Money Management

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
Flying business class is a fun way to make a trip more special. It almost feels like a different world than the economy cabin. You get a spacious seat, and on long flights, it could be a lie-flat seat that turns into a bed. There’s also a premium meal service. And who doesn’t love champagne before takeoff?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 biggest downside is the price tag, but savvy travelers know how to score a better deal. If you’d like to get the business-class experience for less, here’s what the experts do.1. Pay for tickets with milesMost airlines sell tickets in cash or miles. Cash is how most people pay, and sometimes you can get a reasonable price. But in business class, tickets are expensive. On a long-haul international flight, you could be looking at $3,000 or more.In that situation, you’re much better off paying with miles. The same ticket could cost 70,000 miles, plus taxes and fees. I’ve saved over $5,000 booking business class with miles instead of cash.You may be wondering just how you’re supposed to earn all those miles. To start, you can sign up with the airline’s loyalty program and earn miles on flight bookings. But there’s also a way to speed up the process.2. Use travel credit cardsTravel cards make it much easier to earn the miles you need for business class. You could:Get an airline credit card that earns miles with one specific airline.Get a travel card with points you can transfer to multiple airlines.I prefer the latter because it gives you far more booking options. For example, I have travel cards with Chase and American Express. Each of them earns points I can transfer to more than 10 domestic and international airlines.With a travel card, you can earn points or miles on your everyday spending instead of just when you fly. Many of these cards also have big welcome offers worth 50,000 points or more. Click here to learn more and check out the top travel rewards cards.3. Keep your travel dates openAirfare prices can vary quite a bit from one day to the next. This is true no matter which cabin you’re booking. But you may see particularly large fluctuations in business class, since prices are much higher.Whether you’re booking with cash or miles, try to avoid getting locked into a specific date. The more flexible you are, the more likely it is that you find an affordable ticket. Review prices on multiple dates to see what’s available. Low-fare calendars are a useful tool to quickly see which days have the best deals.4. Start shopping for airfare ahead of timeGetting a deal on business class is a numbers game. It helps to give yourself as many chances as possible to find a ticket. If you’re shopping at the last minute, you’re forced to grab whatever’s available.So, how soon should you start shopping? Going, a travel deals site, recommends one to three months before departure for domestic flights and two to eight months before departure for international flights. These are the periods when fares are most likely to be at their lowest. If your trip will be during the peak travel season, add a few months to those time frames.5. See if you can score elite statusMost airline loyalty programs are tiered. Frequent flyers who spend enough money with an airline can move up into its elite status tiers. This gets you special benefits, which often include complimentary upgrades when available.Trying to get elite status with an airline is only worth it if you travel often. If you think you can do it, look into the requirements for reaching elite status with your favorite airline.If one of your travel goals is to fly business class, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. To start, find a credit card with a travel rewards program you like. Make sure you earn the welcome offer, and sign up for the loyalty programs of any airlines you use. After that, it’s all about shopping around, finding the best business-class deals, and maybe seeing if you can land elite status.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.American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Flying business class is a fun way to make a trip more special. It almost feels like a different world than the economy cabin. You get a spacious seat, and on long flights, it could be a lie-flat seat that turns into a bed. There’s also a premium meal service. And who doesn’t love champagne before takeoff?

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 biggest downside is the price tag, but savvy travelers know how to score a better deal. If you’d like to get the business-class experience for less, here’s what the experts do.

1. Pay for tickets with miles

Most airlines sell tickets in cash or miles. Cash is how most people pay, and sometimes you can get a reasonable price. But in business class, tickets are expensive. On a long-haul international flight, you could be looking at $3,000 or more.

In that situation, you’re much better off paying with miles. The same ticket could cost 70,000 miles, plus taxes and fees. I’ve saved over $5,000 booking business class with miles instead of cash.

You may be wondering just how you’re supposed to earn all those miles. To start, you can sign up with the airline’s loyalty program and earn miles on flight bookings. But there’s also a way to speed up the process.

2. Use travel credit cards

Travel cards make it much easier to earn the miles you need for business class. You could:

• Get an airline credit card that earns miles with one specific airline.
• Get a travel card with points you can transfer to multiple airlines.

I prefer the latter because it gives you far more booking options. For example, I have travel cards with Chase and American Express. Each of them earns points I can transfer to more than 10 domestic and international airlines.

With a travel card, you can earn points or miles on your everyday spending instead of just when you fly. Many of these cards also have big welcome offers worth 50,000 points or more. Click here to learn more and check out the top travel rewards cards.

3. Keep your travel dates open

Airfare prices can vary quite a bit from one day to the next. This is true no matter which cabin you’re booking. But you may see particularly large fluctuations in business class, since prices are much higher.

Whether you’re booking with cash or miles, try to avoid getting locked into a specific date. The more flexible you are, the more likely it is that you find an affordable ticket. Review prices on multiple dates to see what’s available. Low-fare calendars are a useful tool to quickly see which days have the best deals.

4. Start shopping for airfare ahead of time

Getting a deal on business class is a numbers game. It helps to give yourself as many chances as possible to find a ticket. If you’re shopping at the last minute, you’re forced to grab whatever’s available.

So, how soon should you start shopping? Going, a travel deals site, recommends one to three months before departure for domestic flights and two to eight months before departure for international flights. These are the periods when fares are most likely to be at their lowest. If your trip will be during the peak travel season, add a few months to those time frames.

5. See if you can score elite status

Most airline loyalty programs are tiered. Frequent flyers who spend enough money with an airline can move up into its elite status tiers. This gets you special benefits, which often include complimentary upgrades when available.

Trying to get elite status with an airline is only worth it if you travel often. If you think you can do it, look into the requirements for reaching elite status with your favorite airline.

If one of your travel goals is to fly business class, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. To start, find a credit card with a travel rewards program you like. Make sure you earn the welcome offer, and sign up for the loyalty programs of any airlines you use. After that, it’s all about shopping around, finding the best business-class deals, and maybe seeing if you can land elite status.

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.American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
If you’ve ever spent a meaningful amount of time in a Costco warehouse, then you’ve probably seen the Kirkland name many times over. Kirkland is Costco’s signature store brand, and you’ll find it on thousands of products.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 new to Costco, you may not be so familiar with the Kirkland label. If that’s you, here are three important things to know about Kirkland products.1. They can save you a lot of moneyYour local supermarket’s store brand is often less expensive than the competing name-brands you’ll see on the shelves. Similarly, Costco’s Kirkland brand is usually less expensive than the name-brands Costco carries. But what may surprise you is how much less expensive.Costco aims to price its Kirkland products so customers save at least 20% compared to national competing brands. For example, if you’re buying a $10 jar of peanut butter from a recognized brand, Costco will aim to sell a similarly sized jar of Kirkland peanut butter for $8 or less.Now, $2 in savings may not seem all that substantial at first. But multiply that $2 across dozens of products you might buy each month during the year. You could save many hundreds of dollars just by giving Kirkland products a try.Want another great way to save money at Costco? Use a credit card that rewards you for your warehouse club purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers.2. You can buy way more than just Kirkland foodWhen a lot of people think of the Kirkland brand, they picture that label on pantry staples, snacks, and other grocery items. But Kirkland isn’t just about food. You can buy the Kirkland version of everything from cleaning supplies to home decor to clothing.Want to know another place you’ll find the Kirkland name? Costco’s fuel stations. It pays to fill your tank with Kirkland gas for a couple of reasons.First, Kirkland gas is typically much cheaper than the gas at competing fuel stations. But also, it holds the TOP TIER designation, which means it’s designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance for your vehicle. Talk about a win-win.3. Kirkland products are sometimes made by brands you know and loveYou might assume that any product with the Kirkland label is produced by Costco alone. But that’s not necessarily true.Although this isn’t always advertised, some of the Kirkland products you’ll see on Costco’s shelves are made by brands you’re already familiar with. For example, some of the Kirkland coffee that Costco sells is made by Starbucks. Only you’ll pay less for it thanks to the Kirkland label.There are plenty of benefits to loading up on Kirkland products when you shop at Costco. Not only can you save money, but you get to enjoy high-quality products.And remember, Costco stands behind every single product it puts on its shelves. If you decide to take a chance on a Kirkland product that doesn’t work out or meet your expectations, you can always bring it back for a full refund. But chances are, that won’t end up happening, and you’ll realize how much you have to gain by maximizing your Costco membership and becoming loyal to the Kirkland brand.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 positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you’ve ever spent a meaningful amount of time in a Costco warehouse, then you’ve probably seen the Kirkland name many times over. Kirkland is Costco’s signature store brand, and you’ll find it on thousands of products.

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 new to Costco, you may not be so familiar with the Kirkland label. If that’s you, here are three important things to know about Kirkland products.

1. They can save you a lot of money

Your local supermarket’s store brand is often less expensive than the competing name-brands you’ll see on the shelves. Similarly, Costco’s Kirkland brand is usually less expensive than the name-brands Costco carries. But what may surprise you is how much less expensive.

Costco aims to price its Kirkland products so customers save at least 20% compared to national competing brands. For example, if you’re buying a $10 jar of peanut butter from a recognized brand, Costco will aim to sell a similarly sized jar of Kirkland peanut butter for $8 or less.

Now, $2 in savings may not seem all that substantial at first. But multiply that $2 across dozens of products you might buy each month during the year. You could save many hundreds of dollars just by giving Kirkland products a try.

Want another great way to save money at Costco? Use a credit card that rewards you for your warehouse club purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers.

2. You can buy way more than just Kirkland food

When a lot of people think of the Kirkland brand, they picture that label on pantry staples, snacks, and other grocery items. But Kirkland isn’t just about food. You can buy the Kirkland version of everything from cleaning supplies to home decor to clothing.

Want to know another place you’ll find the Kirkland name? Costco’s fuel stations. It pays to fill your tank with Kirkland gas for a couple of reasons.

First, Kirkland gas is typically much cheaper than the gas at competing fuel stations. But also, it holds the TOP TIER designation, which means it’s designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance for your vehicle. Talk about a win-win.

3. Kirkland products are sometimes made by brands you know and love

You might assume that any product with the Kirkland label is produced by Costco alone. But that’s not necessarily true.

Although this isn’t always advertised, some of the Kirkland products you’ll see on Costco’s shelves are made by brands you’re already familiar with. For example, some of the Kirkland coffee that Costco sells is made by Starbucks. Only you’ll pay less for it thanks to the Kirkland label.

There are plenty of benefits to loading up on Kirkland products when you shop at Costco. Not only can you save money, but you get to enjoy high-quality products.

And remember, Costco stands behind every single product it puts on its shelves. If you decide to take a chance on a Kirkland product that doesn’t work out or meet your expectations, you can always bring it back for a full refund. But chances are, that won’t end up happening, and you’ll realize how much you have to gain by maximizing your Costco membership and becoming loyal to the Kirkland brand.

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

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
Credit cards offer you the opportunity to earn rewards, save money, and get perks like airport lounge access and streaming service credits. But the downside is that credit cards have outrageously high interest rates. The average rate on credit card accounts assessing interest is 23.37%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).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. With rates that high, you might be avoiding credit cards. While I understand that caution, let me tell you — there are ways to carefully use the best credit cards and avoid interest forever. Here are my top four.1. Pay in full every monthMost people misunderstand how credit cards work. To be clear, you only pay interest on purchases when you carry a balance into your next billing cycle. In other words, if you pay your balance off each month, you won’t pay credit card interest.Let’s say you have a credit card with a 23% annual interest rate (APR) and a balance of $1,000. If you only make a minimum payment of $50 instead of paying your card in full, the 23% APR will be applied to the unpaid balance. This interest will continue to accrue until the balance is paid in full.The trick here is to spend only what you can afford to pay back. This can be easier said than done, since your card’s credit limits can make it feel like you have more purchasing power than you do.If you need help managing, consider getting a budgeting app. These apps can help you synchronize credit cards with bank accounts to help you visualize how much you owe vs. how much cash you have to spend.2. Use a 0% intro APR credit card for large purchasesIf you’re expecting to make a big purchase — one that could take some time to pay off — consider getting a 0% intro APR credit card.This type of card gives you a 0% APR introductory period for a certain period of time. You’ll still need to make minimum payments, but carrying a balance within the zero-interest period doesn’t accrue interest.That said, the zero-interest period will end. When it does, the credit card’s APR will increase to a regular rate, and you’ll start accruing interest for unpaid balances. To steer clear of interest charges, make sure your balance is paid in full before the introductory period ends.Expecting to make a large purchase soon? Click here to check out our favorite 0% intro APR credit cards, with introductory periods lasting as long as 21 months!3. Avoid getting blindsided by surprise expenses with an emergency fundContrary to popular belief, credit card debt isn’t always about frivolous overspending. Often, unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs can quickly tip the scales.One way to prepare yourself for life’s surprises is to build an emergency fund. Most financial experts recommend keeping three to six months of expenses in an accessible account, like a high-yield savings account. While emergency funds can take time to build, it can give you a safety net for when disaster strikes — keeping you from relying on credit cards.If you have an emergency fund but it’s not earning you much interest, check out these top high-yield savings accounts with APYs up to 5.00%.4. Get out of debt with a balance transfer credit cardFinally, if you’re currently in credit card debt, you can lift yourself out forever by using a balance transfer credit card.Many balance transfer credit cards offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. Once you open an account, you can transfer debt from another credit card to benefit from the zero-interest period. To be sure, these cards do charge a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5%. But the fee could be small compared to what you’re paying in credit card interest.If you’re trying to get out of debt, check out our full list of best balance transfer credit cards.Ultimately, credit card interest doesn’t have to take away the benefits of using rewards or cash back credit cards. By staying on top of your balances — and using intro 0% APR offers strategically — you can avoid credit card debt and get the full value of your credit card rewards.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Credit cards offer you the opportunity to earn rewards, save money, and get perks like airport lounge access and streaming service credits. But the downside is that credit cards have outrageously high interest rates. The average rate on credit card accounts assessing interest is 23.37%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).

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.

With rates that high, you might be avoiding credit cards. While I understand that caution, let me tell you — there are ways to carefully use the best credit cards and avoid interest forever. Here are my top four.

1. Pay in full every month

Most people misunderstand how credit cards work. To be clear, you only pay interest on purchases when you carry a balance into your next billing cycle. In other words, if you pay your balance off each month, you won’t pay credit card interest.

Let’s say you have a credit card with a 23% annual interest rate (APR) and a balance of $1,000. If you only make a minimum payment of $50 instead of paying your card in full, the 23% APR will be applied to the unpaid balance. This interest will continue to accrue until the balance is paid in full.

The trick here is to spend only what you can afford to pay back. This can be easier said than done, since your card’s credit limits can make it feel like you have more purchasing power than you do.

If you need help managing, consider getting a budgeting app. These apps can help you synchronize credit cards with bank accounts to help you visualize how much you owe vs. how much cash you have to spend.

2. Use a 0% intro APR credit card for large purchases

If you’re expecting to make a big purchase — one that could take some time to pay off — consider getting a 0% intro APR credit card.

This type of card gives you a 0% APR introductory period for a certain period of time. You’ll still need to make minimum payments, but carrying a balance within the zero-interest period doesn’t accrue interest.

That said, the zero-interest period will end. When it does, the credit card’s APR will increase to a regular rate, and you’ll start accruing interest for unpaid balances. To steer clear of interest charges, make sure your balance is paid in full before the introductory period ends.

Expecting to make a large purchase soon? Click here to check out our favorite 0% intro APR credit cards, with introductory periods lasting as long as 21 months!

3. Avoid getting blindsided by surprise expenses with an emergency fund

Contrary to popular belief, credit card debt isn’t always about frivolous overspending. Often, unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs can quickly tip the scales.

One way to prepare yourself for life’s surprises is to build an emergency fund. Most financial experts recommend keeping three to six months of expenses in an accessible account, like a high-yield savings account. While emergency funds can take time to build, it can give you a safety net for when disaster strikes — keeping you from relying on credit cards.

If you have an emergency fund but it’s not earning you much interest, check out these top high-yield savings accounts with APYs up to 5.00%.

4. Get out of debt with a balance transfer credit card

Finally, if you’re currently in credit card debt, you can lift yourself out forever by using a balance transfer credit card.

Many balance transfer credit cards offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. Once you open an account, you can transfer debt from another credit card to benefit from the zero-interest period. To be sure, these cards do charge a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5%. But the fee could be small compared to what you’re paying in credit card interest.

If you’re trying to get out of debt, check out our full list of best balance transfer credit cards.

Ultimately, credit card interest doesn’t have to take away the benefits of using rewards or cash back credit cards. By staying on top of your balances — and using intro 0% APR offers strategically — you can avoid credit card debt and get the full value of your credit card rewards.

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

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

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

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
If you’re looking to boost your income in 2025, you have options. You could pick up a side hustle and see what it pays you. Or, you could take the easier way out and set yourself up with passive income.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. But it’s important to be realistic about the amount of money each option will pay you. If you’re hoping to see your income increase by $300 to $500 a month, you’re going to need a side hustle unless you happen to have a lot of money to work with already.But if you’re happy with a small income boost and you value your free time, then you may want to go the passive income route. Here are three moves to look at in that regard.1. Get a better rate on your savingsYour savings account probably isn’t going to make you rich. But the more interest you earn on the money you have in savings, the more passive income you get to enjoy. And even if it’s a small amount, hey, money is money.Right now, a lot of top savings accounts are paying around 4% APY. The tricky thing, though, is that savings account rates aren’t guaranteed, and they could fall in the new year.But let’s say you have $10,000 in savings and those 4% rates stick around. That means you could end up $400 richer at the end of 2025 with the right bank account. So if you’re only getting 2% or 3% on your savings now, shop around for a better rate.And even if you’re getting close to 4%, you never know if you might be able to do better. Check out this list of the best high-yield savings accounts to get started.2. Open a CDThe nice thing about savings accounts is that you can withdraw your money at any time. With a CD, you have to commit to the term you sign up for or else face a penalty, the exact amount of which depends on your bank.But unlike savings accounts, CDs do allow you to lock in an interest rate on your money. So if you have $10,000 to put into a 12-month CD and you’re able to snag a 4.5% APY, you’re looking at earning $450 in passive income. If you like the sound of that, click here for a roundup of the best CD rates available today.3. Start investingToday’s savings account and CD rates are pretty strong. But they pale in comparison to the S&P 500’s average yearly return over the past 50 years, which is about 10%. So if you open a brokerage account and start investing, you could set yourself up with a much larger amount of passive income over time.To be clear, though, investing is something you need to do on a long-term basis to make money. You may luck out and see your portfolio value increase in 2025 if you start funding it now. But that’s not guaranteed to happen.So while a brokerage account might earn you some passive income in 2025, you shouldn’t count on it. Instead, you should plan to hold your investments for many years so they’re able to gain a nice amount of value over time.If you put $10,000 into a stock portfolio and leave it alone for 20 years, you could end up with a little over $67,000 if you’re able to earn a 10% return in your portfolio during that time.If your goal is to bring home hundreds of dollars extra per month in 2025, then passive income may not be the way to get it. But if you’re happy with a small boost in the course of the upcoming year (or longer, in the case of investing), then it pays to explore these passive income streams that reward you for doing basically no work.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you’re looking to boost your income in 2025, you have options. You could pick up a side hustle and see what it pays you. Or, you could take the easier way out and set yourself up with passive income.

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

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

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

But it’s important to be realistic about the amount of money each option will pay you. If you’re hoping to see your income increase by $300 to $500 a month, you’re going to need a side hustle unless you happen to have a lot of money to work with already.

But if you’re happy with a small income boost and you value your free time, then you may want to go the passive income route. Here are three moves to look at in that regard.

1. Get a better rate on your savings

Your savings account probably isn’t going to make you rich. But the more interest you earn on the money you have in savings, the more passive income you get to enjoy. And even if it’s a small amount, hey, money is money.

Right now, a lot of top savings accounts are paying around 4% APY. The tricky thing, though, is that savings account rates aren’t guaranteed, and they could fall in the new year.

But let’s say you have $10,000 in savings and those 4% rates stick around. That means you could end up $400 richer at the end of 2025 with the right bank account. So if you’re only getting 2% or 3% on your savings now, shop around for a better rate.

And even if you’re getting close to 4%, you never know if you might be able to do better. Check out this list of the best high-yield savings accounts to get started.

2. Open a CD

The nice thing about savings accounts is that you can withdraw your money at any time. With a CD, you have to commit to the term you sign up for or else face a penalty, the exact amount of which depends on your bank.

But unlike savings accounts, CDs do allow you to lock in an interest rate on your money. So if you have $10,000 to put into a 12-month CD and you’re able to snag a 4.5% APY, you’re looking at earning $450 in passive income. If you like the sound of that, click here for a roundup of the best CD rates available today.

3. Start investing

Today’s savings account and CD rates are pretty strong. But they pale in comparison to the S&P 500’s average yearly return over the past 50 years, which is about 10%. So if you open a brokerage account and start investing, you could set yourself up with a much larger amount of passive income over time.

To be clear, though, investing is something you need to do on a long-term basis to make money. You may luck out and see your portfolio value increase in 2025 if you start funding it now. But that’s not guaranteed to happen.

So while a brokerage account might earn you some passive income in 2025, you shouldn’t count on it. Instead, you should plan to hold your investments for many years so they’re able to gain a nice amount of value over time.

If you put $10,000 into a stock portfolio and leave it alone for 20 years, you could end up with a little over $67,000 if you’re able to earn a 10% return in your portfolio during that time.

If your goal is to bring home hundreds of dollars extra per month in 2025, then passive income may not be the way to get it. But if you’re happy with a small boost in the course of the upcoming year (or longer, in the case of investing), then it pays to explore these passive income streams that reward you for doing basically no work.

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.

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