These are the cities with the biggest growth in housing supply. Sorn340 Studio Images / Shutterstock.com
The U.S. housing market, which cooled off in 2023 after a pandemic boom, is showing signs of a revival. The median home sale price was up 5.3% year-over-year in March 2024, and homes are selling more quickly — the share of homes sold in under two weeks is up 1.3 percentage points during the same period. This uptick in activity suggests a potential return to growth…
Don’t have millions in savings for retirement? Use these tips if you must survive on just Social Security. Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com
Living on Social Security alone is not only possible, but many retirees already accomplish that very feat every year. While the lifestyle associated with Social Security income isn’t exactly luxurious, it doesn’t have to equal rice and beans for the rest of your life, either. How you make living on Social Security alone work for you will depend on a lot of factors, not the least of which is…
A Costco membership should benefit you as a newlywed. Read on to see why. [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
When you imagine the typical Costco member, you probably picture a suburban parent lugging a few young kids in tow. In reality, a host of people can benefit from joining Costco, from college students to retirees. And if you’re a newlywed, you, too, might really appreciate the perks of a Costco membership. Here are some reasons to join with your new spouse right away.
Sometimes, it doesn’t work out to depart for your honeymoon the morning after your wedding. Maybe you stayed in town to spend time with guests who came in for the big event. Or maybe you just couldn’t swing all the time off from work.
If you and your spouse have yet to take your honeymoon, it could pay to join Costco for that reason alone. Costco Travel offers a host of unique vacation packages, from cruises to theme parks to resort stays. Many of these deals are affordably priced, and they often come with perks that you’ll only be privy to as a Costco member, like resort credits.
It may be that you and your spouse lived together before tying the knot. But if not, and you’re moving in together for the first time, you may have some kitchen-stocking to do, from spices to cooking oils to gadgets you weren’t gifted already.
Costco could be a great source for all of these things. But before you do a major stock-up, assess your cooking needs.
If you do a lot of at-home food prep, buying pantry staples in bulk could make financial sense. But you probably don’t want to load up on bulk spices, for example, if you only cook a meal once every other week.
Similarly, be careful with the kitchen gadgets you buy. Right now, Costco has the Nutribullet Ultra Deluxe Blender for $30 off the usual price, so you may be tempted to add that to your kitchen collection. But it’s not worth buying if it’s just going to sit there collecting dust.
Date nights are an important thing for newlyweds. They’re a chance to do different things together, connect, and avoid the demands of home life (staying in for a movie marathon, for example, might mean throwing in loads of laundry in between films, which kind of kills the mood).
Costco’s discounted gift cards could be your ticket to affordable date nights. Some examples:
You can buy $100 worth of gift cards to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for just $64.99 right now.You can score $100 worth of Texas de Brazil gift cards for $79.99.You can get a $50 Cinemark gift card for $39.99.You can buy discounted tickets to various Major League Baseball games.
Clearly, there’s lots to be gained from a Costco membership when you’re a newlywed. So you may want to consider joining sooner rather than later.
A basic (Gold Star) Costco membership costs just $60 a year, while an Executive membership costs $120 and gives you 2% cash back on your Costco purchases. If you’re sitting on a pile of wedding cash, it could pay to dip in to cover your initial membership fee.
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.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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A premium economy seat is a much more comfortable travel experience. Check out which airlines are best for premium economy based on a recent study. [[{“value”:”
Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool
If you want to have a better flight without spending an arm and a leg, a premium economy ticket is often the sweet spot. It’s more comfortable than a standard economy seat. And whether you’re paying with cash or travel rewards earned on your credit cards, it costs much less than business class and first class.
Before you book, it’s smart to check that the airline has a good premium economy product. Based on the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM, there are three airlines that go above and beyond.
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J.D. Power found that Delta Air Lines is the best airline for premium economy, and it wasn’t a close race. Delta received a score of 716, nearly 30 points higher than second-place Alaska Airlines.
Delta’s premium economy is called Delta Premium Select, and it’s in a separate cabin from economy. While it doesn’t have the biggest premium economy seats, the seats do get high marks in terms of comfort. There are twin armrests that give both passengers plenty of room, and seats have an adjustable leg rest and footrest.
The service is also a big step up. You’ll start your flight with a hotel towel, a beverage, and a bite to eat. There’s a food menu exclusively for Delta Premium Select. And the airline even includes some nice extras, such as premium amenity kits and memory foam pillows.
If you’re flying with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, it could be worth paying for an upgrade. Alaska received a score of 687 from J.D. Power for its Premium Class.
You’ll have quite a bit more legroom — four inches more than in a Main Cabin seat, to be exact. If you’re tall, or even if you just want more space to stretch your legs, you’ll be much more comfortable in Premium Class.
The food and drink offerings are another highlight. Alaska offers a beverage service on most flights over 350 miles, and it has a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available free of charge for Premium Class passengers. You could relax with one of a rotating selection of West Coast beers, a wine, or a cocktail. Freshly prepared meals are also available, although you do need to pay for those.
American Airlines is the final airline to get an above-average rating. J.D. Power gave it a score of 684 for its Premium Economy.
Amenities offered are similar to those of Delta and Alaska’s premium economy. You’ll have a wider seat with more legroom, complimentary beverages, and better meal options than you’d have with an economy seat. American Airlines is partnered with the James Beard Foundation and has dishes designed by elite chefs.
Like Delta, American Airlines also includes a sleep set to help you get comfortable. It provides a pillow and blanket created with sleep technology company Casper. And on international flights, Premium Economy passengers get an amenity kit.
Delta, Alaska, and American Airlines were the only carriers to receive above-average scores for their premium economy products. The average score overall was 675. Here’s what the rest of the list looked like:
JetBlue Airways: 667WestJet: 664United Airlines: 641Air Canada: 628
We touched on several premium economy perks already, but not all of them. While this depends on the airline, premium economy generally gets you:
A larger, more comfortable seatFree beverages and possibly a free mealPriority check-in and boardingA better on-board experience with more attentive service
Whether that’s worth it for you will depend on the price difference, the length of the flight, and your own travel preferences. If you want to be as comfortable as possible, then I’d highly recommend getting the best seat you can afford. If you don’t mind regular economy and want to save your money for when you’re on the ground, then there’s no need to spring for a premium economy ticket.
No matter how you like to fly, you can spend less on airfare with travel rewards. If you’re a frequent flyer, check out The Ascent’s list of the best travel credit cards to find one that can help you save money.
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.Lyle Daly has positions in Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool recommends Alaska Air Group and Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Medical bills can arise when you least expect them to. This account could help make sure you’re ready for them. [[{“value”:”
Image source: Getty Images
Getting hurt or sick is a major bummer, right? Instead of powering through your week, you instead have to hit pause, get treatment, rest, and recover. And if that weren’t bad enough, there’s the financial hit of getting sick or injured when the bills start rolling in — especially since these are events you can’t exactly anticipate.
Unfortunately, 41% of Americans do not feel prepared to cover unexpected out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to a survey by New York Life. But that’s a problem, since they have the potential to arise at any time.
One account, however, could set you up to cover those costs with less stress. So it pays to find out if you’re eligible for it.
An HSA, or health savings account, is sort of a cross between a savings account and an investment account. HSAs are subject to an annual contribution limit set by the IRS, and the funds you put in go in tax-free. You can then invest HSA funds you don’t need to use for medical bills right away. Investment gains in an HSA are tax-free, and so are withdrawals — provided that money is used to cover qualifying healthcare expenses.
Funding an HSA could make it easier to sock away money for medical expenses, due to the tax break involved. If you put $1,000 into an HSA, that’s $1,000 of earnings the IRS won’t tax you on. If you’re in the 22% tax bracket, that’s $220 in savings you can enjoy.
Of course, one hiccup you might encounter is not being eligible for an HSA if your health insurance plan doesn’t meet the requirements. This year, to qualify, you need a minimum individual deductible of $1,600 or a minimum family deductible of $3,200. Your out-of-pocket maximum is also capped at $8,050 for individuals or $16,100 for families.
If your health insurance plan is not compatible with an HSA this year, don’t panic. While it’s disappointing to lose out on the tax benefits of an HSA, padding your general savings account is also very much an option if you have the cash to spare.
Ideally, you should aim to build an emergency fund with enough money to cover three months of essential expenses at a minimum. If you manage to reach that goal, there’s a good chance you’ll have enough savings to cover an unplanned medical bill.
Another option you can consider is contributing to a flexible spending account, or FSA, if an HSA is not on the table. FSAs don’t have the same strict requirements as HSAs, but they offer tax savings on the money you put in and tax-free withdrawals on qualified healthcare expenses.
However, you can’t invest FSA funds to grow your money. Also, FSAs require you to spend down your balance each plan year, whereas money in an HSA can be carried forward indefinitely.
The last thing you want is the stress of paying for medical bills on top of the stress of coping with a medical event itself. Do your best to contribute to an HSA so that incoming healthcare bills are less of a worry if one of these accounts is on the table for you.
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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Nine times out of 10, a credit card is the best method of payment. But take a look at three transactions where you might want to use cash instead. [[{“value”:”
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash
I’ll come out and say it: most of the time, a credit card is the best method of payment. Most credit cards have 0% fraud liability protection, which protects you against unauthorized transactions, along with a slew of other shopping and travel protections, like extended warranties and travel insurance. Many of the best credit cards earn rewards or cash back and may even come with a welcome bonus when you hit a certain spend threshold within a specific timeframe.
But credit cards aren’t risk-free, nor are they always the most advisable method of payment. Credit cards might trigger processing fees, which could add 2% to 3% of your purchase amount as a surcharge. And while paying your credit cards in full and on time each month guarantees you won’t pay interest, carrying a balance activates your card’s annual percentage rate (APR).
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For these reasons, it might be best to carry a little cash along with your favorite cash back credit card. More specifically, these three scenarios could make paying with cash cheaper than charging purchases to your credit card.
Gas stations will often charge slightly more per gallon when you use a credit card versus cash. This is because the gas station is adding the credit card’s transaction fee into the per-gallon cost. According to the Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing (NACS), that transaction fee could be between 1.5% and 4% of the final amount. So if gas has a base cost of $4.00 per gallon in your area, you could end up paying $0.06 to $0.16 more per gallon.
While some credit cards have bonus rates for gas purchases, few will earn more than 4% consistently. In this case, it would be cheaper over the long run to use cash to cover your gas purchases.
Maybe this has happened to you: You go into a local store, say a home decor shop, only to see a sign that says “2.5% fee applied to credit card transactions.” Or maybe you go into a gas station to buy a drink and see that transactions under a certain dollar amount (like $5) will incur a “swipe fee.”
In these situations, businesses are protecting themselves from losing money. Since they have to pay credit card fees on every transaction, they don’t want to lose money for small purchases. If small businesses near you try to discourage credit cards with these added fees, it would obviously be cheaper to bring cash instead.
Credit cards can make it easy to spend money, especially if you have high credit limits. In fact, if you’re afraid a credit card will tempt you to overspend, or spend money you don’t have, it might be better to pay in cash.
For example, take Costco. As a Costco member, I can vouch for the many items I’ve purchased impulsively. In fact, when I first became a member, I went in for seltzer and CLIF Bars and came out with an air fryer and some socks. Because of how easy it is to spend money at Costco, bringing cash could add some necessary guardrails to your budget.
In regards to budgeting, paying with cash does have this disadvantage: You have to track your transactions carefully. In contrast, credit cards give you a running list of recent transactions, which when synchronized with a budgeting app, can be categorized for you. It’s more convenient and ensures you don’t miss documenting a single purchase.
All in all, cash can come in handy for certain purchases, as well as help you avoid overspending. For rewards and extra protection, however, credit cards are still king. You might want to keep a little cash on hand to avoid the processing fees, but for your general spending, I would still recommend keeping a few great credit cards in your wallet.
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 positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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