These major metro areas offer the best access to local food markets.
Interest in locally grown food is picking up once again. Farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer food outlets serve as key pillars of healthy eating and local economic support — particularly at a time when rising food costs and tariffs on imported goods have many consumers rethinking their grocery habits. To better understand how Americans are engaging with local food…
My father-in-law just booked an $8,000 vacation — through a travel agent. (Honestly, I didn’t even know travel agents still existed.)
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But that’s not the wildest part — he paid for the whole thing with a debit card.
I know better than to tell my FIL how to handle money, so I kept my mouth shut. But on the inside I was screaming, because not only did he just forfeit hundreds of dollars in credit card rewards, but he also missed out on potential travel insurance. If anything goes wrong on the trip, there’s very little recourse without insurance.
Here are three situations when paying with a credit card is a far better choice than a debit card.
Booking flights, hotels, or vacation packages with a debit card is a rookie move. You should always use a travel rewards card. Here’s why:
Take my father-in-law’s $8,000 trip. Had he used a travel rewards card earning 5 points per dollar spent, he could’ve banked at least 40,000 points. This could be worth about $400 or more towards his next vacation. Also, if there’s a flight delay or issue, his card’s insurance might’ve kicked in.
Are you earning the most travel rewards possible? Compare the best travel credit cards here, perfect for your summer travel plans.
Thinking of buying a new laptop, fridge, or Peloton? Skip the debit card and use a credit card.
Many credit cards come with:
Let’s say you drop your new iPad two weeks after buying it. If you used a credit card with purchase protection, your card company might pay for a repair or replacement.
Extended warranties can be a life-saver, too. For example, one of our favorite cards offers amazing protections for shopping (and travel!), including extending the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year. Read the full card review and details here.
Fraud is way more common online. And while both debit and credit cards offer some fraud protection, the difference is in how fast and how well things get resolved.
With debit cards, any fraudulent transactions hit your bank account immediately. It can take days or weeks to get refunded, and meanwhile you’re out of pocket.
With credit cards, you’re not liable for fraudulent charges (thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act). You can easily dispute shady transactions before money comes out of your bank account.
No matter what card you use, it’s always a good practice to check your transactions regularly.
If you see something weird, call your bank or card issuer ASAP. They’ll put a lock on your card to stop more charges and help you file a fraud report.
Debit cards have their place. But for travel, online shopping, and big-ticket buys, credit cards come out on top with better rewards, better protection, and more peace of mind.
Check out our top pick credit cards for May 2025, packed with the most rewards and protections.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
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Saving money is never a bad thing. But saving too much — in the wrong places — can actually hold you back from earning more.
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I learned this the hard way when I realized my growing emergency fund wasn’t earning much, while potential investments sat ignored.
If you’re sitting on a large pile of cash, here are three signs it might be time to put your money elsewhere.
It’s smart to keep three to six months’ worth of expenses in a savings account. That’s enough to cover most types of emergencies, like job loss, medical bills, and other surprises. But once you’ve saved that amount, any additional money could be earning more elsewhere.
The best place to keep your short-term savings is in a high-yield savings account, the best of which are offering up to 4.40% APY at the moment. That means you’ll be earning a solid return even on the money you want to remain flexible.
Open one of our favorite high-yield savings accounts today to start earning more on your short-term savings.
If you’ve built up your savings but haven’t started investing, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools for building wealth.
That’s because since 1980, the S&P 500 Index has had an average annual return of 12%, including reinvested dividends. That kind of growth simply doesn’t happen in a savings account.
Even small, steady investments can add up. Putting just a few hundred dollars a month into an index fund can earn you tens of thousands of dollars in the long run thanks to the power of compound interest.
The same goes for a 401(k) or IRA, which are some of the best tools available to save money for your retirement. And if you haven’t started saving for retirement, do it today — as the saying goes, better late than never.
There are dozens of brokers out there offering different tools for different types of investors. If you’re new to investing or saving for retirement, check out this list of the best online brokers for beginners to get started.
If you’re holding extra savings but haven’t paid off credit card debt or high-interest loans, you’re likely losing money. Even the best savings account APY won’t come close to offsetting 20% APR on a credit card balance. It’s like swimming against the tide.
Keeping your emergency fund intact is still important. But after that, every extra dollar could make a bigger impact paying down debt than sitting in your savings.
Saving money is a great feeling, but it’s important not to rest on your laurels. At a certain point, having too much cash can actually start hindering your finances.
If your emergency fund is full, it’s time to level up: pay off your high-interest debt and start investing for your future.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Opening a credit card with 0% intro APR can be a smart way to pay off debt or fund a large purchase. But there’s one mistake that can wipe out that benefit in an instant: making a late payment.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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Issuers reserve the right to cancel your promotional APR period if you pay late even once. That means the interest you thought you were avoiding could kick in earlier than expected, defeating the entire purpose of getting a 0% intro APR card.
Here’s what you need to know — and how you can avoid getting your intro offer revoked.
Right now, credit cards are offering introductory 0% APR periods lasting as long as 21 months. That makes them great for balance transfers and financing large purchases so you can pay them off over time.
But the catch is that the offer can end early if you violate any of the offer terms. The easiest way to violate those terms is by not making a payment on time.
Once that happens, your APR could jump to the card’s regular rate — or worse, an elevated penalty APR. That makes your interest-free period useless if you’re relying on it to carry a balance.
Not all credit card issuers have the same language in their 0% APR offer terms, meaning some may be more lenient than others. Still, there are no guarantees.
Every issuer has the right to end your promo period, and in most cases, they will. If you’re more than 30 days late or have a history of missed payments, you’re likely out of luck.
Looking for a valuable long-term balance transfer card? Check out one of our favorites for a chance to wipe out your debt interest-free for nearly two years.
If you’re relying on a promo APR, there are a few things you can do to make sure you keep it:
A 0% intro APR can save you a fortune in interest charges, but missing a payment can cut your promo period short. Even with more forgiving issuers, don’t count on a free pass.
Keep planning ahead, setting up protections, and making minimum payments so your promo APR remains intact.
Ready to get 0% intro APR on purchases for up to 21 months? Check out our list of the best 0% intro APR cards now.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Saving for retirement can be simple. Follow a few basic principles, and your wealth can grow exponentially. But there are some pitfalls that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
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Here are four retirement mistakes that could slash your nest egg by $50,000 or more — and how to steer clear of each one.
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts, like 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), offer huge tax breaks. Investments held in these accounts are free from capital gains and dividend tax — which are 15% each for the average American.
Let’s say you invest $6,000 a year for 30 years, earning 7% annually. You’ll have $567,000.
Note that you only pay capital gains tax when you sell your investments. So that tax would likely be paid over the course of many years as you sold investments for income. Still, you’d probably owe thousands of dollars per year.
Luckily, almost anyone can open an IRA — and it usually takes just a few minutes. Click here to learn more about IRAs and open an account through one of the top brokers today.
Only the very wealthy can afford to stash all their money in a savings account. The rest of us need to invest; otherwise our savings won’t grow fast enough to support us in retirement.
Say you’re nervous about the stock market, so you put your retirement savings in a “safe” place — like bonds or even a savings account — earning 3%. Compare that to someone who invests in a mix of stocks and bonds earning 7% annually.
That’s a difference of $282,000.
If you’re years from retirement, most of your money should be in stocks. You have time to ride out the market’s ups and downs, and your returns will likely be much higher than the APY of any savings account. Stock market index funds and target-date funds make great “starter” investments.
If you need help building your retirement portfolio, then consider getting some professional advice. A short questionnaire from our partner, SmartAsset, helps match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest.
If you put off retirement saving for even a few years, it can cost you a huge amount of money down the road.
Let’s again say you invest $6,000 per year and earn 7% annually. Here’s how much you’d end up with if you saved for…
Starting just five years later would cost you $188,000.
So start saving now, even if it’s just a small amount. Time is the biggest factor in building wealth through investing.
Say you withdraw $10,000 from your 401(k) in your 30s. Not only will you pay taxes and a 10% early-withdrawal penalty, but you’ll also miss out on future growth.
Total cost of early withdrawal: $55,200
Only tap your retirement accounts as a last resort. Ideally, you have three to six months’ worth of expenses in a savings account so you’ll never need to make an early retirement savings withdrawal.
The good news is that even your savings can earn a decent return. There are high-yield savings accounts paying APYs as high as 4.40%. Click here to see a list of the top high-yield savings accounts and start earning more interest now.
Every one of these mistakes is avoidable. You don’t need to make perfect choices — you just need to make smart ones early and often. Take advantage of tax savings, stay invested, and don’t let short-term fear mess with your future.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Those advertised travel deals that seem too good to be true usually are.
You’ve just scored a $99 flight to Miami. Feeling pretty smug about your bargain-hunting skills? Hold that thought. At checkout, your total shows $287. Welcome to the modern travel industry’s favorite game: Hide the fees. These charges aren’t technically hidden — they’re just strategically placed where you’ll notice them only after you’re emotionally invested in booking. Airlines, hotels…
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