Costco Shopping

* 7th Costco Shopping this year, 4th time this month.

Wow, this is a boring blog entry.

Nothing special today.

* 6th Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

I went to Costco with my Costco (AmEx) rebate check ($170.63)

I bought things that are absolutely needed.  I am definitely spending less money this year.

• Carbon Monoxide Detector is a life savor - I've always thought I was so stupid not to have a CO detector at my APT.  This alarm had $7.00 instant rebate. I may die from loneliness, but I will not die from CO poisoning.

• Kirkland Signature's pepper (with built-in grinder) is a very good price at $3.99.  If you go elsewhere, you can find the cheapest grinder for $15-$20 easy.  And they don't even have good peppers in them.

• Battery powered razor is a must item for me.  If you haven't tried them, you are missing out, big time.  I got a free sample razor 6 months ago.  I've been using that same razor for 6 months.† They provide THE BEST shaving result one can imagine.  I am not kidding.  It doesn't matter which brand name or model you buy.  I believe they are all equally great.

  † After shave, I use a tiny brush to clean the razor blades.  It takes very short time (shorter than the time I spend to rinse them in running water).  I can make my blades to last several months this way.  Maybe it's because my skin is tender.   Also, I am not a hairy person.  Anyway, this package of 16 blades can last 5-7 years.

At the checkout, I handed in my rebate check. They gave me $91.34 change in cash.  Free money... nice.

* 4th Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month.

There is no picture of my Costco shopping as I only bought one bag of carrots for under $5.00. 

Cost Plus World Market

I hate to bring up this subject, but this is a major development in my life.  So, here we go.

I've been shopping at Cost Plus World Market lately.

Costco doesn't carry everything I need, especially for my low calorie diet. So, I have to shop somewhere else for these items.

Products that Costco does not carry

Product description (What Costco doesn't have).

• Low acid coffee. ($8.95)
• Flavored coffee
• Wasa crispbread.  Low Calories, 0 fat calorie, high fiber. ($2.99 each)
• Low calorie (low fat) soup mix ($3.99 each)

I enjoy these products.  I wish Costco would carry these items or something similar.  But, I understand that Costco cannot carry everything in the world.

Wasa crispbread ($2.99/pack) is my new best friend.  It has low calories and it's good for you.  They have 0 fat calories.  I grab a few of these at work when I feel hungry.

I've been doing good with my diet and exercise.  I feel good and I enjoy my life-style.  

* 3rd Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

I believe I'm doing good with saving mone.  I didn't spend money for fun today. Even with gas, I spent less than $70.00

I bought some more Costco tote bags, because my friends and family keep taking them.  :)

* 3rd Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

I have a family gathering coming up tomorrow, so I bought some treats for my nephews.  Then I picked up some items for myself (shirt, egg, v3, carrots, tuna).

While I was at it, I took my car in for tire maintenance.
Remember my tires?  they are now 1 yr old.  Maintenance was free.

I spent $122 today.  From that, $70 was for my nephews.

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

I dropped by at Costco today for a hotdog.  Also I went to buy some items I absolutely needed.

Costco is having a sale on about a dozen or so vitamins.  A lot of vitamins have instant rebate of $2.00 and up.  I saved $5.50 on these two vitamins. So check your vitamin supply and stock it up.  Most vitamins are good for 2 years.

*Saving Money: I did good today with Costco shopping.

* 1st Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month.

I am being very careful not to buy things I don't  need.

I saved $25.75 with coupons

I spent well over 1 hour looking at everything.  I looked at some shirts and exercise pants, but I decided not to buy them.

I never get tired of Costco shopping - I had so much fun.

I bought pork chops - so what am I suppose to do with them?

*Saving Money: I should have saved $9.49 by NOT buying Pepsi. I should cut down my soda intake to 2 cans a week max. I will take soda as special treat during the weekend or when I have an unusual craving for it.

$9.49 is 11% of my total bill $87.18 today.   I could have spent $77.69 instead.

I love this drying rack.  I wanted to buy this for several months.  I was happy that I found them at Costco. It was $21.99 after $8.00 off at checkout. 

*Saving Money: If used wisely, this rack will pay for itself in less than 1 year.  Then I will be saving money afterwards.

* 43rd Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

I really enjoyed today's Costco shopping.

I am really busy this month. I am going to skip Christmas season.

I didn't have anything on my shopping list, but I went to Costco to relax and look at Christmas stuff. I wanted some treat for Christmas (I'll be home alone). Oh how much I enjoy Costco shopping.

I bought: Red Bull, hot wings, lamb shank, some fancy cheese, wines (gift),and eggs.

Below basket was $103.xx and I spent $23.70 on gas. ($127 total)

* Of course, I wore my Santa hat to Costco. I am trying to make the most out of my busy schedule.

* 42st Costco Shopping this year, 2nd time this month.

I wore my Santa's hat to Costco.

I should become a spokesperson for Calvin Klein. I bought one more Calvin Klein shirt.  In 2 months, I bought 4 pairs of CK jeans, 3 CK shirts, and 2 belts.  I really need to save money.  But this shirt was only $12.97.  I have to be stupid not to buy it at that price.  I look adorable in it

I saved $7.00 with the coupons.

Cuisinart's coffee grinder claims that it will make my coffee taste better.  I don't see how a machine will grind coffee such way that it will improve my coffee taste. Anyway, I have to give it a try.  I drink coffee every day and I've been using my $7.00 grinder for last 7 years.

* 41st Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month. 

I am tired and busy.  But I was bored, so I went to Costco.

I had nothing on my shopping list, but I thought I would find something.

Basically, everything I bought today is something I didn't "have to" buy.

I bought really fancy Christmas cards.  I don't know what I will do with 60 gift tags.

Crackers and Olives were totally for fun.  I am very likely to stay home alone for Christmas.  So, that was my excuse to buy some snacks.

Then I saw the box of Carr's crackers.  They had pictures of crackers with cheese and stuff on them.  They looked so cute, so I thought I do that also.

This is what I had for dinner.  I used some leftover ham from Thanksgiving as well. Onion was too strong, but it was good.

Ah~ single living...

* 40th Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

Hm... my plan was to go to Costco less than 3 times a month so I would save some money.

I went to Costco for some staple items.

I never liked Calvin Klein. I never liked name brand cloths.  But I've been buying a lot of Calvin Klein stuff lately, mainly because Costco sells them cheap. 

What can I say, designer cloths make people look better.  They have better cut & fit.  I blame Costco for spoiling me.  I'm just a small guy with not much will power.

Anyway, I had to buy those Calvin Klein belts. They were only $25.00 a pair.

* 39th Costco Shopping this year, 2nd time this month.

Last 2 months, I spent more money than I made.  So I am careful with money.  I think I am doing OK this month. I found 2 personal (weekend) jobs that I almost doubled my income this month.  I have a few small gigs lined up next month as well. I need to be careful with money.

I enjoyed today's Costco shopping.  I spent about 2 hours there.  I looked everywhere.  I talked to the nice lady who recommended me which cheese to try.

Today's shopping items need to be divided into 2 groups.

First group -  Normal, everyday items.

I bought 2 Calvin Klein long sleeves shirts - they go with my Calvin Klein jeans. Those shirts were adorable, I had to buy 2 at $18.99 each.

Second group - for Thanksgiving.
I will be home alone for this Thanksgiving Day (the entire weekend).  Please don't feel sorry for me, because I enjoy being alone.  I manage to entertain myself.  It would be better if I spend time with my family and have good dinner.  But, I'm still good.  Really.

Anyway...  I bought some treat for Thanksgiving weekend.  I still have to buy gravy, stuffing, & cranberry sauce... 

I plan to watch TV, DVD, and work on my personal projects.  I will enjoy some coffee and diet Pepsi.

It will be OK... I'm OK.

* I saved $16.25 with the coupons.

I spent total $217.87 (w/ gas)

* 38th Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month.

3 pairs of Anti-Wrinkle Khakis (Dockers Classic Fit):
I have about 15 pairs of these slacks. But, when I saw them, I had to pick of 3 pairs. These slacks are $21.99 each, really good price.  I plan to "Save" these slacks for special days and night-outs, so I will look extra sharp.

Chocolates of the World:
I found Chocolates of the World!  I couldn't find them on my last 2 trips to Costco. I was very happy to see them.  I bought two.  I am going to make them last until May, 2010 which is the expiration date. (see picture below)

Jose's coffee:
I'm going to bring Jose's Coffee to work instead of my regular supply of Starbucks Coffee.  I hope it tastes OK.  Several months ago, I brought Kirkland Signature's coffee to work.  Everyone hated it (including myself) - so we had to trash the entire bag. Sorry Costco, your coffee is OK.  It's just we are very picky about coffee at work (click).

2 Jars of Chocolates of the World for 2010

* 37th Costco Shopping this year, 5th time this month.

I haven't worn blue jeans for about 5 years.  Now I am trying to bring back that jeans & t-shirt look. 

I went to Costco to get one more pair of Calvin Klein Jeans (blue).

Then what did I see?  I saw black jeans, also by Calvin Klein.

So, I had to buy 2 pairs of black jeans as well ($22.79 each).  Now I have 5 pairs of new jeans.  I think I'm done with shopping for jeans.  I better not gain weight.  These jeans are tight (little embarrassing, actually).

I will be eating that chicken for next 3 days. 

* I wanted to buy more Essenza reed diffusers & Chocolates of the World.  But they were nowhere to be found. 

* 36th Costco Shopping this year, 4th time this month.

Ah~!!  I forgot to buy eggs.

I went to Costco for fun. I really didn't have to go.

I ended up buying things that I don't really need (except for the carrots).

I was looking for The Chocolates of the World.  They didn't have it.  They were sold out.

* 35th Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

My co-worker wanted to buy some pillows. So, I took him to Costco.

While I was there, I had to buy one more pair of them Essenza Reed Diffusers.  That's all I bought today.

After Costco, I took my coworker to Popeye's Chicken.  He is the guy behind Nike vs. Adidas episodes.  He never had Popeye's Chicken before.  He loved the chicken.  He said they were "good sh*t"

* I am still thinking about buying more of these Essenza diffusers (for Christmas Gifts).

* 34th Costco Shopping this year, 2nd time this month

Returned Item:
On my last Costco shopping, I bought Essenza Reeds at $19.99.  A week later, they now have instant rebate of $5.00.  So I had to take mine back for a refund, and buy them again for $5.00 cheaper.  They had 1 item limit.  I am very tempted to go back and buy one more.  I can never get enough of these.  They make great Christmas gift as well.

Cool shot of my Essenza Reed Diffusers

I bought one more pair of Calvin Klein jeans (30 inch waist).  I am still pretty excited that I can fit into 30 inch waist pants.  So, I bought one more pair of jeans purely out of excitement.

That box of butter will last me long time.  I should give some away.

I put some gas on my way out. ($32.45)

I have to return Sonicare brushes - I found a brand new pack of 4 under the bathroom sink.  Returning items is effortless with Costco.

-

* 33rd Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month

It's a long story...

Some of the stuff are already gone.  Cookies are missing a container.

Two things here:

1. Chocolates of the World: These are so good.  I had to buy 2 jugs.  I think I'm going to buy several more jugs to last me to the next Christmas season.
2. Essenza Reeds (home fragrance): Costco spoils me.  I used to buy Arm & Hammer air freshener spray once a year.  Now I cannot live without these fancy smell around me.  I must have 2 bottles opened at all time (at different locations).  I bought these as a backup.  I was afraid Costco will stop selling them.

Purchased item also includes the door mat - Love that door mat ($13.99)

* I am getting better with my Canon Powershot I bought in May 2009.

* 30th, 31st, & 32nd Costco Shopping this year, 2, 3, & 4th time this month

(Sorry, this is a late post)

This is a collection of 3 Costco shoppings

September 21st

I went to Long Beach Costco and bought a white dress shirt and a pair of Calvin Klein jeans (32 inch waist)

September 25

I went back to Long Beach Costco and bought one more dress shirt, chicken soups, & soap.  I was catching cold.  So I needed more chicken soup.

September 27

I am now back home (no longer in Long Beach area).  I am still having hard time adjusting to my changing body.  My jeans were too big, so I went to Costco (this time, in my neighborhood in Oxnard).  I returned my jeans and got a smaller pair (30 inch waist).  And I shopped some more.  It was fun.  Now I have 7 of those white dress shirts.  I hope it will get cold outside so I can start wearing them.  It's too hot to wear long sleeves shirts now.  I only wear long sleeves shirts when I'm on date or something. (so I can show my back-side, oh boy...  embarrassing, but I know it works.)

Anyway, these white shirts are amazing.  They can easily be $60.00 - $80.00 or more.  I am not kidding.

* Jeans are very tight.  30 inch is too tight.  32 inch is too big.  It's either I lose weight or gain weight.  I chose to lose weight. I know I can do it.  No problem.

* Today's Costco shopping: 29th time this year, 1st time this month

Nothing special, except for the tray. 
Somebody insisted that I try Angus beef patties, so I got a box.

Here is another reason why I love Costco.

I was looking for a large tray.  Today, I found the exact tray that I was hoping for.  This can sit on my ottoman when I have somebody visiting. It was $19.99.  This is fantastic.

Look at this picture.  My 1 bedroom APT looks like a church office.  But, with this shot,  I created an illusion of being in a fancy house. :)

* I spent well over 1 hour shopping (looking).  There were more Christmas items for me to check out.  I almost bought a flannel shirt.  I had it in my cart, it was in my cart for about 20 minutes, then I took it out. I am an indecisive person.  I agonize before making purchase decisions.  I LOVE that feeling.