Money Management

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A basic Gold Star Costco membership costs $65 a year. If you want cash back on your Costco purchases, you can upgrade to an Executive membership at a cost of $130 a year.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!But no matter which membership you have, you may be thinking of canceling if you haven’t been using it as often as expected. Before you do, though, consider these consequences you might face.1. You may not be able to renew right awayThe nice thing about Costco is that it guarantees 100% satisfaction with its memberships. This means you can cancel yours at any time for a full refund.But if you cancel your Costco membership, there may be a waiting period until you’re able to sign up again. This is because Costco doesn’t want people to abuse its generous policy on refunds.Think about it this way: Based on Costco’s policy, you could technically buy a membership, use it for 364 days, cancel right before the one-year mark, get your money back, and then repeat that process again and again. So Costco states that it has the right to refuse a membership to any customer.If you cancel your Costco membership a month after renewing it, and you then try to sign back up four months later, you probably won’t have a problem. But if you’re canceling pretty late in your membership period, don’t be surprised if you’re forced to wait longer than you want to sign up again.2. You’ll lose food court accessCostco’s food courts are loaded with great deals, including the famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. But if you cancel your Costco membership, you won’t be able to dine at the store’s food court.It used to be that Costco’s food courts were open to anyone. Now, they’re member-only. And you may not realize how much you miss those cheap Costco lunches until they’re off the table.3. You’ll pay more for online ordersYou don’t need a Costco membership to order from its website. But as a non-member, you’ll have to pay a 5% surcharge for every order you place.If you order more than $1,300 worth of products in a year, you’ll lose out financially, because in that case, you’re facing more than $65 in surcharges. But it only costs $65 to keep Costco’s Gold Star membership.Plus, certain Costco.com items are member-only. Even if you’re willing to pay more, they won’t be available to you. You won’t even be able to see what they cost.You don’t want to throw your money away at Costco, so if you haven’t been going there as frequently, it’s easy to see why you’d be thinking of canceling your membership. But before you cancel, think about the benefits you’d be giving up.And if you have an Executive membership, rather than canceling outright, try downgrading to a basic membership. If you use the right credit card, you can still rack up cash back on your Costco purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco so you can enjoy extra rewards, no matter what membership you have.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”:”

A basic Gold Star Costco membership costs $65 a year. If you want cash back on your Costco purchases, you can upgrade to an Executive membership at a cost of $130 a year.

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!

But no matter which membership you have, you may be thinking of canceling if you haven’t been using it as often as expected. Before you do, though, consider these consequences you might face.

1. You may not be able to renew right away

The nice thing about Costco is that it guarantees 100% satisfaction with its memberships. This means you can cancel yours at any time for a full refund.

But if you cancel your Costco membership, there may be a waiting period until you’re able to sign up again. This is because Costco doesn’t want people to abuse its generous policy on refunds.

Think about it this way: Based on Costco’s policy, you could technically buy a membership, use it for 364 days, cancel right before the one-year mark, get your money back, and then repeat that process again and again. So Costco states that it has the right to refuse a membership to any customer.

If you cancel your Costco membership a month after renewing it, and you then try to sign back up four months later, you probably won’t have a problem. But if you’re canceling pretty late in your membership period, don’t be surprised if you’re forced to wait longer than you want to sign up again.

2. You’ll lose food court access

Costco’s food courts are loaded with great deals, including the famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. But if you cancel your Costco membership, you won’t be able to dine at the store’s food court.

It used to be that Costco’s food courts were open to anyone. Now, they’re member-only. And you may not realize how much you miss those cheap Costco lunches until they’re off the table.

3. You’ll pay more for online orders

You don’t need a Costco membership to order from its website. But as a non-member, you’ll have to pay a 5% surcharge for every order you place.

If you order more than $1,300 worth of products in a year, you’ll lose out financially, because in that case, you’re facing more than $65 in surcharges. But it only costs $65 to keep Costco’s Gold Star membership.

Plus, certain Costco.com items are member-only. Even if you’re willing to pay more, they won’t be available to you. You won’t even be able to see what they cost.

You don’t want to throw your money away at Costco, so if you haven’t been going there as frequently, it’s easy to see why you’d be thinking of canceling your membership. But before you cancel, think about the benefits you’d be giving up.

And if you have an Executive membership, rather than canceling outright, try downgrading to a basic membership. If you use the right credit card, you can still rack up cash back on your Costco purchases. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco so you can enjoy extra rewards, no matter what membership you have.

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 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
I’ve been writing about car insurance for over a decade, and during that time, I’ve gotten over 1,000 quotes from every major insurer and a few you’ve probably never heard of. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that “shop around” isn’t just a saying — it’s the single most effective way to reduce your car insurance premiums.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. It’s more important than ever with the average American spending $1,775 annually on car insurance, according to Motley Fool Money’s research on the cost of car ownership. Ideally, you should compare rates — click here for our top car insurance companies to find your best offer. But there are a few important things to know before you start getting quotes.There’s one factor more important than priceI know there are some who would argue that nothing matters more than price when choosing a car insurance provider. But let me ask you this: What happens if you pay for all your premiums but your insurer doesn’t have the money to pay your claim when the time comes? That’s why the insurer’s financial strength should be the first thing you focus on.It’s not something you really have to worry about with large, nationwide insurers, but you probably should check the financial strength of smaller insurers before getting quotes from them. You can do this by looking up the company’s ratings with organizations like AM Best or Standard & Poor’s. An internet search for the company name and “financial strength ratings” may get you what you need.Every company has its own rating system. AM Best’s highest rating is A++, while for Standard & Poor’s it’s AAA. Generally, if you see any sort of A, you’re in good shape. If you see a B or lower, you may want to remove that company from your list of contenders.Consider price alongside other key factorsFor those of you on a tight budget, a low price will probably come second only to the company’s financial strength. Save yourself some time by starting with our best cheap car insurance providers list.If you can afford to purchase more than bare-minimum coverage, though, you’ll want to consider available coverage and customer service alongside premium costs. And you may want to prioritize these other factors first to narrow down the list of companies you get quotes from.Evaluating coverage first is important if you have special requirements. For example, if you drive for a ride-hailing company, you must choose a company that offers a ride-hailing endorsement or you won’t be fully protected while you’re working. Make a list of these non-negotiables and check which companies offer them. Eliminate any that don’t from your list.Next, research their customer service by checking out rankings from J.D. Power and online reviews. You don’t have to eliminate companies with below-average reviews from your list. But if that company’s premium is only a few dollars cheaper than a company with better reviews, it’s probably worth paying more for better service.You may want to evaluate companies based on their available discounts as well, but be careful with this. More discounts don’t always translate to a better rate. You may want to explore a company with more discounts or specialized discounts that apply to your situation first. But don’t rule out companies with only a few, generic discounts.How to lower your premiums with all car insurance companiesAfter you get initial quotes, you have one final opportunity to lower your premiums and that’s by adjusting your coverage limits and deductibles. Opting for lower liability coverage limits with few extras will save you money on premiums, but you’re also assuming more of the risk. That means bigger out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim.Raising your deductible will also lower your car insurance premiums, possibly by 40% or more. This depends on your insurer and how much you raise the deductible, but it should make a substantial difference with most companies.Again, this will increase your out-of-pocket costs in an accident, but you may be able to save for this in an emergency fund beforehand. Consider stashing your emergency fund in one of our favorite high-yield savings accounts for an APY of around 4%.Once you’ve settled on your final coverage limits and deductibles, compare your quotes from all the insurers you looked at to see which one offers the best deal. And remember that might not always be the same as the one with the lowest price.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’ve been writing about car insurance for over a decade, and during that time, I’ve gotten over 1,000 quotes from every major insurer and a few you’ve probably never heard of. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that “shop around” isn’t just a saying — it’s the single most effective way to reduce your car insurance premiums.

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

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

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

It’s more important than ever with the average American spending $1,775 annually on car insurance, according to Motley Fool Money’s research on the cost of car ownership. Ideally, you should compare rates — click here for our top car insurance companies to find your best offer. But there are a few important things to know before you start getting quotes.

There’s one factor more important than price

I know there are some who would argue that nothing matters more than price when choosing a car insurance provider. But let me ask you this: What happens if you pay for all your premiums but your insurer doesn’t have the money to pay your claim when the time comes? That’s why the insurer’s financial strength should be the first thing you focus on.

It’s not something you really have to worry about with large, nationwide insurers, but you probably should check the financial strength of smaller insurers before getting quotes from them. You can do this by looking up the company’s ratings with organizations like AM Best or Standard & Poor’s. An internet search for the company name and “financial strength ratings” may get you what you need.

Every company has its own rating system. AM Best’s highest rating is A++, while for Standard & Poor’s it’s AAA. Generally, if you see any sort of A, you’re in good shape. If you see a B or lower, you may want to remove that company from your list of contenders.

Consider price alongside other key factors

For those of you on a tight budget, a low price will probably come second only to the company’s financial strength. Save yourself some time by starting with our best cheap car insurance providers list.

If you can afford to purchase more than bare-minimum coverage, though, you’ll want to consider available coverage and customer service alongside premium costs. And you may want to prioritize these other factors first to narrow down the list of companies you get quotes from.

Evaluating coverage first is important if you have special requirements. For example, if you drive for a ride-hailing company, you must choose a company that offers a ride-hailing endorsement or you won’t be fully protected while you’re working. Make a list of these non-negotiables and check which companies offer them. Eliminate any that don’t from your list.

Next, research their customer service by checking out rankings from J.D. Power and online reviews. You don’t have to eliminate companies with below-average reviews from your list. But if that company’s premium is only a few dollars cheaper than a company with better reviews, it’s probably worth paying more for better service.

You may want to evaluate companies based on their available discounts as well, but be careful with this. More discounts don’t always translate to a better rate. You may want to explore a company with more discounts or specialized discounts that apply to your situation first. But don’t rule out companies with only a few, generic discounts.

How to lower your premiums with all car insurance companies

After you get initial quotes, you have one final opportunity to lower your premiums and that’s by adjusting your coverage limits and deductibles. Opting for lower liability coverage limits with few extras will save you money on premiums, but you’re also assuming more of the risk. That means bigger out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim.

Raising your deductible will also lower your car insurance premiums, possibly by 40% or more. This depends on your insurer and how much you raise the deductible, but it should make a substantial difference with most companies.

Again, this will increase your out-of-pocket costs in an accident, but you may be able to save for this in an emergency fund beforehand. Consider stashing your emergency fund in one of our favorite high-yield savings accounts for an APY of around 4%.

Once you’ve settled on your final coverage limits and deductibles, compare your quotes from all the insurers you looked at to see which one offers the best deal. And remember that might not always be the same as the one with the lowest price.

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
A 2023 survey by fintech company SecureSave found that 63% of Americans didn’t have enough savings to cover an unplanned $500 expense. So if you’re someone with more than $50,000 in your savings account, you’re clearly in a much better financial place.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 that doesn’t mean you should maintain a savings account balance above $50,000. Doing so could actually hurt your finances in the long run.The problem with keeping too much money in savingsA savings account is an important thing to have. You need a safe place to keep the money you have set aside for emergencies and short-term goals.The problem with savings accounts is that while they’re paying generously today, even current interest rates pale in comparison to the S&P 500’s average return over the past 50 years, which is 10%.Even if savings accounts somehow continue to pay around 4% like they are now, there’s a huge divide between that and a 10% return. And that’s why keeping too much money in savings is a bad idea.Now it may be that you need more than $50,000 in your savings to cover yourself for emergencies and address a short-term goal. For example, if you’re planning to buy a house in 2025, it’s more than conceivable that you might need upward of $50,000 as a down payment.But as a general rule, your emergency fund should be set to cover three to six months of essential bills. If you’re well beyond that point and you don’t have any big financial goals on your short-term horizon, then you may want to move some money out of savings and invest it instead.The numbers don’t lieLet’s say you don’t have any large purchases coming up and your essential monthly bills amount to $5,000. Even if you want a six-month emergency fund, that’s only $30,000.If you have more than $50,000 in your savings account, it’s a good idea to open a brokerage account and start investing the rest. Check out this list of the best brokerage accounts to get started.Imagine you have $52,000 in savings but can afford to pull $22,000 out and invest it. If you get a 10% annual return over the next 20 years, you’ll end up with about $148,000.But watch what happens if you keep an extra $22,000 in a savings account. Even if you continue to earn 4% a year — which is unlikely since rates are expected to fall and 4% saving account rates aren’t the norm — that only grows your balance to $48,000. If you don’t love the idea of giving up $100,000, then it’s best to start investing rather than limit yourself to a savings account.And if you’re worried about taking on risk, consider this. The stock market’s average 10% return also accounts for years when the market did horribly. But if you invest over a long period of time, that alone minimizes your risk.Also, if you don’t invest in stocks, you run another risk — losing out on money that could be yours. So if you’re sitting on more than $50,000 in your savings account, ask yourself whether you actually need that high of a balance. And if you don’t, consider investing the rest so it’s able to do a lot more for you.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”:”

A 2023 survey by fintech company SecureSave found that 63% of Americans didn’t have enough savings to cover an unplanned $500 expense. So if you’re someone with more than $50,000 in your savings account, you’re clearly in a much better financial place.

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 that doesn’t mean you should maintain a savings account balance above $50,000. Doing so could actually hurt your finances in the long run.

The problem with keeping too much money in savings

A savings account is an important thing to have. You need a safe place to keep the money you have set aside for emergencies and short-term goals.

The problem with savings accounts is that while they’re paying generously today, even current interest rates pale in comparison to the S&P 500’s average return over the past 50 years, which is 10%.

Even if savings accounts somehow continue to pay around 4% like they are now, there’s a huge divide between that and a 10% return. And that’s why keeping too much money in savings is a bad idea.

Now it may be that you need more than $50,000 in your savings to cover yourself for emergencies and address a short-term goal. For example, if you’re planning to buy a house in 2025, it’s more than conceivable that you might need upward of $50,000 as a down payment.

But as a general rule, your emergency fund should be set to cover three to six months of essential bills. If you’re well beyond that point and you don’t have any big financial goals on your short-term horizon, then you may want to move some money out of savings and invest it instead.

The numbers don’t lie

Let’s say you don’t have any large purchases coming up and your essential monthly bills amount to $5,000. Even if you want a six-month emergency fund, that’s only $30,000.

If you have more than $50,000 in your savings account, it’s a good idea to open a brokerage account and start investing the rest. Check out this list of the best brokerage accounts to get started.

Imagine you have $52,000 in savings but can afford to pull $22,000 out and invest it. If you get a 10% annual return over the next 20 years, you’ll end up with about $148,000.

But watch what happens if you keep an extra $22,000 in a savings account. Even if you continue to earn 4% a year — which is unlikely since rates are expected to fall and 4% saving account rates aren’t the norm — that only grows your balance to $48,000. If you don’t love the idea of giving up $100,000, then it’s best to start investing rather than limit yourself to a savings account.

And if you’re worried about taking on risk, consider this. The stock market’s average 10% return also accounts for years when the market did horribly. But if you invest over a long period of time, that alone minimizes your risk.

Also, if you don’t invest in stocks, you run another risk — losing out on money that could be yours. So if you’re sitting on more than $50,000 in your savings account, ask yourself whether you actually need that high of a balance. And if you don’t, consider investing the rest so it’s able to do a lot more for you.

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
A lot of people think the U.S. middle class is shrinking. But as of 2022, a good 52% of Americans lived in a middle-class household, says Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, 28% of Americans are part of lower-income households, and only 19% are considered upper class.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. If you’re wondering whether you’re upper, middle, or lower class, the reality is that it depends on not just your income but your household size and where you live. A $50,000 income goes a lot further in a metro area like Cleveland than it does in New York City or Los Angeles.However, on a national scale, as of 2022, middle-income households had incomes ranging from$56,600 to $169,800. This means that lower-income households had incomes below $56,600, and upper class households had incomes above $169,800.You may be curious to know where you stand in the context of upper, middle, or lower class. But the reality is that it almost doesn’t matter. What matters more is how you’re managing your money and how comfortable you feel financially. And if you’re looking to improve your financial picture, here are some key steps to take.1. Get savvier at living below your meansThe lower your income, the harder it can be to not spend all of it. But if you want to get to a better place financially, it’s important to live below your means so you can save the difference.A good way to achieve that goal is to set up a budget that allows you to prioritize your essential expenses and come up with ways to allocate funds to your different goals. Click here for a list of the best budgeting apps so you can get started.Of course, if you don’t want to use an app, a good old-fashioned spreadsheet works as well. You could even write your budget on the back of an envelope if that works for you. The point is to have a sense of where your money is going and make sure funds are being allocated toward your most important priorities.2. Boost your job skillsGrowing your job skills could be your ticket to a higher salary. But that doesn’t have to mean pursuing a new degree (and taking on the expense that comes with it).A lot of companies have mentorship programs that allow employees to learn from their superiors and peers. If your employer doesn’t offer this benefit, ask for it. Or you could approach someone in your organization you feel you can learn from and ask for their guidance.You can also look online to see what free courses are available that may be useful to you. LinkedIn, for example, offers a number of options. And don’t hesitate to contact your state’s labor department to see what free career development resources are available to you.3. Invest in assets that can make you richerYour initial financial goal should be to build an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months of essential bills. From there, aim to invest in assets that can help you grow your wealth at a much faster rate than a savings account.Stocks are a good bet because over the past 50 years, the market has rewarded investors with an average annual 10% return. This means if you were to invest just $1,000 today, at that same annual return, it could be worth over $45,000 in 40 years. Check out this list of the best brokerage accounts so you can start investing your money as soon as possible.There’s nothing wrong with trying to see where you stand in terms of being upper, middle, or lower class. But rather than focus on a specific tier, a better use of your time and mental energy is to find ways to better yourself financially on a whole.The steps above are a great starting point. But also think about your top financial goals and how to achieve them. Those could include buying a house or paying for your children’s education. And if you want help meeting those goals, don’t hesitate to find a financial advisor to work with. A professional could help you get on the right path, regardless of your income or level of wealth.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”:”

A lot of people think the U.S. middle class is shrinking. But as of 2022, a good 52% of Americans lived in a middle-class household, says Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, 28% of Americans are part of lower-income households, and only 19% are considered upper class.

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.

If you’re wondering whether you’re upper, middle, or lower class, the reality is that it depends on not just your income but your household size and where you live. A $50,000 income goes a lot further in a metro area like Cleveland than it does in New York City or Los Angeles.

However, on a national scale, as of 2022, middle-income households had incomes ranging from

$56,600 to $169,800. This means that lower-income households had incomes below $56,600, and upper class households had incomes above $169,800.

You may be curious to know where you stand in the context of upper, middle, or lower class. But the reality is that it almost doesn’t matter. What matters more is how you’re managing your money and how comfortable you feel financially. And if you’re looking to improve your financial picture, here are some key steps to take.

1. Get savvier at living below your means

The lower your income, the harder it can be to not spend all of it. But if you want to get to a better place financially, it’s important to live below your means so you can save the difference.

A good way to achieve that goal is to set up a budget that allows you to prioritize your essential expenses and come up with ways to allocate funds to your different goals. Click here for a list of the best budgeting apps so you can get started.

Of course, if you don’t want to use an app, a good old-fashioned spreadsheet works as well. You could even write your budget on the back of an envelope if that works for you. The point is to have a sense of where your money is going and make sure funds are being allocated toward your most important priorities.

2. Boost your job skills

Growing your job skills could be your ticket to a higher salary. But that doesn’t have to mean pursuing a new degree (and taking on the expense that comes with it).

A lot of companies have mentorship programs that allow employees to learn from their superiors and peers. If your employer doesn’t offer this benefit, ask for it. Or you could approach someone in your organization you feel you can learn from and ask for their guidance.

You can also look online to see what free courses are available that may be useful to you. LinkedIn, for example, offers a number of options. And don’t hesitate to contact your state’s labor department to see what free career development resources are available to you.

3. Invest in assets that can make you richer

Your initial financial goal should be to build an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months of essential bills. From there, aim to invest in assets that can help you grow your wealth at a much faster rate than a savings account.

Stocks are a good bet because over the past 50 years, the market has rewarded investors with an average annual 10% return. This means if you were to invest just $1,000 today, at that same annual return, it could be worth over $45,000 in 40 years. Check out this list of the best brokerage accounts so you can start investing your money as soon as possible.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to see where you stand in terms of being upper, middle, or lower class. But rather than focus on a specific tier, a better use of your time and mental energy is to find ways to better yourself financially on a whole.

The steps above are a great starting point. But also think about your top financial goals and how to achieve them. Those could include buying a house or paying for your children’s education. And if you want help meeting those goals, don’t hesitate to find a financial advisor to work with. A professional could help you get on the right path, regardless of your income or level of wealth.

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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[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
I’ve been using travel credit cards for over eight years. During that time, I’ve tried most of the popular travel cards and have gotten all kinds of perks out of them. Not all of these benefits have been that useful for me. But a few of them are so valuable that I couldn’t imagine traveling without them.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. If you’re looking for a travel card, here are the perks that have made the biggest impact for me.1. Airport lounge accessAirport lounge access was the first credit card perk I got really excited about. No more waiting around in a cramped seat and overspending on snacks. With this benefit, you get to visit airport lounges free of charge, relax in more comfortable furniture, and enjoy free food and drinks.This is a popular feature, so some lounges can get crowded. It’s still a whole lot more pleasant than waiting for your flight in the general boarding area. Visiting an airport lounge also makes your whole trip feel more special.Looking for a credit card that will get you into airport lounges? Click here for our list of the best credit cards with airport lounge access.2. Bonus points on diningI spend a lot more on dining when I’m traveling, and I’d imagine it’s the same for most travelers. It’s hard to prepare meals on vacation unless you rent a place with a kitchen. Even if you do, people usually don’t feel like cooking too much when they’re on vacation.I always make sure to have a card that earns bonus dining rewards. The card I normally use earns 3 points per $1 on dining, which includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and food delivery. On $1,000 in spending, that’s 3,000 points, compared to only 1,000 points if I used a card earning 1 point per $1.3. Complimentary travel insuranceI rented a car recently. After I returned it, the rental agency emailed me to let me know there was a scratch. It included a picture where it was impossible to see anything, and a request to pay $593 in repairs.This issue’s still in progress, as I’m not going to pay anything until I see proof of the damage. But even if the scratch is legitimate, I’m not worried, because I paid with a credit card that includes complimentary rental car insurance. I can file a claim and have my credit card insurance cover the cost of the damage.I pay for all my travel bookings with a card that has travel insurance protections. It gives me peace of mind and saves me money in these kinds of situations. Here are the protections I make sure to have:Rental car damage and theft insuranceLost/delayed baggage insuranceTrip delay/interruption insurance4. A free Global Entry membershipMany of the top credit cards for travel will cover your membership fee with your choice of either the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck program. Wait times can be longer for a Global Entry interview, but it’s the better option. When you’re approved for Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck. It’s like a two-for-one deal.Here’s how each program works:With Global Entry, you get expedited service going through immigrations and customs at over 70 airports. I’ve gotten through immigration in less than a minute by using Global Entry kiosks.With TSA PreCheck, you can use expedited security lanes at over 200 U.S. airports. These are faster and don’t require you to remove your shoes or take out your laptop.No one likes waiting in airport security lines. Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership. That’s a reasonable price, but it’s even better when you’re getting it for free.Those are my favorite travel perks and the ones I use most often. To see cards with these and many other travel benefits, check out our list of the best travel rewards cards and open one today.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

I’ve been using travel credit cards for over eight years. During that time, I’ve tried most of the popular travel cards and have gotten all kinds of perks out of them. Not all of these benefits have been that useful for me. But a few of them are so valuable that I couldn’t imagine traveling without them.

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.

If you’re looking for a travel card, here are the perks that have made the biggest impact for me.

1. Airport lounge access

Airport lounge access was the first credit card perk I got really excited about. No more waiting around in a cramped seat and overspending on snacks. With this benefit, you get to visit airport lounges free of charge, relax in more comfortable furniture, and enjoy free food and drinks.

This is a popular feature, so some lounges can get crowded. It’s still a whole lot more pleasant than waiting for your flight in the general boarding area. Visiting an airport lounge also makes your whole trip feel more special.

Looking for a credit card that will get you into airport lounges? Click here for our list of the best credit cards with airport lounge access.

2. Bonus points on dining

I spend a lot more on dining when I’m traveling, and I’d imagine it’s the same for most travelers. It’s hard to prepare meals on vacation unless you rent a place with a kitchen. Even if you do, people usually don’t feel like cooking too much when they’re on vacation.

I always make sure to have a card that earns bonus dining rewards. The card I normally use earns 3 points per $1 on dining, which includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and food delivery. On $1,000 in spending, that’s 3,000 points, compared to only 1,000 points if I used a card earning 1 point per $1.

3. Complimentary travel insurance

I rented a car recently. After I returned it, the rental agency emailed me to let me know there was a scratch. It included a picture where it was impossible to see anything, and a request to pay $593 in repairs.

This issue’s still in progress, as I’m not going to pay anything until I see proof of the damage. But even if the scratch is legitimate, I’m not worried, because I paid with a credit card that includes complimentary rental car insurance. I can file a claim and have my credit card insurance cover the cost of the damage.

I pay for all my travel bookings with a card that has travel insurance protections. It gives me peace of mind and saves me money in these kinds of situations. Here are the protections I make sure to have:

• Rental car damage and theft insurance
• Lost/delayed baggage insurance
• Trip delay/interruption insurance

4. A free Global Entry membership

Many of the top credit cards for travel will cover your membership fee with your choice of either the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck program. Wait times can be longer for a Global Entry interview, but it’s the better option. When you’re approved for Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck. It’s like a two-for-one deal.

Here’s how each program works:

• With Global Entry, you get expedited service going through immigrations and customs at over 70 airports. I’ve gotten through immigration in less than a minute by using Global Entry kiosks.
• With TSA PreCheck, you can use expedited security lanes at over 200 U.S. airports. These are faster and don’t require you to remove your shoes or take out your laptop.

No one likes waiting in airport security lines. Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership. That’s a reasonable price, but it’s even better when you’re getting it for free.

Those are my favorite travel perks and the ones I use most often. To see cards with these and many other travel benefits, check out our list of the best travel rewards cards and open one today.

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

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

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

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

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
You buy some things at Kohl’s and the cashier hands you Kohl’s Cash you can put toward a future purchase. But you can’t use it immediately. You have to wait until a certain date to redeem it and if you don’t use it by its expiration date, it’s no good.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. You leave the store wondering whether you should make a return trip to Kohl’s in another week or so to use your Kohl’s Cash or just toss it and keep your cash in your savings account. Thanks to some tricky rules buried in the fine print, the answer’s not as straightforward as you might think.How Kohl’s Cash worksYou earn Kohl’s Cash on online and in-store purchases made during certain promotion periods. You get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend. If you later redeem that Kohl’s Cash on a regular-priced item, you’ll get $10 off. However, you can’t use Kohl’s Cash on Sephora beauty products or Kohl’s Cares charitable merchandise. You also can’t use it to purchase gift cards or pay off your store credit card balance.The rules are straightforward enough in these cases. But it gets more complicated when you add in coupons or returns.Kohl’s Cash and couponsWhen you pay with Kohl’s Cash and use a coupon, Kohl’s first applies the Kohl’s Cash and then the coupon. This isn’t usually the best outcome for the buyer.Consider a $20 purchase you make with $10 in Kohl’s Cash and a 20% off coupon. The way Kohl’s calculates it, it would first subtract the $10 in Kohl’s Cash, leaving you with $10. Then, it would apply the 20% off to $10, giving you a final payment of $8, plus taxes and possibly shipping fees.You’d actually save more money if Kohl’s applied the coupon first. In this case, you’d get 20% off of $20, bringing you down to $16 and then you’d get the $10 Kohl’s Cash, leaving you at just $6.Also worth noting is that if you’d just used the 20% off coupon, you would have paid $16. So the true value of your $10 Kohl’s Cash in this case is actually just $8. This doesn’t mean it’s worthless. You’re still saving money, just not as much as you expected.Kohl’s Cash and returnsWhen you make a return for an item you originally purchased with Kohl’s Cash, you get that Kohl’s Cash back. For example, if you bought a $50 item using $10 Kohl’s Cash and later returned it, the store would refund you $40 in cash and $10 in Kohl’s Cash.But it’s more complicated if you earned Kohl’s Cash on the returned item. Say you spend $100 and earn $20 in Kohl’s Cash. Later, you return $50 worth of items. If you hadn’t spent your $20 in Kohl’s Cash yet, the store would reduce its value to $10 because after the return, you only spent $50 and you must spend at least $100 to earn $20 in Kohl’s Cash.If you had spent the $20 in Kohl’s Cash prior to making the return, Kohl’s would actually reduce the cash back it gave you. So instead of getting $50 back in cash, you’d only get $40 back because you used $10 in Kohl’s Cash that you didn’t actually earn since you made a $50 return. This can also be frustrating, especially since the example above shows that Kohl’s Cash isn’t always worth its face value.How to decide if Kohl’s Cash is worth it for youUsing Kohl’s Cash could make sense for you if you shop at the store frequently and have specific items you want to buy there. But it might not be worth bothering with if you don’t shop there often, don’t need to buy anything, or just find the rules a little too confusing.There are other ways to save if you decide Kohl’s Cash isn’t right for you. The store has its own credit card, which can help you earn rewards. You can also use a cash back credit card that offers bonus rewards at department stores. The advantage to this is that you can redeem these rewards at many retailers, not just Kohl’s.Ultimately, you’ll probably have to decide whether to use Kohl’s Cash on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes it might be worth it and other times, it won’t be. Just make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting before you use it so you aren’t surprised by any of the rules mentioned above.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”:”

You buy some things at Kohl’s and the cashier hands you Kohl’s Cash you can put toward a future purchase. But you can’t use it immediately. You have to wait until a certain date to redeem it and if you don’t use it by its expiration date, it’s no good.

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.

You leave the store wondering whether you should make a return trip to Kohl’s in another week or so to use your Kohl’s Cash or just toss it and keep your cash in your savings account. Thanks to some tricky rules buried in the fine print, the answer’s not as straightforward as you might think.

How Kohl’s Cash works

You earn Kohl’s Cash on online and in-store purchases made during certain promotion periods. You get $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spend. If you later redeem that Kohl’s Cash on a regular-priced item, you’ll get $10 off. However, you can’t use Kohl’s Cash on Sephora beauty products or Kohl’s Cares charitable merchandise. You also can’t use it to purchase gift cards or pay off your store credit card balance.

The rules are straightforward enough in these cases. But it gets more complicated when you add in coupons or returns.

Kohl’s Cash and coupons

When you pay with Kohl’s Cash and use a coupon, Kohl’s first applies the Kohl’s Cash and then the coupon. This isn’t usually the best outcome for the buyer.

Consider a $20 purchase you make with $10 in Kohl’s Cash and a 20% off coupon. The way Kohl’s calculates it, it would first subtract the $10 in Kohl’s Cash, leaving you with $10. Then, it would apply the 20% off to $10, giving you a final payment of $8, plus taxes and possibly shipping fees.

You’d actually save more money if Kohl’s applied the coupon first. In this case, you’d get 20% off of $20, bringing you down to $16 and then you’d get the $10 Kohl’s Cash, leaving you at just $6.

Also worth noting is that if you’d just used the 20% off coupon, you would have paid $16. So the true value of your $10 Kohl’s Cash in this case is actually just $8. This doesn’t mean it’s worthless. You’re still saving money, just not as much as you expected.

Kohl’s Cash and returns

When you make a return for an item you originally purchased with Kohl’s Cash, you get that Kohl’s Cash back. For example, if you bought a $50 item using $10 Kohl’s Cash and later returned it, the store would refund you $40 in cash and $10 in Kohl’s Cash.

But it’s more complicated if you earned Kohl’s Cash on the returned item. Say you spend $100 and earn $20 in Kohl’s Cash. Later, you return $50 worth of items. If you hadn’t spent your $20 in Kohl’s Cash yet, the store would reduce its value to $10 because after the return, you only spent $50 and you must spend at least $100 to earn $20 in Kohl’s Cash.

If you had spent the $20 in Kohl’s Cash prior to making the return, Kohl’s would actually reduce the cash back it gave you. So instead of getting $50 back in cash, you’d only get $40 back because you used $10 in Kohl’s Cash that you didn’t actually earn since you made a $50 return. This can also be frustrating, especially since the example above shows that Kohl’s Cash isn’t always worth its face value.

How to decide if Kohl’s Cash is worth it for you

Using Kohl’s Cash could make sense for you if you shop at the store frequently and have specific items you want to buy there. But it might not be worth bothering with if you don’t shop there often, don’t need to buy anything, or just find the rules a little too confusing.

There are other ways to save if you decide Kohl’s Cash isn’t right for you. The store has its own credit card, which can help you earn rewards. You can also use a cash back credit card that offers bonus rewards at department stores. The advantage to this is that you can redeem these rewards at many retailers, not just Kohl’s.

Ultimately, you’ll probably have to decide whether to use Kohl’s Cash on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes it might be worth it and other times, it won’t be. Just make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting before you use it so you aren’t surprised by any of the rules mentioned above.

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