A Costco membership could be a hidden weapon for stretching your budget — but only if you know how to maximize it.
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Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. With inflation driving up prices on essentials, finding ways to stretch your dollar has never been more important. The annual Costco membership fee (currently $65 for the Gold Star level) might give some shoppers…
Here’s how to answer some of the most common job interview questions.
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Job interviews are not for the faint of heart. As a candidate, you need to make an impression and showcase your accomplishments and skills — all while making sure you find out as much as possible about your potential future job. We’ve decided to compile a comprehensive resource on interview questions, along with examples of how to answer them — so that you know what to expect and come prepared!
Dementia is complex, but this condition could be a significant piece of the puzzle.
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Nearly 1 in 3 new cases of dementia may be linked to clinically significant hearing loss, according to a recent study. Researchers looked at nearly 3,000 medical records of participants with an average age of 75, with eight years of follow-up data. In their analysis, researchers reaffirmed an association between people diagnosed with hearing loss and a higher rate of dementia. Their findings…
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At one point, I had over $20,000 sitting in my regular checking account earning just 0.01% APY. That’s a whole $2 per year in interest. But you know what happened when I wised up and switched to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) paying over 4.00%? I earned almost $800 for the year.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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. This is a common mistake. In fact, a recent survey found 82% of Americans don’t utilize high-yield savings accounts. Choosing the wrong type of bank means leaving hundreds — or thousands — of dollars on the table.If you’re sitting on a sizable cash pile, here are three common mistakes you should avoid when picking a place to store it.1. Settling for an ultra-low APYAccording to FDIC data, the national average interest rate on a checking account is 0.07% APY. That’s not just low — it’s microscopic.To be fair, checking accounts aren’t built as savings vehicles. They’re meant for everyday banking and money management.Meanwhile, for long-term cash storage, online high-yield savings accounts are currently offering 4.00% to 4.50% APY. The difference is huge. Even at 4.00%, you’d be earning nearly 60 times the average checking account APY.Here’s a 12-month comparison:BalanceChecking (0.07% APY)HYSA (4.10% APY)$5,000$3.50$205$10,000$7.00$410$25,000$17.50$1,025Data source: Author’s calculations.To do this week: Check your bank statements and see how much interest you earned last year. If it was less than a few dollars, you owe it to yourself to switch to a higher growth account!Still looking for the right account for you? Compare the top high-yield savings accounts here and find the right one for your money.2. Overlooking hidden feesEven if your bank advertises “free” savings accounts, they may be quietly charging:Monthly maintenance fees for low balancesPaper statement feesWithdrawal limits or penaltiesTransfer fees between accountsIf your savings are growing by 1%, but you’re losing $10/month in fees? That could be a net loss.Many online banks have no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and free transfers. That means more of your money stays exactly where it belongs — in your account, working for you.3. Stashing your savings somewhere that’s not FDIC insuredIt’s easy to assume your money is always safe in a digital account. But that’s not always the case!Many popular payment apps (like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App) aren’t FDIC insured by default. That means if the company goes under, you could lose your money.Flashy fintech accounts and crypto platforms don’t offer the same protections as a traditional bank or credit union.FDIC insurance means that if the bank fails, you still get your money back. Insurance is up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.Don’t worry — ALL of the high-yield savings accounts we love and recommend are FDIC members. Your savings are safe!Your next smart moveDon’t settle for a sub-par bank account — especially if you have a high balance ($5,000 or more) that could be earning you a decent amount in interest.Take 10 minutes today to investigate your current savings account. Look for a competitive APY, no sneaky fees, and full FDIC insurance. If it doesn’t check all three boxes, open a new HYSA today and get your dollars working harder for you.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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.Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends PayPal. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal and short June 2025 $77.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
At one point, I had over $20,000 sitting in my regular checking account earning just 0.01% APY. That’s a whole $2 per year in interest. But you know what happened when I wised up and switched to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) paying over 4.00%? I earned almost $800 for the year.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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!
This is a common mistake. In fact, a recent survey found 82% of Americans don’t utilize high-yield savings accounts. Choosing the wrong type of bank means leaving hundreds — or thousands — of dollars on the table.
If you’re sitting on a sizable cash pile, here are three common mistakes you should avoid when picking a place to store it.
1. Settling for an ultra-low APY
According to FDIC data, the national average interest rate on a checking account is 0.07% APY. That’s not just low — it’s microscopic.
To be fair, checking accounts aren’t built as savings vehicles. They’re meant for everyday banking and money management.
Meanwhile, for long-term cash storage, online high-yield savings accounts are currently offering 4.00% to 4.50% APY. The difference is huge. Even at 4.00%, you’d be earning nearly 60 times the average checking account APY.
Here’s a 12-month comparison:
Balance
Checking (0.07% APY)
HYSA (4.10% APY)
$5,000
$3.50
$205
$10,000
$7.00
$410
$25,000
$17.50
$1,025
Data source: Author’s calculations.
To do this week: Check your bank statements and see how much interest you earned last year. If it was less than a few dollars, you owe it to yourself to switch to a higher growth account!
Even if your bank advertises “free” savings accounts, they may be quietly charging:
Monthly maintenance fees for low balances
Paper statement fees
Withdrawal limits or penalties
Transfer fees between accounts
If your savings are growing by 1%, but you’re losing $10/month in fees? That could be a net loss.
Many online banks have no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and free transfers. That means more of your money stays exactly where it belongs — in your account, working for you.
3. Stashing your savings somewhere that’s not FDIC insured
It’s easy to assume your money is always safe in a digital account. But that’s not always the case!
Many popular payment apps (like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App) aren’t FDIC insured by default. That means if the company goes under, you could lose your money.
Flashy fintech accounts and crypto platforms don’t offer the same protections as a traditional bank or credit union.
FDIC insurance means that if the bank fails, you still get your money back. Insurance is up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.
Don’t worry — ALL of the high-yield savings accounts we love and recommend are FDIC members. Your savings are safe!
Your next smart move
Don’t settle for a sub-par bank account — especially if you have a high balance ($5,000 or more) that could be earning you a decent amount in interest.
Take 10 minutes today to investigate your current savings account. Look for a competitive APY, no sneaky fees, and full FDIC insurance. If it doesn’t check all three boxes, open a new HYSA today and get your dollars working harder for you.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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!
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.Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends PayPal. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2027 $42.50 calls on PayPal and short June 2025 $77.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
If you have $10,000 sitting in a checking account or a low-interest savings account, your money could be working a lot harder. Right now, high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are offering some of the best rates we’ve seen in years.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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. Here’s what you could be earning right now, and why an HYSA might be the smartest place to stash your savings.HYSAs are still paying bigAs of mid-April 2025, some of our favorite HYSAs are offering up to 4.40% APY. That means if you put $10,000 into one of these accounts today, you could earn around $440 in interest over the next year — with no risk and full access to your money.Most of these accounts are also fee-free and don’t require a huge opening deposit. That means every dollar you add starts earning interest right away.Why HYSAs are a smart choiceUnlike some other savings options, like certificates of deposit, HYSAs keep your money accessible. You can deposit, withdraw, and move your cash as needed with no penalties and no waiting periods. That flexibility makes them a great fit for:Emergency fundsVacation savingsOther large upcoming purchasesAnd HYSAs offer all the same features as regular accounts from traditional banks. No need to stick with a big-name bank that is only offering a 0.01% APY.How to make the most of your HYSA earningsOpening an HYSA is only the first step. With a couple of smart habits, you can grow your savings even faster.Next, consider setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your HYSA. It’s an easy way to grow your savings without thinking about it. Even small contributions can add up over time, especially with compound interest. For example, starting at $0 and contributing just $25 a week with an APY of 4.40% would earn you nearly $800 in interest over five years — and more than $3,300 over 10 years.Then, try to keep your money parked in the account as long as you can. The more time it has to earn interest, the more you’ll benefit from compounding. You can even move some of your current holdings into an HYSA with no linked checking account, reducing the temptation to withdraw and helping you keep your money growing.Your money deserves betterMoving your money to an HYSA takes just a few minutes — and the payoff can be hundreds of dollars per year.Whether you’re building an emergency fund or saving up for a big purchase, an HYSA gives you the best of both worlds: strong returns and total control.Ready to start making your money work harder for you? Check out our picks for the best HYSAs available today.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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.”}]] [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
If you have $10,000 sitting in a checking account or a low-interest savings account, your money could be working a lot harder. Right now, high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are offering some of the best rates we’ve seen in years.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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!
Here’s what you could be earning right now, and why an HYSA might be the smartest place to stash your savings.
HYSAs are still paying big
As of mid-April 2025, some of our favorite HYSAs are offering up to 4.40% APY. That means if you put $10,000 into one of these accounts today, you could earn around $440 in interest over the next year — with no risk and full access to your money.
Most of these accounts are also fee-free and don’t require a huge opening deposit. That means every dollar you add starts earning interest right away.
Why HYSAs are a smart choice
Unlike some other savings options, like certificates of deposit, HYSAs keep your money accessible. You can deposit, withdraw, and move your cash as needed with no penalties and no waiting periods. That flexibility makes them a great fit for:
Emergency funds
Vacation savings
Other large upcoming purchases
And HYSAs offer all the same features as regular accounts from traditional banks. No need to stick with a big-name bank that is only offering a 0.01% APY.
How to make the most of your HYSA earnings
Opening an HYSA is only the first step. With a couple of smart habits, you can grow your savings even faster.
Next, consider setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your HYSA. It’s an easy way to grow your savings without thinking about it. Even small contributions can add up over time, especially with compound interest. For example, starting at $0 and contributing just $25 a week with an APY of 4.40% would earn you nearly $800 in interest over five years — and more than $3,300 over 10 years.
Then, try to keep your money parked in the account as long as you can. The more time it has to earn interest, the more you’ll benefit from compounding. You can even move some of your current holdings into an HYSA with no linked checking account, reducing the temptation to withdraw and helping you keep your money growing.
Your money deserves better
Moving your money to an HYSA takes just a few minutes — and the payoff can be hundreds of dollars per year.
Whether you’re building an emergency fund or saving up for a big purchase, an HYSA gives you the best of both worlds: strong returns and total control.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
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!
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.
Despite widespread fears about Social Security’s future, rushing to claim benefits at 62 can result in a permanent reduction that may cost retirees thousands of dollars over their lifetime.
Dmytro Zinkevych / Shutterstock.com
Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Americans are rushing to claim Social Security benefits at the earliest possible age of 62, often driven by fears about the program’s future. While claiming early provides immediate income, it comes with significant…
Tarra “Madam Money” Jackson is a financial educator, international speaker, author, and wealth empowerment strategist helping you heal, build, and grow your wealth.
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