Money Management

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Mortgage rates have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride these past few weeks. In late September, they got tauntingly close to 6%, but then crept back upward. And as of this writing, they’re not so far off from 7%.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’ve been waiting to sign a mortgage, you may be hoping that mortgage rates somehow reach the 6% mark by the end of the year. But whether that’s likely is pretty up in the air at this point.Mortgage rates remain stubbornly highIn late September, it was looking like mortgage rates would drop below 6% before the end of the year. But then that downward streak ended, leaving would-be home buyers miffed and confused.One of the trickiest things about trying to time a mortgage application just right is that mortgage rates don’t always rise and fall in accordance with the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate like other loan rates tend to.Case in point: The Fed has lowered interest rates twice this year — once in mid-September and once in early November. But mortgage rates actually started falling before the Fed announced a rate cut in September. And once that cut happened, rather than fall further, mortgage rates started an upward climb.Because of this, it’s hard to figure out whether mortgage rates will decline to 6% by the end of the year. You could almost make the argument either way.How to score the lowest possible rate on a mortgageRegardless of where mortgage rates are sitting in general, you can take steps to lock in as great a deal as possible. First, aim to boost your credit score — unless, of course, it’s already at about 800 or higher. In that case, keep doing what you’ve been doing.You can give your credit score a lift by paying bills on time, reducing credit card balances, and making sure there are no errors on your credit report. It’s also a good idea to shed some of your debt in general, because mortgage lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio when deciding whether to approve your application and what rate to give you.If you owe money on credit cards, a car loan, and a personal loan, work on the credit card balances first. Chances are, they have the highest interest rates. And paying off credit cards specifically can help your credit score improve quickly.But if you don’t owe money on credit cards, you can improve your debt-to-income ratio by getting your total debt to as low a level as you can manage. At the same time, make sure not to take on more debt if you expect to sign a mortgage in the somewhat near future.Finally, shop around for a mortgage once you’re ready to sign one. You might get an offer from a lender that looks great. But if you don’t compare your options, you could end up missing out on an even better deal. Check out this list of the best mortgage lenders to get started.Whether mortgage rates will go as low as 6% by the end of the year is anybody’s guess. But no matter where they land, don’t overlook the steps you can take to set yourself up with a more affordable home loan.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”:”

Mortgage rates have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride these past few weeks. In late September, they got tauntingly close to 6%, but then crept back upward. And as of this writing, they’re not so far off from 7%.

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’ve been waiting to sign a mortgage, you may be hoping that mortgage rates somehow reach the 6% mark by the end of the year. But whether that’s likely is pretty up in the air at this point.

Mortgage rates remain stubbornly high

In late September, it was looking like mortgage rates would drop below 6% before the end of the year. But then that downward streak ended, leaving would-be home buyers miffed and confused.

One of the trickiest things about trying to time a mortgage application just right is that mortgage rates don’t always rise and fall in accordance with the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate like other loan rates tend to.

Case in point: The Fed has lowered interest rates twice this year — once in mid-September and once in early November. But mortgage rates actually started falling before the Fed announced a rate cut in September. And once that cut happened, rather than fall further, mortgage rates started an upward climb.

Because of this, it’s hard to figure out whether mortgage rates will decline to 6% by the end of the year. You could almost make the argument either way.

How to score the lowest possible rate on a mortgage

Regardless of where mortgage rates are sitting in general, you can take steps to lock in as great a deal as possible. First, aim to boost your credit score — unless, of course, it’s already at about 800 or higher. In that case, keep doing what you’ve been doing.

You can give your credit score a lift by paying bills on time, reducing credit card balances, and making sure there are no errors on your credit report. It’s also a good idea to shed some of your debt in general, because mortgage lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio when deciding whether to approve your application and what rate to give you.

If you owe money on credit cards, a car loan, and a personal loan, work on the credit card balances first. Chances are, they have the highest interest rates. And paying off credit cards specifically can help your credit score improve quickly.

But if you don’t owe money on credit cards, you can improve your debt-to-income ratio by getting your total debt to as low a level as you can manage. At the same time, make sure not to take on more debt if you expect to sign a mortgage in the somewhat near future.

Finally, shop around for a mortgage once you’re ready to sign one. You might get an offer from a lender that looks great. But if you don’t compare your options, you could end up missing out on an even better deal. Check out this list of the best mortgage lenders to get started.

Whether mortgage rates will go as low as 6% by the end of the year is anybody’s guess. But no matter where they land, don’t overlook the steps you can take to set yourself up with a more affordable home loan.

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
This time of year is a bit of a sale bonanza at most stores, and Kohl’s is no exception. You can find discounts and sales across every department right now, from sleepwear and shoes to curtains and bedding.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. On top of all of those deals, however, are three seriously good coupons to really maximize your shopping budget this holiday season. Check out these three great Kohl’s holiday deals, all good through Nov. 23, 2024.1. Get 20% off your in-store or online orderThis is my favorite type of coupon because there are no hoops. You just get 20% off of your purchase, even sale items. (Note that certain brands/items are excluded from most Kohl’s percentage-off coupons, including this one.)The 20% off applies before taxes and shipping fees, so it won’t help you out there at all. In fact, be mindful here: If the 20% coupon drops your total below $49 (before tax), you could get hit with a shipping charge.If you’re curious what 20% off looks like:Purchase (Before Tax/Shipping)With 20% Off CouponSavings$50$40$10$75$60$15$100$80$20$150$120$30$200$160$40$250$200$50Data source: Author’s calculations2. Get 30% off when you use your Kohl’s CardThe 20% off coupon is available to anyone, but if you have a Kohl’s Card store credit card, you can actually get an extra 10% off, giving you a total of 30% off your purchase in-store or online (with the same brand exclusions as before).You’ll need to use your Kohl’s Card to pay for the purchase for the added discount to apply. Unfortunately, you can’t stack the 20% and 30% off coupons — it’s one or the other.Unless you do a lot of Kohl’s shopping, however, you’re probably better off using the 20% off coupon and a good rewards card. Check out our top cards for holiday shopping to explore some of your options.3. Get $10 off your $50 home purchaseUse this coupon to get $10 off your purchase, but only when you spend at least $50 on items from the home departments. This includes everything from kitchen and dining to bedding and bath, so it’s an easy win if you’re picking up any holiday meal prepping or hosting necessities.Oh, and best of all: This coupon stacks with the percentage-off coupons. So make sure to use both!Pro tip: Download the Kohl’s mobile app if you like shopping in-store. You can access all the coupons, plus use your phone’s camera as a barcode scanner for easy price checking while you shop.Sneak peak: Upcoming Black Friday dealsThese coupons expire about a week before Black Friday, so you know new deals will be coming to town. If you want to see what’s to come, you’re in luck: Kohl’s has already released its Black Friday sales flyer, so we scoped out some of the best deals.Earn $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spentTake an extra 15% off in-store and onlineUp to 50% off toys, including 30% off Lego building sets50% off Food Network kitchen and diningUp to 60% off select clothing brands50% off fashion bootsThis is just a taste of what’s to come, so be sure to take a look at the sales flyer if you have certain items in mind. You can also sign up for the Kohl’s email newsletter to get sales delivered to your inbox.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”:”

This time of year is a bit of a sale bonanza at most stores, and Kohl’s is no exception. You can find discounts and sales across every department right now, from sleepwear and shoes to curtains and bedding.

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.

On top of all of those deals, however, are three seriously good coupons to really maximize your shopping budget this holiday season. Check out these three great Kohl’s holiday deals, all good through Nov. 23, 2024.

1. Get 20% off your in-store or online order

This is my favorite type of coupon because there are no hoops. You just get 20% off of your purchase, even sale items. (Note that certain brands/items are excluded from most Kohl’s percentage-off coupons, including this one.)

The 20% off applies before taxes and shipping fees, so it won’t help you out there at all. In fact, be mindful here: If the 20% coupon drops your total below $49 (before tax), you could get hit with a shipping charge.

If you’re curious what 20% off looks like:

2. Get 30% off when you use your Kohl’s Card

The 20% off coupon is available to anyone, but if you have a Kohl’s Card store credit card, you can actually get an extra 10% off, giving you a total of 30% off your purchase in-store or online (with the same brand exclusions as before).

You’ll need to use your Kohl’s Card to pay for the purchase for the added discount to apply. Unfortunately, you can’t stack the 20% and 30% off coupons — it’s one or the other.

Unless you do a lot of Kohl’s shopping, however, you’re probably better off using the 20% off coupon and a good rewards card. Check out our top cards for holiday shopping to explore some of your options.

3. Get $10 off your $50 home purchase

Use this coupon to get $10 off your purchase, but only when you spend at least $50 on items from the home departments. This includes everything from kitchen and dining to bedding and bath, so it’s an easy win if you’re picking up any holiday meal prepping or hosting necessities.

Oh, and best of all: This coupon stacks with the percentage-off coupons. So make sure to use both!

Pro tip: Download the Kohl’s mobile app if you like shopping in-store. You can access all the coupons, plus use your phone’s camera as a barcode scanner for easy price checking while you shop.

Sneak peak: Upcoming Black Friday deals

These coupons expire about a week before Black Friday, so you know new deals will be coming to town. If you want to see what’s to come, you’re in luck: Kohl’s has already released its Black Friday sales flyer, so we scoped out some of the best deals.

Earn $15 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spentTake an extra 15% off in-store and onlineUp to 50% off toys, including 30% off Lego building sets50% off Food Network kitchen and diningUp to 60% off select clothing brands50% off fashion boots

This is just a taste of what’s to come, so be sure to take a look at the sales flyer if you have certain items in mind. You can also sign up for the Kohl’s email newsletter to get sales delivered to your inbox.

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 

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Because I write about financial topics for a living, I’m well aware that I need to save pretty diligently for retirement. Social Security only pays the average retired worker about $23,000 a year today. And while I don’t have a problem with living frugally, I’m not sure I’d be able to live comfortably on that sum of money.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. For this reason, I’ve set up automated monthly contributions to a retirement account. A preset amount of money leaves my checking account at the start of the month and lands in my retirement savings plan without me having to manually move the funds over. This helps me stay on track.If you’re planning to save and invest for retirement, it pays to turn to an IRA, or individual retirement account. IRAs offer the benefit of tax-free contributions, which can make the process of saving that money much easier. Plus, with an IRA, you don’t pay taxes on capital gains year after year. You’re only taxed once you start to take withdrawals.I definitely recommend using an IRA to build a retirement nest egg. Click here for a list of the best IRAs for retirement savings.But I also don’t recommend keeping all of your retirement savings in an IRA. I have money in a regular brokerage account for retirement purposes as well, and I suggest you do the same for one big reason.When you want more flexibilityWhile the tax breaks that come with funding an IRA can’t be beat, one issue is that IRAs have a lot of rules. You have to leave your money in that account until age 59 1/2 or otherwise face a costly 10% penalty on withdrawals (though there are a few exceptions).Also, you can only contribute a certain amount of money each year, the exact amount of which can change over time. In both 2024 and 2025, the maximum allowable IRA contribution is $7,000 for savers under age 50, or $8,000 for those 50 and over.But what if you want to contribute more than that toward retirement? And what if you want to retire before the age of 59 1/2? If you’ve saved enough, you deserve that option without having to worry about being penalized for touching your own money.That’s why I’m keeping some of my retirement savings in a regular brokerage account. That account lets me contribute as much money as I want in a given year. And because I’m not getting any tax breaks from it, I can take withdrawals whenever I feel like it.Funnily enough, I don’t want to retire early. The idea of not working at all sounds unappealing since I tend to thrive on staying busy. But at the same time, I want to give myself the option to retire early if I’m in a position to do so. And an IRA alone won’t give me that.Look at the big pictureYou may not be able to contribute more than $7,000 or $8,000 toward retirement each year. But even if that’s the case, it still pays to consider housing some of your nest egg outside of an IRA so you can take withdrawals whenever you want.Remember, early retirement isn’t always something that happens on purpose. Some people are forced into it due to health issues or layoffs. So if you want to avoid financial stress in a scenario like that, make sure you have access to some money outside of an IRA.When you invest in a taxable brokerage account, you get the flexibility to do whatever you want with your money. You don’t even have to use it for retirement if another expense comes up that needs to take priority. So for these reasons, I strongly recommend that you open a brokerage account and use it alongside your IRA to set yourself up for a financially stable retirement.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”:”

Because I write about financial topics for a living, I’m well aware that I need to save pretty diligently for retirement. Social Security only pays the average retired worker about $23,000 a year today. And while I don’t have a problem with living frugally, I’m not sure I’d be able to live comfortably on that sum of money.

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.

For this reason, I’ve set up automated monthly contributions to a retirement account. A preset amount of money leaves my checking account at the start of the month and lands in my retirement savings plan without me having to manually move the funds over. This helps me stay on track.

If you’re planning to save and invest for retirement, it pays to turn to an IRA, or individual retirement account. IRAs offer the benefit of tax-free contributions, which can make the process of saving that money much easier. Plus, with an IRA, you don’t pay taxes on capital gains year after year. You’re only taxed once you start to take withdrawals.

I definitely recommend using an IRA to build a retirement nest egg. Click here for a list of the best IRAs for retirement savings.

But I also don’t recommend keeping all of your retirement savings in an IRA. I have money in a regular brokerage account for retirement purposes as well, and I suggest you do the same for one big reason.

When you want more flexibility

While the tax breaks that come with funding an IRA can’t be beat, one issue is that IRAs have a lot of rules. You have to leave your money in that account until age 59 1/2 or otherwise face a costly 10% penalty on withdrawals (though there are a few exceptions).

Also, you can only contribute a certain amount of money each year, the exact amount of which can change over time. In both 2024 and 2025, the maximum allowable IRA contribution is $7,000 for savers under age 50, or $8,000 for those 50 and over.

But what if you want to contribute more than that toward retirement? And what if you want to retire before the age of 59 1/2? If you’ve saved enough, you deserve that option without having to worry about being penalized for touching your own money.

That’s why I’m keeping some of my retirement savings in a regular brokerage account. That account lets me contribute as much money as I want in a given year. And because I’m not getting any tax breaks from it, I can take withdrawals whenever I feel like it.

Funnily enough, I don’t want to retire early. The idea of not working at all sounds unappealing since I tend to thrive on staying busy. But at the same time, I want to give myself the option to retire early if I’m in a position to do so. And an IRA alone won’t give me that.

Look at the big picture

You may not be able to contribute more than $7,000 or $8,000 toward retirement each year. But even if that’s the case, it still pays to consider housing some of your nest egg outside of an IRA so you can take withdrawals whenever you want.

Remember, early retirement isn’t always something that happens on purpose. Some people are forced into it due to health issues or layoffs. So if you want to avoid financial stress in a scenario like that, make sure you have access to some money outside of an IRA.

When you invest in a taxable brokerage account, you get the flexibility to do whatever you want with your money. You don’t even have to use it for retirement if another expense comes up that needs to take priority. So for these reasons, I strongly recommend that you open a brokerage account and use it alongside your IRA to set yourself up for a financially stable retirement.

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 

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Buying in bulk has its perks, and so does a Costco membership. But that doesn’t mean the cost is always worth it. In fact, there are times when it may actually be hurting your budget to shop at Costco with a membership.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!Here are three reasons you may want to cancel your membership this month.1. You want to switch to online-only shoppingShopping in a warehouse can be exhausting, and on top of that, it comes with the health risks of being in a public space — that can be a deal breaker if you’re immunosuppressed, so online shopping may be preferable. Or, if you’ve moved away from a warehouse, shopping online may be your only option. But shopping at costco.com as a member may not actually give you the savings you expect.While non-members do pay a 5% surcharge for the same goods (excluding pharmacy orders), you have to factor in the membership itself. And the Costco Executive membership costs $130 a year, while the Gold Star membership costs $65 per year.Another thing to note: Shopping online at Costco is also almost always more expensive than shopping in a warehouse store. Item prices will typically be inflated by a couple to several dollars on costco.com.But here’s the thing: If you have a Gold Star membership and spend $1,200 a year online, you’d be spending $5 more per year than if you had shopped without a membership and factored in the 5% non-member surcharge. And that goes up to an extra $46 per year spent at Costco if you have the Executive membership, even if you account for the 2% annual reward.Want to quickly figure out how much you’re spending at Costco? Check out our list of the best budgeting apps of 2024.So if you won’t be spending enough online to earn sufficient savings as a member, compared to shopping online without a membership, now’s the time to cancel your membership.2. You want to explore other membership retailersCostco can grant access to significant savings on products and services via its memberships, but it’s not the only retailer to use this model. Others, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club, can also give you access to discounted products as well as opportunities to get cash back.So if your Costco membership is getting ready to renew soon, instead of letting it auto-renew, you may want to consider checking one of those retailers out to see if you can save more on the products that you tend to buy regularly.You don’t have much to lose here as the membership costs for the aforementioned retailers are both cheaper than a Costco membership, and you can always cancel to switch back.3. You’re prone to a spend-to-earn mentalityThe phrase “you’ve got to spend money to make money” may be well-known, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to work out. And for a bulk retailer like Costco, that can lead to overbuying and duplicate products.So even when you’re willing to spend more so that you can technically save per ounce or item, that isn’t always worth it. If you’ve found that your cabinets are stocked with products you don’t need, or they’re going bad before you have the chance to use them, it may be worth canceling your membership.You may be able to pay less overall by going with a retailer that may charge more per item if you aren’t overbuying and shelling out for that annual membership fee.To cancel your Costco membership, you’ll have to either go to a Costco in person and talk to a team member (to get an immediate refund), or call the Member Services Center at 1-800-774-2678. It can feel like a big step, especially if you used to be an avid Costco shopper. But if you fall into one of these three categories, it’s a move your bank account will likely thank you for making.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.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Buying in bulk has its perks, and so does a Costco membership. But that doesn’t mean the cost is always worth it. In fact, there are times when it may actually be hurting your budget to shop at Costco with a membership.

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!

Here are three reasons you may want to cancel your membership this month.

1. You want to switch to online-only shopping

Shopping in a warehouse can be exhausting, and on top of that, it comes with the health risks of being in a public space — that can be a deal breaker if you’re immunosuppressed, so online shopping may be preferable. Or, if you’ve moved away from a warehouse, shopping online may be your only option. But shopping at costco.com as a member may not actually give you the savings you expect.

While non-members do pay a 5% surcharge for the same goods (excluding pharmacy orders), you have to factor in the membership itself. And the Costco Executive membership costs $130 a year, while the Gold Star membership costs $65 per year.

Another thing to note: Shopping online at Costco is also almost always more expensive than shopping in a warehouse store. Item prices will typically be inflated by a couple to several dollars on costco.com.

But here’s the thing: If you have a Gold Star membership and spend $1,200 a year online, you’d be spending $5 more per year than if you had shopped without a membership and factored in the 5% non-member surcharge. And that goes up to an extra $46 per year spent at Costco if you have the Executive membership, even if you account for the 2% annual reward.

Want to quickly figure out how much you’re spending at Costco? Check out our list of the best budgeting apps of 2024.

So if you won’t be spending enough online to earn sufficient savings as a member, compared to shopping online without a membership, now’s the time to cancel your membership.

2. You want to explore other membership retailers

Costco can grant access to significant savings on products and services via its memberships, but it’s not the only retailer to use this model. Others, such as BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club, can also give you access to discounted products as well as opportunities to get cash back.

So if your Costco membership is getting ready to renew soon, instead of letting it auto-renew, you may want to consider checking one of those retailers out to see if you can save more on the products that you tend to buy regularly.

You don’t have much to lose here as the membership costs for the aforementioned retailers are both cheaper than a Costco membership, and you can always cancel to switch back.

3. You’re prone to a spend-to-earn mentality

The phrase “you’ve got to spend money to make money” may be well-known, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to work out. And for a bulk retailer like Costco, that can lead to overbuying and duplicate products.

So even when you’re willing to spend more so that you can technically save per ounce or item, that isn’t always worth it. If you’ve found that your cabinets are stocked with products you don’t need, or they’re going bad before you have the chance to use them, it may be worth canceling your membership.

You may be able to pay less overall by going with a retailer that may charge more per item if you aren’t overbuying and shelling out for that annual membership fee.

To cancel your Costco membership, you’ll have to either go to a Costco in person and talk to a team member (to get an immediate refund), or call the Member Services Center at 1-800-774-2678. It can feel like a big step, especially if you used to be an avid Costco shopper. But if you fall into one of these three categories, it’s a move your bank account will likely thank you for making.

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

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[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
It’s not uncommon to retire only to see your net worth start to decline pretty soon after. A lot of people retire and immediately begin spending down their savings.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 go that route, that’s OK. The whole reason you have savings for retirement is to spend that money to cover your costs once your paycheck goes away. But you should know that it is possible to grow your net worth even once you’re retired. Here are some options to consider.1. Invest in municipal bondsIt’s important for retirees to be mindful of taxes, especially since many live on a fixed income. But if you’re interested in a tax-friendly way to build wealth, consider investing in municipal bonds.Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments to raise funds and support projects. When you buy municipal bonds, you may be helping fix roadways, build schools, or rehabilitate public parks. And from an investing standpoint, the upside can be big.Not only do municipal bonds pay interest (generally twice a year), but that interest is always exempt from federal taxes. And if you buy municipal bonds issued by the state you live in, you can avoid state and local taxes on that interest, too.2. Invest in dividend stocksThere’s no rule stating that retirees can’t own stocks. You don’t want to keep the overwhelming majority of your portfolio in stocks since they can be volatile. Retirement is a time when you might need to sell stocks for cash, and that could be a problem during periods when the market is down.But it’s definitely okay to keep a portion of your portfolio in the stock market during retirement. And you may want to focus on stocks that pay dividends for the ongoing income.Though earning dividends is never guaranteed, if you invest in companies with a long history of paying them, there’s a good chance they’ll continue to come through. Or you can look at adding a dividend ETF (exchange-traded fund) to your brokerage account, which lets you own a bunch of dividend-paying stocks at once.3. Put money into CDsThe financial upside of opening a certificate of deposit (CD) isn’t always so substantial. During periods when CD rates are low, there may not be much of a difference between opening a CD and sticking to a regular savings account.But during periods when CD rates are up, which is the case today, it pays to open one. Unlike a savings account, a CD gives you a guaranteed interest rate on your money. And you can take advantage of today’s stronger rates by opening up a longer-term CD, such as one with a 48- or 60-month term. Click here for a list of the best CD rates today to explore your options.If you have income that’s guaranteed from Social Security, which may be the case if you’re retired, then a longer-term CD becomes less risky. You’re less likely to face an early withdrawal penalty if you have a Social Security check coming in every month you can use for bills or unplanned expenses.Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean your net worth must automatically shrink from here on out. Use these tools to continue building wealth throughout your senior years. It’s never a bad thing to have extra money. And if you don’t end up needing all of yours in your lifetime, you can leave a financial legacy behind to the people who mean the most to 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”:”

It’s not uncommon to retire only to see your net worth start to decline pretty soon after. A lot of people retire and immediately begin spending down their savings.

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 go that route, that’s OK. The whole reason you have savings for retirement is to spend that money to cover your costs once your paycheck goes away. But you should know that it is possible to grow your net worth even once you’re retired. Here are some options to consider.

1. Invest in municipal bonds

It’s important for retirees to be mindful of taxes, especially since many live on a fixed income. But if you’re interested in a tax-friendly way to build wealth, consider investing in municipal bonds.

Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments to raise funds and support projects. When you buy municipal bonds, you may be helping fix roadways, build schools, or rehabilitate public parks. And from an investing standpoint, the upside can be big.

Not only do municipal bonds pay interest (generally twice a year), but that interest is always exempt from federal taxes. And if you buy municipal bonds issued by the state you live in, you can avoid state and local taxes on that interest, too.

2. Invest in dividend stocks

There’s no rule stating that retirees can’t own stocks. You don’t want to keep the overwhelming majority of your portfolio in stocks since they can be volatile. Retirement is a time when you might need to sell stocks for cash, and that could be a problem during periods when the market is down.

But it’s definitely okay to keep a portion of your portfolio in the stock market during retirement. And you may want to focus on stocks that pay dividends for the ongoing income.

Though earning dividends is never guaranteed, if you invest in companies with a long history of paying them, there’s a good chance they’ll continue to come through. Or you can look at adding a dividend ETF (exchange-traded fund) to your brokerage account, which lets you own a bunch of dividend-paying stocks at once.

3. Put money into CDs

The financial upside of opening a certificate of deposit (CD) isn’t always so substantial. During periods when CD rates are low, there may not be much of a difference between opening a CD and sticking to a regular savings account.

But during periods when CD rates are up, which is the case today, it pays to open one. Unlike a savings account, a CD gives you a guaranteed interest rate on your money. And you can take advantage of today’s stronger rates by opening up a longer-term CD, such as one with a 48- or 60-month term. Click here for a list of the best CD rates today to explore your options.

If you have income that’s guaranteed from Social Security, which may be the case if you’re retired, then a longer-term CD becomes less risky. You’re less likely to face an early withdrawal penalty if you have a Social Security check coming in every month you can use for bills or unplanned expenses.

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean your net worth must automatically shrink from here on out. Use these tools to continue building wealth throughout your senior years. It’s never a bad thing to have extra money. And if you don’t end up needing all of yours in your lifetime, you can leave a financial legacy behind to the people who mean the most to 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
Since I’m a Certified Financial Planner®, friends and family often ask my advice on a variety of financial topics, including buying a home. And they’re often surprised when they ask me what the most common mistakes people make are.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. My answer is always the same: One of the biggest and most common mistakes home buyers make is to simply apply for one mortgage and accept whatever mortgage rate and fees they’re offered. In many cases, shopping around for a mortgage can be more important than negotiating the home price itself, as we’ll see in a bit.Many people have the common misconception that applying for loans with a bunch of different lenders will have a big adverse effect on their FICO® Score. This simply isn’t the case. While it’s certainly true that applying for new credit can harm your score, there’s a special rule that applies when you’re shopping around for a mortgage.Are you in the market for a home? Click here to get rate quotes from our favorite mortgage lenders right now.The FICO rate-shopping ruleThe FICO credit scoring formula gets 10% of its weight from a category called “new credit.” This considers any credit inquiries (times you apply for credit) from the past 12 months. And if you’re applying for a lot of credit at the same time, it can have a major negative impact on your score.However, the FICO formula has two separate rate-shopping rules:First, any inquiries involving mortgages (or auto loans) made within the last 30 days aren’t considered.Second, any mortgage inquiries that take place within a “typical shopping period” will be considered as just one credit inquiry, regardless of how many loans you apply for. Depending on the exact version of the FICO formula, a typical shopping period is defined as either 14 or 45 days.So, if you spend an afternoon applying to 10 different mortgage lenders, it won’t affect your FICO® Score at all for 30 days. Beyond that point, they’ll be treated as a single inquiry.Having said that, while 10 different credit inquiries counting as one is certainly a helpful rule, it’s important to note that even one inquiry can have a minor negative impact on your score. However, it isn’t likely to drop by more than a few points from a single inquiry, and the decline is typically short-lived.Here’s why rate shopping is so importantLet’s say you’re under contract to buy your first home for $500,000 and you’re planning to make a 20% down payment, so you’ll need a $400,000 mortgage. The first lender you apply for offers you a 6.5% APY. After doing some rate shopping, you find a 30-year mortgage with the same origination fees as the first, but with a 6.375% APY.This might sound like an insignificant difference. However, the lower rate would result in a $35 difference in your monthly payment — that’s $12,600 in savings over the 30-year mortgage term. That’s why in many cases, it can be even more important to shop around for a loan than to negotiate a few thousand dollars off the home’s price.The bottom line is that shopping around for a mortgage can take a significant amount of time, but it can be well worth the effort. In the above example, even if you spent a grueling 12-hour day on mortgage applications, you’d be getting over $1,000 per hour in interest savings for your trouble.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”:”

Since I’m a Certified Financial Planner®, friends and family often ask my advice on a variety of financial topics, including buying a home. And they’re often surprised when they ask me what the most common mistakes people make are.

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.

My answer is always the same: One of the biggest and most common mistakes home buyers make is to simply apply for one mortgage and accept whatever mortgage rate and fees they’re offered. In many cases, shopping around for a mortgage can be more important than negotiating the home price itself, as we’ll see in a bit.

Many people have the common misconception that applying for loans with a bunch of different lenders will have a big adverse effect on their FICO® Score. This simply isn’t the case. While it’s certainly true that applying for new credit can harm your score, there’s a special rule that applies when you’re shopping around for a mortgage.

Are you in the market for a home? Click here to get rate quotes from our favorite mortgage lenders right now.

The FICO rate-shopping rule

The FICO credit scoring formula gets 10% of its weight from a category called “new credit.” This considers any credit inquiries (times you apply for credit) from the past 12 months. And if you’re applying for a lot of credit at the same time, it can have a major negative impact on your score.

However, the FICO formula has two separate rate-shopping rules:

First, any inquiries involving mortgages (or auto loans) made within the last 30 days aren’t considered.Second, any mortgage inquiries that take place within a “typical shopping period” will be considered as just one credit inquiry, regardless of how many loans you apply for. Depending on the exact version of the FICO formula, a typical shopping period is defined as either 14 or 45 days.

So, if you spend an afternoon applying to 10 different mortgage lenders, it won’t affect your FICO® Score at all for 30 days. Beyond that point, they’ll be treated as a single inquiry.

Having said that, while 10 different credit inquiries counting as one is certainly a helpful rule, it’s important to note that even one inquiry can have a minor negative impact on your score. However, it isn’t likely to drop by more than a few points from a single inquiry, and the decline is typically short-lived.

Here’s why rate shopping is so important

Let’s say you’re under contract to buy your first home for $500,000 and you’re planning to make a 20% down payment, so you’ll need a $400,000 mortgage. The first lender you apply for offers you a 6.5% APY. After doing some rate shopping, you find a 30-year mortgage with the same origination fees as the first, but with a 6.375% APY.

This might sound like an insignificant difference. However, the lower rate would result in a $35 difference in your monthly payment — that’s $12,600 in savings over the 30-year mortgage term. That’s why in many cases, it can be even more important to shop around for a loan than to negotiate a few thousand dollars off the home’s price.

The bottom line is that shopping around for a mortgage can take a significant amount of time, but it can be well worth the effort. In the above example, even if you spent a grueling 12-hour day on mortgage applications, you’d be getting over $1,000 per hour in interest savings for your trouble.

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