My love affair with Costco

I have long thought of a day when having a Costco membership would make sense. Years on my own, the life of a single man doesn’t lend to bulk shopping on the scale that makes sense to hold a Costco membership. And then, one day came a few months ago, when it started to make sense.

I remember it: We went in to review the items available at Costco. We walked around, perused the aisles (almost all of them), and took note of the prices. “Some good, some OK, some were not,” I said. After some time walking the never-ending building, we proceeded home.

The very next day: Costco coupons arrived in the mail, by no request of my own. In fact, it appeared to be a sign of sorts, one that said: a Costco membership makes sense.

I flipped the pages, looking at the coupon savings and noting that from this packet alone I would make up for the cost of a basic Costco membership. Indeed, add to the coupon savings the already-low-priced items at Costco and suddenly it did make sense: this year’s membership will be worthwhile, at the very least, because of this one packet of coupons alone, plus the already built-in savings of Costco prices.

The following weekend it was back to Costco, to peruse the aisles again just to be sure. Instead, upon arrival, I took the plunge: not only did I become a Costco member, I became an Executive Costco member. (I understand there is some prestige to the “executive” connotation. I don’t get it, but that’s why I capitalized the “e” here.)

Why, pray tell, did I opt for the double-the-cost of a basic Costco membership? Because of the additional savings (read: savings potential) that comes with said Executive membership. (If you’re not familiar, perhaps it’s time to become acquainted with the additional 2% reward on most Costco purchases, plus the 1+% from American Express if you opt that route.) (Yes, I realize how much money one needs to spend to recoup the membership fee based solely on the percentage-reward.)

Flash forward a few months to today.

Is it worth it? Is it all hoped it to be?

The short of it: yes.

The long of it: I have been to Costco an average of every-other-weekend since I purchased the membership. I find myself saving regularly on: bread, canned goods, paper products, meats (those I have bought thus far), Christmas gifts, snacks (I try to be healthy), miscellaneous food items (too many to list), and last but not least: savings at their gas station.

Let me remind you that I recouped the cost of the basic membership simply with that initial coupon mailing. There has since been two additional coupon mailings that brought further savings. Already, less than three (yes, 3) months into the Executive membership, I not only recouped the basic membership fee, but I’m on the cusp of recouping the Executive membership fee as well.

Did I mention there’s a liquor store attached to the Costco I frequent? They also have respectable savings on the items I purchase in that category.

…

Hello. My name is Jason, and I’m a Costcoholic. I consider it a love affair, which is likely the root of my problem with Costco. Please don’t try to separate us.

_

Coyotes at the ATM

You may not understand, but it clearly states something about coyotes at the ATM. What the coyotes are doing at the ATM is anyone’s guess, however.

There’s also a slight chance that this is a bank heist note – seemingly written last minute at a diner or coffee shop somewhere just minutes before the robbers leapt into action. Though, what coyotes at the ATM have to do with a bank heist, I’m not sure.

If I were to write a bank heist note, it would say something like: “give me the money.” Or, if I were to use this note, I would expand on the idea before handing to the teller: “there are coyotes at the ATM outside, give me all the money or I’ll call them in to eat you.”

_

Your Christmas decorations are still up? Yes, they’re helping out, actually.

My Christmas decorations are still up. I attribute this to a lack of time and an abundance of items to accomplish. Mostly, though, I attribute it to my lack of interest in putting away the decorations.

I will state, however, that I didn’t put up many decorations this year; I opted for my 3’ fake tree that was leftover from my apartments days which just so happens to fit perfectly in the space above the fireplace, where my old TV used to sit.

In fact, if and when I take down the tree, I’ll have a blatant void in the room and a definite need to fill the space with something else that I currently do not own.

So, in many ways, by leaving up my Christmas decorations I’m also saving money. Which is a good thing.


…What. Stop judging me. You wish your Christmas decorations saved YOU money.

_

Free, thanks to a coupon.

Free. You would you think that this would be a good thing if you heard it, and you’re quite likely to check it out and anticipate a good deal.

Coupon. Something you probably have interest in, especially if it’s for a restaurant. Why? Because it usually means a good deal, typically by way of a free appetizer, entrée, or half-off something.

A coupon for a “free non-alcoholic drink of your choice w/lunch or dinner” does not equate to either of the above, and is quite likely to be a waste of your time.

A free soda? Wow. Thanks, restaurant, that’s awesome! I can’t wait to print out the coupon, waste paper, ink, and time so I can have a free soda! Thank you! SO. MUCH!

Seriously. What are they thinking?

_

Soup, Money, and Medieval Times

The strange things about me, is that I love saving money as much as I love spending it. This probably isn’t the only strange thing about me, and I request that if you know of other strange things: keep them to yourself. Thanks.

Anyway. As I walked back to my desk after heating my Chunky Soup, I realized that I enjoy saving money and love the feeling of doing so. I also thought that I should do the soup thing more often; it’s much cheaper than going out to eat, and is generally healthier than some of the things I would eat if I went out.

At the same time, I know that I love food. All foods. And love going out to eat. You see, this poses a significant problem for the fiscally responsible among us: while I love to save, I also love to spend. Both can be good feelings (dependant on what you’re spending money on), and both are desirable feelings.

I suppose the trick is to balance them out. Spend a little here and save a little there, but spend more only for those things that will continue the good feelings longer than something that isn’t worth the money, and save enough to be satisfied without locking oneself into a room 24/7 and limiting purchases to air and water.

Back to the soup. I really enjoy a good, hearty soup with a big crusty roll. For some reason, I love the rustic feeling. It brings me back to the 14th, 16, 17th and most other centuries when soups and bread were the mainstay of societies. Sometimes I wish I was alive during those times, merely for the coolness of the eras with the knights and dirt and whatnot.

In closing: I like soup, money, and Medieval times. Thank you.

_