Warehouse Shopping

BJ's, Costco, Sam's Club - these three stores have become unanimous for saving, but here at Savvy Student we like to do our research before we hit the stores. Before you stock up on all your favorite foods we'd like to call attention to some things that you need to be aware of when it comes to shopping at these types of stores.

On a whole, consumers are more likely to overspend when shopping at these types of retailers. There are many reasons why, but one of the more surprising reasons is the infamous membership fee. These fees, which range from $40-$100 are not only a way to generate profit, but many members buy more as a result, believing they need to in order to justify the expense.

When it comes to buying in bulk it often makes sense to shop the warehouses, but not always. If you're just one person, the chances you'll eat through a three pound bag of salad before it goes bad are quite slim. Do the math, and by the time you factor in this waste, you would be better off buying the smaller bag from your supermarket.

Beyond the waste factor, often times those every day low prices at your local BJ's or Costco is not cheaper than your local supermarket sales. You'll often do better buying at the supermarket if they have sales, over the warehouse every day prices.

The question remains: are you really saving when you shop at those warehouse stores? Although many times you can save, don't assume everything you're buying is a good deal. Before you buy that 60 ounce bottle of spaghetti sauce, make sure you'll finish it in time for it to truly be that great deal you think it is.

Another last thought on warehouse shopping: coupons! Coupons are a great way to add more savings to your bill and in doing research we've found that only BJ's takes manufacturers coupons. That dollar off coupon may make the price that much better, so this is something to think about before you hit the stores.

'Tis the Season for Shopping,

Savvy Student