I never understood why my grandmother loved Sam’s Club. Once I got a membership, my view on grocery shopping changed.

My grandmother was loyal to her local Sam’s Club. She kept that membership for 22 years, since I was 10 years old, and swore by the savings and bulk deals.

She loved everything about it — from the early senior hours to the routine of pushing the cart to get her steps in and always stocking up the house with essentials.

I didn’t understand her love for the store. I thought grocery shopping was just grocery shopping. She would explain why buying in bulk made sense, but I didn’t really pay attention. I would tag along on shopping trips, watching her load up on paper towels, bottled water, coffee, and favorite candies.

After she died in September 2024, those memories stayed with me.

Getting my own membership changed how I shop

I live with my grandfather now, and after she passed, we still needed to keep the house stocked. Her membership was still active, but I felt like it was time to start my own. I signed up in November, and from the very first trip with my membership, I realized just how much it made sense and how familiar it all felt.

I picked up a pack of Celsius drinks, my go-to while getting back into a workout routine, and was shocked at the price difference compared to buying them individually or at other grocery stores. Then I grabbed a giant pack of toilet paper, a few cases of water, and my grandad’s coffee and creamer. That’s when it hit me — this is why my grandma shopped here. It is the best bang for your buck.

Before Sam’s Club, grocery shopping felt like a task; I would grab a few things with no real plan. But once I became a member, I started shopping differently. I started writing out lists, comparing prices, and thinking ahead.

It wasn’t just about saving a few dollars. Shopping this way makes me feel more in control at home. It’s one of those “Okay, I’m really adulting” moments. When the fridge is full and snacks and dinner are covered, it just feels like one less thing to think about.

Buying in bulk also feels like a necessity now, especially in today’s economy. It keeps me from making constant grocery runs, and I always know the house is stocked. For anyone with a family or just a busy schedule, it really does make life easier.

I never thought I would love grocery shopping, but I do now

These days, I visit Sam’s two or three times a month. I always bring a list, just like my grandmother used to do. I walk through the same aisles she did, and I still pick up the things she always made sure we had.

At the same time, I’ve made it part of my routine, too. I stock up on fruits: pineapples, strawberries, and grapes. I grab breakfast bars and prepared meals from the deli, and recently found a designer perfume I didn’t expect to see there. Then there are the small surprises, like the giant box of individually packed trail mix I now buy every time, the heated blanket I grabbed in winter, or even the Levi’s shorts I picked up for the summer.

These small extras now make shopping feel more like self-care than just a task.

Shopping is how I remember my grandmother

Now I get why my grandmother swore by it. I don’t worry about running out of the basics or making last-minute store runs. Shopping this way just works.

This is now more than just a shopping routine. It’s something I saw my grandmother do faithfully for over 20 years.

Every time I go, it reminds me of her, and it feels like I’m continuing something she loved so much.

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