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A Sam’s Club membership could help you save money on essentials. But, for some shoppers, it’s not always worth paying for another year. Find out why. [[{“value”:”

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Some shoppers join warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club to save money when stocking up on everyday essentials. But it costs money to join Sam’s Club, so it’s important to take a few moments to decide whether the benefits are worthwhile for your household before you join or renew your membership. If you don’t do this, you could waste your hard-earned money. It may be best for some shoppers to avoid spending money on a renewal. Here are some reasons why.

1. You’re paying for multiple memberships

If you’re a fan of saving money, you may pay for multiple memberships and subscriptions in addition to your Sam’s Club membership. For example, a lot of people have an Amazon Prime membership because they can get items shipped to their homes quickly and access members-only deals.

However, paying for multiple memberships can quickly deplete your checking account funds. If you feel you have too many memberships right now, you may want to reconsider being a Sam’s Club member. You may want to avoid renewing if you use other services more often.

2. You struggle with impulse buying

It can be easy to impulse buy at retailers like Sam’s Club. There’s always an exciting deal being promoted, and the company frequently introduces new products. But frequent impulse purchases can significantly impact your credit card statement balances. Consider taking a break from your membership to reel in your spending before you rack up credit card debt.

3. Your go-to products aren’t sold there

Sam’s Club sells a variety of products at its clubs. Some are brand-name items, but others are Member’s Mark, a private-label brand. You may skip your upcoming renewal if you’re brand-loyal and your usual products aren’t sold at Sam’s Club. Unless you plan to change your shopping habits and buy the products that Sam’s Club sells. Sam’s Club isn’t a good fit for some shoppers because they don’t love the products sold there — and that’s OK.

4. You only shop at Sam’s Club occasionally

Some shoppers go to Sam’s Club several times a month. Otherwise, do a bigger haul once a month. However, it may not make sense to continue being a member if you only shop at Sam’s Club occasionally, such as three to five times a year. You want to make sure you’re getting value from your membership. If you only shop there occasionally, you may be wasting money.

5. You no longer live near a club

If you’ve moved to a different home or area, consider whether the drive to your closest Sam’s Club is worthwhile. If you’re spending a lot of time in the car and are wasting gas to do your haul, you may want to pause before renewing your membership. Instead, check to see if there is a closer alternative near your home, like Costco. Joining a different warehouse club may be a better choice if there aren’t any Sam’s Club locations in your area.

Review your needs and consider your finances

Before renewing any membership, it’s wise to consider whether you’re still getting value from it. You pay a yearly fee to access Sam’s Club, so it’s best to ensure you still benefit from being a member and that shopping there doesn’t negatively impact your finances.

If you use your membership perks and can afford the yearly fee, that’s excellent news. But if your needs have changed or your wallet feels the impact every time you pay your annual membership fee, do yourself a favor and hold off on renewing. For additional tips, check out our personal finance resources.

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