Money Management

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
As of the second quarter of 2024, the average individual retirement account (IRA) balance was $129,200, according to Fidelity. But what if you could retire with $1 million, or roughly eight times that sum?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. I’m here to tell you it’s more than possible — even if you only earn an average salary. But there’s a bit more to the story than that.How much can you reasonably contribute to an IRA?The average U.S. household income in 2023 was $114,500, according to Motley Fool Money research. Financial experts will often tell you to aim for 15% to 20% of your income as a yearly retirement savings goal. But that may not be realistic, even if you earn six figures.But first, let’s clear one thing up about that average salary. The median household income in 2023 was $80,610, and that may be more representative than the average. Usually, when there’s a discrepancy like this, it’s because a small percentage of very high earners skew the average up.It’s also important to note that many people who earn higher salaries have to live in expensive parts of the country to command those incomes. So $114,500 might seem like a lot of money, but that’s only the case for people in moderate-cost areas. For those in big cities where rent costs $3,000 a month or more, it’s not all that much.It’s important to be realistic about how much money can go into an IRA. Saving 5% of $114,500 has you contributing $5,725 a year toward retirement, or $477 per month. That $477 a month is more like 7% of an $80,610 income. Either way, this reads like a more reasonable savings goal. And you may be surprised to see what you can do with it.Growing your IRA strategicallyLet’s say you’re looking to retire at age 65 and you’re 34 years old. This gives you 31 years to grow your IRA.If you put in $477 a month over 31 years, you’re contributing around $177,700 in total. But I’m going to show you how to get to $1 million without putting in $1 more. It boils down to one key strategy: investing your money in stocks.Over the past 50 years, the stock market has rewarded long-term investors with an average annual 10% return. That includes both strong years and weak ones when the market did poorly. If you invest $477 a month in your IRA over 30 years and earn an average 10% a year, you’re looking at a balance of a little more than $1 million thanks to the returns your portfolio generates during that time.However, let’s say you wait even three years to start contributing $477 a month to your IRA. At that same 10% return, you’d reduce your balance to $768,000. That’s still a lot of money for retirement, but it’s also so much less money than what you could have by giving yourself those three extra years.The takeaway? You can absolutely pull off a $1 million IRA on an average salary. But the key is to get started early so you give your money plenty of time to grow. So if you haven’t begun saving for retirement yet, check out this list of the best IRAs and open one today. The sooner you begin funding that account, the higher a balance you’re apt to end up with.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.Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Maurie Backman has positions in Citigroup. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

As of the second quarter of 2024, the average individual retirement account (IRA) balance was $129,200, according to Fidelity. But what if you could retire with $1 million, or roughly eight times that sum?

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.

I’m here to tell you it’s more than possible — even if you only earn an average salary. But there’s a bit more to the story than that.

How much can you reasonably contribute to an IRA?

The average U.S. household income in 2023 was $114,500, according to Motley Fool Money research. Financial experts will often tell you to aim for 15% to 20% of your income as a yearly retirement savings goal. But that may not be realistic, even if you earn six figures.

But first, let’s clear one thing up about that average salary. The median household income in 2023 was $80,610, and that may be more representative than the average. Usually, when there’s a discrepancy like this, it’s because a small percentage of very high earners skew the average up.

It’s also important to note that many people who earn higher salaries have to live in expensive parts of the country to command those incomes. So $114,500 might seem like a lot of money, but that’s only the case for people in moderate-cost areas. For those in big cities where rent costs $3,000 a month or more, it’s not all that much.

It’s important to be realistic about how much money can go into an IRA. Saving 5% of $114,500 has you contributing $5,725 a year toward retirement, or $477 per month. That $477 a month is more like 7% of an $80,610 income. Either way, this reads like a more reasonable savings goal. And you may be surprised to see what you can do with it.

Growing your IRA strategically

Let’s say you’re looking to retire at age 65 and you’re 34 years old. This gives you 31 years to grow your IRA.

If you put in $477 a month over 31 years, you’re contributing around $177,700 in total. But I’m going to show you how to get to $1 million without putting in $1 more. It boils down to one key strategy: investing your money in stocks.

Over the past 50 years, the stock market has rewarded long-term investors with an average annual 10% return. That includes both strong years and weak ones when the market did poorly. If you invest $477 a month in your IRA over 30 years and earn an average 10% a year, you’re looking at a balance of a little more than $1 million thanks to the returns your portfolio generates during that time.

However, let’s say you wait even three years to start contributing $477 a month to your IRA. At that same 10% return, you’d reduce your balance to $768,000. That’s still a lot of money for retirement, but it’s also so much less money than what you could have by giving yourself those three extra years.

The takeaway? You can absolutely pull off a $1 million IRA on an average salary. But the key is to get started early so you give your money plenty of time to grow. So if you haven’t begun saving for retirement yet, check out this list of the best IRAs and open one today. The sooner you begin funding that account, the higher a balance you’re apt to end up with.

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.Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Maurie Backman has positions in Citigroup. 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
It’s just a few days before Thanksgiving, and I’m sitting here thinking about the spring real estate market. It’s what happens when you spent a decade doing just that every year as a Realtor, and when you still write about the real estate market as a journalist. Spring is a time for rebirth, and it’s a time for buying a house because that’s when the majority of homes go up for sale all at once.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 unless you’ve been preparing yourself for buying a home, you’re not going to be ready for what’s waiting for you. It’s a jungle out there, my friends. If I were buying in 2025, here’s what I’d do to get ready now.1. Get your financing in orderI know it’s pretty standard advice to talk to a lender, but it’s something you need to do now. Give yourself six months before you’re ready to buy, if you can. Your lender is going to see what’s wrong with your credit file or your strength as a borrower, and they can help you fix it, if you have the time.This means you could get a better rate on your mortgage, possibly a better rate on any mortgage insurance, and as a knock-on effect, better rates for your homeowners insurance and other credit-based necessities for your new home. If your lender won’t help you become the best applicant possible with what you have to work with, find someone who will.If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to a lender, check out this curated list of the best mortgage lenders. These are all financial institutions that we’d trust with our own mortgages.2. Start downsizingWhether you have a home to sell before you buy or not, things start to move very quickly once you have a house under contract. While you’re getting ready to look for a house, take the time to start downsizing your belongings. Got an old box in the closet you haven’t looked at in decades? Chuck it. Those pants that you know in your heart will never fit again? Donate them to a new home.If you start to get extra belongings cleared out of the way before you start looking, you give yourself the mental space to really think through the whole purchase experience. Buying a home is very overwhelming, and trying to pack and move in the middle of it is a lot of added stress.3. Figure out your list of nice-to-haves and must-havesWhile you’re getting ready to look for homes, it’s really good to start figuring out what you want in a house. With as competitive as the market has been the last several years, knowing the house you want the moment you step foot into it is valuable. It can prevent you from losing a home that you realized was perfect a day or two later but someone else made an offer on overnight.Don’t go to open houses unless you’ve already discussed with a lender what your budget will be. Shopping in the wrong price range can really set you up for failure by skewing your expectations.But you can look at homes online to see how they’re put together, go to your friends’ homes and ask them about features they love and hate, and check the distance between your work and various neighborhoods that might make buying more affordable as you figure out what really matters to you in a purchase.4. Start interviewing real estate agentsIt’s never too early to start interviewing agents once you’re truly ready to consider buying a house. It’s important to find a real estate agent or Realtor (who are members of the National Association of Realtors) you really click with and that you feel you can trust with your biggest purchase. Have a list of questions and goals for your purchase prepared, too. A few good things to ask potential agents include:Do you have any extra certifications (such as that NAR membership)?How much experience do you have with this type of housing?How often do you work with buyers with the same needs as I have?How difficult do you think it will be to find the house I’m looking for?How do you handle challenges when they appear in transactions?What do you think is the most important thing for a home buyer to consider for their home purchase?Are you willing to educate me about the home-buying process as we go?What would your former clients say about you to their friends?Obviously, you should have a conversation with your potential Realtor rather than just shouting questions at them, but these are a few to start with.Spring is just around the corner — is this the year you’ll buy a home?Whether you’ve been thinking about buying a home for years or you just woke up today and decided it was time, there’s a lot involved, and you’ll need to prepare. Spring is just around the corner, but it’s not too early to get ready. Beyond these things, you can also keep an eye on changing mortgage interest rates.Knowing that you’re fully prepared for the spring buying season will help you move through the process with a lot less stress.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”:”

It’s just a few days before Thanksgiving, and I’m sitting here thinking about the spring real estate market. It’s what happens when you spent a decade doing just that every year as a Realtor, and when you still write about the real estate market as a journalist. Spring is a time for rebirth, and it’s a time for buying a house because that’s when the majority of homes go up for sale all at once.

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 unless you’ve been preparing yourself for buying a home, you’re not going to be ready for what’s waiting for you. It’s a jungle out there, my friends. If I were buying in 2025, here’s what I’d do to get ready now.

1. Get your financing in order

I know it’s pretty standard advice to talk to a lender, but it’s something you need to do now. Give yourself six months before you’re ready to buy, if you can. Your lender is going to see what’s wrong with your credit file or your strength as a borrower, and they can help you fix it, if you have the time.

This means you could get a better rate on your mortgage, possibly a better rate on any mortgage insurance, and as a knock-on effect, better rates for your homeowners insurance and other credit-based necessities for your new home. If your lender won’t help you become the best applicant possible with what you have to work with, find someone who will.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to a lender, check out this curated list of the best mortgage lenders. These are all financial institutions that we’d trust with our own mortgages.

2. Start downsizing

Whether you have a home to sell before you buy or not, things start to move very quickly once you have a house under contract. While you’re getting ready to look for a house, take the time to start downsizing your belongings. Got an old box in the closet you haven’t looked at in decades? Chuck it. Those pants that you know in your heart will never fit again? Donate them to a new home.

If you start to get extra belongings cleared out of the way before you start looking, you give yourself the mental space to really think through the whole purchase experience. Buying a home is very overwhelming, and trying to pack and move in the middle of it is a lot of added stress.

3. Figure out your list of nice-to-haves and must-haves

While you’re getting ready to look for homes, it’s really good to start figuring out what you want in a house. With as competitive as the market has been the last several years, knowing the house you want the moment you step foot into it is valuable. It can prevent you from losing a home that you realized was perfect a day or two later but someone else made an offer on overnight.

Don’t go to open houses unless you’ve already discussed with a lender what your budget will be. Shopping in the wrong price range can really set you up for failure by skewing your expectations.

But you can look at homes online to see how they’re put together, go to your friends’ homes and ask them about features they love and hate, and check the distance between your work and various neighborhoods that might make buying more affordable as you figure out what really matters to you in a purchase.

4. Start interviewing real estate agents

It’s never too early to start interviewing agents once you’re truly ready to consider buying a house. It’s important to find a real estate agent or Realtor (who are members of the National Association of Realtors) you really click with and that you feel you can trust with your biggest purchase. Have a list of questions and goals for your purchase prepared, too. A few good things to ask potential agents include:

• Do you have any extra certifications (such as that NAR membership)?
• How much experience do you have with this type of housing?
• How often do you work with buyers with the same needs as I have?
• How difficult do you think it will be to find the house I’m looking for?
• How do you handle challenges when they appear in transactions?
• What do you think is the most important thing for a home buyer to consider for their home purchase?
• Are you willing to educate me about the home-buying process as we go?
• What would your former clients say about you to their friends?

Obviously, you should have a conversation with your potential Realtor rather than just shouting questions at them, but these are a few to start with.

Spring is just around the corner — is this the year you’ll buy a home?

Whether you’ve been thinking about buying a home for years or you just woke up today and decided it was time, there’s a lot involved, and you’ll need to prepare. Spring is just around the corner, but it’s not too early to get ready. Beyond these things, you can also keep an eye on changing mortgage interest rates.

Knowing that you’re fully prepared for the spring buying season will help you move through the process with a lot less stress.

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
I have made no secret of how much I love Costco — and I love every inch of it, including the freezer section. So much so that I bought a new freezer recently (from Costco), because the little freezer compartment in my fridge just wasn’t able to keep up.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!What’s in that freezer, you ask? It’s a wonderland.Here are five Costco frozen foods I always keep on hand.1. Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls, 17.5 oz, 3-count ($17.54 online; $14.99 in-store)A few years ago, I developed both a milk and tree nut allergy basically at the same time, leaving only a few treats that were safe for me to eat. If something had so much been prepared in the same building as milk, I was doomed. Although some cinnamon rolls still spell doom, Annie’s Organic are not, and that’s why I became hopelessly addicted to them.Not only do they come in cans of five, so I don’t have to stuff myself with cinnamon rolls or waste a half tube, they’re also just…magnificent. Technically, these are refrigerator items, but you’ll find them in the freezer section, so I think they’re fair to include.You can save on these and other freezer section items by skipping delivery and going to the store yourself, but if that’s not an option, check out this hot strategy for saving more money at Costco on everything you need here — including cinnamon rolls.2. Dr. Praeger’s Sweet Potato Burger, 42 oz ($11.66 online, $9.97 in-store)I’m a huge fan of Dr. Praeger and his burgers. His Super Greens veggie burger is my favorite, but my second favorite is this one — the sweet potato burger. It’s crispy and does great in the air fryer, which makes it a perfect fast meal for someone who is chronically forgetting to eat lunch. Perfect in a bun or a pita, there’s very little these guys can’t do.They’re vegan and gluten free, and are appropriate for all kinds of special diets, and won’t break the bank when you buy them in bulk.3. Ore-Ida Golden Tater Tots, 8 lbs ($11.75 online without coupon; $10.49 in store)I eat potatoes for breakfast every day, but I long ago figured out that I am not the kind of person who can get up, cook food, and be human before I’ve had my tea. That’s why I started buying tater tots by the bigger-than-my-cat-sized bag. I toss a handful in the air fryer, pour water over my poor tea bags, toss some toast in the toaster, grab a handful of blueberries, and before I know it, there’s a whole breakfast there.Since I often forget to eat lunch (see item No. 2), making sure I eat a solid breakfast is a kindness I can pay myself that saves me a bundle when I choose Costco.4. Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls, 48 oz ($11.18 online without coupon; $9.99 in-store)Having severe food allergies means no longer being able to just pop into my favorite restaurant and order a billion crispy spring rolls, so when I found the Bibigo vegetable spring rolls at Costco, I was downright elated. Tossing them into the air fryer (there’s a theme here) further cemented my love for them and their place in my freezer.Not only do they come out crispy and fully done in the center (eggrolls sometimes don’t), they’re an inexpensive treat to have on the side of things like vegetable curry or with sweet chili tofu and brown rice.5. Ajinomoto Yakisoba with Vegetables, All Natural, 9 oz, 6-count ($16.95 online; $14.49 in-store)I am not generally accustomed to eating random meals from the freezer, so when I saw these, I was a little bit horrified, but also intrigued. One of my goals with Costco was to make my life easier by giving myself more frozen food options so I’d not forget lunch as often. And, you know, who doesn’t like noodles? So I brought them home.I’m happy to report that these weird noodle bags are one of my favorite things right now — they’re easy to make and easy to eat and easy to love. Sure, it’s microwave food with a bunch of sodium, but eating is better than not eating. Add another handful or two of frozen vegetables and you’ve really got something.Costco is the saving place for frozen foodsAs a vegetarian with multiple food allergies, I was surprised to find so many pre-made food options that applied to me at Costco, and there are so many more for the rest of the world inside those tidy freezer displays. Costco goes out of its way to both source great items and to package them in such a way that there’s no chance the local supermarkets can compete.You save money simply by walking into Costco most of the time, but you can save even more with cash back credit cards that return 2% to 3% of your spending to you. Check out our list here before your next Costco run.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.Kristi Waterworth 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”:”

I have made no secret of how much I love Costco — and I love every inch of it, including the freezer section. So much so that I bought a new freezer recently (from Costco), because the little freezer compartment in my fridge just wasn’t able to keep up.

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!

What’s in that freezer, you ask? It’s a wonderland.

Here are five Costco frozen foods I always keep on hand.

1. Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls, 17.5 oz, 3-count ($17.54 online; $14.99 in-store)

A few years ago, I developed both a milk and tree nut allergy basically at the same time, leaving only a few treats that were safe for me to eat. If something had so much been prepared in the same building as milk, I was doomed. Although some cinnamon rolls still spell doom, Annie’s Organic are not, and that’s why I became hopelessly addicted to them.

Not only do they come in cans of five, so I don’t have to stuff myself with cinnamon rolls or waste a half tube, they’re also just…magnificent. Technically, these are refrigerator items, but you’ll find them in the freezer section, so I think they’re fair to include.

You can save on these and other freezer section items by skipping delivery and going to the store yourself, but if that’s not an option, check out this hot strategy for saving more money at Costco on everything you need here — including cinnamon rolls.

2. Dr. Praeger’s Sweet Potato Burger, 42 oz ($11.66 online, $9.97 in-store)

I’m a huge fan of Dr. Praeger and his burgers. His Super Greens veggie burger is my favorite, but my second favorite is this one — the sweet potato burger. It’s crispy and does great in the air fryer, which makes it a perfect fast meal for someone who is chronically forgetting to eat lunch. Perfect in a bun or a pita, there’s very little these guys can’t do.

They’re vegan and gluten free, and are appropriate for all kinds of special diets, and won’t break the bank when you buy them in bulk.

3. Ore-Ida Golden Tater Tots, 8 lbs ($11.75 online without coupon; $10.49 in store)

I eat potatoes for breakfast every day, but I long ago figured out that I am not the kind of person who can get up, cook food, and be human before I’ve had my tea. That’s why I started buying tater tots by the bigger-than-my-cat-sized bag. I toss a handful in the air fryer, pour water over my poor tea bags, toss some toast in the toaster, grab a handful of blueberries, and before I know it, there’s a whole breakfast there.

Since I often forget to eat lunch (see item No. 2), making sure I eat a solid breakfast is a kindness I can pay myself that saves me a bundle when I choose Costco.

4. Bibigo Vegetable Spring Rolls, 48 oz ($11.18 online without coupon; $9.99 in-store)

Having severe food allergies means no longer being able to just pop into my favorite restaurant and order a billion crispy spring rolls, so when I found the Bibigo vegetable spring rolls at Costco, I was downright elated. Tossing them into the air fryer (there’s a theme here) further cemented my love for them and their place in my freezer.

Not only do they come out crispy and fully done in the center (eggrolls sometimes don’t), they’re an inexpensive treat to have on the side of things like vegetable curry or with sweet chili tofu and brown rice.

5. Ajinomoto Yakisoba with Vegetables, All Natural, 9 oz, 6-count ($16.95 online; $14.49 in-store)

I am not generally accustomed to eating random meals from the freezer, so when I saw these, I was a little bit horrified, but also intrigued. One of my goals with Costco was to make my life easier by giving myself more frozen food options so I’d not forget lunch as often. And, you know, who doesn’t like noodles? So I brought them home.

I’m happy to report that these weird noodle bags are one of my favorite things right now — they’re easy to make and easy to eat and easy to love. Sure, it’s microwave food with a bunch of sodium, but eating is better than not eating. Add another handful or two of frozen vegetables and you’ve really got something.

Costco is the saving place for frozen foods

As a vegetarian with multiple food allergies, I was surprised to find so many pre-made food options that applied to me at Costco, and there are so many more for the rest of the world inside those tidy freezer displays. Costco goes out of its way to both source great items and to package them in such a way that there’s no chance the local supermarkets can compete.

You save money simply by walking into Costco most of the time, but you can save even more with cash back credit cards that return 2% to 3% of your spending to you. Check out our list here before your next Costco run.

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.Kristi Waterworth 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
There’s a lot of debate around which type of vehicle is better for your budget, with compelling arguments for all sides.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. Electric vehicles generally need less maintenance, and you don’t have to pay for gas. However, gas-powered vehicles generally have lower purchase prices and are cheaper to insure. In between those two options is a hybrid, which combines the best of both worlds.We can’t compare every type of vehicle here, so let’s focus on medium-sized sedans and how each one stacks up. Here’s which one is the cheapest to own.Hybrids are generally the cheapest to ownAverage annual cost of ownership: $9,476A medium-sized hybrid sedan has an annual cost of ownership of just $9,476, according to data from AAA, which works out to be a cost-per-mile of just $0.63. Even if you opt for a hybrid SUV, you’ll likely save money over a pure EV or gas-only vehicle.AAA includes everything from car insurance to maintenance and repair costs to registration fees to determine the annual cost of ownership. The average for all these vehicle costs each year is $12,297, making hybrid sedans more than $2,800 cheaper annually than the average vehicle.The one exception is electric trucks. EV trucks are generally cheaper because of the gas savings and lower maintenance.Car-buying tip: While most hybrids are cheaper to own, their insurance premiums are often more expensive. Click here to shop for cheap car insurance to help control your costs.Gas-powered vehicles are the next cheapestAverage annual cost of ownership: $10,557Gas-powered vehicles are still a great choice if you’re trying to keep costs low. A mid-sized, gas-powered sedan will cost just over $1,000 more annually than the average cost of ownership of a hybrid.However, you’ll likely save money upfront because gas-powered sedans are usually cheaper to purchase than their hybrid-powered counterparts. For example, the base 2025 Honda Accord LX starts at $28,295, while the cheapest hybrid version is the Accord Sport Hybrid, which starts at $33,665.You’ll also appreciate that insurance costs are generally cheaper for gas-powered vehicles than for hybrids or EVs. Car insurance costs jumped 26% this year, making it more important than ever to compare quotes from the best car insurance companies.Electric vehicles can be the most expensive to ownAverage annual cost of ownership: $12,527Generally, electric vehicles are the most expensive to own; their annual cost of $12,527 is about 2% higher than the average.This means if you’re deciding between a mid-sized hybrid sedan and a similar EV sedan, you’ll save about $3,000 annually on your cost of ownership with a hybrid compared to an EV.EVs often come with higher price tags, and their insurance costs and repairs are often pricier as well. Progressive Insurance says EVs are more expensive to own because fewer mechanics are trained to fix them and they have advanced technology, like large batteries, that can be expensive to replace after a major accident.While hybrids generally have the lowest annual cost of ownership, it’s worth noting that some brands and models are more reliable than others, which means that your mileage may vary (pun intended!) depending on which vehicle you choose.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.Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Progressive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

There’s a lot of debate around which type of vehicle is better for your budget, with compelling arguments for all sides.

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.

Electric vehicles generally need less maintenance, and you don’t have to pay for gas. However, gas-powered vehicles generally have lower purchase prices and are cheaper to insure. In between those two options is a hybrid, which combines the best of both worlds.

We can’t compare every type of vehicle here, so let’s focus on medium-sized sedans and how each one stacks up. Here’s which one is the cheapest to own.

Hybrids are generally the cheapest to own

Average annual cost of ownership: $9,476

A medium-sized hybrid sedan has an annual cost of ownership of just $9,476, according to data from AAA, which works out to be a cost-per-mile of just $0.63. Even if you opt for a hybrid SUV, you’ll likely save money over a pure EV or gas-only vehicle.

AAA includes everything from car insurance to maintenance and repair costs to registration fees to determine the annual cost of ownership. The average for all these vehicle costs each year is $12,297, making hybrid sedans more than $2,800 cheaper annually than the average vehicle.

The one exception is electric trucks. EV trucks are generally cheaper because of the gas savings and lower maintenance.

Car-buying tip: While most hybrids are cheaper to own, their insurance premiums are often more expensive. Click here to shop for cheap car insurance to help control your costs.

Gas-powered vehicles are the next cheapest

Average annual cost of ownership: $10,557

Gas-powered vehicles are still a great choice if you’re trying to keep costs low. A mid-sized, gas-powered sedan will cost just over $1,000 more annually than the average cost of ownership of a hybrid.

However, you’ll likely save money upfront because gas-powered sedans are usually cheaper to purchase than their hybrid-powered counterparts. For example, the base 2025 Honda Accord LX starts at $28,295, while the cheapest hybrid version is the Accord Sport Hybrid, which starts at $33,665.

You’ll also appreciate that insurance costs are generally cheaper for gas-powered vehicles than for hybrids or EVs. Car insurance costs jumped 26% this year, making it more important than ever to compare quotes from the best car insurance companies.

Electric vehicles can be the most expensive to own

Average annual cost of ownership: $12,527

Generally, electric vehicles are the most expensive to own; their annual cost of $12,527 is about 2% higher than the average.

This means if you’re deciding between a mid-sized hybrid sedan and a similar EV sedan, you’ll save about $3,000 annually on your cost of ownership with a hybrid compared to an EV.

EVs often come with higher price tags, and their insurance costs and repairs are often pricier as well. Progressive Insurance says EVs are more expensive to own because fewer mechanics are trained to fix them and they have advanced technology, like large batteries, that can be expensive to replace after a major accident.

While hybrids generally have the lowest annual cost of ownership, it’s worth noting that some brands and models are more reliable than others, which means that your mileage may vary (pun intended!) depending on which vehicle you choose.

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.Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Progressive. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I have a savings account with a big national bank that pays just 0.01% APY. I’ve had the account for more than a decade, and even though my life has changed significantly in that time, I’m still getting value from the account despite its obvious shortcomings. Here’s why I’m not planning to close this account anytime soon.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. Overdraft protectionThis is the main reason I maintain my traditional savings account. In my younger and broker days, I didn’t have much extra cushion in my checking account between paydays, so I relied more heavily on this savings account for overdraft protection. If a bill was debited out of checking at the wrong time, cash would be transferred automatically from savings to keep me out of the red.Need a great checking account? We’ve rated the best checking accounts here — go pick a winner.I don’t live paycheck to paycheck anymore, but I do keep a pretty small cushion in my checking account (just $500) because after years of that broke lifestyle, I now want to earn interest on as much of my cash as possible (more on that below). So if I happen to misfigure my bills for a given month, it’s nice to know I still have that overdraft backup.A convenient place to keep big bill paymentsMy big-bank savings account also gives me a convenient place to save money for my two biggest bills every month.I put money aside weekly for my mortgage payments and monthly health insurance payments by transferring the cash out of my checking account to savings. It can sit there and earn a few pennies before I pay those bills at the end of the month. This is the best way I’ve found to approach tackling these payments without a ton of stress.It’s not my only savings accountI buried the lede here, but this low-APY savings account isn’t my only one; I actually have two others. I have one with the credit union I got my mortgage through (it was required to officially join as a member) that pays only 0.05% APY and that I have just a few dollars in.The other is a high-yield savings account (HYSA) with an online bank that pays a whopping 3.85% APY as of this writing. That’s notably far higher than the current average interest rate across all savings accounts — 0.43%.You, too, can enjoy upward of 4% APY or higher on your savings — click here for our list of the best high-yield savings accounts right now.I keep the vast majority of my savings, including my emergency fund and my quarterly tax payments, in my online HYSA. I actually look forward to receiving my interest payment every month. And it might sound counterintuitive, but I don’t mind the slight inconvenience this account presents.For example, it didn’t come with an ATM or debit card — I had to open a linked checking account to get one of those. If I want to access my savings, I have to transfer money to that checking account so I can either visit an ATM or use the debit card to make a purchase. But this extra step is enough to give me pause about spending money from my savings — I might not hesitate as much if it were easier to access.Why not switch banks entirely?You might wonder why I don’t just give up my big bank checking account entirely and use this one instead. Honestly, I might not love my savings account and its low APY, but I’m very fond of the checking account it’s linked to.I’ve had it for 15 years, it doesn’t have any fees, and is unfailingly easy to use. Plus, having branch access and a plethora of ATMs available has come in handy in the past — such as when I needed to get a cashier’s check to close on my mortgage earlier this year.Should you keep your big bank savings account?I’m definitely not alone in having a savings account that pays such a low APY. For those of us who’ve been banking since before online banks existed, it used to be our only real option. Since I’m getting value from the account in the form of overdraft protection and a handy place to keep bill payments, I’m not planning to get rid of it.But if you have all your savings in an account paying just pennies a year, you should consider opening another account. Having some of your savings in such an account (especially if you’re using it for overdraft protection) is a wise move — cash in multiple banks means you’ll have options in case you need money or one of your bank accounts is inaccessible for some reason.Online banks have a lot of advantages over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Not only will you get much higher APY on your savings, but your account will come with no or minimal fees, and you’ll likely enjoy a well-designed and user-friendly mobile app. Since online banks exist purely in cyberspace, their digital offerings tend to be top notch.Consider your options among online banks and pick a new savings account that’ll help you grow your money, rather than just collect a cent or two here and there.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”:”

I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I have a savings account with a big national bank that pays just 0.01% APY. I’ve had the account for more than a decade, and even though my life has changed significantly in that time, I’m still getting value from the account despite its obvious shortcomings. Here’s why I’m not planning to close this account anytime soon.

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.

Overdraft protection

This is the main reason I maintain my traditional savings account. In my younger and broker days, I didn’t have much extra cushion in my checking account between paydays, so I relied more heavily on this savings account for overdraft protection. If a bill was debited out of checking at the wrong time, cash would be transferred automatically from savings to keep me out of the red.

Need a great checking account? We’ve rated the best checking accounts here — go pick a winner.

I don’t live paycheck to paycheck anymore, but I do keep a pretty small cushion in my checking account (just $500) because after years of that broke lifestyle, I now want to earn interest on as much of my cash as possible (more on that below). So if I happen to misfigure my bills for a given month, it’s nice to know I still have that overdraft backup.

A convenient place to keep big bill payments

My big-bank savings account also gives me a convenient place to save money for my two biggest bills every month.

I put money aside weekly for my mortgage payments and monthly health insurance payments by transferring the cash out of my checking account to savings. It can sit there and earn a few pennies before I pay those bills at the end of the month. This is the best way I’ve found to approach tackling these payments without a ton of stress.

It’s not my only savings account

I buried the lede here, but this low-APY savings account isn’t my only one; I actually have two others. I have one with the credit union I got my mortgage through (it was required to officially join as a member) that pays only 0.05% APY and that I have just a few dollars in.

The other is a high-yield savings account (HYSA) with an online bank that pays a whopping 3.85% APY as of this writing. That’s notably far higher than the current average interest rate across all savings accounts — 0.43%.

You, too, can enjoy upward of 4% APY or higher on your savings — click here for our list of the best high-yield savings accounts right now.

I keep the vast majority of my savings, including my emergency fund and my quarterly tax payments, in my online HYSA. I actually look forward to receiving my interest payment every month. And it might sound counterintuitive, but I don’t mind the slight inconvenience this account presents.

For example, it didn’t come with an ATM or debit card — I had to open a linked checking account to get one of those. If I want to access my savings, I have to transfer money to that checking account so I can either visit an ATM or use the debit card to make a purchase. But this extra step is enough to give me pause about spending money from my savings — I might not hesitate as much if it were easier to access.

Why not switch banks entirely?

You might wonder why I don’t just give up my big bank checking account entirely and use this one instead. Honestly, I might not love my savings account and its low APY, but I’m very fond of the checking account it’s linked to.

I’ve had it for 15 years, it doesn’t have any fees, and is unfailingly easy to use. Plus, having branch access and a plethora of ATMs available has come in handy in the past — such as when I needed to get a cashier’s check to close on my mortgage earlier this year.

Should you keep your big bank savings account?

I’m definitely not alone in having a savings account that pays such a low APY. For those of us who’ve been banking since before online banks existed, it used to be our only real option. Since I’m getting value from the account in the form of overdraft protection and a handy place to keep bill payments, I’m not planning to get rid of it.

But if you have all your savings in an account paying just pennies a year, you should consider opening another account. Having some of your savings in such an account (especially if you’re using it for overdraft protection) is a wise move — cash in multiple banks means you’ll have options in case you need money or one of your bank accounts is inaccessible for some reason.

Online banks have a lot of advantages over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Not only will you get much higher APY on your savings, but your account will come with no or minimal fees, and you’ll likely enjoy a well-designed and user-friendly mobile app. Since online banks exist purely in cyberspace, their digital offerings tend to be top notch.

Consider your options among online banks and pick a new savings account that’ll help you grow your money, rather than just collect a cent or two here and there.

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
When I was 30 years old, retirement wasn’t exactly at the forefront of my mind. At 30, my priorities were making sure I could pay the mortgage on the house I’d just purchased and growing my career. I wasn’t exactly sitting around obsessing over my relatively small IRA.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 the reality is that it’s a good idea to start planning for retirement at age 30. And it’s extremely important to start saving for retirement at 30 if you haven’t started already. Here’s why.You need to know what you’re up againstAt age 30, you may not know what you want your retirement to look like. And that’s not only OK, but understandable. How are you supposed to know what you’ll want to do in your 60s when you’re decades away from that point?When we talk about having a plan for retirement at age 30, it doesn’t mean you should have a fully formed budget and a list of ZIP codes you’d like to call home. Rather, you should start to get a sense of what retirement might cost based on general information that’s out there. And you should start to read up about Social Security to get a sense of what those benefits might cover.One piece of general information to look at, for example, is Medicare. It provides health coverage for Americans aged 65 and over, but it’s not at all free. And many retirees end up getting caught off guard by how expensive senior healthcare is. Given that a 65-year-old retiring today could spend $165,000 on healthcare in retirement, according to Fidelity, it’s important to do some reading to know what costs you’re up against.What’s more, generally speaking, Social Security will replace about 40% of your pre-retirement earnings. Most retirees need more like 70% to 80% of their former income to live comfortably.You can get an estimate of your future benefit by creating an account on the Social Security Administration’s website. But that estimate may not be all that accurate at age 30, since Social Security calculates your retirement benefits based on a 35-year work history. Still, it’s a starting point.In fact, at age 30, your retirement plan itself is only a starting point. But it’s good to start arming yourself with knowledge.Start saving as soon as you can for retirementYou may only be able to do so much retirement planning at age 30. But the more saving for retirement you’re able to do, the better.If you haven’t yet started saving for your senior years, see if your employer offers a 401(k) plan and consider signing up, especially if you’re eligible for a match (that’s free money toward your retirement as long as you contribute to your workplace plan, too). If you don’t have access to a 401(k), an IRA is a great alternative. Check out this list of the best IRAs to get started.From there, start contributing to your retirement account, because if you’re able to start funding it at age 30, you could end up with a lot of money, even if your monthly contributions aren’t super large individually.For example, say you can only afford to contribute $150 a month to your IRA. If you do that starting at age 30 and continue to do so for 35 years, by age 65, you could have a balance of about $488,000.That assumes you’ll earn a 10% yearly return in your IRA. But that 10% is consistent with the S&P 500’s average annual return over the past 50 years, so it’s more than feasible.On the other hand, if you wait until age 40 to start putting $150 a month into your IRA, at that same return, you’re looking at a balance of about $177,000. That’s a huge difference, which shows how important it is to give your money that extra time to grow.No one expects you to have your entire retirement mapped out by age 30. But start researching retirement costs. And start funding a dedicated retirement savings account so you can set yourself up for maximum gains.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”:”

When I was 30 years old, retirement wasn’t exactly at the forefront of my mind. At 30, my priorities were making sure I could pay the mortgage on the house I’d just purchased and growing my career. I wasn’t exactly sitting around obsessing over my relatively small IRA.

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 the reality is that it’s a good idea to start planning for retirement at age 30. And it’s extremely important to start saving for retirement at 30 if you haven’t started already. Here’s why.

You need to know what you’re up against

At age 30, you may not know what you want your retirement to look like. And that’s not only OK, but understandable. How are you supposed to know what you’ll want to do in your 60s when you’re decades away from that point?

When we talk about having a plan for retirement at age 30, it doesn’t mean you should have a fully formed budget and a list of ZIP codes you’d like to call home. Rather, you should start to get a sense of what retirement might cost based on general information that’s out there. And you should start to read up about Social Security to get a sense of what those benefits might cover.

One piece of general information to look at, for example, is Medicare. It provides health coverage for Americans aged 65 and over, but it’s not at all free. And many retirees end up getting caught off guard by how expensive senior healthcare is. Given that a 65-year-old retiring today could spend $165,000 on healthcare in retirement, according to Fidelity, it’s important to do some reading to know what costs you’re up against.

What’s more, generally speaking, Social Security will replace about 40% of your pre-retirement earnings. Most retirees need more like 70% to 80% of their former income to live comfortably.

You can get an estimate of your future benefit by creating an account on the Social Security Administration’s website. But that estimate may not be all that accurate at age 30, since Social Security calculates your retirement benefits based on a 35-year work history. Still, it’s a starting point.

In fact, at age 30, your retirement plan itself is only a starting point. But it’s good to start arming yourself with knowledge.

Start saving as soon as you can for retirement

You may only be able to do so much retirement planning at age 30. But the more saving for retirement you’re able to do, the better.

If you haven’t yet started saving for your senior years, see if your employer offers a 401(k) plan and consider signing up, especially if you’re eligible for a match (that’s free money toward your retirement as long as you contribute to your workplace plan, too). If you don’t have access to a 401(k), an IRA is a great alternative. Check out this list of the best IRAs to get started.

From there, start contributing to your retirement account, because if you’re able to start funding it at age 30, you could end up with a lot of money, even if your monthly contributions aren’t super large individually.

For example, say you can only afford to contribute $150 a month to your IRA. If you do that starting at age 30 and continue to do so for 35 years, by age 65, you could have a balance of about $488,000.

That assumes you’ll earn a 10% yearly return in your IRA. But that 10% is consistent with the S&P 500’s average annual return over the past 50 years, so it’s more than feasible.

On the other hand, if you wait until age 40 to start putting $150 a month into your IRA, at that same return, you’re looking at a balance of about $177,000. That’s a huge difference, which shows how important it is to give your money that extra time to grow.

No one expects you to have your entire retirement mapped out by age 30. But start researching retirement costs. And start funding a dedicated retirement savings account so you can set yourself up for maximum gains.

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