u/castrokult

I started working at Costco in March and I don’t hate working here. Honestly, having this job has helped me become more disciplined and get myself together. The problem is that Costco just doesn’t align with where I’m trying to go anymore. I’m making $20/hr, but I’m only getting around 24–25 hours a week. My most recent paycheck was about 790$ after two weeks. I’m trying to save for a car and eventually move out of my mom’s house, but with these hours and the money I have to spend on Uber just to get to work, feels like I’m going backwards at this point. The work itself is a bit much but nothing I can’t handle, I’m out pushing carts in the Florida heat and sometimes even pouring rain (No poncho). Sweating my clothes so bad it looks like I pissed myself lol. Anyways great company I think my mental battle here is that I just really want full time work and to make enough money to actually build a better future for myself. No sob story I literally just want more for myself period. I come from a more material handling and warehouse background. Coming to push carts at Costco has been the most humbling experience of my life. Even more humbling then going back to your ex whose no longer interested in you 😭✌🏾

Are those millionaire stories real ? Did the Costco stock really make millionaires or is this some work place crap they say when recruiting

So I was exploring the Amazon atoz app and I came across “thinking of leaving” I clicked, clicked clicked and eventually clicked again and I was officially resigned.. lol a super seamless way to quit but that wasn’t my intention. I also had just accepted a full time opportunity. A switch from flex pt. So that’s how my morning started

I wanted to make this post because I’ve been lurking on this subreddit since before I even got hired. I’ve seen a lot of posts from people who’ve been with Costco for 10, 20, even 30 years. I’m only 21, so I know my perspective is different, but I thought it might be interesting to share what these last four months have been like from someone who’s just entering adulthood.
I came into Costco thinking I’d just be pushing carts. I figured it’d be a decent job, good pay, and something I could handle. I was wrong. Being on cart crew is one of the most physically demanding jobs I’ve ever had.
People see us outside and think we’re just grabbing carts, but they don’t realize we’re constantly walking, constantly lifting, constantly loading heavy purchases into members’ vehicles, bringing in long rows of carts, collecting flatbeds, helping elderly members, helping families, and doing it all while getting baked in the summer sun. Then there’s days where it rains and
I’ve worked in pouring rain, completely soaked from head to toe, only to come inside afterward and be expected to switch over to night merch. There were nights where I’d be drenched, exhausted, and instead of getting a chance to recover, it was straight into stocking freight and finishing the warehouse.
Honestly I don’t ever really complain I just do it, not because they expect me to but because I strive for better each day. Something else I wasn’t prepared for was how cart crew sometimes feels overlooked.
From my experience, it can feel like no matter how hard you’re working, there’s always another expectation. Get the lot full. Help a member load. Run inside for a carry-out. Go back outside. Then jump into merch. Sometimes it felt like the physical effort that goes into carts wasn’t fully appreciated because once you came inside, you were expected to perform like you hadn’t just spent hours outside in Florida heat or rain.
That part really wore on me. At the same time, Costco has also been one of the most interesting places I’ve ever worked. I’ve met so many different people.
I’ve had random conversations with members that completely made my day. I’ve helped people load everything from TVs to furniture to groceries.
I’ve watched coworkers become friends, watched workplace drama unfold, seen gossip spread around the warehouse, and realized every workplace really is its own little world. Some of the funniest moments I’ve had at work came from just talking with coworkers during slower moments. There was even a girl I met while pushing carts who asked for my number, which is definitely not something I expected to happen while sweating outside all day. There have been other moments too—meeting new people, building friendships, and learning how to talk to people better. As someone who used to stay pretty closed off, those interactions have honestly helped me grow.
Outside of work, my life wasn’t exactly stable either.
Around the same time I started Costco, I was juggling another job at Amazon. I was trying to make both work, dealing with attendance issues, eventually losing my Amazon job, appealing it, and trying to figure out my future. Through all of that, Costco became the one constant. I’ve had attendance issues here too. Some call-outs were because I was genuinely sick. Others came from burnout. That’s something I’m still working on because consistency has always been one of my biggest weaknesses. One thing Costco has forced me to realize is that showing up consistently matters just as much as working hard.
Financially, this job has changed me too.
For the first time in my life, I actually started saving money instead of spending every paycheck. My goal is to buy my first car, get my driver’s license, and build a better future for myself.
It’s funny because when I first started, I mostly thought about how hard the job was.
Now when I look back, I realize the job has been changing me.
I’m stronger physically than I was four months ago.
I’m more comfortable talking to strangers.
I’ve learned patience.
I’ve learned discipline—even if I’m still far from perfect.
I’ve learned how important consistency is.
Most importantly, I’ve started realizing that adulthood isn’t just about finding the “perfect” job. It’s about learning who you become while you’re working the jobs you have.
I know a lot of people on this subreddit have spouses, kids, mortgages, and decades of experience. I’m just 21 and trying to figure life out. Every shift is starting to feel like another lesson, whether it’s dealing with difficult weather, difficult coworkers, difficult supervisors, or just trying to become more responsible.