ILoveCostco.com

Kirkland Signature Ultra Plush Microfiber Towel

Posted by: John | April 29, 2020

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.

I Stand Corrected – Toilet Paper

Posted by: John | April 6, 2020

| No Comments

| Pandemic 2020, Personal

(I am healthy and I still have a job)

At first, I listened to the initial news and media reaction about toilet paper. A few weeks have passed since then. Now I see more in-depth reports.

There are two kinds of toilet papers, ones we use at home and ones we use in public locations such as work. Since people are staying home, there is much more demand for residential toilet paper.

This report (below link) makes sense. I stand corrected about toilet paper.

Hoarding not the only reason for toilet paper shortage

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Costco Shopping – March 25, 2020

Posted by: John | March 25, 2020

| 2 Comments

| Costco Blog, Pandemic 2020

16th Costco Shopping in 2020 – $29.37 today / $811.81 this year

I was depressed and physically exhausted from dealing with my disaster. I had to get away and relax my soul. So, I went to Costco. There, I saw the same Costco employees working there – some with masks, some without. God bless them.

I went to Costco around 1:10 PM. I stood in line, but the line was short. I only waited about 15 minutes. Toilet paper was out of stock. But I saw some shoppers walking out with toilet papers. This meant toilet papers were in stock about an hour ago. Also, inside the warehouse looked more stocked (fuller). I saw fewer empty shelf spaces. I took that as a positive sign.

I had such a big craving for chocolate cake. I wanted a cake so sweet that it will hurt my gum. I have a craving maybe because I feel sad and demoralized. Maybe my body needs chocolate. Luckily, I found this flat layer of Chocolate cake. The cakes are smaller because people don’t have parties anymore.

Seeing Costco like this felt like meeting a sick family member. But things are getting better.

I am doing good physically and financially. Please take care. I will talk to you soon.

Warehouse looked fuller than 2 weeks ago. Supply is strong.

Bad News

Posted by: John | March 22, 2020

| 3 Comments

| Personal

First of all, I am physically and financially OK.

Here’s the bad news. The main water line inside my house broke Saturday evening. I suffered significant water damage in 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, laundry room, and the hallway. My house is carpeted. Although it was Saturday evening, both plumber and water damage people came to my house within an hour. I called my insurance company (Wawanesa). I hope insurance will come through for me.

I am tired and emotionally drained. I hope the shock will wear out so I can deal with the situation rationally. I thought coronavirus was too much to deal with. This is heavy.

I am sure I will laugh about this 1 year from now. In fact, I will write a blog 1 year from now to talk about the outcome. But, for now, this is difficult.

Anyway, please take care and be extra careful. I will handle my situation and get better. All I’m asking from you is to think about me. I must go.. I have a lot of things to do. Insurance adjuster is on his way.

God bless everyone.