• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

Family, Marriage, Finances & Life

  • Toolkit
  • Contact
  • Lunch
  • Save A Ton Of Money
  • About Clever Dude
  • Our Editorial Commitment

Spending

Costco vs Sam’s Club – Why Not Both?

May 22, 2015
By Brock Kernin
- Leave a Comment

SamsCostco_pic

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I renewed my executive Costco membership in April. We buy as many food and household products as we can there to make the most of the 2% cash back rewards program.   I also have the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citibank which earns me additional cash back rewards.

Since I’m invested heavily in maximizing my Costco membership, one would think that I would have no use for a Sam’s Club membership.   One could think that, but that would be an incorrect assumption because over the weekend I dropped the $45 needed to renew my Sam’s Club membership.

I had been thinking about the decision for a couple of weeks, and there are a couple of reasons why I wanted to keep my Sam’s Club membership:

  • Meat Department : Sam’s Club has some cuts of meat that Costco doesn’t commonly have in their meat case. For example, the Costco near me does not carry full beef brisket. The only other convenient business that has full briskets is Walmart, but they are usually pretty small, and don’t look very good.
  • Snacks: There are some snacks that I really like at Sam’s that Costco does not carry. One such example is frozen pizza. Costco’s selection of frozen pizza is horrid.
  • Produce Selection :   Both Sam’s and Costco’s fresh fruit and vegetables are head and shoulders above anything else in my local area. Sometimes Costco gets a bad batch, as does Sam’s. Having both memberships gives me constant access to fantastic produce.

If I had to pick just one, I would pick Costco. But the membership to Sam’s is $45 annually which to me is worth it for just the reasons above.   Having both memberships isn’t about saving money, I do all my money saving at Costco. Having a Sam’s membership gives me access to the very best products available in my area.

What do you think, Clever Friends? Do any of you have both a Costco and a Sam’s Club membership? Why do you have both memberships?

Try these articles out:

Key things to remember when applying for a loan
Is a membership to National Consumer Panel worth it?
Blue Apron review
Saving on water utilities for pool owners
Which is Cheaper: Keg or Canned Beer?

Brought to you courtesy of Brock

  • Follow Clever Dude on Twitter
  • Like Clever Dude on Facebook

Related Posts

  • cat breeds
    4 Cat Breeds Chosen by Men Who Refuse to Own a Dog

    For many men, owning a dog just doesn’t fit their lifestyle. Maybe it’s the daily…

  • 6 Hotel Perks That Save You Money
    6 Hotel Perks That Save You Money

    Traveling is expensive, so when we hit the road we're always on the lookout for…

  • home heating mistakes
    7 Things Nearly Everyone Gets Wrong When Heating Their Home

    As the winter settles in, heating bills tend to climb. What many people don't realize…

  • hidden wealth
    10 Signs Someone Has More Money Than They’re Telling You

    Not everyone likes to broadcast their financial situation, and some people go out of their…

  • uninsurable house
    7 Features That Make a House “Uninsurable” in Some States

    You may think you've finally found your dream home. It has everything you could imagine…

  • men’s health screenings
    6 Men’s Health Screenings You Shouldn’t Ignore

    Let’s be honest—most men aren’t racing to schedule a doctor’s appointment unless something’s broken, bleeding,…

Image of Clever Dude writer Brock Kernin.

About Brock Kernin

Brock Kernin is a software engineer and personal finance writer who paid off more than $100,000 in credit card debt through disciplined budgeting and debt-management strategies. Drawing on that experience, his BA degree and years of practical writing, he contributes clear, actionable money guidance to CleverDude focused on everyday financial decisions, frugal living, and long-term stability.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. stay klassy says

    May 22, 2015 at 9:15 am

    I have both Costco and Sam’s Club memberships. I haven’t shopped Costco in months, however I shop Sam’s Club regularly. I renew my Costco exec membership due to the Ameriprise car and home insurance – I found their rates to be much cheaper. I also like the other membership services Costco offers versus Sam’s Club. I think the top two reasons I don’t shop Costco are the crowds and political affiliations.

    Reply
  2. Brock says

    June 1, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    @stayklassy – Ah, so you buy the costco membership for the perks…and not necessarily the products etc? Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular Articles

Are you feeling the call to be a Clever Dude? Then, let's get down to brass tacks and explore what it takes to be one. Get ready for an in-depth look into the anatomy of someone who exudes cleverness!

There's nothing like hearing you're clever; it always hits the spot!

Footer

  • Toolkit
  • Contact
  • Lunch
  • Save A Ton Of Money
  • About Clever Dude
  • Our Editorial Commitment

Copyright © 2006–2026 District Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us