Should You Join a Warehouse Club in 2023?

As the cost of living rises throughout the country, many consumers are looking for ways to trim their spending to stay on budget. Many shoppers find investing in a warehouse club membership is an excellent way to save money on food and essential household expenses. 

If you're not yet a member, you may wonder if you should join a warehouse club this year. It might be worth it for those who can afford the yearly membership cost. But some shoppers may find it makes more sense to shop at other retailers instead.

The cost of a yearly warehouse club membership

You'll need to pay for an annual membership to shop at a warehouse club. Before swiping your credit card to pay for a membership, review your budget to ensure you can afford the cost. How much you'll pay depends on the warehouse club that you join and the membership type. Here's a breakdown of the costs for three popular warehouse clubs. 

BJ's

Club Card membership: $55 per year

Club Card+ membership: $110 per year 

Costco

Gold star membership: $60 per year 

Executive membership: $120 per year  

Sam's Club 

Club membership: $50 per year 

Plus membership: $110 per year 

Other considerations to make before joining a club 

In addition to the expense, there are other considerations that you should make before joining a warehouse club. While many people benefit from shopping at warehouse clubs, it's not a good fit for all. Consider the following before joining: 

• Location: Is there a warehouse club in your area? If not, you'll need to spend more on gasoline and take more time out of your day to do your shopping. Those who find this expense valuable tend to have a club location near their homes. 
• Product availability: Take some time to review product availability before joining. You can browse each club's website or mobile app to see what products it keeps in stock. You want to feel confident that the items you usually buy will be available. 
• Storage: Do you have the space to store all the items you’ll buy? Many items at warehouse clubs are sold in bulk, so if you have minimal extra storage space, you may not find a membership useful. 
• Meal planning: When you come home with bulk food items, you want to ensure you can put all of the food you buy to use before it expires. One way you can do this more easily is by meal planning. If you already plan your meals before shopping, a warehouse club membership may work well for you. 
• Membership usage: Will you get much use out of your membership? If you only anticipate buying a few items a year or visiting your local club once or twice a year, you may want to hold off on getting a membership -- even if it fits your budget. 
• Impulse buys: Many shoppers spend more than anticipated because they fall for impulse buys. Warehouse clubs use clever marketing techniques to entice you to spend more money. If you often fall prey to impulse buying, you may want to steer clear, or you could rack up credit card debt. 

Should you buy a warehouse club membership? 

Only you can decide if a warehouse club membership is a worthwhile investment. But take the time to consider your own needs, shopping habits, and budget before joining. As a member, you may be able to save a significant amount of money on everyday expenses, which could make it easier for you to reach your personal finance goals.