Discover the many reasons why Belize should be on your overseas investment list. Akarawut / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas. Belize is the best property value you’ll find in the Caribbean, with properties selling for a fraction of what most other Caribbean destinations sell for. It is one of the world’s most solid investment options in this post-pandemic era, with buyers more motivated than ever to find a property overseas.
A Costco membership can save a savvy shopper money, but it’s not right for everyone. Find out when you know it’s time to cancel your membership.
Image source: Getty Images
Millions of Americans have a Costco membership. For some, making regular trips to their nearest warehouse store saves money. But what about those who aren’t getting their money’s worth? If you see yourself in any of the following four situations, it may be time to consider whether a Costco membership is working for you and your finances.
My boys are close in age, and both left for college within 2 years of each other. I was accustomed to making meals for our boys and a regular crowd of their friends. Warehouse shopping made sense, given the number of people I fed.
When it was just my husband and me, I no longer needed to buy huge quantities of anything. Honestly, it took me quite a while to get used to the change. I overbought more often than I’d like to admit, telling myself I wanted plenty in the freezer when the boys came home to visit.
After letting a shameful amount of food expire and go to waste, I finally started shopping for two. To this day, as I walk through Costco, I have to remind myself how bad I feel when I throw food away when I don’t get around to using it.
According to Feeding America, Americans toss over $444 billion worth of food each year. That equals 149 billion meals that could have been served to those in need. I don’t tell you this to make you feel bad. I’ve been as guilty (or more) of food waste as just about anyone I know. I’m not sure how much of that waste I’m responsible for, but it makes me slightly ill to think of the extra money that could have gone into a savings account rather than tossed into a dumpster.
However, if you’re buying in bulk when you don’t need to, it’s an easy fix. You can always skip aisles selling bulk items. Or you can consider whether your Costco membership is still working for you.
With 600 Costco warehouses spread out across 47 states, it’s fair to say that millions of shoppers have easy access. However, if you live an hour or more away from your nearest Costco, it may be time to reassess whether you’re saving enough money to justify the annual expense.
Determine how much you estimate you’re saving each year by visiting your nearest Costco. Is it much more than you would save by shopping sales at local grocery and department stores? If you’re not sure what those savings may look like, free shopping apps can give you an idea.
You’ll also want to determine how much you’re spending on gas before making a final determination.
If you’ve been sharing your Costco membership with extended family members, you’ve likely noticed that the retailer is clamping down on the practice. The Costco website states, “The Costco membership card is non-transferable, but there are several ways to share the experience with family and friends.”
Here’s what that means: Members are allowed to bring up to two guests with them when they visit the warehouse. However, those guests are not allowed to make purchases. All purchases must be made by the Costco member.
The guest policy has not changed. What’s different is that Costco has recently turned its attention to ensuring that all purchases are made by Costco members. To that end, some store employees use spot-checks to ask shoppers for photo IDs. And, according to an email from Costco to the Dallas Morning News, stores are now asking to see membership cards with photos at self-service checkout registers.
Gone are the days of sharing a single membership with extended family members and friends. If the ability to share the membership is one of the reasons you’ve held on to it, now is the time to reassess.
Who among us has not strolled through a Costco store, stopped to look at an item they absolutely could have lived without, and carried it to the checkout line? One thing that makes Costco so much fun is looking through the new merchandise. However, if you’re hoping to stick with a budget, buying unnecessary things is sure to put a dent in your checking account.
You know those samples Costco is famous for offering, the ones that make you want to circle around more than once? There’s a good reason they’re offered. A study by Arbitron and Edison Media Research found that 35% of customers who try a sample will buy the sampled product on the same shopping trip. Sampling removes the risk of making a purchase they may not end up liking.
Sampling is a great marketing tool, but it may not be good for your bottom line.
Costco makes several things easy: paying for a membership, making returns, and canceling your membership. Costco is not one of those companies that makes customers jump through hoops to cancel their membership. If you decide that your Costco membership is no longer working out for you, you have two easy options.
Visit the membership counter at any Costco warehouse and receive an immediate refund.Call the Costco Member Services Center at 800-774-2678.
One thing we know for sure about life is that circumstances change. If a Costco membership once made sense for you but no longer provides the value you desire, it’s okay to cancel. You can always renew your membership if the situation changes again.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. This card 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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
There are certain states with much higher insurance costs than others. Here’s where you can expect to pay the most, and why that’s the case.
Image source: Getty Images
Auto insurance premiums can vary considerably based on where you live. In simple terms, drivers in certain states are more likely to get into accidents or file insurance claims, and premiums reflect that. With that in mind, here’s a look at which state has the most expensive auto insurance, and what factors can make auto insurance more or less expensive in a particular state.
To be sure, the state with the most expensive auto insurance somewhat depends on who you ask. There are some states that regularly appear at the top of most lists, including Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, and New York, but the order can vary considerably based on the criteria used in the research.
Having said that, according to research by CarInsurance.com, Florida has the most expensive car insurance, with an average annual premium of $2,560. Following in close second is Louisiana, with a $2,546 average. Delaware, Michigan, and California round out the top five, although premium costs there are all significantly less than the two highest-cost states.
Auto insurance premiums are a reflection of the insurance company’s expected losses. If an auto insurer anticipates a higher volume of claims in a certain state, it will charge more for insurance to make sure its business works.
There are several specific reasons why auto insurance in certain states is more expensive. Just to name some of the most significant:
Population density: If a state is more densely populated, it will have more cars per mile of roadway, which can lead to more accidents. I grew up in New Jersey, the most densely populated state, and this was a big reason insurance has an above-average price tag. New York is in the same category. On the other hand, while Florida isn’t one of the most densely populated states, it typically has a lot of tourists on the road at any given time, which creates the same effect on its roadways.Natural disasters: Florida and Louisiana are two of the most hurricane-prone states in the nation. This creates a higher probability of storm-related insurance claims.Cold winters: States like Michigan and New York see a lot of snow. It is considerably more dangerous to drive on snow than on dry roads, or even in heavy rain.Uninsured motorists: A high percentage of uninsured motorists in a state increases the likelihood that an insurer will have to pay a claim even if you didn’t cause the accident. Florida has an uninsured motorist rate of 20.4%, one of the highest in the U.S.No-fault insurance laws: If you live in one of the 12 states with no-fault auto insurance laws, you’d have to file an injury claim with your own insurer, regardless of who caused the accident. Florida and Michigan are both on this list.
The cost of auto insurance depends on a lot of other variables, in addition to where you live. For example, your particular vehicle, your age and marital status, your driving record, and even your credit score can play a role. However, there are some states where you’re likely to get quoted significantly higher premiums because driving there represents a greater risk to the insurance company.
Ready to shop for car insurance? Whether you’re focused on price, claims handling, or customer service, we’ve researched insurers nationwide to provide our best-in-class picks for car insurance coverage. Read our free expert review today to get started.
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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Most cruise ships have casinos. Here are three ways to get the most value and enjoy your time.
Image source: Getty Images
Most cruise ships have casinos on board, and they are typically a prominent feature somewhere near the ship’s atrium or lobby. Not only do cruise ships pride themselves on offering many different entertainment options on board, but casinos can be a massive revenue center for cruise lines, so they want people to stop and play on their way to dinner or to the theater.
Gambling on a cruise can be a fun way to spend some of your time at sea. But there are some mistakes people make that could either take away from the enjoyment or cause you to miss out on valuable perks for players.
As an avid cruiser and someone who enjoys gambling on them (and getting the best deals possible on my trip), one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is not inserting their player’s card when gambling at a slot machine or giving it to the dealer when buying chips at a table. (Note: On most major cruise lines, your room key doubles as your casino player’s card.)
If you are using your onboard account for gambling funds, you’ll need to insert your card anyway. But even if you’re putting cash from your bank account into a machine, it’s important to use your card too. This way, the casino will track your play, and can offer you perks based on it, both on the current sailing and on future cruises. For example, most cruise lines have some sort of points system to track play and will give players free drinks in the casino for the rest of the trip after a certain total is reached.
Plus, you may receive offers in the mail afterwards, such as free drinks from day one on your next trip, higher amounts of onboard credit, and even completely free cruises that make your next trip friendlier to your personal finances. But none of this will happen if you simply put cash in the machine and your play isn’t tracked.
It’s a common misconception that casino offers are reserved for people who spend hours each day in the casino and spend thousands of dollars. In fact, you might be surprised at how a seemingly small amount of play can result in valuable offers.
As a personal example, while I tend to spend a significant amount of time in the casino, my wife typically joins me once during the trip and will play with $100 or $200 until it runs out. She receives offers such as $500 in onboard credit for her next cruise and has even been offered a free cruise in an interior room on certain off-peak sailings.
If you’re a regular at a land-based casino, you may not have to deal with that intense smoky smell that casinos were known for a couple decades ago. Many areas have banned smoking entirely in indoor spaces, some casinos have small smoking areas, and even in places where smoking in casinos is common (like in Las Vegas), the gaming spaces are massive and extremely well-ventilated.
Many people who haven’t gambled on cruises before are shocked to find out that indoor smoking in cruise casinos is still the industry standard. And compared with Las Vegas casinos, cruise ship casinos are rather small and tend to not be quite as ventilated. In simple terms, expect that a cruise ship’s main casino space will be quite smoky.
However, there are usually non-smoking areas, although they might not be clearly marked. For example, one common layout is that the casino is divided by a walkway that runs through it, with smoking allowed on one side only. Some ships (especially newer or larger ones) have a separate non-smoking casino space. It might be on another deck or in an out-of-the-way place, so be sure to ask the casino host on board.
As a final thought, keep in mind that casinos are designed to gradually take your money over time. The odds are always in the house’s favor, and slot machine payout percentages on cruise ships tend to be a little worse than you can find in land-based casinos. You may get lucky and end up ahead, but it’s wise to think of casino gaming as part of your entertainment budget on your cruise.
If you keep these tips in mind and approach gambling on a cruise correctly, the money you spend could end up coming with some nice perks.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. This card 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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Save money and space, add unique style to your home and reduce waste — you really can’t go wrong. Sussi Hj / Shutterstock.com
As the owner of a growing online resale business, I’m constantly surrounded by antiques, vintage clothes, midcentury furniture and curiosities too numerous to count. For me, organizing and decluttering isn’t a seasonal event, it’s a daily to-do. If you’re drowning in a sea of stuff, head to your local thrift shop. With a bit of creative inspiration, you’ll find dozens of tools to organize your…
Want to get a deal on your Spotify Premium Individual subscription? Paying with a Spotify gift card can offer savings. Find out what you need to know.
Image source: Getty Images
Streaming apps have grown in popularity over the last few years. These services offer convenient access to streaming entertainment solutions at home and on the go. However, many users have felt the strain of increased subscription prices.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on the cost of your Spotify Premium subscription, we have a hack for you to try.
Spotify has been slow to raise prices compared to many video-based streaming services. But in 2024, Spotify users are paying more than they once were. In July 2023, the company announced upcoming rate increases.
Because of these Spotify subscription price increases, users now pay $1 to $2 more monthly for ad-free music content. While this isn’t a significant increase, it’s one more example of how higher everyday costs impact our bank accounts.
A Premium Individual account costs $10.99 monthly, up $1 from the prior $9.99 monthly fee. If you’re hoping to save money and take advantage of the old rate, you can purchase a Spotify gift card as your payment method to get a discount on an annual Spotify subscription.
You can buy digital and physical Spotify gift cards at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Staples. The popular streaming service sells 12-month gift cards for $99. Take the following steps to apply your gift card toward an annual Spotify subscription:
Buy a 12-month Spotify gift card.Visit Spotify.com/redeem.Log in to your Spotify account.Enter the code from the back of your physical gift card or virtual gift card.Click “Redeem” to apply the gift card to your purchase.
By doing this, you’ll pay $99 for a year for a Premium Individual subscription instead of paying $131.88 in total when paying the monthly subscription fee. That’s a savings of over $30 a year.
If you subscribe to Premium Individual through Google Play, you’ll need to cancel your plan and subscribe as a Premium user directly through Spotify to use this workaround. Unfortunately, this hack won’t work for other Spotify Premium plans. Gift cards can’t be applied to Premium Duo or Premium Family plans.
Since I subscribe to Spotify Family, I can’t use this money-saving strategy. However, I chatted with a good friend who successfully used this hack. I’ve also read many success stories shared online. If you have a Premium Individual plan and love a deal, it’s worth a try.
If you’re looking for other ways to get a deal on a Spotify Premium subscription, you may want to consider switching plans. Premium Individual isn’t the only plan available. If you share a household with a partner, roommates, or friends, subscribing to Spotify Duo or Spotify Family and splitting the subscription cost could yield sizable savings.
Spotify Duo, available to two users in a household, costs $14.99 monthly. Spotify Family, which supports up to six users in one household, costs $16.99 monthly. These plans offer an excellent way for users in shared households to pay less for streaming subscription costs.
While you can’t use a Spotify gift card to pay for these plans, you can pay for your monthly subscription using a rewards credit card so you earn valuable rewards. If you prefer to earn cash back rewards, review our best cash back credit cards to find out how.
Are you looking for other ways to save money? Check out our free personal finance resources.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. This card 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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
© 2026 Madam Money®. All Rights Reserved. | Designed by SRJWebsites.com
