Money Management

Costco membership costs have gone up as of September 1, 2024. What if you could save that much with one purchase? Here’s how. [[{“value”:”

Costco just raised its membership fees. Starting from Sept. 1, 2024, the new price of Costco memberships has gone up to $65 per year (for the lower-cost Gold Star membership tier) and $130 per year (for a Costco Executive membership).

But Costco has such good deals on so many items, you can quickly recoup the higher priced Costco annual membership fee with just one purchase. We found some great deals at Costco that can quickly save you more than $65 or $130 — with just one purchase on your Costco credit card.

(All deals were available for online shopping with prices shown for my local Costco warehouse in West Des Moines, Iowa, as of Sept. 3, 2024. Prices may vary by location.)

1. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Connected Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, 2-pack ($179.99)

If you want the cleanest, healthiest teeth and gums and you’re willing to pay a bit extra, this two-pack of Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrushes could be worth splurging on. This high-end, premium package of electric toothbrushes promises to remove 20x the plaque and deliver 15x healthier gums. You get two wireless charging glasses, USB travel cases, and more.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $100, valid through Sept. 22, 2024. While supplies last, limit five per member. That extra $100 savings is more than the price of a Gold Star membership.

2. Shark Performance Plus Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with Odor Neutralizer ($219.99)

This Shark vacuum is designed for high-performance cleaning. It includes Duoclean® Powerfins® Hairpro™ Brushrolls, a self-cleaning brushroll, and odor neutralizing technology. And Costco members love it — they rate this vacuum 4.5 stars out of 5.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $70, valid through Sept. 22, 2024. While supplies last, limit five per member. That extra $70 savings is more than the price of a Gold Star membership.

3. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Stand & Attachments ($329.99)

If you want your everyday home hair care routine to feel more like a professional salon, you might want to splurge on this high-end Dyson hair dryer. It offers five attachments, including gentle air, diffuser, and flyaway capabilities, with fast drying and intelligent heat control.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $70, valid through Sept. 8, 2024. While supplies last, limit five per member. This special limited-time savings of $70 is more than the price of a Gold Star membership.

4. True Innovations Paxley Fabric Swivel Glider Recliner ($349.99)

Need a comfy new place to sit in your living room, TV room, baby’s nursery, or grown-up home office? This chair offers 360-degree movement, full body support, and comfortable gliding or reclining action.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $100, valid through Sept. 8, 2024. While supplies last, limit five per member. This special savings of $100 is more than the price of a Costco Gold Star membership.

5. Delta 33″ Dual Mount Workstation Sink with 18″ Kitchen Faucet ($349.99)

Are you toiling away with a substandard kitchen sink? Upgrade your home’s food prep and dishwashing experience with this 33″ stainless steel Delta sink. Choose from three types of finish for the Delta faucet: matte black, chrome, or stainless steel. This sink and faucet combo gets rave reviews from Costco members, with 4.7 stars out of 5.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $130, valid through Sept. 30, 2024. While supplies last. This special savings of $130 will make up for the price of a Costco Executive membership.

6. HP 17.3″ Touchscreen Laptop — AMD Ryzen 5 7530U — Windows 11 ($449.99)

If someone in your family needs an inexpensive laptop for back to school, or if you want a low-cost laptop to have as a backup, this HP laptop could be a great buy. It features a 17.3″ touchscreen, full-size keyboard with numeric keypad, and a built-in webcam.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $150, valid through Sept. 22, 2024. While supplies last, limit two per member. This special savings of $150 is more than the price of a Costco Executive membership.

7. OVE Decors Kaya Bath Vanity in Gray ($849.99)

Speaking from experience as someone who just got done paying for a bathroom remodeling project: vanities can be surprisingly expensive! But getting the right vanity for your bathroom is worth it, because it’s a centerpiece that makes the bathroom more stylish, peaceful, and useful for years to come.

This 36-inch vanity from OVE Decors is only $849.99, and it features a solid wood frame with an engineered quartz straight edge countertop.

How this Costco deal can save you more than the cost of a Costco membership: This price includes manufacturer’s savings of $150, valid through Sept. 30, 2024. While supplies last. This special savings of $150 is more than the price of a Costco Executive membership.

Bottom line

Don’t assume that the new Costco membership costs are too expensive or not worth paying. Just by choosing one product on this list, you can quickly recoup the price of your Costco Gold Star or Executive membership. Taking advantage of limited time Costco discounts like these is an important way to maximize your Costco 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!

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.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Being in the 800 credit score club doesn’t mean automatic approval for every credit card. Learn how you could be turned down, even with an 800-plus score. [[{“value”:”

Having a credit score of 800 or above isn’t something to take lightly. This is even more true if you start from a low score — the result, perhaps, of some previous mistakes — and build up to 800 or above. It takes quite a few on-time payments, a mix of credit, a low credit utilization ratio, and a long history of using credit to find yourself in the 800 club.

With all that work, you might think an 800 credit score will make it easier for you to apply and get approved for the best credit cards. This isn’t totally wrong: Credit card companies do consider credit scores. But it’s entirely possible to maintain an 800 credit score and still get denied — it happens all the time.

How can your credit card application be turned down with an 800 credit score? The following three reasons are some of the most common.

1. You’ve applied for too many credit cards recently

While it’s OK to have more than one credit card, it’s generally a good idea to spread out your credit card applications. If you apply for multiple credit cards within a short period of time, you might ruin your chances of getting approved.

It’s usually a big, bright red flag when a credit card company sees several new credit card accounts on your credit report. On the one hand, it might think you’re preparing for some kind of financial hardship. On the other hand, it might think you’re credit card churning — meaning you’re opening new credit cards for the welcome bonuses alone.

For example, Chase automatically denies applicants who have opened more than five credit cards within the last 24 months. This is called the 5/24 rule, and it’s ruined many credit card enthusiast’s dreams of opening a new Chase card.

A good rule of thumb is to open no more than one new account every three to six months. While that doesn’t mean you’ll get approved for every card you apply for, you’ll have a better chance than applying for multiple cards within a one-to-three-month period.

2. You’ve applied for too many credit cards for a single issuer

Some credit card companies have specific rules on how many of its cards you can open within a specific frame.

One example is Capital One credit cards. Reportedly, you can only get approved for one every six months. That means you could theoretically have a perfect 850 credit card and still get denied if you’re applying for two within that time frame.

Other cardholders may have different rules. If you’re not sure if an issuer has its own internal rules, contact its customer service or chat with a representative online. It’s better to be informed than to find out with a rejection.

3. Your income might not be high enough

When you submit your application, credit card companies usually ask you for two pieces of information: your income and your monthly housing payment. Companies want to be sure that you can afford new credit card payments. If your income is too low relative to your housing payment, a credit card issuer might not feel comfortable extending you a new line of credit — yes, even if your credit score is immaculate.

And no, it’s not wise to lie. Credit card companies aren’t stupid; they can sense when you’re deliberately misreporting your income or housing payment. If they sense that you’re fudging numbers, they could ask for proof of income. This could get you into deeper trouble, as lying on a credit card application is fraud and could result in a multiple-figure fine.

If your income isn’t high enough or you’ve opened too many credit cards, you might just have to wait until your situation changes. Maybe your housing payment goes down or you start making more money. Or perhaps you let some of the hard inquiries fall off your credit report. These would improve your chances of getting approved for a new credit card — even more so with that 800-plus credit score.

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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.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Perfect credit requires a certain mindset and certain habits. Read on to see what makes it possible. [[{“value”:”

Your credit score is a number that lenders rely on when they’re trying to figure out if you’re eligible for a personal loan or line of credit. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get approved and snag a competitive interest rate on the sum you’re borrowing. So you may be eager to get your credit score as high as possible. And you may even have the goal of getting a perfect credit score.

In the context of FICO, the most commonly used credit-scoring formula, that means attaining a score of 850. And that’s no easy feat. But a small percentage of consumers — 1.54%, according to Experian — do have perfect credit. And chances are, these are the things they do to maintain it.

1. They make more than their minimum monthly credit card payments

Your payment history carries more weight than any other factor when calculating your credit score. So if you pay your credit card bills on time every month, that’s very helpful.

But it’s not enough to make your minimum monthly payments and call it a day. People with perfect credit keep their utilization very low, which means they don’t carry large balances forward and instead generally pay their bills in full.

If you want perfect credit, you should get into the habit of doing the same — paying your entire balance each month instead of just the minimum. This could not only help your credit score but also save you money on interest.

2. They keep accounts open in good standing for years

The length of your credit history is another big factor in calculating your credit score. People with perfect credit tend to keep accounts in good standing open for many years.

This doesn’t mean you should refinance an installment loan you’re almost done paying to keep that account open on your record. If you have a five-year auto loan with one payment left, you should make it and move on. But you should keep credit card accounts open as long as possible, provided there’s no drawback to doing so.

If you have a credit card with a costly annual fee that you don’t use, that’s reason alone to cancel. But if you have a no-annual-fee card that simply doesn’t have the best rewards program, then it pays to keep it if it’s older and in good standing (meaning, you’re current on your payments). In that case, you may want to set up a small recurring charge, like your Netflix bill, so the account is used, and then make the bulk of your purchases on a card with better perks.

3. They keep tabs on their credit reports regularly

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each reporting bureau — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — every week. People with perfect credit don’t necessarily review their credit reports on a weekly basis. But they probably do so on a regular basis, such as once every three months or so.

Checking your credit report periodically is a great way to keep your score in great shape. If you spot a harmful error and get it corrected, your score could get a nice lift. Plus, it’s important to check your credit report for fraudulent activity.

If you see an open loan or credit card on your report that you don’t recognize, it could be a mistake — or a sign that a criminal has created an account in your name. That’s something to investigate ASAP. But you won’t know to do that digging if you don’t check your credit report in the first place. And the sooner you spot fraud, the less damage it might cause.

Bottom line

Perfect credit is not easy to attain. And the reality is that you don’t need perfect credit to get approved for loans or credit cards. If you’re able to keep your score in the upper 700s or somewhere in the 800s, you’re in great shape, so there’s no need to stress over that hard-to-get 850.

But it definitely pays to adopt the habits of people who have perfect credit to boost your score and keep it strong.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 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.Maurie Backman has positions in Netflix. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Many CDs have impressive rates right now. Read on to find out why they still may not be the right fit for your finances. [[{“value”:”

Certificates of deposit (CDs) have become a popular place to put your money as CD rates climbed over the past few years. Some CDs pay an annual percentage yield (APY) of 5%, and the accounts are FDIC-insured, making them a safe place to let your money grow.

But there are a few downsides to locking up your money into a CD, even if you score a high interest rate. Here are three reasons why I’m personally passing up the high rates — and why you might want to as well.

1. The money could go toward your retirement portfolio

Even if your CD pays a 5% APY, it’s not a good substitute for investing in the stock market. The historic annual rate of return for the S&P 500 is 10.2%.

I’ve got at least a couple of decades left of working, so I have time to let my investments ride out volatile times and continue growing. If you have a similar investment horizon, you should strongly consider buying stocks rather than putting your money into a CD.

Here’s an example of investing $5,000 into the stock market vs. a 5-year CD earning 5%:

Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll earn 10.2% from your stock market investments, but taking on the extra risk is worth it if you’re not near retirement age because your money has lots of potential to grow.

2. You need to pay off high-interest debt

If you have high-interest debt — like a credit card balance — then it could be far better to pay off that debt than to put your money into a CD.

I recently paid off more than $7,000 in credit card debt, which greatly improved my finances because my credit card’s annual percentage rate (APR) is 19.5%. With that high interest rate, I saved $4,000 in interest payments by paying off the debt rather than investing in a CD.

Let’s assume you have a $5,000 credit card balance and you’re paying the national APR average of 21.5%. If you put $137 toward your balance each month, you’ll pay it off in five years, and you’ll have spent $3,201 in interest.

In contrast, a 5-year CD with a 5% interest rate will earn you $1,381 over that period. This means you’ll save $1,820 if you immediately pay off your credit card with the $5,000 instead of investing it in the CD.

3. You don’t have an emergency fund

I once used all my savings to buy a car, believing that having no debt from the vehicle would be the best thing for my finances. What I failed to plan for was that the car would have ongoing mechanical issues and that my house would need regular maintenance.

Sometimes, what seems like a wise financial decision can put you in a worse position. There’s nothing wrong with putting cash into a CD, but it can be the wrong decision if you’re left without any money in your savings account.

Most financial experts recommend having enough cash to cover three to six months of expenses in your emergency fund. If that’s too much to manage, start with $1,000. The goal is to have some money to fall back on when expected expenses pop up — because they will!

CDs can be a good investment, but they’re not the best place to put your money if you have high-interest debt, don’t have any money in your emergency fund, or if you’re trying to maximize your retirement savings. Before you invest in one, evaluate your financial goals to see if a CD makes sense for you.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 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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Shopping at Aldi could be a great way to save money. But read on to see why you may want to steer clear. [[{“value”:”

Shopping at Aldi could be a good way to save money on your grocery bills. Aldi is known for its competitive prices. And if you have a larger household, buying food at Aldi could be a less expensive way to keep your fridge stocked.

But Aldi isn’t necessarily the best grocery store for everyone. Here are a few signs you shouldn’t shop there.

1. You only have time to go to one grocery store per week

If you work a demanding job or have a busy schedule, then you may only have enough time to hit one grocery store in person during the week. If that’s the case, you probably don’t want that one store to be Aldi.

One pitfall of shopping at Aldi is that the selection tends to be inconsistent. Aldi doesn’t fill its shelves with national brands, like most major supermarket chains. Instead, it specifically stocks lesser-known brands that don’t cost a lot, so it can pass savings onto customers.

While you may get lucky and sometimes find everything on your shopping list at Aldi, that often won’t be the case. So if you need a one-stop shop for all of your weekly essentials, you’re better off sticking with a traditional supermarket.

2. You have picky eaters at home

As just mentioned, Aldi’s lesser-known brands are behind the savings you might enjoy at the store. But if you have picky eaters at home, buying products they’re not familiar with could lead to a lot of wasted food — and wasted money.

It’s one thing to buy pasta from Aldi if it’s cheaper than buying it at your regular supermarket. If you use the same sauce you always do, chances are, the people in your household won’t be any the wiser. But be careful when buying things like bread, granola bars, or other items with a taste of their own at Aldi if they’re not the brands your finicky eaters already know and love.

3. You tend to give in to impulse buys

If you’ve ever shopped at Aldi, you may have noticed that its “Aldi Finds” aisle isn’t stocked with food so much as seasonal or rotating products. These might include kitchen items, home decor, and even apparel.

But there’s a reason that section of the store is also called the Aldi “Aisle of Shame.” Shoppers tend to ignore their budgets when they enter that aisle and load up on the many fun products it contains.

If you easily fall victim to impulse purchases, then you may want to avoid shopping at Aldi altogether. You can tell yourself you’ll stay away from that specific aisle. But chances are, you won’t. So if money is tight and you can’t afford extra spending, you may want to stick to a grocery store that pretty much only sells food and household essentials.

There’s nothing wrong with shopping at Aldi if you have the flexibility to stop by multiple supermarkets, your family isn’t super picky about food, and you’re good at avoiding impulse buys or you have wiggle room in your budget for them. Otherwise, you may want to avoid Aldi at all costs.

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