See I told you, this would help!
- SC = Store Coupon
- MC = Manufacturer Coupon
- SS = Smart Source
- RMN = Retail Me Not
- PG = Proctor and Gamble
- WYB = When You Buy
- B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free
- .75/1 = 75 cents off one item
- .75/3 = 75 cents off three items
- EXP = Expiration Date
Going Nuts? I can help you understand coupon terms and abbreviations
Home > Frugal Living > Wholesale vs Grocery Store: Is Buying in Bulk a Deal?
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
Some of you may remember a post I did on this a couple years ago. Well, I’ve decided take another look. I get asked a lot: “What about warehouse clubs?” I fight the urge to answer back with a quick “you aren’t saving anything”.
Personally I haven’t found much that makes the cost of a membership worth it. The biggest reason being that you can’t use coupons at most warehouse clubs (BJ’s being the one exception). To learn about the best way to use coupons go here.
In an effort to put numbers behind my personal feelings, I went to my local warehouse club and got the prices of 30 items from all over the store to get an updated price comparison. I compared prices for the same product and brand in each category.
Here are the prices broken down by price per size.
Item | Regular Store w/ coupons |
Sam’s Club |
---|---|---|
Boneless Chicken Breasts | $1.99 /lb | $1.77 /lb |
Split Chicken Breasts | 99¢ /lb | $1.79 /lb |
Bacon | $3 /lb | $3.42 /lb |
Canned Tuna, 5 oz | 50¢ per can | 84¢ per can |
Ketchup | 1.6¢ /oz | 5¢ /oz |
Mayonnaise | 3¢ /oz | 9¢ /oz |
Mustard | Free | 8¢ /oz |
Salad Dressing | 3.7¢ /oz | 12.5¢ /oz |
Popcorn (microwave) | 60¢ ea. | 77¢ ea. |
Soups, 15 oz | 40-60¢ per can | $1.15 per can |
Soft Drinks, 12 oz can | 18¢ per can | 32¢ per can |
Iced Tea Bags, family size | 3¢ per bag | 5¢ per bag |
Butter | $1.80 /lb | $2.37 /lb |
Cheese | $2.50 /lb | $2.46 /lb |
Eggs | $1.19 per dozen | $1.41 per dozen |
Milk | $3.19 per gallon | $3.29 per gallon |
Sour Cream | Free-1.8¢ /oz | 12.4¢ /oz |
Spaghetti Sauce | 3-4¢ /oz | 5.7¢ /oz |
Spaghetti Pasta | Free | 96¢ /lb |
Brownie Mix, 18-20 oz | 40¢ | $1.97 |
Cake Mix, 18-20 oz | Free-50¢ | $2.40 |
Cereal, 18-24 oz | $1.25 or less | $3.34 |
Sugar | 32¢ /lb | 58¢ /lb |
Baby Diapers | 9-15¢ per diaper | 22.5¢ per diaper |
Foil | 1¢ /sq. feet | 4.6¢ /sq. feet |
Freezer Bags | 4.5-6.7¢ ea. | 4.9¢ ea. |
Paper Towels | 1.3¢ /sheet | 1.8¢ /sheet |
Sandwich Bags | .9¢ ea. | 1.7¢ ea. |
Toilet Paper, roll | Free-29¢ ea. | .0019¢ /sheet |
Trash Bags | 10-13¢ ea. | 19.9¢ ea. |
Dishwasher Detergent | Free – .8¢ /oz | 5¢ /oz |
Glass Cleaner | 4¢ /oz | 12¢ /oz |
A few things that stand out to me:
-I remember at one point getting a membership just for paper goods, thinking that I had to be saving money getting a 40 roll paper towel pack, but using store sales and coupons (normally in the drugstores) we are saving a ton over the “bulk price”!
-The second reason folks get memberships… diapers. Yep, not saving there either.
-$1.79 for boneless skinless chicken breast is really good, but don’t think 20¢ less per pound is worth the membership.
I know for some of you looking at the price per ounce, you are thinking “that’s only 5¢ more and I don’t have to use coupons”. Remember that’s 5¢ per ounce and really in the end will make the product twice the cost over using a coupon and catching the sale in the grocery store.
Okay all this said, there are some that love to buy in bulk versus watching sales and clipping coupons. You are saving money over the full retail price in a grocery store, so I’m not trying to rock your boat. But, I’d like to show you how much you could save if you put a little time into doing the whole coupon “thing”.
I know a lot of people really enjoy BJ’s as they have store coupons and accept manufacturer coupons. Others are big fans of CostCo as they have store coupons (and, apparently, cheap organic produce). Neither one is close to me, so I don’t have much shopping experience there. Having talked to friends, it sounds like there are certainly deals, but grocery stores are still king.
Helpful Links:
Walmart vs. Grocery Stores
Learn to Coupon
(In case you are wondering, I am not affiliated with Sam’s in any way… that’s to make lawyers happy.)
Search by Item
Looking for a deal on something specific?
View OtherCurrent Deals
Sunday Ads Best Deals Freebies- Latest Articles
- Categories
- Videos
- Frigidaire 9-Can Beauty Lighted Mirror Fridge $29.99 (reg. $60)
- FREE 30-Day Trial of Walmart InHome Delivery
- Pick Up Crest 3D White Toothpaste for 99¢ at CVS
- Preview: Top Drugstore Deals Next Week 6/2-6/8
- Kohl’s Clearance Sale Up to 85% Off Clothing, Home & More!
- Target Embark Sale | $50 Collapsible Wagon, $15 Kids Sleeping Bags
- Ergonomic Armless Swivel Desk Chair $50 Shipped (reg. $300)
- 77¢ Palmolive Dish Soap with Publix eCoupon
- Johnny Rockets | FREE Shake for You & a Friend!
- Lowes Foods Unadvertised Deals: 5/29-6/4
- $2.74 Venus Smooth Razors at Walgreens
- Year of Peacock for $19.99 (reg. $49.99) Just in Time for the Olympics!
- Publix Unadvertised Deals: 5/29-6/4 or 5/30-6/5
- Target | Up to 50% Off Patio Furniture
- $1.99 18-ct. Eggs with Kroger eCoupon
- Walgreens Photo Code | 60% off Metal Panels
- 70% off Your First MEL Science Kit | Ends Today!
- $3.24 Downy, Tide, & Bounce at Walgreens
- Hulu 1-Month Free Trial without Ads Plus Disney+ Bundle!
- Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops 2-Pack $32.98
- Sunday Coupon Insert Preview 06/02
- Reebok Memorial Day Sale | Up to 65% Off Sitewide
- Gorilla Carts Steel Mesh Garden Cart $89 (reg. $109) at Walmart
- Kroger Meal Plans: Dinner Ideas Based on Sales Starting 5/29
- Koolaburra by UGG Clearance at Kohl’s!
- Top 10 Target Deals: Allergy Medication Deals + More
- MKF Collection Sale | Up to 70% Off + Extra 25% Off
- 11¢ Carefree Liners at Walgreens
- Yankee Candle Clearance | Up to 75% Off
- Lowes Foods Weekly Ad: 5/29-6/4
- Palmetto Craft Capers Pine Chain Swing for $60 at Home Depot!
- 29¢ Maybelline Baby Lips at CVS
- End of Month Budget Questions | May Budget Recap
- Harris Teeter Weekly Ad: 5/29-6/4
- Free Kids Safe Gabb Phone 3 Pro or Smartwatch
- Pick Up 82¢ Hellmann’s Mayo at Publix
- BOGO Free Starbucks Handcrafted Beverages 12-6pm Today (5/29)
- 56¢ Happy Baby & Happy Tot Pouches
- Walmart | 2-Pack Folding Low Beach Chair $39 + More Beach Essentials!
- Cayman 3-Piece Wicker Outdoor Patio Bistro Set $112.10 (reg. $399)
- 6-Pk Dannon Danimals Yogurt Smoothies for $1.02
- Amazon | $10 Sling Crossbody Bag (reg. $20)
- Walmart Ad Deals: 5/26-6/1
- Sale Extended! Lands’ End – 50% Off Everything + Extra 10% Off Swim!
- Kroger Weekly Ad: 5/29-6/4
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 5/26-6/1
- Free $10 CashPass For New JCPenney Rewards Members (Join for Free!)
- $1.64 Febreze Plug Scented Oil Warmer at CVS
- Ends 5/29 – Wayfair Memorial Day Clearance Deals Plus 20% off Code!
- Southern Savers Frugal Home Decor Ideas
- $1 or Less
- Advantage Buys
- Aldi
- all Detergent Coupons
- Amazon
- Baby & Toddler Coupons
- Baby Deals
- back to school
- Bath & Body Works
- Beauty Coupons
- Best Buy
- Beverage Coupons
- Bi-Lo
- BJs
- Black Friday
- Bloom
- Booklets
- Carter's
- Catalina Deals
- Cereal Coupons
- Cheese Coupons
- Clearance Deals
- Clothing Deals
- Coffee Coupons
- Colgate Coupons
- Columbia
- Commissary
- coupon booklets
- Crest Coupons
- CVS
- Daily Deal Sites
- Desserts
- Diaper Coupons
- Dining
- DIY Christmas
- Dollar General
- Dollar Tree
- Donations
- DSW
- Earth Fare
- eCoupons
- Entertainment
- Entrees
- Extreme Couponing 101
- Family Dollar
- Family Life
- Florida Price Match
- Food City
- Food Lion
- Fred's
- Free
- Free Shipping
- Friday Finals
- Frugal Crafts
- Frugal Dates
- Frugal Decor
- Frugal House
- Frugal Living
- Frugal Look Alikes
- Frugal Recipes
- Frugal Travel
- General
- General Mills Coupons
- Gift Ideas
- Giveaway
- Glade Coupons
- Grocery Coupons
- Grocery Store Coupons
- Groupon
- H-E-B
- Harris Teeter
- Harvey's Coupons
- Harveys
- Holiday Deals
- Home Depot
- Home School Resources
- Household Coupons
- Household Deals
- Huggies Coupons
- In-Store Deals
- Ingles
- JCPenney
- K-Mart
- Kate Spade
- Kelloggs Coupons
- Keto
- Kids Deals
- Kohl's
- Kraft Coupons
- Kroger
- Kroger Meal Plans
- Land's End
- Laundry Coupons
- Lidl
- Local Coupons
- Lowe's
- Lowes Foods
- Magazine Deals
- Making Money
- Menu Ideas
- Menu Plans
- Movie Kiosk Codes
- Office Depot-Max
- Office Depot-Max Online Deals
- Office Supply Stores
- Old Navy
- Online Deals
- Online shopping
- Organic Food
- Organic Living
- Other Grocery Stores
- Other Stores
- Pampers Coupons
- Paper Towel Coupons
- Penny Item
- Personal Care Coupons
- Pet Coupons
- Photo Deals
- Pillsbury Coupons
- Podcasts
- Printable Coupons
- Publix
- Publix Meal Plans
- Publix Weekly Ad
- QVC
- Randalls
- Reader Questions
- Rebates
- Recalls
- RecycleBank Rewards and Points
- Reebok
- Regional Coupons
- Reviews
- Rewards Programs
- Rite Aid
- Safeway
- Saving Money
- SavingStar eCoupons
- Sides
- Staples
- Staples Online Deals
- swagbucks
- Sweepstakes
- Sweetbay
- Target
- Target Coupons
- The Children's Place
- Tide Coupons
- Time Sensitive
- Toilet Paper Coupons
- Travel Deals
- Uncategorized
- Upromise eCoupons
- Vera Bradley
- Video
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Warehouse Clubs
- Wayfair
- Weekly Best Prices
- Weekly Inserts
- Weekly Top Deals
- Weekly Weigh In
- Whole Foods
- Winn Dixie
- Woot!
- Yogurt Coupons
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 5/26-6/1
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 5/12-5/18
- How to Cut Your Utility Bills | Part One: General Tips + Water, Trash, Electricity
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/28-5/4
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/14-4/20
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 3/31-4/6
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 3/17-3/23
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 2/11-2/17
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 2/4-2/10
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 1/21-1/27
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 1/7-1/13
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 12/31-1/6
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 12/10-12/16
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 12/3-12/9
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 11/12-11/18
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 11/5-11/11
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 10/29-11/4
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 10/22-10/28
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 10/8-10/14
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 10/1-10/7
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 9/24-9/30
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 9/17-9/23
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 9/10-9/16
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 8/27-9/2
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 8/20-8/26
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 8/6-8/12
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 7/30-8/5
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 7/23-7/29
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 7/16-7/22
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 6/25-7/1
- Live Q&A Tonight: Saving More at Publix & Kroger
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/30-5/6
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/23-4/29
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/16-4/22
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 4/9-4/15
- Live Q&A: Walmart+ vs Amazon Prime
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 3/26-4/1
- Ways to Earn Extra Money + Live Q&A: Tonight!
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 3/19-3/24
- Traveling on a Budget | Tips & Tricks + Live Q&A
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 3/5-3/11
- Live Q&A: Saving & Planning for College
- Video: Top CVS & Walgreens Deals 2/26-3/4
- Video: Top Drugstore Deals 2/5-2/11
- Saving on Meat & Produce Live Q&A Tonight at 8:30 pm
- Video: Top Drugstore Deals 1/29-2/4
- Saving at Walmart, Target & Dollar General + Live Q&A
- Video: Top Drugstore Deals 1/22-1/28
- Video: Top Drugstore Deals 1/15-1/21
- Live Q&A Tonight – How to Shop the Drugstores