Money Management

You might enjoy a host of new bargains in the next 12 months. 

Shopping at Costco has the potential to be an adventure. Think about it — you enter this massive warehouse, where you can easily get lost in the aisles as you attempt to load up on everything from laundry detergent to milk to paper towels.

At the same time, if you’re a regular Costco shopper, you probably know where to find all of your favorite items. And you may have certain staples you stock up on every week.

But one great thing about Costco is that it tends to rotate its inventory on a seasonal basis, and also, introduce new products into the mix. And there’s a good chance it will continue to do so in 2023.

Expect new and exciting inventory

Many retailers had a difficult time stocking their shelves in 2021, and even into 2022, due to supply chain shortages. But at this point, many of those issues have resolved themselves. That means Costco might land in an even stronger position to offer a wide range of new products over the next 12 months.

That said, don’t expect those newly introduced products to last forever. It’s common for Costco to offer certain items on a limited basis, so if you see something new at Costco that catches your eye, you may want to scoop it up quickly.

During the fall and winter, for example, you’re likely to see a selection of cold weather accessories and coats. But come spring, you probably won’t be able to find those items. Instead, you might see things like lawn chairs, swimsuits, and beach gear.

Costco also tends to offer holiday-specific inventory. Since there aren’t many holidays at the start of the year, you may not end up seeing many new food items in January and February. But in March and April, you might find Easter goodies. And in the latter part of the summer and fall, you’ll probably see many options for loading up on Halloween candy.

Costco’s holiday food offerings tend to get even more impressive in November and December. Keep an eye out for things like gourmet chocolates, cookies, and beverages designed to take any holiday celebration to the next level.

Shop judiciously

It’s fair to assume that Costco will introduce a host of new products in 2023. But does that mean you should buy a lot of them? Not necessarily.

A lot of people drained their savings in 2022 to cope with inflation, or racked up debt on their credit cards. If that happened to you, then you’ll want to do what you can to limit your spending this year. And that means avoiding impulse buys at Costco, and instead, sticking to the essentials you know you need.

Now if money isn’t tight, then by all means, go ahead and browse the aisles at Costco this year. Chances are, you’ll find new items you haven’t seen before. And if there are purchases that really tempt you, you may want to carve out room in your budget to snag them before they’re gone.

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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 could be a smart move. 

Although side hustles aren’t a particularly new concept, they’ve grown in popularity over the past number of years. In fact, if you’re the only person you know without a side hustle, well, it’s easy to see why.

If you’re now thinking about getting a side hustle, you should know that doing so could work wonders for your finances. A side gig might make it possible to build some savings, pay off debt, or generally have more flexibility when it comes to paying bills and treating yourself to different things.

But the decision to take on a side hustle is a big one. In some cases, you may be committing to a lot of extra working hours. That’s time you won’t have available to socialize, sleep, or simply enjoy lounging around binge-watching your favorite series.

So should you get your first side hustle in 2023? Ask yourself these questions to find out.

1. Is money tight?

Having extra money is really never a bad thing. But if you’re worried about fitting a side hustle into your schedule, you may want to take a step back and ask yourself if you really need the money.

Maybe you have a fully loaded emergency fund and manage to regularly contribute funds to your IRA based on your current paycheck. Maybe you also have no debt and are able to cover your bills without concern. If that’s the case, a side hustle could make it possible to, say, take an extra vacation each year, or enjoy a nicer one than what you’d normally be looking at.

But is that really worth giving up so many hours of your precious free time? It may not be. And so if you’re doing well financially, it’s okay to say no to a side hustle and decide that your downtime is worth preserving.

2. Is childcare an issue?

There are plenty of side hustles you can do from the comfort of home. But if you have kids who are too young to stay home alone and you’re single, or you have a partner who works nights and weekends, then you may run into an issue with childcare if you take on a side hustle that requires you to leave the house.

Of course, there’s always the option to pay for childcare so you can work. But unless your side hustle is really lucrative, you may find that it’s not worth it financially.

It’s one thing to pay a babysitter $15 an hour if you’re able to earn $50 an hour tutoring or teaching an instrument. But if you’re looking at a $20-an-hour gig, you may decide it’s not worth giving up your time and wreaking havoc on your schedule to come away with just $5 for every hour you work.

3. Are you good at time management?

To hold down a side hustle, you need decent time management skills. That’s because that gig is only one of several responsibilities you’ll be juggling. If you’ve struggled with time management in the past, you may want to hold off on taking on an extra job. Or, you may want to start with a gig that really only requires you to commit a few hours each week.

A side hustle could do a lot of great things for your financial picture. But that doesn’t automatically mean you should get one. Run through these questions before diving in.

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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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It’s safe to say that 100 employees would have 100 different “best of” lists.  

It caught our attention last month when a long-term Costco employee named Veronica posted on Insider, sharing the 10 best things she bought from Costco in 2022. After all, who better than a Costco employee to know where the bargains are hidden? And given the current state of inflation, it’s good to have the inside track.

Without further ado, here’s her “best of” list.

1. Vitamix

One quickly gets the idea that Veronica is all about working out and staying healthy. The first health-conscious item she mentioned buying is a Vitamix E520 blender. She refers to the blender as the “holy grail” of making smoothies and fresh salsas. And Veronica likes the fact that it’s versatile enough to make baby food, soups, and more.

Insider tip: According to Veronica, the blender typically retails for $399.99 (as it does today). If you’re looking for one, though, keep an eye out because she says that she’s seen it sell for as low as $299.99. Waiting could result in an extra $100 staying in your bank account.

2. Yakisoba stir fry with seasoned chicken

We’re not sure which Costco location employs Veronica, but she seems to have snagged a stir fry kit not available at all Costco locations. The package came with premade sous-vide chicken, fresh vegetables, yakisoba noodles, and stir-fry sauce.

Insider tip: According to Veronica, the stir-fry kit can be prepared in less than seven minutes. Better yet, at $6.49 per pound, she can feed her family of four for around $22.

3. Realgood chicken enchiladas

Another sign that the long-time employee is health-conscious is her focus on nutrition. Evidently, these enchiladas appealed to her because they contain 20 grams of protein, 2 grams of net carbs, and no grain.

Insider tip: While we realize that checking the reader comment section is not typically a good idea, two readers strongly disagreed with Veronica’s take on the enchiladas. Readers named Debra and Jen each complained about the taste. While Debra says she threw hers in the trash, Jen said she was grateful for Costco’s liberal return policy.

4. Sharper Image Power Percussion deep-tissue massager

Veronica says she uses the deep-tissue massager nearly every day, especially after working out. She appreciates that different attachments target different muscle groups.

Insider tip: This is another product to keep an eye out for if you’re interested, as the price is known to drop.

5. Fairlife protein beverages

Again, Veronica’s “best-of” list ties back to her workout habits. Sharing that she works out five times a week, her go-to snack is a Fairlife protein beverage. One drink contains 30 grams of protein and two grams of sugar.

Insider tip: The Fairlife brand is one of the top-selling proteins at Costco.

6. Kirkland Signature breakfast blend coffee

According to Veronica, she won’t buy her coffee blend anywhere but Costco, paying $39.99 for a pack of 120 K-Cups. She calls the Kirkland Signature breakfast blend “perfect.”

Insider tip: One coffee does not fit all, as evidenced by another reader comment. This one came from someone using the handle “All American.” According to AA, other retailers, including Kroger, offer a 120 pack of K-Cup pods at a much lower price, so it pays to shop around.

7. Vital Proteins’ collagen peptides

Veronica seems wild about these collagen peptides, saying she believes they’ve helped her hair and nails grow. She says she mixes the unflavored collagen into her coffee each morning.

Insider tip: Normally sold for $31.99, Costco has been known to drop the price down to $21.99 on occasion.

8. Hunter boots

This one came as a bit of a surprise, given that hunter boots are neither health-related or something worn by just anyone. Still, Veronica was excited to have snagged a pair for $79.99 since she’s seen some styles sell for over $100.

Insider tip: If you can’t find hunter boots in-store, they can sometimes be purchased on the Costco website. Although that was not the case when we checked today, it’s worth looking out for when you’re in the market.

9. Saint Laurent sunglasses

We must admit, the sunglasses Veronica purchased are pretty great looking. She suggests the SLM3 black-gray, retailing for $116.99.

Insider tip: When you’re shopping for eyeglasses, make it a point to check out Costco’s optical department for potential savings. Whether you typically pay with cash or use a rewards credit card to earn points, it pays to save where you can.

10. Glad Take-Away containers

As someone who meal-preps, Veronica says these containers come in handy.

Insider tip: If you’re concerned about the negative impact of plastic on the environment, you can always opt for the Ello 2-compartment glass food containers. Not only are they great looking, you get four containers with lids for $16.97.

Whether these would be your top 10 purchases or not, it is interesting to peek behind the curtain to learn how one Costco employee shops.

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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 Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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