Money Management

Buying generic brands is one easy way to save money. Read on, as we attempt to determine whether Costco or Sam’s Club offers the best generic brands. 

There are Costco loyalists and Sam’s Club loyalists. There are shoppers who see advantages of both mega-warehouse stores. And then, there are a whole lot of people who simply don’t care. But for anyone who’s curious, we thought it would be interesting to compare Costco and Sam’s Club generics to determine if one manages to edge the other out. We used three tools to compare:

Which retailer offers the highest percentage of generic products.Which retailer carries the greatest number of name-brands masquerading as generics.Which retailers provided the most bang for the buck.

Here’s what we came up with.

1. Largest percentage of generics

The generic brands we find at Sam’s Club are relabeled as Member’s Mark, and Member’s Mark products make up about 20% of Sam’s Club inventory, according to RV and Playa. At any given time, Sam’s Club carries between 6,000 and 7,000 products.

Costco carries around 364 different products under its label, Kirkland Signature, far fewer generics than Sam’s Club. However, on everything from dog food to diapers, Kirkland Signature brands tend to have a better reputation with the buying public.

As important as generics are, they are just one way to save money on groceries.

2. Name brands behind the store labels

This one is tough to suss out, mainly because Costco and Sam’s Club remain tight-lipped regarding the “real” companies behind their products. The best we can do is look for clues.

While we couldn’t swear to any of these in court, here’s a sample of which companies are behind some of the Costco and Sam’s Club labels:

Costco

Several blends of Kirkland coffee: StarbucksKirkland Signature AA alkaline batteries: DuracellKirkland heavy duty aluminum foil: ReynoldsKirkland Signature diapers: HuggiesKirkland Signature dog food: Diamond Pet FoodsKirkland Signature albacore solid white tuna: Bumble Bee

Sam’s Club

Member’s Mark dog food: PurinaMember’s Mark chicken: TysonPaper towels: Rumored to be Procter & GambleMember’s Mark jeans: WranglersMember’s Mark batteries: EnergizerMember’s Mark milk: Walmart’s Great Value

3. Price

Whether you’re building an emergency savings account, saving for vacation, or trying to stick with an investment schedule, retail savings matter. Here, we chose four products at random, items of similar quality. As you’ll see, the Members Mark price was lower on 3 of the 4.

Batteries

Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries, 48-count: $18.99Members Mark Alkaline AA Batteries, 48-count: $19.98

Coffee pods

Kirkland Signature Coffee Breakfast Blend K-Cup Pods: $0.32 per podMember’s Mark Breakfast Blend Pods: $0.28 per pod

Paper towels

Kirkland Signature Paper Towels, 2-Ply: $21.56 per 150 sheetsMember’s Mark Super Premium 2-Ply: $19.98 per 150 sheets

Trash bags

Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech 33-Gallon Trash Bags, 90-count: $23.99Member’s Mark Power-Guard Drawstring, 33-Gallon Trash Bags, 90-count: $17.48

If you’re seeking healthier, high-quality food products, Costco is likely to be your best bet. But if your current priority is to keep a little extra in your bank account each month, you’re definitely going to be happier at Sam’s Club.

Attempting to determine whether Costco or Sam’s Club is “better” is definitely a first world problem. However, the very fact that we talk about it may be one of the reasons the country’s top warehouse stores continue to up their games.

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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.Dana George has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Starbucks, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Divorce is hard, but if your finances are at risk because of it, that’s even worse. Read on to learn how a prenuptial agreement can protect you. 

One life event that can have a major impact on your personal finances is getting divorced. Despite what some folks would have you believe, divorce rates have declined since 2000, with the Centers for Disease Control reporting that the rate was 4% per 1,000 members of the population that year. By 2021, the rate had decreased to 2.5% per 1,000.

That said, it’s still common enough that whenever anyone ties the knot, they would be wise to consider the potential of divorce and how they would handle it financially. It’s also a solid idea to get on the same financial page as a potential spouse BEFORE you get married. Here’s how prenuptial agreements work, as well as what could happen to your finances if you get divorced without one.

What’s a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement, which is also referred to as a prenup, is a written contract created by two people who are getting married. It usually lists property owned and debts owed by each party and states property rights in the event of a divorce. Such an agreement can also be made after the wedding, and in this case would be referred to as a postnuptial agreement.

Prenups can be used by anyone, despite their reputation as being a tool for the rich to protect their assets (like a loaded brokerage account or a vacation home) when they get married. They can ensure that each member of the marriage gets to keep property they brought into it, as well as avoid having to pay for each other’s debts in the event of a divorce. If one or both parties have children before marrying the other, a prenup can spell out property inheritances for them.

None of this sounds very romantic, but it is extremely important. No one gets married with the intention to divorce (at least, ideally), but since it’s always a possibility, it’s best to hash out financial matters ahead of time so everyone is protected. This is especially true if one spouse-to-be has children from a previous relationship or there is a large income/property disparity between both parties.

Without a prenup, the state you live in matters

If you get divorced without a prenup in place, property and debt division will depend on your state’s laws. This could mean either equitable distribution or community property distribution.

The majority of states have laws that ensure equitable distribution of property and debts in divorce proceedings. Note that equitable doesn’t necessarily mean equal, and the judge overseeing the case will take many factors into consideration when deciding the division, such as length of marriage, financial needs, and child custody (if it applies). The divorcing couple is also allowed to figure out property division, as long as each agrees to the terms.

If you live in a community property state, your finances after divorce will be impacted differently, and perhaps in a bigger way, depending on the assets and debts in the marriage. There are nine community property states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. In these states, most assets earned or bought (plus debt incurred) during the marriage is considered “community property,” and will therefore be split equally between both spouses. This means that if your soon-to-be-ex has a lot of credit card debt, you might end up having to pay half of that back.

Is it worth signing a prenup before getting married?

If you live in a community property state, the reality of potentially having to pay for your ex’s financial mishaps likely gives you pause. But I’d argue that even if you live in a state with equitable distribution, a prenup is still worth the time and cost to create.

Speaking from experience, divorce isn’t a fun experience to go through, and having a prenup could make the process shorter and more straightforward, especially if you intend to own property and have children together. Think of it as an insurance policy — ideally, you never need to use it, but if you ever do, you’re protected.

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It’s important to choose your credit cards wisely. Read on to see which types you ought to steer clear of. 

Credit cards could get you into trouble if you rack up balances you can’t pay off by the time they come due. But if you’re able to pay off your credit card bills on time and in full, credit cards could be a useful financial tool for you — if you choose the right ones. Here are a few credit card types you may want to avoid.

1. Store credit cards

A store credit card works at the specific retailer you get it from — whereas your Visa or Mastercard will pretty much be accepted almost anywhere. But that’s not the main reason to steer clear of store credit cards.

Although these cards can offer nice perks like cash back to spend at the retailers behind them, they also tend to charge exorbitant interest rates. So if you rack up a balance on a store credit card that you can’t pay off right away, it might cost you more in interest than what another credit card of yours might charge.

2. Credit cards with mediocre reward programs

If your credit is poor, you may not qualify for the best rewards programs out there. But if you have strong credit, you may find that you’re eligible for a number of great credit card offers. As such, there’s no reason to settle for a credit card whose rewards program is uninspiring.

If a given credit card doesn’t offer bonus cash back in any specific spending category, that’s a sign to potentially look for a different card. You can commonly find more than 1% cash back in select categories, whether it’s gas or groceries. And even if you’re only able to snag 2% back on gas and nothing else, that’s better than being limited to 1% back on all purchases across the board.

3. Credit cards with a huge annual fee you may not make back

You don’t need to write off credit cards that come with an annual fee, because sometimes, that fee is worth paying. A card with a $95 annual fee that lets you earn an additional $300 in cash back, for example, is a card it could make sense to hang onto or apply for.

But be careful with credit cards that charge a higher annual fee and don’t offer enough in the way of rewards to help you make your money back, whether it’s gradual rewards or those you can snag upfront. You may be lured by a card with a larger fee and massive sign-up bonus. But if the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus is also very high, you may not hit it. That could leave you forking over a lot of money for a fee and getting not enough in return to make it worth it.

As of the first quarter of 2023, U.S. credit card balances totaled $917 billion, according to TransUnion. So clearly, consumers are more than comfortable with the idea of using credit cards. And there’s nothing wrong with using them to make purchases regularly as long as you make an effort to steer clear of credit cards that charge lots of interest, reward you minimally, and don’t give you enough back in return for a high 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.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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It’s easy for business owners to focus on the day-to-day and lose track of the bigger picture. Watch for these signals that show you’re on track for success. 

Almost every business owner will have a different idea of what success looks like. For some, it may be the point where they can sell their business and use the profits to retire (or start another business). For others, it might be getting their 1,000th customer. Or their 100th. Or generating a certain amount of revenue. Or going on holiday without things falling apart in their absence.

That said, there are some universal signs that your small business is doing well. Here are six of them.

1. Your finances are in good shape

Are you able to pay your bills and cover payroll each month without having to stress about where the money is coming from? And is your bank balance firmly in the black? If your revenue is steadily increasing without huge jumps in expenses or debt, these are healthy financial signs.

Cash flow is another important indicator. Running out of ready cash can do serious damage to your company. Look at your cash flow and cash flow projections to see whether there are any problem spots on the horizon. Will you be able to cope if you lose a couple of key clients — or people start to pay you late? Do you have a solid business emergency fund?

2. You have good business credit

Good business credit can make it easier for you to qualify for a loan — something that can be a challenge for many small businesses. It can also help you negotiate better terms with suppliers and build credibility. Like personal credit, it can take time to build a business credit history and get a good score.

Don’t wait until you need to borrow money to work on your credit. Start by getting an employer identification number (EIN), opening a business bank account, and registering for a D-U-N-S Number. A business credit card can also help you build business credit, particularly as card issuers will often look at your personal credit score when you apply.

3. You get good feedback from your customers — and some even recommend you to others

There are all kinds of ways to find out what your customers think of you, particularly if you use CRM software to automate aspects of your client management. One piece of feedback that speaks the loudest is customer referrals. If you impress your customers so much that they want to recommend you to their friends and families, it speaks volumes.

Referrals are also a great way to get new business, so it’s worth considering ways to encourage this behavior. Great customer service that consistently goes above and beyond is a good place to start. You might also set up a referral program or look at ways to encourage people to share your posts on social media.

4. You attract new customers — but the old ones aren’t going anywhere

When you’re starting out, getting new customers is often a top priority. After all, if you can’t get people to buy and use your product or service, you’re unlikely to get anything off the ground. The challenge is that many small businesses continue to focus on acquisition without also working to retain their existing customers. Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary says this can be a “silent killer” for small businesses.

If you’re meeting your targets for customer retention, it’s a great sign. Not only does getting lots of repeat customers show you’re doing something right, it can also save you money. It costs less to keep an existing client than it does to attract a new one.

5. Your company is a place where people want to work

Attracting and keeping talented workers has been a challenge for companies of all sizes recently. Indeed, a recent Goldman Sachs survey found that over 80% of the small businesses trying to hire staff are finding it difficult to recruit qualified candidates. If you can boost morale, you’ll find it easier to retain your best people and attract new ones.

However, as a boss, people don’t always tell you when they’re not happy at work. Try to make a point of checking in with your team — both to congratulate them on any achievements and ask how they’re doing. Another good way to measure employee satisfaction is your absentee rate. If people often call in sick or seem reluctant to take the initiative, it may be worth finding out if there are other issues at play.

6. You are meeting your goals

One of the best ways to know if you’re in good shape is to see whether you’re on track with your business goals. It’s all too easy for goals to get lost in the day-to-day firefighting that is running a small company. However, a regular review of your progress can make all the difference. Let’s say you set specific goals to improve your customer retention rate or boost productivity. It’s important to schedule periodic checkups to know whether you’re meeting them.

If you don’t have any business goals, set aside some time to evaluate where you want the company to be in the coming years and how you plan to get there. Your goals are essentially a roadmap to achieving your vision. They are measurable targets that everybody can see, so your team knows what you expect, which can boost morale. (Indeed, having clear goals can help you achieve most of the other items on the list above.) Most importantly, as and when you meet each goal, it will build confidence as you’ll know your business is in good shape.

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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.Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Goldman Sachs Group and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Costco has a wide selection of products that can improve the travel experience. Read on for a few top travel accessories to pick up at Costco. 

One of the perks of a Costco membership is that you can book vacations through Costco Travel. But that’s not the only way that your membership could come in handy on your next trip. You can also find plenty of travel accessories to bring along with you, both at Costco warehouses and online. Here are four of the best products to check out.

1. Apple AirTag (Four-pack): $89.99

Apple AirTags are a great way to keep track of your luggage and see where it is if it doesn’t show up at baggage claim. Note that you need either an iPhone or iPad to pair with AirTags. Once you’ve set them up, you just put one in each suitcase, and you can track them in the Find My App.

Costco has a low price on a four-pack, so you’ll have enough to track yours and your family’s bags. Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with lost luggage. But if you do, a tracking device can be a big help. There have even been cases where law enforcement found stolen suitcases because travelers used Apple AirTags.

Another way to protect yourself in case your luggage goes missing is to get a travel credit card with complimentary baggage insurance. Quite a few travel rewards credit cards cover lost and delayed luggage on eligible trips. And the travel points you earn with them can help you save money on flights and hotels, too.

2. Beats Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones: $169.99 (through July 1, while supplies last)

I’ve been on planes with a surprising number of people who thought it was okay to just blast loud music and TV shows on their phone or laptop speakers. You get much better sound quality with a pair of headphones, plus it’s the polite thing to do.

Costco has deals on both over-ear headphones and earbuds. Personally, I prefer over-ear headphones like these for the sound quality and active noise cancelling. They also get up to 22 hours of battery life, so you’ll be set even on extra-long international flights. But if you don’t have much space, you may want to check out earbuds, instead.

3. ThermoFlask 16-ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle (Two-pack): $26.99

TSA doesn’t mess around when it comes to liquids. Since you can’t bring anything larger than 3.4 ounces, a reusable water bottle is your best bet. You can fill it at a water fountain once you get past the security checkpoints. It’s that or buy an overpriced water, unless you have airport lounge access and can get free drinks there.

These are 16-ounce bottles, so they’re a good choice if you want something that won’t take up much space. If you’re looking for something larger, Costco also sells 32-ounce and 40-ounce bottles.

4. Apple 10.9-inch iPad Air 64GB (5th Generation, 2022): $499.99 (with $70 savings through June 18, while supplies last)

Plane seats can be cramped, and the tray tables don’t give you a whole lot of room to work with. In situations like those, a tablet can be a lot more comfortable to use than a laptop.

I like Apple products, as you may have guessed from some of the items on this list. And the iPad Air is an excellent tablet that, true to its name, is sleek and lightweight. If you’d prefer a tablet that’s easier on your finances, there are other more affordable options available at Costco, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 for $169.99.

Travel is more comfortable and enjoyable when you’re well-prepared. The right travel accessories can help quite a bit in that regard, and Costco has some great options to check 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.Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Starting college is an exciting milestone. Read on to see what money rules you should establish before your child goes off. 

Ideally, college will be a time when your child gains independence, makes new friends, learns a lot, and begins to make their own financial decisions. The latter, however, is something with the potential to go terribly wrong if you don’t set your child straight. Here are some important ground rules to set before your child heads off to pursue a degree.

1. Don’t use a credit card as an excuse to spend freely

You may decide to put your child on one of your credit cards before they go off to college. That way, they’ll have a means of covering expenses in a pinch should they run out of funds in their bank account.

But make sure your child understands that having access to a credit card is not an excuse to spend freely — especially if you’re the one footing the bill. Instead, set a spending limit for your child to follow, and establish consequences that might ensue should your child fail to adhere to your rules. For example, you may want to tell your child that you’ll revoke their access to your credit card if they charge more than what they’re allowed to.

2. Don’t overdraw your bank account

Your child may have bills they’ll be paying on their own once they start college. If you’re funding their checking account, it’s important to explain that overdrawing it is a bad idea that could result in costly fees.

Even if your child is using their own money to pay bills in college, you should still explain why steering clear of overdraft fees is important. And you should encourage your child to check their bank account balance regularly to avoid problems. You may, for example, want to tell your child that if their balance is down to $0, they’re better off asking you for a small loan than overdrawing their account intentionally.

3. Don’t sign up for a new credit card without understanding its terms

A lot of credit card companies will try to market to college students and even lure them in with perks like giveaways. You generally need to be 18 years old to get a credit card of your own, so many college students meet that requirement.

But tempting as it may be for your child to apply for a credit card in their own name, many of the cards marketed to students come with very unfavorable borrowing terms, like high interest rates. So encourage your student to be judicious about signing up for new cards, and to read the fine print carefully before committing to one.

Sending your first child off to college can be as nerve-wracking as it is exciting. But if you take the time to set your child on the right financial path, you might manage to avoid some of the stress that comes with having your child pack their bags and leave home. Just as importantly, you’ll be doing your part to help your child establish savvy habits that help them gain the independence they no doubt want.

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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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