Monday Night Finance- Volume 89

Published
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These 12 Items Are Cheaper at Costco Than Anywhere Else

Ah, the exhilarating thrill of embarking on a grocery shopping adventure, armed with a grocery list and a burning desire to conquer the world of savings! For the grocery optimizers among us, it’s a quest like no other. Picture yourself weaving through the aisles of various stores, armed with a keen eye for deals and a wallet ready to rejoice. As you compare prices, analyze weekly flyers, and unleash your inner detective, the excitement builds. Every item on your grocery list becomes a puzzle to solve, a challenge to find the absolute best price. You know that true victory lies not only in the satisfaction of crossing items off your list but in the triumphant realization that you’ve secured the most astonishing bargains. For you, dear grocery optimizer, the allure of Costco may not hold the same enchantment as for others. You understand the power of patience, waiting for items to go on sale or reach closeout prices at local grocery stores. While Costco has great prices on lots of items, they don’t always have the best price. However, there are a few items that are always a good deal at Costco

No one wants to overpay for an item, and luckily, Costco has some of the best prices around – from bulk meats to electronics and more. In this article, we have gathered a list of 12 items that are cheaper at Costco than anywhere else.

~Steve Cummings, The Frugal Expat

In this captivating article, the author dons their frugal cape and embarks on a quest to unveil the wonders of shopping at the mighty Costco. Armed with a nerdy passion for bargains and a sprinkle of personal anecdotes, they delve into the realm of bulk shopping and the incredible savings that await the thrifty adventurer. With a keen eye for value, they reveal how Costco’s irresistible deals can transform mundane shopping trips into exhilarating treasure hunts. But beware! There are plenty of things at Costco that you can sometimes get cheaper somewhere else. That’s where this article comes in. They list the top 12 buys at Costco. While everyone is familiar with their famous $1.50 hot dog deal, you might not be aware of some of these other top buys at Costco. My personal favorite on the list… dog food. In fact, dog food is one of the reasons I bought a Costco membership. Check out the article for 10 more top Costco buys.

Unexpected Medical Bills? 5 Ways to Deal with Sudden Medical Costs

Ah, unexpected medical bills – the unwelcome guests that crash the party of your well-crafted budget. It’s like getting hit with a double whammy – dealing with your pesky ailment or injury while simultaneously fretting over how to foot the bill. Talk about a major buzzkill! Not only that, but many Americans can’t afford a medical bill. Did you know that 57% of Americans can’t face a $1,000 emergency? If you just received an unexpected medical bill, here’s 5 things you can try to help you get through this tricky situation.

When you’re having financial problems, one of the most dreadful and embarrassing sounds is the phone ringing when debt collectors begin to call. Instead of panicking and avoiding answering the phone, there are several things you can do. 

Sarah Miller, My Life I Guess

This article shares 5 great tips for how to deal with unexpected medical bills… starting with your  savings account. Yes, dipping into your hard-earned stash might not be ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If you’ve got an emergency fund, consider this its shining moment. Next, unleash your inner Sherlock Holmes and investigate those medical bills. Math errors and erroneous charges could be lurking, so make sure you’re only paying for what you truly owe. And hey, if you’re in a real pinch, monthly installment loans could provide some much-needed cash flow, but tread carefully and avoid falling into the debt cycle trap. The article also explains how you can get a better rate if you have balance billing. If you’ve received treatment from out-of-network providers, they may hit you with higher rates. But some states have consumer protections in place to help reduce these inflated bills. While no one wants to find themselves facing medical debt there are ways to deal with it and hopefully this article can help you lower your balance.

7 Creative Ways To Catch Up on Retirement Savings

Picture this: You’ve hit that stage in life where retirement is creeping closer, but the savings in your nest egg aren’t quite where you want them to be. While you might feel ashamed of your situation, don’t be. Too many Americans are behind on their retirement savings. Once you’re ready to move on from feeling stressed about the size of your retirement savings and start working on ways to grow your nest egg, check out this article.

Only 39% of adults saving for retirement started in their 20s. Everyone else is starting to save much later in life. If you are worried that you started saving for retirement too late, you aren’t alone. People put off saving for retirement for a variety of reasons, including paying off student loans, the costs of raising a family, and the cost of living. 

~Physician on Fire

When it comes to improving your retirement situation, what matters most is the actions you can take right now to bridge the savings gap. Maximizing earnings through side hustles, exploring passive income streams, contributing to a Roth IRA, reducing non-essential expenses, setting up automatic savings plans, delaying Social Security payments, and considering spousal benefits can all play significant roles in bolstering retirement savings. The article gives great examples about how to execute on these strategies to improve your retirement nest egg. These strategies require careful consideration and planning, but they offer valuable opportunities for individuals of all ages to improve their financial standing and work towards a more secure retirement.