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Pop Culture

Mayonnaise-loving Costco customers reveal why their bring their own mayo packets to the store

There's something different happening over at the Costco food court.

Photo credit: Canva, @anabelmadrigal/TikTok

This is going to really gross some people out.

Few condiments are as polarizing as mayonnaise. There’s seemingly no middle ground—you’re either grossed out at the mere mention of it, or you love to slather it on practically everything.

For those that fall into the latter category, it might come as no surprise that recently, mayo-loving Costco customers bonded over the woeful fact that the retailer does not offer mayo packets for their famous 1.50 hot dogs.

The conversation got so passionate that Hellmann’s Mayonnaise ended up getting involved.

Perhaps it all started with this TikTok below, in which a Costco customer who “doesn’t even like mayo that much” but swear that the condiment on a hot dog hit different” showed themselves taking a ziploc bag of mayo from home and layering it onto the Costco dog as though frosting a cake.

Let’s just say…not everyone was on board with this.

@anabelmadrigal like not even the little pack of mayo, WHAT IS THE REASON ?! 😫😫😫 i also dont like mayo THAT much but it hits different on a hotdog >> 😫 #costco #costcofood #hotdog #mayo #humor #fyp #diy #food ♬ sad SpongeBob music - michael

“Mayo on hotdog is a disease. Get well soon,” one person wrote.

Still, many mayo lovers banded together in support of the idea.

“Finally, I found my people,” one person wrote.

Meanwhile, another said, “as a mayo lover you just opened my eyes.”

Quite a few even admitted to carrying personal mayo packets themselves.

A similar conversation blew up on the Costco subreddit, where the original post read ““I don’t understand why my Costco doesn’t have mayonnaise for the hotdogs. They’re my favorite condiment for them and no matter how many requests I do they don’t even respond.”

Funny enough, the top suggestion to solve this problem was to “Buy a giant box of single serve packets from Costco Business Center. Put a few packs in your pockets. Put the mayo on your hot dogs.”

Eventually word got to Hellmann’s, which unveiled a hilarious—though undoubtedly fake—contraption to end this grievance for good on the company’s Instagram page.

“It’s come to our attention that some of you are bringing your own mayo to hot dog spots where mayo isn’t offered,” the caption read.

“So today, we’re announcing the development of the Mini Mayo Dispenser: an innovative, miniaturized mayo delivery device designed to support mayo-on-dog lovers everywhere–especially consumers of our friends’ iconic, delicious, and beloved $1.50 hot dogs.”

Take a look at this very official looking set of blueprints below:

And oh how the mayo fans rejoiced.

“Now 🌭 THAT 🌭 is 🌭 innovation,” one person wrote.

“Genius! 👏” commended another.

As for the folks who have read this far in an article about mayo and have been resisting the urge to vomit: we commend you for our bravery, and there’s also some interesting reasons behind that visceral reaction.

According to an article from The Takeout, one could be that the combo of colorlessness and slippery texture can remind us of certain…bodily fluids, which our “lizard brain” associated with rot and decay. That would definitely explain why some anti-mayo folk can easily handle more colorful alternatives like aioli.

Either way, as long as there are egg yolks, oil and vinegar in this world, mayo-heads will fight the good fight to keep it in its rightful place…which is everywhere.

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Pop Culture

People reveal which paid memberships are 100 percent worth every penny

"Costco… For the chicken and food court alone it is worth it."

Photo (left) by Johannes Andersson on Unsplash Photo (right) by Ben Wicks on Unsplash

From National Parks passes to air ambulance services, some memberships are totally worth it.

With the basic cost of living stretching many folks financially, people are always on the lookout for ways to save money. But with long-term commitments and ever-increasing costs, people are also often wary of memberships or subscriptions that might save you money (or at least be worth what they cost), but also might not.

Thanks to a Reddit user who asked fellow Redditors, "What membership is 100% worth every penny you pay for it?" we've got a list of memberships that might actually be worth checking out.

The kinds of memberships people listed vary widely, from warehouse stores to learning programs to medical evacuation services, but everyone who shared made a strong case for why the cost of them are worth it.

Here are the memberships people say are worth every penny:

Emergency Helicopter Services

"I live on an island in Alaska with limited healthcare. An emergency flight to a more capable hospital will cost $50000. For $100 a year I save $49900 if I ever need their services. That $100 covers everyone living under my roof. There is no limit on the number of flights. And seniors pay $75. Of course, the flight isn't a guarantee. Bad weather or the donated jet needing repairs can, and does, prevent you from being flown out." – Ksan_of_Tongass

"Can't believe someone beat me to this.
A year and a half ago, I had to be medevaced to Seattle with a broken back. Price tag on the flight would have been $141,110.89...
Good thing we are a member of the air med network!" – Tedious_research

"More common than you would think. They have this same premise in rural Texas for about $25/m." – sevargmas

The Great Courses (or Wondrium)

"The Great Courses. It’s now under the umbrella of Wondrium (and they have a bunch of other stuff, but I look for the GC stuff) They have hundreds of courses. Each one has roughly 26-40 lectures. They’re the best professors in the world - the ones that students report as their favorite teachers.

My boyfriend and I always have four on Thursdays: a science, an art, a philosophy (or wild card) and a history. We’ve done classes like: botany, the analects of Confucius, The Medici’s, the physics of time, early humans and the history of food.

I’ve got a good deal with them at $10/month all I can stream. Great for lifelong learners." – Shaydie

"I bought a 2 year subscription (when it was 50% off) and never looked back. Ancient Egypt is probably the best course I've ever taken, even including courses I've taken in college. It's old (1999) and some things have been disproven since, but it's still so damn good. Now I'm watching Ancient Mesopotamia, which is also very good." – Ok-Supermarket-1414

"I’ve learned so many things from having a Wondrium subscription (and mostly the great courses ones are my favourites). I think having the streaming version of this versus buying courses has led me to learn so many more things than I would have, and try and some and find out they weren’t really for me." — Shipping_away_at_it

Mountains rising up behind a lake at sunset

Grand Tetons National Park

Photo by Nate Foong on Unsplash

National Parks Pass

"The US National Park Senior Pass. The BEST bargain in the nation." – BrunoGerace

"We toured the us in an rv this year, and the america the beautiful pass paid for itself many, many, many times over." – mushnu

"And if you're not a Senior (or Vet) the annual pass is still a deal. Visit 3 NPs or NMs in a year and it's paid for itself." – Kerensky97

"I’m canadian, I’ve seen national parks in canada, a lot of europe and the us, and it’s not even a fair contest. The national parks in america are s tier amazing sites. Diverse, well cared for yet wild, affordable, etc." – mushnu

The YMCA (though this varies a lot by location and income)

"YMCA - I pay $70 a month for a family of four and it includes use of the pool, gym, and sauna and up to four hours of childcare a day. I go nearly everyday and have lost 60 pounds over the last six months. It’s also my only childcare as a stay at home mom so it keeps me sane." – neopolitandynomite

"Came here to say this! I’m in WI and pay $82/month for my family of 7. We go 3-4 times a week, love it. Also have volunteered to coach soccer and have kids in the youth sports. Pool, hot tub and sauna is like a spa to me." – Martini6288

"My family YMCA membership (one adult + children) is $115/mo, but even so, it's totally worth it! I attend at least 3 group ex classes a week, my kids go in the kid zone, they get swim lessons, T-ball, summer camp, etc at reduced cost. It's also very convenient as we live right across the street. We attend many of their special events too (Halloween party, pumpkins in the pool, etc)." – WhJoMaShRa

AAA

"AAA or equivalent roadside service club in your respective country. A single tow costs more than your membership and it quickly pays for itself. Plus all the other discounts and affiliated services they offer, it is absolutely worth the money." – llcucf80

"Between tows and the times either I or someone I was with locked their keys in their car, it has more than paid for itself. It has been a life saver more than once." – nelsonalgrencametome

"Family car broke down on a road trip. My dad had some upper level AAA membership or something, because they covered the tow, a bus ticket for me home while they got covered in the affiliated hotel for 2 nights, along with meals." – DopeCharma

"I haven't owned a vehicle in over 6 years, up until the last two years I've had a AAA membership.

It's worth mentioning that it's not like insurance, it's your membership. I kept it because I could call them if a friend needed a tow, someone locked their keys in their car, needed gas but no way to get it, flat and no spare, doesn't matter

If you have a membership, youre present, card in hand, doesn't matter who's vehicle it is, you're golden. I even got complete strangers a tow, I wasn't gonna use them.

One time I even got my own vehicle out of an impound using AAA because the tow company was certified with AAA and it was only impounded for expired tags. I didn't pay a dime to the tow company, they just got more from me requesting the tow through AAA to an auto shop

Amazing service, 100% worth every penny." – drklunk

front view of a costco store

Costco can save you on a lot more than just chicken.

Photo by Grant Beirute on Unsplash

Costco

"Costco… For the chicken and food court alone it is worth it." – Peach3ater

"Even if you ONLY buy allergy med from Costco, it’s worth the membership fee. $70 membership + $14 bottle of 365 allergy pills is basically 2-3 months max of Claritin or other brands at regular grocery store." – the_bio

"For me it's my contacts. Just my regular prescription for a year is more of a discount at costco vs 1800contacts than the membership costs." – MRoad

"There are so many things it can save you $10 a month on. It’s insane. My wife and I probably save $120 a month on everything from bulkier groceries/snacks, paper towels/toilet paper, laundry detergent, some clothes, tires and gas. We don’t even drink soda or have pets, both of which can more than pay for a membership. We live an hour away and factor our time/wear and tear on the car into how much it saves us. $120 a month easily even on a light month." – sevseg_decoder

Spotify Premium

"I've had Spotify premium since 2011 and I listen to it all day every day. Best value subscription." – Breakfast_1796

"Undoubtedly this, especially compared to what you used to have to spend on physical media. Even then, you’d be stuck with the same handful of albums with one good track instead of nearly every song ever recorded." – Chewie83

"Sometimes I imagine explaining Spotify to my 16-year-old self. "So for about the price of a single CD a month... You can have all the music ever, on demand. All of it, Whenever you want..." It's honestly a dream come true for me lol." – DAFUQ404

"I've had the spotify family plan since like 2015 or so. 15/month for 6 people? Yes please!!! I'd be paying 10 just for me to have premium. Now my fiancée, my adult children, my bestie, and her husband all have a quality music service." – eyemacwgrl

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Pop Culture

Woman throws her own Costco-themed birthday party and it's a Costco fan's dream

"Ain't no party like a wholesale party."

@jasminebellepak/TikTok

The hottest party trend, all at an incredible discount

Many would easily forgo a trip to Disneyland in favor of a day at the magical, budget-friendly world of Costco.

There’s a distinct type of thrill at being able to bulk buy anything the heart desires—clothing, foods both general and niche, electronics, a tub of Nutella you could literally bathe in—all while being offered delicious samples. It’s as though you’ve entered the marketplace of a foreign land, and everyone knows you’re royalty.

And considering that birthday parties are often a time for people to treat themselves like kings and queens, is it really any wonder that someone decided to create their very own Costco-themed soirée?

Maybe not, but seeing how it comes together is still pretty spectacular.

Jasmine Pak decided to merge the celebration of her 28th go around the sun with her love of the discount retailer, featuring so much more than its well-known food items—though there was a lot of that.

First up, the culinary star of the show—a birthday cake, the stuff of Costco legend (with an equally legendary ordering process). Followed by “food court icons” like pizza, cookies, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken…each labeled with their Costco price in the exact same font you’d find at the store.

Even her birthday sign donned that signature Kirkland logo font.

Over at the pool, guests could relax with hotdog and pizza-shaped pool floats. Cause why not?

@jasminebellepak Aint no party like a wholesale party 😫💦 @Costco Wholesale i love u #costcotheme #costcoparty ♬ Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift

As for outfits—Pak and her friends also stayed in theme. And gloriously so.

While Pak sported a t-shirt featuring Costco’s classic hotdog and drink combo meal, her friends each took on a familiar Costco character. You know, the red-vested regional managers, the dude in a security vest asking if you need boxes, the hot dog cook and even the Sunday Costco mom.

And yes, they did have a samples lady. Can’t have a Costco-themed party without a samples lady.

@jasminebellepak All the fits from my @Costco Wholesale themed birthday party 😂 Motion to bring the combo pizza back please 😫 #costcotheme #costcoparty ♬ original sound - Jasmine Pak

Pak captioned her epic video with “Ain’t no party like a wholesale party,” even tagging Costco’s TikTok account and writing, “I love u.”

This party wasn’t just a hit for the party-goers. The clip quickly went viral on TikTok, with people gushing over how brilliant the concept and execution was.

“This is iconic,” one person commented.

“I am SO OBSESSED with this!! I hope ya’ll had the most amazing time,” wrote another.

Honestly, to say the party brought out the most hardcore Costco fans would be an understatement.

One even commented, “I would marry Costco if I could.” Next up: Costco-themed wedding, anyone?

Others were inspired to brainstorm their own store-themed party ideas.

“I need to do this, and a Trader Joe’s party” one person commented.

Between this genius party idea and an Ikea-themed kid’s party that went viral back in June of this year, it seems that beloved grocery markets have become the hot new celebration trend.

And truthfully, what a cool concept. So much of the party planning is baked right in, from food ideas to outfits to decor. Plus, there’s something about that special kid joy found in a grocery store that perfectly encapsulates the adult experience. Even as we grow older and life becomes a little more mundane, we’re still just kids at heart.

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Pop Culture

Couple saves $1,000 on lavish island honeymoon by using Costco. Here's how they did it.

It's all part of a lesser-known but really cool Costco member perk.

Canva, @averybrynn1/TikTok

Costco is best known for its warehouse shopping, but members can save on travel as well.

Costco has earned a passionately dedicated following thanks to offering a plethora of quality items at cheaper prices. Legendary cakes, generic products that truly rival their name-brand counterparts, the eternal $1.50 hot dog and soda meal combo…the list goes on and on.

Seemingly anything can be purchased at this magical place without breaking the bank. Even destination honeymoons.

Budget-savvy TikTok creator Avery Perkins recently shared with her thousands of followers how she and her fiancé John Weakley were able to save $1000 on a decadent honeymoon package thanks to Costco Travel.

Actually, make that $1300 with the bonus gift card they received.

Costco Travel is a lesser-known member perk that curates vacation packages at a heavily discounted rate. That includes hotels, cruises, theme parks, rental cars, airfare and more. Basically, it's the same bulk-buying concept as purchasing 50 rolls of toilet paper, only applied to galavanting across the globe.

In an interview with Insider, Perkins shared how she and Weakley had heard of Costco Travel but never actually used it until they began planning their honeymoon trip to island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. The vacation package they settled on was going to cost them $8,700.

Their pastor, who had just returned from a trip to Italy, recommended they try booking through Costco. There they found a resort package identical to the one they had seen elsewhere for $1000 less.

Shocked, Perkins called the hotel to make sure this was the real deal. It was.

"I called the resort itself and I said, 'Hey, is this legit? Is there some caveat or do I need to listen to some presentation or something to save this money?'" Perkins told Insider. "They're like, 'No, not at all. Actually, we can't beat it. The moment you bring up Costco, we just bow out and say, look, we can't price match it, so just go ahead and book through Costco."

Hence why Perkins posted her TikTok, because people “are not giving Miss Costco Travel the attention she deserves.”

@averybrynn1

Love her

♬ Summer Background Jazz - Jazz Background Vibes

Of course, this option does come with a few caveats and might not be for everyone.

For starters, Costco Travel doesn’t use low cost-carriers like JetBlue or Spirit, meaning you could possibly get a better deal on a package that does offer flights with those airlines. Similar situation for rental cars—it only books through Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise—and hotels as well.

Plus, as of right now, Costco Travel only seems to have packages in a handful of states, along with Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Europe, Fiji, Tahiti and maybe a few “additional destinations.” Still lots of options, but not all the options.

Regardless, it’s great to know that at a time when so many of us are having to be very budget-conscious, the excitement of travel doesn’t have to be inaccessible.

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