why Costco is heaven on earth

The prices. The free samples. The churros from the food court. The discounted Adidas leggings. What more could you want?

When I first switched coasts as I entered my freshman year at college, I felt homesick and longed for some familiarity of my New England past. I found myself drawn to my nearest Costco, and as soon as I slyly flashed my membership card and crossed the threshold marked by the blowing AC unit, I felt revived. Costco is home and Kirkland is family.

If that isn’t convincing enough, then hopefully these reasons will have you signing up for a platinum membership before the end of this post.

Low prices
Costco offers the best-discounted prices on all of your pantry staples. A four-pound bag of quinoa (which lasts me about a year) is less than $10. Ten pounds of organic carrots for $6.99! If you’re looking to lower your grocery budget and don’t mind filling up your kitchen with some bigger-sized packages, Costco is the place for you.

No-questions-asked returns
​I bought a Mr. Coffee machine for my new apartment in August and it broke in February after. Me, being the stingy bitch that I am, I brought that baby back to Costco dirty, thoroughly used (we’re college students after all), and obviously without the original receipt. The woman at the returns counter welcomed me with a warm smile, didn’t judge my horrifically unflattering membership photo, and gave me a full refund on the spot. Whether it’s broken, disgusting, old, too small, or just not working out for you, Costco will refund anything you want and this makes trying all of the fun products risk-free.

Fun and funky items!
Costco offers all kinds of things that you might not think to buy. Mango peach salsa, cauliflower cheddar crackers, dark chocolate peanut butter granola – all of which I bought on my last Costco run for the first time and thoroughly savored. In fact, this instagram account has become my new social media favorite.

Supporting a great company
Costco pays its workers an average of almost $21 per hour. Obama even visited a Costco site in Maryland to highlight the urgent need to give more people a basic living wage. It’s also closed on all major holidays, not forcing any workers to come in during time supposed to be spent with loved ones. Costco is consistently rated as the best company to work for, and being a member is supporting this awesome company.

One final bonus fun fact for you all; the pie in American Pie? That’s right – an iconic Costco apple pie. I feel about Costco the way Jim feels about that warm, apple pie.

Now since you’ve made it this far, click here to sign up for your own Costco membership.

(And Costco, if you’re seeing this… sponsor me???)