Drabble by Kevin Fagan for August 22, 2024

I was always surprised if my bill was less the $100 at Costco. I might take a trip there, there is one in Orlando

I went to Costco as a guest of my son last month and only found 3 items that were more reasonable than the regular grocery store. I won’t be back.

“Enjoy yourself. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy yourself with me.” Jacksons.

People asked why I bought toilet paper in bulk, then, 2020 hit and people don’t ask me as much.

Not everyone’s a gluttonous idiot like you, Ralphy, boy.

I went to Sam’s yesterday and only bought instant mashed potatoes. I did fuel up my car though.

Unless you’re feeding a big family or buying for a business, it really doesn’t pay. I go for two things. There’s no point in buying any meat. There are just two of us and I don’t don’t eat it. I find their fruits and veggies are overpriced – plus, they’re packaged for more than two people. We have found excellent ‘made just for Costco’ deals on non-food items, though.

Even when my husband was alive, we had so little cabinet space and the cats occupied the tops of the cabinet, we never joined a bulk club. Now it’s me & one cat. She rarely goes to the top of the cabinet but I really don’t need that much. Plus the closest one is still too far to go for not that much. My parents belonged to one & when they came, we would go & get some non-perishables, but it didn’t make sense for us to join. My parents had a large house & lots of storage space as well as a big fridge & freezer, I don’t. Shen we were growing up & a family of 7, if would have made sense, but they weren’t around.

There’s a recent NY Times article, “How Costco Hacked the American Shopping Psyche.” Since I don’t shop there, I was intrigued. Here’s the last two paragraphs:

“The idea is that you don’t feel that these are temptations,” said Ayelet Fishbach, a behavioral psychologist at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. “You’re getting a great deal.”

But, she added, “The question is, Do you actually need this? You probably don’t.”

Come to think of it, there is one item I buy there, once every few months. I don’t care for how the place looks like a drudge, nor for the large quantities they sell. Others? OK for them, I concede.

If we were ever to go into a bulk store and only leave with one item, we may have only had a couple of things to look for, and only found the ONE. Our SAM’S is slipping, they either are deciding not to carry some the things we go there for, or we have been unlucky this past year or so, and they are out of stock.

I’ve bought just a Gallon of Milk at Costco, same distance from my house as the supermarket and $2 cheaper. If you have a separate freezer for storage Costco is worthwhile buying in bulk. Rotisserie chicken is $2-$3 cheaper at Costco

I shop at Sam’s Club regularly, sometimes I spend around $100 usually I just buy a few fresh items eggs, milk, etc. I love the Sam’s cash as it pays for my yearly membership.

Buy buy for now.

This is why the wanted Ralph back. He knows how to keep them from leaving without spending more.

Me! I go to CostCo for one or two items at times. And I always get respect.

Even if you just get one item, you’re supposed to get in bulk.

There was one time I stopped at Costco and got only a bunch of bananas, for $!.32. I think I set a record that will never be broken.

Just TRY to only get one thing. It’s near impossible.

I often leave Costco with only milk if that’s all I need. But, I can get more there. The cash back on gas pays for my membership and then some.

Employee of the Month candidate right there.