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Shopping at Trader Joe's is becoming like going to Costco! I went looking for Irish bangers (which they didn't have) and (Original Post) Floyd R. Turbo Mar 12 OP
It's always tricky... buzzycrumbhunger Mar 12 #1
I'm a sucker for Costco! 😬 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 12 #2
Do you use half your garage as a warehouse? buzzycrumbhunger Mar 12 #3
Only "a year's worth"? Slackers! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 12 #5
*giggles uncontrollably* buzzycrumbhunger Mar 12 #8
I really don't need to eat as much as I used to, markodochartaigh Mar 13 #14
Sadly we usually shop Costco before the samples are available to avoid the crowds!😢 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 13 #15
I'm not sure I've ever left Costco spending only $130 unless I just ran in for a pizza lol AZJonnie Mar 12 #4
Ha! 😁 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 12 #7
I once went there and spent 12 bucks. kairos12 Mar 13 #13
We don't live near a TJ's mgardener Mar 12 #6
Me too! It's almost two miles away! 😁 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 12 #9
Lol 😆 Faux pas Mar 12 #10
Hope to get to TJ's on a couple of weeks... electric_blue68 Mar 12 #11
You had me at grilled cheese! 😋 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 13 #16
Hahahaaa! It's full of Yum! ... electric_blue68 Mar 13 #18
😋 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 13 #19
I finally got a Costco membership! Sogo Mar 13 #12
We often get the ravioli and break down the containers to meal size servings and freeze them. Floyd R. Turbo Mar 13 #17

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,917 posts)
1. It's always tricky...
Thu Mar 12, 2026, 09:16 PM
Mar 12

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.

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,917 posts)
3. Do you use half your garage as a warehouse?
Thu Mar 12, 2026, 09:25 PM
Mar 12

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?

markodochartaigh

(5,504 posts)
14. I really don't need to eat as much as I used to,
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 02:42 AM
Mar 13

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.

AZJonnie

(3,690 posts)
4. I'm not sure I've ever left Costco spending only $130 unless I just ran in for a pizza lol
Thu Mar 12, 2026, 09:25 PM
Mar 12

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

kairos12

(13,568 posts)
13. I once went there and spent 12 bucks.
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 01:02 AM
Mar 13

I thought they were going to revoke my card.

Sarcasm. I think.

electric_blue68

(26,811 posts)
11. Hope to get to TJ's on a couple of weeks...
Thu Mar 12, 2026, 10:57 PM
Mar 12

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! 😄👍🥰

electric_blue68

(26,811 posts)
18. Hahahaaa! It's full of Yum! ...
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 04:43 PM
Mar 13

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

Sogo

(7,181 posts)
12. I finally got a Costco membership!
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 12:11 AM
Mar 13

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

(32,877 posts)
17. We often get the ravioli and break down the containers to meal size servings and freeze them.
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 09:12 AM
Mar 13
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