3 Smart Reasons to Cancel Your Sam’s Club Membership This Year

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For some shoppers, the benefits provided by a Sam’s Club membership aren’t worth the annual fee. Here are a few reasons to cancel your membership. [[{“value”:”

For many shoppers, a membership to a warehouse club like Sam’s Club can be worthwhile. The popular retailer sells groceries, household goods, clothing, electronics, and more at discounted rates.

But that doesn’t mean a Sam’s Club membership is a good fit for every shopper. Don’t let unnecessary annual membership fees eat away at your checking account balance. Here are a few reasons you may want to cancel your membership this year.

1. The items you usually buy aren’t available at Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club sells many products, both name-brand and its own private label, Member’s Mark. But you may find that some of the name-brand essentials you buy regularly from other retailers aren’t sold here.

For example, some specialty dog and cat foods from other brands aren’t available at Sam’s Club. If there are several items you’re already familiar with that you prefer to keep buying and they’re not available at Sam’s Club, you may want to consider canceling your membership.

But it may be worthwhile to try some alternate products to see if you like them before getting rid of your membership. Similar offerings from Sam’s Club may meet your needs.

2. You’re spending beyond your means

Shopping at warehouse clubs can result in spending much more money than planned. Sam’s Club is known for promoting new product offerings often. The retailer also does an excellent job of drawing buyers in with enticing product displays and end caps. A trip to your local club for groceries and essentials can suddenly feel very exciting.

Unfortunately, it can be too easy to overspend by purchasing items you don’t need. If you’re spending more than you can afford when you shop at Sam’s Club, consider dropping your membership.

3. You keep forgetting to use your membership perks

It’s best to use the perks provided to get good value from your Sam’s Club membership. If you invested in a Sam’s Club membership, but aren’t using it very often, you may be wasting your money. The best strategy is to shop online or in-club and stay in the know about current membership benefits so you can maximize your savings.

Whether you’re forgetting to use your membership because life is busy, your closest Sam’s Club is a good distance away, or you’re just not in the mood to push a giant shopping cart around a sprawling warehouse, it may be time to cancel your membership so you don’t waste money.

Look elsewhere for savings

If a Sam’s Club membership isn’t the right fit for you, that’s OK. There are other ways to save money when buying everyday essentials. Here are a few tips to help you save money without shopping at Sam’s Club:

Stay alert to sales: Review the weekly sales flier before shopping at other retailers. Planning your shopping list around sales items can help you keep more money in the bank.

Consider other shopping memberships: You may find other shopping subscriptions and memberships to be more valuable for your shopping habits. If you mostly shop online for example, investing in an Amazon Prime membership may be a better option for your household.

Earn rewards: It pays to take advantage of reward opportunities. One way to earn rewards when you shop is to pay with a credit card that earns cash back rewards. Check out our list of the best cash back credit cards to learn more.

If you’re a current Sam’s Club member, consider whether keeping your membership is the best move. If you’re getting good value from it and using the perks available, that’s excellent. But if you’re not benefiting much, it may be time to cancel your membership.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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