I’ll Bet You Didn’t Know These 3 Things About Costco’s Executive Membership
Image source: Getty Images If you’re joining Costco, you have a choice. You could pay $65 a year for a basic Gold Star membership that lets you shop at the warehouse club. Or, you could upgrade to the Executive membership at a cost of $130 per year. In exchange for the extra $65 an Executive […]
The Best Way to Earn Credit Card Rewards Without Going Into Debt
Image source: The Motley Fool/Getty Images If you use credit cards often but have a credit card that doesn’t earn rewards, you’re missing out. You can earn points, miles, or cash back when you swipe your card. But are you worried you may go into debt while trying to earn rewards? I have good news […]
The 2025 Social Security COLA Is Doing Something It Hasn’t Done for 28 Years
When Social Security retirees receive their Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2025, they’ll experience something that no retiree has for a generation. Something unprecedented has occurred with the 2025 COLA which has not happened since 1997, and it’s not great news for seniors. Here’s what’s happening next year, along with some details about what this unusual […]
Here’s How the Average U.S. Household Spends Their Money Each Month
Image source: Getty Images On average, American families spent $6,440 a month — $77,280 a year — in 2023. Housing is the largest expenditure, followed by transportation and food. Together they account for almost two-thirds of household spending, according to The Motley Fool Ascent’s analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). […]
Your 2025 COLA Is Going to Disappoint You. It Shouldn’t.
In 2025, more than 72.5 million Americans will start getting more money from Social Security. That’s because those who receive benefits are entitled to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) next year. If you’re one of those Americans, you may actually be disappointed by your COLA, since it probably won’t be as big as you hoped. Although […]
3 Reasons Americans Can’t Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Many Americans struggle to save money, don’t have an emergency fund, and don’t have any cash left at the end of the month to get to payday. This way of life is known as “living paycheck to paycheck.” Living paycheck to paycheck is nothing to be ashamed of, but it […]
Want a Perfect 850 Credit Score? Do These 5 Things
Image source: The Motley Fool/Getty Images I once had such bad credit that a furniture store wouldn’t let me buy a sofa on credit. I spent several years slowly building up my score by paying my credit card bills on time, and eventually earned my current score of 769. Credit scores range from 300 to […]
Social Security Just Announced the 2025 COLA. Here’s How It Compares to Recent Years
Despite some of the flaws of Social Security, I’m sure millions would agree that it’s one of the most important social programs you’ll find in the U.S. Are there some things that could be better about it? Sure. But there are also a lot of things Social Security gets right. One thing retirees can appreciate […]
5 Reasons I Never Want to Retire
Image source: Getty Images I think about retirement every day — just not mine. Retiring is not something I’ve ever been interested in doing. However, my husband looks forward to a day that doesn’t begin with an alarm clock going off at 4:30 a.m. and when he has time to pursue hobbies. As his retirement […]
4 of the Most Mind-Boggling Items You Can Buy at Costco
Image source: Getty Images Lately, I’ve been inching closer to signing up for a Costco membership. As a result, I’ve been doing plenty of research and weighing the pros and cons before I decide. And I have to say, the more I learn about the savings that are possible at Costco, the more impressed I […]
