I am not sure if you have a Costco near you, but I have found their prices to be within cents of Sams. The quality of their products is far superior to Sams. Their Kirkland brand is as good if not better than most name brands. For example, their paper towls are stronger than Brawny or Bounty. The Kirkland Vodka ranks up there with Absolute and Stolichis (SP?).

Not to mention if you are concerned about the membership fee, which is $50 per year, then get the executive membership. It costs $100 per year but pays you 2% cash back. If you combine the Executive Membership with the co-branded American Express card, you get even more back, plus miles/points.

Remember when you are shopping at Sam's Club, you are shopping at the warehouse version of Wal-Mart. The crappy quality products from Wal-Mart are sold at Sam's but in bulk.

Another tidbit about Kirkland brand. Every two years they upgrade the quality of each product. I have seen this happen with their toilet paper, T-shirts (Which by the way last FOREVER 6 or so years with weekly washing!), Oilive Oil etc.

One last point I will make is when you shop anywhere, don't shop by the price of the Item but shop by total cost of ownership. In other words, sure the toaster at Store T only costs 7.99 and looks nice, but it only will last two years. Wouldn't make more sense to but the toaster at Store V for 12.00 that will last 10 years???