5 Kirkland Products Every Costco Member Should Try in October

Image source: Getty Images Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand has hundreds of products, so it’s probably a big ask to try them all. But it’s worth trying what makes sense, since relying on Kirkland Signature is a big part of how members save money at Costco. This time of year brings seasonal changes to the weather […]

Is There a Wrong Way to Use Your Credit Card Rewards?

Image source: Getty Images Credit card rewards can be a fantastic way to get cash back, travel miles, or other fun perks. But here’s the thing: While these rewards may seem like “free money,” there are good and bad ways to use them. Here are some of the wrong ways to use credit card rewards, […]

The Unfortunate Truth About Claiming Social Security at Age 67

One of the most important decisions you’ll make in retirement planning is when to claim Social Security. Many retirees wait to claim benefits until reaching their full retirement age, which is when they’re entitled to receive their full insurance amount each month. It also comes with a few other benefits, such as the ability to […]

Here’s What Happens When You Downgrade Your Costco Membership

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool Costco is unlike other stores in that it costs money upfront to be able to shop there. But there’s a reason millions of people are willing to spend money on Costco access. What you lose by paying a membership fee, you gain in all the money you’ll save during the […]

Here’s Why October Is a Great Month to Apply for a New Credit Card

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool The downside of opening a new credit card is that if you don’t manage your balance carefully, you could end up paying a lot of money in interest. That’s what credit card companies want you to do, which is why having too many credit cards can be dangerous. But if […]

3 Reasons Not to Book a Vacation Through Costco

Image source: Getty Images The benefits of joining Costco go far beyond savings on groceries and gas. Costco members can save money on everything from home installation services to tires to appliances. You can also take advantage of Costco’s travel service. The nice thing about using Costco Travel is that you could potentially pay less […]

Is It Better to Rent or Buy Your Home? The Answer May Surprise You

Image source: Getty Images We’ve all been taught that a big part of the “American Dream” is to own a home, and for many people, it makes a lot of sense. Homeownership builds equity, creates stability, and allows you to build your credit by having and paying off a home loan. But note that I […]

2 Times You Should — and Shouldn’t — Upgrade to Business Class

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool If the cost of business class was somewhat comparable to flying economy, a lot of us would upgrade frequently. But that’s not the case. A business-class ticket could, in some cases, cost thousands more than an economy fare. So if you’re someone who doesn’t want to whittle your savings account […]

Mortgage Rates Have Started to Drop. Should You Try Buying a Home This Fall?

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley Fool In 2020 and 2021, home buyers and refinancers alike enjoyed record-low mortgage rates. But mortgage rates started climbing in 2022, and they’ve been pretty high ever since. Over the past few weeks, though, buyers have gotten some relief. In September, rates fell to as low as 6.09% before creeping back […]

Prediction: Here’s Where Credit Card Interest Rates Will Be in 2025

Image source: The Motley Fool/Getty Images Credit card interest rates are variable, which means they fluctuate depending on economic conditions and, most importantly, interest rate decisions made by the Federal Reserve. When inflation skyrocketed, the Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate 11 times to get it under control. Unfortunately, that sent credit card annual […]