Yes...membership fee is about $45 now, I think. You can even split it with a family member or neighbor. They issue 2 membership cards. My husband and I usually split ours with his mom.

The great part about Costco is that they really take care of their employees. You mentioned Wal-mart, quite an evil giant. Costco pays their employees above minimum wage and offers benefits from what I understand. It's an excellent company.

I get (I think) 12-16 quality large boneless chicken breasts for about $18. They package the chicken in air-tight packs of 2 breasts so you can freeze everything easily.

I think 3 large rib-eyes, always well-marbled, are about $20

Costco is just pretty much my favorite store. If I could win a shopping spree at any store, it would surely be Costco!

However, the 'evil giant' has opened up many goods to those that in the past couldn't afford the luxuries that those that can afford to be critical that post on a Virgin Islands forum.

Oh, I agree that their prices are great. I just have trouble with their compensation of employees and store maintenance. Again, though, I'm in California. Most WalMarts here are just plain different than in the rest of the country. They are often very dirty, appearing worn down, with items strewn about. Outside of California I have seen very well-maintained stores. So I can only assume it's a California thing. Again, though, their lack of adequate compensation is deplorable. Here's an article that happens to mention the 2006 wages for WalMart CEO, as well as others. Turns out that WalMart paid their CEO $23 million last year. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/OPINION/706040311

If Wal-Mart were not-for-profit, their lack of compensation would be forgivable. The fact is that their net profit was $11 Billion dollars last year. They can afford to compensate their in-store employees a bit more to at least push average compensation over the poverty line.

Anyway, that's why I refer to them as the "evil giant"

Wow, a net profit of 11 billion. Hell, the CEO certainly deserves his 23 mill. Anyone in IRA, Pension Plans or other retirement program that also invests in Wal Mart. If you believe they are truly evil tell them to divest of that holding. Me, well it's helping me with retirement planning and lots of Latinos and others of meager means access to good product.

But I digress.

So this thread is now hijacked from packing lists to kayaks to Costco to Walmart's abuse and CEO's making mega bucks. What's next?

Hey Patrick, I'm ready.

I like salsa fresca, tamales, tortas y carne asada.

If prepared properly, a nice shepards pie.....but has to be prepared by an English person.

Heck,
You can probably catch me at the 99 cent store at least once a week. I'm not too proud to save a buck.
As far as Wal-mart, I shopped there for my kid's clothing when they were little. If I wanted something as affordable, I had to drive 2-3hrs. away.

If I had a choice of what store to transplant to the USVI it would be Trader Joe's. Sure wish they still had the 'Cilantro-Walnut Pesto".
If any of you have a good recipe for that--it would be awesome!!

Oops,...anybody see the hijacking police??

Wow, Trader Joes...there's a concept. 2 buck chuck too!