3 Little-Known Ways to Save Money in January 2024

Should You Open a 12-Month CD in 2024?

By: Maurie Backman |
Updated
Dec. 23, 2023 – First published on Dec. 23, 2023

It’s important to maintain a solid emergency fund in case an unplanned expense lands in your lap. And the best place to keep your emergency fund is a savings account. That way, you can access your money whenever you need to.With a certificate of deposit, on the other hand, you’re making a commitment. Specifically, you’re agreeing to keep your money in the bank for the duration of your CD’s term. That could be six months, 12 months, or longer. And if you withdraw your money early, you could end up on the hook for a costly penalty, depending on your bank’s policy. At Capital One, for example, you’ll lose out on three months of interest if you cash out a CD of 12 months or fewer before it comes due.You may be interested in opening a 12-month CD in 2024. But before you do, consider the benefits and drawbacks.The upside of opening a 12-month CDBanks tend to offer higher interest rates for CDs than savings accounts because you forgo easy access to your cash. If you open a 12-month CD in 2024, you should expect to earn more interest on your money than with a regular savings account. Also, that interest rate is set in stone, whereas with a savings account, your interest rate could change over time.That’s something to keep in mind, given that many financial experts are talking about rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in the new year. If the Fed cuts interest rates, it could result in a world of relief for borrowers who are currently facing sky-high costs for signing personal loans or carrying credit card balances. But rate cuts could also mean lower interest rates for savers. If you keep your money in a regular savings account, you may find that the interest rate you earn in January is not the same rate you end up earning toward the end of 2024. With a 12-month CD, the rate you start with is the rate you’ll enjoy for the entire following year.Plus, as of this writing, you can snag a pretty sweet APY on a 12-month CD. You can get a Capital One 360 CD with a term of 12 months and an APY of 5.25%. That’s the highest-paying CD term you’ll find there.And if you’re wondering why a bank would pay more on a 12-month CD than, say, a 60-month CD, the reason boils down to the point above. With rate cuts on the horizon, banks need to be somewhat conservative with the long-term CD rates they offer. The downside of opening a 12-month CDIt could work to your benefit to open a 12-month CD in 2024. But remember, you’ll be giving up access to your money (or otherwise risking a penalty) for an entire year. And a lot can change in a year.You might assume that you won’t have any large expenses to pay for in 2024, and that you’re therefore safe to tie up your money for the full year. But what if circumstances change? What if you meet someone at the start of the year and you decide to move in together after 10 months? You might need to raid your cash reserves to put down a security deposit on a new place. If your money is tied up in a 12-month CD, you might have a problem.Or, you might get a new job that requires you to commute and buy a car. Once again, you’re in a position where your money is stuck in the bank for a full year.This isn’t to say that a 12-month CD is a bad idea. But make sure you’re really comfortable tying up that money for that long of a period. If you’re not sure whether it’s the right move, you may want to choose a CD with a shorter term, even if it means accepting a lower interest rate.

Does Your Income Make You Upper Class, Middle Class, or Lower Class?

By: Christy Bieber |
Updated
Sept. 5, 2023 – First published on Sept. 5, 2023

Incomes vary widely across the United States, with some people making many times the amount that others earn. If you’ve ever wondered how your personal finances stack up, and what “class” your income officially puts you in, here’s what you need to know.What income do you need to be upper, middle, or lower class?Based on 2021 data, here’s what you would need to earn in order to be in each class:Lower class: This is defined as the bottom 20% of earners. Those in the lower class have an income at or below $28,007.Lower middle class: This is defined as individuals in the 20th to 40th percentile of household income. Earnings among this group are between $28,008 and $55,000Middle class: The middle class is officially those whose earnings put them in the 40th to 60th percentile of household income. The income range is $55,001 to $89,744.Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class. Those in the upper middle class have incomes between $89,745 and $149,131.Upper class: Finally, the upper class is the top 20% of earners and they have incomes of $149,132 or higher.Take a look at these numbers and see where you fall based on your own earnings. And remember, this is a snapshot in time — your earnings can change throughout your life, and so can your class designation.Will your success be determined by your income and class?It’s probably not a surprise that those in the upper classes or in the upper middle class do have a higher net worth than those in the lower class or the lower middle class. But the disparity is greater than you might think. While the median net worth of those with incomes of $149,132 or higher is $805,400, the median net worth of those in the lower class is just $12,000.Your income impacts how easy it is for you to build wealth. If you make more money, it is easier to save it and invest it in a brokerage account where it can work for you. If you make less money, then you may struggle even to cover the necessities out of your checking account, much less to buy valuable assets that help you grow richer over time.But that doesn’t mean people who don’t make a lot of money can’t be a financial success. A lot depends on what you do with the money you actually have, including how much you spend and how much you save.There are plenty of people who make over $100,000 a year who live paycheck to paycheck, and plenty of people with incomes that put them squarely in the lower or lower middle class who have diligently saved and grown quite wealthy over many years.Here’s how you can improve your standingDon’t be discouraged if you aren’t in the class you hope to be. For one thing, you have opportunities to increase your income by taking the following steps:Learning new job skills: You could obtain a certification, take part in a management training program at work, or take some classes to develop skills that may help you get promoted (such as computer training courses or public speaking classes), depending on your industry.Take on a side hustle: The average side hustle brings in $483 per month, which is a good amount of extra money that could make a meaningful difference in your income.Work some extra hours: If your company allows you to work overtime, take advantage of it, as many people are paid time and a half for overtime hours.Negotiate your salary: According to Pew Research, when workers negotiated for higher pay, 28% said they received the extra money they asked for and 38% indicated they were given more than originally offered but less than their ask. Whether you are getting a new job or staying at your current job but feel you’re underpaid, it doesn’t hurt to make a request for more money — especially if you can find salary data to back up the fact that others in your industry are paid more.And even if your earnings never put you in the top 20% of earners, you can still have a rich life and end up with the financial security you deserve — especially if you prioritize saving as much as you can for as long as you can.

My Brother Won a Car on The Price Is Right. Here’s What It Cost Him

By: Maurie Backman |
Updated
Dec. 7, 2023 – First published on Dec. 6, 2023

When my brother got tickets to be in the audience of The Price Is Right, he figured it would simply be an entertaining way to spend a day off. He didn’t imagine his name would actually be called during the show’s opening round.But lo and behold, my brother was one of the first four contestants asked to come on down and participate in the iconic show that has you guessing at prices of various consumer goods. And as luck would have it, my brother was able to out-bid his competitors and move on for a chance at a new car — a car he won through savvy guessing, but also, a nice amount of luck.My brother was ecstatic to have won such an awesome and valuable prize. But that prize wound up being a bit of a mixed bag.Taking the money and runningMy brother won a Hyundai Elantra with an estimated value of $25,415. He was happy to have won the car, but there was a problem — he already had a vehicle and didn’t need a second one. And he certainly didn’t want to have to bear the cost of auto insurance for a vehicle to largely just sit in his driveway.Thankfully, my brother was able to work something out with the dealership. Instead of keeping the Elantra, he was able to use the roughly $25,000 credit he got to buy a used car from them and then sell it back for $21,000, which he took as cash. This route was worth it for him because sales tax and registration for a new Elantra would’ve been about $4,000. And now, my brother has a pile of cash he can add to his savings account instead of a car he doesn’t actually need.Gearing up for a giant tax billMy brother won two prizes on The Price Is Right — a grill package worth about $1,400 and the Hyundai Elantra. All told, it’s more than $26,000 in winnings.But now, my brother is going to be looking at a pretty hefty tax bill on his prizes. And it doesn’t matter that he took cash for the car. He’s looking at paying that tax either way.The exact amount will hinge on his total tax situation. What’ll probably happen is that my brother will receive a tax form from the game show summarizing the value of his winnings, and he’ll need to work with his accountant to figure out what it will cost him.As a very basic example, let’s say you win $20,000 on a game show and fall into the 24% tax bracket based on your income. You might, in that case, end up having to pay as much as $4,800 on your winnings. If that $20,000 is a cash prize, you could simply reserve some of it for your tax bill. But what if you win a $20,000 vacation package, or $20,000 in furniture? It’s not like you can send the IRS a dining room chair or a loveseat and call things even.So be very careful when you’re looking at taking home any sort of game show prize. You may even want to meet with an accountant before applying to be on a game show to get some advice.The good news is that my brother stands to gain something financially either way. But imagine you were to receive a $26,000 bonus from work. That’s a great thing. But you’ll likely end up losing a large chunk of that $26,000 when you account for the portion you owe the IRS.All told, my brother is grateful for his experience and now has a really fun story to tell. But if you’re planning to audition for a game show in the hopes of walking away with a huge amount of cash or a set of prizes, do know that winnings like that are considered taxable income. And it might take the input of a very seasoned accountant to help you reconcile your tax bill after coming away with that sort of haul.

Here’s How to Buy 2 Limited Gold Bars at Costco (They Sell Out Fast)

By: Cole Tretheway |
Updated
Dec. 23, 2023 – First published on Dec. 23, 2023

Regular Americans are no longer limited to buying gold through ETFs or bullion companies — you can buy the precious metal through Costco, your friendly local wholesaler. All you need is a Costco membership and access to the internet.Why? Well, the economy is being weird, so gold is a nice hedge. Nothing says stability like a chunk of gold. At the very least, you can use it to bonk the head of would-be pursuers when the apocalypse commences. Jokes aside, Costco is a popular doomsday prepper destination.Welcome to (almost) 2024, folks.Less interesting (but potentially more immediately useful), gold can be part of one’s investment portfolio. Typically, people don’t buy it in person, but you certainly can. And, judging by how often these gold bars sell out, the demand is there.Interested in buying high-quality gold from a trustworthy source? Read on to learn how to buy gold bars at Costco.How to buy gold bars at CostcoFollow these steps in order to make your gold bar purchase from Costco:Purchase a $60 yearly Costco Gold Star membership (the basic membership) if you don’t have one already.Check if gold bars are available on Costco.com. They may be sold out.Log into Costco.com and purchase up to two bars, the limit set by Costco.Provide your signature upon delivery. Make sure you’re at home on delivery day.Costco sells more than one brand of gold bars. Examples:1 oz Gold Bar PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna Veriscan (New In Assay) (buy it here)1 oz Gold Bar Rand Refinery (New in Assay) (buy it here)In September, Costco CFO Richard Galanti said they sell out fast. If they’re sold out now, you can check back later; Costco may have restocked.Costco gold bars cost around $2,000Members who log into Costco can confirm that Costco gold bars sell for about $2,000 each, near the current market price of gold.Delivery is three to five days, and Costco doesn’t offer refunds. On the bright side, reviews are positive, and Costco has a reputation for delivering quality products.If there are none available on Costco’s website, check back later. Chances are, Costco will restock, giving interested buyers the opportunity to buy more gold.Pros and cons of buying Costco gold barsBuying gold bars from Costco comes with some upsides, as well as a few downsides.The prosCostco is trustworthy, the bars are affordably priced relative to other gold bars, and it’s a convenient way to store value without relying on a broker. Once you have it, it’s yours to keep, and nothing short of a break-in is going to rob you of your investment.Gold has historically become more valuable over time, albeit slower than the stock market. Its value is one of five good reasons to invest in gold.The consYou must be a Costco member, and there are simpler ways to diversify your portfolio. You can instantly purchase shares of a gold ETF through an online stock brokerage. You can also buy Bitcoin quickly as a hedge against widespread economic instability. Costco’s gold bars are not returnable either, so if you change your mind, you’re out of luck.Who should buy gold from Costco?Costco members who want to purchase gold bars from a trustworthy source should consider buying gold from Costco. It’ll probably be quality, and it’s an easy way to dip one’s toes into precious metals. If you’ve bought from Costco.com before, it’ll be a familiar experience.But members may want to keep an eye on other online sellers of gold. Sites like JM Bullion may offer better prices, especially when factoring in the $60 annual Costco membership fee. Do a quick side-by-side comparison to ensure you’re getting the best rate.I won’t be buying gold from Costco — I’d rather invest my money in Bitcoin and the stock market — but neither will I be warning away interested friends and family members. Buying Costco gold is one of many legitimate (if limited) ways to invest in gold.

If the Fed Cuts Interest Rates in 2024, What Happens to My Savings Account APY?

By: Ben Gran |
Updated
Dec. 27, 2023 – First published on Dec. 27, 2023

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve Board (aka the Fed) is a group of bankers, lawyers, and economists who are some of the most powerful people in America, because they control the price of money. By raising or lowering interest rates, the Fed helps guide the course of the economy, with wide-ranging effects on how people spend, save, and invest.During 2022-2023, the Fed raised interest rates several times to fight high inflation, from near-zero to over 5%. As of December 2023, the effective federal funds rate is 5.25%-5.50%. This rate helps determine important aspects of your everyday financial life, such as the cost of home mortgages and auto loans, the interest rates on credit cards and personal loans, and the annual percentage yield (APY) on your savings account.But in recent months, there have been positive signs in the battle against inflation. Consumer prices have been slowing, and as a result, the Fed indicated at its December 2023 meeting that it’s likely to cut interest rates in 2024. Wall Street experts generally believe that interest rates might decline in 2024 by around 150 basis points (that’s Wall Street-speak for 1.5 percentage points).No one knows for sure if the Fed will cut interest rates in 2024, or by how much. But in case interest rates decline, here’s what it means for your savings account APY — and what you can do about it.Lower interest rates = (probably) lower savings account APYsThe best savings account APY rates tend to track pretty closely with the federal effective funds rate. If interest rates go down next year, savings account APYs will also probably go down by a similar percentage. For example, let’s imagine that by the end of 2024, interest rates have declined by 1.5 percentage points to a range of 3.75%-4.00%. This would mean that the best high-yield savings accounts (which are currently paying 5.30% APY as of December 2023) might offer only 3.80% APY by December 2024.Keep in mind that not all banks pay the same APYs on savings. The national average savings account APY, as of December 2023, is only 0.46% according to the FDIC. Just because the Fed has kept interest rates at over 5% doesn’t mean that every bank has to pay those rates on its savings accounts or certificates of deposit (CDs). Bigger banks often pay lower interest rates on savings accounts, while some of the best savings account APYs can be found at online banks and smaller community banks that are more eager to compete for your deposits.So if the Fed cuts interest rates in 2024, your savings account is likely to become a little less profitable. Let’s look at what you should do instead.What to do if your savings account APY goes downFirst, if you notice a drop in your APY, don’t panic. This is normal, and everyone else in the banking system is going through it. Your savings account APY is not fixed; it can fluctuate as the Fed changes interest rates (or if your bank decides to start offering a different APY).Here are a few personal finance situations where you might need to worry about a drop in your savings account APY — and what to do next:Not enough emergency savings: Do you already have three to six months’ worth of basic expenses in an emergency savings fund? If not, ignore the APY, and just keep saving. Keep putting more cash into your savings account until you have a bigger safety net. Even if your emergency savings aren’t earning much interest, you need that cash to be safe in an FDIC-insured account, and easy to access in case of unexpected expenses or lost income.Saving for short-term goals: Are you using your savings account to save for a near-term purchase, like buying a new car or making a down payment on a house? If you want a higher APY that will stay the same as interest rates decline, you might want to consider moving the money into a CD. The best CDs sometimes offer fixed APY rates that are higher than a bank savings account — but make sure the CD term (such as one year, two years, etc.) is the right level of commitment to fit your goals and timeline.Too much money in cash: This is a good problem to have, but some people have too much money sitting in cash. If you already have an ample emergency fund, and you have extra money in a savings account or money market account, you could be missing out on opportunities to earn higher yields in the stock market. A drop in interest rates could give you the motivation to make that money work harder. Investing in stocks and bonds, and putting extra cash into tax-advantaged retirement accounts like a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, could help you earn a bigger return on your money.Bottom line: No one knows what the future holds. The economy could change in ways that make the Fed want to hold interest rates steady, or even raise interest rates again. But if inflation continues on its downward path, the general consensus on Wall Street is that we’re in for a few rate cuts in 2024. If that happens, your savings account APY is likely to go down. But you still have options for how to make the most of your money.