Worth It or Not Worth It?

In this little section we will examine some thrifty joints around town and determine whether they are worth their weight in savings.

Today's Frugal-Friendly Locale:

COSTCO!!

Though the perks of this place are all about timing, (ie, hit it ONLY Mon-Thurs morning to avoid Susan Powter-style insanity) and the membership is minimally $50 per year, I would go so far as to tell a fresh-off-the-bus LA newcomer to move within walking distance of a Costco. Not because you could actually carry anything you purchase all the way back home, but because those $1.75 Hebrew Nationals they serve outside end up as good eatin' when you are having trouble paying the rent. Trust me on that one.

In fact, hit the place on a busier day and you could live off the free samples for a week.

The savings are unquantifiable, at least to this 'C+ in Pre-Cal' student, and the membership card easily pays for itself in one trip. Around Christmas time one can even amuse herself almost as if people-watching at a Paris sidewalk bistro while she observes the sports-fans, tech junkies and general bargain hunters enter the warehouse garage doors like 4 year olds at FAO Schwartz.

Downsides:
*You have to buy in bulk, so make sure you have a little extra storage at your place - or that your roommate is ok with using toilet paper rolls and detergent as furniture.
*The cut flowers are a little over priced.
*Not every store location is stocked with the same fabulousness.
*Check out lines are often less than efficient, so, if you haven't already got one, grab a book, magazine or iPod mini while you are there.
* At the pharmacy don't try to pay for any thing but prescription drugs. Throw a 10 gallon jug of milk up there and they will send you packing. Same goes for photos at the photo center. They are a little unnecessarily Soup Nazi-ish about this. In that sense, I do miss Tarjay.

Upsides:
*Cheap Alcohol and Party Supplies
*Seasonal Specials
*Friendliest and BY FAR the Cheapest Pharmacy in town (I have done my research)
*They offer pretty much every financial product you could want from payroll services to pet insurance should you happen to need it
*Discounted tickets to movies, concerts, and plays alike are often available
*Cheapest Photo Printers in town. And better at color correction than even Sammy's Camera!
*The online store is just as inexpensive and convenient

Most Definitely Worth It!