7 Things You Shouldn’t Buy at Sam’s Club While on a Retirement Budget
For budget-conscious retirees, a Sam’s Club membership can be a significant source of savings. The retail warehouse, Walmart’s brainchild over 40 years ago, offers various products, from groceries and household goods to clothes, shoes, electronics, and jewelry. It’s a convenient one-stop shop that can help families manage their expenses. However, it’s crucial to remember that not every item is a bargain, especially for retirees on a fixed income.
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As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average American 65-year-old earns $60,359 a year before taxes, with average annual expenditures totaling $57,818. This means that every dollar counts and retirees need to be in control of their finances. Here are seven things you should not buy at Sam’s Club while on a retirement budget and why.
Sam’s Club Brand Chips
While there are many great deals at Sam’s Club, the variety pack of their Member’s Mark chips is a waste of money, according to TikTok user @mami.mrya. In a video, she revealed that each bag is supposed to contain one ounce, but that was not the case.
“I’m letting you know half of these chips are barely even full,” she said, indicating the weight of the bags on a scale. In the 44-second clip, she dumped out one bag and counted only six chips.
Fresh Produce
Walking by the fresh produce section and seeing the crispy and colorful variety of fruits and vegetables is tempting to throw in your cart. It all looks so healthy and tasty, but unless you’re planning a party, chances are the majority will be tossed. One to two people can’t possibly eat 10 pounds of onions or a big container of broccolini before they spoil, so you’ll be wasting money and food.
Sunscreen
Wearing daily sunscreen is one of the best ways to help avoid skin cancer, but a little goes a long way, so grabbing a three-pack of sunscreen isn’t great on the pocketbook if you’re not going to use it all.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that sunscreen remain at its original strength for at least three years.” Anything after the 36-month expiration date won’t protect you from the sun’s damaging rays.
Huge Containers of Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is great for tuna sandwiches, chicken salad, potato salad, and other delicious dishes. However, it can also go bad quickly. “Mayonnaise is one of the more perishable condiments because it contains eggs,” per TableTasting. “Commercially packaged mayonnaise can last three to six months on the shelf before opening and two months after.” It may seem like you’re saving money by buying in bulk, but you’ll be wasting money if you don’t use most of the oversized jar.
Breakfast Cereal
Buying cereal in large quantities is a guaranteed way to lose money, Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, told Best Life. “Unless you know for sure you’re going to eat it every day for the foreseeable future or you have another container to store it in once you’ve opened it, you may want to skip it,” Ramhold stated. “The prices can be good, but if your cereal goes stale, then all the marshmallows and bright colors can’t save it.”
Holiday Wrapping Paper and Ribbons
Buying excess wrapping paper and ribbons for the holidays might seem like a good idea, but it’s a money-waster. “It is unlikely that you will use all of this ribbon for one year, and you might decide that you want to switch up your designs down the road,” Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback, told Best Life. You can instead pick up the amount of holiday wrapping paper and ribbon needed at the dollar store, where you’ll save money.
Medicine
Medications needed daily or regularly, such as allergy relief pills, are a good value at Sam’s Club. However, medications that aren’t taken as often, such as pain relievers or burn creams, might not be worth picking up. Since you’re not taking them frequently, you run the risk of the items expiring.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Things You Shouldn’t Buy at Sam’s Club While on a Retirement Budget
