When the new year rolls in, many of us are eager to find easy ways to save money. I run a blog on debt-free living, and from my experience, you can SAVE A TON OF MONEY with some work!
Putting more time into your efforts will help keep expenses low; one way this is possible is by joining BJ's Wholesale Club, which offers significant savings opportunities for its members.
When it comes to saving money during a new year, there are always so many options available–and everyone has their preference as well (I am sure).
What's the best thing about having an opinion, though? You know what works for YOU, not just other people around you who might see things differently than how they're interpreted by someone else.
And for my skeptics or those who want to know both sides of the savings coin, I include four reasons you may not want to join BJs too.
Let's get to it.
In a nutshell:
- 25% off Grocery Store Prices* BJ's beats supermarket prices on national brands every day.
- The membership for new members is only $25 here.
- They have amazing clearance and markdowns all the time
- The only wholesale club to accept manufacturer coupons
- They double stack coupons
- Gas discounts galore
- BJs App
- Curbside pickup
- Cheap Store Brand Items
- Membership guarantee
- BJs Perks Rewards
#1 Reason It's Cheap
You can't say the BJ's membership cost is expensive because, friends, it's not. When you go through my link here, you will pay $30 for one FULL year. That is $2.50 PER month.
Ask yourself how much you are paying for all your streaming channels? Your extras on your Prime account? If you want to save money on groceries and household items without a ton of effort, wholesale shopping clubs are the way to go.
The $25 BJ's membership is always cheaper than Costco's, and we won't get into details on that. However, I will tell you I LOVE Costco so much. I started a Costco blog a few months ago here.
You can get a Costco membership deal through my link, but you still pay $60 out of pocket. (The Costco membership deal includes shop cards with your purchase).
Read or Pin: How BJ's Pays Me to Be a Member
Clearance/Discontinued Items
They have many clearance items marked 50% less than retail value. For example, I bought a dinner serving ware for only $7.48, a stand-alone hammock for $29– retail $69, rugs and pillows marked down 75%, and the clearance never ends!
If I just looked at my clearance purchases, that alone pays for my membership.
Coupons/Cashback Apps
BJ's is the ONLY warehouse club to accept manufacturer coupons. PLUS, through the Checkout 51 app, you can save an additional $5 or $10 on your membership, and they have exclusive savings on products just at BJ's!
When you stack manufacturer coupons with BJ's and double stacking coupons, you will save more than your $25 membership fee. We share all the coupon stacks with breakdowns daily here.
Savings on Gas Add Up
With the launch of BJ's new gas promo in 2019, High Octane, getting super cheap gas is straightforward. In Western New York ( Rochester specifically), gas is always cheaper than at the local gas stations in BJ's.
Now with the High Octane Gas promo, I'm almost always saving at least 30 or 40 cents off a gallon just from buying qualifying items. It's effortless to do. Here is the latest gas promo with coupons and how it works.
BJs App
You can download the app to scan items in-store now to check prices and or coupons. You can also check the current gas price at your nearest BJ's wholesale club.
BJ's Offers Curbside Pickup
You can now order your items, including perishable items, online at bjs.com or through the app and pick up curbside at your nearest location. Check out this article on how to use this free feature.
Super Cheap BJ's Brand Items
I have said before how being brand loyal is a fast way to break the budget. Many others agree that if you shop the brand that is the best buy, you save money. BJ's store brand is of excellent quality and a bargain. Check out what some of our Facebook fans said.
You can read my reviews on BJs brand items here.
Jessica– “I try to not be too brand loyal and buy what has coupons at that time. However, I have 2 toddlers and do a lot of my shopping at BJs, so the reward membership with the credit card gives me a ton of money back. Plus, you save an extra 10 cents on the already lowest gas prices around. Then throw in manufacturers' coupons and rebate apps for extra money back.”
Barry– “If you have a baby, just diapers, wipes, and formula makes your money back and then some.”
Brenda-” I always buy my membership with a friend or family member since you can get two cards. We split the cost of the membership.”
Agnes- “Organic section, cold-cuts, laundry items, gas- pretty much everything they sell can help you save if you compare the prices to grocery stores.”
Membership Guarentee
If you are not 100% satisfied with your BJ's membership, they will give you a 100% refund. That makes the $25 BJ's membership worth it even more. What's to lose?
BJ's Perks Rewards
You can save up to 5% on in-Club purchases and an additional 10¢ per gallon at BJ's Gas as a My BJ's Perks Mastercard Credit Cardholder. If you don't want to go the credit card route but want to earn cashback on purchases, consider the Perks membership here.
Name Brand Items Constantly Changing
The middle of the store is what they call the treasure hunt. You will name brand items like Apple®, Beats, Cuisinart, Samsung, and other leading brands at exceptional savings.
The middle section is constantly changing inventory and giving members a significant discount. It's one of my favorite areas of the store.
Deli/Meat Dept.
You can get freshly prepared meals in the deli section. The meat department offers some of the best prices in our area, and you can get custom cuts of meat. Be sure to check that your club provides a deli/meat department.
Now let me tell you four reasons you may not want to get a BJ's Membership this year.
Not Many Locations
The truth is, BJ's is nothing like Costco regarding how many stores they have. In addition, BJ's is limited to the east coast in the US only. So if there isn't one close enough to you, it may not make the membership cost worth it.
You Can't Price Match
If you love price Matching at places like Target to online pricing, this isn't an option with BJs. BJ's won't even price match to their website.
Clipping Coupons
Many of us love saving with coupons. If you hate clipping coupons in a booklet or online, so you may not want to shop BJs. Most of their sale prices are found when you clip a BJs coupon.
Space
When you start buying a box of granola bars, cereal, chips, and fruits and veggies, it fills up quickly. Everything is much more significant at BJ's Wholesale Club. If you have limited space, it may not be the best option for you strictly grocery shopping.
Dean Romanski
$25 dollar membership???
The budget membership ant my BJ’s is $55!
Melissa Dunn
thank you
Linda Prellwitz
Who doesn’t walks out the door with half a dozen things they did not intend to buy – typically in huge boxes!
Reva Misch
Love shopping BJ’s. Great prices. Many items that I use. Friendly staff. The gas prices with the credit card is fantastic!
JoAnne Kukoda-Elnicky
I love the deli at BJs 🙂 And I love it when I find Tom’s shoes on sale. My go to for summer casual (especially when my toes aren’t painted).
Mooka
Love bjs. Get all great deals. ❤
Janet Huff
I thought I saw that BJs was doing a Health Fair January 18th, but now I cant find the info again. Do.you have any.info about it?
Tasia
Hmm I haven’t heard anything.