How Upgrading My Sam's Club Membership Saved Me a Fortune
KEY POINTS
- Sam's Club is a popular warehouse club that offers bulk discounts.
- I recently upgraded to a PLUS membership.
- This saved me money on glasses and offered other perks.
Sometimes, paying a little more pays off.
My husband and I are Sam's Club members, and we were recently offered the opportunity to get a PLUS membership instead of the membership tier we had in place. This opportunity came at a cost of $55, but this extra expense has actually saved me a fortune. Here's why.
PLUS membership comes with perks that justify the price
Paying extra for PLUS membership paid off for me immediately after signing up. By paying an extra $55, we were able to save $80 on prescription eyeglasses. So even if I got no other benefits from my upgraded membership, the cost was worth paying since I immediately covered the membership dues and got more savings back in my pocket.
That's not the only advantage of a PLUS membership, though. I also get free shipping on purchases. And Sam's Cash is available on in-club purchases, including those that I get using curbside pickup. I get 2% back on purchases due to Sam's Cash, and that's without having to sign up for a Sam's Club credit card.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards
Since we routinely have things shipped from Sam's rather than trying to drag a toddler and a newborn through the store while picking up bulky items, we have already saved a ton on shipping fees we otherwise would have paid for our orders. And this is on top of getting money back each time we buy something. The 2% back combines with our credit card rewards to defray our purchasing expenses and make everything we buy just a little bit cheaper.
Sometimes it pays off to pay more
My upgraded Sam's membership is a clear example that it often pays off to buy something better from the start. It's important not to just think about the immediate upfront expense, but to look at the big picture of how each expenditure could ultimately pay off for you or cost you in the long run.
Joining Sam's Club always comes with an upfront cost, even if you do not get the Plus membership. But paying the warehouse club's fees can be worth it due to the discounted prices on many items we buy, from paper towels to laundry detergent and more. And the Plus membership costs even more, but the added perks that it offers more than offset the extra expense.
Of course, not everyone can afford to pay the upfront costs to reap the benefits that Sam's provides -- or that Plus membership provides. But for those with a little bit of extra spare cash, it's worth doing the math to see if membership makes sense and to evaluate which tier of membership will be the best overall value in the long run.
Rather than confusing a cheaper price with a better deal, do a personalized assessment to see what financial decision makes sense for you. Like the decision I made to get a better Sam's Club membership, taking this approach could end up paying off for you over time.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
Our Research Expert
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Related Articles
View All Articles