that can be safely frozen.
Take advantage of bonus offers
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When you link an eligible credit card to your Sam's Club account, you can start looking for bonus offers at other places you shop, including restaurants, tech subscriptions, and even monthly TV subscriptions.
You'll earn Sam's Cash with up to 20% in some offers. Then, you can spend that cash back at Sam's Club for things you want and need.
Buy online to get cash back
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Getting even a small amount back from your shopping trip is always a good idea. You can purchase dry goods, electronics, and health supplies online from Sam's Club.
When you do, use a cash-back website like Rakuten to help you get some money back. Shipping is free on most items.
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Get the Plus membership
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For those who rely on Sam's Club for most of their shopping needs, it's worth upgrading to the Plus membership.
The Plus membership is $110 per year and gives you added benefits like access to Sam's Cash for Plus, free shopping, pharmacy discounts, and vision savings.
Shop mid-week for big savings
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The weekends are the busiest time for the warehouse club. That's why you should skip it and shop Tuesday through Thursday instead.
That's when you'll get the best deals, especially if you shop early in the day when customer service reps discount items that haven't sold over the weekend. This is especially true in the produce and meat sections.
Get to the clearance sections
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Did you know that Sam's Club has a clearance section? Most do (both online and in-store), and this can provide you with a simple but significant amount of savings.
Clearance items are often scattered throughout the store, and you'll likely notice stickers indicating sale prices on them.
Get discounted gift cards
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Many Sam's Club locations offer gift cards at a lower price than their face value.
That means if you are going to spend $100 at dinner with friends, you could pick up a gift card from Sam's Club for that restaurant for less instead.
The amount of savings depends on the offer and how many cards you purchase in bulk.
Get your prescriptions at a discount
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Some people may qualify to get a lower price on their prescriptions if they purchase them through Sam's Club.
Stop in at the pharmacy to find out what your prescriptions' out-of-pocket costs will be. Some are free for Plus members, including Vitamin D2 50,000 IUs, Finasteride, Donepezil, and Escitalopram.
Get the credit card
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The Sam's Club credit card offers a nice bonus for members. Plus members get up to 5% cash back when shopping at the warehouse (2% from their Plus membership and 3% from Sam's Club Mastercard).
You also get 5% cash back on the first $6,000 worth of gas you purchase at the club, 3% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases. That can add up over time.
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Get a military discount
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If you qualify, you could save substantially on your Sam's Club membership as a veteran or a military spouse. You'll need to have military identification.
As a new member, you could receive $10 off your initial purchase or more, plus you can save more when you renew your membership annually.
Split your purchases with a friend
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If you have a friend who wants to save on Sam's Club goods but doesn't have a membership, split your purchases with them for added savings.
That's a great way to take advantage of bulk savings options available through the warehouse without letting items go to waste.
You also get those membership cash back rewards on all the purchases made, even those of your friends.
Get your flat tire fixed for free
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If you are a Club or a Plus member, you may be able to bring your vehicle into the Tire & Battery Center with a flat tire and get it fixed without cost.
They will also provide you with free wiper blade installation (you'll need to purchase the wiper blade) and free battery testing. You don't even have to buy your tires or battery at Sam's Club to get these perks.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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July is in full swing, bringing the height of summer. That also means peak season for hot deals and unbeatable savings. Now’s the time to save big on:
- Grills, coolers, and outdoor living upgrades
- Travel must-haves for road trips and beach days
- Swimwear and summer fashion
- For grocery savings, grab seasonal produce like watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes
While you're enjoying the sunshine, retailers are quietly making room for back-to-school inventory. That makes July a prime opportunity to scoop up summer favorites while the deals are still blazing.
Sign up for email updates
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Don't miss this trick. Sign up for emails from Sam's Club. You could receive new item alerts for must-have goodies, but you'll also learn about special savings events and promotions.
This includes special offers that may not be advertised through other methods. In-club events are also a good way to save money at Sam's Club.
Shop the codes
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Sam's Club uses letter codes on its price tags that can shed some light on whether or not items may drop in price even further.
If you see an "N" that means it's "Never Out" or always in stock. Items with an "A" are "Active," which means they have ample stock available.
For those with a "C" though, buy them now. That indicates the product has been "Canceled" and is likely coming off the shelves soon.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.
Buy the Member's Mark items
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Member's Mark is the in-house brand for the warehouse and is often significantly cheaper than the more well-known brands you're used to buying.
Here's a simple way to save money on essentials: Switch to the Member's Mark brand, and you'll get high-quality products at a lower price.
From patio furniture to groceries, the quality tends to be very high, and it's almost impossible to tell the difference from the original on-brand items.
Bottom line
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These days, figuring out how to stretch your dollar further could help lower your financial stress. If you shop at bulk stores like Sam's Club and Costco, these tips can help you.
To save money, consistently check for savings options on groceries, travel, entertainment, auto care, and more when shopping.
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