Money Management

Makers like to tinker and create. Check out these Costco deals that can help them design and build just about anything. 

Many of us have makers in our lives, the folks who like to design, code, build, and tinker, figuring out how things work — and how to make them work better. Makers are often quite passionate about their hobbies, so it’s a good way to inspire your gift-giving.

If you’re looking for a big-budget gift for your favorite maker, Costco has a few notable deals out right now. Watch those sales dates, however, as they’re ending soon.

1. $300 off: Lenovo Flex 5i 16″ Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop

This two-in-one laptop has a lot to offer techie and artistic makers, offering a full touchscreen complete with a Lenovo digital pen. You can sketch, design, code, or simply browse the net for inspiration, all in one machine.

More details: Lenovo Flex 5i 16″ Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop – 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U – Windows 11 – Abyss Blue

Sale price: $599.99

Sale ends: Dec. 4, 2023

2. $200 off: TRINITY 66″ Stainless Steel Rolling Workbench

Makers who like to DIY and home repair need a solid place to work, and this stainless steel workbench is certainly solid. It features a durable butcher block top, drawers that can hold 100 pounds a pop, and heavy-duty casters for easily moving it around the workroom or garage.

More details: 20-gauge stainless steel, 1.5″ thick butcher block top, heavy-duty 5″ x 2″ casters, lockable drawers and cabinet

Sale price: $779.99

Sale ends: Dec. 17, 2023

3. $100 off: Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine with Smart Materials

If you can design it, you can cut it on more than 100 different materials with this machine. This includes vinyl — we love making our own decals! — iron-on, stock paper, felt, leather, and bonded fabric. Make your own t-shirts, cut custom holiday cards, design bespoke quilts; push your creativity to the limit.

More details: Bluetooth compatible, requires free Design Space app; bundle includes a variety of Smart Materials, as well as a few basic tools

Sale price: $299.99

Sale ends: Dec. 4, 2023

4. $30 off: LEGO Main Street

Amateur engineers can build three different pre-designed City Adventures with this single set, including a quaint Main Street, four-floor apartment building and park, or a bustling market street. Or they can let their imaginations out and design their own charming town center.

More details: 1,459 pieces, including six minifigures; recommended for ages 9 and up.

Sale price: $94.99

Sale ends: Dec. 4, 2023

More affordable gift ideas

Alright, so I’ll be the first to admit that these are not exactly the most affordable items. As much as we like shopping at Costco, you may have to venture elsewhere for the right gifts. You can easily find something great that’s also more financially friendly.

Tool or project kits

Every maker, tinkerer, and DIYer I’ve ever known loves their tools, so this is often a safe bet. Get them chatting about their hobbies to get an idea of what kinds of tools they have, and what they might need.

Project kits that come with the tools, supplies, and a guide are especially great gifts for younger or beginning makers. Having a specific project to complete makes it easier to explore something new without being overwhelmed by the possibilities.

Parts and supplies

Depending on the nature of your giftee’s hobbies, this could take on all sorts of appearances. Most maker hobbies involve some sort of consumable, and we’re always happy for more!

Do they like to build their own circuits? A collection of resistors, capacitors, and other various parts could be a welcome gift. Are they more of a fixer — or, at least, a taker-apart-er? Hit the thrift shop for older electronics they can take apart and (maybe?) put back together again.

Again, have a chat about their hobbies to get a better idea of what sorts of things they go through the most. (You can also ask parents or spouses, who likely are all too familiar with what supplies their kids/partners are always using up.)

As you can see, you can find great gifts for makers of all sorts all along the price spectrum. It’s really up to you — and your bank account — how much you spend.

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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.Brittney Myers 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.

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A lot of factors influence your auto insurance premiums. Here are three signs you ought to shop around for a better deal next year. 

A new year means a fresh start to most people, and it’s a time when many choose to take stock of their finances and plan the changes they want to make. This might include saving more or reducing spending in a certain area. But I have another item you might want to put on your list: shopping for new auto insurance.

If any of the following three situations apply to you, it’s probably worth doing. You could save yourself quite a bit of money next year.

1. Your current insurance won’t fit into your budget anymore

This one is pretty obvious, but it’s important. Everyone needs auto insurance to drive legally. If a driver doesn’t have it, they could face fines, vehicle registration suspension, or even jail time. So just dropping coverage if a policy is too expensive isn’t a good idea.

Instead, shop around and compare rates from competitors to see if another company can provide the desired coverage at a more affordable price. Or if maintaining the current coverage isn’t feasible with any carrier, check to see which insurance company offers the most coverage at a budget-friendly price.

2. You haven’t shopped around in a long time

Many auto insurers use a technique called price optimization to squeeze drivers for all they can get. Essentially, the companies evaluate how likely they think a driver is to leave them by looking at how often they shop around for a better rate. Those who the company deems more likely to stick around through thick and thin pay more.

Some states have outlawed this practice, but many have not. Drivers who don’t want to worry about this should make it a practice to shop for better rates at least every year or two, even if they don’t wind up switching.

3. Your circumstances have changed

Drivers are supposed to tell their insurers about major changes that could affect their policies, such as moving to another state or buying a new vehicle. Failing to notify the insurer of these changes could result in it denying coverage for claims.

Changes like these can raise auto insurance premiums, but they might lower them too. If a driver has a fancy sports car, which they trade in to buy a used minivan, they’ll probably see their auto insurance premiums fall. Or if they switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle, they might qualify for car insurance discounts that help them save more.

Drivers might be able to save simply by contacting their current insurer, but it makes sense to shop around, too. The current insurer’s offer might not be the best one around. The only way to know is to compare quotes from a few companies to see what’s available.

Remember, shopping for auto insurance doesn’t mean you have to switch providers. Even if you ultimately decide to remain with your current insurer, you can at least feel confident that you’re getting the best possible deal because you took the time to do your research.

Our best car insurance companies for 2022

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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.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Keeping your Costco membership isn’t the right move for everyone. Find out how to tell if you should continue paying to shop at Costco. 

Costco memberships start at $60 a year for a basic membership. It can be well worth the hit to your checking account if you’re using the warehouse club regularly and saving money.

But that’s not everyone’s situation. Some people have a Costco membership that shouldn’t. Be on the lookout for these three signs you shouldn’t renew your membership in 2024.

1. You’re overspending when you go to the warehouse club

Costco stores are set up to make you buy things you don’t really need. In fact, Costco’s recent earnings report revealed that the number of things people buy in each transaction at the warehouse club has gone up as the store strategically added 50 new, inexpensive impulse items to its assortment of products.

Costco’s floor plan also forces you to walk through most of the store to get to necessities, which increases the chances of unplanned purchases. And, of course, the store offers samples of food products, which inevitably leads to people tossing some of those tasty treats into their carts.

Unfortunately, it can be hard not to fall victim to these tactics and spend more than you should. I know personally, on my visits to warehouse clubs, I always end up with a few extra items in my cart — and if I have kids with me, then sometimes I end up with practically an entire extra cart full.

If you regularly have higher credit card bills because you’re buying things that weren’t on your Costco list, you may be better off not renewing your membership.

2. You’re throwing out a lot of bulk products

Close to 40% of all food in America is wasted, and more than $408 billion in food is thrown away annually. Unfortunately, the bulk-sized products at places like Costco can make this worse. If you’re buying an industrial-size box of cereal and eating only one-third of it, you’re wasting food and money.

Check your stock at home and see how much is expired and no longer good, and think back over the past few months at how much Costco stuff you’ve had to throw away. If you’re tossing a quarter or more of your bulk purchases in the trash because you can’t eat them fast enough, then keeping your membership isn’t the right choice and you’re better off not renewing.

3. Going to Costco is no longer convenient for you

Costco has a total of 867 warehouses as of November 2023. This means many people have a Costco near them, but not everyone. If you’ve moved or you find that going to Costco isn’t convenient, you may want to cancel your membership.

If you decide that sticking with Costco isn’t the right choice, turn off auto-renew if you have it set up. Instructions for turning off auto-renew can be found on the Costco website. You just sign into your account, and under the “Account” heading, you’ll choose the “Renew Membership” option, where you can remove auto-renew. Do this at least two days before your membership resets.

By not renewing your Costco membership, you can redirect the money you would have spent on your membership fees — and the money wasted on impulse buys or unused products — toward more important financial goals.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our experts love this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, an insane 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.
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.Christy Bieber 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.

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Credit cards can get a bad reputation, but they could pay off for you if you take advantage of an extended warranty or other perks. Learn more here. 

Credit cards are a financial tool that many people worry about using. That makes sense to a degree. Credit cards have high interest rates and low minimum payments, so there’s a risk you’ll get trapped with expensive debt that takes years to repay.

But if you use credit cards responsibly, choosing this payment method could benefit you. Here are three examples of when using a credit card could be a great move.

1. If you take advantage of the card’s extended warranty

Many cards offer an extended manufacturer warranty, including several Chase cards that give you an extra year on top of the manufacturer guarantee if the manufacturer warranty was for three years or less.

Let’s say you buy an expensive refrigerator with a two-year warranty and it breaks in year three (which always seems to happen, at least in my house). If you take advantage of your card’s extended warranty protections to pay for repairs or a replacement, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on what part went kaput and the repair cost.

2. If you pay your credit card bill on time and build credit

Two of the most important factors in the credit scoring formula are payment history and credit utilization (amount of credit used relative to credit available). Getting a credit card, paying it off each month, and not charging more than 30% of your available balance can help you improve your credit score.

A good credit score can make a huge difference in many important aspects of your financial life. Let’s say you get a $300,000 mortgage to buy a house. If your credit score was excellent (in the 760 to 850 range) due to responsible credit use, your rate would average 6.86% as of Nov. 28, 2023, and your monthly payment would be $1,968. But if your credit was in the 640 to 659 range, your rate would average 7.90% and you’d be looking at paying $2,181 per month.

The boost to your credit score from responsible credit card use (paying your card on time and not charging too much) could have a huge impact if you decide to buy a home — or take out other loans like a car loan or personal loan.

3. If you earn enough rewards to get free stuff

Finally, using a credit card could pay off for you if you’re able to earn enough rewards to get free stuff. Say, for example, you use a cash back credit card that provides 2% cash back on all purchases. If you charge $5,000 on your card during the year, you’d get $100 back, which is enough for a nice meal out.

And the more you use your card, the more rewards you could potentially earn — especially if you pick the right card that is a good match for your spending. Last year, for example, I used my American Airlines branded credit card enough to earn a free trip for my entire family. That was three airline tickets I didn’t have to pay for.

It’s crucial to pay off your card in full each month so you don’t end up paying a lot of interest. But as long as you do that and pay your card on time, your card use could have huge benefits that make getting a credit card well worth it.

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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.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The holidays are a popular time to travel. Spend less on holiday travel this season by following these helpful pointers. 

It’s fun to travel for the holidays, whether that’s to visit family or go on a vacation somewhere warm. It’s usually not cheap, though. Because so many people have time off and want to travel around this time of year, prices go way up. And since the holidays are now just weeks away, it’s harder to find deals.

That doesn’t mean your holiday travel needs to cost you an arm and a leg. When you know all the methods seasoned travelers use to cut their costs, you could save hundreds on your trip.

1. Book with points instead of cash

If you’ve been using travel credit cards, now is the time to put those travel points to use. Using points is one of the best ways to save on the biggest travel costs. You could use miles to book an airline ticket and only need to pay the taxes and fees. If you have the points for a hotel stay, you may not need to pay a cent for it.

Check how many travel points you have and how you can use them. Some credit cards have transferable points that you can use with a variety of airlines and hotels. Other cards let you redeem your points at a set rate, such as $0.01 per point, for any sort of travel purchase. And there are also cards that give you both of those options.

2. Use Google to compare flight and hotel prices

When I book travel, Google is often my first stop. It pulls prices directly from airline and hotel websites, as well as online travel agencies. This makes it easy to compare prices and find the cheapest place to book.

You don’t need to check if a hotel is cheaper on Expedia, Hotels.com, or the hotel’s own website. With Google’s hotel search, you’ll see exactly how much each platform is charging for a room.

3. Be flexible about when you fly

Flight prices can vary quite a bit. Sometimes just flying out one day earlier or later could save you hundreds of dollars. The same is true if you’re booking with miles — tickets may cost half as many miles on one day as they do on the next.

Check prices on different dates when planning your holiday travel. Many airlines have low-fare calendars you can use to do this. If possible, try to build your trip around the most affordable travel dates.

It also helps if you’re open to early morning and red-eye flights, as prices tend to be lower for these. Early morning is even the best time to fly, as it reduces your likelihood of experiencing delays or cancellations.

4. Watch out for extra fees

Before you book anything, make sure to check if there could be any extra fees you’ll need to pay. Budget airlines are known for this. They lure you in with airfare for under $50, and then you find out that pretty much everything outside of a boarding pass costs extra. Taking a carry-on that doesn’t fit under your seat? That’ll be an extra $30, $40, or more, depending on whether you pay for it online or at the airport. Want to pick your seat location ahead of time? That could cost you $15 or more.

It’s important to account for fees so you know what’s really the most affordable option. And by knowing about potential fees, you could also figure out ways to avoid them. For example, most airlines charge a fee for checked bags. To avoid that, you can travel light, or get an airline credit card that includes free checked baggage.

5. Bring your own snacks, or visit an airport lounge

Grabbing a bite to eat while you travel is notoriously expensive, especially for families. Airport meal prices can be double what you’d pay anywhere else.

Stock up on snacks before you travel so you don’t need to spend $30 to $50 on a meal at the airport. Keep in mind that you don’t need to pay for water at the airport, either. If you bring a reusable water bottle with you, you can fill it up once you’re past the security checkpoint.

Airport lounges are another good way to save on food when you travel. Access rules vary, but there are normally lounges available to passengers flying in business class or first class. There are also lots of credit cards with airport lounge access. If you’re a frequent flyer, one of those cards could be worth getting.

It’s still possible to travel this holiday season for a reasonable cost. Try putting those tips into action, and you should be able to go where you want without too much of an impact on your finances.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our experts love this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, an insane cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee.

In fact, this card is so good that our experts even use it personally. Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Read our free review

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.Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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