We love shopping at our local warehouse club. Apparently lots of other people do too because warehouse club memberships have doubled. No wonder it's usually impossible to find a parking spot!

Finding warehouse club bargains can be a great way to save money and help stretch your family budget. Daria and I find great warehouse club buys on everything from basic cooking ingredients to golf balls to wine.

BUT, if you're not a savvy warehouse club shopper, you can actually throw away much more money than you save.

So here are 10 simple tips for how to make the most of your warehouse club while avoiding the common traps that cost people money.

1. Repeat after me: "Not every item on sale at my warehouse club is a bargain."

Warehouse shopping doesn't necessarily mean that you always get the lowest price on everything...so shop around! Yes, you actually can find better deals on some items elsewhere. For example, cereal. When combining store sales and coupons, you may get better deals at your local grocery store.

2. Remember that it's not a good deal if you can't use it.

No matter how attractive the price, don't buy things that will spoil because you can't use or eat it all before the "use by" date. That "great buy" will quickly turn into a waste of money if you have to throw some of it away!

3. Know your prices ahead of time.

Be organized and have a good idea of what you normally pay for items elsewhere. Larger is not always cheaper. Make a list of your basic groceries and note what your typical per unit or per pound cost is. You can use this printable grocery price worksheet to make your list.

4. Now is not the time to experiment.

Only buy items that your family already knows and loves. Buying "deals" that you and your family end up not using, negates many of the shopping dollars that you're trying to save! The safest bet is to buy food and household goods that you always keep in stock. Things that you use on a regular basis like toilet paper, soap, trash bags, and paper towels are always a great choice.

5. Make sure you will save enough to offset the membership cost.

A membership can cost you between $40 and $100 per year. Be sure that you plan to shop there often enough and will buy enough stuff every year to justify the membership cost and the time/gas that it takes to get there. Some clubs offer temporary passes so that you can browse the wide variety of selections before you join.

6. How big is your pantry?

One caution is that you have to keep in mind how much space you have to store these items. Buying in bulk means storing in bulk so be sure that you have a place to keep everything.

7. Bring a list.

Basic, we know, but important. When you are wrapped up in the excitement of bargain hunting, you can lose sight of reality, especially when you see everyone else's shopping truck...we mean shopping cart...filled to the brim.

Speaking of carts...

8. Pick the smallest cart that you can find so that you don't feel that you have to fill up a much larger cart!

9. Make up your mind!

If you see an item advertised online or in a mailer, don't wait too long to act. Many items in warehouse stores are quick, one-shot deals and VERY quickly sell out.

10. Watch out for flying rolls of paper towels and jars of peanuts.

Ok, this one isn't a money saver, but it's still an important warning.  There have been too many incidents where people have been injured by falling items at warehouse stores. Be careful around large stacks of goods that may be piled a little too high.

Warehouse clubs aren't the only way to save on groceries. Keep reading for 10 insider tips to help you save money at the grocery store.

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