Money Management

Netflix will now charge for the privilege of sharing your password. Here’s what you need to know. 

Most things in life aren’t free. But for many people, Netflix has been for a really long time. That’s because the streaming service giant has previously been really lax about enforcing rules surrounding password sharing.

But all of that is changing. Netflix has begun warning subscribers that if they want to let others use their passwords, they’re going to have to pay the price. And that’s a change to gear up for.

Prepare to pay

Netflix currently offers four pricing tiers:

A standard plan with ads costs $6.99 a monthA basic plan that’s without ads but limits you to one supported device costs $9.99 a monthA standard ad-free plan that lets you watch content on two supported devices at a time costs $15.49 a monthA premium ad-free plan that that lets you watch content on four supported devices at a time costs $19.99 a month

If you only have the standard with-ads plan or the basic plan, you won’t have the option to share your password with others. But if you have the standard ad-free plan, you can add one more user to your account for $7.99 a month. And if you have a premium ad-free plan, you can add up to two extra members to your account, but each additional user will cost you $7.99. So all told, adding users to your account could result in a much higher credit card bill.

Of course, if you’ve been letting someone else use your Netflix account for free, you could always pass the new added cost on to them if they want to continue having that option. Another smart move might be to split the total cost. So if, for example, you have a standard ad-free plan costing $15.49 a month, and your cost rises to $23.48 a month for your extra user, you could split that bill and each pay $11.74. And that’s still cheaper than some streaming options out there.

Is Netflix worth paying for?

If you get a lot of good use out of Netflix, then it may be worth hanging onto — even if you’ve been using it for free thus far and now have to pay for the option to access a friend or family member’s account. That said, there are a number of streaming services out there that are cheaper than Netflix. So if money is tight, you may want to explore your alternatives.

Furthermore, if you happen to be a member of Amazon Prime, Prime Video access is included with your account (otherwise, you can pay for it separately). So if you’re on the fence about Netflix, you may want to see if you find more content on Prime Video to enjoy and avoid the added fee.

All told, many people are apt to be upset that Netflix is finally cracking down on password sharing. But to be fair, the streaming giant allowed users to share passwords for years without imposing a fee. So if anything, we should be grateful that the option to use other people’s accounts for free existed for as long as it did.

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Costco’s latest dessert offering is truly divine. Read on to learn more about it. 

When I heard a week or so ago that Costco was introducing a new dessert item into its lineup, I immediately set out on a mission to find it. I happen to have two Costco locations that are relatively close to my home, so I figured if one didn’t have the newest bakery offering, the other one was bound to.

Well, two Costco trips later, I’ve yet to sample a bite of the warehouse club giant’s latest concoction — a massive lemon meringue cheesecake that one Reddit user called “almost 4 pounds of heaven.” But fear not, because I’m not giving up on my quest.

This latest bakery offering sounds so amazing that I’m willing to travel to other Costco locations (within a reasonable radius, of course) just to get my hands on it. And not only does Costco’s new lemon meringue cheesecake sound amazing, but its $19.99 price point is really hard to beat.

A good deal for cheesecake lovers

Have you ever tried to make a cheesecake at home? I have. And as someone who’s a pretty experienced baker, I can tell you that making a large cheesecake can be challenging.

Even if you do everything right, cheesecake is the sort of dessert that can easily cave in on you while you’re baking it. And depending on the type of cheesecake you’re making, there can be multiple steps involved.

As such, while making your own cheesecake might be more cost-effective than buying one in theory, that won’t be the case if you botch your cheesecake and wind up having to throw it all out. And so if you have a big event coming up and you’re convinced you want a cheesecake to be the star of the show, you may want to turn to Costco instead.

You can buy a plain cheesecake at Costco — my local warehouse club store sells them all the time. But why go plain when you can pick up this lemon meringue beauty instead? Not only does it sound delicious, but you’re likely to rack up a much lower credit card tab buying a cheesecake at Costco than purchasing one elsewhere.

Junior’s Original NY Plain Cheesecake, for example, costs $55.95 for a 3-pound cake. And that doesn’t include shipping. Eli’s, another big name in the cheesecake biz, sells a 3-pound cheesecake for $56.

David’s Cookies, meanwhile, sells a 4-pound cheesecake — but it’ll cost you $54.95. Compare that to Costco’s $19.99 price point, and it’s hard to make the argument to buy a cheesecake elsewhere.

It’s worth noting that Costco prices can vary by region. So depending on where you live, Costco’s newest bakery creation may be priced a little differently. But that variation is likely to be pretty minimal — we’re talking maybe a few dollars in either direction. When we compare a price in the vicinity of $19.99 to the cheesecake prices above, going to Costco becomes an easy decision from a financial standpoint.

Don’t wait on this latest Costco concoction

Costco’s lemon meringue cheesecake really sounds like the perfect summertime dessert for a crowd. But because of that, this item may not stick around once the weather gets colder. So if you want a chance to sample it, I suggest looking for it at your local Costco sooner rather than later.

On my end, I’m holding out hope that this beauty will make an appearance at one of my local Costco stores in the near future. And if not, I may have to do some driving.

Thankfully, Costco offers members like me an opportunity to save money on gas, so if I have to drive a bit to find my lemon meringue cheesecake, so be it. Even if I spend $20 on gas — the equivalent of the cost of the cheesecake itself — it’ll still be less expensive than buying a massive cheesecake elsewhere.

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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.

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Looking to add some life to your home? Read on to see how Costco can help. 

Many people associate Costco shopping with buying groceries and household essentials. But if you’ve been a Costco member for a while, you may be aware that the warehouse club giant’s inventory extends beyond just food, paper products, and cleaning supplies.

Costco can actually be a great source for home decor items. And if you’re not looking to raid your savings account too drastically, the good news is that Costco offers many home decor items at an affordable price point.

Now one thing you do need to know about Costco’s prices is that they can vary by region, and also differ between what you see online versus in stores. So do keep in mind that the following products may be available at a different price where you live, and if an item is sold out online, you may still be able to find it at your local store. Here are a few affordable pieces worth checking out.

1. Artika Swirl Table Lamp

Adding lighting to your home can make it more comfortable. And the right lighting fixtures can add style to your interior to boot. Costco is selling this stylish swirl table lamp for $57.99. It comes with integrated LED lights and you can choose from a black or chrome finish to match your decor.

2. Thomasville Timeless Classic Rug

Area rugs can add a nice amount of texture to your space, not to mention give your cold feet a warm place to rest on those chillier days. Costco is selling Thomasville rugs that range in price from $99.99 to $159.99, depending on the size you choose. These rugs are fade- and stain-resistant, and they come in a couple of color choices.

3. Laurens Accent Chair

An accent chair can not only allow for more seating in your living or family room, but serve as a nice focal point. Costco is selling this accent chair for $349.99. It features solid wooden legs and a polyester fabric that’s easy to clean with color choices of brown, blue, or yellow.

4. Wila Round Seagrass Wall Mirror

Whether you need a nice mirror for your living room or bathroom, it pays to consider this Costco offering. This round 5x24x24 mirror features a natural seagrass frame and is easy to hang. It’s a great addition to any room with neutral tones, and you can find it for $229.99.

5. White Marble Mosaic Outdoor Accent Table

It’s not just the inside of your home you may be looking to jazz up. If you’re in the market for a nice outdoor piece, consider this white marble, mosaic top accent table. It features a metal base and protective pads to prevent scratching. With a 15-inch diameter, it’s also large enough to hold a few drinks or rest your book without taking up too much space. It’s available now for $125.99.

Costco could be a great resource if you’re looking to spruce up your living space without racking up a giant credit card tab in the process. It pays to look online and visit your local warehouse club store to see what options catch your eye.

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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.

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It’s important to make sure your rent payments are manageable when getting your first place. Read on to learn more. 

Just as it’s gotten very expensive to sign a mortgage, so too has it gotten expensive to rent a home. The median U.S. rental cost $1,937 a month in March, according to Rent. But as you may be painfully aware, if you’re looking to move to a large city, your cost might be a lot higher.

In the coming months, many recent college graduates will no doubt be looking for rentals to live in. And you may be one of them.

Now ideally, you’ll only first rent a place to live once you’ve actually secured a job. In fact, you may not even get approved to rent a home until you can show proof of a steady income.

But even then, you’ll need to determine how much money you can afford to spend on rent. And the answer is, you should aim to limit your rent to 30% of your take-home pay or less. So if you bring home $3,000 a month, you should be looking to spend no more than $900 a month on rent.

Of course, as your salary increases, you might have the leeway to spend more. But many recent college graduates are looking at entry-level salaries, so finding a rental that works for your budget could be tough. Here are some things you can do, though, to save money on rent.

1. Get a roommate

If you spent the last four years of college sharing a dorm room or cramming into a college house with seven other people, then you may be eager to live on your own post-college. But the reality is that living with a roommate is a great way to keep your rent costs down. And if you have other large bills to pay, like car insurance, groceries, and healthcare, then it makes sense to bunk with someone else for a period of time.

2. Give up some amenities

You may want your first rental to come with a balcony or patio. Or you may be hoping for an apartment in a building with a fitness center and doorman. These perks may be nice to have, but they’re apt to drive the cost of your rent up. If you’re willing to rent a more basic home right out of college, you might have an easier time keeping your costs down.

3. Be willing to walk

Renting a home in the center of a city where you’re blocks away from restaurants, stores, and public transportation is apt to cost more than renting a home that’s a bit farther out. But if you’re willing to, say, walk half a mile to the closest cafe or bus stop, you might manage to lower your rent costs substantially. As a plus, living farther from the center of town might be a great way to seamlessly get more exercise so you don’t have to spend money on a gym.

Rent can be a big expense for workers at all stages of their careers. But if you’re a new graduate, you may be looking at a more modest salary due to your lack of experience. So it pays to do what you can to keep your rental costs down so you don’t struggle financially.

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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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Nouriel Roubini says politicians might not reach a deal on the debt limit until the very last minute, if at all. Find out what that means for your money. 

What happened

Nouriel Roubini, also known as Dr. Doom, told Bloomberg that the discussions on raising the debt ceiling may go right down to the wire. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Wednesday, Roubini warned, “They may get to the last hour before there’s an agreement, or it’s possible they don’t reach an agreement.” If no deal is reached, he said it would cause the market to crash.

So what

The debt ceiling is the amount of money the U.S. is able to borrow, a bit like the limit on your credit card. America relies on debt to meet its obligations, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has told politicians they need to increase that limit soon. If lawmakers can’t reach a consensus and raise the debt ceiling, she says the U.S. could find itself unable to pay its bills as early as June 1. This includes paying Social Security checks, federal salaries, and interest on Treasury bonds.

It is extremely unlikely that the U.S. will default on its debt. It has never happened before. But until a deal gets done, it is still a possibility, no matter how slight. If it does, fallout in the stock market would not be the only impact. According to White House analysis, a protracted default could wipe out millions of jobs, push interest rates even higher, and make it harder to borrow money.

Now what

Whether it’s a potential recession, continued inflation, or the debt ceiling, you could be forgiven for thinking that financial news has been filled with warnings of financial doom in recent years. Unfortunately, we are living through times of economic uncertainty and the debt limit debate only adds to the turbulence.

The real question is how we can prepare for an economic catastrophe. It’s not like we can build a nuclear bunker in our bank accounts. There are no easy answers, but if you’re able to pay down debt, do so. Debt could get more expensive in the event of a default and the monthly payments will eat into your budget.

Another worthwhile step? The more cash you have in an easily accessible savings account, the better. An emergency fund can shelter you from job loss, delayed paychecks or Social Security payments, and reduce the risk of being forced to sell other assets in a downturn. There isn’t a lot of time, but it may be worth holding off on big purchases in the near term.

In terms of investments, try not to make panic decisions. Not only is it almost impossible to time the market, long-term investors can take some solace from the knowledge that even if the stock market does fall, historically prices have always recovered eventually. If you have a diversified portfolio, don’t abandon your wider strategy because of the debt ceiling debate. The politicians may want to use the ceiling to push their own agendas, but none of them want to crash the economy.

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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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