ILoveCostco.com

Costco Shopping – May 14, 2020

Posted by: John | May 14, 2020

| Costco Blog, Pandemic 2020

18th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $257.03 today / $1,110.83 this year

I am doing OK physically and financially.

I bought crazy amount of comfort food. Maybe this is how eating disorder feels like. I am depressed, and I want to eat a lot of sweets, salty chips, and cured meats.

Because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Costco shopping is no longer fun and relaxing. For today’s Costco shopping, I had to take a half-day off from work.

It’s been 50 days since my last Costco shopping. It’s depressing to get ready, go to Costco, put on the mask, and wait in line. And there is a legitimate possibility that I can contract the virus and die. It’s scary and depressing.

I arrived at Costco at 9:30 AM. The warehouse opened at 10 am for the public. However, customers 60 years or older were allowed in at 9 AM. The line wasn’t too long at 9:30 AM. People who arrived at 10 AM had a long line to deal with. I was inside Costco at 10:12 AM.

There were plenty of toilet papers and meat items today. I always buy toilet paper and meats at sales price. But today I paid full price on toilet paper, New York steak, stew meat, and more. I will not wait for the sale. I will not go to another store to save some money. I will gladly pay full price and mitigate this craziness. I also picked up a lot of comfort food and snacks.

The Afredo sauce looked promising. I can’t wait to try it.

I had a huge craving for a Costco hotdog, so I bought Kirkland Signature hot dog franks. Those are the real deal Costco hot dog franks.

I came home 3 hours later and vacuum pack most of the meat items, including hot dogs and buns. I was completely exhausted that I had to take a nap.

Sitting by the window before sleep

Posted by: John | May 6, 2020

| 2 Comments

| Personal

I brushed my teeth and put on my retainers. I am so sleepy.

I haven’t gone outside for 19 days now. Because I live alone, isolation really feels like isolation. I am not the type of person who talks to himself. So, my mind is running everywhere, but my mouth is shut all the time. I’ve been having crazy vivid dreams every night. My mind is not completely clear.

I worked all day in my living room. Later I ate turkey gumbo while watching The Conners.

It’s midnight. I was about to turn off the lights and go to bed, but I heard the birds singing outside in the dark. So I set by the window for a while.

I have a big tree in my front yard, and a family of birds lives up there. I’ve been enjoying their singing for several years now. I just love hearing them, especially in the morning and at night. This is my sound when I wake up in the morning. I will be sad if they move away. Sometimes I don’t hear them for a few days. But they always come back and sing.

I remember hearing them when I was in Georgia. It was the same voice, but they sang a different song. That fascinated me. Ah~ Georgia… I miss Georgia. Is there any place prettier than Georgia? The rain, the greens, Waffle House, Piggly Wiggly, and nice people…

I wish I have a nice watch with a moon-phase calendar. Moon-phase calendar on a watch is cool. How much is the cheapest moon phase-watch? I shall check it out tomorrow.

What do I eat for dinner tomorrow?

OMG, I completely forgot to file income tax. I think the deadline had been extended.

OK, I’m going to bed now. I will continue tomorrow.

T3 Micro – Featherweight 3i Hair Dryer

Posted by: John | May 4, 2020

| 3 Comments

| Beauty, Costco Blog, Costco Product Review

I’ve been using this hair dryer for three days so far. It performs almost as same as my favorite hair dryer that I paid $250.00 a few years ago.

Costco’s everyday price of $99.99 on Featherweight 3i is pretty good. But, now, it’s on sale for $79.99. The sale ends in two weeks on May 17, 2020. It’s OK if you missed the sale. I think $100 is still a good price. Styling iron is also on sale.

I am currently comparing this hair dryer with my $200 professional unit. 3i is lacking some professional touch, but its overall performance is right there with my $200 hairdryer. So, if you want a good hairdryer but $200 is outside of your budget, 3i may be for you.

Just like any other hair dryers, you’ll have to purchase a diffuser separately.

Kirkland Signature Ultra Plush Microfiber Towel

Posted by: John | April 29, 2020

| No Comments

| Costco Product Review

I am healthy and still have a job.

Kirkland Signature Ultra Plush Microfiber towels (#713160) are for auto detailing. I bought them 7 years ago in June 2013. And they set in the garage for seven years. I didn’t like the towels.

Seven years later, earlier this month, while I was fixing my house from water damage, I saw the professional guys cleaning and dusting my house with these towels. They praised its superior performance on picking up dust. “Hey! I have those towels, too”, I said.

So, I started to use the towels around the house for dusting & cleaning. They work like magic. The towel will pick up a lot of dust and not let go. I would then walk outside and shake off the dust. Sometimes I wet the towel to wipe down the kitchen counter. And I would toss them in the washer.

These towels are Costco’s staple item (#713160), you see these towels in your warehouse and online. If you already have some in your garage, try using it around the house. My kitchen, right now, is immaculate.

The only place I don’t use these towels is in my car. For car wash, I use better towels.

Left, June 16, 2013. Right, April 28, 2020.

Quick one-handed demonstration. Not a very good demo, but you get the idea.

Costco Executive Membership Reward Certificate, 2020

Posted by: John | April 20, 2020

| 13 Comments

| Costco Blog, Reward Certificate

Costco’s executive members receive a 2% reward certificate about 3 months before we renew our membership. I didn’t receive my reward gift Certificate this year. There was a possibility that I received the certificate, but I threw it out carelessly. On my last Costco shopping, I talked to customer service. They confirmed they mailed the certificate out over a month ago. So, I requested another one. The process was quick and painless.

I finally received my certificate in the amount of $56.88. I need to get paid $60 in order for my executive membership to pay for itself. $56.88 is pretty close, but I am not enjoying any perks for being an executive member.

In the past, executive members were allowed into the warehouse one hour before the regular business hours. I could enjoy that perk – now that we are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

I think I should downgrade my membership. I will shop even less this year because of the pandemic of 2020.

Costco executive member 2% rebate check for 2019 purchases
(received April 2020)

Costco executive member reward rebate check — Costco executive member 2% rebate check for 2018 purchases
(received January 2019)

Costco executive member 2% rebate check for 2017 purchases
(received January 2018)

Costco executive member 2% rebate check for 2013 purchases.
(received January 2014)

Just remembered this song after 34 years

Posted by: John | April 15, 2020

| No Comments

| Personal

I am healthy and still working.

I just remembered this song after about 30 years. I like these two songs. The video is fun. It’s a classic 80s. This was my time. I hope the new generation is enjoying their time as much (Twerking and daggering… But, there isn’t actual penetration. So, I guess that’s being “innocent” by today’s definition. Anyway, it’s their time now).

The Blow Monkeys – Digging Your Scene

The Blow Monkeys – It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way • TopPop

Personal Update – April 6, 2020

Posted by: John | April 11, 2020

| 2 Comments

| Personal

I am healthy and I still have a job

Water damage trauma

I am terrified about future water damage in the house. I learned that water leak such as this is common. You are likely to have water damage in your house before your house gets robbed.
For immediate peace of mind, I installed a water-detecting alarm system with 10 sensors.
I plan to re-route water pipes. That means I will install entirely new water pipes running over the ceiling. That will cost $5K or more.
I now turn off the main water valve every night, or every time I’m away from home.
I will install a remote switch for the main water valve. So, I can turn on and off the water with a smartphone.
I shall replace my water heater that’s getting old.
With that, I hope I don’t go through this traumatizing event ever again.
Coronavirus pandemic is multiplying the level of anxiety and stress.

Recovery and repair

Phase 1 was emergency recovery work – to stop water leaks and dry the interior of the house.
Phase 2 was repair – replace damaged carpet with new flooring.
It took 4 days to dry my house. Those 4 days were miserable with noise and heat. I slept over at my friend’s house for 4 nights.
They found asbestos in the bathroom and the laundry room. My insurance company sent people for quick clean-up. For that, we had to wait 8 days.

Insurance Process

My insurance company sent an adjuster to my house and gave me the Dollar figure on how much it would take to repair my house. I told them I would use my people for repair, so they would write me a check. Now, it is up to me to use that money wisely.
I claimed 7 items for property damage with detailed pictures. And received $1.200.00

Rainy Day Fund

I have a rainy day fund. It takes one full day to move money to my checking account. This emergency fund is allowing me to keep calm and take care of everything that’s going on.
First few days, I wrote a few checks in the amount of over $12,000.00. Then the insurance check arrived afterward. I could have used my credit card. I could have asked my guys to hold my checks for a few days. But, it was easier to write checks and say “The check is good”. My mind was at ease.
Things are moving smoothly because I could pay my people quickly.
We are living in a scary time. Many people lost a job at my work. If I didn’t have a rainy day fund, I would have a mountain of stress and worries. I live alone, so money is my strength. I am glad I saved during my good time.
From this point, I will save for not just one, but two disasters taking place at the same time. For example, I can lose my job and need a new roof at the same time.

Please take care. God bless everyone.