Money Management

Costco is a fantastic store. But keep reading for a few changes that could improve everyone’s shopping experience. [[{“value”:”

One of the first things I did when I moved to the suburbs about 18 years ago was join Costco. Although I didn’t have kids at the time, it made sense for my husband and I to share a membership so we could save more money on groceries and household essentials.

These days, I shop at Costco weekly in an effort to keep up with my perpetually ravenous kids. And while it’s mostly a great experience, there are a few pain points I wish the company would address. Here are three changes that would make shopping at Costco so much better.

1. Bringing back early shopping hours for Executive members

I pay for Costco’s Executive membership because even though it costs twice as much as a basic Gold Star membership ($130 a year vs. $65 a year), it gives me 2% cash back on my purchases. When I do the math, it takes $3,250 in annual Costco spending to make back the $65 extra the Executive membership costs. But since I shop at the store weekly, I commonly spend well more than $3,250 a year, so it’s the right membership for me.

I actually upgraded to an Executive membership years ago, and when I first did, it came with the benefit of getting into Costco 30 minutes or so ahead of shoppers with just a Gold Star membership. That often made it possible for me to complete my shopping when the store was less crowded.

Costco did away with that perk for Executive members a long time ago. But I wish it would come back.

I actually think I’d pay the extra $65 a year for that perk alone, even if Costco decided to stop offering cash back on Executive memberships. I figure if I use the right credit cards at Costco, I can create my own cash back rewards program. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers, so you can do the same thing if paying for an Executive membership doesn’t make sense for you.

See, the crowds at Costco bug me so much that I’d be willing to pay a higher fee to avoid them to some degree. But one trick I’ve learned is that if you get to Costco a few minutes before it opens, you may be let in early. That at least gives you a little bit of time to start filling your cart before the crowds roll in.

2. A better system for ordering cakes

Did you know that if you buy a premade cake from Costco’s bakery, you can have it personalized on the spot? It’s a great solution if you dropped the ball and need something customized in a pinch.

But that only applies to Costco’s round cakes. The large sheet cakes are a different story.

In fact, you can’t buy one at all — personalized or not — if you don’t order one at least 48 hours in advance. Not only that, but you have to order your cake in person by submitting a sheet of paper. It’s pretty low-tech for a company like Costco.

I would love to see a better system for ordering sheet cakes. There’s no reason Costco can’t come up with a system that lets you place an order online. Also, that would probably work to the store’s benefit.

Currently, you place your order in person ahead of time but only pay once you get your cake. An online system that requires people to pay upfront reduces the risk of people placing customized orders and not picking them up.

And yes, I know I can always fall back on the round cakes at Costco if I find the process of ordering sheet cakes too cumbersome. But the sheet cakes are much larger, so when I need to feed a crowd, they’re generally my most cost-effective option with a price point of $24.99. At my local Costco, the smaller cakes cost $15.99 but only serve about 16 people, whereas the sheet cakes are said to serve 48.

3. Scanners that let you check out as you go, to avoid the long lines

Waiting in long lines to check out is one of the worst parts of shopping at Costco. One change I’d love to see is having Costco introduce a “scan and go” process where you get a hand scanner at the door, you use it to add items to your cart, and then you do your own form of self checkout by tapping a credit card.

Of course, the risk with this type of system is theft. But Costco already has people who check receipts against your shopping cart contents on the way out. So this isn’t such a stretch.

That said, at my Costco store, there is a self-checkout aisle which I’ll use when I don’t have items that are so heavy. However, for a loaded cart, it’s more efficient to just wait in line and go through the regular checkout.

With self-checkout, you have to wait for a Costco employee with a hand scanner to help with those heavy items. So you don’t save any time compared to the regular checkout.

These Costco changes could make the shopping experience there more pleasant. I’m not expecting to see them happen anytime soon, but you never know. Until then, I’ll continue to try to work around them by shopping at strategic times, using the self-checkout lanes when it’s easy to do so, and being on top of my party-planning needs so I can take advantage of Costco’s ridiculously affordable sheet cakes.

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

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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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Being rejected for a new credit card stings — but shake it off. Discover a few tips to ensure a card issuer says yes to you on your next application. [[{“value”:”

Applying for a great new credit card isn’t always a slam dunk for approval, I’m sad to say. I’ve been turned down for new cards, and it’s always a bummer when it happens. Thankfully, by making the following moves, you can turn today’s “no” into a “yes” in the future. Here’s how.

Pay down some existing debt

Maybe you were rejected due to how much credit card debt you already have — this is a common reason to be denied a new card. Credit utilization, or the amount of debt you have relative to your total credit limit, is a major part of your FICO® Score (more about credit scores below).

Ideally, you should aim to keep it below 30%. If you have a credit limit of $10,000 across all your credit cards, try to keep your total balance to less than $3,000 at any given time.

If you already have high balances on your current cards, focus on paying them down (the best way I found to do this was by increasing my income via a side hustle, but your mileage may vary). As a bonus, you’ll have more breathing room in your budget by the time you’re ready to apply for a new card.

Peek at your credit score and reports

Credit scores aren’t sexy, but they have a major impact on your financial life. The better your credit score (they run from 300 to 850), the cheaper it will be for you to borrow money. But you could also save on auto insurance, rent an apartment more easily, or even get hired if a prospective employer conducts a credit check as part of a background investigation.

You can likely see your credit score (ideally, your FICO® Score, as this is the one used by most lenders) for free via a bank account or credit card you already have. Most of the best credit cards require a score of 670 or over, so if yours is less than that, you’ve got some work to do. Focus on making on-time payments, and like we discussed above, see if you can pay down some current debt.

Already have a high credit score? You can enjoy excellent rewards and other perks from a credit card. Click here to check out the best credit cards for good credit.

You should also get copies of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com to see what could be dragging your credit score down. If you spot errors, like a delinquent account that isn’t yours or a late payment you never made, you can have the credit bureau remove them, which will boost your credit score.

Consider pre-approval

Want more assurance that you can be approved the next time you apply for a credit card? Some card issuers offer a pre-approval tool on their websites, where you can enter your information and see which cards could be a fit for you.

Using these tools doesn’t come with a hard credit check, just a soft credit check, which doesn’t impact your credit score. And if you see that you’re likely to be approved for the card you have your eye on, hooray! If not — focus on making the other moves on this list and try again in a few months.

Exercise patience

If you were turned down for your last credit card application because you’ve opened too many new credit accounts lately, you may just need to be patient. I know this is hard — patience isn’t one of my virtues, either. But according to Equifax, hard credit inquiries fall off your credit report after two years (and stop impacting your credit score after a year).

Aim to wait six months or a year between credit card applications. As a bonus, this also gives you time to research all your credit card options and pick the right one for you.

I took a year-long break from applying for new cards while I was in the process of paying off all my debt and getting my finances in better shape. As soon as my debt balance hit $0, I applied for a fantastic grocery rewards card that I was genuinely excited about. If I hadn’t had the time to learn about this card, I might not have applied for it — and wouldn’t currently be enjoying the $400 in cash back I earn from it every year.

It’s never fun to be denied a new credit card. But instead of taking this rejection personally, take a beat and dig into your finances. By ensuring your credit score is in good shape, paying down debt, and researching your card options, you’ll be in a better position to get the yes next time.

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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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Bitcoin’s price has soared over 15,000% in the past decade. Find out whether the top crypto still has juice in the tank. [[{“value”:”

Bitcoin can feel like one of those “if only” investments. If only I’d bought it 10 years ago when one Bitcoin cost less than $500. Or in early 2019, at less than $5,000. If only I’d bought shares in Amazon when it was still just an online bookstore.

Unfortunately, investments don’t work in hindsight. Many people hadn’t even heard of Bitcoin when it launched in 2009. Even if you’d bought Bitcoin 10 years ago, it would have been a much bigger gamble than it is today. Few people saw it as an investment at that stage. Even fewer would have predicted the granddaddy of crypto would top $70,000 in 2024.

If you’re considering buying crypto, don’t get lost in “if onlys.” The more important question is what it might do next and how it compares with other potential investments.

Is it too late to buy Bitcoin?

Even the biggest crypto skeptic can’t deny that Bitcoin’s price performance to date has been extraordinary. It has gained over 15,000% in the past 10 years.

If you’re wondering if you’ve missed the boat, the short answer is you’re unlikely to see another 15,000% gain in the next decade. Equally, it’s never too late to buy an asset if you think it will perform well and it fits with your investment goals.

There are some caveats. First, cryptocurrency is volatile. It’s a relatively new asset and there’s not much in the way of investor protections. Riskier investments can generate outsized returns, but they can also sink to nothing. Make sure you understand the risks and are ready to ride out some extreme price swings.

Another consideration is how you buy Bitcoin (and store it). As we’ve seen in recent years, hacking and platform collapse are both real dangers. Look for reputable exchanges and crypto brokerages, such as Robinhood, that will keep your assets offline in what’s known as cold storage. Click here to learn more about Robinhood’s commitment to security and open an account.

Can Bitcoin still make you a millionaire?

Reaching millionaire status depends on many factors. These include how much — and how often — you invest, how long you leave your money invested, and how your investments perform. If you’re investing $500,000, it’s easier to reach $1 million than if you invest $1,000.

For the sake of simplicity, let’s say you bought $10,000 worth of Bitcoin. Let’s also assume you aren’t able to earn any interest on it. You’d need the price to increase 100-fold to get to $1 million. As I write this, BTC is trading at around $65,000. So we’re talking about the price reaching $6.5 million. That’s a tall order.

A lot rides on what you think makes Bitcoin valuable now and what it could do in the future. Some see it as a type of digital gold — a hedge against inflation. Others think it could be the future currency of the internet. ARK Invest believes Bitcoin could be worth $1 million or more by 2030. That’s partly because its analysts predict it will take a chunk out of the global money transfer industry. Some 15 years after its launch, optimists insist Bitcoin is here to stay.

On the other hand, Bitcoin still has plenty of critics. They argue that it has no intrinsic value and that it’s too volatile to work as a store of value like gold. One concern is that it is a speculative bubble just waiting to burst. Another is that it is used for illicit activities.

Single investments aren’t the way to build wealth

Whatever you make of the arguments above, there’s a broader question of diversification. If you want to retire with $1 million or more in your portfolio, it would be a huge gamble to try to do it through crypto alone. Or any other single asset, for that matter.

Sure, Bitcoin’s price might skyrocket again. If you’re all in on crypto, you’d be free to quit your job and take that cruise you’ve always dreamed of. Equally, it might drop by 80% six months before you’re due to retire, leaving you with a fraction of what you need. That feels like a very risky way to build wealth.

If you want to become a millionaire, building a diversified portfolio is a safer route. You might include a small amount of Bitcoin, depending on your financial situation and risk tolerance. That way you’d still benefit from any big gains, but you’d also be insulated against losses.

The great thing about the slow-and-steady approach is that you don’t have to take huge risks. History shows us that the average annual return of the S&P 500 since 1928 is around 8%. The market will have good and bad years. Even so, once compound interest gets to work, that 8% return can be powerful: If you invested $500 a month for 35 years, you could retire as a millionaire.

Bottom line

A recent report by Henley & Partners showed there are over 85,000 Bitcoin millionaires — people who own over $1 million in BTC — right now. But it doesn’t give any clues as to how many made their millions in crypto.

There are many routes to millionaire status. Some people have got there by buying Bitcoin. A few won the lottery or inherited large fortunes. Many more took the slow-and-steady approach of investing a proportion of their paycheck every month. There are never any guarantees, but that last route is more certain and more achievable for the majority of us.

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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.Emma Newbery has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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The average American isn’t afraid to spend money for an enjoyable Halloween. Here’s how to keep costs down. [[{“value”:”

American households love to spend money to celebrate holidays. And while Halloween isn’t nearly as much of a financial burden on households as the winter holidays, millions of households spend hundreds of dollars on candy, costumes, decorations, and more.

In this article, we’ll explore what the average American spends on Halloween, how much is too much, and ways you might be able to save money while still maximizing your enjoyment.

The average American’s Halloween spending

I won’t keep you in suspense. The average American household spends $108 on Halloween, including decorations, costumes, candy, and other expenses. In all, Halloween spending reached an all-time high of more than $12 billion in the United States last year, and there’s no reason to think this year’s total will be any lower.

However, this is just the average, and many people spend significantly more. Over one-third of Americans plan to spend between $100 and $500 this Halloween, and nearly one-fourth of Americans say they spend as much on decorations for Halloween as they do for the winter holidays, according to Consolidated Credit.

If you want to spread your holiday expenses out over several months with no interest, check out our updated list of the top credit card intro APR offers.

How much is too much?

Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to holiday expenses. And with major differences in income between households, it’s impossible to give a single number that amounts to “too much” Halloween spending.

In a nutshell, Halloween spending (or spending for any other holiday, for that matter) is too much if you’re finding yourself going into debt or struggling to afford it.

Here are a few smart ways to cut down on your expenses:

Set a holiday budget and stick to it. For some people, this might mean withdrawing a set amount of cash at an ATM, and when it’s gone, no more spending.If you use credit cards for Halloween expenses, pay the bill in full before any interest is charged, and max out credit card rewards (like points or cash back) when possible. Have a look at our list of the best rewards credit cards to find one that matches your spending.Take advantage of free Halloween events. Many local areas have free festivals, trick-or-treating events, concerts, and more.Buy candy when it’s on sale, or in bulk. On a per-pound basis, Halloween candy can be far cheaper at warehouse clubs like Costco, and if you plan ahead, you can typically find great sales on candy a few weeks before Halloween.

Of course, this isn’t a complete list. There are plenty of ways you can potentially save money, but the point is to make yourself aware of how much you’re spending, and to consciously find ways to cut back without sacrificing enjoyment. You’d be surprised by how many people would answer “I don’t know” when asked how much they spend on Halloween.

The bottom line

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how much Halloween spending is too much. But regardless of how you plan to decorate your home, dress up, or celebrate with candy, some smart planning can save you money without sacrificing fun.

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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.Matt Frankel 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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Want to be the envy of your neighbors? Read on for the coolest Halloween decoration this side of the universe — on deep discount from Costco. [[{“value”:”

I’ve never been much of a holiday decor person — part of that is owed to the fact that until very recently, I was a renter and wasn’t necessarily able or allowed to put up decorations outside my home. But now I have a mortgage — and a front lawn of my very own. And thanks to my colleague Kristi Waterworth, a few weeks ago I learned that Costco sells Halloween animatronics, including a 10-foot tall alien that talks and plays spooky music.

When I first found out about it, it was priced at $199.97 (down from $249.99 originally), which was a bit too much for me to justify spending on something like this. But then I checked again last week, and this alien was marked down further, to $99.97. At that price point, how could I say no? Spoiler alert: I couldn’t.

I’m freaking out my neighbors with the Costco alien

My new alien friend was shipped promptly, arriving on my doorstep in just a few days. I’m a pretty new Costco member, and this was the second online order I’ve placed with the warehouse club, and thus far, I’ve been pretty impressed with both shipping speed and the email updates about tracking I receive along the way.

Ready to be rewarded for your Costco buys? Check out this curated list of the best credit cards for Costco. I earned 2% cash back on my alien by using one of these cards!

A partner and I set up the Costco alien on my front lawn last weekend, and we got plenty of curious stares from my neighbors and people driving down my street. Set up was very smooth, as the alien came with clear and comprehensive instructions, and all the parts were labeled with lettered stickers, making the whole process easy.

We also tried out the electronics (which plugged into an extension cord run from my garage behind the house), but I’m electing to leave my new alien friend unplugged until Halloween. I just moved into this neighborhood a few months ago and I figure that having a loud decoration in my yard might prove to make me unpopular with my neighbors.

I’ve also chatted with a few of them who’ve checked out my new addition — I had to laugh last night when my neighbor across the street noted he was “very scary.” (I beg to differ!) She also confirmed that this neighborhood gets a ton of trick-or-treaters, so I’m excited to get my alien plugged in and running for the holiday and sit outside with a big bowl of candy to give out.

Other worthy Costco Halloween finds

When I joined Costco a few months ago, I wasn’t expecting to buy holiday decor, but it turns out you can find some pretty great stuff! Here are a few examples to check out now, if you’re putting together an outdoor display for your own home. You’ve still got a week of shipping time before the big day (and shipping is included in all these prices)!

7-foot animated pumpkin scarecrow

Perhaps you’re more of a classic Halloween scare fan than I am. In that case, check out this scarecrow with a spooky jack-o-lantern for a head. It has LED flame effects and is motion-activated, so you can scare the pants off some trick-or-treaters. Get it now for $129.97.

Animated skeleton tombstone with lights and music

If you’re not much for yard decor, consider this skeleton that lights up and dances when kids approach, candy buckets in hand. This one isn’t weather-proof, so if your porch is covered, you should be good to go to keep this outside — or in a pinch, this could be great indoor decor for your Halloween party. Get it for $49.97 right now.

Pumpkin luminary set

You can even find classy and elegant Halloween decor at Costco. This set of two lovely metal pumpkins can be illuminated with a tealight candle (always practice good fire safety and supervise if you go this route) or a battery-powered LED candle. They’re going for $86.99.

Costco has the Halloween decorations that will make you the envy(?) of your neighbors, and catch the eye of all those costumed children roaming the streets, looking for candy. Don’t delay, visit Costco.com or your local store today!

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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