Freshen up your home with these tasks that you can tackle on your own. mimagephotography / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Point2. One of the best things about owning your home is the ability to put your stamp on it. And, by doing the work yourself, you’re in complete control over everything from the type of materials used to the final finish. Of course, it’s always best to get the pros in for those jobs you’re uncomfortable with, but DIYing can be immensely…
This is where you’ll find well-trained doctors and competitive pricing. Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas. Health care is a primary concern for anyone moving overseas. When it comes to Central America, there’s an outdated notion of health care in that region as being primitive. Fortunately, bloodletting and leeches are as foreign to Panamanians as using car indicators. In Panama, while the state-run hospitals can be…
Discover the metropolitan areas poised to skyrocket in 2024’s housing market. oliverdelahaye / Shutterstock.com
Where is the nation’s housing market headed? No one can say for sure, of course. But experts are predicting that some markets will boom in the new year. Recently, Realtor.com looked at the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas and found 10 that are expected to do exceptionally well in 2024. The conclusions were based on projected year-over-year increases in existing-home sale prices and the…
Costco has some great sales going on this month. Take a look at some of the discounted products you can find before the new year.
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Although Costco is generally known for its competitive prices, the reality is that the warehouse club’s giant inventory runs the gamut from inexpensive household essentials to higher-end electronics that cost thousands of dollars. And no matter what end of that spectrum you tend to shop at, it’s always a good idea to be on the lookout for even bigger discounts.
Right now, Costco has a number of great deals going on. Here are five worth checking out.
Laundry is the sort of thing that never really goes away. But why not save money in the course of getting that chore done? Costco has its signature Kirkland-brand detergent available for $3.90 off of the usual price. Stock up on a second jug if you have the space in your laundry room so you’re not forced to pay extra if you run out a time when it’s not discounted.
If you’re planning to do a lot of traveling in the near term, then investing in some Apple AirTags could spare you a world of stress in the event of misplaced baggage. Or, if you’re someone who tends to lose important things (like your wallet), AirTags are a good investment — so you might as well get them at a lower price than usual.
If you have a larger family, limited couch space might be an issue during movie nights or gatherings. You can solve that problem by investing in a kids’ lounge chair. Costco is offering an oversized child’s lounger for $50 off the usual price. It’s a great chair for reading, watching TV, or just plain relaxing. And since kids tend to be messy, you might appreciate that it comes with a removable cover that’s washable.
Many parents are shocked to learn how expensive it is to pay for a child’s piano lessons. If you have a budding musician, here’s some more bad news: You might have to shell out upward of $1,000 to buy a quality piano so your child can practice at home.
Right now, though, Costco is offering a steep discount on a Roland digital piano bundle that comes with an adjustable bench and stereo headphones. The piano features a classic key array but comes with added sounds and Bluetooth technology that lets you play along with songs you stream. You also get access to the Roland Piano app, which comes loaded with learning games.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your laptop, now’s a good time to do it, since you can save a cool $500 on this Lenovo model. It features a clear touchscreen display, 32 GB of memory, and an integrated webcam.
One big benefit of buying electronics at Costco is that you get free technical support with your purchase. So should you run into issues setting up your laptop or using it, you’re covered.
Also, Costco electronics generally come with a free second-year warranty. When you’re shelling out the money for a more expensive purchase, that’s the sort of protection you want. Elsewhere, you might have to pay a few hundred dollars for an extended warranty on a laptop.
These are just a handful of the many deals Costco is offering in stores and online this December. If money is tight due to all of your holiday shopping, then it may not be the best time to buy extra products. But if your personal finances have the flexibility to take advantage of these deals, then it’s worth doing so if these are items you can get great use out of.
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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.
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.Maurie Backman has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Saving $7,500 in 2024 is a fantastic goal. As you work to boost your savings in 2024, you may want to focus on a smaller monthly goal. Find out why.
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We’re well into December, so now is the time to consider what New Year’s resolutions you want to tackle. Many Americans are planning to make financial resolutions for 2024.
Saving more money is a common goal. Do you have a lofty goal of saving $7,500 in 2024? You can do it. Here are some tips that could help you achieve your goal by year-end.
Having extra money in the bank can be advantageous. If you lose your job unexpectedly or end up with a surprise car repair bill, you can use the funds in your savings account to avoid taking on credit card debt. As you establish a savings goal for 2024, don’t feel overwhelmed by the number.
At the start of the year, a big goal like $7,500 can feel impossible to reach. But if you find a different way of approaching your goal, it may feel more doable. What if you broke the goal down into smaller monthly chunks? For many people, smaller goals are more approachable and less scary.
To save $7,500 next year, you’ll need to set aside $625 monthly. Focusing on your monthly savings goal may help reduce some of the overwhelm you feel so you can feel motivated to start.
Where you decide to keep your savings fund is crucial. As you tackle your savings goal, keeping your extra cash in a bank account that earns interest is beneficial. Most checking accounts don’t earn interest, so a savings account is a great place to keep these funds.
With one of the best high-yield savings accounts, you can get rewarded for keeping your money in the bank. Any money earned from interest is a win. If you don’t yet have a savings account, you may want to open one before the new year begins so you’re ready to save.
If you’ve struggled to save previously, you may have had difficulties because you forgot to transfer the money into your savings account. Some people get forgetful and spend the money they intended to save. When you rely on manual bank transfers, it’s easy to let this happen.
For this reason, I suggest automating your savings to stay on track. You can enable automated transfers by logging into your account using your bank’s mobile app or website. Your money will then be transferred from your checking account to your savings account regularly.
You can also save time by following this strategy, as well as eliminate the risk of accidentally spending your money before it reaches your savings account. Taking a few moments to set up an automated savings plan could be the primary reason you reach your savings goal next year.
Don’t wait until January to set goals. Now is a great time to make financial resolutions for 2024. By getting a head start outlining your goals for the new year, you’ll have time to formulate a plan. It’s never too late to make changes that allow you to improve your personal finances.
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Want to fly in business class without the high cost? You may be able to pay to upgrade your economy seat. Here’s why you should check airline upgrade offers.
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Flying in business class is more comfortable than flying in economy. But for the average person, the high ticket cost deters them from paying to sit in a premium cabin. I purchased airline tickets months ago for an upcoming international trip that my husband and I will take.
Because of the high airfare prices, economy class tickets were the only option for our budget. But I’ve been monitoring the seat upgrade offers in our airline’s mobile app over the last few weeks. Let me explain why you may want to do this if you have an upcoming trip.
Just because you purchase an economy plane ticket initially doesn’t mean you must fly in an economy seat. Most major airlines allow passengers to pay to upgrade your seats. You may be shown an upgrade offer in your airline’s mobile app in the weeks or months leading up to your departure date.
For U.S.-based airlines, a set dollar amount will be displayed. You’ll need to agree to pay that price (in addition to what you already paid for your initial ticket) to upgrade your seat. Some airlines, typically international ones, allow you to bid for an upgrade — meaning you tell them how much you’re willing to pay. You’ll find out before takeoff if your offer is accepted.
If you’re flying with one of the major U.S. carriers, you should know that upgrade offers can and do change. You could see an upgrade offer for $1,700 one day and $925 another day. I’ve been monitoring the upgrade offers as we get closer to our departure date.
I was initially planning to upgrade to premium economy seats for our long-haul flight because it cost less than $100 to upgrade each seat. I thought having more legroom would be nice since it would be a long overnight flight. At that low price, my personal finances wouldn’t suffer.
To my surprise, one morning, when reviewing upgrade offers as I had been doing nearly everyday for weeks, I saw an offer to upgrade our economy seats to business class for only $655 each. I don’t think I’ve ever rushed so fast to charge my credit card for $1,310.
I had seen prices well over $1,500 days earlier and wasn’t willing to pay more than $3,000 for us to fly in business class. My story is a reminder that you should continue to review airline upgrade offers before your departure date. Of course, there’s no guarantee, but there’s a possibility that the price could decline, making for an affordable way to fly in business class.
If you’ve been given advice such as, “Dress nicely to get an upgrade” or “ask the gate attendant if you can get on the upgrade list,” you should know that this guidance is outdated. Unfortunately, airlines aren’t giving away free upgrades out of the goodness of their hearts.
It’s possible to get upgraded if you’re an elite status member, but you should never count on a free business class upgrade. Many airlines would prefer to sell an unsold business class seat rather than give it away for free. Even if the flier only paid a few hundred dollars for an upgrade.
The next time you fly, take a peek at the upgrade offers — and check them again. You may get the opportunity to experience business class for an affordable price. If you pay for a seat upgrade, use one of the best travel rewards credit cards to earn rewards on your spending.
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