Costco Blog

I would like to announce that I am now an executive member at Costco.

Thank you, thank you...

The lady looked up my account and said "This membership will pay for itself, because you spend so much money here"...

I didn't get the black membership card.  Because I use American Express card as a membership, there was no need to take picture & etc...

Whole process took only several minutes.

OK, it's time to panic.

They are out of Costco Grocery Bags (large reusable grocery bags)
I looked for Costco Bags at Valencia Costco & Oxnard Costco.
They didn't have them.

I always give out my Costco Bags - people love those bags.
I only have 3 in my trunk and I need more.
I don't know if they are going to re-stock them or if this is the end of it.

I need to ask my Costco guy
(looking for his email address...)

OMG, OMG...

PS. I went to Costco with my female friend the other day.  We shared the cart and she bought a lot of stuff.  It would have been perfect if I put her stuff in my tote bags for her.  But, no, I told her "Sorry, I wish I could give you these bags, but..."  How lame was that?

PPS. August 1, 2010: I received a message from a Costco shopper in Arizona.  She couldn't find Costco shopping bags there in Arizona as well.

PPPS. August 7, 2010 - People started to inform me about new kind of Costco shopping bags.  They say a bundle contains 3 bags; 1 large, 1 large (insulated), and one smaller.

 
Large reusable grocery bags from Costco

I hope you got this too.

Last year I saw the first sign of Christmas at Costco on August 20th.

3 years ago, I saw the first sign of Christmas (at Costco) on July 31st.

So... we shall see Christmas stuff at Costco in about 2 months.

Get ready...

Most of us have less money this year (I am so poor), but let's try to have fun.

Most of all. don't get sick.  Good health is the best gift.

God bless.

Christmas Don't Be Late~!

FYI:

These are my three recent financial failures.  My total loss was about $10.00.  But, this bothered me enough that I had to share this story here.

1. Coffee Filter: I bought these coffee filters.  A week later, I bought a new coffee machine just to realize that my new coffee machine takes different kind of filter. (I love my new coffee machine, by the way).
2. Pepper: This jar of peppers has a built in grinder.  You can't beat this price ($3.99).  Anyway, I used the grinder too rough one day.  I broke the grinding mechanism.  So, I had to buy another one.
3. Vitamin D3: I paid regular price 2 weeks ago.  A week later, I received a $3.00 coupon from Costco. 

On all these cases, packages were already opened and I had nobody but myself to blame.  Even though Costco is likely to make refund, my conscience didn't allow me to take them back.

I have to be more careful, that's all. 
Anyway, I am out $10.00 and this bothers me somewhat.  Hm...

Update

I bought vitamin D3 with a coupon, then returned it with the old receipt.

* 11th Costco Shopping this year, 4th time this month.

* Blog Originally posted March 3, 2010 - Than updated March 31, 2010

I've been doing very good with money for last 2 months.

Now I have an itch to shop. 

I cannot fight this urge, I think I have reached my limit of holding back.

I need to find something that justifies my spending.  Something that's expensive but good for me.

I am heading out to Costco.com

Oh boy.  Wish me luck~! (writing from work)

Update: I ordered an air purifier at Costco.com.  Spent $432.99.  Picture coming up.  Itch is gone... for now.

Update: Package arrived at my work exactly 1 week later.

Blueair Air Purifier from Costco
I am generally healthy.  But, I had one (1) asthma attack about 10 years ago.  That was a scary episode I will never forget.  It was very difficult to breath that my head was spinning.  I don't know why and how I had asthma attack.  Maybe it was the pets, maybe it was because my room was dusty.  At that time, I was poor and didn't have insurance, so I took some over the counter medication and gutted it out for 1-2 days. (very stupid if I look back).

I had no problem with breathing since then.  Like I said, I am generally healthy.

Then for last 2-3 months, I felt subtle difficulty of breathing.  It was not bad, not even close to my previous episode.  It was very subtle, but still scary.

So, I went all out and bought an expensive air purifier from Costco (online).  I got $100.00 instant discount.  Total price was $432.99 with free delivery. 

To make long story short - my breathing problem is no more.  And this also took care of my itch to shop.  I am happy with my purchase.

* In February, I bought this $433 air purifier and still managed to save 66% of my take-home pay.  So, I am really doing good with money. 

After Work - Taking Air Purifier to Home

I have three savings accounts including Ing Direct & Emigrant Direct.

Ing Direct & Emigrant Direct are known for their high interest rate.  But, with today's economy, their current interest rate is 1.1%.  This is still a lot better than 0.5% you can get from your local banks.

But, check this out (link).

I just noticed that Capital One has a savings account exclusively for Costco members (that's what it says).  And the interest rate is even better at 1.5%.

I should move all my money.  I mean... ASAP.

They even give me $20.00 for opening an account.

*You have to keep minimum balance of $5k.

** I hope interest rate will go up soon. I miss the day when I used to earn 2.5 - 3% interest.

Update: March 4, 2010

I opened a savings account with Capital One (for Costco members only)

I'm in the process of moving cash. But, first, I have to go through some validation process.

* 5th Costco Shopping this year, 2nd time this month.

First of all.  I had 4 hours of sleep last night.  So, I was struggling to stay awake at work.  I had to take an ephedrine pill to get me going (I bought them before they became illegal.  They are in freezer at work.).

I did 3 loads of laundry after work.  Then I went to Costco.

I am doing very good with saving money.  I didn't buy anything luxury.  I didn't buy any toys.  All my food items have low fat & they are good for me.  I bought Jose's Coffee ($8.89) instead of Starbucks ($19.99).

I spent $75.49.  But the gas pushed my grand total over $100.00.

Finally at 9pm, I started to cook.
Now I have a mountain of clean laundry to  take care of.

PS. I broke one egg at home.

Kirkland (Costco) Organic Caffe Frappe - Mocha

9.5 fl oz organic mocha contains 170 Calories (25 fat calories).
I often eat less than 25 fat calories on lunch.

This is definitely not for me.  But, I almost bought them to treat myself.

I bet they are very tasty.  And they are so cheap.
I wouldn't be surprised if their factory also produces drinks for Starbucks.

Also, they are kind of items you will not see once they are gone.  I can be wrong.  But, if you've been shopping at Costco long enough, you should know what I mean.

Anyway, if you like these kind of drinks from Starbucks?  You must get them. They are Kirkland Signature.  You know they are good.

I needed fabric softener.

Costco had $2.00 coupon on Downy Fabric Enhancer.

From the very start, I thought maybe Kirkland Signature's fabric softener could be a better deal (compared Downy - with $2.00 coupon).

Below is what I saw at Costco... I didn't bring my calculator at that time.  So, I went with my gut feeling and decide not to use $2.00 coupon on Downy.  I bought Kirkland Signature fabric softener instead.

Then I came home and did some calculating.

Downy Fabric Enhancer
150 Loads
$9.96 - ($2.00 coupon) = $7.96
Unit price per load = $.53

Kirkland Signature Fabric Enhancer
174 Loads
$8.69 (everyday price)
Unit price per load = $.50

###

My gut feeling was right.  Kirkland Signature's fabric softener was still cheaper without coupon.

So, when in doubt? pick Kirkland Signature over coupon items.

Like it or not, here we go.  Get ready for Christmas.

This is what I saw at Costco today (August 20, 2009).

Let's see what they have inside...

* Today's Costco shopping: 19th time this year, 2nd time this month

I didn't buy anything special.  Same thing... boring.

One interesting item was a sack of potatoes.  I am going to use them for juicing.  I put 3-4 along with apples & carrots.  I think they are pretty good & cheap.

One thing I like about juicing is that I don't have to worry about finding worms in the apple.  Haha~~

potatoes (among other things)

I am doing good with my fitness goal.

I find myself eating less & better.

Oh, about the pineapple:  Costco's pineapples are amazing. I love them.  After eating them I save the skin for juice next morning.  I am thrifty.

* Today's Costco shopping: 18h time this year, 1st time this month

It was a lunch time shopping.  I spent less than $60.00

Now, below is what I do when I shop at Costco.

As I put products in the cart, I make sure that bar-codes are showing so the checkout clerks will not work too much.  So, today, I didn't have to put anything on the checkout counter.  I just pulled my cart to the cashier.  She did quick scans.  I told her "No bags, no boxes please.  I'll pay with the card (Costco AmEx)"

The whole check out process took less than 30 seconds.

I love Costco.  So, naturally, I like people working at Costco.  I would like to do my small part for them. 

*After loading my trunk, I saw a Costco Employee rounding up the carts.  So I took my cart to him.  We exchanged a quick friendly salute.

How I put products in the cart.  Every item showing bar-code.

I don't need box or bag.  I put them in my Costco Tote Bags in the trunk

It's here~~

Thank God I don't see much to buy this time.

I finally hooked up this website to Twitter

Twitter will get updated whenever I post something.

Let's see if it really works.

www.Twitter.com/CostcoShopper

* Today's Costco shopping: 16th time this year, 3rd time this month

I had a meeting with a customer. I drove by Simi Valley Costco, so...  I had to drop by to see what they have.  Different Costco stores have different items in stock.  If you go to a Costco in rich neighborhood, you will find more fancier & expensive items.  Maybe I'm wrong about that theory, but that's what I believe.  Different Costco carries different items.

Back to shopping:

Mm.. yes, I bought another pair of Adidas running shoes from Costco. But, these are running shoes.  Oxnard Costco didn't have these.  I needed those shoes to replace my 5 years old gym shoes. I swear, my existing gym shoes are pretty beat up. 

They were only $28.99/pair. They are very light and designed for running.  With these shoes, I will workout every day and live forever.  It would be stupid not to buy at this price.

That's it. I'm done with sneakers.

I spent $43.45 at Simi Valley Costco.

Costco's Adidas running shoes

* Today's Costco shopping: 15th time this year, 2nd time this month

Ah~~  So busy.  Last night to work on my tax.

First of all, I got my tire fixed.

I bought a pair of Adidas.  I couldn't resist at the price tag of $29.99. It was the first time seeing Adidas at Costco.  What's the chance?  I was thinking about buying a pair of Adidas so I can get back to my co-worker. Here are my stories on sneakers.

• Nike vs. Adidas Pt. 1
• Nike vs. Adidas Pt. 2

I bought a swimming trunk. You see, I never get out.  I didn't swim in last 10 years or so.  I do think about taking vacations here and there..  mm.. we'll see.

I have money and time for vacation.  I have 4 weeks of vacation time backed up.  My accounting lady's been telling me to take vacation for over 1 year now.  The thing is that I don't need vacation.  I am pretty relaxed and happy at work.  There is no stress.  If I meet right kind of friend I shall enjoy traveling.  But, for now, alone... I'm happy without vacation.

I have a full box of Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal.  I really like HBO, but I thought it would be better if I mix it with Costco's Raisin Bran.

Kirkland Signature's AAA batteries are the best.  I brought a $2.00 off coupon for Duracell batteries, but Kirkland Signature's batteries were a lot better deal without coupon.

I spent $120.00.  I saved $18.00 with coupons. Then I put 12.65 Gallons of gas for $27.82 ($2.199/g)

50/50 mix of Honey Bunches of Oats & Kirkland Signature Organin Raisin Bran with Soy Milk.  This is my favorite combination so far.