Money Management

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
If you have $400,000 in your retirement accounts, are you financially ready to retire? Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer to that question.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. In simple terms, your retirement savings need is a combination of several factors. These include your current income, age, plans for after retirement, other retirement income sources, and more. By using some basic rules of thumb, you can get a good estimate of how much you might need to save for a comfortable retirement.Do you need to boost your retirement savings? Click here for our up-to-date list of the best places to open an IRA right now.It’s not about the nest eggHere’s one of the most important retirement savings concepts you can learn. It doesn’t necessarily matter how much money you have saved — the better question is how much income can your savings produce?Think of it this way. Let’s say there are two retirees, and one has $500,000 in savings and a $1,500 per month Social Security income. The other has virtually no money in savings but has a $4,000 monthly pension in addition to a $1,500 Social Security check. Which is in better financial shape? If you ask me, I’d rather be the second one.How much savings do you need?There are no set-in-stone guidelines that can tell you the ideal amount of retirement savings, and even if there were, there’s no way to know how your retirement investments will perform. But here’s a basic set of steps that can help you determine approximately how much you should aim for.First, determine how much income you’ll need after you retire. Many financial planners suggest that you’ll need about 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain the same standard of living. So, if you earn $100,000 now, plan to need $80,000 per year in total income after retirement. (Of course, this isn’t a perfect guideline. Adjust up or down if you anticipate different spending needs.)Next, figure out how much will come from other sources. Virtually all retirees will have Social Security income, and if you have any pensions or annuities, be sure to consider those.The difference will need to come from retirement savings in your investment accounts. The admittedly imperfect 4% rule of retirement says that you should be able to withdraw 4% of your savings in your first year of retirement, and increase your withdrawals for inflation in subsequent years, without much chance of running out of money.To apply the 4% rule, simply multiply your income needed from retirement savings by 25 to determine how much you’ll need to retire comfortably.An exampleLet’s look at how this works. We’ll use an example of a married couple with a household income of $100,000, so they’ll need a total of $80,000 in income after retirement to live comfortably.First, we’ll say that each spouse will get $1,900 per month from Social Security, which is approximately how much the average retired worker gets in 2024. Between the two of them, this is $45,600 per year. We’ll also say that one spouse expects a $1,000 monthly pension, for another $12,000 in annual income.Subtracting these income sources from $80,000 shows that this couple will need about $22,400 from their retirement savings. Multiplying by 25 gives a ballpark retirement nest egg of $560,000 for a comfortable retirement. So in this case, $400,000 in savings isn’t quite enough.Finally, keep in mind that this is in today’s dollars. It doesn’t reflect any inflation that takes place between now and when you’re ready to retire. Keep this in mind as the years go on and you reassess your progress.The bottom lineLike most personal finance topics, there’s not an easy answer to the question of “how much should I have saved before I retire?” And there isn’t a perfect one-size-fits-all method to figure it out. But using guidelines like those discussed here can help you get a solid estimate of your retirement savings target that can help you adjust your savings strategy and retirement timeline as needed.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you have $400,000 in your retirement accounts, are you financially ready to retire? Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer to that question.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

In simple terms, your retirement savings need is a combination of several factors. These include your current income, age, plans for after retirement, other retirement income sources, and more. By using some basic rules of thumb, you can get a good estimate of how much you might need to save for a comfortable retirement.

Do you need to boost your retirement savings? Click here for our up-to-date list of the best places to open an IRA right now.

It’s not about the nest egg

Here’s one of the most important retirement savings concepts you can learn. It doesn’t necessarily matter how much money you have saved — the better question is how much income can your savings produce?

Think of it this way. Let’s say there are two retirees, and one has $500,000 in savings and a $1,500 per month Social Security income. The other has virtually no money in savings but has a $4,000 monthly pension in addition to a $1,500 Social Security check. Which is in better financial shape? If you ask me, I’d rather be the second one.

How much savings do you need?

There are no set-in-stone guidelines that can tell you the ideal amount of retirement savings, and even if there were, there’s no way to know how your retirement investments will perform. But here’s a basic set of steps that can help you determine approximately how much you should aim for.

First, determine how much income you’ll need after you retire. Many financial planners suggest that you’ll need about 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain the same standard of living. So, if you earn $100,000 now, plan to need $80,000 per year in total income after retirement. (Of course, this isn’t a perfect guideline. Adjust up or down if you anticipate different spending needs.)

Next, figure out how much will come from other sources. Virtually all retirees will have Social Security income, and if you have any pensions or annuities, be sure to consider those.

The difference will need to come from retirement savings in your investment accounts. The admittedly imperfect 4% rule of retirement says that you should be able to withdraw 4% of your savings in your first year of retirement, and increase your withdrawals for inflation in subsequent years, without much chance of running out of money.

To apply the 4% rule, simply multiply your income needed from retirement savings by 25 to determine how much you’ll need to retire comfortably.

An example

Let’s look at how this works. We’ll use an example of a married couple with a household income of $100,000, so they’ll need a total of $80,000 in income after retirement to live comfortably.

First, we’ll say that each spouse will get $1,900 per month from Social Security, which is approximately how much the average retired worker gets in 2024. Between the two of them, this is $45,600 per year. We’ll also say that one spouse expects a $1,000 monthly pension, for another $12,000 in annual income.

Subtracting these income sources from $80,000 shows that this couple will need about $22,400 from their retirement savings. Multiplying by 25 gives a ballpark retirement nest egg of $560,000 for a comfortable retirement. So in this case, $400,000 in savings isn’t quite enough.

Finally, keep in mind that this is in today’s dollars. It doesn’t reflect any inflation that takes place between now and when you’re ready to retire. Keep this in mind as the years go on and you reassess your progress.

The bottom line

Like most personal finance topics, there’s not an easy answer to the question of “how much should I have saved before I retire?” And there isn’t a perfect one-size-fits-all method to figure it out. But using guidelines like those discussed here can help you get a solid estimate of your retirement savings target that can help you adjust your savings strategy and retirement timeline as needed.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
You probably know it’s important to make an effort to save for retirement. The average retiree today only gets about $23,000 a year from Social Security, which isn’t a lot of money to live on. So it’s essential to have savings to boost your senior income.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Of course, that begs the question: How much should you be saving for retirement? There’s some general guidance you can use. But a better bet is to ask yourself a couple of key questions.Figuring out your savings goalFinancial experts typically recommend saving 15% to 20% of your income for retirement. If you can pull that off, fantastic. You’ll be doing your future self a world of good.But let’s get real. Many of us can’t afford to part with 15% to 20% of our monthly paycheck. Instead of pushing yourself to save an unrealistic amount of money, a smarter move is to ask yourself two key questions.1. Do I get a 401(k) match?If you do, your goal should be to save enough money to claim it in full. If your employer offers to match up to $3,000 in annual 401(k) contributions, you should try your best to save $250 a month for retirement. This will effectively give you $500 a month in your 401(k) ($250 from you and $250 from your employer).2. How much can I comfortably afford without making myself miserable?Maybe you don’t have a 401(k) match, or even a 401(k) at all. And even if you do, maybe claiming that full match just isn’t in the cards right now.Rather than stress, set up a budget and figure out how much you can afford to contribute toward retirement each month without falling behind on bills and without denying yourself too many of the things that make life fun.If you currently spend $300 a month on leisure, it’s pretty reasonable to cut that down to $200 and put $100 a month into an IRA or 401(k) for retirement. But should you force yourself to spend no money on leisure so you can put $300 a month into a retirement plan? That’s a no.You can’t deny yourself every single fun thing in your life just to save for retirement. If you do that, you risk burning out, which could lead you to give up on retirement savings altogether.A great way to grow your retirement savingsThe amount of money you save for retirement should hinge on what you can afford. If that’s 18% of your paycheck, awesome. If it’s 2%, know that 2% is better than 0%.That said, one thing you should do is invest your savings in the stock market. Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500’s average annual return has been 10%, accounting for good years and weak years.Even if you only invest $50 a month for retirement, if you do so over 40 years and your portfolio gives you a 10% average yearly return during that time, you’re looking at about $265,000. That’s more than double the average $129,200 IRA balance today, according to Fidelity.In fact, rather than stress over how much to save for retirement, the most important thing to do is get started immediately so your money has the most amount of time to grow. If you’re not signed up for your company’s 401(k) yet, do that now (ask HR about it). And if you don’t have access to a 401(k) plan through your job, click here for a list of the best IRAs and open one today.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

You probably know it’s important to make an effort to save for retirement. The average retiree today only gets about $23,000 a year from Social Security, which isn’t a lot of money to live on. So it’s essential to have savings to boost your senior income.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Of course, that begs the question: How much should you be saving for retirement? There’s some general guidance you can use. But a better bet is to ask yourself a couple of key questions.

Figuring out your savings goal

Financial experts typically recommend saving 15% to 20% of your income for retirement. If you can pull that off, fantastic. You’ll be doing your future self a world of good.

But let’s get real. Many of us can’t afford to part with 15% to 20% of our monthly paycheck. Instead of pushing yourself to save an unrealistic amount of money, a smarter move is to ask yourself two key questions.

1. Do I get a 401(k) match?

If you do, your goal should be to save enough money to claim it in full. If your employer offers to match up to $3,000 in annual 401(k) contributions, you should try your best to save $250 a month for retirement. This will effectively give you $500 a month in your 401(k) ($250 from you and $250 from your employer).

2. How much can I comfortably afford without making myself miserable?

Maybe you don’t have a 401(k) match, or even a 401(k) at all. And even if you do, maybe claiming that full match just isn’t in the cards right now.

Rather than stress, set up a budget and figure out how much you can afford to contribute toward retirement each month without falling behind on bills and without denying yourself too many of the things that make life fun.

If you currently spend $300 a month on leisure, it’s pretty reasonable to cut that down to $200 and put $100 a month into an IRA or 401(k) for retirement. But should you force yourself to spend no money on leisure so you can put $300 a month into a retirement plan? That’s a no.

You can’t deny yourself every single fun thing in your life just to save for retirement. If you do that, you risk burning out, which could lead you to give up on retirement savings altogether.

A great way to grow your retirement savings

The amount of money you save for retirement should hinge on what you can afford. If that’s 18% of your paycheck, awesome. If it’s 2%, know that 2% is better than 0%.

That said, one thing you should do is invest your savings in the stock market. Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500’s average annual return has been 10%, accounting for good years and weak years.

Even if you only invest $50 a month for retirement, if you do so over 40 years and your portfolio gives you a 10% average yearly return during that time, you’re looking at about $265,000. That’s more than double the average $129,200 IRA balance today, according to Fidelity.

In fact, rather than stress over how much to save for retirement, the most important thing to do is get started immediately so your money has the most amount of time to grow. If you’re not signed up for your company’s 401(k) yet, do that now (ask HR about it). And if you don’t have access to a 401(k) plan through your job, click here for a list of the best IRAs and open one today.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
For many of us, the holidays are the most expensive time of the year. Holiday spending is expected to reach a record high of $902 per person this year, according to the National Retail Federation.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. It’s great if you can pay for everything in full with money from your savings. But if you’ll need to pay off your holiday purchases over time, there’s a way you can do it without any interest charges.Use a 0% APR credit card to finance your holiday purchasesThe best way to pay off holiday purchases over time is with a 0% intro APR credit card. This type of credit card has a 0% APR for an introductory time period. You can use it and carry a balance, without paying any interest on it until the intro period ends. Some cards have intro periods lasting as long as 21 months — click here to see our list of the top 0% APR credit cards.For example, perhaps you expect to spend $1,500 over the holidays, and you won’t be able to pay it off immediately. If you go that far into debt with most credit cards, it will cost you quite a bit of interest. The average rate on credit cards that are assessed interest is 23.37%, according to Federal Reserve data. At that rate, a $1,500 balance costs you about $351 in yearly interest.Instead, let’s say you open a credit card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months. Now you can pay off that balance with monthly payments of just $100. If you want to pay it off faster, you could put $300 per month toward it and be out of debt in just five months. Either way, it won’t cost you any interest.It’s an easy, stress-free way to finance holiday expenses. If you’re looking for this type of card, check out one of our top picks with a 0% intro APR and big cash back rewards.How to make the most of a 0% APR cardWhen you’re borrowing money, a 0% intro APR is hard to beat. However, these offers can backfire. Some people overspend and don’t get their debt paid off in time. Others don’t keep up with their payments and get their 0% intro APR canceled.Whether you come out ahead or not depends on how you use your 0% APR card. Here are a few tips to ensure it ends up helping you and not hurting you.Stick to a spending limitBefore you spend any money, set a budget for yourself. This should be an amount you’re comfortable spending and that you’re confident you can repay within your card’s intro period.If you try to figure this out as you go, you could end up overspending. It’s always tempting to spend more during the holidays, and if you haven’t set a limit for yourself, there’s not much stopping you from making impulsive purchases.Make a payment planDecide how much you’ll pay per month toward your credit card. At a minimum, this should be enough to pay off your balance before the 0% intro APR ends. If you don’t do that, you’ll be charged interest on your remaining balance. You may want to commit yourself to a larger monthly payment if you’d like to be debt-free sooner.Don’t just make the minimum payment required by the issuer every month. On large balances, you’re normally only required to pay a small minimum amount of 1% to 2%. You almost certainly won’t have your balance paid off during the intro period this way.Always pay your credit card bill on timeThis is a smart habit with any credit card. It’s good for your credit score, and you avoid late fees. But paying on time is especially important when you have a 0% intro APR credit card.If you miss a payment, the card issuer could decide to cancel your 0% intro APR. Your card’s APR would jump from 0% to its normal rate and start costing you interest every month.Sometimes you need to borrow money for a short time to make the holidays extra special. A credit card is a convenient way to do that. And if you find a credit card with a 0% intro APR, that could be the most affordable way to do it.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

For many of us, the holidays are the most expensive time of the year. Holiday spending is expected to reach a record high of $902 per person this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

It’s great if you can pay for everything in full with money from your savings. But if you’ll need to pay off your holiday purchases over time, there’s a way you can do it without any interest charges.

Use a 0% APR credit card to finance your holiday purchases

The best way to pay off holiday purchases over time is with a 0% intro APR credit card. This type of credit card has a 0% APR for an introductory time period. You can use it and carry a balance, without paying any interest on it until the intro period ends. Some cards have intro periods lasting as long as 21 months — click here to see our list of the top 0% APR credit cards.

For example, perhaps you expect to spend $1,500 over the holidays, and you won’t be able to pay it off immediately. If you go that far into debt with most credit cards, it will cost you quite a bit of interest. The average rate on credit cards that are assessed interest is 23.37%, according to Federal Reserve data. At that rate, a $1,500 balance costs you about $351 in yearly interest.

Instead, let’s say you open a credit card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months. Now you can pay off that balance with monthly payments of just $100. If you want to pay it off faster, you could put $300 per month toward it and be out of debt in just five months. Either way, it won’t cost you any interest.

It’s an easy, stress-free way to finance holiday expenses. If you’re looking for this type of card, check out one of our top picks with a 0% intro APR and big cash back rewards.

How to make the most of a 0% APR card

When you’re borrowing money, a 0% intro APR is hard to beat. However, these offers can backfire. Some people overspend and don’t get their debt paid off in time. Others don’t keep up with their payments and get their 0% intro APR canceled.

Whether you come out ahead or not depends on how you use your 0% APR card. Here are a few tips to ensure it ends up helping you and not hurting you.

Stick to a spending limit

Before you spend any money, set a budget for yourself. This should be an amount you’re comfortable spending and that you’re confident you can repay within your card’s intro period.

If you try to figure this out as you go, you could end up overspending. It’s always tempting to spend more during the holidays, and if you haven’t set a limit for yourself, there’s not much stopping you from making impulsive purchases.

Make a payment plan

Decide how much you’ll pay per month toward your credit card. At a minimum, this should be enough to pay off your balance before the 0% intro APR ends. If you don’t do that, you’ll be charged interest on your remaining balance. You may want to commit yourself to a larger monthly payment if you’d like to be debt-free sooner.

Don’t just make the minimum payment required by the issuer every month. On large balances, you’re normally only required to pay a small minimum amount of 1% to 2%. You almost certainly won’t have your balance paid off during the intro period this way.

Always pay your credit card bill on time

This is a smart habit with any credit card. It’s good for your credit score, and you avoid late fees. But paying on time is especially important when you have a 0% intro APR credit card.

If you miss a payment, the card issuer could decide to cancel your 0% intro APR. Your card’s APR would jump from 0% to its normal rate and start costing you interest every month.

Sometimes you need to borrow money for a short time to make the holidays extra special. A credit card is a convenient way to do that. And if you find a credit card with a 0% intro APR, that could be the most affordable way to do it.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
Many people rave about Costco — and for good reason. The popular warehouse club retailer has discounted prices on groceries, household goods, personal care items, electronics, clothes, and more. You must be a paying member to shop these deals in person. It costs $65 to $130 annually for a Costco membership. And for many people, that’s a hefty price to pay.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. But did you know that non-members can shop at Costco.com? That means you can shop great deals while avoiding an annual membership fee. But this choice will impact your wallet. I’ll explain why you may want to invest in a Costco membership to shop in-club and online.You’ll pay more than Costco membersIf you’re a non-member, you’ll spend more when shopping Costco’s online deals. There are two ways that non-members pay more when shopping at Costco.com.For starters, prices are often cheaper in-store. The price you see listed at Costco.com may be much higher than if you were to pick up the same item at your local club. That may not sound like a big deal, but every extra dollar you pay adds up — especially if you’re a frequent shopper.But that’s not all. Costco imposes a 5% non-member surcharge on each order. If you’re not a member, you’ll pay 5% more every time you place an online order. This surcharge can add up quickly if you’re making a spendy purchase or are planning to shop at Costco.com often.You should consider whether you feel comfortable paying more for occasional online orders or if it makes more sense to invest in an annual membership to maximize your savings. If you’re making a one-time purchase, a membership may not be ideal. But remember to consider the 5% surcharge when making your decision.Costco members can save even more by earning rewards at checkout. The right credit card makes earning rewards on your next Costco haul easy. Click here to explore our curated list of top credit cards for Costco shoppers.Here’s what to do insteadIf you’re interested in shopping at Costco, I recommend purchasing a membership. Costco has a satisfaction guarantee on memberships. That means if you have a bad experience or it doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel your membership and get a refund. Because of this policy, I think it’s well worth investing in a membership to see if it adds value to your life.Costco offers two memberships. The Gold Star membership is the standard offering and costs $65 annually. The Executive membership costs $130 annually and provides more perks.One of the most notable differences is that Executive members earn 2% back in rewards on eligible Costco purchases for a maximum of $1,250 in earnings each year.Becoming a member is an investment, but you can access the plentiful membership perks and deals without paying extra as a non-member at Costco.com.I avoided a membership for years, assuming that as a two-person household, there was little reason to join. But earlier this year, I became a member, and I’ve been very satisfied with my experience. Consider giving a Costco membership a try.Want to get the most out of your Costco membership? Check out our winning strategy for maximizing your Costco membership and boosting your rewards.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Many people rave about Costco — and for good reason. The popular warehouse club retailer has discounted prices on groceries, household goods, personal care items, electronics, clothes, and more. You must be a paying member to shop these deals in person. It costs $65 to $130 annually for a Costco membership. And for many people, that’s a hefty price to pay.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

But did you know that non-members can shop at Costco.com? That means you can shop great deals while avoiding an annual membership fee. But this choice will impact your wallet. I’ll explain why you may want to invest in a Costco membership to shop in-club and online.

You’ll pay more than Costco members

If you’re a non-member, you’ll spend more when shopping Costco’s online deals. There are two ways that non-members pay more when shopping at Costco.com.

For starters, prices are often cheaper in-store. The price you see listed at Costco.com may be much higher than if you were to pick up the same item at your local club. That may not sound like a big deal, but every extra dollar you pay adds up — especially if you’re a frequent shopper.

But that’s not all. Costco imposes a 5% non-member surcharge on each order. If you’re not a member, you’ll pay 5% more every time you place an online order. This surcharge can add up quickly if you’re making a spendy purchase or are planning to shop at Costco.com often.

You should consider whether you feel comfortable paying more for occasional online orders or if it makes more sense to invest in an annual membership to maximize your savings. If you’re making a one-time purchase, a membership may not be ideal. But remember to consider the 5% surcharge when making your decision.

Costco members can save even more by earning rewards at checkout. The right credit card makes earning rewards on your next Costco haul easy. Click here to explore our curated list of top credit cards for Costco shoppers.

Here’s what to do instead

If you’re interested in shopping at Costco, I recommend purchasing a membership. Costco has a satisfaction guarantee on memberships. That means if you have a bad experience or it doesn’t meet your needs, you can cancel your membership and get a refund. Because of this policy, I think it’s well worth investing in a membership to see if it adds value to your life.

Costco offers two memberships. The Gold Star membership is the standard offering and costs $65 annually. The Executive membership costs $130 annually and provides more perks.

One of the most notable differences is that Executive members earn 2% back in rewards on eligible Costco purchases for a maximum of $1,250 in earnings each year.

Becoming a member is an investment, but you can access the plentiful membership perks and deals without paying extra as a non-member at Costco.com.

I avoided a membership for years, assuming that as a two-person household, there was little reason to join. But earlier this year, I became a member, and I’ve been very satisfied with my experience. Consider giving a Costco membership a try.

Want to get the most out of your Costco membership? Check out our winning strategy for maximizing your Costco membership and boosting your rewards.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
Many shoppers rave about Costco. They love the product offerings, and the members-only pricing helps them keep more money in their checking accounts. Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. However, many Costco members live with roommates or have larger families, so they benefit greatly by purchasing groceries and other goods in bulk. But what if you live by yourself? Can a Costco membership help solo households save money? The answer is yes. I’ll explain some of the ways a Costco membership can save you money even if you live alone. 1. Purchase discounted gift cardsYou can buy cheap gift cards from Costco. This is one membership perk I never thought much about before becoming a member. I joined nearly three months ago and have already saved $90 thanks to discount gift card deals from Costco. Costco offers gift cards for many popular retailers, including entertainment brands, restaurants, and airlines. Whether you use the gift cards to pay for everyday purchases yourself or give them as gifts, this is a fantastic membership perk.As a solo shopper, buying discounted gift cards at Costco is an easy way to save money. Want to save even more at Costco? Use a rewards credit card to pay for your Costco haul. Click here to explore our curated list of the top credit cards for Costco shoppers.2. Fill up your gas tank One big membership perk is the ability to get discounts on gasoline. This is especially helpful if you drive a vehicle with a bigger gas tank or put a lot of miles on your car. Those who live alone can save a lot of money when filling up their gas tanks at Costco. The savings vary by location. Let’s see how much you could save on one fill-up. According to AAA, the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline in the city of Chicago is $3.615 at the time of writing. Meanwhile, the per-gallon price for regular gasoline at the Chicago South Loop Costco Warehouse is $3.299. Let’s imagine you drive a sedan with a 15-gallon gas tank. The average cost elsewhere would be $54.23 for a full tank of gasoline, but you’d pay $49.49 at Costco, saving you $4.74. While that may not sound like much, the savings add up every time you fill your tank. If you have a Costco near your home or work, consider joining for the gas savings. Related: Take a look at our favorite strategy to maximize your savings at Costco. 3. Stock up on over-the-counter (OTC) medications Here’s another way people who live alone can save money at Costco. The warehouse club brand sells OTC medications at affordable prices. You can stock up your medicine cabinet without worrying about going broke. Here’s one example of the potential savings for allergy sufferers: You can get a 365-tablet pack of Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec medication at your local club for around $14.49. Its active ingredients are comparable to those in Zyrtec. Meanwhile, Target’s generic version costs more. A 300-count of up&up Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Relief Tablets costs $31.99. You’ll save $17.50 and get more medication with your Costco card. This is just one example of how single households can save money when buying OTC medications at Costco. You can also save money when buying cough and cold medications, pain relievers, fever reducers, and more. Costco is for everyone Many items sold in bulk at Costco are a great fit for multi-person households. But a Costco membership can help you save money even if you live alone. This is just a sample of how you can benefit financially by having a Costco membership card in your wallet.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Many shoppers rave about Costco. They love the product offerings, and the members-only pricing helps them keep more money in their checking accounts.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

However, many Costco members live with roommates or have larger families, so they benefit greatly by purchasing groceries and other goods in bulk. But what if you live by yourself?

Can a Costco membership help solo households save money? The answer is yes. I’ll explain some of the ways a Costco membership can save you money even if you live alone.

1. Purchase discounted gift cards

You can buy cheap gift cards from Costco. This is one membership perk I never thought much about before becoming a member. I joined nearly three months ago and have already saved $90 thanks to discount gift card deals from Costco.

Costco offers gift cards for many popular retailers, including entertainment brands, restaurants, and airlines. Whether you use the gift cards to pay for everyday purchases yourself or give them as gifts, this is a fantastic membership perk.

As a solo shopper, buying discounted gift cards at Costco is an easy way to save money.

Want to save even more at Costco? Use a rewards credit card to pay for your Costco haul. Click here to explore our curated list of the top credit cards for Costco shoppers.

2. Fill up your gas tank

One big membership perk is the ability to get discounts on gasoline. This is especially helpful if you drive a vehicle with a bigger gas tank or put a lot of miles on your car. Those who live alone can save a lot of money when filling up their gas tanks at Costco. The savings vary by location.

Let’s see how much you could save on one fill-up. According to AAA, the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline in the city of Chicago is $3.615 at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, the per-gallon price for regular gasoline at the Chicago South Loop Costco Warehouse is $3.299. Let’s imagine you drive a sedan with a 15-gallon gas tank. The average cost elsewhere would be $54.23 for a full tank of gasoline, but you’d pay $49.49 at Costco, saving you $4.74.

While that may not sound like much, the savings add up every time you fill your tank. If you have a Costco near your home or work, consider joining for the gas savings.

Related: Take a look at our favorite strategy to maximize your savings at Costco.

3. Stock up on over-the-counter (OTC) medications

Here’s another way people who live alone can save money at Costco. The warehouse club brand sells OTC medications at affordable prices. You can stock up your medicine cabinet without worrying about going broke.

Here’s one example of the potential savings for allergy sufferers:

You can get a 365-tablet pack of Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec medication at your local club for around $14.49. Its active ingredients are comparable to those in Zyrtec.

Meanwhile, Target’s generic version costs more. A 300-count of up&up Cetirizine Hydrochloride Allergy Relief Tablets costs $31.99. You’ll save $17.50 and get more medication with your Costco card.

This is just one example of how single households can save money when buying OTC medications at Costco. You can also save money when buying cough and cold medications, pain relievers, fever reducers, and more.

Costco is for everyone

Many items sold in bulk at Costco are a great fit for multi-person households. But a Costco membership can help you save money even if you live alone. This is just a sample of how you can benefit financially by having a Costco membership card in your wallet.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 Costco Wholesale and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
I do what I can to avoid debt. Beyond a mortgage, I have zero debt. I use credit cards regularly to pay for everyday purchases to earn rewards, but I pay my balances off every month to avoid expensive credit card interest.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. Another way I’ve avoided taking on debt is by driving a well-loved and well-cared-for vehicle. I don’t feel the need to drive the latest vehicle, so I don’t have a car loan. But that’s not the only reason why I’ve made this choice.Here’s why I plan to continue driving my 12-year-old Honda Civic well into the new year.1. Honda vehicles are affordable to maintainHonda continues to be included in lists of the cheapest car brands to maintain. In one such recent list from Consumer Reports, Honda made it on the list as the No. 10 least expensive car brand. The estimated 10-year maintenance cost for a Honda is $5,850.Anytime I’ve needed regular maintenance work or repairs done to my 2012 Honda Civic, I’ve found the costs to be very reasonable. I’ll continue driving my older Honda as long as possible because the last thing I want to do is deal with expensive car repair and maintenance bills.2. I want my insurance costs to stay reasonableCar insurance companies consider many factors when calculating car insurance premium costs. These include age, driving history, car make and model, and location. I’ll continue to drive my 12-year-old car because I want my car insurance costs to be affordable.If I were to buy a newer vehicle, I’d likely pay more for insurance. Many of the cars sold within the last few years have more tech and electronic components, which can drive up repair costs. They also tend to have higher values, which also drives up insurance costs.I feel comfortable with my car insurance costs now, and I’m in no hurry to find out how much more expensive they could be if I replaced my car.Want to lower your car insurance bill? Click here to review our list of the cheapest car insurance companies to get a quote and see if you can save by switching insurers.3. I love not having a car paymentAccording to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average driver is paying hundreds of dollars each month for car payments. Data from Q2 2024 shows that the average monthly payment was $734 for new cars and $525 for used cars.I’d like to avoid spending $6,300 to $8,808 annually to finance a car, so I’ll keep driving my dependable Honda Civic for as long as I can.4. I want to continue saving for my next carThe end of a vehicle’s life can come at any time. Even for drivers who take good care of their cars, they can be totaled unexpectedly in an accident. Another reason I plan to keep driving my car as long as possible is to give myself plenty of time to save up for a replacement vehicle.When the time comes to get a new set of wheels, I don’t want to feel financial stress. The longer I keep my current vehicle, the more time I have to stash extra money in my savings account.Delaying a new car purchase could be a significant financial winDrivers with dinosaur vehicles like my 2012 Honda Civic may wonder if it’s finally time to replace their well-loved cars with a new model. As long as a vehicle is safe to drive and the cost of upkeep is still affordable, it’s likely worthwhile to keep it. Driving an older car can free up more money for other financial goals.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

I do what I can to avoid debt. Beyond a mortgage, I have zero debt. I use credit cards regularly to pay for everyday purchases to earn rewards, but I pay my balances off every month to avoid expensive credit card interest.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Another way I’ve avoided taking on debt is by driving a well-loved and well-cared-for vehicle. I don’t feel the need to drive the latest vehicle, so I don’t have a car loan. But that’s not the only reason why I’ve made this choice.

Here’s why I plan to continue driving my 12-year-old Honda Civic well into the new year.

1. Honda vehicles are affordable to maintain

Honda continues to be included in lists of the cheapest car brands to maintain. In one such recent list from Consumer Reports, Honda made it on the list as the No. 10 least expensive car brand. The estimated 10-year maintenance cost for a Honda is $5,850.

Anytime I’ve needed regular maintenance work or repairs done to my 2012 Honda Civic, I’ve found the costs to be very reasonable. I’ll continue driving my older Honda as long as possible because the last thing I want to do is deal with expensive car repair and maintenance bills.

2. I want my insurance costs to stay reasonable

Car insurance companies consider many factors when calculating car insurance premium costs. These include age, driving history, car make and model, and location. I’ll continue to drive my 12-year-old car because I want my car insurance costs to be affordable.

If I were to buy a newer vehicle, I’d likely pay more for insurance. Many of the cars sold within the last few years have more tech and electronic components, which can drive up repair costs. They also tend to have higher values, which also drives up insurance costs.

I feel comfortable with my car insurance costs now, and I’m in no hurry to find out how much more expensive they could be if I replaced my car.

Want to lower your car insurance bill? Click here to review our list of the cheapest car insurance companies to get a quote and see if you can save by switching insurers.

3. I love not having a car payment

According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average driver is paying hundreds of dollars each month for car payments. Data from Q2 2024 shows that the average monthly payment was $734 for new cars and $525 for used cars.

I’d like to avoid spending $6,300 to $8,808 annually to finance a car, so I’ll keep driving my dependable Honda Civic for as long as I can.

4. I want to continue saving for my next car

The end of a vehicle’s life can come at any time. Even for drivers who take good care of their cars, they can be totaled unexpectedly in an accident. Another reason I plan to keep driving my car as long as possible is to give myself plenty of time to save up for a replacement vehicle.

When the time comes to get a new set of wheels, I don’t want to feel financial stress. The longer I keep my current vehicle, the more time I have to stash extra money in my savings account.

Delaying a new car purchase could be a significant financial win

Drivers with dinosaur vehicles like my 2012 Honda Civic may wonder if it’s finally time to replace their well-loved cars with a new model. As long as a vehicle is safe to drive and the cost of upkeep is still affordable, it’s likely worthwhile to keep it. Driving an older car can free up more money for other financial goals.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More