Costco Shopping

Sorry, I was in lazy spells.
Then I was super busy at work the whole week.
I cannot wait to tomorrow for weekend to start, ZZzz...

I am working at home right now (9:50pm).
I will be lucky if I will go to sleep at 2am - and get 5 hours sleep.

I had so little sleep last 3 days, it opened up canker sores.

I will get back to you. (back to work...)

:(

I am still struggling to feel Christmas in the air.  But, I am so busy and tired.  I cannot believe Christmas is only 2 weeks away.  2011 is almost over. I am missing out on all the good things.  I would like to go to a mall and spend 30 minutes looking for a parking spot.  I want to hear babies crying in the store.  I want ugly people to cut in front of me at the checkout line.  I want to do store hopping until my legs hurt, then I would go back to the store to return items.  I would love to have those magic moments for Christmas 2011.

Back to reality.

I woke up with no hot water at my apartment.  I had to boil a pot of water and give myself a bird-bath.  I went to work super late with wet hair (I have long hair). Thank God it's Friday.

I try to go to Costco often until Costco takes down Christmas.  I put on my Santa hat and headed out to Costco.

At Costco, a young family with a baby girl in the cart saw me.  The mother kept telling the baby girl that I was Santa.  The father asked me to say "Ho ho ho".  So, I said "Ho ho ho" to the baby.  Shoppers around us smiled at us.

Today's Costco shopping was about holiday teat for myself.  I don't have a family of my own.  I don't even have a date this year.  So, I shall treat myself with good food.  There will be a full course Christmas dinner.  There will be shrimp cocktail, crab legs, drinks, chocolates, and much more...

I was happy to see Center Cut Ham Fillet for $11.00.  This will be my main dish for Christmas dinner.

I have a high hope for this margarita mix I picked up for $9.99.  It's all mixed and ready to drink.  I shall crush ice with ice pick for this drink.   My refrigerator doesn't crush ice like rich people's do.

After Costco shopping, I ate a hot-dog and filled my gas tank.  At the gas station one tall gentleman saw me with my Santa hat.  "Did you get my list?" he asked.  So, I said "Yes, I have to go home check it tonight."  We smiled.

It's always good time at Costco.  I would pay to shop there.... Oh, I do. :)

I am too busy and tired to update this website.  I will try not to disappoint frequent visitors.  I understand a lot of people like my blog for my slow and ordinary stories.

I made so little money last month.  I made less money then I spent.  If our clients pay their bills, maybe I will receive second paycheck around holidays.  We'll see.

Although I am physically tired, it's Friday and I feel great.

It's Christmas time.  So, I put on my Santa hat and headed out to Costco.  Yes, my Santa hat is back.  I had to wave at 3-4 little kids because they were looking at me with the Santa hat.  They could not look away.  They are kids.  So, I wave at them.

Costco was a good time.  I had fun.  We only have 2 more weeks to enjoy Christmas time in Costco.  I plan to go to Costco 1-2 times before they kill Christmas.  Time flies so fast.  I am too busy to enjoy this sentimental feeling.  And I'm not even making good money.  It's not fair.

All and all, it was a good shopping experience.  I feel more relaxed now.  My favorite Costco employee checked out my stuff today.  Oh my God, she's so cute.  It's not like I want to ask her out or anything... she's just very cute.

I didn't really have anything specific to buy at Costco except eggs.  So I bought random items.  See that crab legs?  That's my treat for holiday season.  It's a 3 pound box.  I plan to eat them all in one sitting, like a pig.  Oink.

Happy Christmas season everyone.  I hope you are having fun.  I hope you have time to enjoy the season in the air.

I will talk to you soon.

Costco shopping September 27, 2011. 

Related Blogs on Chocolates of the world (shopping):
Costco Shopping - October 14, 2010
Costco Shopping - November 1, 2009
Costco Shopping - October 10, 2009

Check this out.  Chocolates of the World are back.  I bought 5 jugs last year.  I still have one fresh jug left.  So, this time I bought 3 jugs.

I also bought 2 cans of Christmas Cookies (Belgian Cookies).  I wanted to buy 1 more can, but I don't make enough money.

Other than that, everything else I bought was good (healthy) item.

Costco was packed with Christmas stuff.  We are in full swing now.

I went to Costco on my lunch time.  I didn't have time for a hot dog.  Also, I try not to eat meat on weekdays.  I try to keep in shape.

As I was getting ready to leave Costco, I saw an old lady at the parking lot, trying to load her trunk with heavy items.  So, I stopped & got out from my car.  I said "Let me help you.  Pretty young thing like you...."  "I am 84", she said with laughter.  I loaded her trunk as we made small talk.  Soon after, I took her empty cart and told her to drive careful.

Little human interactions like this make me happy.

Chocolates of the world, dude~!

I've been busy.  I've been putting a lot of hours at work lately.  I hope that means I will have a better paycheck next time.  I've been making very little money. I had to take out $5.000.00 from my savings account so I can survive.

I tell ya, times are tough.

I went to Costco on August 21st and 27th (2011).

Costco stocked yet another kind of coffee grinder for $29.99.  This Krups burr coffee grinder easily goes for $60-70 elsewhere. 

Costco's Krups Coffee Grinder has mixed online reviews.  It has overall 3 out of 5 stars.  I figured half of the negative reviews are written by mechanically challenged people.  This is is now my primary coffee grinder.  It works fine with me.

And I bought some other stuff.

But, what's important is that it's Christmas time at Costco.  If you like Christmas like I do, this may be the time to make a list.  The whole point is that you are enjoying sentimental Christmas feeling from now for next 4 months. 

I bought a toy helicopter for my nephew.  And I bought a small LED Santa figurine for my desk.  The figurines come in 4 designs; Santa, snowman, penguin, & angel.  3 AA batteries power 3 LED lights.  NiMH batteries last about 100 hours.

LED Snowman was equally cute.  I stood there for a few minutes, torn between Santa and snowman.  I took Santa home, but I may have to go back for snowman.  Penguin was cute but penguin didn't look "Christmas" enough.  Angel was not even cute.  LED Santa was $9.99.   Batteries were not included.

I took the LED Santa home, turn off all the lights at my APT, and turned on the Santa.  That moment officially marked my Christmas season. 

Times are tough.  I am putting a lot of over time without any promise.  But, I am mentally relaxed and feel happy.  It's Christmas time.  Nothing else matters.

This year, I would like to bring happy feelings to even more of my neighbors, not just one or two.

- To be continued -

Having no money is not fun.

I went for another boring Costco shopping on my lunch time. 
I only bought what's absolutely needed.

I hope economy will pick up soon.  It's a tough time.

Oh my God, I'm so tired.

I just bought a bicycle at Costco.
I rode around the block for about 5 minutes? Now I feel dizzy and nauseated. I don't feel good. I had a strong urge for food. So, I ate a handful of M&M's.

I plan to ride to the park and play tennis on the backboard (maybe I'll meet girls, hehe...)

I think it will take a while until I will be fit enough to ride to the park.

I shall go easy for now, then I will increase distant and intensity. I remember 27-30 years ago, I was riding all day. I mean all day (8+ hours) just for fun.

I am worried that I am so out of shape. My cardio is zero.

I'm going to take a cold shower and grill a Steak.
I always eat a thick steak on Sunday night.

Bicycle seems good. I am happy so far.
(The seat must be replaced. Design on most common bicycle seats are wrong. They are too hard and narrow. It doesn't make sense.)

Talk to you later.

(picture coming up)

I had a busy day.

I woke up so late I went to work without taking a shower.

On my lunch time, I came home to take a shower and did three loads of laundry.  Yes, it was a long lunch.

I went to Costco after work.  I didn't buy anything fancy.  I am so poor.  I am trying to be careful with money.  But, look!  Christmas time is here.  I saw a lot of toys and Christmas ribbons at Costco.  "Here we go..." one lady said.

I ate a hotdog and filled the gas tank.

After Costco shopping, I drove to Bed Bath and Beyond for some bargain hunting.   I bought a Yankee Candle (Christmas scent).

I came home past 9pm.

2 minutes after I got home, I got a phone call from The Marijuana Girl. She was putting her hamster cage together.  She wanted some help.  I was at her apartment for 1 hour. 

I came home and ate dinner.  Now it's 1:30AM Friday.

I will be happy if I get good 5 hours sleep. ZZzzz...

I didn't buy anything special today.

V8 juices at the bottom compartment are not mine.  I bought 2 cases of V8 last week.  My friend was impressed at my diet and she decided to follow me.

Doritos and turkey jerkies were incredibly cheap with special savings and coupons.  I saved $11.75 on them.  I cannot resist them jerkies.  They are so good.

Doritos had instant rebate - no coupon was needed

Nothing Special - just a lot of vegetables and toilet papers.

I went to Costco on my lunch time.  I went in and out quick.

I had a hot dog before shopping.   Then I saved the soda cup.  After loading my car, I got a refill for the road.

Oh boy, look at this bad picture.

I like my new iPod Touch, but picture quality is horrible. 

What you don't see in the picture are Shoe Rack & Vitamins.

SPAM will probably last over 1 year.

I bought precooked Bacon. They are pretty good.  I will buy them again.  But, sometimes, I like my bacon extra greasy with plenty of fat.

Coupons saved $30.50.  But, I still spent $181.37.

I had a hot-dog and a half slice of pizza before shopping.

I had a good time.

Nothing special, boring...   (pancake mix, soups, & soaps)

Coupon saved $9.50.

Boring...  not much going on.

A lot of apples, 5 dozen eggs, a rotisserie chicken, and a bag of tortilla chips.

I used my $40.32 reward check and received $5.78 back.

Boring...  And I want to keep it this way.

First Costco shopping of the year..

I didn't buy anything special.  They were all stable items.

I bought 2 cases of V8 with a coupon.  I put them upside down in the cart, so the checkout clerk will scan the UPC codes on the bottoms faster.  V8 came out to be about $0.33 each can*.  (FYI: 99 Cents only store sells V8 for $0.57 a can*)
*Plus CA redemption value

Coupon saved $13.00

I am back~!!  Merry Christmas!!!

This may be my last Costco shopping this year.

I went to Costco alone today for maximum shopping enjoyment.  I wore my Santa Hat to Costco.

I felt sad to see that a lot of Christmas items were gone.  There were no more Chocolates of the World. I didn't see the wicked huge nut-cracker.  There were no more Christmas lights.  Christmas is only 4 days away.  I hate to see this season coming to an end.  It's been fun.  It's beautiful. I hope Christmas season is 2-3 months long.

Philips Sonicare Essence (Toothbrush)

Ah~!! Stupid stupid.  I'm going to have to take this back.  I bought this 2 set pack for $79.99.   I thought it was super cheap at that time.  Then I went online and realized that I can buy 1 unit set for $40 (free shipping) at Amazon.

I've been using Sonicare for 10+ years now.  I don't buy them often because they last for years.  Last time I checked (a few years ago) they were $60 - $80 each unit.  I didn't know that price came down this much.

Anyway, everyone should get one of these electric toothbrushes.  They are amazing good.  Once you try, there is no going back.

Getting Ready For Christmas (home alone)

I will be home alone for Christmas for third straight year.  But, I am ok.  I manage to entertain myself.  Sometimes I receive messages from my website visitors.  That helps me also (thank you).

Anyway, I bought a ham, shrimps, and hot wings for Christmas.  I shall glaze it on Christmas morning.

Oh, they are not just for Christmas.  I have 10 days off until January 3, 2011.  This will be fun.

After a hot dog and Gas, I spent roughly $217.00.  Shrimps, Ham, and Hot Wings were luxury items.

I have been complaining about my socks for several years now.

My complaints:

• I have many different colored socks.  It's been a big hassle to match up the socks after laundry.  If all my black socks are identical, that will eliminate the hassle.
• It is not financially smart to have socks in different designs. If one of my socks is damaged, I'll have to trash the matching pair for that sock.  If I have 30 pairs of identical socks, I only trash the damaged sock.
• Some socks feel OK, but some socks are uncomfortable.  I would like all my socks to feel consistent (good).
• Most of my socks are old and ugly.
• When I wear tan pents or blue jeans, I would like my socks to match color. 
• Men's "general size" socks are too big for my feet.  Most socks are made for size 12 shoe size.  If you wear size 9-10 shoes, you will find "general size" socks too big.
• Men's custom size socks are very expensive, like $20.00+ a pair (?).

So, this is what I did:

Today, I brought my female friend to Costco. She has exact same size feet as mine.

She went to Costco barefoot, wearing sandals.

We went to the lady's underwear section where Calvin Klein socks were at.  I found a pack of socks that was opened (somebody must have tried it on already).  She tried the socks - it was a perfect fit for her. 

So, I bought 9 packs (36 pairs total,  $89.91+ tax = $97.78). 

As always, $97.78 seems a lot of money for socks.  But, they are quality socks at $2.50/pair.  And I may not buy another colored socks for 10 years (as long as I keep trimming my big toe nails).  I believe it was a smart shopping. For example, Longs Drugs sells really ugly, cheap socks for $5/pair.

As we were checking out, a lady behind us said "Those are a lot of socks". 

My friend was keep saying "You wear girls' socks, GIRLS~!!"

I like these socks.  They look just like men's dress socks, except they fit me well. 

Oh, and they happened to be Calvin Klein.

I will rotate these socks about 5-7 times a year (I will wear the same socks 5-7 times a year).  So, they will last many years.

I also wear white socks.  I have about 40 pairs of white socks, and they need to be replaced as well.  (coming up)

I also need some brown socks.

Nothing special... (chicken, fish, egg, vitamin...)

I bought one more sweater - another edition from Calvin Klein ($19.99)

I spent less than $70.00 today. 

Jose's Coffee came to my Costco today.  I spent about 10 minutes there and tasted 2 different coffees.  I know that Pumpkin Spice is a popular holiday coffee.  But I find Butterscotch Toffee more sentimental.  I bought a bag of Butterscotch Toffee coffee.

I know I will enjoy the coffee throughout this Holiday season.  I was worried that I would spend this holiday season without Butterscotch Toffee coffee.  Jose's Coffee is going to complete my holiday season 2010.  I am so happy.

Of course, I bought a bunch of candies.  (See separate blog)

I bought a set of fancy soaps for Christmas gift for my friend.  I figured girls like that kind of stuff.  I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't like this...  I guess I'll give her some cash.

Coupon saved $6.00 (Vitamin B & Dove soaps)

As I was checking out, 2 Costco employees made comments about amount of candies I had.

Let me catch up with my 2 Costco shoppings.

September 18, 2010

I had a Costco shopping date.  I was able to sneak in this picture when my friend didn't see me.

PS. I don't tell my friends about my Costco blog.  It's fun to share the story at first.   But, it's not fun anymore if I stop having relationship with them.  I have a few ex girlfriends tracking my personal life from this website.  You see what I mean...

We shared the cart.  My major buys were Calvin Klein jacket, three bags of Starbucks coffee, and 2 cozy throws (blankets).

September 27, 2010

We had a nasty heat-wave here at Southen California.   I live 1 hour away from Los Angeles.  Today, LA had the hottest day in history (113 degrees).   It was plenty hot up here as well.

After work, I did 3 loads of laundry.   I was sweating bullets.  After laundry, It was still too hot for me to stay home so I decided to go to Costco.

I love that Bistro Serving Set

2 days of Costco shopping

From 2 days of shopping, I spent $300.55, Coupon saved me $28.25, I ate a hotdog, did a car wash, and bought gas.

2 impulse buys

Below is my 2 impulse buys. 

1. Calvin Klein jacket

These are high class winter jacket. I can see that they can easily be $150 - $200 elsewhere (perhaps more).

I tell ya, Costco must have some kind of special relationship with Calvin Klein.  Costco sells all kinds of CK products cheap.  I now own 7 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, 1 sweater, 2 belts, & this winter jacket - all from Calvin Klein.  But, the point is that I never buy them because they are Calvin Klein.  I buy them because they are good and cheap - and they are happened to be Calvin Klein. 

You better look for these seasonal, one time only items. Sometimes you will find just the item you want (cheap).  It's always fun and exciting to go to Costco to see what they have for me this time.

 
Yours truly

2. 7 Piece Bistro Serving Set

These Bistro Serving Set is absolutely adorable.  I couldn't pass this out at $24.99. 

Cute bowls like these make my time at kitchen more enjoyable.

###

Have a nice day.
Take care.

I am getting ready for a fun Labor Day weekend alone.

I am going to have 2 friends over on Saturday, but it will be just for a few hours.

Besides that, I am going to be along.

As you know, I know the art of being alone.  I always keep myself entertained with different projects, guitar practice, & etc...
I truly deserve Labor Day.  I work a lot... (I love my work)

I am going to have a BBQ alone to celebrate my good year of working.
I hope I have more work.  I hope I make more money.

I am just happy that I am physically able to work - being able to work is happiness.

###

God bless all hard working people in the world.

I hope you guys would have a day off on Monday and take a long~~ nap like I am planing to.

I didn't buy much... boring.  I ate a hotdog and pumped gas.
I spent over $100.00 total

Wind-breaker (jacket) is one I've been thinking about buying for 8 months.  I had a wedding photography gig on January.  It was raining at that time and I was soaking wet.  Since then, I've been looking for a decent looking windbraker.  It's not my style, but I needed one.  I hope I never get to use it.