Kirkland Signature Golf Balls are Back!

Photo Credit: Costco.com

Golfers rejoice! If you haven't heard, the coveted and insanely affordable Kirkland Signature golf balls are back and available online and in select warehouses.

While these are not the exact same balls made in Korea that the golf world went nuts for in 2016, these Three-Piece Urethane Cover Golf Ball Performance+ (item #1180702) balls made in China have racked up 4,000+ reviews with an average 4.4 out of 5 stars on costco.com.

According to the description the soft and highly elastic core maximizes distance, while the middle mantle layer works with the cover to generate optimized spin for iron and wedge shots, and the soft but durable cover provides spin and greenside control. Balls conform with USGA and R&A rules.

This member only item is $23.99 for two dozen balls, but there is a 2 limit per membership. Quantities are limited and available only while supplies last.

At just $1 per ball how can you not give these a try?

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-3-piece-Urethane-Cover-Golf-Ball%2c-2-dozen.product.100406428.html

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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Costco Connection: September 2018

Costco Connection September 2018

I hope everyone had a wonder Labor Day weekend and was able to take some time away from work to enjoy the traditional last weekend of summer before the final hold out school systems send kids back to school on Tuesday and we official bid farewell to summer. 

Before I get into this months issue, did anyone else catch the subtle title change that occurred in June?  Costco dropped the “The” in The Costco Connection magazine! Now its simply known as Costco Connection. I’m not sure how I feel about this and I wonder why the change?

• Pg. 44 This months issue features psychologist, professor, and author Angela Duckworth who is best known for her New York Times best selling book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Duckworth is also the CEO and founder of Character Lab, a not for profit seeking to advance the science and practice of character development, particularly in adolescence. Her book and the audiobook version are both available now at Costco warehouses. Check out her feature in this months Connection on page 44 to find out how she defines grit and how you can cultivate you own.

• Pg.1 Brace yourself - I know September has just begun but the holiday toys are already starting to roll out in warehouse nationwide…

• Pg. 9 If you’ve ever been curious why Costco brings in holiday items so early be sure to read this months Editor’s Note by Connection editorial director Tim Talevich.

• Pg. 18 Halloween is just around the corner so there is no better time than now to learn about the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Teal Pumpkin Project. Costco is also a great place to pick up nonfood treats such as mini containers of PlayDoh. You can find more information about the Teal Pumpkin Project here.

• Pg. 20 Sweater weather is creeping up on us, make sure you’re prepared with fall fashions for the whole family, including Kirkland Signature Ladies active pant - which have zipper POCKETS!! Find these clothes and more in warehouse and on costco.com.

• Pg. 36. Costcos resident travel guru Pete Greenberg explains how Puerto Rico has recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and along with a new official slogan, is ready and eager for visitors.

• Pg. 41 Did you vote in Costcos monthly poll on their facebook page? Find out what members claim to be their favorite Kirkland Signature product in this months member poll.

• Pg. 50 Speaking of Kirkland Signature, when it comes to over the counter medications Costcos house brand cannot be beat. From allergy or pain relief to stop smoking aids and everything in between you can cave as much as 92% off the retail price when you choose a KS OTC medication over a brand name. For more info on OTC medications at Costco check out my May 2014 blog post.

• Pg. 64 The Connection gets expert advice on pet food from Diamond Pet Foods, the manufacture of Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain brand pet foods.

• Pg. 85 Gluten-free lovers rejoice! If you haven’t already spotted Kirkland Signture Almond Flour in your warehouse you may want to take a closer look next time you’re there.

• Pg. 92 Find out which two countries are breaking with tradition to produce their own new wines in Annette Alvarez-Peters feature.

• Pg. 97 Learn how to treat, prevent and when its time to see an optometrist about your dry eyes in this months For Your Health feature.

• Pg. 103 Author & illustrator Dav Pilkey talks to the connection about keeping things funny while encouraging kids to read through his Captain Underpants and Dog Man book series for kids.

• Pg. 108 Get a behind the scenes look at Costcos foray into the world of delivered groceries find out how it works and if its right for you.

• Pg. 114 New Item Alert! Kirkland Signature Organic Chocolate Banana Almond beverage! If you’ve already tried it let me know what you think in the comments below.

• Pg. 121 September Special Events include Yamaha Pianos, U.S. Polo Assn. clothing and Fanatics NFL team apparel. For more information including dates when special events are scheduled to be at your warehouse checkout the Costco Special Events page: https://www.costco.com/special-events.html

• You can read the full September 2018 issue here.

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S.

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Costco Connection: August 2018

A new month means a new issue of the Costco Connection! Here are my highlights from this months issue.

Pg. 40 Cover Story: Marvel Magic, Making Comic Book Heroes Come To Life

• The Connection interviews Marvel president and producer Kevin Feige on the super success of bringing marvel comics to the big screen.

• Keep your eyes peeled this month for Avenger's Infinity War on Blu-ray & DVD, available in warehouse on 14 August, and other Marvel themed items like toys, watches, costumes and even special edition Ziploc bags just in time for back to school lunches.

Pg. 16 This Month at Costco

• Do you have old prescription glasses sitting around that you no longer wear? Bring them to your Costco Optical Center which accepts donations of old prescription glasses for New Eyes for the Needy, a charitable organization that provides new & used glasses to those who can't otherwise afford prescription lenses.

Pg. 24 Costco Business Printing

• Do you have business or organization you'd like to advertise for? Check out CostcoBusinessPrinting.com to order custom, high quality, professionally designed business cards, flyers, banners, and more at affordable member only prices.

Pg. 32 Travel Connection with Peter Greenberg: Perks of Autumn Travel

• Find out how to celebrate the autumn equinox in Mexico Mayan style, embrace Polynesian culture at the annual Hawiki Nui Va'a race of traditional outrigger canoes, or release your inner pirate during the Cayman Islands Pirate Week, and much more!

Pg. 36 Storage Savings Abound This Month at Costco

• Get everything you need to organize your garage, closets and playrooms before school starts back up with savings in warehouses and on Costco.com.

Pg. 47 Box Tops For Education at Costco

• Look for the BTFE logo on specially marked packages of cereal, snacks and other products at Costco. Visit CostcoBTFE.com for the complete lists of BTFE items sold at Costco, you can also enter for a chance to win 100 bonus box tops.

Pg. 50 The High Cost of Higher Education

• Author Lea Ingram offers pointers for figuring out how to plan for and pay for college.

Pg. 54 Portraits of Hope

• Find out how artists and brothers Ed & Bernie Massey incorporate education programs and involve school children in their vibrant art projects through their non profit Portraits of Hope.

Pg. 62 Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?

• Technology is amazing but it can also be addicting. Find out if you or your child might be exhibiting addictive tendencies to your smart devices, video games or social media and get tips on how to moderate their usage.

Pg. 94 Pennie's Pick of the Month

• For her August pick book buyer Penny Clark Ianniciello chose Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by acclaimed author Keith O'Brien. This is the real life true story of groundbreaking female pilots who competed against male pilots in the Nation Air Races during the Great Depression.

Pg. 96 The Great American Read

• Have you been watching PBSs mini series The Great American Read as they explore the power of reading and America's 100 most-beloved novels? You can read along by picking up one of featured classics like To Kill A Mocking Bird, and 1984, or one of the modern classics like Memoirs of a Geisha and The Book Thief at your local Costco.

Pg. 99 Costco Membership, a Back to School Essential?

• Find out why one student claims her Costco membership is an essential part of her college life.

Pg. 115 August Special Events

• Show off your team spirit and school pride with officially licensed NCAA team gear from Knights Apparel

• For more special events coming to a warehouse near year and other great finds be sure to read the full August 2018 issue here.

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S.

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#Costco #KirklandSignature #theCostcoConnoisseur #GoingToAllTheCostcos

Look Out LaCroix, Costco Has A New Kirkland Signature Sparkling Water!

I drove out to the Manassas, VA Costco warehouse last week and much to my delight I discovered a brand new Kirkland Signature (KS) item:

Kirkland Signature sparkling water (item #4164943)!

This calorie-free, sodium-free, sweetener-free sparkling water is essenced with the natural flavors of lime, lemon & grapefruit, and suspiciously similar to my beloved LaCroix sparkling water.

The KS sparkling water costs 33% less than the LaCroix sparkling waters at Costco! At $7.49 for a 32-pack, the KS sparkling water is just $.23 per can, compared to $.33 per can for the regularly priced $7.99, 24-pack of LaCroix sparkling waters sold at Costco. The KS brand even still costs less than the La Croix instant savings price of $6.39, which works out to $.27 per can making the regularly priced KS sparkling waters 15% cheaper than the LaCroix sale price.

The KS 32-pack includes: 12 Lemon, 12 Lime but only 8 grapefruit, which is a similar ratio to the LaCroix 24-pack which includes: 12 lime, but only 6 lemon and 6 pamplemousse (grapefruit).

Besides the price, one thing I immediately liked about the KS sparkling water was the packaging. The KS sparkling waters are not held together by those plastic 6-pack rings, instead the 32 KS cans are nestled into their sturdy cardboard tray and rely on the exterior plastic wrap to keep them all in place. By contrast, the 24 LaCroix cans are corralled in groups of six by those plastic 6-pack rings inside a slightly less sturdy cardboard tray, then all secured together by the exterior plastic wrap. Not having those additional plastic 6-pack rings which have to be cut up for recycling is a big plus for me.

But savings and packaging aside - how does the KS sparkling water actually taste?!

In a side by side taste test I found both the KS lemon sparkling water and lime sparkling water tasted exactly the same respectively as the LaCroix lemon and lime sparkling waters. While the KS grapefruit had a familiar hint of grapefruit taste, it was a slightly different grapefruit flavor than what I was used to from the LaCroix pamplemousse sparkling water - not bad mind you, just different.

However, the biggest difference I noticed between the two brands wasn't the taste at all, but the bubbles. The KS sparkling waters seem to have more carbonation than the LaCroix waters, which I really enjoy. I would say the increased carbonation is similar to how Topo Chico sparkling mineral water is bubblier than the San Pelligrino sparkling mineral water.

The nutrition labels for both KS and LaCroix sparkling waters are identical, and the ingredients are nearly the same:

The final verdict: with the similar taste, more bubbles and 33% savings I am completely hooked on the new KS sparkling water! Definitely give it a try if you enjoy sparkling water and let me know what you think. 

As always, selection, availability & prices vary from warehouse to warehouse.

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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#Costco #KirklandSignature #SparklingWater #LaCroix #TheCostcoConnoisseur

Did You Know Some US Costco Food Courts Have French Fries?!

Happy Friday everyone, actually Happy Friday the 13th!

We may not have delicious poutine here in the US, but some of our Costco Food Courts do have French fries:

Here in the DC area there are two warehouses in Northern Virginia that serve French fries in their food courts: warehouse #218 in Sterling, VA and the Newington warehouse (#227) in Springfield, VA.

For those of you wondering, yes 900 calories is a lot, but this is a pretty big serving of restaurant style fries, (not skinny fast food style fries) so Costco fries are best enjoyed with a friend (or two). Here is a photo of the fries next to the hot dog & fruit smoothie for size reference.

If your US Costco has French fries on their food court menu let me know in the comments below.

Happy National French Fry Day!

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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#costco #costcofoodcourt #costcofrenchfries #frenchfries #NationalFrenchFryDay #costcofood #costcodeals #costcofinds #costcobuys #Friday #FridayFind #FridayFinds #FridayFeeling #FridayFeelings #TGIF #FridayMood #FridayThe13th #TheCostcoConnoisseur

#TBT The Short Lived Costco Self Scan Checkout

Happy Thursday! On this #TBT I want to highlight a short lived feature a few warehouses around the US tested in 2013 & 2014: self scan checkout.


How It Worked:
You scanned your membership card to obtain a scanner which you then used to scan each item's barcode as you added it to your cart. 

All of the carts were equipped with holsters for the scanner so they were readily accesaible while you shopped.

The scanners were fairly intuitive and easy to use. TVs mounted above the self scan kiosk had a short video that walked you through how to use the scanners. Also, there was always a knowledgable employee standing by if you had questions. 

If you accidentally scanned something twice, or decided not to buy an item, you could easily remove it from your scanner.

The scanner kept a tally of how many items you scanned. You could easily browse your scanned items to make sure you hadn't forgotten to scan anything.

Checkout was a breeze because you didn't have to unload everything in your cart at the registers. Instead, you left all of your items in the shopping cart and used separate self-scan-only registers. An employee would confirm the items in your cart matched the list on your scanner, ensuring everything had been scanned. Then, they would scan your list to the register so you could pay as usual. If you were purchasing any age-restricted items, the register would prompt the employee to enter your ID info. Self scan checkout accepted electronic payments only (debit & credit cards), but if you needed to pay using cash or check, the employee could move your transaction to a regular register.

My Experience:
I loved being able to load up my cart knowing I would only have to unload it once - into the the back of my car. I also enjoyed the faster checkout. To me, the only real downside was the scanner did not keep a running tally of my total cost, which seemed like a missing feature. But I guess I understand why Costco excluded the total - if you could see how much money you were spending, you might be inclined to put some items back!


Why It Ended:
When self scan disappeared, I asked several different employees why it had gone away and was told everything from "it was just a trial that was never intended to be permanent" to "there was too much shrink (e.g. theft)."

While it didn’t last, it was fun to try while it was around!

#costco #costcofinds #selfscan #costcobuys #costcodeals #costcofind #costcohaul #throwbackthursday #throwback #TheCostcoConnoisseur

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos

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Celebrate #InternationalSushiDay with Costco!

The 18th of June is #InternationalSushiDay - established in 2009, the goal is to spread the love for sushi all over the world!

Did you know some Costco warehouses have SUSHI!? Obviously warehouses in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have sushi, but in the US there are only a handful of warehouses I know of that make fresh, delicious sushi daily. Most of these 'sushi counters' if you will can be found at Costcos in Hawaii, and in select warehouse around the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego areas.

Even if you aren't lucky enough to live near a Costco that makes fresh, delicious sushi daily, I hope you can still find some sushi to enjoy to celebrate today!

Here are some examples of different kinds of sushi you can get at US Costcos:

Ahi Sashimi Tray:

Ahi & A'u Sashimi Tray:

California Rolls:

Futomaki Rolls: 

Shoyu Tuna Rolls:

Smoked Salmon Rolls and Shrimp Crunch Rolls:

California Rolls with Dungeness Crab:

*Note: These are older photos from the last time I was in Hawaii and San Francisco ;)

🍣

#Costco #InternationalSushiDay #CostcoSushi #Sushi #CostcoFinds #CostcoBuys #CostcoDeals #CostcoFood #TheCostcoConnoisseur #GoingToAllTheCostcos

Until next time,

the Costco Connoisseur

#GoingToAllTheCostcos

P.S.

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