The $9 Sam’s Club Staple I Stock Up on Ahead of the Holidays (It’s Even Cheaper Than Costco)

Between classic supermarkets, bulk warehouses, and online retailers, there are more ways than ever to get your groceries today. As a food editor on a budget, my top money-saving tip is buying in bulk, and one of my favorite places for that is Sam’s Club. This membership-only retail warehouse was opened by Walmart nearly 40 years ago, and in my opinion it’s severely overlooked. 

I believe everyone should consider a membership for its array of benefits (everyday low prices, pharmacy services, and auto care), but mainly for one reason: its impressive baking section. These days, baking staples like butter, milk, and eggs feel more expensive than they’ve ever been (because they are). So to save as many dollars and minutes as I can, I buy those items in bulk — specifically from Sam’s Club’s excellent baking aisle. 

I used to go to Sam’s Club on occasion with my mom (she famously had memberships to all of the bulk warehouses), and to this day it’s got the best deals when it comes to baking. I’m talking butter, flour, sugar, and many other items home bakers (and cooks) use regularly. A 10-pound bag of sugar is $2.50 cheaper at Sam’s than my other favorite warehouse ($8.70 compared to $11.18) and equal-size packs of butter are $2 less ($17.83 vs. $19.39). I can also get more than double the amount of flour — 25 pounds! — for $12.18. (Otherwise, I’d cough up $13.05 for a slight 10 pounds.) 

That’s $5 dollars I’m saving on just these three items alone. I’m a major baker, and I go through at least 10 times more baking staples than the average person. So over a year, the dollars really add up. 

And these items aren’t just inexpensive — they’re actually really high-quality. The unsalted butter makes the creamiest, dreamiest buttercream I’ve ever had. I can’t get enough of the store-brand granulated sugar, and the flour is soft and supple and excellent for all sorts of cookies, cakes, brownies, and more. 

Sam’s Club also carries a vast inventory of both shelf-stable and perishable groceries, across both its private-label and brand-name products. Beyond butter, flour, and sugar, the store has excellent deals on items like vanilla extract, baking powder, bulk nuts, cooking oil, and eggs. Once I saw how much I could save on my own shopping from the baking aisle alone, I knew it was time to get my own membership for my household. 

What’s your favorite section at Sam’s Club? Tell us in the comments below.