Money Management

With the right Costco membership, you may not end up having to pay to join. Read on to see how. [[{“value”:”

Costco is different from other stores in that you can’t just walk in on a whim to do some shopping. Rather, you have to sign up for a membership to get access to Costco stores. And while you can technically shop on Costco.com without a membership, some items on the site are limited to members only. You’ll also pay a 5% surcharge as a non-member for online orders.

There are two membership tiers you can choose from at Costco. The basic option (Gold Star) costs $65 a year, while the Executive membership costs $130. But the benefit of the Executive membership is that it gives you 2% cash back on your purchases.

You might assume that getting the Executive membership doesn’t make sense due to the higher price tag. But actually, if you play your cards right, an Executive membership could be your ticket to getting to shop at Costco for essentially free.

When you earn enough cash back to pay nothing for Costco access

Costco’s Executive membership is a great deal for people who shop at the store on a regular basis. If you spend more than $3,250 per year, the Executive membership upgrade automatically makes sense, because while it costs you another $65, you’re earning more than $65 back in that situation.

Additionally, based on the Executive membership’s 2% cash back rate, if you spend $6,500 a year at Costco, you earn $130. And that covers the cost of your entire membership. It’s that simple.

You may be thinking, “Is it actually possible to spend $6,500 a year at Costco?” But if you shop there most weeks, the answer is a resounding yes.

Say you go to Costco 36 times a year and spend $150 per visit. That’s $5,400. From there, all it takes is a single large purchase to get yourself to the $6,500 threshold, whether it’s a new TV, a laptop, or a piece of furniture.

Plus, you might do your holiday shopping at Costco and spend a little over $1,000 if you have a lot of gifts to buy. A single vacation booked through Costco Travel could also do the trick.

The point is that there are lots of ways to spend $6,500 a year at Costco. And while you shouldn’t spend unnecessarily just to cover the cost of your membership fee, you may find that it happens naturally.

A membership is worth paying for even if it isn’t free

Spending $6,500 a year at Costco may not be doable for you. If you only tend to go to the store once a month and typically spend $250 per trip, that’s $3,000 a year in spending.

In that case, the Executive membership still makes sense, because a one-off purchase could get you beyond the $3,250 mark. But it’s kind of hard to go from $3,000 to $6,500.

But if you don’t end up getting your entire Costco membership paid for in the form of cash back on an Executive membership, don’t sweat it. Chances are, you’ll still get great value from your membership so that if it costs you a little bit of money per year, it’s worth it.

In addition to savings on groceries and household essentials, some of Costco’s many perks include:

Reasonably priced eyeglasses and eye examsLifetime maintenance on tire purchasesAffordable home installation servicesDiscounted gift cardsLow-cost, high-quality gasoline

And remember, if you use the right credit card to do your Costco shopping, you can earn rewards that way, too. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco so you can benefit even more.

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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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You won’t catch me wearing Kirkland-logo pajamas just yet, but I’m now a proud, card-carrying member of Costco. Find out what signing up was like. [[{“value”:”

Last weekend, after several months of deliberating, I joined the party that is Costco membership. My husband and I had been talking it over all summer, and we decided to give it a shot. We realized the potential savings that could come our way were significant, even after accounting for the membership fee.

Here’s a detailed look at what the sign-up process was like for us, in case you’re trying to decide whether you should join.

And if you’re looking for even more ways to save money, check out a great credit card for shopping at Costco.

To the Costco membership desk

You can sign up for Costco online, but we decided to do it in person. We arrived at our nearest Costco location as soon as the doors opened in hopes of avoiding the worst of the crowds. Since you need a membership card to enter the store, we turned straight to the membership desk and were immediately greeted by an associate.

She gave us a brief rundown of the two membership levels: Gold Star for $65 per year and Executive for $130 per year. One of the big differences between the two options is that the Executive membership earns you 2% cash back on all eligible Costco purchases (some items, such as tobacco, gasoline, and Costco Shop Cards, are excluded) up to $1,250 per year.

The associate also offered up a discount by asking if we were or had ever been military service members, medical professionals, first responders, teachers, government employees, or students. We both went to college, and apparently that was enough to qualify us for a $40 discount in the form of a Digital Costco Shop Card.

She then asked if we were interested in signing up for Costco’s cobranded credit card. While it sounds like a good credit card for Costco buys, we have other cards we like that earn similar rewards, so we turned that down.

Signing up

We decided to go with the Executive membership, even though it costs twice as much per year. To make the membership upgrade worthwhile, we’ll need to spend $3,250 per year at Costco. With 2% cash back, that would get us the $65 cash back to cover the cost of the upgrade.

We’re pretty sure we’re not going to spend that much at Costco, so we initially planned to go with the Gold Star membership. But Costco is known for great customer service, and its membership is no exception. If we decide later that the Executive membership isn’t worth it for us, we can downgrade to the Gold Star level and receive a prorated refund (excluding any cash back we earn) of the extra $65 fee.

The associate directed us both to download the Costco app while she entered our information (name, address, and email) into the system. Once she had us set up, we were able to log in to the app right away. Next, she took our photos for our membership cards, handed us a few brochures, and sent us off into the great wide open of the warehouse.

Shopping, saving, earning

We came prepared for our first Costco shop. While we took our time, we stuck to our list and didn’t stroll up and down every aisle, so I’m hoping to do more browsing on our next visit. I was also a little disappointed that most of the tasty samples weren’t set up that early in the day, so I didn’t get to snack my way through the store.

We did, however, pick up a $4.99 rotisserie chicken for dinner that night (and the next two days of lunches). And after checking out, we grabbed a bite in the food court — for $3.66! So that’s eight meals for less than $10. This membership was paying off already.

By the next morning, my Costco app had updated to show the previous day’s purchase and the amount of cash back we’d earned. And a few days later, I received an email for the $40 Digital Shop Card we’d earned during signup.

All in all, I’m feeling good about our decision to finally join Costco. Even if we decide to downgrade our membership in the future and lose out on earning cash back, the process was incredibly simple, and I know we’ll save a considerable amount on our regular purchases.

If you’re considering signing up, do a little digging into your own spending first to see if it might be worth joining. And know that if you do join but change your mind, you can either downgrade to the lower-priced membership or even cancel your membership altogether for a full refund. With what’s essentially a money-back guarantee, there’s little harm in giving it a shot.

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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent 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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Having a handful of credit cards can actually be good for your credit in some cases. Read on to find out how. [[{“value”:”

I came across some surprising information about people with perfect credit scores the other day: They have more credit cards than the average person.

Consumers with a perfect FICO® Score of 850 have an average of about six credit cards, compared to the average consumer with four cards.

While it can be financially precarious to have too many cards in your wallet — even if they are the best rewards cards like these — your credit score might benefit from it. Here’s how.

1. A long credit history is good for your credit score

Older consumers are much more likely to have a perfect credit score. About 66% of people with a perfect score are baby boomers, while just 8% of millennials and younger consumers have perfect scores.

This is partly because the length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your credit score. Longer histories give lenders a more complete picture of your creditworthiness, so the longer, the better. For this reason, many people with high credit scores keep their old credit card accounts open, even if they don’t use them very often.

It’s also important to mention that 35% of your credit score is determined by whether you’ve paid your bills on time. So, the longer your history, the better chances you have to show you’ve been keeping up with your payments.

Related: If you already have good credit, you can get access to the best rewards cards. Click here to see our list of top credit cards.

2. Having multiple cards open can help with your credit utilization

Another important part of your credit score is how much of your available credit you’re using. A whopping 30% of your score is determined by your usage, also called your credit utilization.

People with excellent credit scores have access to lots of available credit but use very little. Consumers with an 850 credit score only use about 4% of their available credit, compared to about 29% for the rest of us.

For example, let’s assume you have four cash back credit cards, each with a credit limit of $10,000, giving you access to $40,000 of credit. If you only use 4% of your available credit, you would have a total balance across all cards of just $1,600. On the other hand, if your credit utilization is 29%, you would have a total balance of $11,600.

The good news is you don’t need six credit cards to have a low credit utilization rate. You just need to pay down the balances on your current cards. Most experts recommend a utilization rate below 30%, and under 10% would be optimal for improving your score.

Don’t try to boost your credit by opening new cards

While people with excellent credit scores have more credit cards than the average person, opening new cards to try to boost your score isn’t the answer. I have an above-average score of 769 and only use one credit card.

The most important thing you can do to improve your score is to pay your account balances on time, whether that’s a credit card bill, mortgage payment, or car loan. Remember, your history of on-time payments accounts for more than one-third of your score.

And once you pay off a credit card, consider keeping the account open if you’ve had it for a long time.

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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Are you prepared for winter? Costco has great deals on these winter-ready must-haves. Find out what you can scoop up before the winter weather arrives. [[{“value”:”

Winter is quickly approaching. It may only be October, but now is the perfect time to shop the best deals on winter essentials before the cold weather arrives.

If you’re a Costco member, you can save money when buying winter gear at your local club or Costco.com. Here are a few fantastic Costco deals that’ll have you winter-ready before the snow falls.

1. 32 Degrees Ladies’ Winter Tech Jacket: $26.99

A quality winter jacket can make all the difference once the temperatures drop. You can buy a well-rated and comfortable winter jacket from Costco. An example is the 32 Degrees Ladies’ Winter Tech Jacket for $26.99. Finding a coat like this for under $30 is nearly impossible at other retailers.

2. Hopkins Maxx-Force Glacier 58-inch Extendable Snowbrush with Ice Scraper (two-pack): $39.99

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge fan of removing snow and ice from my car during the winter. But the right tools make all the difference. By investing in a quality snowbrush and ice scraper, I can quickly get my car ready to drive on a cold and snowy day.

Have you been meaning to upgrade your snow and ice removal tools? Costco has you covered. For $39.99, you can buy the Hopkins Maxx-Force Glacier 58-inch Extendable Snowbrush with Ice Scraper in a two-pack set. This deal can ensure you and your sweetie are ready to drive safely in the upcoming winter weather.

3. Sorel Men’s Caribou Boots: $129.99

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you may want to buy a quality pair of boots. Costco sells great boots for a reasonable price. One example is Sorel Men’s Caribou Boots.

A pair of waterproof boots, available in brown or black, will cost only $129.99. If you were to buy them directly from the retailer, they’d cost $200. That’s a $70 savings. This is yet another example of how your Costco membership can unlock significant savings.

Want to maximize your savings? Use a rewards credit card to pay for your winter-ready haul. Click here to see our curated list of top credit cards that offer big rewards at Costco.

4. HEAD Kids’ Touchscreen Gloves: $12.99

Your kiddos need winter gear, too. If your kids are glued to their smartphones and need a new pair of winter gloves, you may want to buy the HEAD Kids’ Touchscreen Gloves from your local club. They’re on sale for $12.99 instead of the usual $14.99 through Nov. 3. They’re available in purple or black and small, medium, and large sizes. Thanks to this Costco find, your children can stay warm and cozy this winter season while remaining connected.

5. Bridgestone Auto Safety Emergency Kit: $49.99

Winter may be the worst time to deal with car trouble, but you can prepare so you have the tools you need to stay safe and get back on the road. Costco sells the Bridgestone Auto Safety Emergency Kit for $49.99, but other retailers are selling this same kit for $65 or more.

You’ll get 50 items to help you stay safe when dealing with vehicle emergencies. Some items included are an emergency blanket, tire inflator, cable ties, and a reflective warning triangle. This road safety kit can help you feel more confident when driving this winter.

Earn rewards when you shop at Costco and other retailers

When shopping at Costco or other popular retailers, take advantage of the opportunity to earn rewards. You can earn cash back when you swipe credit cards like these at the checkout. It’s easy with the right credit card in your wallet.

Earning rewards can help you maximize your savings. Check out our list of the top cash back credit cards to see how easy it is to get rewarded when you shop.

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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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