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A pretty significant change in the way Costco admits its members could be in the works, according to reports. This membership change, if it is rolled out nationally, could have major ramifications when it comes to customer service and overhead.
Instead of having real employees at the entrance to wave you through, the wholesale club is using card scanners for members to use to enter. What is evidently a pilot program was first reported at a store in Washington state by Costco Insider, which shares tips about the store.
Now what would be the benefits of a card scanner at the entrance?
One benefit could be that it cuts down on shoplifting as there may be a problem with non-members being able to walk through the doors and out with products and merchandise. Although I’ve not seen any reports about a major theft problem at Costco, I know it seems rather easy access for those with bad intentions.
Another reason why the card scanners could be happening is that Costco wants to digitally track customer information and other data, which could come from the card. Retailers typically use such information to improve customer service and of course, sell your data.
How Much Does a Costco Membership Cost?
In January 2024, Costco has two membership tiers that customers could buy:
- The standard Gold Star membership costs $60 per year
- The Gold Star Executive membership costs $120 per year.
Executive members receive additional benefits such as a 2% reward on eligible Costco purchases (up to $1,000 per year), extra benefits on Costco services, and more. Prices and benefits are subject to change, so it’s best to check Costco’s website or contact them directly for the most current information.
Final Word
Costco is known for selling items in bulk at discounted prices. Saving on groceries is a priority right now so it may make sense. If you have a large family or regularly use items in bulk, the savings from buying in larger quantities could offset the membership cost.
Costco offers additional services such as travel deals, insurance, and discounted services like auto and home loans. If you can benefit from these services, it adds value to the membership.
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The new year should be about no longer wasting money. And you should start with car insurance.
In this article, we’re going to present several ways that you can lower your car insurance rate.
We’ve done the research for you so all you have to do is get ready to save money.
How To Lower Your Auto Insurance Fast
You can be successful in lowering your car insurance by looking at your personal situation.
Car insurance companies penalize drivers under age 25 because they rely on statistics and reports that say that motorists younger than that age are responsible for the most accidents, but the truth is that they feel those drivers are more likely to be helped by their parents.
Drop Full Coverage On Your Older Vehicle
If you own an older model, you don’t have to pay for comprehensive and collision insurance, also known as full coverage.
It’s very possible that you can get by with just liability insurance once you’ve paid off your car note. The savings can be as much as 70%!
Maintain Good Credit
One of the ways car insurance companies determine your rate is by looking at your credit score. A poor score will have you paying more for auto insurance.
Do all you can to raise your credit score. Here’s what your score needs to be.
That means the insurers feel confident that the high rates can be absorbed by dual income people who feel obligated to help their son or daughter with insurance costs. Wouldn’t it be great if you could just lower your insurance payments altogether? Here are some ways to do just that.
Bundle Your Auto And Home Insurance
The quickest way to drop your rate is to bundle your auto and home insurance. If you don’t have a home and live in an apartment, see if you can bundle your renter’s insurance.
Insurance companies have an incentive to lower your rate if you give them more of your business.
Ask For Discounts
When you contact an auto insurance company, make sure you ask for discounts. If you’re a member of any organization or even your employer may qualify you for a discount on your insurance.
Get Several Insurance Quotes
Never settle for just one insurance quote when you’re shopping for a rate. Always contact several insurance companies and write down their quotes.
Once you feel you’ve gotten enough insurance quotes, take a look at your list and compare prices. This way, you’re sure to choose the lowest insurance rate.
Last Words
With gas prices sky-high right now, it’s time to think about other ways to save on your automobile. Are you paying too much for car insurance?
Getting a lower insurance rate is super important today because prices continue to creep upward. Remember to comparison shop so that you can make sure you’re getting the best rate.
If saving money is something you’re serious about, NolaFi.com has a lot of resources to help you.
Read more:
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The young ones have a saying today: No cap. The most fashionable women’s hats are no caps either. They look great no matter what outfit you wear.
In this article, we’re going to show you some great-looking hats.
Finding a nice hat is harder than you think. The resale shops never have anything that looks like it was made this century. And the department stores thing all hats should cost $400 these days.
Wide Beam Sun Hat
Women’s Floppy Hat
Bowknot Hat
How To Shop For Women’s Hats
Shopping for women’s hats can be a fun and stylish experience. Whether you’re looking for a sun hat, a winter hat, a fashion accessory, or a functional hat for a specific activity, here are some tips to help you find the perfect hat:
Know Your Style
Think about your personal style. Do you prefer classic, bohemian, vintage, or modern styles? Choose a hat that complements your fashion sense.
Measure Your Head
To ensure a comfortable fit, measure your head’s circumference using a tape measure or a piece of string, and then measure it against a ruler. Hat sizes can vary between brands, so knowing your head’s size is helpful.
Choose the Right Material
Depending on the season and occasion, consider the material of the hat. For summer, lightweight and breathable materials like straw, cotton, or linen are ideal. In winter, opt for wool, fleece, or fur-lined hats for warmth.
Try Before You Buy
Visit a store to try on hats in person. Pay attention to how the hat fits and whether it’s comfortable. Make sure it’s neither too tight nor too loose.
Choose a hat color that complements your wardrobe and skin tone. Neutrals like black, beige, and white are versatile, but a pop of color can be a fun addition to your outfit.
Final Fit
New Orleans is one of those cities that you can get lost in once you take the time to explore it. As the former capital of Louisiana, New Orleans is one of the most eclectic and eccentric cities in the world.
One of the things that makes the place special is the people, which are eager to show you a good time via parties and authentic New Orleans cuisine.
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Americans are looking into new and innovative ways to save money during this current economic crunch. One option that you need to consider is the concept of “soft savings.”
What Are Soft Savings?
Soft savings refers to a way to passively put money away as you go about your normal, everyday life. With “indirect savings” or “non-tangible savings,” you implement cost reductions or financial benefits that allow you to save money over time.
Soft Savings Vs. Hard Savings
The difference between soft savings and hard savings is that the former is not as easily quantified or measured in monetary terms. Unlike hard savings, which are concrete and directly impact the bottom line, soft savings are more qualitative and are often related to improved efficiency, productivity, or customer satisfaction. Here are some examples of soft savings:
Soft savings are important for individuals and businesses. While they may not have the same immediate impact on the bottom line as hard savings, soft savings can lead to long-term benefits such as a nest egg.
What Are Some Examples Of Soft Savings?
Here are some ways to “save softly” in your life:
Eat Cheap During the Week
Instead of going out to eat during the week, save that for the weekend. For example, if you’re spending $20 every other day on restaurants or lunch, save that money. In one month, you will have stashed $100.
If you’re traveling out of town, skip the restaurants during the weekdays. When you arrive at your destination, save money by asking for the restaurants that the locals prefer. Not only will you be sure to avoid the tourist spots, but it’ll be a lot cheaper.
As a bonus, eating where the local community eats will give you a chance to experience the authentic dining scene on its term.
Read how to save on groceries.
Use Digital Or Print Coupons
The next time you see the crazy coupon lady on aisle 7, ask if she’ll teach you a thing or two. Coupons are the easiest way to save money at the grocery store.
You can clip coupons from sales flyers in the store or go online; either way you save money.
Buy Items In Bulk
Believe it or not if you buy in bulk, you’ll get a better price than if you bought food wrapped individually.
That means places like Sam’s and Costco will get your grocery dollars, but it’ll be worth it.
Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates
When it comes to saving money on travel, knowing when and the best time to book your trip is half the battle.
Travel experts say that if you book a flight between 21 and 30 days out, you should be able to get a deal.
But no matter what, it pays to be flexible with your travel dates. Use Google Flights to find wiggle room in the days you plan to travel. You’ll be thankful for the money you save.
Read our Travel Savings Guide to save money on your next trip.
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Once you get behind on your bills, it can be very difficult to catch up on your payments. Debt can cause you to spend more money on interest as well — but if doesn’t have to be that way.
There are some time-tested strategies that you can do to get you out of debt in a calendar year. It’s going to take time, patience and an overall focus like never before on your part. But you can do it.
Yes, You Can Get Out Of Debt This Year
This article is going to tell you some steps to get out of debt.
We’re going to cut straight to the chase so that you can understand how to keep more of the money you make and not spend it immediately.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to pay money to get out of debt.
Here’s How To Get Out Of Debt Without Paying
One way to get out of debt is to ask for a pay increase at your job. Today’s job market is such that you may be able to get more money if you ask for a raise.
Do you have a laptop? Then you can make extra cash. Here are some other ways you can achieve your goal:
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Out Of Debt?
Aside from winning the lottery, which is not something we play, there are not any get-rich quick schemes that can work in real time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some serious inroads on your finances.
Here are the fastest ways to get out of debt.
Stop Spending
The first thing you need to do is put the credit card down. Obviously, there are things you need to buy, but you also need to slow down or stop spending on unnecessary things.
You might want to write a list of items you need to buy and stick to it. It’s called creating a budget. Once you have that, you will know what kind of money is going into your account and what’s going out.
Keep Your Credit Cards Open
One thing people in debt usually do is close their credit card accounts once they get out of debt. This is a mistake. Keep your credit card accounts open so that you can retain purchasing power.
Pay Off Your Most Expensive Debt First
Once your budget is set, then it’s time to pay off the most expensive debt first. The rationale behind this is to pay off the highest interest rate, which is taking the majority of your money.
If you have a credit card with $800 and one with $400, don’t be tempted to pay off the $400 first. Take care of the $800 because that’s the one you’re paying the higher interest rate on.
Take a look at your expenses and circle the smallest balance. That’s the one you pay first. Not only will this eradicate that particular bill, but it will give you some much-needed momentum to start attacking your other debt.
Pay More Than The Minimum Balance
You’ll never catch up if you only pay the minimum balance on your credit card balance. To make some progress, you always need to pay more than your minimum due.
It doesn’t have to be a large sum of money attached to each payment, but it needs to be extra i.e. more than the amount.
Final Word
Nobody likes to owe someone for a long time, no matter if it’s a credit card company or a person. That’s why credit card debt is so depressing. The good news is that you can get out of debt.
Tired of being saddled with credit card debt? It’s time for you get lighten your burdens and get out of financial trouble.
After you make some headway and get out of debt, it’s important that you stay out of debt. Stay within your means by sticking to your budget.
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You may already know that budgeting your money is the key to a healthy financial life for the present and future. What you may not know is how to allocate your income to achieve this.
Along with maintaining good credit, one way to save money responsibly is to adopt the “Profit First” method.
In this article, I’ll explain to you what the Profit First strategy is all about.
What Is the Profit First Strategy?
The Profit First method is one in which you take upfront any profits you’ve made from your paycheck before you pay your monthly expenses.
For example, let’s say you get a $1,000 check. You know that your expenses are about $700, so you’ll need at least that amount from that check. A Profit First strategy means that you would first take a percentage out of that check – let’s say $100 – and put it in a separate bank account.
Additionally, you might take another $50 from that check and deposit it into another bank account. That would leave you with enough money to pay your expenses while also sharing in the “profit” from that check.
What You Need To Start the Profit First Strategy
Get Out of Debt
The first thing you’ll need to do is get out of debt. If you’re behind on your bills, you can’t allocate money elsewhere.
Read our guide on how to get out of debt.
Open Different Bank Accounts
What you need to start Profit First are separate bank accounts for things you deem important. Here are some examples:
- Open a bank account for vacations.
- Open a bank account for investments.
- Open a bank account for food expenses.
There are different formulas you can come up with to put the Profit First method in action in your life.
Final Word
You want to be intentional about the money you make and how you want it to work for you. The Profit First strategy works for either business owners and individuals.
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The unemployment rate in Louisiana is 3.3%, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks the nation’s top economic indicators.
The numbers come as the Biden Administration released its October Jobs report, which indicates that U.S. hiring slowed to 150,000 jobs for the last month. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%.
U.S. Jobs Report Just Released
For October, the United States saw nonfarm payrolls jump by 150,000 — less than was expected.
“We just learned our economy created 150,000 jobs in October – bringing the total since I took office to 14 million,” President Biden said in a statement online. “That’s on top of an unemployment rate that has stayed under 4% for 21 months straight, the longest stretch in over 50 years. Bidenomics is working.”
Others see the October jobs report numbers as a clear sign that of “stagflation,” where both unemployment and prices are on the rise – a not-so-fun twist in the game. There seems to be an odd “yolo” vibe about equities this week while our economy is signaling darkness.
While it’s easy to harp on the unemployment numbers, for perspective, we must remember that on average, the current administration has the highest real hourly wage and second-lowest unemployment rate among presidents back to Lyndon B. Johnson.
What Jobs Are In Demand In Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the state’s oil, fisheries and hospitality sectors account for plenty of jobs that are needed. As for those in demand, LinkedIn has a list of such employment opportunities that are hot in Louisiana. Here are some job titles:
- Manager, Unit Forecasting
- VP/GM
- Director of Advanced Manufacturing
- Dynamic Presenter – Virtual and In-Person Test Prep Instructor..
- Materials Specialist
- Vice President of Supply Chain – Construction / Energy Solutions
- Logistics Coordinator
Final Word
Jobs are hard to come by no matter if you’re seeking full-time work, part-time or looking to land gigs as a contract freelancer.
Need some help? Read up on websites that help you find high-paying remote jobs.
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Cold weather is not a friend to us in the Deep South, but that doesn’t mean we have to shiver through the night. We can actually heat our homes and save money at the same time.
This article will show you you some money-saving ways to heat your house when it’s cold outside.
How To Heat Your Home Without Electricity
In addition to wearing warmer clothing, you can heat your home without electricity by taking advantage of several amenities you may have in your home.
Fire Up the Chimney
Many homes have a chimney, or fireplace, that can significantly heat up the immediate room and those near it.
Before you light your fireplace, make sure that your air vents are open. Once you add some logs on the bottom of the fireplace, you’re ready to light a match and start the heating process.
Replace Your Windows
Now, I know you may be thinking that replacing your windows will cost you some cash, but you’ll save a lot of money — and heat – if you do. The Department of Energy website Energy.gov, says you can save up to 30% by replacing old, drafty windows.
Use Kerosene Heater
Kerosene heaters don’t take up nearly as much space as an air conditioning unit and they put out some great heat for their size.
When using a kerosene heater, make sure you familiarize yourself with safety tips and protocols so that you don’t endanger you and your family’s lives as well as threaten the structure of your home.
Note: If you choose to use such a heater indoors, use it sparingly so as not to increase your risk of causing fires or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Final Word
Keeping warm in the winter can be a challenge if you don’t have a plan. But if you have one, your life can be a lot easier — and you’ll be a lot warmer.
Expect to indulge in many foods that New Orleans is known For, including Gumbo, Beignets and more.
Read about things to see and do in New Orleans.
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- What To See And Do In New Orleans
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Are you getting ready for tax day 2023? No matter if you’re getting a refund or have to pay the state or federal government, tax day is a day to remember.
This article will tell you how to file a tax extension as well as when tax day is.
When Is The Official Tax Day For 2023?
Tax day is Tuesday, April 18. That’s the last day to file. But what if you need an extension? We’re going to show you how to do it. Never pay someone to file an extension for you, it’s free to do.
Millions of Americans fail to file their taxes annually, subjecting themselves to huge penalties that accrue interest. You don’t want to be like that.
If you need to file a last-minute extension, here’s what you need to do.
How To File Your Tax Extension Form for Free
Individual tax filers, regardless of income, can use Free File to electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension.
- Filing this form gives you until Oct. 15 to file a return.
- To get the extension, you must estimate your tax liability on this form and should also pay any amount due.
Get An Extension When You Pay On Your Taxes
If you can only pay part of your tax bill, you can indicate that the payment is for an extension using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or a credit or debit card. This way you won’t have to file a separate extension form and you will receive a confirmation number for your records.
Extension Forms by Filing Status
Individuals
Special rules may apply if you are:
- Serving in the U.S. military in a combat zone or a qualified hazardous duty area
- Living outside the United States
Business and Corporations
The easiest way for criminals to steal sensitive data is simply to ask for it. IRS urges people to learn to recognize phishing emails, calls or texts that pose as familiar organizations such as banks, credit card companies or even the IRS. Keep sensitive data safe.
Interested in other ways to save or make money? Check out our Money Section:
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Having a good grasp on your finances is a major way to live your best life. While money isn’t everything, it can be a large part of your happiness.
Price comparison apps may not include all retailers or products, limiting the scope of the search and potentially leading you to miss out on better deals.
As you know, personal financial success is something they don’t teach in grammar school, high school or even college. But you can get your personal finances in order.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to gain financial freedom.
How You Can Achieve Financial Freedom
You may think using the word “freedom” with finances is an overstatement. But the truth is that the economy reality of today’s world is that if you don’t have control of your finances, you are in a lot of ways shackled.
Get Out Of Debt
Make a concerted effort to get out of debt, especially credit card debt. If you can, try to work with a credit counselor to come up with a plan that woks.
If a credit counselor is not in your plans, come up with a strategy you can implement yourself.
Save Money
Now after you’ve gotten out of debt, it’s time to start putting some cash away.
If you can do it, try to save 15% to 20% of your income on a monthly basis. If you can save more than that, go for it. If you’re not able to save at least 15%, that’s OK too.
Invest Your Money
Investing your cash is one of the easiest ways you can grow your bank account. Before you do, educate yourself about the stock market and mutual funds.
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