Warehouse stores can be a great place to stock up on grocery items with a long shelf life, like dried pasta or canned vegetables. While multi-packs of bread or giant charcuterie plates can be tempting, it may be best to avoid these quick-to-spoil items while shopping at wholesale clubs. After all, can you really finish four pounds of mashed potatoes before they expire? (We’d love to try!)

While warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club have existed for years, still many are new to shopping in the stores, which are known for selling items discounted in bulk and having incredibly-affordable food courts in addition to offering exclusive discounts to members.

Sam’s Club was started by Walmart founder Sam Walton in 1983. In addition to more than 600 locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Sam’s Club has international locations in Brazil, China, and Mexico. Costco began as Price Club in 1976, and today has more than 800 locations worldwide. Both warehouse clubs require a membership to shop there.