Costco Wholesale Executive Membership

Tom Drake — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:00:21 +0000

Most people will agree that a Costco membership is worth the $55 a year. That amount can be saved in one trip with some of the non-grocery items I’ve found like KitchenAid mixers or Ralph Lauren dress shirts, both at half the price found in other stores.

What i wasn’t sure of was whether the executive membership would be worth the extra $45. The executive membership gives you 2% back on most of your purchases. So at the minimum, you’d want to at least make back the additional $45 cost, even better if you can get $100 back to pay the entire cost of your Costco membership.

To get a $45 reward, you will need to spend at least $2,250 a year, or $187.50 a month. This amount is likely if you’re regularly shopping at Costco.

Now, if you’re hoping to pay for the entire $100 membership with your annual reward you would need to spend $5,000 a year, or $416.67 a month. This amount might be more than many will spend at Costco, but it’s definitely possible to spend that much if you are doing the majority if your grocery shopping there.

So as long as you’re spending about $200 a month, the executive membership looks to be worthwhile. On top of that, there are also some extras available to executive members, at a cost, including roadside assistance and telephone service.

Costco Wholesale Executive Membership originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on March 2, 2009.

Library Card

Tom Drake — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:00:21 +0000

If you like to read, but don’t often read the same book twice, then you should look into getting a library card. It costs $12 for one year here in Edmonton, while other places it can cost a bit more. Many towns offer library use for free, even though technically it’s hard to say that since libraries are supported by your tax dollars.

I used to buy books but found I wouldn’t read them more than once and I was also running out of room on my bookcase. I do still like to get nice reference books as I’ll go back to them occasionally. Even at $12, the library card fee pays for itself as soon as you read one or two books. Libraries also offer internet access, DVDs, CDs and magazines. Many have web sites for searching their catalogue and placing holds on books, this may also include bringing books in from other libraries in their local network.

One non-financial benefit is that I find I’m reading more than I would have when I was buying books. I get in a routine of returning a book and picking up another on the same trip so I always have something to read!

Library Card originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on February 18, 2009.

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Costco Wholesale Executive Membership

Library Card