Stock Up: Gatorade
![Stock Up: Gatorade](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_26741.jpg)
If you have a home full of athletes or sickly people, Sam’s is the place to buy your sports hydration drinks in bulk.
They stock every flavor you can think of, and a 28-pack equates to .46 a bottle. That’s about as cheap as you’ll find name brand sports drinks.
Skip: Cereal
![Skip: Cereal](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_7335.jpg)
What? That’s right--skip the cereal. All manufacturers issue high value coupons, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck at the grocery store.
Also, club cereal packaged in such large volumes will go stale more quickly. The only thing worse than stale cereal is spoiled milk.
Stock Up: Toilet Paper
Skip: Books
![Skip: Books](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_46091.jpg)
If you love a good book, skip Sam’s for that purchase and head over to your local independent books store or even mass retailer like Walmart or Target.
You’ll save at least 20% and likely find the most recently published books by your favorite authors. The best deal would be your neighborhood library where you can borrow one for free!
Stock Up: Toothbrushes
![Stock Up: Toothbrushes](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_20435.jpg)
Personal hygiene is paramount, and everyone needs a toothbrush (especially the kids that spend the night at your house without a bag). You can get an 8-pack for roughly $12, which will cost you $25 on Amazon.
Another great thing is to purchase a pack and donate them to your local homeless outreach organization, who always needs toothbrushes.
Skip: Toothpaste
Stock Up: Gasoline
![Stock Up: Gasoline](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_14112.jpg)
Sam’s partners with Murphy oil to offer the lowest priced gasoline in town. Trust me, it’s worth a trip, and there's often only a short line to stop by and fill up or top off--especially when gas prices start to climb.
While 20 cents doesn’t seem like much, three fill ups will save you $10. Multiply that by 12 and now it equates to a really, really nice purse or pair of shoes.
Skip: Party Supplies
Stock Up: Tires
![Stock Up: Tires](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_48741.jpg)
Sam’s stocks a huge variety of tires, and they’re competitively priced to any tire shop in town. Plus, you can still get the manufacturer’s rebates.
Plus, as a "warehouse member," you get all inclusive pricing. So, no tricky valves,wheel balancing, or tire disposal fees to add in. Sam's even offers complimentary tire rotation with your purchase.
Skip: Beach Chairs
![Skip: Beach Chairs](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_12750.jpg)
I know they look fantastic with the beach umbrellas in a display right up front. But take a moment to assess your actual need for those low slung Tommy Bahama chairs.
And if you do need them, skip Sam’s until you hit a beach/lake town, where they’re literally cheaper at every single location, including your favorite souvenir shop.
Stock Up: Sugar
Skip: Coffee
Stock Up: Candy
![Stock Up: Candy](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_20334.jpg)
You will not find lower prices for Halloween or Easter candy than Sam’s. Their super-big packages are filled with brand-name pieces at low prices.
The only way to get it cheaper is after the holiday at your local supermarket. But will the kids wait a day or two on the Easter Bunny?
Skip: Canned Goods
Stock Up: Ramen
Skip: Bacon
Stock Up: Baked Goods
Skip: Cheesecake
Stock Up: Batteries
Skip: Variety Packs of Chips
![Skip: Variety Packs of Chips](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_19257.jpg)
Our society is obsessed with chips--tortilla, potato, corn, or those wacky variety packs. The trouble is the freshness--will you eat 52 tiny bags of multipack chips fast enough?
Your local grocery offers store brands that are 40% cheaper and rotated daily. Get your crunch on with those.
Stock Up: Nuts
Skip: Clothing
![Skip: Clothing](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_15954.jpg)
I hate to write this, but clothing items are a tricky thing at Sam’s. For one, you can’t try them on unless you shuck down to your skivvies mid-store.
You have to wait until you get home to try them on. If they don’t fit, returns are a hassle in the long customer service lines. And if you LOVE your item, you won’t be able to find it again.
Stock Up: Baking Soda
Skip: Soda
Stock Up: Baby Wipes
Skip: Detergent
![Skip: Detergent](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/personal_finance/u19144_slide_32984.jpg)
The aisle smells great. But the packaging is exactly the same as the ones you find at the grocery store or a chain mass market drug store, and they take manufacturer's coupons and even double them.
You’ll also gain those valuable shopper's points for gas discounts.
Stock Up: Cuts of Meat
Skip: Pasta
Stock Up: Frozen Food
Skip: Electronics
![](http://assets.alot.com/assets/common/authors/jennifer_freehill.jpg)