Shopping at Trader Joe's is becoming like going to Costco! I went looking for Irish bangers (which they didn't have) and

[Floyd R. Turbo]

left with $130.00 worth of stuff!

[buzzycrumbhunger]

1. It's always tricky...

Great savings on most stuff but gods, the ridiculous temptations do us in!

Even worse because ours recently remodeled slightly and nothing is where it used to be, so we wander 'round and ‘round more, find way too many new things to try (we have half a dozen different cutting boards—son insisted on one made from a giant slab of old olive tree because it called to him… It’s been propped at the back of the counter since because it’s too friendly to mar... *eyeroll*), and the specials always get us.

At least the most important thing about Costco—the fact that nothing seems to come in a normal-sized package—isn’t a problem at TJ’s. I tried a Costco membership and one trip not only exhausted me, the produce had really crap choices, and everything was packaged for a family of ten. My first warning was the gigantor carts, then the fact that 2/3 of the people had them loaded sky high, with multiple cases of water and sodas dangling over the sides. One trip and $150 later (this was 10 years ago), I backed out of my membership and never went back. I *wanted* to love it, but just didn’t.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

2. I'm a sucker for Costco! 😬

[buzzycrumbhunger]

3. Do you use half your garage as a warehouse?

I’ve seen way too many people with their big doors open and some just scream “Costco diehard!” I mean, who else would have a year’s worth of bottled water, soda, and toilet paper stacked up like that?

[Floyd R. Turbo]

5. Only "a year's worth"? Slackers!

[buzzycrumbhunger]

8. *giggles uncontrollably*

[markodochartaigh]

14. I really don't need to eat as much as I used to,

and on a good day Costco's samples can be my lunch.

Every year about this time they have big bags of potting soil on sale. This year I haven't seen them on sale. But they are Canadian peat based so I guess that's why.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

15. Sadly we usually shop Costco before the samples are available to avoid the crowds!😢

[AZJonnie]

4. I'm not sure I've ever left Costco spending only $130 unless I just ran in for a pizza lol

I've certainly MEANT to, but I am THE WORST at that place

[Floyd R. Turbo]

7. Ha! 😁

[kairos12]

13. I once went there and spent 12 bucks.

I thought they were going to revoke my card.

Sarcasm. I think.

[mgardener]

6. We don't live near a TJ's

So when we go we stock up!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

9. Me too! It's almost two miles away! 😁

[Faux pas]

10. Lol 😆

[electric_blue68]

11. Hope to get to TJ's on a couple of weeks...

Haven't been there in over a year.

In the ALP I have meals, and snacks; but I can skip some and eat some other stuff (not much bc $). We also can book time to cook in a modest kitchen in the Activities room. I do plan to at some point; don't laugh my first easy meal will be extra sharp cheddar grilled cheese! Though I wonder what a grilled provolone sandwich would be like? Then a special cold lentil salad.

Anyway, I saved up a bit. I plan to get provolone, and their pretzel bread! Two good tomatoes.

Blue cheese dressing, and the long sesamee covered crackers who's name I've forgotten to put it on. Ha. I can almost see the packaging yellow and turquoise w crackers photo.

Their chocolate granola! Maybe their freeze dried raspberries to add to the granola. The dark chocolate covered almonds.

Yuuuum! 😄👍🥰

[Floyd R. Turbo]

16. You had me at grilled cheese! 😋

[electric_blue68]

18. Hahahaaa! It's full of Yum! ...

I might try a provolone grilled cheese. Usually I go for extra sharp cheddar.

[Sogo]

12. I finally got a Costco membership!

A friend and I went to Costco a couple of weeks ago and discovered that they would let us split the membership. That's a new policy in my experience. So, we went for it, and now I feel like I've joined mainstream America!

I still won't buy all that much there, because the packaging is hardly for a single person household; like, what am I going to do with a gallon of ketchup?! But, for the occasional items I do want to get from there (their fantastic organic spinach/cheese ravioli), I'm glad I now have the membership and don't have to find a friend who will pick it up for me.

The closest Costco to me is an hour drive away, so that has also kept me from bothering to get a membership. But, I think I might go there this weekend! Hooray!!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

17. We often get the ravioli and break down the containers to meal size servings and freeze them.