Money Management

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If you signed your mortgage last year when rates were even higher than they are today, then you may be struggling to keep up with your monthly payments. And if so, you may be eager to refinance your mortgage.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. Plus, there’s a good chance mortgage rates will fall before the end of the year from where they are today. And if that happens, it could lead to big savings on your housing payments.But if you think you’ll refinance your mortgage before the end of the year, it’s important to set yourself up for success. To that end, here are three moves to make.1. See if you can boost your credit score quicklyThe higher your credit score, the lower a mortgage rate you might qualify for on a refinance. Now in general, boosting your credit score takes time.For example, the factor that carries more weight than any other when calculating a credit score is your payment history. This means that a month or two of timely payments may not give your score an immediate boost. Rather, a pattern of on-time payments can have a huge positive impact.But there are a couple of quicker ways to raise your credit score. First, if possible, pay off a chunk of your credit card debt. It will reduce your credit utilization, which is another big factor that goes into calculating your score.Also, pull a free copy of your credit report from each of the three reporting bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and read them carefully for mistakes. If there’s an error that makes you look like a less reliable borrower, getting it fixed could give your credit score a nice lift.2. Shop around for a great rateYou may be in a rush to refinance if you’re struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments. But it’s important to shop around for the best refinance rate possible.It’s also important to look out for closing costs, which are the fees you’ll pay to put a new mortgage in place. It may be that one lender offers a much lower interest rate than another, but also charges exorbitant fees to refinance. In that case, that seemingly good offer may not be so great when you dig deeper.To get you started on your search for a new mortgage, check out this list of the best refinance lenders.3. Ask yourself how long you intend to stay in your homeRefinancing your mortgage to lower your monthly payments may seem like a smart financial move. But do remember that if you don’t stay in your home long enough to recoup your closing costs, you’ll lose out financially. So think about how long you intend to stay put to see if refinancing makes sense in the first place.You might save yourself $200 a month by refinancing your mortgage. But if it costs you $6,000 in closing costs to put your new loan in place, you’re looking at 30 months, or 2.5 years, just to break even on those fees.If you think there’s a good chance you’ll move within the next three years, then refinancing becomes risky. But if you’re certain you’re staying where you are for another decade, then it could pay off.Refinancing your mortgage could result in a world of financial relief. But tackle these essential moves first, so your refinance is as rewarding as possible.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

If you signed your mortgage last year when rates were even higher than they are today, then you may be struggling to keep up with your monthly payments. And if so, you may be eager to refinance your mortgage.

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.

Plus, there’s a good chance mortgage rates will fall before the end of the year from where they are today. And if that happens, it could lead to big savings on your housing payments.

But if you think you’ll refinance your mortgage before the end of the year, it’s important to set yourself up for success. To that end, here are three moves to make.

1. See if you can boost your credit score quickly

The higher your credit score, the lower a mortgage rate you might qualify for on a refinance. Now in general, boosting your credit score takes time.

For example, the factor that carries more weight than any other when calculating a credit score is your payment history. This means that a month or two of timely payments may not give your score an immediate boost. Rather, a pattern of on-time payments can have a huge positive impact.

But there are a couple of quicker ways to raise your credit score. First, if possible, pay off a chunk of your credit card debt. It will reduce your credit utilization, which is another big factor that goes into calculating your score.

Also, pull a free copy of your credit report from each of the three reporting bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — and read them carefully for mistakes. If there’s an error that makes you look like a less reliable borrower, getting it fixed could give your credit score a nice lift.

2. Shop around for a great rate

You may be in a rush to refinance if you’re struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments. But it’s important to shop around for the best refinance rate possible.

It’s also important to look out for closing costs, which are the fees you’ll pay to put a new mortgage in place. It may be that one lender offers a much lower interest rate than another, but also charges exorbitant fees to refinance. In that case, that seemingly good offer may not be so great when you dig deeper.

To get you started on your search for a new mortgage, check out this list of the best refinance lenders.

3. Ask yourself how long you intend to stay in your home

Refinancing your mortgage to lower your monthly payments may seem like a smart financial move. But do remember that if you don’t stay in your home long enough to recoup your closing costs, you’ll lose out financially. So think about how long you intend to stay put to see if refinancing makes sense in the first place.

You might save yourself $200 a month by refinancing your mortgage. But if it costs you $6,000 in closing costs to put your new loan in place, you’re looking at 30 months, or 2.5 years, just to break even on those fees.

If you think there’s a good chance you’ll move within the next three years, then refinancing becomes risky. But if you’re certain you’re staying where you are for another decade, then it could pay off.

Refinancing your mortgage could result in a world of financial relief. But tackle these essential moves first, so your refinance is as rewarding as possible.

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
The holiday shopping season is slowly ramping up with less than three weeks until its official start on Black Friday. While the food and gifts are fun, paying for them can be really difficult on your savings account.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!Where and how you shop can help you keep your costs down, and that’s definitely true when you’re talking about Costco. If your membership is ending soon or you’re thinking about joining for the first time, here’s why you may want to buy a membership before you begin holiday shopping.Is a Costco membership a good investment for you?A Costco membership could be a great tool to lower your holiday shopping costs. Costco offers excellent discounts on food and popular holiday gifts, so you may be able to find better prices here than you could at traditional retailers.Costco Executive members in particular do well because they’re eligible for exclusive discounts on services as well as an annual 2% reward (up to $1,250) on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases.You could really maximize your savings if you applied for one of the best credit cards to use at Costco. Click here to discover the best credit cards to use at the warehouse club.All that said, a Costco membership might not be the right choice for everyone. Living near a Costco is a definite plus, but even if you don’t, you can still shop its online store. The bigger issue is whether you think you’ll save enough throughout the year to cover the cost of the membership.How much does it cost to become a Costco member?Costco has two membership tiers: Gold Star and Executive. The Gold Star member is its basic tier. It costs $65 per year and gives you access to its online store as well as its warehouses.But if you want all the benefits the retailer can offer, you need an Executive membership. This costs $130 per year. But in addition to the perks of the Gold Star membership, you get additional discounts on many Costco services, like auto buying and home insurance, as well as the 2% annual reward mentioned above.So really, your decision is as simple as whether you think you’ll save at least $65 by shopping at Costco. If the answer is yes, the Gold Star membership is probably worth it for you. If not, the answer is no.What’s more, if you think you’ll spend at least $3,250 at Costco during the year, then it could also be worth upgrading to the Executive membership so you earn 2% back on purchases. That amount of spending would cover the cost of the upgrade, and any spending over $3,250 would be icing on the cake.Keep in mind, these savings don’t all have to happen during the holiday season. You’ll have the membership for a full year, so you can use it for groceries, appliances, and other household needs all year long. That’s plenty of time to recoup the membership fee if you shop there regularly.Also, don’t forget that you can gift Costco memberships to others. If you’re at a loss for what to get a loved one this holiday season, consider buying a membership for them if they live near a warehouse.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.Kailey Hagen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

The holiday shopping season is slowly ramping up with less than three weeks until its official start on Black Friday. While the food and gifts are fun, paying for them can be really difficult on your savings account.

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!

Where and how you shop can help you keep your costs down, and that’s definitely true when you’re talking about Costco. If your membership is ending soon or you’re thinking about joining for the first time, here’s why you may want to buy a membership before you begin holiday shopping.

Is a Costco membership a good investment for you?

A Costco membership could be a great tool to lower your holiday shopping costs. Costco offers excellent discounts on food and popular holiday gifts, so you may be able to find better prices here than you could at traditional retailers.

Costco Executive members in particular do well because they’re eligible for exclusive discounts on services as well as an annual 2% reward (up to $1,250) on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases.

You could really maximize your savings if you applied for one of the best credit cards to use at Costco. Click here to discover the best credit cards to use at the warehouse club.

All that said, a Costco membership might not be the right choice for everyone. Living near a Costco is a definite plus, but even if you don’t, you can still shop its online store. The bigger issue is whether you think you’ll save enough throughout the year to cover the cost of the membership.

How much does it cost to become a Costco member?

Costco has two membership tiers: Gold Star and Executive. The Gold Star member is its basic tier. It costs $65 per year and gives you access to its online store as well as its warehouses.

But if you want all the benefits the retailer can offer, you need an Executive membership. This costs $130 per year. But in addition to the perks of the Gold Star membership, you get additional discounts on many Costco services, like auto buying and home insurance, as well as the 2% annual reward mentioned above.

So really, your decision is as simple as whether you think you’ll save at least $65 by shopping at Costco. If the answer is yes, the Gold Star membership is probably worth it for you. If not, the answer is no.

What’s more, if you think you’ll spend at least $3,250 at Costco during the year, then it could also be worth upgrading to the Executive membership so you earn 2% back on purchases. That amount of spending would cover the cost of the upgrade, and any spending over $3,250 would be icing on the cake.

Keep in mind, these savings don’t all have to happen during the holiday season. You’ll have the membership for a full year, so you can use it for groceries, appliances, and other household needs all year long. That’s plenty of time to recoup the membership fee if you shop there regularly.

Also, don’t forget that you can gift Costco memberships to others. If you’re at a loss for what to get a loved one this holiday season, consider buying a membership for them if they live near a warehouse.

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.Kailey Hagen 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 put nearly every purchase I make on a credit card, and there are good reasons for that. I love the flexibility and convenience that the best credit cards give me, along with the purchase and fraud protections they offer. And I’m always hoping to improve my credit score by continuing to make on-time payments on my cards.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. However, some expenses just shouldn’t be covered with credit cards — read on for a few to avoid.1. Cash withdrawalsFirst and foremost, don’t use your credit card to take out cash — even though you might be able to via a cash advance at an ATM or a convenience check. If you dig into your credit card’s fine print (in the paperwork you received with the card, or on the issuer’s website), you’ll see why doing this is a bad idea.Your card’s cash advance limit is typically much smaller than your total credit limit, so if you’re hoping to make a large purchase using cash from your card, you likely won’t be able to do so. I logged into one of my credit card accounts to see my own details.Although the credit limit on the card in question is more than $20,000, my credit limit for a cash advance is only $1,160. And the APR for cash advances is also likely to be far higher than your purchase APR — in my case, 9 percentage points higher. Ouch.And unlike card purchases, where you get a grace period before interest is charged, with a cash advance, that interest starts accumulating immediately, and you’ll be charged a cash advance fee. Even if you pay off your cash advance the same month you withdraw it, you’ll pay extra.Don’t take cash out using your credit card — if you need cash, it’s best to use your debit card at an ATM or visit your bank.2. Rent or utility paymentsDepending on your circumstances, you might be able to use a credit card to pay your landlord or utility companies. Even if it’s allowed, it’s generally not a good idea, though.It’s better to pay your landlord or utility bills via your bank account (whether that’s with a check, online bill payment system, or even a payments app linked to your top-rated checking account). The reason is that you’ll likely be charged extra to use a credit card — perhaps 1% to 3% of the bill. If you’re using a rewards credit card, that could eat up any rewards you would earn otherwise, and depending on the rate, that extra fee could surpass them.Anytime a credit card payment will cost you more than just using money in your bank account, it’s best to opt for that.3. Any purchase you can’t affordOne big problem that some people have with credit cards is that they can seem like access to “free money” — you can use them to buy nearly anything, and your credit limit could represent much more money than you have in your bank accounts at any given time. This can be dangerous if you’re prone to overspending.It’s best to pretend like your credit card is directly linked to your bank account (it’s not, which is one of the reasons credit cards are a safe way to buy things), and not overspend beyond your ability to pay off the charges when your bill comes due every month. The only exception to this is if you’re using a credit card to finance a large purchase over time via an intro 0% APR offer.Need to finance a big purchase? Click here for our picks for the best credit cards with 0% intro APR offers.Even in this case, however, it’s a good idea to figure out your own minimum payment on the card every month (divide what you owe by how many months you have). The minimum monthly payment the card issuer generates likely won’t see you paying off the entire purchase by the time the 0% intro APR offer is over. (And this makes sense — credit card companies want to make money, and when consumers pay interest on their cards, they make a lot of it.)Credit cards come with a lot of perks — you can build credit, safely make purchases online, and enjoy a lot of convenience. Just avoid cash withdrawals, utility and rent payments, and purchases you can’t actually afford.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 put nearly every purchase I make on a credit card, and there are good reasons for that. I love the flexibility and convenience that the best credit cards give me, along with the purchase and fraud protections they offer. And I’m always hoping to improve my credit score by continuing to make on-time payments on my cards.

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.

However, some expenses just shouldn’t be covered with credit cards — read on for a few to avoid.

1. Cash withdrawals

First and foremost, don’t use your credit card to take out cash — even though you might be able to via a cash advance at an ATM or a convenience check. If you dig into your credit card’s fine print (in the paperwork you received with the card, or on the issuer’s website), you’ll see why doing this is a bad idea.

Your card’s cash advance limit is typically much smaller than your total credit limit, so if you’re hoping to make a large purchase using cash from your card, you likely won’t be able to do so. I logged into one of my credit card accounts to see my own details.

Although the credit limit on the card in question is more than $20,000, my credit limit for a cash advance is only $1,160. And the APR for cash advances is also likely to be far higher than your purchase APR — in my case, 9 percentage points higher. Ouch.

And unlike card purchases, where you get a grace period before interest is charged, with a cash advance, that interest starts accumulating immediately, and you’ll be charged a cash advance fee. Even if you pay off your cash advance the same month you withdraw it, you’ll pay extra.

Don’t take cash out using your credit card — if you need cash, it’s best to use your debit card at an ATM or visit your bank.

2. Rent or utility payments

Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to use a credit card to pay your landlord or utility companies. Even if it’s allowed, it’s generally not a good idea, though.

It’s better to pay your landlord or utility bills via your bank account (whether that’s with a check, online bill payment system, or even a payments app linked to your top-rated checking account). The reason is that you’ll likely be charged extra to use a credit card — perhaps 1% to 3% of the bill. If you’re using a rewards credit card, that could eat up any rewards you would earn otherwise, and depending on the rate, that extra fee could surpass them.

Anytime a credit card payment will cost you more than just using money in your bank account, it’s best to opt for that.

3. Any purchase you can’t afford

One big problem that some people have with credit cards is that they can seem like access to “free money” — you can use them to buy nearly anything, and your credit limit could represent much more money than you have in your bank accounts at any given time. This can be dangerous if you’re prone to overspending.

It’s best to pretend like your credit card is directly linked to your bank account (it’s not, which is one of the reasons credit cards are a safe way to buy things), and not overspend beyond your ability to pay off the charges when your bill comes due every month. The only exception to this is if you’re using a credit card to finance a large purchase over time via an intro 0% APR offer.

Need to finance a big purchase? Click here for our picks for the best credit cards with 0% intro APR offers.

Even in this case, however, it’s a good idea to figure out your own minimum payment on the card every month (divide what you owe by how many months you have). The minimum monthly payment the card issuer generates likely won’t see you paying off the entire purchase by the time the 0% intro APR offer is over. (And this makes sense — credit card companies want to make money, and when consumers pay interest on their cards, they make a lot of it.)

Credit cards come with a lot of perks — you can build credit, safely make purchases online, and enjoy a lot of convenience. Just avoid cash withdrawals, utility and rent payments, and purchases you can’t actually afford.

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

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

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

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

“}]] Read More 

[[{“value”:”Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
Well, we’ve gotten through Spooky Season, so that means there’s only one season left — but it’s a biggie. The Holiday Season, so named for the absolute cacophony of holidays that are crammed together between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, is a busy time. It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one when most adults have the least amount of room to breathe in the still, chilly air.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!Never fear, dear readers — Costco has your back. A lot of people don’t realize this, but our favorite warehouse warriors have you covered for a lot of your holiday gift-giving. Holiday gift baskets are great solutions for both professional and personal gifting, and Costco makes it so, so easy.Here are three perks of choosing Costco for your holiday gift baskets this season.1. There’s a gift basket for everyoneCostco has 147 different gift baskets on sale as of Nov. 1, 2024. They range from caramel apples to chocolates, dried fruits, and even fine-aged vinegars. Price points start around $25 and go up to almost $350.If your list is really long or you need professional gifts, Costco also sells 60-pack pallets of chocolate gift towers starting at $1,649. It’s a perfect way to treat your best clients or suppliers. That price gets you a pallet of Ghirardelli Holiday Gift Towers containing chocolate chip cookies, milk chocolate squares with caramel filling, chocolate caramel corn, chocolate wafers, hot chocolate, and a whole bunch more.Choosing Costco for your gift baskets is a great way to save money. But you can save even more with this great strategy we’ve come across. Learn more about how to maximize your Costco rewards before you buy one more thing from the warehouse giant.2. Delivery is includedI don’t know about you, but when I’ve ordered gift baskets in the past, I’d get to the checkout, blissfully unaware that I was about to be hit by a financial box truck when I selected my delivery options.That’s not going to happen with Costco. There is generally a free shipping option, and you can upgrade your shipping speed for just a few dollars more. For example, Express Shipping on the Hickory Farms Sweet & Savory Snacks Gift Basket is just $6.74 to my home. On other baskets, like the Best of Hawaii Gift Set, Express Shipping is included.Free or low-cost delivery gives you a lot more buying power. Not only will your gift basket reach its destination, because of course it will with Costco, but you also don’t have to spend your holiday gift money on shipping.3. Quality is everythingThere are always plenty of gift baskets and bundles available at this time of the year, but a lot of them are really lacking. And I say this as a veteran gift-basket giver. Man, I love a good gift basket. But sometimes, you think you’re giving a good gift basket and instead of brand name, high-quality items, you end up with Oreonts and irregular pears.Costco has always done a great job at providing high-quality goods at great prices, and their gift baskets are no different. Gift baskets from brands like The Fruit Company, Mrs. Fields, and Godiva are sure to impress, at any price point. Don’t take a chance by guessing what the gift basket seems to have — I’ve made that mistake before. Be absolutely certain of what’s coming with brands you can trust.Of course, just because you’re getting super awesome stuff from Costco for holiday gifting doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself, too. We’ve made a whole list of the best credit cards for shopping at Costco — many that reward you 2% to 3% in cash back.Have yourself a merry little CostcoWith the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to secure all the gifts you need for your friends, family, neighbors, clients, and favorite professionals. Whether it’s an all-chocolate gift basket for your vet or a crate of fruit for your favorite aunt, Costco has all the gift baskets that are worth giving this season.Heck, might as well grab some for Thanksgiving, too, and save yourself a lot of effort on the centerpieces and snack trays.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Kristi Waterworth has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Well, we’ve gotten through Spooky Season, so that means there’s only one season left — but it’s a biggie. The Holiday Season, so named for the absolute cacophony of holidays that are crammed together between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, is a busy time. It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one when most adults have the least amount of room to breathe in the still, chilly air.

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!

Never fear, dear readers — Costco has your back. A lot of people don’t realize this, but our favorite warehouse warriors have you covered for a lot of your holiday gift-giving. Holiday gift baskets are great solutions for both professional and personal gifting, and Costco makes it so, so easy.

Here are three perks of choosing Costco for your holiday gift baskets this season.

1. There’s a gift basket for everyone

Costco has 147 different gift baskets on sale as of Nov. 1, 2024. They range from caramel apples to chocolates, dried fruits, and even fine-aged vinegars. Price points start around $25 and go up to almost $350.

If your list is really long or you need professional gifts, Costco also sells 60-pack pallets of chocolate gift towers starting at $1,649. It’s a perfect way to treat your best clients or suppliers. That price gets you a pallet of Ghirardelli Holiday Gift Towers containing chocolate chip cookies, milk chocolate squares with caramel filling, chocolate caramel corn, chocolate wafers, hot chocolate, and a whole bunch more.

Choosing Costco for your gift baskets is a great way to save money. But you can save even more with this great strategy we’ve come across. Learn more about how to maximize your Costco rewards before you buy one more thing from the warehouse giant.

2. Delivery is included

I don’t know about you, but when I’ve ordered gift baskets in the past, I’d get to the checkout, blissfully unaware that I was about to be hit by a financial box truck when I selected my delivery options.

That’s not going to happen with Costco. There is generally a free shipping option, and you can upgrade your shipping speed for just a few dollars more. For example, Express Shipping on the Hickory Farms Sweet & Savory Snacks Gift Basket is just $6.74 to my home. On other baskets, like the Best of Hawaii Gift Set, Express Shipping is included.

Free or low-cost delivery gives you a lot more buying power. Not only will your gift basket reach its destination, because of course it will with Costco, but you also don’t have to spend your holiday gift money on shipping.

3. Quality is everything

There are always plenty of gift baskets and bundles available at this time of the year, but a lot of them are really lacking. And I say this as a veteran gift-basket giver. Man, I love a good gift basket. But sometimes, you think you’re giving a good gift basket and instead of brand name, high-quality items, you end up with Oreonts and irregular pears.

Costco has always done a great job at providing high-quality goods at great prices, and their gift baskets are no different. Gift baskets from brands like The Fruit Company, Mrs. Fields, and Godiva are sure to impress, at any price point. Don’t take a chance by guessing what the gift basket seems to have — I’ve made that mistake before. Be absolutely certain of what’s coming with brands you can trust.

Of course, just because you’re getting super awesome stuff from Costco for holiday gifting doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself, too. We’ve made a whole list of the best credit cards for shopping at Costco — many that reward you 2% to 3% in cash back.

Have yourself a merry little Costco

With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to secure all the gifts you need for your friends, family, neighbors, clients, and favorite professionals. Whether it’s an all-chocolate gift basket for your vet or a crate of fruit for your favorite aunt, Costco has all the gift baskets that are worth giving this season.

Heck, might as well grab some for Thanksgiving, too, and save yourself a lot of effort on the centerpieces and snack trays.

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

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

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

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

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

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