At 32, after 12 years of residing rent-free with my dad and mom within the San Francisco Bay space, I used to be prepared to maneuver into my very own place.I had saved $400,000 and had the pliability to make the leap, however whether or not it was unsure streams of revenue, wanderlust and largely, the monetary advantages of staying put, one thing had been holding me again. Till November 2023, once I visited a buddy at their Fremont, California, condo advanced.After I walked in, it felt like house. As destiny would have it, as I used to be leaving, I met my buddy’s neighbors, a pair breaking their lease. My intestine instructed me that this was the appropriate second.After just a few hours and a few paperwork, I secured a four-month sublease settlement from them for $2,000 a month. It was the right transitional house. As soon as my sublease was up, in April, I moved right into a 556-square-foot studio in the identical advanced for $2,146 a month.DON’T MISS: The final word information to incomes passive revenue onlineThe constructing is 10 minutes away from the studio I constructed off of my mum or dad’s place the place I educate my music college students, and fewer than a ten minute drive from two beloved native Costco shops. That may appear to be an odd amenity to search for in actual property, however to me, it was an enormous asset.Altogether, I’ve spent over $5,000 to outfit my place virtually solely with Costco merchandise. Taking a break in my lounge.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItWhy Costco means a lot to me Costco was a buying staple for my household once I was rising up. And again in 2013, I began going on a regular basis after work, to browse the aisles and check out samples whereas ready out the push hour site visitors. Over time, Costco has grow to be greater than only a retailer to me — it is a spot for me to belong and really feel like myself. My love for it impressed me to create my Instagram account, Costco Claudia.Since launching in winter of 2022, Costco Claudia has grow to be a artistic outlet and an revenue stream. On the account, I primarily put up movies of myself modeling ladies’s clothes within the retailer, and I presently have 191,000 followers and counting. Whereas I’ve by no means labored immediately with or for Costco, I’ve had partnerships with manufacturers which might be offered by the corporate. Me in entrance of one among my favourite native Costco’s.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItI presently make about $7,000 a month as an influencer and $5,000 a month from my job as a piano instructor.One of the vital stunning and gratifying components of this expertise has been the unbelievable positivity I’ve acquired from my Costco Claudia neighborhood. They provided a lot consolation and solidarity once I felt most alone, significantly as I discovered about my PMDD and navigated residing by myself.Their assist has helped me by a few of my hardest occasions.Have a look inside my cozy California studioFor utilities, I spend about $102 a month: $27 for water and trash assortment, $30 for web, and $45 for electrical energy. Have a look inside:My kitchen is an area to gas up and prepare for the day Through the years, I’ve collected a bunch of discounted stuff from Costco gross sales: glasses, plates, bowls, my NutriBullet, a Brita filter, and a great deal of snacks.Considered one of my favourite gadgets in my kitchen is my espresso machine.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItWhat I actually depend on in my kitchen are my espresso machine and the storage “work desk” — each discovered at Costco — which doubles as my kitchen desk. It is sturdy and appears nice with the fake fur sheepskins I exploit to cowl my chairs.This work desk is one among my favourite finds.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItI encompass myself with greenery and music in my lounge After an extended day of instructing, I get pleasure from winding down in my cozy lounge. My forest of rising monsteras and succulents provides a contact of greenery and tranquility to the house.Music brings me a lot pleasure, and this piano will get plenty of use at my place.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItI prefer to lie on my sofa and lose myself in classical music on my piano. Surrounded by blankets, sheepskin rugs, pillows, and trendy tray, it is the right technique to recharge after a busy day.My rest room is each luxurious and pragmatic My rest room is fairly spacious for a small house, and I discovered most of my necessities at Costco.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItIn my rest room, the necessities that I can not do with out: my gold hoop earrings, my two pairs of glasses and my contacts that I put on each single day.After I first moved out, I discovered all the toilet fundamentals I wanted at Costco: towels, hand towels, a bathe curtain, cleaning soap dispenser, and mats. When allergy season strikes, the tissue paper is a lifesaver, since they promote it in bulk.The true steal in my rest room is the fragrance that often goes for $200 at different shops however is $69.99 at Costco. I’ve obtained two of them, and so they’ve grow to be my go-to scents.My bed room is a havenMy $250 mattress body paired with my $500 mattress are so comfy. I’ve two units of Kirkland Signature 680 Thread Depend Sheet Set that I snagged after they went on sale. I really like my down blanket and I’ve one other favourite I obtained for $12.Me in my cozy bed room.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItIn woven aspect baskets, I stash my Costco pajamas, protecting every little thing neat and arranged. I additionally love my Shark Roomba, which cleans my condo once I’m not right here.An outside house with chance The outside house is not totally furnished but. Up to now, my Costco paddle board is the centerpiece.I am very excited to make use of my outside house and my paddle board this summer time.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItI moved in the course of the winter, however now that summer time is upon us, I hope so as to add extra to the house quickly. I’ve obtained my eye on some discounted outside patio units.The sweatshirt says all of it.Picture: Bart Vandever for CNBC Make ItMy condo could also be small and cushty, however it’s a testomony to the alternatives which have come from sharing my ardour with others. In the end, this house actually looks like mine. I’ve created an oasis right here. Claudia Chee is a Bay Space native and former Google worker turned entrepreneur. Right this moment, she is a piano instructor, the proprietor of Claudia’s Music Studio, and a social media influencer who enjoys sharing her love of Costco on Instagram.Wish to make more money exterior of your day job? Join CNBC’s new on-line course Earn Passive Earnings On-line to find out about widespread passive revenue streams, tricks to get began and real-life success tales. CNBC Make It readers can use particular low cost code CNBC40 to get 40% off by August 15, 2024.