Money Management

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While we’re well into November, there’s still time to finish your holiday shopping. If you have a Costco membership, you can shop member-exclusive deals that help you keep more money in your checking account. The warehouse club retailer has fantastic ideas for all budgets. Ready to start shopping? Here are a few winning gifts you can purchase at Costco for less than $100 each.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. 1. Four-pack of Apple AirTags for $79.99Need to buy a gift for a forgetful family member or friend? Why not give them a four-pack of Apple AirTags? You can make their life easier and help them find a lost wallet, keys, or luggage with greater ease. This useful present costs $79.99 at Costco. The retail price for a four-pack of these tracking devices is $99.99 through Apple, so your Costco membership will save you $20.2. Bose SoundLink Flex SE Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker for $99.99If you’re looking for the ideal present for someone special who loves music, a portable Bluetooth speaker is an excellent option. The Bose SoundLink Flex SE Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is available at Costco for $99.99. Through Dec. 2, it is being sold with an additional $30 discount. The sticker price for this portable Bluetooth speaker is $149. It’s compact, waterproof, and has a battery life of up to 12 hours. Your loved one is sure to appreciate this gift.Want to save more on your next Costco haul? We recommend using a rewards credit card at checkout. Click here to explore the top credit cards for Costco shoppers.3. LEGO Bundle: Welcome to Emerald City, Magical Unicorn, and Red Dragon LEGO kits for $99.99This deal is perfect for the LEGO collector in your life. You can get three kits for $99.99. Costco sells a bundle that includes the Welcome to Emerald City, Magical Unicorn, and Red Dragon LEGO kits for $99.99. The Welcome to Emerald City kit has a sticker price of $99.99. Meanwhile, the other two kits cost $9.99 each. So you’ll save $20 when you buy this bundle.4. Two $50 Uber gift cards for $79.99Gift cards make for a lovely present, especially if you can buy one that matches your loved one’s typical spending. If you have a traveler on your list or someone who uses ride-hailing services, you may want to consider this gift card deal. Costco sells a pack of two $50 Uber gift cards for $79.99. These gift cards can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the United States. You’ll save $20, and your giftee will appreciate this winning present.5. $100 Instacart gift card for $79.99Here’s another discounted gift card that would make a great gift. Costco sells a $100 Instacart gift card for $79.99. The gift card can be used to pay for grocery delivery through Instacart or same-day Costco delivery orders.This would be a fantastic present for anyone on your list who is overwhelmed and super busy because it will add convenience to their life. As a Costco member, you’ll get a $20 discount on the sticker price. Don’t ignore the gift card deals at Costco.Maximize your Costco membershipRemember to check whether your Costco membership can help you save more as you shop for the holidays. Whether you shop in-club or at Costco.com, there are plentiful gift options that your loved ones will appreciate. You can maximize your Costco membership by taking advantage of early holiday sales that are happening now. Every dollar you save adds 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!We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Costco Wholesale, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

While we’re well into November, there’s still time to finish your holiday shopping. If you have a Costco membership, you can shop member-exclusive deals that help you keep more money in your checking account. The warehouse club retailer has fantastic ideas for all budgets. Ready to start shopping? Here are a few winning gifts you can purchase at Costco for less than $100 each.

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.

1. Four-pack of Apple AirTags for $79.99

Need to buy a gift for a forgetful family member or friend? Why not give them a four-pack of Apple AirTags? You can make their life easier and help them find a lost wallet, keys, or luggage with greater ease. This useful present costs $79.99 at Costco. The retail price for a four-pack of these tracking devices is $99.99 through Apple, so your Costco membership will save you $20.

2. Bose SoundLink Flex SE Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker for $99.99

If you’re looking for the ideal present for someone special who loves music, a portable Bluetooth speaker is an excellent option. The Bose SoundLink Flex SE Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is available at Costco for $99.99. Through Dec. 2, it is being sold with an additional $30 discount. The sticker price for this portable Bluetooth speaker is $149. It’s compact, waterproof, and has a battery life of up to 12 hours. Your loved one is sure to appreciate this gift.

Want to save more on your next Costco haul? We recommend using a rewards credit card at checkout. Click here to explore the top credit cards for Costco shoppers.

3. LEGO Bundle: Welcome to Emerald City, Magical Unicorn, and Red Dragon LEGO kits for $99.99

This deal is perfect for the LEGO collector in your life. You can get three kits for $99.99. Costco sells a bundle that includes the Welcome to Emerald City, Magical Unicorn, and Red Dragon LEGO kits for $99.99. The Welcome to Emerald City kit has a sticker price of $99.99. Meanwhile, the other two kits cost $9.99 each. So you’ll save $20 when you buy this bundle.

4. Two $50 Uber gift cards for $79.99

Gift cards make for a lovely present, especially if you can buy one that matches your loved one’s typical spending. If you have a traveler on your list or someone who uses ride-hailing services, you may want to consider this gift card deal. Costco sells a pack of two $50 Uber gift cards for $79.99. These gift cards can be used for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders in the United States. You’ll save $20, and your giftee will appreciate this winning present.

5. $100 Instacart gift card for $79.99

Here’s another discounted gift card that would make a great gift. Costco sells a $100 Instacart gift card for $79.99. The gift card can be used to pay for grocery delivery through Instacart or same-day Costco delivery orders.

This would be a fantastic present for anyone on your list who is overwhelmed and super busy because it will add convenience to their life. As a Costco member, you’ll get a $20 discount on the sticker price. Don’t ignore the gift card deals at Costco.

Maximize your Costco membership

Remember to check whether your Costco membership can help you save more as you shop for the holidays. Whether you shop in-club or at Costco.com, there are plentiful gift options that your loved ones will appreciate. You can maximize your Costco membership by taking advantage of early holiday sales that are happening now. Every dollar you save adds 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!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Costco Wholesale, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
In 2024, IRAs max out at $7,000 for workers under age 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and over. And in 2025, these contribution limits are staying the same.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. Maxing out an IRA is a great way to set yourself up with a giant nest egg for retirement. But maxing out also isn’t an easy thing to do.If you’re 25 years old, maxing out an IRA this year and next means parting with about $583 per month. That’s a lot of money to allocate to retirement savings when you may have loads of pressing bills to deal with now, not to mention leftover student loans.The good news, though, is that you don’t have to max out an IRA to end up with a large pile of savings over time. Investing just $250 a month, in fact, could set you up for a fantastic retirement under the right circumstances.When time is on your sideSaving and investing just $250 a month for retirement may not cut it if you first get into the habit during your 40s or 50s. But if you’re in your 20s, you can build a serious amount of wealth on just $250 a month, provided you invest your money in stocks — specifically index funds that track the S&P 500’s performance.Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500’s average annual return has been 10%. To be clear, though, this doesn’t mean that the market’s performance has been an even 10% year over year. That 10% is an average accounting for years when the market did extremely well and years when it lost money.But if you invest for retirement over a long period of time, there’s a good chance that you’ll enjoy a 10% return in your portfolio. And that could go a long way.Say you’re 25 years old and you decide to begin saving and investing for retirement this month. Let’s also assume you want to retire at age 65 (which, in case you’re curious, is when you can get onto Medicare).If you contribute $250 a month to your IRA, and it gives you a 10% yearly return over that 40-year stretch, you’re looking at growing your nest egg to over $1.3 million.And the best part? That $1.3 million IRA balance is coming to you at a cost of just $120,000 in contributions. That means you’re gaining about $1.2 million simply by investing in the stock market over many years.Get started todayA $250 monthly investment could help you pull off your dream retirement. But the key is to give yourself several decades of gains to enjoy. So if you haven’t started investing for retirement yet, check out this list of the best IRAs and open one today. Or, sign up for a 401(k) plan if your employer offers one.The sooner you begin saving and investing for retirement, the more you get to take advantage of stock market returns. So even if you can’t yet swing $250 a month, save something and aim to increase your monthly contributions over time. You’ll be thankful you did later on.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”:”

In 2024, IRAs max out at $7,000 for workers under age 50 and $8,000 for those 50 and over. And in 2025, these contribution limits are staying the same.

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.

Maxing out an IRA is a great way to set yourself up with a giant nest egg for retirement. But maxing out also isn’t an easy thing to do.

If you’re 25 years old, maxing out an IRA this year and next means parting with about $583 per month. That’s a lot of money to allocate to retirement savings when you may have loads of pressing bills to deal with now, not to mention leftover student loans.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to max out an IRA to end up with a large pile of savings over time. Investing just $250 a month, in fact, could set you up for a fantastic retirement under the right circumstances.

When time is on your side

Saving and investing just $250 a month for retirement may not cut it if you first get into the habit during your 40s or 50s. But if you’re in your 20s, you can build a serious amount of wealth on just $250 a month, provided you invest your money in stocks — specifically index funds that track the S&P 500’s performance.

Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500’s average annual return has been 10%. To be clear, though, this doesn’t mean that the market’s performance has been an even 10% year over year. That 10% is an average accounting for years when the market did extremely well and years when it lost money.

But if you invest for retirement over a long period of time, there’s a good chance that you’ll enjoy a 10% return in your portfolio. And that could go a long way.

Say you’re 25 years old and you decide to begin saving and investing for retirement this month. Let’s also assume you want to retire at age 65 (which, in case you’re curious, is when you can get onto Medicare).

If you contribute $250 a month to your IRA, and it gives you a 10% yearly return over that 40-year stretch, you’re looking at growing your nest egg to over $1.3 million.

And the best part? That $1.3 million IRA balance is coming to you at a cost of just $120,000 in contributions. That means you’re gaining about $1.2 million simply by investing in the stock market over many years.

Get started today

A $250 monthly investment could help you pull off your dream retirement. But the key is to give yourself several decades of gains to enjoy. So if you haven’t started investing for retirement yet, check out this list of the best IRAs and open one today. Or, sign up for a 401(k) plan if your employer offers one.

The sooner you begin saving and investing for retirement, the more you get to take advantage of stock market returns. So even if you can’t yet swing $250 a month, save something and aim to increase your monthly contributions over time. You’ll be thankful you did later on.

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

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

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

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

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
The point of joining a warehouse club is to save money on everyday essentials, like groceries and cleaning supplies. But since warehouse club memberships aren’t free, most people would probably be inclined to only pay for one at a time.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 have access to Costco and Sam’s Club, you might assume that you should pick one over the other. And if cost is your primary factor, Sam’s Club wins in that regard.Both Costco and Sam’s Club offer a basic membership and a higher-cost membership that gives you cash back on your purchases. At Costco, a basic Gold Star membership costs $65 a year, while an Executive membership costs $130. At Sam’s Club, a basic membership is $50 a year, while a Plus membership costs $110.But there are also some differences between Costco and Sam’s Club, like the inventory they carry and the other benefits they offer. So in some cases, it could pay to join both at the same time. Here are a few scenarios where having more than one warehouse club membership makes sense.1. When one is more convenient but the other stocks an essential item you needConvenience should be a big factor in deciding which warehouse club store to frequent. It pays to buy groceries at Costco or Sam’s Club for the bulk discounts. And it also pays to fill up your car at Costco or Sam’s Club for the cheap gas (and Costco’s happens to be TOP TIER™-certified, as a bonus).But since groceries and gas are expenses you cover every week, you need easy access to those purchases. So let’s say the closest Sam’s Club is seven minutes away, but Costco is a 25-minute drive. Clearly, Sam’s club wins on convenience.But it may be that only Costco stocks the infant formula you use in bulk, or the pet food your dog enjoys. In that case, it could pay to maintain both memberships so you get easy access to gas and groceries, but also get access to savings on a few specific products you buy all the time.Remember, you can join Costco at the basic level for only $65. Even if you only buy the same two products there, if that saves you $10 a month, then in the course of a year, you’re paying $120 less for those items. When you subtract the $65 membership fee, you’re still ahead by $55.And you can also eke out savings at Costco by using the right credit card when you shop there. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco purchases.2. When one store is located near your office and the other is closer to where you liveSome people prefer to run errands on weekends, when they don’t have to juggle with work-related deadlines. Other people like to get their errands done on the way home from work.If you fall into both camps, then it could pay to join both Costco and Sam’s Club if one store is close to your office and the other is a quick drive from your home. This gives you the option to shop at your convenience without feeling as if you have to go out of your way when it doesn’t work for you.3. When one is your go-to option but the other has one-time deals you want to capitalize onIt may be that Sam’s Club is your most convenient shopping option due to its location and hours. But you may find that Costco has better one-off deals you want to enjoy.In that situation, joining both warehouse clubs could make sense. Even if you only make a single purchase at the one you shop at rarely, it may be that you’re able to save $100 or more on a specific laptop, TV, or other item for your home. As long as you’re saving more than the cost of your membership, joining makes sense.And also, you never know what deals one warehouse club store might offer in the future that the other doesn’t. So if you can afford to pay for both Costco and Sam’s Club at the same time, you’ll be giving yourself more options. However, in that case, you probably want to stick with a basic membership for the store that isn’t your go-to.It takes $3,250 in annual Costco spending and $3,000 in annual Sam’s Club spending to recoup the cost of an upgraded membership. If you’re only joining for one-off purchases, you may not hit these thresholds.It doesn’t always pay to spend money on warehouse club access to two different chains. But under the right circumstances, it’s not a bad idea to have a Costco and Sam’s Club membership at the same time.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

The point of joining a warehouse club is to save money on everyday essentials, like groceries and cleaning supplies. But since warehouse club memberships aren’t free, most people would probably be inclined to only pay for one at a time.

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 have access to Costco and Sam’s Club, you might assume that you should pick one over the other. And if cost is your primary factor, Sam’s Club wins in that regard.

Both Costco and Sam’s Club offer a basic membership and a higher-cost membership that gives you cash back on your purchases. At Costco, a basic Gold Star membership costs $65 a year, while an Executive membership costs $130. At Sam’s Club, a basic membership is $50 a year, while a Plus membership costs $110.

But there are also some differences between Costco and Sam’s Club, like the inventory they carry and the other benefits they offer. So in some cases, it could pay to join both at the same time. Here are a few scenarios where having more than one warehouse club membership makes sense.

1. When one is more convenient but the other stocks an essential item you need

Convenience should be a big factor in deciding which warehouse club store to frequent. It pays to buy groceries at Costco or Sam’s Club for the bulk discounts. And it also pays to fill up your car at Costco or Sam’s Club for the cheap gas (and Costco’s happens to be TOP TIER™-certified, as a bonus).

But since groceries and gas are expenses you cover every week, you need easy access to those purchases. So let’s say the closest Sam’s Club is seven minutes away, but Costco is a 25-minute drive. Clearly, Sam’s club wins on convenience.

But it may be that only Costco stocks the infant formula you use in bulk, or the pet food your dog enjoys. In that case, it could pay to maintain both memberships so you get easy access to gas and groceries, but also get access to savings on a few specific products you buy all the time.

Remember, you can join Costco at the basic level for only $65. Even if you only buy the same two products there, if that saves you $10 a month, then in the course of a year, you’re paying $120 less for those items. When you subtract the $65 membership fee, you’re still ahead by $55.

And you can also eke out savings at Costco by using the right credit card when you shop there. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco purchases.

2. When one store is located near your office and the other is closer to where you live

Some people prefer to run errands on weekends, when they don’t have to juggle with work-related deadlines. Other people like to get their errands done on the way home from work.

If you fall into both camps, then it could pay to join both Costco and Sam’s Club if one store is close to your office and the other is a quick drive from your home. This gives you the option to shop at your convenience without feeling as if you have to go out of your way when it doesn’t work for you.

3. When one is your go-to option but the other has one-time deals you want to capitalize on

It may be that Sam’s Club is your most convenient shopping option due to its location and hours. But you may find that Costco has better one-off deals you want to enjoy.

In that situation, joining both warehouse clubs could make sense. Even if you only make a single purchase at the one you shop at rarely, it may be that you’re able to save $100 or more on a specific laptop, TV, or other item for your home. As long as you’re saving more than the cost of your membership, joining makes sense.

And also, you never know what deals one warehouse club store might offer in the future that the other doesn’t. So if you can afford to pay for both Costco and Sam’s Club at the same time, you’ll be giving yourself more options. However, in that case, you probably want to stick with a basic membership for the store that isn’t your go-to.

It takes $3,250 in annual Costco spending and $3,000 in annual Sam’s Club spending to recoup the cost of an upgraded membership. If you’re only joining for one-off purchases, you may not hit these thresholds.

It doesn’t always pay to spend money on warehouse club access to two different chains. But under the right circumstances, it’s not a bad idea to have a Costco and Sam’s Club membership at the same time.

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

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

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

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

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More