3 Reasons to Cancel Your Costco Membership This November
Image source: Getty Images A basic Gold Star membership at Costco costs $65 a year. For an extra $65, or $130 in total, you can upgrade to Costco’s Executive membership and earn 2% cash back on your purchases. For many people, these fees are more than worth paying as they find lots of ways to […]
5 Things to Never Buy at Target
Image source: Getty Images Good deals are difficult to come by these days. Some stores have tried to ease shoppers’ pain by lowering prices on some items, but to find a truly great deal, you usually have to do the work yourself. Target is one of those stores where you can certainly find good deals. […]
The 3 Money Moves Women Should Prioritize in Their 30s
Image source: Getty Images Your 30s are critical for setting financial goals and making smart money moves that will impact your future. This decade often brings more stability and clarity about what you want from life, which makes it an ideal time to get intentional with your finances. Whether you’re focused on career growth, planning […]
Here’s What 5% Mortgage Rates in 2025 Would Mean for Home Buyers
Image source: Getty Images After falling to a 2024 low of about 6.1% in anticipation of the Federal Reserve starting to cut rates, 30-year mortgage rates have rebounded significantly. In fact, over the past couple of months, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has climbed by about a full percentage point. According to […]
What’s the Income of the Top 10%, 5%, and 1%?
Image source: Getty Images Incomes vary quite a bit throughout the United States. The median income is $70,260, according to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). But households in the top 10% make significantly more. It’s interesting to see how much money the wealthiest Americans make — and how your own income compares. Of […]
Reinvesting Your RMD in Retirement? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Saving for retirement in a tax-deferred account — such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA — can be a smart way to minimize taxes while you’re working. Your initial contributions are tax-deductible, and you’ll only owe income taxes once you start making withdrawals. Because Uncle Sam wants those taxes sooner rather than later, though, you’ll […]
How I Score a Free Costco Membership Annually — and You Can, Too
Image source: Getty Images When I first joined Costco about 18 years ago, I decided a basic membership made the most sense for my household. Back then, it was just me, my husband, and a small dog, and we didn’t need to shop at Costco more than once a month to load up on cleaning […]
Why a Costco Membership Might Be the Best Purchase You Make This Holiday Season
Image source: Getty Images The holiday shopping season is slowly ramping up with less than three weeks until its official start on Black Friday. While the food and gifts are fun, paying for them can be really difficult on your savings account. Where and how you shop can help you keep your costs down, and […]
3 Things You Must Do if You Plan to Refinance Your Mortgage Before the End of 2024
Image source: Getty Images If you signed your mortgage last year when rates were even higher than they are today, then you may be struggling to keep up with your monthly payments. And if so, you may be eager to refinance your mortgage. Plus, there’s a good chance mortgage rates will fall before the end […]
What Is a Social Security COLA and How Can It Affect Your Retirement Plan in 2025?
It seems like not too long ago, you could walk into a grocery store with $100 and almost fill up a cart. Nowadays, if you walk into a grocery store with $100, you might be able to fill up a basket. For the most part, prices have consistently risen over time, and it’s not limited […]
