Worthwhile memberships?

[Radiance]

What are memberships that are worth your money?

I love belonging to my credit union. I get the best rates on savings and on my car loan.
I also got the best deal for debt consolidation through them.
They have plenty of financial education perks and even free financial advisors through a partner.
I opened a savings account for my baby with them too.
I don't get charged any fees, and have so many in-network ATMs
Customer service is great, they don't have any agencies near me but I haven’t need any on the 8+ years I have been a member.

AAA, I pay $80 a year ($6 a month), but I feel to me it is a need. I am a single mom without any family in town, if I get stranded, of my battery dies, or I leave my keys inside. I pay for that. I pay the premium to have the extra miles since my commutes are too long. I think it is worth it. What do you think?

I just read a post by about belonging to IEEE if you are an engineer, and you get very good life insurance rates...Will keep it in mind when I by my policy in the future.

I don't belong to bulk buying clubs like BJ or Sam's club anymore. Because it is just me and the baby, the savings are not worth the annual fee. I calculated it is cheaper to me buiying in Wal-mart. But I can see how a bigger family can benefit, particularly if you have dogs, my local BJ has the best deg food prices, or the lowest I could found. I don't have furrie babies and the moment, but when I did I was a member.

I think I can ask a friend who is a member to get me some diapers and toilette paper..which I can buy bulk.

Any other neat worthwhile memberships for savings and other financial benefits?

[tmvijai]

As you said, wholesale club membership reaps rewards if you have little bit bigger family and also can fill gas at the club. I saved lot of money during the high gas price season last year. I still save few hundreds being a member in COSTCO buying good grocery items. They have very quality products.

I don't have AAA anymore because my insurance covers all the car roadside assistance stuff. I don't have to pay extra unless you travel a lot and need their discout for hotels and maps for direction. Being a member in Y or fitness clubs can help get discounts in groups class for you or kids.

[MonkeyMama]

Not much to add to OP. My list would read the same.

We find the local grocery store here to be far cheaper than anything else - partly because it includes really good gas discounts. Even with 4 of us Costco doesn't make much sense for us. Both the food and gas is more expensive. No doubt we could stock up on a few bulk items for less, but not sure we'd come out ahead with the membership fee.

Love AAA because we drive so much. I have always belonged to a CU.

With the kids we love zoo, museum, park memberships, etc. Most of them tend to pay off in 2 visits - we certainly get our money's worth. We usually have 2-3 memberships to keep up occupied.

[kork13]

One more I'll add.... Hobbyist clubs can be very worth it, even if they charge dues. I'm a part of a local photography club, and through it we're able to learn alot, find new/unexpected opportunities, and associate with like-minded people. The same can apply to sports clubs and similar organizations.

[junosama]

Yeah places like COSTCO are great if you have 3+ people to take care of. Buying in bulk can save you a lot over time and they usually have all kinds of groceries and household items such as cleaning supplies and hygiene related items.

[JohnSaveOn]

Buying in bulk at membership warehouses is great for certain items, but you may actually lose money on other items. Only buy items at places like CostCo that will last a long time. If they last a long time, you can stock up on a lot of the items and avoid buying them for months. One of the best things to buy at these stores is toilet paper. You can buy enough toilet paper for a year and quietly save a lot of money.

[MonkeyMama]

I forgot to add professional memberships. Insurance is cheap, if nothing else, as a member. Usually other perks too.

[jpg7n16]

I really want to say gym memberships - but they vary so much in price I can't make that blanket statement.

Lower health insurance costs, lower life insurance costs, lower out of pocket medical expense, and a few years added to your life. Not a bad deal.