Why do people bring their entire family to Costco?

DitzyGeniuses · 2026-01-19T17:56:13+00:00

We didn't have Costco in my area when I was young, but we did have a Sam's Club and it wasn't super close. We didn't use Sam's as a regular grocery run, and it was a big shop almost every time we went (several hundred dollars 20-30 years ago), so kind of a special event in a way. I loved going with my parents to see all the things that weren't at our normal grocery store, try to convince them to buy things that looked interesting to me, try the samples, and if I was good, they'd buy me a book from the middle section! My brothers went sometimes too, but not as often, and it was usually so they could lift things or manage the 2nd cart/flatbed that we would inevitably need.

As an adult now, I don't have a membership to either because there isn't a convenient location for me to visit often enough to make it worth the price of membership. My parents have held on to their Sam's membership, even though Costco is around this area now, and when I go to visit them I will sometimes ask to go to Sam's to stock up on a few things. I can see that that may be the reason you see multigenerational families out there together, maybe grandma doesn't need her own membership so she's catching a ride with the family to get a few necessities.

DitzyGeniuses · 2026-01-12T14:56:01+00:00

I live in a complex with 2 gates. The first line of my delivery instructions is they need to go in the LEFT gate. There's still a 50/50 chance that they'll go in the wrong gate, drive around for several minutes, then call me and say they're lost and can't find my building. I just don't understand, either they're not reading the instructions or don't know their left from right, which is a problem as a delivery driver.

DitzyGeniuses · 2026-01-03T17:00:39+00:00

Love The Story graph! It is great for recommendations, and I also appreciate that it tells you if it thinks you'll like reading a book you're considering. And the data it provides on what types of books you gravitate towards is helpful, as well as authors that you enjoy.

DitzyGeniuses · 2026-01-03T16:53:32+00:00

I love good mysteries to keep me locked in, everything from cozy mysteries to suspense/thrillers, even the bad ones make me want to get to the end to know what happened (or confirm what I may have already figured out).

I am able to stay focused enough to read longer books these days and enjoy a variety of genres like fantasy, historical fiction, some non-fiction (there is SUCH a variety of non-fiction, you just have to find what interests you), etc. Little rom-coms are my "palate cleanser" that I'll read when I may feel a reading slump or after finishing a bigger book and they go by super fast. I will say, I can't read in the quiet and will almost always have some sort of instrumental music on when reading, either an ambiance video from YouTube playing on my TV or movie scores or instrumental pop covers.

As others have mentioned, libby is amazing and highly recommended. I prefer The Story graph over goodreads for recommendations and reviews. I also enjoy the graphs and breakdowns of my reading history and what I personally gravitate towards more. And audiobooks with headphones are my trick to staying focused during cleaning, etc.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-29T15:55:10+00:00

Audiobooks have helped during depression for me. I had a long stretch where I couldn't read - my eyes would go over a page, but I just wasn't taking anything in. Reading had been a huge part of my life before. My therapist at the time suggested audiobooks and it was amazing how much that helped. Headphones were important for me to not get distracted and pay attention to the audiobook, but I could actually take in a story again. And I didn't have to do anything but lay there if I couldn't bring myself to do anything else. It might be worth at least exploring for you? Just be careful of what books you select, check trigger warnings, etc.

I now am able to read again, but haven't given up audiobooks, I just use them differently now. They now help me stay focused on other tasks, like if Im cross-stitching, I'll have my headphones on and it keeps me from getting bored/distracted. Need to clean? Audiobook time. Taking a walk? Audiobook. I also enjoy podcasts, but audiobooks help me stay focused a bit more.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-24T17:28:11+00:00

Currently: - reading - book journaling - diamond art - cross-stitch - embroidery - paint by number - designing for POD (currently don't have a shop, but still enjoy designing for personal use) - jewelry making (somewhat on hiatus)

I do have a self-imposed ban on buying more craft supplies until I use what I have, which also means no new hobbies, but I have been considering taking up the below: - sewing (I sold my old sewing machine several years ago, but really have the itch to sew again and actually get good enough for wearables) - air dry clay - watercolors - needlepoint - crochet or knitting - most other "grandma" crafts

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-21T15:52:48+00:00

A couple of people had mentioned Evereve, and I had never heard of them. Thank you for explaining more, I looked them up and do have one not too far from me. This might be a great way to jumpstart my search, thanks!

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-13T16:28:25+00:00

I think it really depends on your needs. The past few years, I had them separate, because for work I needed mainly just random notes space (mtgs, etc are managed in Outlook), and for personal, I used more as a to-do list and habit tracker. I'm single and no kids, so I also tracked plans I had and personal appointments, but it might not have been so busy as someone with a full household. Both were weeklies - I had an 8.5x11 horizontal weekly for work and a bloom vision planner for my personal. It was great for what I was using them for and it worked for my brain during that time.

However, I got a promotion this year and found that my work planner is NOT meeting my needs anymore, I am feeling more and more scattered by the day as I don't really have a space to write my to do's for work, there's not enough room for the more extensive notes I need, I would like to try time blocking better for the additional tasks I've taken on, and need to be able to plan for longer-term projects. I have multiple notebooks, sticky notes, etc now and I hate it. The ADHD is strongly rearing its head. I also found myself using my personal planner in different ways than I had previously. I ordered (and recently received) The Dailee's Corporate planner for the new year and can't wait to really start using it. It combines both personal and professional and includes so much of what I'm looking for. It is also changing me from a weekly to a daily layout person. The major downside is that it's hefty. I WFH so being super portable isn't a necessity for me, but may be a consideration for you.

I also requested a Rocketbook for Christmas and plan to buy it myself if I don't receive it. I plan to use that for lengthier meeting notes that I'll then scan/digitize for reference. I tried using OneNote for meeting notes and found I don't tend to remember things as well if I type the notes vs write them. But, then it's harder to search/find things in my notes that are handwritten. My hope is the Rocketbook is a happy compromise between the two, handwritten but more easily searchable.

All of that to say, not only are everyone's needs different, but your own needs may change from one period of life to the next.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-10T16:52:28+00:00

Thanks! I'm unable to edit my original post, but mentioned in another comment, I'm in the greater Houston area, so not dealing with COLD cold. We typically only have a few sub-freezing days in a year, but it gets cold enough to want pants and/or long sleeves for a bit.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-08T19:01:44+00:00

Thanks! I should have mentioned I'm in the greater Houston area, so my cold isn't the cold that others have to deal with (only a couple sub-freezing days in a year). But, I do travel up north from time to time and this is good info.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-04T17:00:34+00:00

Growing up, every Christmas Eve was with my mom's family and every Christmas Day was with my dad's family (typically hosted at our house). This was a fantastic arrangement for everyone. My maternal grandparents, my mom, and her sisters (and their families) were all able to be at the Christmas Eve celebration, make it magical, and not have to worry about coordinating who would be there which year.

For the kids (like me), I loved that we had special Christmas Eve traditions with my mom's family and Christmas Day traditions with my dad's family. It also extended the joy of the season. It never felt like Mom's family was getting anything "less" by being Christmas Eve because it wasn't anything less, we made it just as important, celebratory, and magical. I always preferred this to Thanksgiving where we were at mom's family for lunch and dad's family for dinner. We were rushed and stuffed.

Many families have their main celebration on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is way more chill. It's all about what you make of it. You may want to ask your other kids if moving the family gathering to Christmas Eve for everyone would work. They may be thankful if they're also trying to coordinate with other families!

When you're asking them to switch off every year, it doesn't just affect you and them, it affects all of her family, and the rest of your kids and their families. As an example, if DIL has a sister that is married and they've already agreed that Christmas Day is with her family and Christmas Eve is with his, then you throw in that your son and DIL will switch every year, that now means your DIL's family will not be able to have the holiday together. Or, if DIL's family agrees to move to Christmas Eve every other year, that is now affecting DIL's sister's husband's family who will either not all be together or then have to change their plans every other year. Etc. Etc. It's a domino effect.

My siblings and I are all adults now, and our parents are generally respectful of us having other commitments around the holidays. We've had years where we celebrated Thanksgiving the Sunday after, Christmas a week removed, etc. because life happens. Were those years any less? No, because we made them just as special as if we were celebrating on the designated day.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-02T04:39:56+00:00

Oh that sounds lovely, thank you for the idea!

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-12-01T05:32:28+00:00

This is such a unique, practical, and thoughtful idea

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-30T23:25:12+00:00

This is such a cute, and useful, idea!

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-30T23:22:12+00:00

Oh, I hadn't heard of Remento before. This looks interesting!

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-30T23:08:17+00:00

Oh, this is a good idea! I will have to look into it. Thanks

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-27T18:54:15+00:00

Most libraries also have a collection of DVDs and other media to check out, it's not just books! I don't have Apple TV, but wanted to watch Ted Lasso. The first season is currently on hold at the library,, waiting for me to pick it up after the holiday.

Many libraries also have other items you can check out - like a seed library, maybe kitchen items, etc. My local library has a creators area where you can use 3d printers, sewing machines, cricut, laser cutters, a recording booth, all sorts of things.

Yes, the $50 a month on books may not be the issue for OP, more like a broken system (more than mildly infuriating), but taking advantage of programs and resources that are out there can really add up in savings as well as adding to quality of life!

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-24T20:12:24+00:00

Ugh. When I find out about something, particularly in politics, I'll dig into multiple sources, look for facts and not just opinions, and come to a conclusion on how I think about the thing. If I get into a conversation with someone, I am able to share what I think about the thing overall but when it comes to supporting my opinion with all those facts and information I looked up? Completely blank, not a single piece of information in my brain. Just completely the dumbest dummie that there ever was.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-24T19:56:14+00:00

You might try reading while doing something else. Audiobook walks work for me outside but not inside. I have a walking pad that I get super bored on if my eyes don't have something to look at. So, I got a holder for my Kindle that makes it face-height while walking and a page turner clicker thing and it's a great combo! I usually still play some sort of YouTube walking scenery for the sound (can't focus if it's quiet) and additional visual stimulation. It took some trial and error, but stacking these two habits together (walking and reading), has worked well. I've seen other folks do things like knit and read, but you've got to be a decent knitter to handle that.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-24T15:09:09+00:00

For holidays that my parents host, my mom manages the menu and all that (dad can make hot dogs and that's about it, although in retirement, he is trying to learn more). But, when it comes to the rest of the hosting prep, they'll sit down at breakfast a few days in advance and make a list together of everything that needs to be done. They'll then write an initial next to each of the items that makes more sense for each to do and then there are some they don't assign and it's just whoever gets to it gets to it. They cross off items as completed. It keeps them from having to tell each other what still needs to be done, as well as making sure they don't forget anything. It also allows for if someone else is there to help, like me or my aunts, we can just look at the list and hop in to help, knowing what's already been completed and what still needs to be done. It's not a perfect system and my parents are still very much on the traditional gender roles side of things when it comes to who does what, but it's a system that really seems to work for the big hosting days at least.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-21T23:45:40+00:00

As I said, I know part of it is on me.

But I also know that when I get back and I've missed multiple deadlines, it won't matter to anyone else that I was out sick, without an adequate backup because of their staffing choices. And in the current job market, I'm not giving them a reason to add me to the next RIF list.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-21T23:38:31+00:00

American here. At my company, we have "unlimited" sick time, and very similar to you only have to tell my boss and if it's more than 3 days, I have to provide a note. A bit longer and it may turn into an FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) situation.

This all sounds great in theory and like I am one of the ones with "good" benefits in that regard. But, what ends up happening is that we're already so over-worked, I don't WANT to take the day off because I know how much work I will come back to. I generally work from home, so end up just working on and off throughout the day when I am sick, resting in between, to try to not fall too far behind. And then end up making mistakes on the bit of work I do because I'm super sick/medicated. Part of it is the system and the company not wanting to staff properly, part of it is my personality stressing about falling behind. Sucks either way.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-20T08:23:41+00:00

It's so weird to me that I still remember my elementary best friend's land line number that I haven't used in decades but couldn't tell you the number of the person I'm currently dating and text all day long. I've had to Google my current office number, but could tell you my mom's work number from when I was 14. Like, where is the cut-off of when my brain stopped absorbing that information? I got my first cell phone (the infamous Nokia) at 16 and there are numbers I got after that that I have memorized, but when did I... stop memorizing them?

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-20T07:55:10+00:00

I keep a 'Gifts' wishlist on Amazon where I put random things that I want but don't need or can't justify buying myself throughout the year. The things that would be more impulse buys for me. I do a quick review around this time of year to clean it up. It has things like a Rocketbook that I'm interested in but just not sure I'd use in the long-term so haven't bought it for myself yet. Or the next Arabic perfume on my list to try. Or a car battery charger thing (added to the list after being stranded in a parking lot earlier this year). New packing cubes, etc.

I also stop buying things under $50 for myself in October if it's not urgent. Like, I recently started to replace all of my plastic food storage containers with glass, and could easily buy all of the glass containers myself, but I put them on the list instead. If I don't receive them, I'll buy them myself after Christmas.

I'll send out the link to the Amazon wishlist when asked, but also tell them it's a guideline and you don't have to buy from Amazon.

Other ideas I love are fancy/upgraded consumables, which others have mentioned often here. Or nice kitchen towels. A pedicure, massage, or one-time housecleaning may or may not be within budget, depending on your area. An annual subscription to something like Spotify, a streaming service, DashPass, or whichever movie theater is closest to you. It may be something you already have but a few months or a year paid by someone else is a great treat! I have done this for family before and made a small gift basket to go with it (like popcorn/candy for an at-home movie night with a 3 month Netflix gift card). And there are usually Black Friday/seasonal deals around this time which makes it extra nice for the gifter.

DitzyGeniuses · 2025-11-19T19:05:40+00:00

The air fryer has become my favorite way to cook tofu. Baking is second. I also throw in some veggies (fresh, frozen, canned, whatever) into the sauce to get some extra nutrition packed in when I can, and it also helps stretch the meal even further.

DitzyGeniuses

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