4 Sam’s Club Items Retirees Should Avoid Plus the 7 Best Items To Own on Social Security

Every dollar counts when you’re on Social Security, especially when making a Sam’s Club shopping run. Though it’s easy to assume everything is a good deal, some purchases don’t save as much money as you may think (while others always provide a hefty return on investment).

We referred to some of our previous content covering what’s worth buying on Social Security compared to what you can leave behind while shopping at Sam’s Club. Here’s what to buy and the top Member’s Mark items to add to your cart.

There are more than a few reasons to avoid buying a sectional in retirement. These furniture pieces tend to be expensive with several on the Sam’s Club site listed at $899 apiece. 

They’re also not always well-reviewed. Sectionals are among the top items with the most customer complaints, ranging from how quickly seats break down to being made from cheap materials.

Shoppers have a limited selection of microwaves to shop at Sam’s Club — and all except for two we found online are priced at $100 or more. 

For better deals and a wider selection, retirees on fixed incomes may decide to shop at big-box retailers or local kitchen appliance stores.

There’s no shortage of specialty appliances, like popcorn makers, blenders and juicers, available to shop at Sam’s Club. 

But do retirees on tight budgets really need them? Price aside, they’re not likely to use these appliances every day or may lack the space in their kitchen to properly store them.

The Member’s Mark caramelized banana pecan loaf might seem like a good dessert to splurge on, but it may be best left behind in the bakery. 

An overwhelming number of one-star reviews on the Sam’s Club website said this loaf is dry and lacks flavor. As it is priced at nearly $10 a loaf, retirees may want to try baking their own banana pecan loaf for much less.

Need to stock up on vitamins or supplements? Make the purchase at Sam’s Club. We previously praised the Member’s Mark brand for offering bulk vitamins at affordable prices, especially compared to drugstores.

Both men’s and women’s 50+ multivitamin tablets cost $13.34 for a bottle containing 275 multivitamins.

One of the best uses for a Sam’s Club membership is at the optical department. Prescription eyeglasses tend to be much cheaper to shop than if you purchased frames and lenses at a specialty retailer.

Retirees can even take advantage of members-only promotions for extra savings. Currently, instant savings of $40 off RX glasses with a $99 purchase are running through Dec. 31.

Can you ever own enough throw blankets? We doubt it. This buy is always worth the money to keep cozy warm in the fall and winter months and Sam’s Club does a great job stocking their inventory with patterned throws to celebrate holidays like Halloween and Christmas.

Shopping the Member’s Mark brand helps retirees stay on budget, too. Savvy shoppers can find throws for $15 or less and occasionally marked down even cheaper. The Member’s Mark cozy throws are now discounted to $12.98 in an array of 16 patterns to choose from.

Coffee tends to be among the best buys smart seniors make at Sam’s Club.

If you’re on a fixed income, swap out pricier coffee pods for ground coffee like Community Coffee’s breakfast blend. Members get a generous 40 ounces worth of java for $21.48, or about 54 cents per ounce.

Sam’s Club carries two-count bottles of pulp-free orange juice from Member’s Mark and Simply. 

Both are priced at $7.68, with the only difference being Member’s Mark comes with 52 ounces worth of juice compared to Simply’s 46 ounces. Retirees can pick the orange juice brand they prefer, knowing they’re getting a solid deal either way.

Generally, it’s not the most practical decision for retirees in empty nests to shop for fresh produce at a warehouse club. Unless you’re able to eat all of it before it expires, there’s a good chance you’ll end up throwing some out. 

To ensure you’re not wasting food or money, try shopping for frozen alternatives. The Member’s Mark broccoli Normandy ($6.98) and triple berry blend ($11.66) weigh in at 4 pounds apiece and come loaded with a medley of veggies and fruits in their respective bags. 

If you need to shop for toilet paper, the Member’s Mark brand is a great bargain for retirees on fixed incomes. 

Their two-ply toilet paper is a few dollars cheaper ($24.58) than name brands. It doesn’t compromise quantity (45 rolls) or quality (90% of its reviews come with glowing five stars) either.

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of Dec. 24, 2025, and are subject to change.