Money Management

Gift-giving can be a challenge. Even if your dad has everything he needs, these Sam’s Club gifts may just make him smile. [[{“value”:”

Father’s Day is June 16, 2024. If you’re unsure how you will celebrate Dad this year, Sam’s Club offers a variety of options. There’s something for everyone, from $11 graphic tees to a $900 17.3-inch HP Windows Laptop. Here are five gift ideas to get you started.

1. Alder Creek Gift Basket

Sam’s Club price: $50

Kohl’s price: $60

Whether Dad grills like a pro or just aspires to, he’ll appreciate the thoughtful collection found in this BBQ-inspired gift basket. The basket includes:

Brazilian-style churrasco seasoningUrban Accents baja style shrimp seasoningUrban Accents tacos al pastor seasoningAlder Creek Farms peanut brittleAlder Creek Farms roasted and salted mixed nutsKiwi lime lemonade20-piece plaid BBQ platesGlass Mason jar mug with strawBBQ heat glove

2. Invicta Pro Diver Men’s 48mm Watch

Sam’s Club price: $80

Mercari price: $94

Is your Dad an outdoorsy guy? He’s likely to enjoy this black and gold watch, which is water-resistant up to 100 meters. It has a stainless steel band and Japanese quartz movement. It may look like you picked it up at an expensive jewelry store, but it’s actually pretty easy on the budget.

3. Carrera Sunglasses

Sam’s Club price: $139

SmartBuyGlasses price: $165

If you’re tired of seeing your father in the same old sunglasses (or worse yet, squinting into the sun), these square-framed sunglasses from Carrera offer a technological twist on a classic pair of shades. Constructed of carbon fiber, they’re strong but lightweight. Available with tinted, shaded, and polarized lenses, they’re also quite stylish.

4. TCL 55-inch 4K Google Smart TV

Sam’s Club price: $249

Where does Dad like to hang out? Does he have a home gym, workshop, or garage space where a television would be a welcomed addition? If so, you may want to consider this TCL 55-inch UHD 4K LED HDR with Google Smart TV as this year’s Father’s Day gift. Offering stunning 4K Ultra HD and built-in Chromecast with thousands of streaming apps, the set also comes with a 3-year warranty and a free HDMI cable.

5. Lifetime Outdoor Games Set with Paddles and Volleyball

Sam’s Club price: $140

Academy Sports price: $170

Create instant family time by giving Dad this outdoor games set. It includes everything the family needs to enjoy tennis, volleyball, badminton, or pickleball. Thanks to an easily adjustable net, it can be moved to the perfect spot for whichever game you decide to play.

Finally, if nothing here strikes your fancy (or fits your current checking account balance), you can always give your father a sweet Father’s Day card and enclose a Sam’s Club gift card. That way, he can pick up something for himself the next time he makes a Sam’s Club run.

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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.Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Investing in stocks is a great way to grow wealth. But data shows that most Americans aren’t buying stocks directly. Read on to learn more. [[{“value”:”

If your goal is to grow your wealth over time, you can take a few different avenues. You could keep your money in CDs to play it safe and enjoy modest interest earnings. You could also buy bonds and enjoy predictable interest payments.

But one of the most effective ways to grow wealth over time is to invest in stocks. That’s because the stock market has a long history of delivering strong returns.

Yet as of 2022, only 21% of Americans were invested in stocks directly, according to Federal Reserve data. And that means most Americans may be selling themselves short financially.

Why skipping stocks means losing out

It may be that more than 22% of Americans are actually invested in stocks when we account for pooled investment funds and other managed assets, says the Federal Reserve. But still, it’s probably fair to say that a good percentage of the population doesn’t own stocks in any shape or form. And that’s a problem.

While CDs and bonds can help you grow your money over time, that growth may be fairly slow. The stock market, on the other hand, has generated an average annual 10% return over the past 50 years, as per the performance of the S&P 500 index. Simply put, if you don’t invest in stocks at all, you risk ending up with limited savings and income for retirement.

To show how problematic it is to steer clear of stocks, imagine you save $250 a month for retirement over a 35-year period. If you stick to safer assets like CDs and bonds, you may only see an average annual 4% return in your portfolio, leaving you with a nest egg worth about $221,000.

Now sure, that’s a decent amount of money. But remember, it may have to last for 20 years or more.

However, if we apply a 10% return to the scenario above, investing $250 a month over 35 years could leave you with $813,000. So it’s worth strongly considering stocks for that reason.

And if you’re worried about the risks involved, remember that the 10% return we just discussed accounts for both good market years and bad. If you invest in stocks over a long period, you have opportunities to ride out market downturns and make money in the long run.

How to invest in stocks the easy way

By now, I hope you’re convinced that you’re doing yourself a disservice by not putting money into stocks. But the process of putting together a stock portfolio may seem overwhelming.

If so, you should know that there’s a pretty easy way to invest in stocks without having to do a ton of research or legwork. You can simply buy S&P 500 index funds through a retirement plan like an IRA or 401(k).

Index funds try to match the performance of an existing market index, like the S&P 500. The reason this particular index is worth investing in is because it consists of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the market today. So you’re putting your money into not just strong businesses, but also, a diverse mix of companies.

You might think you’re doing yourself a favor by avoiding stocks. That way, you can minimize your risk. But if you don’t invest in stocks, you run a different risk — not having enough retirement savings.

If you want to help ensure you’ll be able to retire comfortably, then it’s time to get on board with the idea of putting some of your money into the stock market.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025

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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You don’t have to spend a lot of money at Costco to walk away with quality items. Here are five fantastic products that won’t bust your budget. [[{“value”:”

Costco is known for its low prices on products like groceries and household essentials. But that doesn’t mean that every item Costco sells is inexpensive.

You might easily spend upward of $1,000 on a new TV from Costco. Or, you might spend $500 or more on a laptop.

The good news, though, is that Costco stocks plenty of non-grocery products for less than $25. If you’re looking to save money at Costco this month, here are five great buys that could come in handy.

1. 32 Degrees Unisex Cushion Slide

We’re almost to summer, which means the weather is getting hotter and the idea of having to walk around in socks and sneakers might make your feet sweaty just thinking about it. A better bet may be to invest in a pair of quality slides, like the 32 Degrees version Costco is selling for only $11.99 online (and you may find a lower price at your local warehouse club store).

These slides are cushioned so your feet will have some support, and they come in a variety of colors. When you compare them to a similar offering from Crocs, you’re looking at spending way less, since Amazon is selling Crocs unisex slides for $29.95 right now.

2. Hang Ten Men’s Swim Trunk

It’s pretty hard to find adult swimwear for under $10. But Costco has managed to pull that price off with its Hang Ten Men’s Swim Trunk in a variety of colors.

Now this product is only available online, so you won’t find a lower price in stores. But for $9.99, it’s definitely a bargain. At Old Navy, the starting price for men’s swim trunks appears to be $15 due to a current sale.

3. Squishmallows 16″ Plush

If you have kids, you’re probably familiar with Squishmallows. Children love them because they’re cute, cozy, and, as the name implies, very squeezable.

Costco is selling 16″ Squishmallows for $14.99 online, which is way cheaper than Amazon’s price of $24.99. But there’s a weird catch. To buy these online at Costco, you have to order at least two. However, if you don’t need two, you can get around that issue by purchasing a single Squishmallow from your local warehouse club store.

4. Bunch O Bubbles Motorized Mega Bubble Blaster

School may already be done for summer in your neck of the woods. Or if not, then the last day may be right around the corner.

The good news is that means no more dealing with homework, tests, or after-school activities. The bad news is that it means you may be on full-time entertainment duty for your kids.

That’s what makes the Bunch O Bubbles Motorized Mega Bubble Blaster such a great buy. It’s an outdoor toy that could keep your kids busy for hours, and Costco has it for just $19.99.

Now to be fair, Amazon has the same price on this item. But if you have an Executive membership at Costco, you’ll get 2% cash back on your purchase, making Costco the slightly better deal.

5. Happy Tails Barnyard Buddies Dog Toys, 3-count

If you’re a dog owner, presenting your furry friend with a new toy may be the highlight of your week — and theirs. But since dog toys don’t always have such great staying power, you definitely don’t want to spend a lot of money on each one individually.

Costco is selling a three-pack of adorable dog toys for $19.99. This set has an owl, rooster, and duck, and you’re paying just $6.66 each. Compare that to Amazon’s price of $28.52 for the bundle, and Costco’s deal is far superior.

Clearly, every item on this list is pretty inexpensive. But remember, if money is tight, it’s not the best idea to spend extra on non-essential purchases. So think carefully before buying these or other Costco products for under $25. Though the price point might seem low, a series of $25 purchases could really add up.

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

If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

Click here to read our expert recommendations for free!

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.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Want $1,000 back from Costco this year? It’s possible — but there’s a big reason you may want to settle for a lot less cash back than that. [[{“value”:”

Some people don’t like the fact that you have to spend money for the ability to shop at Costco. And I can see where they’re coming from. I wouldn’t dream of paying a fee to enter my regular supermarket. So why is it okay for Costco to charge a membership fee?

I’ll tell you why. Costco uses its membership fee revenue to offset its costs. And it’s because of those fees that it’s able to offer up such competitive prices on the items it sells. So I don’t mind paying money to enter Costco, especially since the savings I enjoy during the year more than exceed the cost of a membership.

In fact, not only do I not mind paying for a membership, but I willingly pay double for my Executive membership, priced at $120 a year. A basic (or Gold Star) membership only costs $60.

However, there’s a big perk with the Executive membership: You get 2% cash back on your Costco purchases with a few exceptions (unfortunately, gas station and food court purchases don’t count). So if you spend $5,000 a year at Costco, you get $100 back with an Executive membership. That’s enough to cover the extra $60 that membership costs and still leave you $40 richer.

You should also know that it’s possible to earn up to $1,000 a year with an Executive membership. But you’ll need to spend a lot of money to score the maximum amount of cash back.

Do you have $50,000 a year to spend at Costco?

While Costco is willing to give you up to $1,000 cash back on your Executive membership per year, getting that much money requires you to spend $50,000. Chances are, you’re not doing that. However, there’s technically a chance that you might reach the maximum cash back threshold under the right circumstances.

Let’s say you’ve just bought a house and need to furnish every corner of it, from your living room to your basement to your patio. If you buy a ton of furniture from Costco, you could conceivably reach the $50,000 mark — especially if you’re also buying large appliances, like a fridge, washer, and dryer.

Similarly, let’s say you have a family of six and you’ve been saving for years for a dream vacation in Hawaii. A week-long package could cost you over $23,000 when you factor in lodging, a rental car, and first-class airfare for your family. If you’re also spending $20,000 on home improvements through Costco this year, you may hit the $50,000 mark when you factor in groceries and everyday purchases.

Realistically, though, most people aren’t racking up a $50,000 annual Costco tab. So while you can technically get $1,000 back from Costco yearly with an Executive membership, you shouldn’t bank on it.

RELATED: The #1 Strategy for Saving Money at Costco

The magic number where an Executive membership makes sense

Even if you can’t spend enough to get anywhere close to $1,000 back from your Executive membership in a year, the upgrade makes sense once your Costco spending totals more than $3,000. That’s because 2% of $3,000 is $60, which is the cost of the upgrade from a basic membership. So at that point, you’re breaking even. Spend $3,050 at Costco, and you’re eligible for $61 back, leaving you $1 ahead.

In fact, your goal shouldn’t be to score $1,000 back from Costco because you might end up in serious debt getting there (the exception being if you’re making large purchases you’ve saved up for ahead of time). So rather than chase that $1,000 in cash back, keep tabs on your Costco spending to make sure that the Executive membership upgrade continues to make financial sense for you.

And if you find that it doesn’t, just go back to a basic membership. Costco will let you downgrade and refund you the difference without a hassle, so there’s really nothing to lose by trying the Executive membership.

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

If you’re shopping with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco, and are rated the best cards of 2024 by our experts because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and outstanding cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.

Click here to read our expert recommendations for free!

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. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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