{"id":39435,"date":"2025-01-09T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/the-honest-truth-about-shopping-at-sams-club\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T10:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T09:11:05","slug":"the-honest-truth-about-shopping-at-sams-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/the-honest-truth-about-shopping-at-sams-club\/","title":{"rendered":"The Honest Truth About Shopping at Sam&#8217;s Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Best for:<\/strong> Families of three or more who spend $250+ per week on groceries and household staples.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biggest win:<\/strong> The $50\/year membership is $15 cheaper than Costco's, and Scan & Go lets you skip every checkout line in the building.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biggest drawback:<\/strong> Product curation trails Costco, the stores feel like Walmart warehouses, and customer service complaints about unauthorized charges and missing refunds are piling up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> costs $50 a year. Costco costs $65. Both sell bulk groceries, household goods, tires, pharmacy, and optical. Both have private-label brands that undercut name brands by 30% to 50%. The question everyone asks is whether the $15 price difference reflects a $15 difference in quality. It does, but not in the ways most people expect.<\/p><div id=\"relatedsearches1\" class=\"every-content-2\" style=\"height: 450px;\"><script>console.log(\"RSOC loading..\");<\/script>\r\n<!-- Initialize Google CSA object - Required for ad functionality -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\">\r\n\t(function(g,o){g[o]=g[o]||function(){(g[o]['q']=g[o]['q']||[]).push(\r\n\t\targuments)},g[o]['t']=1*new Date})(window,'_googCsa');\r\n<\/script><\/div><style>\r\n  #relatedsearches1,\r\n  #relatedsearches2 {\r\n    \/* Base container styles - final appearance *\/\r\n    margin-bottom: 20px;\r\n    padding: 15px;\r\n    background-color: #111827; \/* Final background color (gray-900) *\/\r\n    border-radius: 8px;\r\n    min-height: 250px; \/* Restore a reasonable min-height *\/\r\n    box-sizing: border-box;\r\n    overflow: hidden;\r\n    position: relative; \/* Needed to contain the absolute overlay *\/\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* REMOVED .skeleton-active styles *\/\r\n\r\n  .skeleton-overlay {\r\n    position: absolute;\r\n    inset: 0; \/* Cover parent *\/\r\n    z-index: 10; \/* Ensure it's on top *\/\r\n    pointer-events: none; \/* Prevent interaction *\/\r\n    border-radius: 8px; \/* Match parent *\/\r\n\r\n    \/* --- Skeleton visuals applied directly to the overlay --- *\/\r\n    --skeleton-bar-height: 35px;\r\n    --skeleton-gap-height: 15px;\r\n    --skeleton-unit-height: calc(var(--skeleton-bar-height) + var(--skeleton-gap-height));\r\n    --skeleton-padding: 15px;\r\n    --skeleton-bar-color: #374151; \/* gray-700 *\/\r\n    --skeleton-bg-color: #1f2937;  \/* gray-800 *\/\r\n    --skeleton-shimmer-color: rgba(52, 211, 153, 0.1); \/* emerald-400 10% *\/\r\n\r\n    background-color: var(--skeleton-bg-color);\r\n    background-image:\r\n      linear-gradient(to right, transparent, var(--skeleton-shimmer-color), transparent),\r\n      linear-gradient(var(--skeleton-bar-color) var(--skeleton-bar-height), transparent 0);\r\n    background-size:\r\n      200% var(--skeleton-bar-height),\r\n      calc(100% - (2 * var(--skeleton-padding))) var(--skeleton-unit-height);\r\n    background-repeat: repeat-y;\r\n    background-position:\r\n      calc(-200% + var(--skeleton-padding)) var(--skeleton-padding),\r\n      var(--skeleton-padding) var(--skeleton-padding);\r\n    animation: shimmer 1.5s infinite linear;\r\n    \/* --- End Skeleton Visuals --- *\/\r\n\r\n    \/* --- Visibility Control --- *\/\r\n    opacity: 0;\r\n    transition: opacity 0.3s ease-out;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  .skeleton-overlay.skeleton-visible {\r\n    opacity: 1;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  @keyframes shimmer {\r\n    to {\r\n       background-position:\r\n        calc(200% + var(--skeleton-padding)) var(--skeleton-padding),\r\n        var(--skeleton-padding) var(--skeleton-padding);\r\n    }\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* No longer need rules for .skeleton-loading class or :empty *\/\r\n\r\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> wins on technology (Scan & Go is genuinely great), pharmacy pricing (free generics on the Plus plan), and membership cost. Costco wins on product selection, store experience, and food court. The right answer depends on what you're actually buying and how often you're buying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"763\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-scan-and-go-exit-arches.jpg\" alt=\"Sam's Club Scan and Go exit arches showing the app-based checkout process\" class=\"wp-image-40213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-scan-and-go-exit-arches.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-scan-and-go-exit-arches-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-scan-and-go-exit-arches-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-scan-and-go-exit-arches-768x488.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The membership math<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Club ($50\/year)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The basic tier. Warehouse access, website, app, pharmacy pricing, optical center, tire and battery center. One complimentary household card for someone at the same address. For families who visit once or twice a month and spend $250 to $400 per trip, this pays for itself through bulk pricing alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At a conservative 25% savings on $3,000 in annual grocery spending, you're saving about $750 a year. Subtract the $50 fee and you're up $700. That math holds for families. Singles and couples struggle to hit $3,000 without wasting food, because a 5-pound bag of shredded cheese goes moldy before two people can finish it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plus ($110\/year)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Plus tier adds perks that compound for frequent shoppers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2% back on qualifying purchases<\/strong> (up to $500\/year in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> credit)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free curbside pickup<\/strong> (Club members pay a surcharge)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free shipping<\/strong> on most online orders with no minimum<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early shopping hours<\/strong> before the club opens to regular members<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free generic prescriptions<\/strong> on 10 select medications, and 600+ generics for $10 or less<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2% cashback is the math that matters. To earn back the $60 gap between Club and Plus, you need to spend $3,000 a year at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a>. Families spending $5,000+ annually make the Plus membership pay for itself and pocket the difference. If you take prescriptions on the free generics list (metformin, lisinopril, sertraline, and seven others), the Plus tier can save you hundreds more on top of the cashback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How it stacks up against Costco's tiers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Costco raised their membership prices in September 2024. Gold Star (basic) went from $60 to $65. Executive went from $120 to $130. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> held steady at $50 and $110. That puts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> $15 cheaper on the basic tier and $20 cheaper on the premium tier. If you're on a tight budget and both clubs are nearby, Sam's wins before you even walk in the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Sam's Club does best<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scan & Go changes how you shop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a>'s strongest advantage over Costco, and Costco has no equivalent. You open the app, scan barcodes with your phone as you fill your cart, pay inside the app, and walk out. An associate checks your digital receipt at the door. No checkout lines. No self-checkout machines. No waiting behind someone with two flatbed carts on a Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 30% of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> members now use Scan & Go regularly, a 50% increase over the past three years. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> is leaning hard into this: they're rolling out AI-powered exit arches across all 600 clubs that scan your cart from the top and sides to verify purchases. The company plans to phase out traditional checkout lanes entirely. If you hate lines, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> is building the future you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Member's Mark is better than you think<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> quietly revamped their private label over the past few years. Member's Mark now covers 6,000+ products, roughly 20% of the store's inventory, and the quality has caught up to (and sometimes passed) Kirkland Signature on key items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some specifics: Member's Mark paper towels cost $19.98 for a 15-pack (2,250 total sheets). Kirkland paper towels cost $23.99 for a 12-pack (1,920 sheets). You get more sheets for less money. Member's Mark allergy pills run $12.23 for 400 tablets ($0.03 per pill) versus $39.98 for 120 Zyrtec tablets ($0.33 per pill). The Member's Mark coffee is $11.98 for a canister with 8 more ounces than Starbucks Pike Place at $21.93.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In September 2025, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/kta5\" title=\"Sam&#039;s Club\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Sam's Club<\/a> launched a premium diaper line under Member's Mark with upgraded materials and 12-hour absorbent protection, at the same price as their standard diapers. At roughly 14 cents per diaper for a 290-count box, that's about half what Pampers costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The pharmacy is a sleeper perk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus members get 10 common generic medications completely free: metformin, lisinopril, sertraline, amlodipine, escitalopram, finasteride, montelukast, pioglitazone, donepezil, and Vitamin D2. Another 600+ generics cost $10 or less. CVS and Walgreens charge 30% to 50% more for the same pills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In October 2025, Sam's Club added free same-day delivery of refrigerated medications for Plus members, including GLP-1s, insulin, and antibiotics. If you take a daily medication, the pharmacy savings alone can justify the Plus membership. One caveat: the free generics program isn't available in Arizona, California, or Minnesota (those states get a $2\/month rate instead due to state regulations).<\/p><div id=\"every-2515229398\" class=\"every-content-4\"><div class='content_4' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 250px;'>\r\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-pharmacist-assisting-member.jpg\" alt=\"A Sam's Club pharmacist in a white coat helping a member at the pharmacy counter\" class=\"wp-image-40214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-pharmacist-assisting-member.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-pharmacist-assisting-member-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-pharmacist-assisting-member-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sams-club-pharmacist-assisting-member-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gas and tires save real money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sam's Club gas stations run 5 to 25 cents per gallon cheaper than nearby stations, with 10 cents being the typical savings. Over a year of weekly fill-ups (15 gallons each), that's $78 to $195 saved. Costco gas is usually a few cents cheaper than Sam's, but the lines at Costco gas stations are notoriously longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tires are also consistently priced $50 to $150 below Discount Tire or dealership prices for a set of four Goodyear or Michelin tires. That includes mounting, balancing, and a road hazard warranty. The downside: appointment availability can be spotty, and wait times are sometimes brutal. Drop the car off instead of waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where Sam's Club falls short<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Product selection is predictable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sam's Club carries roughly 4,000 to 5,000 SKUs per location. Costco carries about the same number, but their product curation is in a different league. Costco's buyers pick interesting, rotating items that make each visit feel like a treasure hunt. Sam's Club leans toward predictable staples. You'll find what you came for, but you won't stumble on a $40 Patagonia jacket or a wedge of high-end Manchego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The organic and specialty food gap is wide. If you care about organic produce, grass-fed meats, or specialty cheeses, Costco wins by a significant margin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The stores feel like Walmart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Harsh lighting, utilitarian signage, lower staffing levels. Finding someone to help you in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/e66x\" title=\"PulseTV\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">electronics<\/a> section takes longer than it should. Costco's stores feel cleaner and more organized. This won't matter to everyone, but if you enjoy the Costco shopping experience (and plenty of people genuinely do), Sam's Club feels like a downgrade in atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer service has problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the serious one. Sam's Club has a pattern of complaints about unauthorized membership renewal charges, even after cancellation. SiteJabber shows a 1.7\/5 rating across 644 reviews, with billing and customer service as the worst categories. Multiple customers report being charged $50 despite cancelling, then spending weeks chasing refunds through unresponsive support channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also complaints about produce quality (rotten bananas and moldy fruit on delivery), incomplete orders, and a customer service team that sometimes refuses to escalate to managers. The in-store experience is generally fine. The backend operations, especially billing and delivery, are where things break down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The food court is fine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pizza slices run $2 to $2.50. Most items are under $5. It's adequate. But Costco's food court is legendary for a reason: the $1.50 hot dog and drink combo hasn't changed since 1984, and they sold 245 million of them in 2025 alone. Nobody makes a special trip for Sam's Club food court. Plenty of people do for Costco's.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to always buy at Sam's Club<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Paper products:<\/strong> Toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues run 30% to 40% below grocery store prices. Member's Mark paper towels specifically beat Kirkland on both price and sheet count.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diapers and wipes:<\/strong> Member's Mark Premium diapers cost roughly 14 cents each. Pampers runs 25 to 30 cents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prescriptions:<\/strong> Especially generics on the Plus plan. Free is hard to beat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gas:<\/strong> 5 to 25 cents per gallon cheaper than nearby stations. Worth the membership fee alone if you fill up weekly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rotisserie chicken:<\/strong> $4.98 for a 3-pound bird. Costco charges $4.99 for a similar size. Both are loss leaders and both are great deals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>OTC medications and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/yff5\" title=\"GNC\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">supplements<\/a>:<\/strong> Member's Mark generics cost a fraction of name brands (allergy pills at $0.03 each vs. $0.33 for Zyrtec).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Laundry detergent and cleaning supplies:<\/strong> Bulk sizes save 25% to 40% versus grocery store pricing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to skip (or compare first)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/e66x\" title=\"PulseTV\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Electronics<\/a>:<\/strong> Prices are competitive but rarely the lowest. Check Best Buy and Amazon first.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fresh produce:<\/strong> Bulk sizes lead to waste for smaller households. Only buy what you'll eat in a week.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Books and toys:<\/strong> Amazon wins on selection and usually on price.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/isvo\" title=\"www.TotallyFurniture.com\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Furniture<\/a>:<\/strong> Quality varies wildly. Read reviews carefully before committing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shipping, delivery, and returns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Curbside pickup:<\/strong> Free for Plus members. Club members pay a surcharge. Orders ready within four hours at most locations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Same-day delivery:<\/strong> Available through Instacart in many markets. Expect a delivery fee and a 10% to 15% markup on item prices versus in-store.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Standard shipping:<\/strong> Free for Plus members on most items. Club members need to hit minimum order thresholds. Delivery in 3 to 5 business days.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Returns:<\/strong> No time limit on most items. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/e66x\" title=\"PulseTV\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">Electronics<\/a> have a 90-day window. Cell phones get 14 days. Commercial equipment gets 30 days. Proof of purchase required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The online inventory is more limited than what you'll find in the warehouse. Big-ticket items like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/isvo\" title=\"www.TotallyFurniture.com\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">furniture<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/e66x\" title=\"PulseTV\" class=\"pretty-link-keyword\"rel=\"nofollow sponsored \" target=\"_blank\">electronics<\/a>, and appliances have the widest online selection. Grocery availability for delivery varies heavily by location.<\/p><div id=\"relatedsearches2\" class=\"every-content-5\"><script>console.log(\"RSOC bottom loading..\");<\/script>\r\n<\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\">\r\n    console.log('[DEBUG] Ad script block started');\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Debug function to log important events and states\r\n    function debugLog(type, message, data = null) {\r\n        const timestamp = new Date().toISOString();\r\n        console.log(`[${timestamp}] [${type}]`, message);\r\n        if (data) {\r\n            console.log('Debug data:', data);\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Validate required parameters before initialization\r\n    function validateConfig(config) {\r\n        const required = ['pubId', 'styleId', 'relatedSearchTargeting', 'resultsPageBaseUrl'];\r\n        const missing = required.filter(param => !config[param]);\r\n        \r\n        if (missing.length > 0) {\r\n            throw new Error(`Missing required parameters: ${missing.join(', ')}`);\r\n        }\r\n        \r\n        if (config.relatedSearchTargeting !== 'content' && config.relatedSearchTargeting !== 'query') {\r\n            throw new Error('relatedSearchTargeting must be either \"content\" or \"query\"');\r\n        }\r\n        \r\n        return true;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Enhanced URL parameter parsing function with title fallback for referrerAdCreative\r\n    function getUrlParameter(name, defaultValue = '') {\r\n        try {\r\n            const urlParams = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);\r\n            const value = urlParams.get(name);\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Special handling for referrerAdCreative\r\n            if (name === 'referrerAdCreative' && !value) {\r\n                let siteTitle = document.title || defaultValue;\r\n                \r\n                \/\/ Clean up the site title if needed\r\n                if (siteTitle !== defaultValue) {\r\n                    siteTitle = siteTitle.replace(' \u2013 Everyday Guide \u2013 Your Source of Information for Daily Topics!', '').trim();\r\n                    debugLog('WARNING', 'Using modified page title as fallback for referrerAdCreative', {\r\n                        originalTitle: document.title,\r\n                        cleanedTitle: siteTitle,\r\n                        source: 'document.title'\r\n                    });\r\n                    return siteTitle;\r\n                }\r\n            }\r\n            \r\n            return value ? decodeURIComponent(value) : defaultValue;\r\n        } catch (error) {\r\n            debugLog('ERROR', `Failed to parse URL parameter: ${name}`, error);\r\n            return defaultValue;\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Add tracking domain and CID handling with validation\r\n    function getTrackingParams() {\r\n        const trackingDomain = getUrlParameter('td', '');\r\n        const cid = getUrlParameter('cid', '');\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Only validate if tracking domain is provided\r\n        if (trackingDomain && !trackingDomain.match(\/^[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$\/)) {\r\n            debugLog('WARNING', 'Invalid tracking domain format', {\r\n                provided: trackingDomain\r\n            });\r\n            return {\r\n                trackingDomain: '',\r\n                cid: cid\r\n            };\r\n        }\r\n        \r\n        return {\r\n            trackingDomain: trackingDomain,\r\n            cid: cid\r\n        };\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    const { trackingDomain, cid } = getTrackingParams();\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Get parameters from URL with defaults\r\n    const urlStyleId = getUrlParameter('styleid', '9024836547');\r\n    const urlTerms = getUrlParameter('terms', '');\r\n    const urlChannel = getUrlParameter('channel', '2273637055'); \/\/ edg 1871989443\r\n    const urlAdTitle = getUrlParameter('adtitle', '');\r\n    const urlCpid = getUrlParameter('cpid', '');\r\n    const urlOid = getUrlParameter('oid', '');\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Set tracking IDs immediately at script start, before any async operations\r\n    \/\/ Only call set_tracking_ids if it exists (tracker.js has initialized)\r\n    try {\r\n        \/\/ Debug tracker state\r\n        const trackerState = window._trackerInternalState || {};\r\n        const hasTrackerFunction = typeof window.set_tracking_ids === 'function';\r\n        const sessionData = sessionStorage.getItem('ctrkr_click_data');\r\n        let parsedSessionData = null;\r\n        try { parsedSessionData = sessionData ? JSON.parse(sessionData) : null; } catch(e) {}\r\n        \r\n        debugLog('TRACKING_DEBUG', 'Tracker state before setting IDs', {\r\n            trackerInitialized: trackerState.ready === true,\r\n            hasSetTrackingFunction: hasTrackerFunction,\r\n            hasSessionStorage: !!sessionStorage,\r\n            hasSessionData: !!sessionData,\r\n            clickId: parsedSessionData?.clickId,\r\n            existingParams: parsedSessionData?.adParams\r\n        });\r\n        \r\n        if (hasTrackerFunction) {\r\n            window.set_tracking_ids({\r\n                ad_client_id: \"partner-pub-9681717277196944\", \/\/ Your AdSense publisher ID\r\n                style_id: urlStyleId,\r\n                channel_id: urlChannel\r\n            });\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Check if the params were actually set\r\n            setTimeout(() => {\r\n                try {\r\n                    const afterSessionData = sessionStorage.getItem('ctrkr_click_data');\r\n                    let afterParsedData = null;\r\n                    try { afterParsedData = afterSessionData ? JSON.parse(afterSessionData) : null; } catch(e) {}\r\n                    \r\n                    debugLog('TRACKING_DEBUG', 'Tracker state after setting IDs', {\r\n                        hasSessionData: !!afterSessionData,\r\n                        clickId: afterParsedData?.clickId,\r\n                        updatedParams: afterParsedData?.adParams\r\n                    });\r\n                } catch (e) {\r\n                    debugLog('TRACKING_DEBUG', 'Error checking session after update', e);\r\n                }\r\n            }, 50);\r\n            \r\n            debugLog('TRACKING', 'Successfully called set_tracking_ids');\r\n        } else {\r\n            debugLog('TRACKING', 'Tracker set_tracking_ids function not available');\r\n        }\r\n    } catch (e) {\r\n        debugLog('TRACKING_ERROR', 'Error in tracking setup', e);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Define base URL constant\r\n    const BASE_RESULTS_URL = \"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/search-results\/\";\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Page level configuration for related searches\r\n    var pageOptions = {\r\n        \/\/ Required Parameters\r\n        \"pubId\": \"partner-pub-9681717277196944\",    \/\/ Your AdSense publisher ID\r\n        \"styleId\": urlStyleId,                       \/\/ From URL or default\r\n        \"relatedSearchTargeting\": \"content\",         \/\/ Must use 'content' for content pages\r\n        \"resultsPageBaseUrl\": BASE_RESULTS_URL,      \/\/ Placeholder, will be finalized later\r\n        \"resultsPageQueryParam\": \"q\",\r\n        \/\/\"ivt\": false,\r\n        \/\/ Safety and Filtering\r\n        \"adsafe\": \"low\",\r\n        \/\/\"adtest\": \"off\",\r\n        \"terms\": \"\",\r\n        \"referrerAdCreative\": \"\",\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Tracking and Analytics\r\n        \"channel\": urlChannel,                       \/\/ From URL or default\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Additional Settings\r\n        'ignoredPageParams': Array.from(new URLSearchParams(location.search).keys()).join(', '),\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Callback function for ad loading\r\n        \"adLoadedCallback\": function(containerName, adsLoaded, isExperimentVariant, callbackOptions) {\r\n            try {\r\n                \/\/ Find the container element\r\n                const container = document.getElementById(containerName);\r\n                if (!container) {\r\n                    debugLog('ERROR', `Container not found: ${containerName}`);\r\n                    return;\r\n                }\r\n\r\n                \/\/ Find the overlay within this container\r\n                const overlay = container.querySelector('.skeleton-overlay');\r\n\r\n                \/\/ Fade out and remove the overlay\r\n                if (overlay && overlay.classList.contains('skeleton-visible')) {\r\n                    overlay.classList.remove('skeleton-visible'); \/\/ Start fade out\r\n                    debugLog('SKELETON', `Fading out overlay in ${containerName}`);\r\n\r\n                    \/\/ Remove from DOM after transition\r\n                    setTimeout(() => {\r\n                        if (overlay) { \/\/ Check if it still exists\r\n                             overlay.remove();\r\n                             debugLog('SKELETON', `Removed overlay from DOM in ${containerName}`);\r\n                        }\r\n                    }, 300); \/\/ Match CSS transition duration\r\n                }\r\n\r\n                if (adsLoaded && callbackOptions && callbackOptions.termPositions) {\r\n                    const terms = Object.keys(callbackOptions.termPositions);\r\n                    console.log('Related Search Terms Shown:', terms);\r\n                    console.log('Term Positions:', callbackOptions.termPositions);\r\n                }\r\n                \r\n                debugLog('CALLBACK', `Container: ${containerName}`, {\r\n                    adsLoaded,\r\n                    isExperimentVariant,\r\n                    callbackOptions\r\n                });\r\n\r\n                if (adsLoaded) {\r\n                    debugLog('SUCCESS', 'Related searches loaded successfully');\r\n                    \/\/ Remove legacy tracking call\r\n                    \/\/ window.trackEvent('adview');\r\n                    \/\/ Debug tracking state before sending event\r\n                    try {\r\n                        const eventSessionData = sessionStorage.getItem('ctrkr_click_data');\r\n                        let eventParsedData = null;\r\n                        try { eventParsedData = eventSessionData ? JSON.parse(eventSessionData) : null; } catch(e) {}\r\n                        \r\n                        debugLog('TRACKING_EVENT', 'State before ad_view event', {\r\n                            hasSessionData: !!eventSessionData,\r\n                            clickId: eventParsedData?.clickId,\r\n                            params: eventParsedData?.adParams\r\n                        });\r\n                    } catch (e) {\r\n                        debugLog('TRACKING_ERROR', 'Error checking session before event', e);\r\n                    }\r\n                    \r\n                    \/\/ Send tracking event using new API with parameters as fallback\r\n                    window.track_event('ad_view', {});\r\n                    \/\/ Track Facebook Pixel ViewContent event\r\n                    fbq('track', 'ViewContent');\r\n                    \r\n                    \/\/ Log terms and their positions if available\r\n                    if (callbackOptions && callbackOptions.termPositions) {\r\n                        console.log('Related Search Terms:', Object.keys(callbackOptions.termPositions));\r\n                        console.log('Term Positions:', callbackOptions.termPositions);\r\n                    }\r\n                    \r\n                    \/\/ Log container dimensions for debugging layout issues\r\n                    const rect = container.getBoundingClientRect();\r\n                    debugLog('LAYOUT', 'Container dimensions', {\r\n                        width: rect.width,\r\n                        height: rect.height,\r\n                        visible: rect.height > 0\r\n                    });\r\n                } else {\r\n                    debugLog('WARNING', 'No related searches available');\r\n                    container.style.display = 'none';\r\n                    \/\/ Remove legacy tracking call\r\n                    \/\/ window.trackEvent('noresult');\r\n                    \/\/ Debug tracking state before sending event\r\n                    try {\r\n                        const eventSessionData = sessionStorage.getItem('ctrkr_click_data');\r\n                        let eventParsedData = null;\r\n                        try { eventParsedData = eventSessionData ? JSON.parse(eventSessionData) : null; } catch(e) {}\r\n                        \r\n                        debugLog('TRACKING_EVENT', 'State before no_result event', {\r\n                            hasSessionData: !!eventSessionData,\r\n                            clickId: eventParsedData?.clickId,\r\n                            params: eventParsedData?.adParams\r\n                        });\r\n                    } catch (e) {\r\n                        debugLog('TRACKING_ERROR', 'Error checking session before event', e);\r\n                    }\r\n                    \r\n                    \/\/ Send tracking event using new API with parameters as fallback\r\n                    window.track_event('rsoc_not_monetized', {});\r\n                    \r\n                    \/\/ Log possible reasons for no results\r\n                    debugLog('DEBUG', 'Checking possible issues', {\r\n                        url: window.location.href,\r\n                        containerExists: !!container,\r\n                        containerVisible: container.offsetParent !== null,\r\n                        pageContent: document.body.textContent.length\r\n                    });\r\n                }\r\n            } catch (error) {\r\n                debugLog('ERROR', 'Error in callback', {\r\n                    message: error.message,\r\n                    stack: error.stack\r\n                });\r\n            }\r\n        }\r\n    };\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Configuration for the related searches containers\r\n    const rsblock1 = {\r\n        \/\/ Required Parameters\r\n        \"container\": \"relatedsearches1\",\r\n        \"width\": 700,\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Optional Parameters\r\n        \"relatedSearches\": 6,\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Reference to the callback in pageOptions\r\n        \"adLoadedCallback\": pageOptions.adLoadedCallback\r\n    };\r\n\r\n    const rsblock2 = {\r\n        \/\/ Required Parameters\r\n        \"container\": \"relatedsearches2\",\r\n        \"width\": 700,\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Optional Parameters\r\n        \"relatedSearches\": 6,\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Reference to the callback in pageOptions\r\n        \"adLoadedCallback\": pageOptions.adLoadedCallback\r\n    };\r\n\r\n    \/\/ --- Ad Initialization Logic ---\r\n\r\n    let adsInitialized = false;\r\n    const AD_INIT_TIMEOUT = 2500; \/\/ Timeout in milliseconds (e.g., 2.5 seconds)\r\n    let initTimeoutId = null;\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Function to inject skeleton overlay SYNCHRONOUSLY\r\n    function injectSkeletonOverlay(containerId) {\r\n        const container = document.getElementById(containerId);\r\n        if (container) {\r\n            if (!container.querySelector('.skeleton-overlay')) {\r\n                const overlay = document.createElement('div');\r\n                overlay.className = 'skeleton-overlay skeleton-visible';\r\n                container.appendChild(overlay);\r\n                debugLog('SKELETON', `Injected overlay into ${containerId}`);\r\n            } else {\r\n                debugLog('SKELETON', `Overlay already exists in ${containerId}`);\r\n            }\r\n        } else {\r\n            debugLog('WARNING', `Container ${containerId} not found for overlay injection.`);\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Function to hide skeletons if initialization fails\r\n    function hideSkeletonsOnError() {\r\n        ['relatedsearches1', 'relatedsearches2'].forEach(containerId => {\r\n            const container = document.getElementById(containerId);\r\n            const overlay = container?.querySelector('.skeleton-overlay.skeleton-visible');\r\n            if (overlay) {\r\n                overlay.classList.remove('skeleton-visible');\r\n                \/\/ Optionally remove after fade, but maybe just hide on error\r\n                debugLog('SKELETON', `Hiding overlay in ${containerId} due to init error.`);\r\n            }\r\n            \/\/ Also hide the main container if ads fail to load\r\n            if(container) container.style.display = 'none';\r\n        });\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Main function to initialize Google CSA ads\r\n    function initializeGoogleAds() {\r\n        if (adsInitialized) return; \/\/ Prevent double initialization\r\n        adsInitialized = true;\r\n        clearTimeout(initTimeoutId); \/\/ Clear the timeout if event fired\r\n        debugLog('ADS_INIT', 'Proceeding with _googCsa initialization.');\r\n\r\n        injectSkeletonOverlay('relatedsearches1');\r\n        injectSkeletonOverlay('relatedsearches2');\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Re-evaluate tracking params based on the final state from event-tracker.js\r\n        const trackerState = window._trackerInternalState || {};\r\n        const finalCid = trackerState.clickId || getUrlParameter('cid', ''); \/\/ Use state's CID or fallback to original URL param\r\n        \/\/ Note: Tracking domain (td) is primarily used by event-tracker, but include if needed for URL construction\r\n        const finalTd = (trackerState.trackingMethod === 'redirect' ? trackerState.domain : null) || getUrlParameter('td', ''); \/\/ Get TD if redirect, else fallback\r\n        \r\n        \/\/ Tracking IDs already set at the beginning of script\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Re-construct the results URL using the potentially updated CID\/TD\r\n        pageOptions.resultsPageBaseUrl = BASE_RESULTS_URL;\r\n        debugLog('ADS_INIT', 'Final resultsPageBaseUrl:', { url: pageOptions.resultsPageBaseUrl });\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Add referrerAdCreative only if urlAdTitle has a value (moved here to be part of final options)\r\n        if (urlAdTitle) {\r\n            pageOptions.referrerAdCreative = urlAdTitle;\r\n            debugLog('INFO', 'referrerAdCreative parameter included in configuration', { referrerAdCreative: urlAdTitle });\r\n        } else {\r\n            delete pageOptions.referrerAdCreative;\r\n            debugLog('INFO', 'No referrerAdCreative parameter provided, removed from configuration');\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Add terms if provided (moved here)\r\n        if (urlTerms) {\r\n            pageOptions.terms = urlTerms;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Update ignoredPageParams (moved here)\r\n        pageOptions.ignoredPageParams = Array.from(new URLSearchParams(location.search).keys()).join(', ');\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Debug log all parameters before initialization\r\n        debugLog('PARAMS', 'Page Options Configuration:', {\r\n            \/\/ Required Parameters\r\n            pubId: pageOptions.pubId,\r\n            styleId: pageOptions.styleId,\r\n            relatedSearchTargeting: pageOptions.relatedSearchTargeting,\r\n            resultsPageBaseUrl: pageOptions.resultsPageBaseUrl,\r\n            resultsPageQueryParam: pageOptions.resultsPageQueryParam,\r\n            referrerAdCreative: pageOptions.referrerAdCreative,\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Optional Parameters\r\n            terms: pageOptions.terms || '(not set)',\r\n            maxTermLength: pageOptions.maxTermLength,\r\n            linkTarget: pageOptions.linkTarget,\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Safety and Filtering\r\n            adsafe: pageOptions.adsafe,\r\n            adtest: pageOptions.adtest,\r\n            ivt: pageOptions.ivt,\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Language and Encoding\r\n            hl: pageOptions.hl,\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Tracking and Analytics\r\n            channel: pageOptions.channel,\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Container Configurations\r\n            containerSettings: {\r\n                block1: {\r\n                    container: rsblock1.container,\r\n                    width: rsblock1.width,\r\n                    relatedSearches: rsblock1.relatedSearches\r\n                },\r\n                block2: {\r\n                    container: rsblock2.container,\r\n                    width: rsblock2.width,\r\n                    relatedSearches: rsblock2.relatedSearches\r\n                }\r\n            }\r\n        });\r\n\r\n        \/\/ --- Call Google CSA ---\r\n        try {\r\n            verifyScriptLoading(); \/\/ Verify dependent scripts\r\n            validateConfig(pageOptions); \/\/ Validate final config\r\n\r\n            \/\/ Log the final pageOptions before initialization\r\n            console.log('[DEBUG] Final pageOptions just before _googCsa:', JSON.stringify(pageOptions, null, 2));\r\n\r\n            _googCsa('relatedsearch', pageOptions, rsblock1, rsblock2);\r\n            debugLog('ADS_INIT', '_googCsa called successfully.');\r\n\r\n        } catch (error) {\r\n            console.error('[ERROR] Google CSA Initialization Failed!', error);\r\n            debugLog('ERROR', 'Google CSA Initialization failed', {\r\n                message: error.message,\r\n                stack: error.stack\r\n            });\r\n            \/\/ Hide skeletons and containers on error\r\n            hideSkeletonsOnError();\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ --- Event Listener and Timeout --- \r\n\r\n    \/\/ Check if tracker is already ready *before* setting up listener\/timeout\r\n    if (window._trackerInternalState?.ready) {\r\n        debugLog('ADS_INIT', 'Tracker was already ready. Initializing ads immediately.');\r\n        initializeGoogleAds();\r\n    } else {\r\n        debugLog('ADS_INIT', 'Tracker not ready yet. Setting up listener and timeout.');\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Listener for the tracker signal\r\n        const trackerListener = (event) => {\r\n            debugLog('ADS_INIT', 'Received trackerInitialized event', event.detail);\r\n            window.removeEventListener('trackerInitialized', trackerListener); \/\/ Clean up listener\r\n            initializeGoogleAds();\r\n        };\r\n        window.addEventListener('trackerInitialized', trackerListener);\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Timeout fallback: Initialize ads if the tracker event doesn't arrive promptly\r\n        initTimeoutId = setTimeout(() => {\r\n            debugLog('ADS_INIT', `Timeout waiting for trackerInitialized event after ${AD_INIT_TIMEOUT}ms. Proceeding.`);\r\n            window.removeEventListener('trackerInitialized', trackerListener); \/\/ Clean up listener if timeout fires first\r\n            initializeGoogleAds();\r\n        }, AD_INIT_TIMEOUT);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Add script loading verification\r\n    function verifyScriptLoading() {\r\n        debugLog('SCRIPT', 'Entering verifyScriptLoading');\r\n        debugLog('SCRIPT', 'Checking script loading status', {\r\n            adsScriptLoaded: !!document.querySelector('script[src*=\"ads.js\"]'),\r\n            googCsaAvailable: typeof _googCsa === 'function'\r\n        });\r\n        debugLog('SCRIPT', 'Exiting verifyScriptLoading');\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/\/ --- Modify constructUrlWithTracking to accept parameters --- \r\n    \/\/ (Keep the original getTrackingParams for initial values if needed elsewhere, or remove if redundant)\r\n    function constructUrlWithTracking(baseUrl, cid, td, styleid, channel) {\r\n        try {\r\n            const url = new URL(baseUrl);\r\n            \/\/ Add parameters if they exist\r\n            if (td) url.searchParams.set('td', td);\r\n            if (cid) url.searchParams.set('cid', cid);\r\n            if (styleid) url.searchParams.set('styleid', styleid);\r\n            if (channel) url.searchParams.set('channel', channel);\r\n            return url.toString();\r\n        } catch (error) {\r\n            debugLog('ERROR', 'Failed to construct results page URL with tracking parameters', {\r\n                baseUrl,\r\n                error: error.message\r\n            });\r\n            return baseUrl;\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The bottom line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sam's Club delivers real value for the right household. The $50 membership is the cheapest entry into warehouse club shopping, Member's Mark products have quietly become competitive with Kirkland Signature on key items, and Scan & Go is the best checkout experience in any retail store. The pharmacy savings on the Plus tier can pay for the membership several times over if you take common generics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The trade-offs are real. Costco has better product curation, cleaner stores, a legendary food court, and slightly cheaper gas. Sam's Club has billing problems that show up in customer reviews too often to ignore. If you already have a Costco membership and enjoy shopping there, switching doesn't make sense. But if you're choosing your first warehouse club, or if the nearest Costco is 30 minutes away while Sam's Club is around the corner, the value is there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sam's Club saves families real money on groceries, gas, and prescriptions. The stores aren't glamorous. The food court won't inspire devotion. But your bank account won't care.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n      <div class=\"prli-link-to-disclosures\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/disclaimer\/\">(*)This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n      ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Best for: Families of three or more who spend $250+ per week on groceries and household staples. Biggest win: The $50\/year membership is $15 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40215,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39435\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.everyday-guide.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}