15. Snacks
Think you’ll really be able to keep your hands off of a family size box of goldfish or variety pack of chips? Unlikely. Research has shown that junk food is eight times more addictive than cocaine, thanks to boatloads of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other habit-forming ingredients. If you really need to indulge in junk food, stick to smaller quantities. Better yet, choose healthy, high-protein snacks instead, like pumpkin seeds, trail mix or nut butter and celery sticks.
Things to buy at Costco or Sam’s Club
- Organic produce: The Seattle Times reported that Costco is now the leading organic foods grocer in the nation, even over Whole Foods.
- Wine: you’ll find bottles for 30 percent cheaper than grocery stores.
- Prescription drugs: a Consumer Reports study found a 400 percent difference between the highest price stores and warehouse stores for generic medication. Plus, you don’t need a membership to get your prescription filled.
- Gift cards: both Huffington Post and MSN recommend buying gift cards at warehouse stores, since they cost 15 to 30 percent less than retail value.
- Eyeglasses: Consumer Reports found that Costco shoppers spent an average of $186 on a pair of glasses, while independent shoppers spent closer to $300.
- Meat: the grade of meat is typically higher than grocery store products, but you’ll still want to watch for labels like organic and pasture raised.
- Gasoline: expect at least 12 cents savings per gallon compared to gas elsewhere. Using gas prices on GasBuddy.com, we found that our nearby Costco costs $2.67 a gallon, while other gas stations cost $2.77. Savings, indeed!
- Batteries: Huffington Post reports that at batteries in bulk are a good idea, since they take years to expire. And at Sam’s Club, shoppers can expect to pay $1 less than they would at grocery stores.
How to get more savings
Always look at the “price per unit” of a bulk set. This way you’ll be able to see if you’re really getting the best deal or whether to pass it up. When you’re not shopping at Costco or Sam’s Club, here are some apps and websites to help you save money and learn the art of couponing:
- Gas Buddy
- Coupons.com
- Krazy Coupon Lady
- Grocery IQ
- RetailMeNot
- Checkout51
- SavingStar
- SnipSnap
- Coupon Sherpa
— The Alternative Daily
