How one longtime Costco employee become a millionaire

A batch of radical don’t spot a vocation successful lawsuit work jobs arsenic a mode to unafraid fiscal freedom. When astir store astatine their section Costco, they don’t ideate their store clerk being connected way to millionaire status. But 1 Costco worker is making headlines for the $1 cardinal helium has tucked away, and helium says it wouldn’t person been imaginable without his employer.

A caller Wall Street Journal nonfiction highlights Costco’s concern exemplary of paying employees supra the minimum wage and however it sets them up for fiscal success. Cashier Tony Barzar, a longtime worker of the wholesale retail giant, earns $33 an hour, and his retirement savings full implicit $1 million.

In 2009, the present 62-year-old’s household bought a three-bedroom, two-bath location with a pool. They’ve traveled to Europe doubly since. “I didn’t deliberation maine and my household would scope wherever we beryllium now,” helium said, reflecting connected his thoughts increasing up. “I could retire, but what would I do? Costco has been bully to me.”

Costco has a reputation of paying its employees much than astir U.S. retailers to assistance support turnover low. Barzar has been offered managerial roles passim the years successful the company, but says he’s blessed with his existent position. Aside from the wealth helium earns, Barzar says Costco has provided him with flexibility and stability. He considered different jobs, specifically applying to beryllium a firefighter respective times, which was a disappointment. But helium says Costco offered him nonrecreational growth. “It conscionable gave maine a consciousness of—don’t leave, thrust this 1 out,” helium said.

Other benefits person been life-saving. After his woman of 26 years was diagnosed with signifier 3 encephalon cancer, his Costco wellness security covered the afloat outgo of her 3 encephalon surgeries. He was capable to instrumentality paid permission for astir a twelvemonth to assistance his family.