If your sleeping in a van, or a pickem up with a cap, the things to use are those long porch swing or glider cushions! They don't give the hassle of inflating/deflating an air mattress, other stuff can be piled on top if them for travelling, and when they get to looking bad, just toss them, then ride around on trash night, and get a new set, or one, as you desire! there is always somebody tossing perfectly good ones out, because they don't match their decor, or aren't the right color. A good thing is--they don't lose their air when the night is half gone, which requires that you get out and pump it up again, to sleep until it goes down again! Oh, if you don't like to pick one up that way--just go down and buy a new one! Get a color that doesn't show the dirt! I've used them at times, and they work well. And my old bones didn't hurt the next morning!

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

Hi, here is my follow up ! LOVE! First let me explain why I chose the Saatva soft plush. I have Fibromyalgia and a twice broken tail bone and arthritis. Very firm mattresses do not work well for the tail bone. My old no name mattress with two layers of coils plus good padding worked well for me for many years but it was time for a new mattress. Comfort wise while shopping I liked the Beautyrest black Natasha at Sears, King sets fake sale price $ $3419,99. I also liked the comfort of the Vitagenic Aireloom Hotel Collection at Macy's for the fake sale price of $3188,00. While these were very very cozy they lacked a bit of inner support for me. So, through much research I found out about Saatva's mattresses and the double layer of coils. The luxury firm seems to be their best seller but I again worried about the sticky outy bones so nervously went for the soft plush. This was a good move on my part. I had read enough reviews to learn that their mattresses are a tic more firm compared to other firm mattresses. I would say my new soft plush is closer to a luxury firmish plush top in other brands. Not too soft or too hard and nice supportive side/ends. Their luxury firm would not have been good for me. The other thing I'm hoping will be good for longevity is that they use a thinner interior memory foam layer. Most mattresses that I have read about who use a much thicker interior gel/memory foam tend to sink more over time. Although it's to early in my ownership to give a proper review that includes longevity, so far I really can't be happier. Unfortunately my old box springs were damaged in the move so I had to replace, otherwise I could have really come out well price wise. I have the 14 1/2" (there are other choices) King soft plush mattress at $899. Plus $100 for shipping and $39 to take the old stuff out. For my needs the construction of Saatva exceeds those on the market at the fake sale price range of (for set) $3,000 to $3,500. All in and including new box springs I'm at close to 50% cheaper than the others I was looking at and I think my new mattress is better Quality.

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...