Use this quick checklist for a richer, happier 2024. Miha Creative / Shutterstock.com
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Discover the motivations driving U.S retirees to move during their golden years. Lucigerma / Shutterstock.com
We have all heard of the traditional retirement dream: After decades of work, you move to a sandy beach or the mountains to enjoy golden years of bliss. But that’s not how retirement turns out for the majority of folks. In reality, 63% of retirees stay in the home where they lived before retiring, according to a recent survey of 2,100 retirees by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies.
Costco’s signature Kirkland brand is full of surprises. Read on to learn about five tasty products it pays to try this month.
Image source: Getty Images
Some people are picky about the brands they bring home. And that’s understandable. When you find a product you like, it’s natural to want to stick with it.
But if you’ve never really given Costco’s Kirkland line a chance, then you may want to open yourself up to it. Not only does Costco’s signature brand offer great quality, but the prices are really competitive. The result? More savings for you.
Meanwhile, there are a few Kirkland items you’re likely to find at Costco right now that could be a great addition to your October food lineup. Consider giving these products a go.
When you think of October, you kind of think of all things pumpkin. And Costco’s signature Kirkland pumpkin pie is a must-purchase if you’re a pumpkin fan.
For just $5.99, you get a gigantic pie that’s three pounds, 10 ounces. (Do note that Costco prices can vary by location.) The pie features a flaky crust and a smooth filling. It’s the perfect dessert to bring to a Halloween party or gathering with friends. And while it definitely pays to check out Costco’s pumpkin pie in October, the good news is that it’ll probably still be around for Thanksgiving, too.
Costco’s bakery department has been busy this year whipping up new creations. This October, consider picking up a Kirkland green chile cornbread. It’s light on the heat but has a nice little kick that elevates it beyond your traditional cornbread recipe.
Best of all, it’s just $6.99 for a giant hunk of it. You might run up a larger credit card tab buying cornbread ingredients at the supermarket and baking one yourself.
October is a good month to hit the trails and spend time outdoors. And to really enjoy a good hike, you need a snack to give you just the right amount of fuel.
Enter Kirkland cashew clusters. These nuggets are a blend of cashew, almond, and pumpkin seeds. They’re sweet, but not overly so, and they offer five grams of protein per serving.
Now, one thing you should know is these clusters can be a bit hard on the teeth. But if you enjoy a good crunch, definitely pick up a bag. The online price for a two-pound sack is $10.99, but prices in store tend to be lower.
If you’re someone who feels strongly that October is pancake weather, then it pays to have the right accompaniment for your favorite breakfast. Enter Kirkland’s organic maple syrup.
The thing about pure maple syrup is that it can be pricey — more expensive than regular old pancake syrup. But there’s a world of difference in terms of quality and taste, so if you can afford the upgrade, it pays to go for it. Plus, thanks to Costco’s low prices, a 33.8-ounce jug of Kirkland maple syrup is only $14.99 online.
Many people get into soup mode once October rolls around. If you’re looking forward to filling your pot (and belly) this month, Kirkland’s organic chicken stock can serve as a base for a variety of cozy soup recipes. Plus, it’s gluten free. And a six-count of 32-ounce containers costs just $11.99 online.
Costco’s Kirkland brand is definitely worth checking out. But if these items sound good to you, don’t delay — some of them may not last too long beyond October, and you don’t want to risk missing out.
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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 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.
Need to return an online purchase that didn’t work out? Uber has a new service that could save you time — and it only costs $5. Learn how to use this service.
Image source: Getty Images
If you’ve ever dreaded returning something you ordered online, I have good news. Uber now offers order return services to its users. An Uber driver will get your return package to the Post Office, UPS, or FedEx to return it in time. This convenient service could help busy people like you save time. The best part is it only costs $5 per drop-off. Here’s what you need to know.
When you think of Uber, you likely think of the popular rideshare or food delivery service. Yes, Uber can get you to the airport and deliver your next pizza, but that’s not all the app can do. The company continues to expand its offerings to meet the growing needs of customers.
Now, users can schedule a package return drop-off for quick and easy returns. With the increased popularity of online shopping, more people need to return unwanted purchases. But it’s not always easy to get a package to the required shipping carrier when life gets in the way.
Starting today, Uber will deliver your package returns to a nearby shipping carrier for a low fee. This service is now available in over 4,950 cities nationwide, including the following:
AtlantaAustinChicagoDallasDenverMiamiSeattleSan FranciscoSt. LouisWashington, D.C.
Online shopping is convenient, but not every purchase is a win. If you need to make a return, you must carve out extra time to get your packages dropped off at your closest shipping carrier to return the item to the retailer within the return timeline. Now you can save time by having an Uber driver complete this task for you.
Users can initiate a return pick-up and drop-off through the app by selecting “Return a package.” Next, you must set your pick-up and drop-off location and confirm your order. Packages can be dropped off at USPS, UPS, and FedEx locations.
Users can track the package drop-off in the Uber app and will receive a photo of their receipt or other visual confirmation when the drop-off is completed. Up to five pre-paid and sealed packages can be returned at once. Of course, this service isn’t free. It costs $5. If you’re an Uber One member, you’ll pay $3.
If you dread returning online purchases, you’re not alone. It’s a struggle for many Americans.
Here are two interesting stats from a 2022 study conducted in partnership with the National Retail Federation:
40% of consumers would rather sit in rush hour traffic than return an online purchase.79% of shoppers under 30 think returns by mail are annoying.
While it may be a pain to return online purchases, not doing so can negatively impact your personal finances. If you don’t follow through with the return process, your bank account balance will suffer. Don’t let your hard-earned money go to waste.
Luckily, package return services like the one Uber offers can help. At $5 per return, it’s an affordable solution that can save time and reduce stress. Consider allocating extra room in your budget so you can schedule an Uber package return the next time you need to make a return.
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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.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Amazon is hosting another mega sale in October. Read on to see if it pays to do your holiday shopping then versus waiting.
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Many people spent money on Amazon’s Prime Day event in July. And now, the online retail giant is gearing up to host another mega sales event in October.
Dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, the two-day event is taking place Oct. 10 and 11. And you may want to take the opportunity to knock out your holiday shopping ahead of the season — especially if the deals that drop result in huge savings.
But while it’s easy to make the case for doing your holiday shopping during the upcoming Prime Day event, it can also be argued that that’s not necessarily the best idea. Here’s why.
Amazon might truly go heavy on discounts during Prime Big Deal Days. But if you max out your holiday budget during that event, you won’t have money left over for other major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And during those events, the deals might be even better.
Of course, without a crystal ball, it’s impossible to know. But one good compromise may be to do some of your holiday shopping in October, but reserve some of your funds for November or December. That way, you’ll have an opportunity to capitalize on other sales events.
Also keep in mind that some retailers offer nice discounts in the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So sitting tight beyond October might result in a lower credit card tab.
At this point, we’re still well over a month away from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and we’re more than two months away from Christmas. But we’re only days away from Amazon’s October Prime Day event.
The problem with doing your holiday shopping on Prime Day is that you may not have all that much money saved for it. And if you rack up a large credit card balance on Oct. 10 and 11, you might accrue some interest on it if you don’t have the cash to pay it off in full. That added interest could eat into or negate your Amazon savings.
Let’s say your plan was to pick up a seasonal side hustle from early October through late December to cover your holiday spending. If you started that side gig on Oct. 1, then chances are, it hasn’t really boosted your earnings all that much to date. So if that’s the case, you may want to limit what you buy in October until you’ve managed to save more.
It’s hard to sit back and do nothing while an event like Prime Big Deal Days happens before your eyes. As such, a good compromise may be to do some of your holiday shopping on Oct. 10 and 11, but not all of it. That way, you can compare your options once other deals hit and keep growing your savings.
Also keep in mind that other retailers are apt to drop their fair share of deals in conjunction with Amazon’s October Prime Day event. Pay attention to what competitors like Target and Walmart are doing, so you’re able to make the most of your money.
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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.
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. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon.com and Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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