5 rules of shopping at price clubs like Costco and Sam's Club I learned the hard way

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You'd think because I write about smart shopping, I wouldn't have a price club "problem."

Yet as a new member, it took several visits to get my bulk shopping under control. Enough olive oil to bathe in? A lifetime supply of cheese puffs? C'mon, how can you stop yourself? But you should, in fact, stop yourself. Buying in bulk can be a cost-effective way to stock up on essentials, but there are pitfalls.

High levels of debt, for instance, can hurt your wallet and your credit scores. (You can how credit card balances are currently affecting your credit by viewing two of your credit scores for free each month on Credit.com.)

Here are some rules of thumb when shopping at price clubs.

1. Consider your spending habits

Wholesale price clubs aren't for everyone. Before joining, compare the membership fee with how often you might shop there, how much you might save and your personal circumstances. Shoppers who are able to plan menus in advance or who are buying for a large family can get a lot out of a price club membership, whereas single people who eat out a lot probably won't.

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2. Pay attention to price

To avoid overspending or buying things that spoil before you get through the box, make sure you are a, only buying what you need, b, buying things you will genuinely use and c, buying something that's a great deal. Also, while most items purchased in bulk are well-priced, be mindful of unit prices so you can make informed decisions when shopping at your price club rather than other retailers.

3. Remember the 'house' brand

Don't turn your nose up at the "house" brand. In some cases, the products really measure up.

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