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What happenedMoviePass expanded beta testing of its new subscription plans nationwide Tuesday, according to an announcement made on the company’s Twitter account. Anyone who signed up for the waitlist last summer can now use the service.There are currently four MoviePass plans available. Each plan includes a set number of credits, which are used to purchase movie tickets for standard 2D screens. Here are the plans available nationwide, excluding Southern California and the New York metro area: Plan Price per month Number of movies per month Number of credits per month Basic $10 1-3 34 Standard $20 3-7 72 Premium $30 5-11 113 Pro (in select markets, limited stock) $40 30 640 Data source: MoviePass. Matinee showings from theater opening to 3:59 p.m. cost 10 credits. Evening showings from 4 p.m. to close cost 15 credits on weekdays and 20 credits on weekends. Up to two months of unused credits roll over.Southern California and the New York metro area have higher plan prices. Plans in these areas offer more credits, but movie prices in credits are also higher in these areas.Since this is beta testing, plans and credit values are subject to change. “We are in the early stages of mapping out our credits nationwide,” said MoviePass CEO Stacy Spikes, in an interview with Insider. The revamped MoviePass is expected to launch this summer.So whatMoviePass is a subscription movie ticket service. It previously offered an ‘unlimited’ plan that allowed subscribers to watch one movie per day for $9.95 per month. Although it had over 3 million subscribers at one point, its unsustainable model led to numerous financial issues, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Co-founder and CEO Stacy Spikes, who was fired in 2018, purchased MoviePass in 2021 and started planning a relaunch.While the new plans aren’t the same incredible deal as before, they should still save moviegoers money. The average movie ticket cost $9.57 in 2021, according to Statista. Even MoviePass’s $10 plan will cover tickets for one to three movies, depending on the showings you choose, so from a personal finance standpoint, you should come out ahead.Now whatFor anyone who loves going to the movies, a MoviePass subscription has its perks. You can use it at any theater that accepts credit cards. If you see movies regularly, you’ll most likely save money with MoviePass. It also has a big drawback, though. You can only use MoviePass at the theater, which means you can’t reserve your ticket and seat online in advance.If you’re considering MoviePass, first see if a movie theater you like has its own subscription plan available. Many theaters now offer these.For example, AMC, the largest U.S. cinema chain, offers AMC A-List. This costs between $19.95 and $24.95 per month, depending on your location, and lets you see three movies per week on any type of screen. Unlike MoviePass, AMC A-List lets you make reservations online. If you normally go to AMC, then AMC A-List would almost certainly be a better deal than MoviePass.MoviePass could be worth checking out, when it relaunches, if you see movies at multiple theater chains. The key is making sure to use all your credits, so you don’t end up wasting money.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2024If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our expert loves this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR until 2024, 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 expert even uses it personally. Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Read our free reviewWe’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 positions in AMC Entertainment. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 

What happened

MoviePass expanded beta testing of its new subscription plans nationwide Tuesday, according to an announcement made on the company’s Twitter account. Anyone who signed up for the waitlist last summer can now use the service.

There are currently four MoviePass plans available. Each plan includes a set number of credits, which are used to purchase movie tickets for standard 2D screens. Here are the plans available nationwide, excluding Southern California and the New York metro area:

Matinee showings from theater opening to 3:59 p.m. cost 10 credits. Evening showings from 4 p.m. to close cost 15 credits on weekdays and 20 credits on weekends. Up to two months of unused credits roll over.

Southern California and the New York metro area have higher plan prices. Plans in these areas offer more credits, but movie prices in credits are also higher in these areas.

Since this is beta testing, plans and credit values are subject to change. “We are in the early stages of mapping out our credits nationwide,” said MoviePass CEO Stacy Spikes, in an interview with Insider. The revamped MoviePass is expected to launch this summer.

So what

MoviePass is a subscription movie ticket service. It previously offered an ‘unlimited’ plan that allowed subscribers to watch one movie per day for $9.95 per month. Although it had over 3 million subscribers at one point, its unsustainable model led to numerous financial issues, and the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Co-founder and CEO Stacy Spikes, who was fired in 2018, purchased MoviePass in 2021 and started planning a relaunch.

While the new plans aren’t the same incredible deal as before, they should still save moviegoers money. The average movie ticket cost $9.57 in 2021, according to Statista. Even MoviePass’s $10 plan will cover tickets for one to three movies, depending on the showings you choose, so from a personal finance standpoint, you should come out ahead.

Now what

For anyone who loves going to the movies, a MoviePass subscription has its perks. You can use it at any theater that accepts credit cards. If you see movies regularly, you’ll most likely save money with MoviePass. It also has a big drawback, though. You can only use MoviePass at the theater, which means you can’t reserve your ticket and seat online in advance.

If you’re considering MoviePass, first see if a movie theater you like has its own subscription plan available. Many theaters now offer these.

For example, AMC, the largest U.S. cinema chain, offers AMC A-List. This costs between $19.95 and $24.95 per month, depending on your location, and lets you see three movies per week on any type of screen. Unlike MoviePass, AMC A-List lets you make reservations online. If you normally go to AMC, then AMC A-List would almost certainly be a better deal than MoviePass.

MoviePass could be worth checking out, when it relaunches, if you see movies at multiple theater chains. The key is making sure to use all your credits, so you don’t end up wasting money.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2024

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our expert loves this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR until 2024, 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 expert even uses 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.Lyle Daly has positions in AMC Entertainment. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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An analog store in a digital world. 

When we say something has a “cult following,” we usually mean its fans are a bit more dedicated than makes sense to outsiders.

Take Costco, for instance. Folks who love Costco seem to really love Costco. Seriously, start a conversation with a Costco regular. You’ll get a very detailed list of everything they love — and why you’d love it, too.

I get it. Costco can be pretty great, especially from a personal finance angle. Who doesn’t love to save money? And Kirkland products are often pretty great, especially compared to other store brands.

But — even Costco isn’t perfect. In fact, Costco has a major flaw, and it’s the reason I’m more of a Sam’s Club shopper than a Costco-ite (Costco-er? Costco-ian?).

Costco’s fatal flaw: online shopping

In today’s world, many of us spend more time shopping online than we do in stores. (I only had to go into one store during the entire holiday shopping season!) So a good online shopping experience is absolutely critical for a store to survive.

Or, it would be — for anyone but Costco apparently.

Costco’s online experience is…lackluster, to put it nicely. There are so many things it just doesn’t do.

Want to see what’s in stock at your local store? Sorry. Want to place an online order to pick up at the store after work? Bummer. Want to order your regular Costco dry goods and get them shipped to your door? You might be able to find them online — but be prepared to pay significantly more than you would in a warehouse.

Oh, and to kick us while we’re down, you don’t get free shipping until you spend at least $75.

In contrast, Sam’s Club seems to actively encourage online shopping. You get many of the same deals online that you would in store (plus a good number of online-only items you can’t even find in the warehouse). Pretty much anything not frozen can be shipped to your door, and you even get free shipping if you’re a Sam’s Plus member.

The analog/digital divide

When you think about it, Costco’s focus on in-person shopping makes perfect sense, at least from a retailer’s perspective. After all, statistics say we spend more money when we shop in the store than when we shop online.

But there are other reasons Costco may want to keep their online presence minimal, as well. For example, not posting in-warehouse prices online allows Costco more freedom to tailor those prices at the store level. It can also run flash sales and other timed events without needing potentially complicated online updates.

Then there’s the brand issues. Have you ever seen an online item that won’t show its price until you add it to your cart? This is due to manufacturers who have a “minimum advertised price.” Essentially, this means the store can’t advertise the item for below a price set by the manufacturer. Costco stores can sell it for less, depending on the contract — it just can’t advertise it publicly. (Fun fact: This is considered price fixing in the European Union and is thus illegal.)

By keeping its warehouse prices hidden online, Costco avoids any potential manufacturer issues with pricing. But from a shopper’s perspective, it’s super annoying, especially when I want to compare prices between Costco and, say, Sam’s Club.

The real cost of savings

If you love strolling the aisles at Costco, grazing on samples and looking for deals, then you probably don’t mind its substandard online functionality. And more power to you.

But if you’re anything like me, then Costco’s poor online experience is a major gripe. When I need a pantry staple or even a popular electronic device, I don’t trudge out to Costco. No, I head online — to the Sam’s Club website.

Could I save more money if I shopped in person at Costco instead of online at Sam’s Club? Maybe. But I’d have to go through Costco aisle by aisle to actually compare the real savings potential. Who has time for that?

What I can do in minutes online with Sam’s Club would take an hour-long shopping trip with Costco (and traffic, let’s not forget the traffic; when did everyone forget how to drive?). In the end, the $1 here or $0.50 there that I could save at Costco takes a time investment I simply don’t want to make.

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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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You can build back up following hard times. 

It’s fair to say that 2022 was not an easy year for consumers and investors on a whole. For one thing, inflation surged from the start of the year to the end of it, forcing many people to raid their savings accounts to cover higher costs.

And then there was the stock market. To say it had a bad year in 2022 would probably be an understatement.

Many investors closed out the year with lower IRA account and brokerage account balances than they had at the start. And that includes people who continued to pump money into those accounts even as market conditions deteriorated.

It’s not very surprising, then, to learn that 67% of American investors feel their financial safety net was yanked away in 2022, according to data from annuities and insurance company F&G. But if you feel that way, you should know that all isn’t lost.

Rebuilding your emergency fund

You may not be able to get your IRA or brokerage account balance back to where it was at the start of 2022. We may need a broad market recovery for that to happen.

But one thing you can do to feel more financially secure is to replenish your emergency fund if it’s dwindled. And to that end, rethinking your spending is the first step.

Take a look at your current bills. Are there any expenses you can cut back on? Maybe you don’t need to pay for an extra streaming service. And maybe you don’t need to continue forking over $75 every month for a gym membership when you could instead work out for free by taking up running or simply going for a brisk walk. A series of smaller cutbacks could help you make great progress when it comes to putting your emergency fund back together.

Another option worth considering to rebuild your emergency fund is getting a side hustle. It’s going to mean sacrificing some downtime — there’s no getting around that. But if you boost your income nicely, you might manage to build your savings back up so you can sleep at night knowing you have a pile of cash to tap in a pinch.

Stay positive about the stock market

Rebuilding a depleted emergency fund is something that may be within your power to do this year. But you can’t control how the stock market performs, and that can be frustrating.

Still, do your best not to lose hope. The stock market has experienced its share of downturns, and it also has a long history of recovering. So while your portfolio balance may be down now, there’s a really good chance that in three, five, or 10 years from now, it will be back up and then some.

Remember, too, that you don’t actually lose money in a brokerage account or IRA unless you actively sell off investments at a loss. So if you pledge to leave your portfolio alone, you can ride out this period of market volatility — and put yourself in a position to regain the safety net you feel you’ve lost.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2024

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our expert loves this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR until 2024, 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 expert even uses 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.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

 Read More