I can't comment on Sam's. We don't have any in the region. But we do have a Costco Executive membership (with AmEx card) and have found it cost-effective for us. Costco offers different levels of membership. For years we stuck with the basic and cheapest. But when we bought a computer there the salesperson recommended considering executive because the money back on a big-ticket item would more than cover the cost of membership at a higher level. He was right; the rebate also provided a nice reduction in the cost of the computer. Using the AmEx card also extends the warranty by another year, which is nice for electronics particularly. One salesperson told me a number of members charge everything they can on the AmEx (paying off in full each month so there's no interest) and get very big rebates as a result. There's a Costco rebate and a separate AmEx rebate, so the returns can be very large, especially for those buying for a business. However, obviously there's no benefit if you're overbuying just because the rebate is appealing. There is a pyschological effect there you have to watch out for. I like the fact that Costco's salespeople are not on commission. I think it makes a difference in their reponses to questions about electronics and other pricy goods. Since we live 30 miles away in a rural area, our trips to Costco are not frequent and are normally combined with doctor's appointments or other kinds of errands. I try to schedule those trips just after the new coupon book has come out. Beyond basic goods like TP, some of their coupon book specials are hard to beat. My DH wanted a new scales (determined to lose weight in the new year) and I bought a Taylor digital glass-top for $14.99, which was less than half of the cheapest price anywhere else. Costco stores do vary considerably store to store. For us access is critical. One of our older Costco stores has limited handicapped parking, and if DH goes with me, that's a store we avoid. We have one "upscale" Costco in the area which we go to most often. Very best parking and the one Costco near us that carries Seattle's Best coffee, which we prefer to other brands. We keep a grinder and coffee machine busy most of the day, not just for us but for constant traffic in my DH's shop. I figure just the coffee saves us the cost of the membership. I do think Costco can be an impulse-buyer's paradise and if you're not careful unnecessary purchases can easily suck up any savings. I am now cutting back on Costco purchases. With just the two of us, some foods go to waste before we consume them. In some cases I can still buy the larger product so much more cheaply that a degree of waste is "cost-effective" but I'm constitutionally opposed to buying more than we need and then throwing it away. Some of Costco's prices are unbeatable. I can buy their prepared fresh pineapple for much less than whole pineapple at other stores and be assured of the quality. Dairy products are also very reasonable - Darigold cottage cheese comes to mind. I buy excellent cream cheese and butter at Costco for holiday baking. Sometimes the prices don't beat local loss-leaders, but I like the brands Costco offers and the quality. And lastly, as others have mentioned, Costco has an excellent return policy. A couple of years ago when recalls for pistachios were in the news a Costco employee phoned to let me know because their records showed I'd purchased a trail mix they were pulling off the shelves. No other company has ever called to inform me of a recall. I found that very impressive. Carol

Dear Lauriedeee (nice name, by the way) Thanks for that idea. Good to know that Walmart might be an affordable option (although we are a little concerned my daughter my have some allergies - so I'm not positive about hte down pillow top pad for her - but I think I like the idea for me. I used to have allergies and had to avoid down - but have been getting allergy shots for two years that have been so effective that my allergist gave me the green light for down bedding). Anyone have low profile mattress recommendations? or feedback about Ikea or Room and Board mattresses? Thank you. Lynn.

I think there is a difference in a foam mattress and a Temper Pedic...Our mattress is about 9 almost 10 years old and we paid a little over $3K for it... I didn't want to buy it because our Sealy was only 2 years old and it was a very good expensive mattress..The mattress that the Sealy replaced was a foam that was at least 20 years old....my DH went nuts over the Tempur Pedic mattress and no matter how much I argued he told me he was buying the danged mattress so I might as well stop wasting my breath...It is heavy beyond description...it took I think 5 men to bring it in and they struggled...It is all I can do to lift the corner to put the sheet over it...I am sure there is normal wear and tear, but it still sleeps good and I thought it was showing some of the body imprint and then realized that it was actually the comforter and not the mattress... I know there are just as many people that hate them and wouldn't buy one...this is strictly my opinion...I love mine and the first night that I slept on it...I woke up and realized that I had not even moved and woke up in the exact same position that I went to sleep in the night before...didn't recall that ever happening before in my whole life...

You definitely don't want a pillow top if you don't want anything hot. We got a high-end pillow top for the country house--DD loves hers so much. BUT DD is only 30, NOT post-menopausal like mom. No matter what time of year, I get into bed there, it feels wonderful--it really is a very comfortable mattress as far as comfort and support go. I go to sleep, and in a couple of hours (no mqatter what the season, and no matter that we keep the house at 52-55 in winter) I wake up drenched in sweat and can't get back to sleep. It's the foam. If you are as heat-sensitive as I am, you'll want to check the interior construction of any mattress you buy--foam is like having a blast furnace on your bed. Also, don't get sucked in by those cheap mattress places. Go to a good quality store, one you've dealt with, where you know the people and can trust them. Unfortunately, cheap mattresses are often remanufactured old ones. Which means you could be bringing home a lot more than you intended (bedbugs, for instance). You want to make sure you buy a pristine, brand-new mattress. And that's worth paying a few extra hundred $$$ in the longrun.