A lifestyle magazine for small business

November 2004

VOLUME 19 ■ NUMBER 11

WINE,

PAGE 10

SHREK,

PAGE 11

The Costco Connection is published by Costco Wholesale. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by Costco Wholesale or its officers. Publishing offices are located at 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA 98027. Information in The Costco Connection is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. Copyright © 2004 Costco Wholesale. Products advertised may not be available at all locations at time of publication.

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FEATURES

4COVER STORY

Buying Smart: Santa’s big helper

BY PAT VOLCHOK

Our consumer reporter is making her holiday shopping list and

checking it twice. She says most signs point to Costco for gift-

giving needs. (Tip for Santa and his elves: A membership card

could cut your work in half!)

2The Consumer Connection

BY DAVID HOROWITZ

A friend in need should be a friend in deed, but not in this example. Nightmarish

credit problems can result from an abused friendship.

3The Financial Connection

BY SUZE ORMAN

Suze has said this before: Pay off your mortgage ASAP. Will she change her mind when

pitting mortgage against college tuition? She also talks about car leasing and identity theft.

10The Wine Connection

Need the perfect wine for your holiday meals? New Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir

steps up to the plate.

12Book Beat supplement The Complete Cartoons of “The New Yorker” chronicles 80 years

Jimmy Carter has lived a storybook life, so it makes sense that he’d be the first U.S. president to write a novel. The Hornet’s Nest, a tale of the

of comic relief; plus, famed illustrator Robert Sabuda talks about his

latest pop-up book creation, America the Beautiful.

14Mr. Carter’s opus
BY TIM TALEVICH

Revolutionary War, is this month’s Costco Book Club pick.

INSIDE COSTCO

7Member Services Update

Are you Web-host savvy? These FAQs will help, and there’s news about tax forms

and expansion of the Medical Savings Card program.

8Sick of paying too much?

Costco offers affordable health insurance in select states to Executive Members who

own businesses with up to 50 employees.

11Shrek speaks!

BY MARK E. STRODER

The big-screen guy has a few pearls of wisdom and answers our burning questions from his

home in the swamp.

13Book Beat: Pop Up
BY TIM TALEVICH

America the Beautiful is the latest entry in a long series of pop-up books from best-selling

illustrator Robert Sabuda.

costco.com • 1-800-774-2678