Costco, Shopping, Money, Food, Coupons, Savings & Deals... And personal stories from Southern California, USA.
2010 Resolution: 2010 is all about saving money. fitness, a lot of work, and one fun Summer vacation (and holiday seasons). God bless everyone. Please take care. (I took the vacation. It was fun.)
Song of the day hasn't been updated because I am still listening to this all the time. This Skynyrd version is a lot better than Clapton's. I am still trying to learn the guitar. I will post a video of me playing this (soon).
Even if I am (somewhat) fit and have 31 Inch waist, I find it uncomfortable to bend over to tie my shoes. Doing it sitting down is not helping too much either. I remembered this long shoe horn from my grandparents' house. I had to buy one for myself. Now I understand why old folks own these.
I have a new obsession. I've been buying silk neckties.
All my life I have waited for the day I trash all my used, smelly ties I bought from Goodwill stores and thrift stores.
I spent $100.00 so far on ties (in 3 weeks) I try not to buy any more ties, but I find myself looking at neckties online.. hour at a time.
When I watch TV news, I look at news anchors' neckties. I have a few favorite anchor men picked out (yikes, doesn't sound good), and I watch what kind of ties they wear every day. When I see any kind of TV show or movie, I look at their suits, shirts, and ties. It's very interesting how they match their ties with rest of their clothes. If Jay Leno has a male guest and he is wearing suit and tie? I would sit up on the bed to check out his tie.
(I would completely ignore female guests with skimpy dress. Please, I'm sleepy... and old.)
I think about neckties so much it makes my head spin.
What's so stupid is that I rarely wear ties.
I daydream about going somewhere formal. Of course, I would look smashing with my new silk tie. And people would fall in love with me.
My daydream sequence kinda goes something like this:
"Wow, who is that guy?" "He's new here. His name is John" "I really like his look... I like his tie" "I know, I would like to be his friend"
Hahaha...
Anyway, so far, I learned...
Necktie is an important clothing item.
A tie can make or break a person's image.
A grown men should avoid wearing cheap ties.
My rule of thumb: If you can afford $100.00 pants, you should own $100.00 ties. ($50.00 ties for $50.00 pants owners, & etc...)
A classic, luxury look will never go away.
It's easy to spot cheap ties. Don't think you can fool us with cheap ties.
A tie should be worn full Windsor (maybe a half Windsor) - But avoid skinny quick knot.
Costco Business Outfit:
At Costco, you can buy a pair of nice slack ($22) and a white shirt ($17). Then put on a nice tie - you are gonna look sharp at your office.
NEW YORK—Costco Wholesale Corp. is taking on the role of mall anchor, moving into spaces once occupied by department stores that for decades reigned as the retail centers' big draws.
The largest U.S. wholesale-style retailer plans to speed up steps that will in essence put its minimall type stores into shopping centers, its co-founder and chairman, Jeff Brotman, saidin an interview.
"Our preference is to never be in a mall or by a mall," Mr. Brotman said. "But in metro areas there just is not that much land, and we still want to expand. We will continue to penetrate areas" using the mall approach.
Let me know if you want to become an official blogger at CostcoBlog.com. I will create a special section just for you. You will be promoted.
It's a cute idea to start your own Blogspot blog on specialty Costco topic. But you will quickly realize that you work too much for so little visitors. You will also realize that it's not easy to keep your website fresh for repeat visitors.
This website has thousands of monthly visitors and hundreds of daily visitors.
A lot of people visit this website every single day. And I feel guilty not to update this website every single day. Having your own blog with us will help providing more for visitors. You will enjoy instant acknowledgement. Everyone's happy.
Oh, and if you feel lazy? it's OK to NOT update your blog for a while.
So, consider starting your Costco blog here. I will set you up.
Requirement: You must love Costco - If you don't truly love Costco, you will give up on your blog.
I went to Baja Fresh with a friend - Yes, I used a coupon. ($5.00 off on $15.00 purchase). It was a glorious lunch.
As we enjoyed lunch, I complained to my friend about Costco not carrying 31" waist pants. I also told her that I couldn't find a pair of black sneakers (good ones like Nike or Adidas).
I needed a good pair of black sneakers. I do wedding photography during the weekend. My feet kill me when I work on my feet 7-8 hours in dress shoes. I wear a nice pair of dress shoes during the day time (purchased May 15, 2009). But, at night (reception) I plan to wear a pair of black sneakers. In the dark situation, people will not notice if I am wearing dress shoes or sneakers. I am willing to spend big bucks on my sneakers. I must look sharp at formal events.
Anyway, my friend took some time to convince me that I needed to shop outside of Costco. So, we made a spur of the moment decision. We topped off our soda cups and drove down to the outlet mall.
I went to Gap and easily found 31' waist pants in various designs and materials. I picked out 3 pairs of jeans. I also found a shirt that I liked very much. When I checked out, I got a Gap Visa card and got extra 15% off.
I paid about $22.00 each on the jeans (not bad). I spent total $91.97
Then we went to Nike store and got a pair of black sneakers for $75.76.
Took this picture on the kitchen table with my P&S camera
I am happy with today's purchase. I shall do laundry tomorrow.
I had fun shopping. My friend was a sport. She stuck around.
But, seriously, this was a significant turning point.
From this point, I will not settle with slightly smaller or slightly bigger pants from Costco. From this point, I will only buy the pants that fit perfectly. I hope Costco will carry 31" waist pants. But, since Costco doesn't carry my size pants, I will shop at local outlet mall for clothes.
I am afraid that my clothes shopping days at Costco is over. We have a wicked huge outlet mall that contains every imaginable store in the world (check it out). Once I start shopping there, I am very likely to fall in love with what they have to offer (perfect fit & variety).
PS:
I understand Costco's position. Average men's waist size in the US is 40 Inches. This puts me in minority. I understand that Costco made a strategic decision not to sell 31" waist pants and I respect that.
* As of August 23, 2010, this story is still developing.
FYI: So far, 500,000,000 eggs have recalled. This is 2% of all eggs produced in the US annually.
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Story on nationwide egg recall is still developing. You may own tainted eggs and maybe they don't know about it. I hope, by now, you have small amount of older eggs left that you can simply start with a new batch and forget about everything.
I eat 4 Costco eggs every day (4 whites, 2 yolks). I have never stopped eating Costco eggs since Salmonella outbreak. I still have about a dozen older eggs and I intend to eat them all.
My eggs are packaged from Norco Ranch (Ca). At first, I thought Norco Ranch eggs are safe. Later, I learned that Norco eggs were pulled from the market as well (Related News). Some reported getting sick after eating Norco Ranch bought from Costco.
So, at this point, I don't know what to say about this topic. Some reports are not confirmed. Just be careful. Keep up with the news and use common sense. When it doubt, trash your eggs and start fresh.
Hillandale said the eggs covered by its recall were distributed to grocery distribution centers, retail grocery stores and food-service companies that service or are located in Arkansas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
The eggs were distributed under the following brand names: Hillandale Farms, Sunny Farms, and Sunny Meadow in 6-egg cartons, dozen-egg cartons, 18-egg cartons, 30-egg packages, and 5-dozen cases. Loose eggs were packaged under the following brand names: Wholesome Farms and West Creek in 15 and 30-dozen tray packs, Hillandale said in a news release.
I was looking forward to today's Costco shopping. I was hoping to find black jeans & black sneakers.
I went to Costco before 5pm
I thought 1+ hour of shopping time will be enough.
But time flew.. I ended up rushing up and down the store to complete my shopping list. I needed more time. I didn't fully enjoy the shopping experience. Hm...
Costco Pants:
I have one complaint about Costco. Costco doesn't carry 31" waist pants. I believe I look the best in 31 waist pants. Costco rarely carry 31" waist pants. They always have 30 & 32 waist sizes. They usually skip on 31" waist.
I have several blue jeans in size 30 waist. I can only fit into them when I am really good with diet & exercise. I need bigger jeans.
Today, I bought a pair of Calvin Klein blue jeans in 32 inch waist.
They are too big... really big. So I need to take these pants back.
I am a little frustrated that there are no 31 Inch waist pants in Costco.
I couldn't find black jeans & black sneakers. I may have to go elsewhere for clothes.
Chocolate Cake:
I didn't have chocolate cake for the longest time. I couldn't fight the urge today, so I bought one. I plan to freeze half and enjoy it slowly.
What you don't see: Chocolate cake, 5 dozen eggs, extra sharp cheddar cheese, ravioli, cilantro lime shrimps.
I spent $124.35. Coupon saved me $12.00 Then I put some gas in my car.
It should have been a better shopping experience. It was just OK. 1 hour is not enough for me to enjoy shopping at Costco. I needed more time (stupid, stupid...)
Understanding the needs of local students, Costco Warehouse from Fontana donated 500 backpacks filled with school supplies Aug. 16 at Oleander Elementary School as part of its outreach to the community.
The distribution brought big smiles to students from grades 2, 3 and 4 at Oleander, the only school from the Fontana Unified School District to be adopted by Costco. Throughout the current school year, Costco will be working closely with school officials to address the needs of students, said Principal Craig Baker.
I only have 24 friends on facebook. I only keep close friends and family on my facebook. Some people have 400, 500, 1000+ friends in their facebook account. That's not how you use facebook. You cannot put hundreds of total strangers along with your family members. There is no way you can have meaningful relationship with 400 people at once.
Anyway, below is some of my old posts from facebook:
Working on an ultimate Star Wars movie for Labor Day. So, when I hit "Play" all 6 episodes will play back-to-back without showing opening & ending credits. But, should I start with episode 4 or episode 1? (my g/f said "Start with episode Geek").
(picture) With 5 times Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. At his kitchen. It was 1999. Long story...
(picture) T-Shirt ($3.00), Pants ($13.00), Glasses ($13.00 frame, lens, & shipping). Shoes ($45 - 4 yrs old). Homer Simpson coffee mug ($5.00). I had my hair cut 6 months ago ($14.00). And I proudly belong to no gym.
It's very easy for me to prove that I am not a racist. I just whip out the photo-album of my ex girlfriends. A Wal*mart version of Miss Universe going on there... (and special Olympics)
I should change my match.com profile subject to - "Babies OK, just don't be crazy"
Some teenager boy asked me if I was famous. I said "no". He was pissed. He walked away and said "All I wanted was an autograph..."
thinking maybe I should start wearing vests as my signature look...
Sick of people stealin' my soda. I swear, I will put Viagra in my next soda, so it will be easier to find the culprit. "Will the real soda thief please stand up, please stand up, please stand up..."
Good morning, it's 7am. I'm gonna brew coffee and go to supermarket... :)
Making corned beef brisket (for one). No cabbage... cabbage was not on sale. :(
(pictures) I try to tell them that I can eat a lot. But people don't seem to understand what I mean by "A LOT". So, here is a picture album of a lunch last year. (38 sushis, 6 green mussels, 8 quail eggs)
You cannot be my friend if you have more than 400 friends. No hard feelings if I delete you (you will probably not notice anyway).
(picture) And they say I don't have good taste in music.
I bought a box of facial cleansing tissues. This is brilliant. Now I don't have to go wash my face. I just wipe as I watch TV. Let's see what other feminine care products I can play with.
(pictures) I was out to Costco to relax. You tell me, do I look relaxed and happy? I forget all about work and stress... shopping is good. Life is good.
Very tired and stressed. Going to Costco to relax (and to pick up a case of Red Bull). I guess I will eat out...
(video of Marshal Tucker) I met Marshall Tucker on Dec 2002 at backstage of Key Club (Hollywood). I shook his hand and took some pictures. Love this song.
finished grocery shopping at midnight. Just brewed coffee. Burning midnight oil and loving it. A lot of personal web projects to take care of. I'm a geek and I'm proud...
(picture of my mother) OK Mofos, my mother is now in facebook. Everyone chill... Say hello to my mother.
Yesterday one of my dates called. She said "I have a surprise for you. You will like it. Can you guess what?". So, I replied "You are a man?". She didn't like my joke. I thought it was pretty funny. Hm...
Last week I bought 6 pairs of pants, 12 t-shirts, & 2 pairs of eyeglasses. I am old, single, thin, and I like clothes. What was the single word to describe that? - OK don't tell me. :(
(picture) It took me 6 months. But, I am back to 30 inch waist. I look 10 yrs younger except for the age-spots.
7am. I had absolutely no sleep. Can't wait to Monday so I can sleep at work. I figured, I might as well get paid for it.
Hates it when a girl posts her picture at Match.com but the picture shows two girls side by side wearing similar cloths. So, what am I to do? I cannot ask her "Are you the one with the hooters? or are you the ugly one?" - Quite the conundrum.
Going to see my parents. I'll be back around 4-6pm. God bless everyone.
There's a place we often go on Sundays. A place so big it seems to hold the entire world between its walls. A place that's so vast, you can't help be awed in its presence. A place so overwhelming that some believe miracles can be found. A place I'm simultaneously drawn to and yet fear. I'm talking of course about Costco.
Ah, Costco. Where else can you pick up a lawnmower, a new couch, and a rotisserie chicken all in one visit? Only at Costco do you find a tank of live lobsters just a stone's throw away from a 12-pack of men's boxer briefs. (I'm guessing that's as close as most men would like live lobsters to get to their underwear.) Costco, the place where you can supersize your entire life.
Took this picture on the kitchen table with my P&S camera
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