What club memberships do you pay for?

[terry1156]

What club memberships do you pay for and feel they give you an excellent return on your money?

I belong to Costco and AAA

[sweeps]

I also belong to Costco and AAA. As I've stated in a previous thread, I'm not getting as much bang for my buck with my Costco membership as other people do. By looking for sales, buying store brands or using coupons, I can often do just as well as Costco without buying in such big bulk.

I've never used my AAA membership (fortunately), except for getting discounts on some events and hotels. I haven't been able to pull the trigger on cancelling it though.

[EHadden]

I am a member of Sam's and the Farm Bureau. Sam's has obvious perks, but the Farm Bureau offers a great long distance program (2.4 cents per minute-flat rate). With the Farm Bureah membership, I also get other great discounts (20% on paint at Sherwin Williams, discount tickets to Six Flags, etc.) I had to join to keep my Credit Union account that was opened as a kid AND to keep my Country Companies Auto Insurance. I know that I am saving over the $20/year membership fee in long distance charges alone. My wife and I live about an hour from our families and have more family in other states. We have yet to have a monthly Long Distance bill over $15.00.

[Firefly]

I use to use Farm Bureau when we were in the states for my car insurance and I felt that it was definitely worth it. Also when we return we will purchase a membership to BJ's wholesale place which is like Costco but is located in both my husband and my homestates so we can save money on bulk purchases like meat.

[PrincessPerky]

BJs saving on milk alone pays for the membership.

[TBH]

AAA plus (debate ditching it every year but so far seems worth it)

AFT Union (so worth it--love having benefits even tho I'm part time)

American Library Association (I only keep this because it gives me a discount on my auto insurance)

[sweeps]

Speaking of auto insurance, does anyone have their auto insurance through either AAA or Costco? Is it a good deal?

[lisajane]

My parents have this crazy assumption that just cause it's at Costco or Sam's Club the price is cheaper then the stores. Don't fall for that trap. A 12pk of Green Giant corn is 9 something, and it's 40 cents cheaper at the regular store without having to buy in bulk.

However, I find Sam's and Costco to be really worth it for bestseller books and DVD's.

[jmjj215]

Gold's Gym (does that count as a club membership?)

[jodi]

My mom has a BJ's account that she put me on - I use it mostly for gas. They are almost always a few cents cheaper per gallon than regular gas stations.
I don't know if these count:
I belong to my union at work - PEF. I've gotten some good benefits from them. So far I have only used their car insurance discount (10%) and legal plan (free will and legal advice), but I may also do their cell phone plan for a 5% savings.
National Association of Realtors - I don't really have a choice here, I have to pay my dues to sell real estate in the area I sell in and to be able to use the multiple listing service. They have a number of benefits (discounted tickets, insurance, cell phone), but none that I have used yet.

[contrary1]

I too have AAA. I get my homeowners & auto insurance through them too, all at the best rate I can find. AAA pays for itself with just a call or two & it doesn't always have to be my car. If one of my kids is here at my place & they lock their keys inside, my AAA will come to assist, it just has to be on my property. Also works if I'm riding in someone elses car........I've only had to do this once.....I'm pickier now as to who I ride with.
I share a Costco membership with my mom. She & I alternate years as to who pays the dues. I do think one needs to be careful with the prices at Costco, they are often not the best deal in our area.

[nanamom]

My DH belongs to Toastmasters. He enjoys it and feels that it helps him at work. It is two meetings a month. I belong to a stamping club. I go once a month and really enjoy it.

[PRICEPLUS]

A few Sportsmens clubs. Deer, Turkey, Small Game, as well as Fish, really fill the freezer. The harvest is hormone, antibiotic, and preservative free. I mix in some ground meat with the venison because it so very lean.

I also pick wild raspberries, blueberries, onions, as well as grape leaves growing on the club property.

It us not for everyone but it is right for me and in the end it saves me money. Sportsmens clubs are it for me.

[Lostsoul33]

No club memberships at all. I did belong to the gym but I cut that out when I started my budget.

[Lemony]

We have an auto club membership ($72/yr) and DH is in a bowling league ($90/month).
We're considering joining Costco (they're building one near us in 2007) but I seem to hear conflicting opinions on it everywhere I go. I don't want to waste $50 if I won't make the money back in savings.

[Bluezy]

Costco, Sam's Club and AAA.

I cannot sing the praises of Costco enough! I get all perscriptions there as well as my bonus and monthly fee discounts for ShareBuilder. For example, I was given the price of $310 for one of CJ's prescriptions at Walgreens...$214 for the prescription at CVS...Costco Pharmacy gave the prescription for $89.95!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bulk food is cheaper for me at Sam's, and AAA is good for certain discounts.

[shelbylovesmelby]

None @ the minute. We are considering getting a sam's card again.

But I'd really love a membership to ancestry.com though, but thats out of my price range.

[Ima saver]

I don't have any, we are not near a sam's or costco's.

[abowers]

Not necessarily money saving clubs, but
- I paid $25 at the end of January to use the Princeton University gym through the end of June. Definitely a good deal...
- And I paid $50 to become a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children for a year (i am a preschool teacher -- my work is accredited by NAEYC) I get a monthly magazine, and it gives me a discount on my Geico Car Insurance.

Edit: I used to belong to AAA, which was very worth the money for me, for the past 5 years. But since getting the new car in October, I've got free Roadside assistance and all the benefits and more of AAA (except for vacation planning) for 3 years. But we can still get that because my boyfriend still has AAA.

[lrjohnson]

AAA and Costco; I feel good about both. It doesn't exactly count because I could get it free, but I feel good about being a member with my local public radio station.