Common sense flees, prices seem reasonable, and the hunt begins.
We had a list given to us by his sister: a specific list for specific number of guests. Twenty hamburgers, twenty hot dogs, and six chicken breasts to be halved seemed very reasonable.
When reaching the meat section, my high I.Q. husband starts figuring and asking, "Does one hamburger really mean these? Where each is larger than my hand? Six pounds--is that enough? Chicken? Nine pounds? Can one chicken breast really be halved and be substantial? And, hot dogs? Surely not the cheap ones, skinny and pathetic. Let's buy these."
$25 + $25 + $40 + .... It was $175 totaled up for twenty people to eat just grilled meat. What are our relatives? Ravenous cannibals, piling plates with nine dollars worth of meat?
Then John reasoned buns and condiments were necessary. Throw in a jar of jam, a new purse for Mother's Day, a three-pack Redi-Whip, and some vitamins, our wallets opened as spectres vacuum green bills, and a nice cashier smiled, "Have a good one."
God help us. We are too old to take this pressure. When CostCo was Price Club 30 years ago, we called it the One-Hundred Dollar store, enjoyed strolling the aisles. Now, it is closer to Two-Hundred-Fifty Dollars, and our legs hurt.
We still go to Sam's Club, it is closer and more user friendly. CostCo or Sam's club...It is an addiction, either one.
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Just a note: our BBQs usually end up with some charred meat.
It is always good.
Temperatures here have been 100 deg F. Hot so hot, and people head to cooler places. Sam's Club is our favorite, and Lowe's is next. Lowe's is actually more interesting.
My friend Sally has a membership to Sam's Club and I NEVER get out of there under $100.00 (USD). And to think, all I buy is coffee, cat litter, and once in awhile cat food. It's the other things that get me, like the 5 lbs of cottage cheese, the 2 lbs of jack cheese, the large sacks of french fried onion rings, etc. I try to bargain shop, but they get me, no matter how frugal I am. Your point is SO well taken, Susan.
ReplyDeleteAlso, diet drinks and fruits catch us.
DeleteI refuse to shop at any store that requires membership. Surely good enough bargains can be had at any other supermarket?
ReplyDeleteYes, they can be and should be. We do not go as much as a year ago.
DeleteI loathe CostCo. Himself loves it.
ReplyDeleteI am claustrophobic and when we go to Costco, I feel closed in. All those stacks and close aisles are rough.
DeleteNo one emerges unscathed from Costco!
ReplyDeleteI loved to smile and you always bring one. THANKS. We no longer visit either since it is just we 2. Thanks for reminding me why we dropped that MEMBERSHIP. bUT FOR many it still makes common sense because of volume and prices.
ReplyDeleteSmile, Sherry & jack
The prices are not the bargain they used to be.
DeleteI order curbside delivery from Sam's Club. I sit in my air conditioned car and let them do the work. I don't spend more than I intended that way.
ReplyDeleteI have seen shopping flats and carts loaded and parked along the customer service area. So that is what they are. This sounds like such a good idea.
DeleteCostco actually pays their employees a living wage. If I need to put money in the Walton's pocket for any reason, I go to Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI read that Walmart has installed automatic checkouts now. People may become invisible.
DeleteI think the a/c is better in Sam's, isn't it? It feels like the Lowe's a/c isn't quite there. Cooler, definitely. When I'm seeking a/c, the movies. It's quite frigid in there.
ReplyDeleteI don't have memberships in those places. Therefore, I don't go.
The milk refrigerator is great, vegetables section is also. Lowe's is great. Last yr when the virus was beginning, it was the best place.
DeleteWalmart have set up education programs as well for the employees.
ReplyDeleteWhen Costco first opened here, i joined, and never renewed, i just could not afford to shop there.
ReplyDeleteGrandpa takes me to Sam's on his membership, and we are very judicious, only buying the essentials. It's reasonable and keeps the grocery bill at the regular store lower.
Yes, we are in the minority, he and i both loathe spending money.
Keeping a shopping list is the smartest idea.
DeleteI've never been in CostCo, but we used to go to Sam's several times a year. Not really with anything in mind, but to sample the foods, and see what might catch our eye. The two favorites were bags of mixed frozen fruit chunks, like grapes, cantaloupe, cherries, etc., and big jars of spicy hot dogs that I imagine are served at bars. Can't find those hot dogs anywhere now... but we haven't been to Sam's in many years.
ReplyDeleteCostCo's hotdogs are the best.
DeleteOh my gosh this made me laugh! We don't have a Costco anywhere near us so it's Sam's Club which is still a 20min. ride away. We do like Sam's and I've learned to take a list, stick to it, then forget the list, buy that magazine (which is cheaper than the label price), maybe a book..or two, M&M peanuts in holiday colors, something to snack on when we drive home, a slushy for hubbie, a diet pepsi for me, and then use that special Sam's card that's the black one unlike my checking account that's closer to red when the bill comes! Yep, it's an adventure for sure but our Sam's is pretty civilized and a fun time to browse. I went to Costco with my Sister in Chicago once. It was Christmas time and I had to go to therapy after leaving that mob scene! Enjoy your weekend and frankly if you have an Aldi near you the burgers there are cheaper and very tasty!
ReplyDeleteOh, good grief girl! We should meet at Aldi, which is not close.
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