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Costco Towels – Charisma
Posted by: | March 8, 2010
| 24 Comments
| Costco Blog

In thanksgiving 2008, I bought several towels by Grandeur (picture below). I still use those towels. I paid about $8.00 each. I like the sophisticated color, wasabi green. These towels feel amazingly good. Since then, I’ve been checking prices on towels whenever I go to Linens and Things. Towels of this quality will easily cost you $25+.

Sometime last year, Costco stopped carrying Grandeur and now they stock Charisma towels. Charisma towels are inferior to Grandeur and have somewhat cheap-looking colors. (picture at bottom). Also, Charisma towels don’t feel as luxurious. They are still of good value. But I like the older brand “Grandeur” much better. I was disappointed that Grandeur towels were no longer available at Costco.

Update 2021: 11 – 13 years later, I still use both Grandeur & Charisma towels. The old brand “Grandeur” is still better than Charisma. Also, since It’s been 13 years, I am unsure if Grandeur is still making quality towels. So, next time I will try more luxurious Turkish towels from Costco.


After Thanksgiving shopping 2008 – Older brand “Grandeur” Shown


New Towels by Charisma.
Capital One Savings Account – Best Interest Rate I Know Of
Posted by: | March 4, 2010
| 5 Comments
| Personal

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 the 0.5% you can get from your local banks.

I just noticed that Capital One has a savings account only for Costco members. And the interest rate is even better at 1.5%.

I should move all my money to Capital One ASAP. They will even pay me $20.00 for opening an account.

*You have to keep a minimum balance of $5k. I have no problem there.

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

Costco Savings Account

February Saving – 66%
Posted by: | March 1, 2010
| No Comments
| Personal

My shopping story is boring, now that I keep trying harder to save even more money. 

I set my goal to save money like crazy. And that’s exactly what I’m doing… like crazy.

In February, I transferred 66% of all my take-home paycheck to a savings account.

I haven’t established a stable pattern of saving money, so I am not sure how this will affect my finance next month. 

### 

I have a huge craving for salty chips, especially for Doritos.  I had this craving for over 2 weeks now.
This morning, I was THIS CLOSE to picking up a bag of Doritos at Costco. I wanted to buy a brand new coffee maker as well ($49.00). 

But I didn’t buy any of those. I bought what was absolutely needed (also healthy for me). 

I try…

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Story I wasn’t suppose to share – Christmas 2009
Posted by: | February 27, 2010
| 2 Comments
| Christmas, Personal

On December 25, 2009, I woke up at 6 am and went to the public laundry room at my APT. We have 3 washers and 3 driers there. There, I put quarters on all the machines. And I left a Christmas card. So, the first person to use the laundry room on Christmas day would get a wash and dry on me.

That card in the picture was from Costco.

A week went by. And it was my turn to use the laundry room. And I saw this note.

I felt very good. This happy feeling was definitely worth of money. Actually, I spent so little money to have this much satisfaction.

I didn’t even know who wrote that note, but that was the point, doing something to people I don’t even know…

I don’t think the other person knew me as well. I didn’t give my APT number on the Christmas card.

 

3 More Signs of Getting Old
Posted by: | February 24, 2010
| No Comments
| Personal

Here are 3 more signs

  1. I used to hate couples figure skating. It was boring. Anyway, I was checking out Winter Olympics the other day. They showed the couple’s figure skating. As I was watching the couple’s routine, I got teary eyes. It was beautiful and touching.
  2. I fear teenagers.
  3. When I was younger, holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving meant little. Now, I am more into the spirit of the season. Now I wear Santa’s hat during Christmas time. I have a green hat for St. Patrick’s day. I exchanged gifts on Valentine’s Day. I try to be cozy and friendly with the surrounding people. Change of season means a lot to me now. Holidays are beautiful.

* I thought I would grow old to appreciate classical music. But, no. I still hate classical music.

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