Money Management

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
The cost of car ownership has become one of the biggest sources of inflation — and one of the most frustrating household expenses — in American life. According to the 2024 Your Driving Costs study from AAA, the average cost of owning a new car is $12,297 per year.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. Auto insurance, auto loan costs, rising costs of car maintenance, and depreciation are all factors in the sky-high costs of car ownership. But the good news is drivers can still make a few strategic moves to reduce their costs.Let’s look at what’s driving the high cost of the average American’s car spending in 2024 — and how drivers can find better deals on auto insurance and more.Why is the average cost of car ownership $12,000?In its 2024 Your Driving Costs study, researchers at AAA found the average new car in America sells for $38,883. But the sticker price is not the only cost of car ownership. Motorists continue to pay long after they drive their newly purchased vehicle off the lot.Depreciation — the loss of a car’s financial value as it gets older and gains mileage — is a big factor. Fuel is another, whether that’s gas or charging an electric vehicle. Then there are taxes, maintenance, interest on auto loans, and more.Auto insurance is one of the biggest costs of car ownership. Anyone who wants to reduce their costs of car ownership should start by shopping around for auto insurance price quotes. Click here to learn more about the best cheap car insurance companies — and see how to get a better deal on auto insurance in 2025.Here’s a breakdown of how the average cost of car ownership reached beyond $12,000, in order of largest to smallest costs:Cost CategoryDollars Spent per YearDepreciation$4,680Fuel (assumes 15,000 miles @ $0.149 per mile)$2,235Auto insurance$1,715Maintenance, repair & tires (assumes 15,000 miles @ $0.1013 per mile)$1,520Auto loan finance costs$1,332License, registration & taxes$815TOTAL$12,297Data source: AAA, Your Driving Costs 2024Why it’s so expensive to own a carThe AAA Your Driving Costs study found a few big trends are shaping the high cost of car ownership in America today:Car prices keep going upSimply put, new cars cost a lot of money nowadays. Here’s how much more expensive new cars have gotten just in the past few years, compared to previous AAA data:YearAverage New Car MSRP% Change vs. Previous Year2024$38,88311.5%2023$34,8764.7%2022$33,301N/AData source: AAA, Your Driving Costs (2022-2024), plus author’s calculations Cheap auto loans are harder to findMore than 80% of new car purchases use auto loan financing. But during the past few years of rising interest rates and rising vehicle prices, auto loans have gotten more expensive. As of June 2024, the average new car loan amount was $39,266 — up from $31,170 five years earlier. That’s a 26% increase.Good news: especially for drivers who have decent credit and who buy newer vehicles, auto loan rates might fall. During its last two meetings in September and November, the Fed cut interest rates by a total of 0.75%. This will help drive down the APRs on the best auto loans, although not all drivers will qualify based on credit score and vehicle type.Bottom lineWant to save on car ownership costs? Start by buying a cheaper car. This is easier said than done, but used car prices have declined in 2024. New cars are also getting more affordable and, hopefully, borrowing costs will fall as auto loan APRs come down.For many drivers, insurance is the biggest cost of car ownership that’s within their control. Some car insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others — it pays to shop around to find the best deal. Drivers who own their homes should also consider bundling auto insurance with homeowners insurance for bigger discounts.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”:”

The cost of car ownership has become one of the biggest sources of inflation — and one of the most frustrating household expenses — in American life. According to the 2024 Your Driving Costs study from AAA, the average cost of owning a new car is $12,297 per year.

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.

Auto insurance, auto loan costs, rising costs of car maintenance, and depreciation are all factors in the sky-high costs of car ownership. But the good news is drivers can still make a few strategic moves to reduce their costs.

Let’s look at what’s driving the high cost of the average American’s car spending in 2024 — and how drivers can find better deals on auto insurance and more.

Why is the average cost of car ownership $12,000?

In its 2024 Your Driving Costs study, researchers at AAA found the average new car in America sells for $38,883. But the sticker price is not the only cost of car ownership. Motorists continue to pay long after they drive their newly purchased vehicle off the lot.

Depreciation — the loss of a car’s financial value as it gets older and gains mileage — is a big factor. Fuel is another, whether that’s gas or charging an electric vehicle. Then there are taxes, maintenance, interest on auto loans, and more.

Auto insurance is one of the biggest costs of car ownership. Anyone who wants to reduce their costs of car ownership should start by shopping around for auto insurance price quotes. Click here to learn more about the best cheap car insurance companies — and see how to get a better deal on auto insurance in 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of how the average cost of car ownership reached beyond $12,000, in order of largest to smallest costs:

Why it’s so expensive to own a car

The AAA Your Driving Costs study found a few big trends are shaping the high cost of car ownership in America today:

Car prices keep going up

Simply put, new cars cost a lot of money nowadays. Here’s how much more expensive new cars have gotten just in the past few years, compared to previous AAA data:

Cheap auto loans are harder to find

More than 80% of new car purchases use auto loan financing. But during the past few years of rising interest rates and rising vehicle prices, auto loans have gotten more expensive. As of June 2024, the average new car loan amount was $39,266 — up from $31,170 five years earlier. That’s a 26% increase.

Good news: especially for drivers who have decent credit and who buy newer vehicles, auto loan rates might fall. During its last two meetings in September and November, the Fed cut interest rates by a total of 0.75%. This will help drive down the APRs on the best auto loans, although not all drivers will qualify based on credit score and vehicle type.

Bottom line

Want to save on car ownership costs? Start by buying a cheaper car. This is easier said than done, but used car prices have declined in 2024. New cars are also getting more affordable and, hopefully, borrowing costs will fall as auto loan APRs come down.

For many drivers, insurance is the biggest cost of car ownership that’s within their control. Some car insurance companies offer cheaper rates than others — it pays to shop around to find the best deal. Drivers who own their homes should also consider bundling auto insurance with homeowners insurance for bigger discounts.

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: Getty Images
Kohl’s may have started as a grocery store nearly a century ago, but the department store of today doesn’t carry a lot of foodstuffs. Instead, Kohl’s has a plethora of clothing and homegoods to rival any mall foundation store.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. The brands carried by Kohl’s cover a lot of popular and big names, but the department store also has some lesser-known house brands that are well worth a look. Here are just a few of the products every Kohl’s shopper should consider.1. Sonoma Goods for Life pajama pantsKohl’s largest house brand, by both product line and revenue, is Sonoma Goods for Life, and it exists across most of its departments. But the product that I buy again and again (including just last week) is the pajama pants.The Sonoma brand includes both women’s and men’s pajama pants in various materials, cuts, and styles. (I prefer the 100% cotton, but the poly blends stay softer over time.) In my experience, they hold up well to consistent wearing and washing, and they make up a good chunk of my work-from-home wardrobe.While the regular prices aren’t bad ($20 a pair for the style I like), Kohl’s offers frequent sales and coupons — especially around the holidays. If timed right, you can easily pick up a pair for $13 to $15, which I think is very reasonable for good-quality pajama pants.2. The Big One plush blanketsI have a tendency to put throw blankets everywhere and anywhere I might need them, in nearly every room of the house. Roughly half of those blankets likely have The Big One on the tags.This brand of bedding at Kohl’s is fun and fluffy with a variety of designs — seasonal, chic, and licensed characters alike — and sizes for any spot you need a cozy throw. They hold up pretty well to daily (ab)use and are ridiculously warm.The only thing better than the fluff, in fact, is the price, which can be down to about $8 if you catch a sale-and-coupon combo (which isn’t hard at Kohl’s).Pro tip: Make sure you’re maximizing rewards on your Kohl’s purchases with the right rewards credit card. Check out our top cash back rewards cards to start your search.3. Apt. 9 men’s business casualSome of us may have gone full sleepwear thanks to work from home, but there are still plenty of folks in offices — or who like to stay sharp regardless. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on your wardrobe, however.Kohl’s Apt. 9 brand used to offer men’s and women’s options, but now it’s mostly limited to menswear of the business-casual persuasion. You can find some decent-quality button-up shirts and slacks, as well as a variety of fairly snazzy jackets and sweaters.As with most Kohl’s items, the regular price is relatively competitive, but you can get some great bargains when you stack sales and coupons. For example, those $35 button-ups become a very reasonable $25 with a good Kohl’s coupon.4. Croft & Barrow women’s sweaters and cardigansAnother Kohl’s clothing house brand, Croft & Barrow aims a little bit older in its demographic, with more mature cuts and styles (no crop-tops here, friends). It’s also nice for business casual, particularly if you work in a more reserved industry.I like this brand particularly well for the sweaters and cardigans, which all have a timeless feel and quality construction. There is a great range of colors and fits, so you can have several to match different outfits (or pajama pants, in my case).Pricewise, the brand tends to be slightly pricier than the Sonoma Goods for Life, but still affordable, particularly when you wait for a sale or coupon. For instance, the cardigan I’m eyeballing right now is normally $35, but available for as low as $25 with a Kohl’s store cardholder coupon.Considering a store credit card this holiday shopping season? Read our guide to the best store cards to see if one is right for you.5. Tek Gear sweats and athletic wearRounding out the clothing options is Kohl’s sportswear brand. It covers a lot of ground for both men and women, offering everything from sweats and leggings to hoodies and sports bras.Given that I’m currently wearing a pair of Tek Gear jogger-style sweats right now, I can assure you they’re quite comfortable (though I’ll be honest, I do more sitting than sweating in them). And I’ve been pleased with the quality of my other Tek Gear products.You’re also getting a decent deal especially compared to the very costly name brands. My joggers are normally $25, but I got them for just $13 by stacking a coupon on top of a sale.For work, home, and playKohl’s has humble roots, but today its 1,000-plus stores are full of everything from blankets and towels to luggage and yoga pants. The department store also has its own brands in every department, offering good quality for reasonable prices. If you haven’t visited your local Kohl’s in a while, it might be worth a trip.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.Brittney Myers 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”:”

Kohl’s may have started as a grocery store nearly a century ago, but the department store of today doesn’t carry a lot of foodstuffs. Instead, Kohl’s has a plethora of clothing and homegoods to rival any mall foundation store.

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.

The brands carried by Kohl’s cover a lot of popular and big names, but the department store also has some lesser-known house brands that are well worth a look. Here are just a few of the products every Kohl’s shopper should consider.

1. Sonoma Goods for Life pajama pants

Kohl’s largest house brand, by both product line and revenue, is Sonoma Goods for Life, and it exists across most of its departments. But the product that I buy again and again (including just last week) is the pajama pants.

The Sonoma brand includes both women’s and men’s pajama pants in various materials, cuts, and styles. (I prefer the 100% cotton, but the poly blends stay softer over time.) In my experience, they hold up well to consistent wearing and washing, and they make up a good chunk of my work-from-home wardrobe.

While the regular prices aren’t bad ($20 a pair for the style I like), Kohl’s offers frequent sales and coupons — especially around the holidays. If timed right, you can easily pick up a pair for $13 to $15, which I think is very reasonable for good-quality pajama pants.

2. The Big One plush blankets

I have a tendency to put throw blankets everywhere and anywhere I might need them, in nearly every room of the house. Roughly half of those blankets likely have The Big One on the tags.

This brand of bedding at Kohl’s is fun and fluffy with a variety of designs — seasonal, chic, and licensed characters alike — and sizes for any spot you need a cozy throw. They hold up pretty well to daily (ab)use and are ridiculously warm.

The only thing better than the fluff, in fact, is the price, which can be down to about $8 if you catch a sale-and-coupon combo (which isn’t hard at Kohl’s).

Pro tip: Make sure you’re maximizing rewards on your Kohl’s purchases with the right rewards credit card. Check out our top cash back rewards cards to start your search.

3. Apt. 9 men’s business casual

Some of us may have gone full sleepwear thanks to work from home, but there are still plenty of folks in offices — or who like to stay sharp regardless. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on your wardrobe, however.

Kohl’s Apt. 9 brand used to offer men’s and women’s options, but now it’s mostly limited to menswear of the business-casual persuasion. You can find some decent-quality button-up shirts and slacks, as well as a variety of fairly snazzy jackets and sweaters.

As with most Kohl’s items, the regular price is relatively competitive, but you can get some great bargains when you stack sales and coupons. For example, those $35 button-ups become a very reasonable $25 with a good Kohl’s coupon.

4. Croft & Barrow women’s sweaters and cardigans

Another Kohl’s clothing house brand, Croft & Barrow aims a little bit older in its demographic, with more mature cuts and styles (no crop-tops here, friends). It’s also nice for business casual, particularly if you work in a more reserved industry.

I like this brand particularly well for the sweaters and cardigans, which all have a timeless feel and quality construction. There is a great range of colors and fits, so you can have several to match different outfits (or pajama pants, in my case).

Pricewise, the brand tends to be slightly pricier than the Sonoma Goods for Life, but still affordable, particularly when you wait for a sale or coupon. For instance, the cardigan I’m eyeballing right now is normally $35, but available for as low as $25 with a Kohl’s store cardholder coupon.

Considering a store credit card this holiday shopping season? Read our guide to the best store cards to see if one is right for you.

5. Tek Gear sweats and athletic wear

Rounding out the clothing options is Kohl’s sportswear brand. It covers a lot of ground for both men and women, offering everything from sweats and leggings to hoodies and sports bras.

Given that I’m currently wearing a pair of Tek Gear jogger-style sweats right now, I can assure you they’re quite comfortable (though I’ll be honest, I do more sitting than sweating in them). And I’ve been pleased with the quality of my other Tek Gear products.

You’re also getting a decent deal especially compared to the very costly name brands. My joggers are normally $25, but I got them for just $13 by stacking a coupon on top of a sale.

For work, home, and play

Kohl’s has humble roots, but today its 1,000-plus stores are full of everything from blankets and towels to luggage and yoga pants. The department store also has its own brands in every department, offering good quality for reasonable prices. If you haven’t visited your local Kohl’s in a while, it might be worth a trip.

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.Brittney Myers 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: Getty Images
The holiday shopping season is a time of increased spending, constantly changing prices, and rampant identity theft. That’s why you need to be prepared and protected against whatever comes your way.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. Many top credit cards offer perks designed to help with the key challenges of holiday shopping. But since they’re not as flashy as cash back or travel rewards, they often go unnoticed. But if your cards offer any of the following five benefits, you should take advantage of them.1. Fraud liability protectionAlmost every card has this, but it’s worth mentioning simply because it’s so important. You shouldn’t have to pay for purchases you didn’t make, and fraud liability ensures you don’t have to.All you have to do is call the issuer and report the fraudulent charges. It will remove them from your statement and issue you a new card with a new number. The catch is, you generally have to report the fraud within about 60 days. If you wait longer than that, the issuer could still charge you for the items.2. Purchase protectionPurchase protection provides you with a refund or a replacement for an item that’s damaged or stolen within a certain amount of time — usually 90 to 120 days — from the purchase. You must have bought the item with the credit card that has the purchase protection to use this feature.This benefit isn’t as common as fraud liability protection, but plenty of cards still offer it. Check the cardholder agreement for each of your cards to see if any include purchase protection. If not, consider adding this card to your wallet to ensure your holiday purchases are protected until the time they reach your guests.3. Extended warranty protectionThis essentially adds time onto a product’s existing warranty, generally up to one year. However, exact rules vary by card and by item. Some items, like computers and vehicles, usually aren’t covered, nor are items that never had a warranty to begin with or items purchased with a different card.To take advantage of this benefit, you need to hold onto the receipt proving when you made your purchase with your card. This type of protection often goes hand in hand with purchase protection and you’ll find that cards that offer one often have the other.4. Price protectionPrice protection reimburses you for the difference if you later find an item available for cheaper than what you actually paid for it. For example, if you paid $20 for an item and it later drops to $15, your credit card issuer would reimburse you for the $5. The catch is this doesn’t happen automatically. You have to continue to track prices and notify the issuer if you find the item available cheaper after you bought it. There are also exclusions for certain items, like items sold on auction sites.For some, this might not be worth the hassle. But since you spend a lot of time shopping during the holiday season, it’s possible that you could run into the same item priced cheaper later on. Here’s a card that offers price protection plus a host of other valuable rewards.5. Return protectionReturn protection lets you get reimbursed for an item the retailer won’t let you return. Stores usually have more generous return policies around the holidays, but this could still come in handy if you buy an item that’s final sale or you shop at a really stingy retailer.To be eligible to use this benefit, you must purchase the item using the credit card, keep your receipt, and prove that the retailer won’t let you return, exchange, or receive a store credit for the item.You probably won’t find a card that offers all of these benefits, so you might have to prioritize which are most valuable to you. For example, price protection may not matter to you as much if you don’t want to continue to track prices after you’ve purchased your items. But purchase protection could be really important if you’re worried your gifts could get damaged or stolen before they reach their recipient. Once you know which perks matter most to you, use cards that offer those protections for the bulk of your purchases.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”:”

The holiday shopping season is a time of increased spending, constantly changing prices, and rampant identity theft. That’s why you need to be prepared and protected against whatever comes your way.

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.

Many top credit cards offer perks designed to help with the key challenges of holiday shopping. But since they’re not as flashy as cash back or travel rewards, they often go unnoticed. But if your cards offer any of the following five benefits, you should take advantage of them.

1. Fraud liability protection

Almost every card has this, but it’s worth mentioning simply because it’s so important. You shouldn’t have to pay for purchases you didn’t make, and fraud liability ensures you don’t have to.

All you have to do is call the issuer and report the fraudulent charges. It will remove them from your statement and issue you a new card with a new number. The catch is, you generally have to report the fraud within about 60 days. If you wait longer than that, the issuer could still charge you for the items.

2. Purchase protection

Purchase protection provides you with a refund or a replacement for an item that’s damaged or stolen within a certain amount of time — usually 90 to 120 days — from the purchase. You must have bought the item with the credit card that has the purchase protection to use this feature.

This benefit isn’t as common as fraud liability protection, but plenty of cards still offer it. Check the cardholder agreement for each of your cards to see if any include purchase protection. If not, consider adding this card to your wallet to ensure your holiday purchases are protected until the time they reach your guests.

3. Extended warranty protection

This essentially adds time onto a product’s existing warranty, generally up to one year. However, exact rules vary by card and by item. Some items, like computers and vehicles, usually aren’t covered, nor are items that never had a warranty to begin with or items purchased with a different card.

To take advantage of this benefit, you need to hold onto the receipt proving when you made your purchase with your card. This type of protection often goes hand in hand with purchase protection and you’ll find that cards that offer one often have the other.

4. Price protection

Price protection reimburses you for the difference if you later find an item available for cheaper than what you actually paid for it. For example, if you paid $20 for an item and it later drops to $15, your credit card issuer would reimburse you for the $5. The catch is this doesn’t happen automatically. You have to continue to track prices and notify the issuer if you find the item available cheaper after you bought it. There are also exclusions for certain items, like items sold on auction sites.

For some, this might not be worth the hassle. But since you spend a lot of time shopping during the holiday season, it’s possible that you could run into the same item priced cheaper later on. Here’s a card that offers price protection plus a host of other valuable rewards.

5. Return protection

Return protection lets you get reimbursed for an item the retailer won’t let you return. Stores usually have more generous return policies around the holidays, but this could still come in handy if you buy an item that’s final sale or you shop at a really stingy retailer.

To be eligible to use this benefit, you must purchase the item using the credit card, keep your receipt, and prove that the retailer won’t let you return, exchange, or receive a store credit for the item.

You probably won’t find a card that offers all of these benefits, so you might have to prioritize which are most valuable to you. For example, price protection may not matter to you as much if you don’t want to continue to track prices after you’ve purchased your items. But purchase protection could be really important if you’re worried your gifts could get damaged or stolen before they reach their recipient. Once you know which perks matter most to you, use cards that offer those protections for the bulk of your purchases.

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: Getty Images
The $130 a year I spend on my Costco Executive membership is one of my best purchases. Not only does that fee give me access to 2% cash back on Costco purchases, but shopping at Costco allows me to save money on the items I buy every week, like groceries and essentials like tissue boxes and soap.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!If you’re not sure you’re getting the best value out of your Costco membership, though, then it may be because you’re not taking advantage of all of the benefits it comes with.Here are a few signs you could be getting more bang for your buck.1. You’re not filling up your car with affordable, high-quality gasAt my local Costco, the lines at the gas station tend to be longer than at a typical fuel station in town. But there’s a reason I’m willing to wait longer for Costco gas.Not only is it usually my cheapest option, but it’s likely to help me get more mileage out of my tank. And when you drive a gas-gulping minivan like I do, that’s an important source of savings.Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ certified. And I can admit that for the longest time, I didn’t know what that meant.Then I did my research. And I now know that this type of gas is designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance. So I’m willing to sit in my car for a few extra minutes to get it.If you’ve shied away from filling up your car at Costco due to the lines, you may want to push yourself to exercise some patience. Have your favorite playlist ready to go while you wait. If you have a larger gas tank like I do, it’s worth it.2. You’re not snagging a discount on gift cardsI’m admittedly not always the most creative gift-giver. And because I don’t like clutter at home, I’m often hesitant to give people I don’t know so well, like my kids’ teachers, gifts that will take up physical space in their homes.That’s why I often turn to gift cards for the holidays or when I need a way to say thank you. But I always try to buy my gift cards from Costco for the savings involved.Costco gift cards are discounted below their face value. This allows you to save big on gift cards for everything from restaurants to entertainment venues to travel.For example, right now, Costco has a four-pack of $15 electronic gift cards to Krispy Kreme available for $44.99. So it’s like you’re buying three and getting one for free. And what’s neat about my Executive membership is that I’m able to earn cash back on gift card purchases.If you don’t have an Executive membership, but rather, prefer to spend $65 a year on a basic Costco membership, you should know that you can still earn cash back at the store. Just find yourself a credit card that rewards you for shopping at Costco. Check out this list of the best credit cards for Costco to explore your options.3. You’re not making your Costco purchases in personIf you tend to do your Costco shopping on the store’s website to avoid the perpetually crowded stores, I can relate. There are times when I’m tempted to order my groceries and toilet paper online and call it a day.But shopping at Costco.com doesn’t give you the best value. And the reason is that online prices are typically marked up beyond what you’ll pay in stores.There’s a reason for this. Costco builds the cost of shipping and handling into its online prices. But what this means is that you might pay $2 extra here or $3 extra there for the things you’re buying. And those small amounts can add up to a lot of extra spending.In fact, a single online order with five items might cost you $10 to $15 extra. Place one online order every month, and you’re potentially talking about an extra $120 to $180 per year.If crowds have been keeping you out of Costco, do what I do if it works for your schedule. Get there right before the store opens. Sometimes, you’ll be let in a few minutes prior to the store’s official opening time. And even if not, you may find that the store is less crowded when it first opens.At that time, it’s rare to find much in the way of free samples, so shoppers in my area often try to come later to snag those. Since I don’t care about free samples, I’m able to take advantage of fewer bottlenecks.No matter which Costco membership you have, it’s best to make the most of it. If these signs apply to you, you may want to change your shopping habits to eke more value out of Costco.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.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.”}]] [[{“value”:”

The $130 a year I spend on my Costco Executive membership is one of my best purchases. Not only does that fee give me access to 2% cash back on Costco purchases, but shopping at Costco allows me to save money on the items I buy every week, like groceries and essentials like tissue boxes and soap.

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!

If you’re not sure you’re getting the best value out of your Costco membership, though, then it may be because you’re not taking advantage of all of the benefits it comes with.

Here are a few signs you could be getting more bang for your buck.

1. You’re not filling up your car with affordable, high-quality gas

At my local Costco, the lines at the gas station tend to be longer than at a typical fuel station in town. But there’s a reason I’m willing to wait longer for Costco gas.

Not only is it usually my cheapest option, but it’s likely to help me get more mileage out of my tank. And when you drive a gas-gulping minivan like I do, that’s an important source of savings.

Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ certified. And I can admit that for the longest time, I didn’t know what that meant.

Then I did my research. And I now know that this type of gas is designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance. So I’m willing to sit in my car for a few extra minutes to get it.

If you’ve shied away from filling up your car at Costco due to the lines, you may want to push yourself to exercise some patience. Have your favorite playlist ready to go while you wait. If you have a larger gas tank like I do, it’s worth it.

2. You’re not snagging a discount on gift cards

I’m admittedly not always the most creative gift-giver. And because I don’t like clutter at home, I’m often hesitant to give people I don’t know so well, like my kids’ teachers, gifts that will take up physical space in their homes.

That’s why I often turn to gift cards for the holidays or when I need a way to say thank you. But I always try to buy my gift cards from Costco for the savings involved.

Costco gift cards are discounted below their face value. This allows you to save big on gift cards for everything from restaurants to entertainment venues to travel.

For example, right now, Costco has a four-pack of $15 electronic gift cards to Krispy Kreme available for $44.99. So it’s like you’re buying three and getting one for free. And what’s neat about my Executive membership is that I’m able to earn cash back on gift card purchases.

If you don’t have an Executive membership, but rather, prefer to spend $65 a year on a basic Costco membership, you should know that you can still earn cash back at the store. Just find yourself a credit card that rewards you for shopping at Costco. Check out this list of the best credit cards for Costco to explore your options.

3. You’re not making your Costco purchases in person

If you tend to do your Costco shopping on the store’s website to avoid the perpetually crowded stores, I can relate. There are times when I’m tempted to order my groceries and toilet paper online and call it a day.

But shopping at Costco.com doesn’t give you the best value. And the reason is that online prices are typically marked up beyond what you’ll pay in stores.

There’s a reason for this. Costco builds the cost of shipping and handling into its online prices. But what this means is that you might pay $2 extra here or $3 extra there for the things you’re buying. And those small amounts can add up to a lot of extra spending.

In fact, a single online order with five items might cost you $10 to $15 extra. Place one online order every month, and you’re potentially talking about an extra $120 to $180 per year.

If crowds have been keeping you out of Costco, do what I do if it works for your schedule. Get there right before the store opens. Sometimes, you’ll be let in a few minutes prior to the store’s official opening time. And even if not, you may find that the store is less crowded when it first opens.

At that time, it’s rare to find much in the way of free samples, so shoppers in my area often try to come later to snag those. Since I don’t care about free samples, I’m able to take advantage of fewer bottlenecks.

No matter which Costco membership you have, it’s best to make the most of it. If these signs apply to you, you may want to change your shopping habits to eke more value out of Costco.

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.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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