Costco Shopping – With a Neighbor

* 10th Costco Shopping this year, 3rd time this month.

I went to Costco with my neighbor. She’s one of my favorite neighbors. She’s a grandmother, and she doesn’t drive anymore.

We split a box of strawberries.

I finally bought a fancy coffee maker. I’ve been using my $7.00 coffee maker for over 8 years. 

After Costco shopping, I took my neighbor to Souplatation (Salad Bar). Oh my God, she was so happy going out for dinner with me.

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Costco Shopping – March 12, 2010 / Cheese

* 8th Costco Shopping this year, 1st time this month.

I was looking forward to today’s Costco shopping. A coupon on beef jerky got me excited. To me, beef jerky is a luxury food item. They are for rich people. 

It was fun shopping. I treated myself to a piece of fancy cheese (also a coupon item). I say this all the time, but Costco spoils me. Without Costco, I will never get to know Jarlsberg Cheese. Those are for rich folks. I like Jarlsberg cheese. These are good stuff.

I saved $17.50 with coupons.

I spent $78.30 on shopping and $30.80 on gas.

The last time I topped off my gas tank was February 11th. So, I spent $30.80 on gas in one month. That’s pretty good.

Costco Shopping List My shopping List

Costco Cheese, Jarlsberg

Jarlsberg Cheese, Costco imported

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Costco Towels – Charisma

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

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%

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. 

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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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