On Tuesdays I like to share ways that we have tried to save money and stretch our budget. This Tuesday I wanted to share how to save money while shopping at BJ's Wholesale Club. Because BJ's was not within a 25 mile radius of our home I hadn't had the opportunity, until last week, to visit the store. I think we are lucky that we can add BJ's to our shopping tool box and cherry pick our deals just like we do with online, supermarket and CO-OP shopping.
I shopped at BJ's in Portland last week. That's me entering the store with my coupon binder and a
FREE 60 Day Trial Membership Pass. You can find a FREE Trial Membership Pass in the 5/22 Smart Source insert as well. For people debating whether or not warehouse club membership is a good deal, using a trial membership can be a good test run.
I first headed to the Membership Services Desk where I was given a more formal 60 Day Trial Membership Card and had the different
membership services explained in further detail. BJ's is running a membership promotion through 6/30. The annual BJ's Inner Circle membership can be purchased for $40 instead of $50, and the BJ's Rewards $90 membership, with which you earn 2% of your purchases back, is now $75. The 2% comes back to you in 'BJ's Bucks' that you can roll back in to your future purchases at BJ's.
BJ's offers a 100% money back guarantee on their membership. If during your first 3 months you decide wholesale shopping isn't working for your family, they will refund your membership fee.
If you are balking at the idea of paying a membership fee to shop why not consider splitting a membership with a friend? You can split the cost of the membership where each friend gets a card, but also split bulk items up as well.
Once I had my trial membership card I started cruising the aisles. The first deal I spotted was on the Ocean Spray Cranberries which my family loves in oatmeal, baking and turkey salad sandwiches. The largest bag available at Shaw's & Hannaford stores is 12 oz. for $3.89. I found this 48 oz. bag for $7.29. This is a huge savings! I would have to buy 4 bags totalling $15.56 at the supermarkets to equal the 48 oz. bag @ BJ's. A terrific savings of $8.27, with out using coupons.
This deal jumped out at me as well. My 8 year old could live on Annie's White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese. However @ $1.97 a box at Hannaford I didn't buy it often. I did order a case at my local CO-OP when it was on sale for $ .99 but I wouldn't have to wait for a sale @ BJ's. This 12-pack works out to $ .91 a box!
All my baking enthusiasts need to check out this deal. You all know this product is a new love of mine. A 2 lb. box at the supermarket cost $4.27. It is wild to pick a 4 lb. package for $5.99!
Here is where sharing a membership with a friend would come in handy. Carolina Rice 25 lb. bag was priced at $12.79. See the little orange sticker in the left hand corner of the price tag. It tells you this is just $ .51 lb. That is a fantastic price when the 1 lb. packages cost $1.19 at Shaw's. Again instant savings without the use of coupons.
I found their milk to be to be $ .30 lower than the supermarkets. I nice price on a staple at our house.
I was giddy over this cheese deal. Wellsly Farms (BJ's private label brand of food) two 3 lb. packages for $8.99. That's $1.49 lb! A 1 lb. package of store brand cheese at the supermarket is regularly priced $4.49. If I was to purchase 6 lbs. at the supermarket it would cost me $26 .94. This is a huge savings of $17.95. Shredded cheese freezes so well. This deal was definitely going home with me to divide up and fill the freezer with.
You need to watch the per lb. prices in the meat department just like you do when shopping at any other store. I found decent deals on Perdue Oven Stuffer Roasters & Drumsticks priced at $ .99 lb. I can get 3 or 4 meals out of this one roaster.
BJ's offered me a $50 gift card to shop their deals with. This is what I purchased for $50.89. Buying the Annie's, Craisins and shredded cheese in bulk saved me $38.94. The savings on these 3 products alone almost pays for the $40 membership fee. Do you see how this could be a huge savings over the course of a year? My tip for shopping at BJ's is to shop for items that have a long shelf life or that can be preserved by freezing.
I've shared with you how to save money buying buying in bulk but did you know you BJ's offers their own coupons
online, in-store and by mail when you are a member that can be 'stacked' with manufacturer's coupons? I love stacking coupons at other stores like Target or Rite Aid so I was eager to try this out at BJ's.
BJ's had 12 Super Rolls of Bounty (equals 22 Select-a-Size Regular Rolls) priced at $18.99. Their current 'Great Savings On Health And Beauty' door flyer has a $3.00/1 Bounty Paper Towels, 12 mega rolls/140 sheets or 12 super rolls/154 sheets coupon that I stacked with the $1.00/1 Bounty Towel 6 ct. or larger in the
P&G Everyday Savings Rebate Book. I paid $14.99 for 12 super Rolls. This is a decent price. The supermarkets have the 6-pack Regular Select-s-Size packs priced @ $8.99.
22 Select -a-Size Regular Rolls @ BJ's $18.99
22 Select-a-Size Regular Rolls @ Hannaford & Shaw's $32.96
WOW!
Figure in the coupon savings and I saved $17.97.
Shopping at BJ's was a real eye opener for me. I encourage you to take advantage of their current Free Trial Membership and try shopping (and experiencing) the savings for yourself. I know I did alot of comparing of prices between Shaw's, Hannaford & BJ's but really shopping at BJ's is a style of savings all on it's own. There is real value in stocking up and not running out of family favorites by buying in bulk.
Have you tried shopping at BJ's?
BJ's provided me with a $50 BJ's gift card to shop with but all experiences and opinions are mine and mine alone.
