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How to test Sams before buying a membership

• You can shop without joining: Sam's Club lets non-members shop online (with a ~10% fee) or use a gift card in-store worth it on high-priced or bulk items.

• Some services are open to everyone: You can use the pharmacy, get eye exams, and walk the store all without a membership.

• Test before you commit: Walk the store, compare prices, or do a trial run with a gift card to see if a membership actually saves you money.

Are you on the fence about getting a Sams Club membership? Perhaps you only occasionally need to buy in bulk. Or maybe youre not providing for a large household.

It turns out that there are many things you can do at Sams without a membership, including getting in and buying anything you want, gas included.

This could be "news you can use"if youve been curious about the potential savings and products Sams sells. Lets break it all down.

You can shop online without a membership

Yes, non-members can shop on the Sams Club website.

However, youllget hit with a 10% non-member surcharge, and that can change the math significantly.

What most people miss is that 10% fee doesnt automatically kill the deal.

Example:

• Bulk protein powder: $40 at Sams
• Same item: $55 elsewhere

Even with the 10% fee ($44 total), you still come out ahead. Make sure you do the math first before you click the purchase button.

Where this tend to works best:

• High-margin items (electronics, appliances, furniture)
• Bulk pantry staples with big price gaps
• Name-brand items with inflated retail pricing elsewhere

Where it doesnt:

• Cheap items (youll feel the 10% more)
• Anything with thin margins (snacks, basic groceries)

Pro tip: Try reversing the decision. Instead of asking Can I shop here without a membership? ask: Does this item beat competitors by more than 10%? If yes, buy it anyway. If not, walk away.

You can use the pharmacy (this is a quiet money saver)

You do not need a membership to buy prescription medications at the Sams Club pharmacy. As long as you have a prescription, you can walk in and get it filled.

This is one of the most underused savings angles. Just tell the employee at the door that youre there to use the pharmacy, and theyll waive you through.

Why it matters:

Sams Club often prices their generic drugs aggressively to compete with big chains.

Without a membership, you can:

• Fill prescriptions
• Ask for pricing upfront
• Transfer prescriptions easily

What savvy shoppers do:

They treat pharmacies like gas stations and they shop around for the best price.

Pro tip: Run a three-way price comparison every time. Before filling a prescription, check these:

• Sams Club
• GoodRx app
• Your current pharmacy

Youll be surprised how often the cash price beats insurance, especially when you can use a GoodRX coupon.

You can get eye exams (but split the purchase)

The optometrist inside Sams Club locations are Independent Doctors of Optometry, which means anyone is allowed to walk in and pay for an eye exam.

However, if you want to actually purchase any glasses or contacts, youll need to be a Sams member.

Why this actually matters for your wallet:

Eye exams with Sams are often priced very competitively compared to private offices.

So, the smart move is to separate your exam from your purchase:

• Get your eye exam at Sams.
• Then take your prescription online and save.

Check out sites like Zenni or Warby Parker, as you can often cut your cost in half (or more).

Just make sure you walk out with a copy of your actual prescription so you can use it to buy glasses or contacts elsewhere.

You can shop with a gift card (closest thing to a loophole)

This is the workaround most people dont know about, but its the closest thing to an actual Sams membership.

Similar to Costco, if you have a Sams Club gift card, you can shop in-store without a membership. You can also shop online and not be hit by the 10% guest fee.

How people actually use this:

• Have a member (friend or family member) buy you a gift card, then pay them back.
• You can have them load $10$500 on the card.
• Then use the card to do a full test shopping trip.

Just flash the gift card at the entrance, then tell the cashier as well when checking out.

They also sell a Fuel up! gift card that can be used at Sams Club gas stations as well as in the warehouse, no membership required.

Pro tip: Use this as a trial run so you dont have to guess if a Sams membership is worth it. This allows you to do one real shopping trip and then compare your receipt to your usual store.

You can walk the store (and you should)

If you just want to get into Sams Club so you can walk around and check out the potential savings, just tell them at the entrance.

I mean, sure, you could say Im going to the pharmacy, but there is no need to. Just be honest, and theyll let you in to take a look around.

Once you make it in, be sure to walk the aisles and check:

• Meat prices
• Household staples
• Snacks
• Cleaning supplies

Pro tip: Its smart to take pictures of prices of the things you buy regularly (especially the unit price), then compare later at Walmart, Target, and Costco. This is really the only way to decide if buying bulk saves you money.

Want an actual membership? Dont pay full price for it

Sams Club is constantly running discounts on their annual membership; you just have to know where to look.

Where deals consistently show up:

• Groupon Theyre offering $15 for a one-year Club membership, $50 for the Plus membership (auto-renew must be turned on).
• Stack Social Theyre currently offering the same deal as Groupon.

Both of these require you to be a new Sams member, or have an inactive membership for at least sixmonths.

Groupon and Stack Social both run consistent deals on new Sams Club memberships. So, once the ones above expire, its just a matter of days before they offer a new deal.

Why a discount grocer is closing stores in this economy

• Closures are a reset, not a retreat: Grocery Outlet is cutting weak stores while still expanding elsewhere.

• Even discount stores face price pressure: Competition from Walmart, Costco, and grocery promos is forcing everyone to sharpen pricing.

• Shoppers who stay flexible win: Split trips, compare unit prices, and only stock up on what youll actually use.

A wave of store closures is hitting Grocery Outlet, including nine locations across California, as part of a broader plan to shut down 36 underperforming stores nationwide.

At first glance, that feels backwards in todays economy.

When shoppers are stretched thin and actively looking for deals, youd expect discount grocers to be thriving. However, the reality is more complicated than that, and it actually says a lot about how grocery shopping is changing right now.

Heres how the 36 store closures break down by state:

• California Nine stores
• Maryland Eight stores
• New Jersey Six stores
• Ohio Sixstores
• Pennsylvania Four stores
• Idaho Threestores

Why a discount store would close in a 'save money'economy

According to the company, the closures are about cutting weaker locations and focusing on long-term growth. They still plan to open 30+ new stores in 2026, so this isnt a retreat, but more of a reset.

Heres whats really happening behind the scenes:

• Competition is getting more aggressive: Traditional grocery stores are running deeper promotions, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Costco are leaning hard into the perception of low prices across all categories.
• Shoppers are more strategic than ever: People arent just going to one store anymore; theyre splitting trips across multiple stores to chase the best deals.
• Value expectations are higher: Even discount chains have to constantly prove theyre the cheapest option, not just the budget option.

Translation: Being labeled a discount store isnt enough anymore. They have to consistently win on price.

Why this matters for shoppers

Store closures dont mean deals are disappearing. If anything, they signal that price competition is heating up.

Thats good news for shoppers, especially if you know how to take advantage of it.

Here are some smart grocery-saving tips to use right now:

1. Stop relying on just one store.

As mentioned earlier, the biggest shift happening right now is the move away from one-store shopping.

Try to use a mix of:

• Discount grocers (like Grocery Outlet)
• Warehouse clubs
• Traditional supermarkets for sales/coupons

This is how smart shoppers are cutting 2030% off grocery bills.

2. Treat discount stores like a treasure hunt.

Grocery Outlet is known for opportunistic inventory, meaning deals change constantly and products rotate in and out all the time.

So, the secret here is to not go in with a rigid list. Instead, go in looking for whats cheapest right now and be willing to try new brands and products.

Thats how you consistently find the real bargains.

3. Compare price per unit, not just shelf price.

A discount item isnt always cheaper. Take a close look at the weight of the box or package, as sometimes its filled with mostly air.

Get in the habit of always checking the following:

• Price per ounce
• Price per item

Sometimes Walmart or a sale at a traditional grocery store still wins on price.

4. Watch for clearance-style grocery deals.

As stores close or reset inventory, you may see:

• Deeper markdowns
• Bulk discounts
• Short-term price drops

This is a good time to stock up on shelf-stable items or things you can freeze for later use.

5. Dont confuse cheap with smart.

Buying something just because its discounted, or seems like a good deal, can backfire.

I actually made this mistake recently at Grocery Outlet. My local store had an 18-count box of protein bars for just $2.99. It was a brand I was familiar with, and the regular price was $24.99 for a box.

In my excitement, I grabbed four boxes only to realize later that the expiration date was just two weeks away. There was no way I could eat 72 bars by then. I ended up giving some away, but I will probably be stuck with a couple dozen stale bars that will end up in the trash.

Only stock up on:

• Items you already use.
• Products with a long shelf life.

Its pretty easy for your savings to turn into waste if you throw stuff in your cart just because the deal seems too good to pass up.

Your morning coffee habit might do more than wake you up

• Drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily was linked to a lower risk of dementia.

• The findings come from a long-term study of more than 130,000 people.

• Decaffeinated coffee did not show the same association with brain health.

If your day doesnt really start until that first cup of coffee, there may be some encouraging news.

A large new study suggests that moderate coffee consumption specifically about two to three cups a day may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.

The research adds to a growing body of evidence exploring how everyday habits might influence long-term brain health. But before you start refilling your mug, its important to note: this study shows a connection, not a cause-and-effect relationship.

When searching for possible dementia prevention tools, we thought something as prevalent as coffee may be a promising dietary intervention and our unique access to high-quality data through studies that have been going on for more than 40 years allowed us to follow through on that idea, senior author Daniel Wang said in a news release.

While our results are encouraging, its important to remember that the effect size is small and there are lots of important ways to protect cognitive function as we age. Our study suggests that caffeinated coffee or tea consumption can be one piece of that puzzle.

The study

To understand the link between caffeine and cognitive health, researchers analyzed data from more than 131,000 participants across two long-running U.S. studies. Participants regularly reported their coffee and tea intake over time, and researchers tracked who developed dementia, along with changes in memory and thinking skills.

The study followed people for up to 40 years, making it one of the more comprehensive looks at diet and brain health. Over that period, more than 11,000 cases of dementia were documented.

Researchers also accounted for a range of factors that could influence results, including lifestyle habits, overall diet, and health conditions. By adjusting for these variables, they aimed to isolate the potential role of caffeinated beverages in cognitive outcomes.

What the results actually showed

The findings point to a clear pattern: people who consumed more caffeinated coffee tended to have a lower risk of dementia compared to those who drank little or none.

The most noticeable benefit appeared at moderate intake levels about two to three cups of coffee per day. At that level, participants showed lower rates of dementia and slightly better cognitive performance measures.

We also compared people with different genetic predispositions to developing dementia and saw the same results meaning coffee or caffeine is likely equally beneficial for people with high and low genetic risk of developing dementia, lead author Yu Zhang said in the news release.

Interestingly, the same wasnt true for decaffeinated coffee, which showed no meaningful association with dementia risk. Tea showed similar trends to caffeinated coffee, suggesting caffeine itself may play a role.

Still, researchers emphasize that the effect was modest, and coffee alone isnt a guaranteed way to protect your brain. Instead, it may be just one piece of a much larger puzzle when it comes to maintaining cognitive health over time.

If nothing else, this study offers a reassuring takeaway for coffee drinkers: your daily habit might be doing a little more than just helping you power through the morning.

Recent research explores how common sleep disorders could raise cardiovascular risk

• Having both insomnia and sleep apnea may significantly raise the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

• Researchers analyzed health data from nearly one million U.S. veterans to understand the connection.

• Treating overlapping sleep disorders not just one could play a role in reducing long-term risk.

Sleep is often treated as a side issue when it comes to overall health but new research suggests it may play a much bigger role in heart health than many people realize.

According to a recent study highlighted by Yale School of Medicine, sleep disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea arent just frustrating they may also be important, and potentially modifiable, risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

We spend an enormous amount of time managing cardiovascular disease downstream, but far less time addressing more upstream modifiable risk factors, researcher Allison Gaffey, Ph.D., said in a news release.

Sleep disturbances, which are common in the veteran population, are often treated as secondary problems.

The study

To better understand this connection, researchers analyzed health data from nearly one million post-9/11 U.S. veterans. This large-scale study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, focused on identifying how insomnia, sleep apnea, and the combination of both (known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA) relate to cardiovascular outcomes.

Participants medical records were used to track diagnoses of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, along with the development of conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular disease over time.

By comparing groups those with insomnia alone, sleep apnea alone, both conditions, or neither researchers were able to isolate how each scenario influenced risk.

This approach allowed the team to look beyond individual sleep disorders and instead examine how overlapping conditions may create a distinct risk profile.

What the researchers found

The results point to a clear pattern: people with both insomnia and sleep apnea faced the highest risks. Compared to those without these conditions, individuals with COMISA had more than double the risk of developing hypertension and more than triple the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Importantly, the increased risk was consistent across both men and women, suggesting the findings may apply broadly within similar populations.

Researchers emphasize that this combination of sleep disorders represents a distinct and particularly harmful state not just the sum of two separate issues. Addressing one condition while overlooking the other may leave underlying risks unresolved.

These conditions dont just coexist politely, Dr. Gaffey said. Treating one while ignoring the other is a bit like bailing water out of a boat without fixing the leak.

Taken together, the findings highlight sleep as more than just a lifestyle factor it may be an important piece of the cardiovascular health puzzle, especially when multiple sleep issues overlap.

Multiple injuries have been reported from ingestion of wire bristles

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nexgrill recalls more than 10.2 million grill brushes over ingestion hazard.

• Loose metal bristles can stick to food and cause serious internal injuries.

• The products weresold at Home Depot stores and online from 2015 through 2026.

Just in time for the outdoor grilling season, Nexgrill is recalling more than 10.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes after reports that small metal pieces can break off and pose a dangerous ingestion hazard.

According to the recall notice issued this week, the brushes can shed wire bristles during use. Those bristles may remain on grill surfaces or attach to food, creating a risk that consumers could unknowingly swallow them. In some cases, ingestion can lead to serious internal injuries requiring medical treatment or surgery.

The brushes were widely sold at Home Depot stores nationwide and online at Homedepot.com between 2015 and 2026, typically priced between $5 and $15.

Reports of injuries

Nexgrill says it has received at least 68 reports of bristles detaching from the brushes. Among those incidents are five cases in which consumers swallowed the metal fragments and required medical attention to remove them from the throat or digestive tract.

The recall covers several Nexgrill grill brush models with black plastic or wooden handles measuring between 18 and 21 inches long. Affected model numbers include 530-0024, 530-0024G, 530-0034, 530-0039, 530-0041, and 530-0042. The brand name Nexgrill appears on each product.

What consumers should do

Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled grill brushes immediately

Nexgrill is offering full refunds in the form of a gift card. To receive a refund, consumers must register for the recall through the companys website, upload a photo of the brush along with a provided registration code and their initials, and follow instructions after receiving confirmation.

The company will then provide guidance on how to properly dispose of the recalled product.

For more information, consumers can contact Nexgrill toll-free at 800-942-1498 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the companys recall page online.