Question for vegans only?

Question

Is it worth getting a sams club membership? is there enough cheap vegan non perishables i could stock up on to make it work the cost of membership and the extra travel?

I figure i would stock up once a month on things life flour and rice is there enough vegan options to make it worth it?

Answer 1

I'm a vegan single and I have a membership to both Sam's and Costco.

I find a lot of great things at both places. Sometimes the produce is cheaper - for example, bananas are $0.43/lb while at all other stores (including the produce market near me) are selling them for $0.50/lb.

I eat a lot of salads and I have a juicer, so when buying fresh produce in bulk, I go through it before it spoils and it's worth it.

My local Costco sells rice milk in bulk (!) which is SO awesome. They also have a huge bag of frozen stir-fry veggies that I like to buy. I know that Sam's carries Silk if you drink that.

Of course, there are also other points of interest: cheaper gas at the pump, cheaper electronics, household items and the like.

That's just my experience.

Hope that helps!

::EDIT:: While I understand others' concerns about being affiliated with Wal-Mart, if that's the only warehouse store in your area, you may not have a choice. That is understandable. Do what you think is best. The economy is rough and if you can save some money in the process, why not?!

Answer 2

Yes, do it.

Answer 3

I agree that I would never belong to anything owned by Wal-Mart- if you want to go to a club store, I'd at least pick Costco sans Wal Mart affiliation.

As to vegan items- you will not find *ANY* vegan toiletries, cleaning products, or beauty products in club stores... so thats a bust....

I suppose you get cereal, canned fruits or vegetables, oatmeal... *maybe* soup in bulk, but that would hardly be worth the membership for me. The stores aren't designed for vegans in mind

Costco carries Soymilk in bulk but its not that great on the taste scale in my opinion, and its organic soybeans are among those in suspicion of being part of a loophole in the legislation and being imported from other countries and only treated organic once here and not before... but I digress.....

If you would buy enough clothes, books, DVD's/CD's, electronics, and other miscellaneous in addition to a little food, then I guess its worth it for you.

For me, I prefer my local health food store for food/toiletries, online for makeup & cleaning products, and hitting used sales for my DVDs, books, and movies (the latter not a vegan issue but just my preference over a club store)

EDIT re: Hellinor below me-

Many vegans won't buy Silk because it is owned by the dairy companies, and lots of vegans prefer organic produce which is not available at clubs stores- not attacking- just more info for the asker... everyone makes their own choices....

Answer 4

Split the cost w/ someone you know.  It's not just food, but you can get other types of stuff, like clothes, electronics, cleaning agents, pharmacy, etc.  (I'm speaking for club stores in general.)  I think they may allow temporary membership if you ask, or at least a tour so you can decide for yourself.  (I'm clueless, but doesn't hurt to ask.)

After taking econ, I'd say never get membership for yourself, because most of what you save goes for fees, but if you split with someone, then it's worth it.  (Probably being unethical to split, but I'd still do it.  I'm amoral, apparently.)

Sorry, not vegan, but I think my answer is just as valid.

Answer 5

They are owned by Walmart, I would avoid those stores like the plague.

You can save a good chunk of cash by buying most of your food as fresh local produce and buying all of you non-perishables in the bulk foods section of a supermarket or co-op.

Answer 6

No because most vegan foods spoil to quickly. Pastas and rice are already cheap at other stores.