12th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $2.18 today / $665.57 this year
After working 11+ hours at work, I had to hurry home and work remotely for a few more hours. It’s all good. Busy is good. But, I was SOOO hungry. So, I went to Costco on my way home around 8pm for a slice of pizza with water. No soda for me.
Pizza was enjoyable and comforting.
It turned out, employers favor people like me – single grown man without family. Guys like me tend to be flexible and reliable at work, just like what I’m doing right now. Currently, my team is one man short for next 7 days. And we suddenly got super busy. But, it’s no problem for my team. While rest of the team members go home to enjoy their families, I stay and work for a few more hours… and I would go home and work some more. And they thank me and pay me big bucks. No problem here. Except, I cry myself to sleep every night.. 🙁 Hahaha. Sad, dude.. sad.
10th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $40.69 today / $654.91 this year Member Only Savings – $5 today / $130 this year
Happy Valentine’s Day. I went for a quick Costco shopping after work. Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is when we start seeing St. Patrick’s Day items at Costco. The most popular St. Patrick’s product at Costco is Bill Bailey’s Irish Brand Corned Beef Brisket. I found the briskets today… but there was a twist.
Costco now sells fully cooked corned beef briskets as well as ready-to-cook version that we are familiar with. Fully cooked briskets are $5.59 per pound, whereas ready-to-cook briskets are $3.99 per pound. There was a large shelf area dedicated for fully cooked briskets, with hundreds of boxes of briskets neatly displayed. In contrast, shelf space for ready-to-cook briskets was considerably smaller, about 90% smaller than that of fully cooked ones – maybe even smaller. I guess most people buy fully cooked meat and microwave them.
But… pre-cooked brisket? Do you really want to microwave your special meal? St. Patrick’s Day dinner has to be more than just nuking a packaged meat for 7 minutes and turning it over once. We only have a handful of special days where cooking is part of tradition. It’s sad to think that St. Patrick’s Day is becoming the day we microwave our dinner. I am already taking a short cut, because I don’t season the brisket myself. Perhaps, in the future, I will succumb to the concept of pre-cooked holiday meals. Perhaps I will celebrate change of the season by opening up my microwave oven. Maybe, in the future, we will all have multiple number of microwave ovens in our kitchens so we can prepare meals for special family gatherings. That, to me, sounds grim and dystopian.
This Saint Patrick’s day (2020) I will proudly slow cook my corned beef brisket for ten hours. I will pay respect to Irish history and tradition as I put my body into ritual.
Update (Feb 18, 20) – I went back to Costco just 4 days after and saw a complete opposite. There was a much larger shelf area for ready-to-cook briskets. And shelf area for fully cooked briskets was considerably smaller than that of ready-to-cook versions. I find this intriguing. I am sure Costco is studying this case.
Update (February 20) – I ate the pineapple after leaving it out on kitchen table for 6 days. It was possibly the best pineapple ever.
I received my Costco (Anywhere Visa® Card) Citi rewards certificate. This certificate is not to be confused with Costco executive membership 2% reward certificate. The certificate was arrived via email and was redeemed at Costco customer service by showing the email barcode on my iPhone. I didn’t use my certificate to make a purchase.
These City Visa reward certificates are distributed after your February statements are closed. So, you should receive yours by March.
Please note: If you are a Costco Executive Member, you will also receive an Executive Membership 2% Reward certificate. These rewards are distributed via the mail two months prior to your annual renewal month.
Come to think of it, I haven’t received my 2% reward check.
9th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $153.38 today / $614.22 this year Member Only Savings – $35 today / $125 this year
I went for a quick Costco shopping to pick up two items.
Kirkland Signature’s Atlantic Salmon (#46340) is a handy food item that I wish to keep in my freezer all the time. 3 pound bag is currently on sale for $5 off (Feb 2020). They are individually wrapped and frozen to accommodate people like me who don’t live next door to a fish market. For next several month I will have salmon whenever I feel like. Constantly having a wide range of food option at home is an indication of living a good life. It is satisfying to keep good food in the freezer. I mean, this is why some people hate Americans. Regular price of a bag of salmon is $26.99. This is still a good price, but I tend to buy them when they are on sale. One bag has 7 portions of salmon. After $5 saving, sale price on each piece of salmon is $3.12. Now, steam up some vegetables, and you have a good meal. It’s Kirkland Signature quality, money saving, healthy, and you can avoid going to restaurant.
FYI: I HATE restaurants, mainly because they give me bad tables. I will eat out more often if they stop sitting me by toilets. Don’t get me started.
You are recommended to thaw frozen salmon by unwrapping it first, and place in refrigerator for 8-10 hours. But, I often put it in cold water while it’s still in wrapper for quick thaw. Personally, I cannot tell the difference how I thaw it.
Below is cooking instruction from the package.
Bake: Heat oven to 400 F. Place in a well-oiled baking dish. Bake portions for 10 to 12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 F.
Grill: Heat grill to medium high. Place on a well-oiled grill and cook for approximately 5 to 7 minuets, turning once, or until internal temperature reaches 145 F.
Microwave: Remove thawed salmon from packaging. Place in a microwave-safe dish that has been lightly coated with oil or cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and peel back one corner to allow steam to escape. Microwave at high power 4 to 5 minutes turning once. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 145 F. Remove from microwave and let sit for 3 to 4 minutes before serving.
“I heard you bring a coffee mug warmer to meetings,” a female colleague of mine said with a goofy smile.
But how? how does she know about my coffee mug warmer? and why is that even a topic? How did that topic come about? Is there a group of people at work making fun on me all the time?
My team likes to make fun on people. As a king of nick-names, I came up with classic nick-names such as Mr. Failure, Shirley Temple, dirty hands, penguin, Allergic to Money, etc… Karma was finally catching up on me, I thought.
I go to daily stand-up (meeting) every morning to report my work progress and to hear from other departments on their progresses and forecasts. There are more than ten people in the meeting. Some of us bring coffee, tea, and water. I bring coffee, but I also bring a coffee mug warmer. It’s a beautiful vintage cast iron coffee mug warmer, that I paid one Dollar at a garage sale. The meeting is 30 minutes long. To me, It only makes sense to keep my coffee hot. It would be stupid not to bring a coffee mug warmer to a meeting. You are with me on this, yes?… yes??…
Well, I will not drink lukewarm coffee like a savage.
Conference room – meeting in session.
Anyway, nobody said anything about my coffee mug warmer at the meeting. They didn’t seem to care. Then a female colleague, who doesn’t belong to daily stand-up, pointed out that I bring a coffee mug warmer to meetings. How crazy is that?
“Who told you?,” I freaked out. “R told me right after he came back from the meeting,” she explained. “Was he making fun on me?,” I asked. “No, he thought it was cool,” she replied. “Mm… OK,” I rolled eyes.
I don’t care what people say about me. I am my own person. I know I am little different and it entertain people around me. I enjoy being that person. It’s just… I thought it was fascinating to be reminded that people watch and people talk. Also, there is no topic too small. After seeing my coffee mug warmer, R couldn’t wait to tell it to his office mate. My coffee mug warmer made an impression on him. Who knew?
I don’t know why, but, a few days later, I still think about that boring episode. So much so that I had to write about it. Hence, here’s another boring story. Hahaha.
8th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $115.96 today / $460.84 this year Member Only Savings – $22 today / $90 this year
Today started February member-only Savings period. Instant savings saved $22. Costco’s member-only savings is a major part of my Costco shopping habit. I often hold out on some purchases, hoping they will be on sale.
Costco Basil Pesto (#990551) was not on sale. Last time I saw these on sale was 2 years ago (2018) for $3 off. The next time I see them on sale, I shall buy 4 bottles. They are very good and they also freeze well. I think they can last for years. Combined with pasta from Costco, I can enjoy excellent quality pesto at any random moment. This is a perfect example on how Costco elevates my life-style. These little things add up, you see. And, before I know it, here I am enjoying better life-style because of Costco.
I bought a bag of Kirkland Signature Atlantic Salmon (#46340 $21.99 after $5 saving). Each bag contains about 7-8 individually vacuum packed salmons. They are so good and so fancy. I should buy one more bag before the sale ends.
CJ Bibigo steamed Dumplings are quick and fun (#107699 $7.99 after $4 saving). It takes only 3 minutes to prepare. There are 6 tiny dumplings packed as a unit (see picture). A Chinese coworker told me he didn’t like these dumplings. He said his mother’s dumplings are much, much better…. well… As for me, unless I marry a Chinese woman, these are pretty dang good.
I switched from organic eggs to non-organic.
Just how good is authentic home made Chinese dumpling anyway? How will I ever know? Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on too many things in life.
7th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $9.83 today / $344.88 this year
My favorite colleague came to work really late today. I figured she was not having a good day. So I made a Costco run and got an Acai Bowl for her. This made her feel better.
I worked 11 hours today. So, I treated myself with a Caesar Salad. Costco’s Caesar salad is guaranteed good meal. The trick is to eat the least amount of dressing possible, or completely avoid it. Chicken seemed to contain a lot of salt. And, I don’t see anything good about croutons.
6th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $10.13 today / $335.05 this year
Today is Super Bowl Sunday, 02/02/2020. I went to Costco early morning for car wash and a slice of combination pizza to go. I’ll be watching the Super Bowl alone. I am preparing for the Super Bowl viewing party for one person. I will have this slice of pizza and some snacks when I watch the game. I know it’s little sad having a one person viewing party, but it’s OK… I’m OK…
What’s challenging was food temptation at Costco. I was craving for a hot dog. I wanted to enjoy Sunday morning hot dog while sitting outside in glorious California weather. Also, I wanted to buy two slices of pizza instead of just one. I should reward myself with two slices of pizza, the hungry John said to my ear. But, I was determined to fight the temptation. So, I put on my retainers before leaving home, that way eating would be a hassle.
I didn’t eat a hot dog. Also, I only bought one slice of pizza. I came home and made a Vitamix juice for breakfast. One of my new year’s resolution is to fit in my 30 Inch waist pants comfortably. Young folks look good no matter what shape they are in. Big women look amazing sexy no matter how old they are. But, if you see an awesome looking gentleman, chances are, he is slim – not necessarily muscular, but slim. So, I choose to stay slim.
OK, I am ready for the football. I don’t even know who’s playing. Oh, red and white. I like the red team. Yes~! the red team made the first rundown!
Cauliflower Bites: have no discrimination at multiple parties. Absolutely everyone of all ages have loved them. I’ve had noses snubbed, and then eyebrows turned UP after the first bite. Children to 80+ year old’s couldn’t get enough.
Mix Sriracha, mayonnaise and ranch together to a consistency of dipping sauce to your taste. I found the older they are the more sriracha.
It is frozen in single nest bundles. I tried them last night with Costco chicken tender’s w/ my own Marsala sauce. You should try them. It takes a lot of work out of making your own as I do. I also bought a bag of fresh zucchini, it is within pounds of each other and dollars. Only suggestion is to cook them at a higher heat with lid cracked to release steam. I will try this next time.
You pan sear on one side, get’s a little brown and flip. Cut larger pieces in half to cook evenly.
Check out this new Costco Member-Only Savings Catalog. Costco no longer has coupon books. We now have mini catalogs. I remember 15 years ago, coupons used to be on a single sheet of paper with barcodes on the backside (picture below). Then came coupon books. Back then we were suppose to clip coupons. Then all coupons started to have exact same UPC code on the back-side. Some time later, they took away the barcodes altogether – this was the coupon book we were use to until now. Finally, we now have this funky fresh catalog. I like this look. It looks modern, and it makes sense.
Oh~ Frozen Atlantic salmon will be on sale ($5 off). I shall get one or two bags. I’ll be eating some fish next month. Oh boy, I cannot wait. Salmons are crazy good times. Swimming upstream and sh*t…
February 2020 catalog – New design
Costco Coupons 2008 – We were required to clip them.
Costco Coupons 2005. A sheet of coupons. Before coupon book. Photo taken January 29, 2020
If you didn’t know – Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7. So, Windows 7 is finished and not safe.
If you still use Windows 7, Microsoft is currently providing free upgrade to Windows 10. Visit this link at Microsoft and follow the instruction. If you need further information, search articles online.
I just upgraded my computer last night, the whole process went very smooth. I was pleasantly surprised. I did make complete hard drive backup before AND after the upgrade as a routine procedure.
Anyway, free upgrade is going on right now. I don’t know when they will stop providing free upgrade. I have one more computer to upgrade.
5th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $53.61 today / $324.92 this year Member Only Savings – $18.50 today / $68 this year
My song of the day. What I’m listening now.
Costco member only savings (coupon) saved $18.50.
I picked up some extra bottles of Biotin, hoping they will grow hair. I’ve been taking extra dose of Biotin for last few months.
Woolite for all clothes (#2154729) was $12.49 after $3.50 instant saving. The price alone was the reason I decided to I give it a try. I guess I’m wrong, but I believe all brand name laundry detergents are pretty much same besides the scent. But, I buy all my laundry detergents at Costco, so they are all good stuff regardless. I wouldn’t buy some mystery laundry detergents at 99 Cents only store. Also, I question freshness of 99 Cents only stores laundry detergents. They sell expired bolognas. Remember, laundry detergents break down (lose effectiveness) after 6-12 months.
I wrote down the purchase date on Woolite jug so I will know how long they last.
PS. I just reviewed my blog before posting. DANG! I am boring. Haha. But, I wish you a boring and predictable life. I hope nobody will get sick… no hospital, no court. I wish you will enjoy your everyday coffee, walk your dog every day, sit on your old couch… and smile forever. Talk to you later.
