However you’ve landed on needing a good milk alternative, we’re guessing you have your reasons. After all, plant-based milk alternatives (sometimes called “mylks”) have been known to cost as much as twice the price as regular dairy milks, according to a 2021 study from Food Dive.
Maybe you’ve developed a lactose intolerance or are simply looking for tastier new additions to your plant-based diet. Whatever has brought you to your search for the perfect milk alternative, this guide will help. As someone who’s spent the better part of the last five years trying every mylk option under the sun, I’ve learned a thing or two along the way about which brands and varieties taste best, what they pair well with, and how much they cost. Here’s our handy guide to the eight absolute best milk alternatives.
What’s the Deal With Plant Milks?
Before we dive into which milk alternatives made our list, it’s helpful to understand a bit about the plant milk industry, which provides insights into why these drinks cost so much, and also why they can be found seemingly everywhere these days.
The main reason for both of these things is that plant milk companies are required to spend a lot of money on processing, packaging, and marketing in order for their products to succeed. On the flip side, the same researchers behind that Food Dive study say the dairy milk companies don’t spend nearly enough on R&D and also that they price their products too low. Translation? Plant milk might not be expensive so much as it is accurately priced for profit.
But one thing’s for sure: The plant milk industry is on fire. In 2021, plant-based milks accounted for 16% of all retail milk dollar sales, to the tune of $2.6 billion in sales, according to a recent study from the Plant Based Foods Association.
The trajectory for plant-based milks doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon either, since these numbers also represent a 33% growth in the industry over the past three years, which is part of a larger trend of the nearly 79 million American households now buying plant-based foods.
All of which is to say: If you’re buying plant-based milk, you’re in good company. Here are some of our favorites for you to consider next time you’re at the grocery store.
Best Plant Milks at a Glance
Best for Health Nuts: Pacific Foods Soy Milk Unsweetened Original
Best for Gluten Sensitivities: Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
Best Eco-Friendly: Pacific Foods Hemp Unsweetened Original Beverage
Best for Cooking: Silk Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
Best in Coffee: Silk Original Oatmilk
Best in Smoothies: SO Delicious Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Best with Cookies: Great Value Extra Creamy Oat Milk
Best to Drink Plain: Silk Nextmilk
Adobe Stock
Best for Health Nuts: Pacific Foods Soy Milk
Price: $3.79 per 32 ounces
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to cow’s milk, soy milk might be your best bet. That’s because nutritionally it has a similar profile to cow’s milk. More specifically, the Unsweetened Original soy beverage from Pacific Foods, currently priced around $3.79 per 32 ounces, offers 16% of your daily value of protein and 10% of your potassium intake.
Expensive though it may be, this soy milk is delicious and versatile, so you can use it in everything from baking to your bowl of cereal. I also like that these come in smaller, packable units that don’t require refrigeration—meaning you can stock up on a bunch and just open them as needed.
Something to keep in mind is that soy can be hard to digest for some people. If that sounds like you, then you might want to try something a bit easier on the gut.
Best for Gluten Sensitivities: Almond Breeze Original
Price: $3.79 per 64 ounces
Speaking of easier on the gut, Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk is a great choice for anyone trying to play it safe with a gluten allergy. Although most almond milks steer clear of any gluten additives, this company is a leader in the industry that you can trust won’t accidentally expose you to anything.
It’s also just a really delicious plant-based milk from a company that’s been selling almond products for years. Currently retailing for $3.79 per half gallon, this almond milk can also be found in a variety of flavors including vanilla, chocolate or extra creamy. The reason we chose the unsweetened original has to do with versatility. You can use this delicious and healthy milk in just about anything, but it’s especially good in recipes where you want a lighter milk (ie. less creamy).
Pro Tip
Don’t want to pay extra for plant milk? Consider making your own. Buying pricey nuts for a bit of milk won’t save you money, but other kinds of plant milks can be made inexpensively, like oat milk.
Best Eco-Friendly: Pacific Foods Hemp Unsweetened Original Beverage
Price: $3.80 per 32 ounces
You’ve likely heard the argument before: Almond milk uses a lot of water, and soy milk production contributes to deforestation. So which plant milk is actually okay for the environment? Each obviously has its own impact, but one of the best options we’ve found is hemp milk.
Since nearly all parts of this relatively unfussy plant get used, and it actually enriches the soil it grows in, hemp has risen to the top of our list for eco-friendly plant milks. It’s also a pretty delicious milk for everyday use, and this particular one from Pacific Foods has an especially nutty taste and creamy texture that I’ve come to love. Currently retailing at $3.80 per 32 ounces, this milk is definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Best for Cooking: Silk Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
Price: $4.49 per 64 ounces
If you plan to use your plant milk to make lots of creamy soups or sauce recipes, then you’re going to want to choose a milk that’s high in fat, like this Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk from Silk, currently priced at $4.49 per half gallon.
Versatile enough to be used in baking sweet treats or concocting up a savory dish, this milk also has a relatively smooth flavor profile, meaning it won’t overpower whatever recipe you’re going for.
Pro Tip
Cooking lots of curries? Try a can of Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Since it’s creamy with lots of fat, this will take your next Indian or Thai-inspired dish to the next level.
Best with Coffee: Silk Original Oatmilk
Price: $5.49 per 64 ounces
I’m a pretty big coffee drinker, so you can trust me when I say I’ve tried a lot of milks in my homemade lattes. But by far the most delicious of these has been the Silk Original Oatmilk. Slightly sweet and incredibly creamy, this plant milk alternative checks all the right boxes whether you’re mixing a dirty chai, or just adding a splash to your morning brew.
Out of all the milks on this list, this one is probably my favorite taste-wise, and you can almost always find it in my fridge. Currently retailing at $5.49 per half gallon, this plant milk certainly isn’t cheap, but it still beats the cost of going out for coffee.
Best in Smoothies: SO Delicious Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Price: $6.49 per 64 ounces
Although you will need to actually like the taste of coconut to benefit from this suggestion, this highly-drinkable carton of coconut milk is one of my favorites for smoothies and other blended drinks (Pina Colada anyone?). Since coconut is naturally sweet, I prefer this unsweetened version, which also has 120% of your DV in Vitamin B12.
You can currently buy this delicious coconut milk for roughly $6.49 per half gallon.
Best with Cookies: Great Value Extra Creamy Oat Milk
Price: $3.79 per 59 ounces
There are certain nostalgic milk-food pairings that aren’t easily mimicked with plant-based milks, but this Extra Creamy Oat Milk from Walmart’s in-house brand comes pretty darn close.
Another reason I love this milk (and that it’s my No. 2 favorite on this list)? The price. Currently going for $3.78 per 59 ounces, this oat milk is significantly cheaper than the competition. It also, as the name would suggest, has that extra creamy flavor profile that makes it the perfect choice for drinking alongside your favorite sweet treat (like a choco-chip cookie).
Best to Drink Plain: Silk Nextmilk
Price: $5.89 per 59 ounces
For those reading this who just want plain old deliciously satisfying, can’t-tell-it’s-not-milk milk—this one’s for you. The aptly named Silk Nextmilk is the company’s own proprietary blend of oatmilk, coconut milk, soy and a whole slew of added vitamins that creates the closest thing to milk (while still being plant-based) that I’ve ever tasted.
Available for $5.89 per 59 ounces either in a full fat and reduced fat version, this highly drinkable beverage is also versatile enough to be used in cooking, with your morning cereal or just about any other way you’d normally consume a dairy milk.
Contributor Larissa Runkle specializes in finance, real estate and lifestyle topics. She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
Americans donate billions of dollars each year to nonprofits — both at home and abroad. That money is essential to helping those nonprofits carry out their missions.
But how do you know that money will be used the way you want?
If you’re donating money to a charity, take a minute to make sure you know where your money is going first.
3 Things to Consider Before Donating Money to a Charity
If you have the money to make donations — or even if you don’t, but feel strongly about a certain cause — it’s important to evaluate the charity first.
Are donation dollars helping support a worthy cause — or supporting high administrative costs?
You want to get the most out of your donation dollars. Here are some tips to help.
1. Make Sure You’re Donating to a Legitimate Organization
You can search the organization and find its address, mission statement, tax filing status and total expenses vs. total contributions.
Charity Watch will also tell you how much it cost the charity to raise $100, which can be a sign of the organization’s efficiency (or lack thereof).
Charity Watch gives organizations a letter grade, like A, B or C. Charity Navigator rates organizations on a scale of one to four.
2. Know Where Your Money Is Actually Going
You don’t want your hard-earned money to go into someone else’s pockets — unless that’s who you donated it to.
The number that can help you understand where your money is going is called the program efficiency or expense ratio.
Higher efficiency ratios are a good thing. They illustrate a charity’s productivity in providing services in line with its mission.
A general rule of thumb: The most efficient organizations spend at least 75% of their budgets on programs and services, with the rest going toward administration and fundraising costs.
Finding the spending ratio is super simple. Go to Charity Watch and search for an organization. You’ll see a “program expense ratio” that reflects the total expenses a charity spent on programs relative to overhead.
3. Take Note of the Group’s Nonprofit Status for Your Taxes
When you make a donation, check to see if it’s tax deductible. This is important to some donors because donation dollars can be deducted from taxable income. That means it won’t be taxed.
To determine the status of your monetary contribution, look for the charity’s tax status.
But remember: You can only claim charitable donations if you itemize your taxes. And most Americans don’t itemize.
According to The Tax Foundation, about 87% of Americans took the standard deduction in 2019 instead.
For the 2022 tax year, the standard deduction is $12,950 for an individual, $25,900 for married couples and $19,400 for heads of household.
That means your deductible expenses — including your charitable donations — will need to equal more than $12,950 (or $25,900, if you’re married and filing jointly) to be able to take advantage of a charity tax benefit.
For many of us, that will not be the case.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Carson Kohler is a former staff writer.
Is your grocery store running a huge sale on ground beef? Buy it in bulk and freeze it. Have some leftovers that you don’t want to toss? Cut down on food waste and freeze those, too!
Not only can you buy fresh vegetables when they’re in season and freeze them for later, but the freezer can also help you prepare for the busy dinner nights ahead.
When it comes to the most delicious freezer meal recipes, we always ask ourselves the following: Is it easy to meal prep ahead? Is it healthy? Filling?
Healthy food can be great in theory, but sometimes a salad or veggie soup isn’t satisfying enough to fill us up, causing snack cravings and unnecessary spending later.
We’ve put together a list of 12 easy, affordable freezer meal recipes. And they aren’t just healthy; they’re also are hearty enough to keep you satisfied and full of energy all day long.
12 Freezer Meal Recipes For Busy Nights
Photo courtesy of Cookie and Kate
1. Healthy Freezer Breakfast Burritos
The most important meal of the day just got easier. Not only do these breakfast burritos utilize inexpensive, nutrient rich ingredients like sweet potatoes and black beans, but they are also easily customizable with any of your favorite ingredients. For instance, top off your burrito with hot sauce! Make a bunch for the week to freeze and eat this delicious meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Servings: 8
Main Ingredients: Sweet potatoes ($1/pound on average), eggs ($4.25/carton on average), black beans ($0.99/can on average)
Photo courtesy of Pinch of Yum
2. Cilantro Lime Chicken and Lentil Rice Bowls
Packed with vitamins and protein, lentils are one of the cheapest and healthiest foods you can buy. This healthy freezer meal combines flavor with ease—just throw lentils, chicken thighs or chicken breasts, salsa, chicken broth, and aromatics into the crock pot or instant pot and voila! Dinner is served. Freeze the leftovers in freezer safe bags or containers, or freeze all the ingredients together ahead of time for easy cooking another day.
Servings: 8
Main Ingredients: lentils ($2/pound on average), chicken thighs ($2/pound on average)
Photo courtesy of Pinch of Yum
3. Healing Chicken and Rice Soup
Another Pinch of Yum recipe that is sure to get you through those colder winter nights. When it comes to easy freezer meals, soups reign supreme. Not only does this soup freeze beautifully and use ever-so-affordable boneless skinless chicken thighs, but it is also bursting with immune boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and spinach. Freezer meal prep meets your crock pot for a truly hearty meal.
Servings: 4-6
Main Ingredients: Chicken thighs ($2/pound on average), jasmine rice ($1.30/pound on average)
4. Split Pea Soup
Split pea soup has gotten a bad rap over the years, but this is not your grandparents’ split pea soup. Bursting with flavor, heartiness, and depth, this soup is both crave-worthy and gets even better as it sits in your freezer. Not only are split peas inexpensive, but they are full of protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Make a batch for today and freeze half of it (sans toppings) for later—your future self will thank you!
Servings: 4
Main Ingredients: Dry split peas ($1.59/pound on average), potato or rutabaga ($1.19/pound on average)
Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker
5. Butternut Squash Lasagna
What’s more comforting than having a lasagna in the freezer for a weeknight dinner? This recipe calls for just 10-ingredients to create a creamy casserole that is packed with veggies, vitamin C from butternut squash, and is dairy-free to boot. Between the creaminess of the squash and the meatiness of the mushrooms, we promise you won’t miss the ground beef and melted cheese. Assemble, cover well, and freeze. When you need a delicious meal, pull it out, cover with foil, and bake for an hour in a 350 degree oven. A healthy dinner even nonna would approve of.
Servings: 6
Main Ingredients: Butternut squash ($1.99/pound on average), mushrooms ($4.40/pound on average), lasagna noodles ($1.89/package on average)
6. Zucchini Lasagna Rolls
Looking for traditional red sauce lasagna flavors without the pasta? Look no further. Thinly sliced zucchini replaces lasagna noodles and is stuffed with a ricotta, parmesan cheese, and frozen spinach mixture in this lighter version of a classic. Make it in the summer when bulk zucchini is extremely cheap and freeze for the cooler weather. Want extra protein? Add some shredded chicken.
Servings: 6
Main Ingredients: Zucchini ($1.99/pound on average), ricotta cheese ($4/container on average)
7. Cauliflower and Tomato Masala with Peas
Indian food can be some of the more delicious freezer meals there are. This take on Gobi Matar is easy, inexpensive, and vegan. Plus it’s packed with health boosters like cauliflower, frozen peas, ginger and turmeric. Lots of spices and tomato sauce make this freezer meal hearty and warming. Grab it out of the freezer along with some flatbread for dipping or boil a quick pot of quinoa to make the entire dinner gluten free.
Servings: 4
Main Ingredients: Cauliflower ($3.59/head on average), tomato puree ($1.49/can on average), frozen peas ($0.99/bag on average)
Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker
8. 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
When it comes to tasting better with time, chili is king. This nutritious vegetarian version is the perfect hearty meal to keep on hand in your freezer. A spicy kick from the chili powder and hot sauce will warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Antioxidants? Check. Filling protein? Check. Cheap and easy? Check and check. For an extra dollop of healthy fats, garnish with avocado or add ground turkey!
Servings: 6
Main Ingredients: Sweet potatoes ($1/pound on average), black beans ($0.99/can on average), red salsa ($2.49/jar on average.
Pro Tip
Did you know that you can buy avocados in bulk and freeze them them to save money? Grab a bunch for this recipe and save them for other delicious freezer meals like the casserole below.
9. Roasted Veggie Enchiladas Casserole
Photo courtesy of Cookie and Kate
Although enchiladas and casseroles aren’t meals that usually scream “health”, this roasted veggie version may change your mind. Filled to the brim with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, red peppers, spinach, and black beans, this recipe is filling, satisfying, economical and packed with nutrients. Top with sour cream, lime juice, and use 100% corn tortillas for a vegetarian, gluten free dinner that you’ll be thrilled to have in your freezer not only as a weekday option, but also as a showstopping main dish to serve company!
Servings: 6-8
Main Ingredients: Sweet potatoes ($1/pound on average), black beans ($0.99/can on average), cauliflower ($3.59/head on average), red bell peppers ($3.49/pound on average)
Photo courtesy of Love and Lemons
10. Best Veggie Burger Recipe
Store-bought veggie burgers have been a freezer staple for years, but have you ever tried to make your own? Often cheaper and much healthier, homemade veggie burgers replace filler with real vegetables. This version combines mushrooms, brown rice, and walnuts in the food processor for a protein packed meal that even the most discerning meat eaters will love. Make a whole batch and freeze them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Once frozen, pop into a freezer bag for easy storage and pull one out to grill, saute or bake when you need a quick, healthy dinner! Add on a slice of cheddar cheese or keep this recipe dairy free.
Servings: 8
Main Ingredients: Mushrooms ($4.40/pound on average), brown rice ($0.95/pound on average), raw walnuts ($4.99/bag on average)
11. Mushroom Bourguignon
Portobello mushrooms are the perfect, cheaper, more nutritious alternative to beef. Elevate them even more in this classic mushroom bourguignon that tastes slow cooked, but comes together much more quickly than its original namesake. French freezer food? Healthy indulgence at its finest.
Servings: 4
Main Ingredient: Mushrooms ($4.40/pound on average)
12. Spiced Chickpea Stew With Coconut and Tumeric
This Alison Roman original recipe went internet viral in 2020 for good reason. Not only is it rich with flavorful, anti-inflammatory ingredients (hi again, turmeric and ginger), but it calls for inexpensive pantry ingredients like chickpeas and coconut milk, making it easy to make at any time. Freeze leftovers or the whole batch and indulge in this hearty stew when the craving hits.
Servings: 4-6
Main Ingredients: Chickpeas ($0.99/can on average), coconut milk ($2.29/can on average), kale ($2.79/bunch on average)
Decide which of these healthy freezer meals you want to make? Check out these tips to stretch your freezer meals ever more.
1. Label your frozen food.
Ever put something in the freezer only to question what it was? Always label your meals with the date that you made it and its contents. Not only will this help you get dinner on the table faster, but it will also prevent you from throwing unknown contents out. Not sure how long you can freeze something for? Check this out to learn more!
2. Portion out your freezer meals.
Whether you’re cooking for a family of 5 or just for yourself, pre-portioning your freezer meals as needed beforehand can be a lifesaver. Rather than defrost the entire dish, pull out the number of serving you need!
3. Use proper storage materials.
Always utilize official freezer bags, plastic wrap, and freezer safe tupperware when freezing food to preserve quality and freshness. Nothing is worse than going through all the work of creating a meal only to have it succumb to freezer burn!
4. Cool down your food before you freeze it.
Never put hot food into the freezer. Be sure to allow your food to cool down first before packaging it up.
Contributor Michele Becker is a Boston based writer who specializes in food, as well as Italian travel and history.
Finding the best password managers can appear challenging due to the various options available on the market — 1Password, Dashlane, Keeper and so many others.
Our research and in-depth testing have highlighted five password manager options, but which is the perfect choice for your digital lifestyle? We’ll take a closer look at what each password manager has to offer so that we can find you the best option.
What Is a Password Manager?
A password manager is a piece of software that stores all your passwords for signing into your digital services, such as your bank or Netflix account.
The best aspect of a password manager is that you need to remember only a single master password to unlock your “password vault.” All the actual passwords for your digital services can be complex yet secure, combinations of numbers, letters and symbols as you don’t need to remember them — phew!
If you need assistance with creating a secure password for your vault, you won’t need to fret, as a password generator is typically included with most password managers. With the use of a password generator, your secure password manager can automatically create a password for you that is more likely to stand up to malicious attacks.
When it’s time to sign in to your financial institution, favorite streaming video service or that fantastic cat blog you love, your password manager will ask you for the password for your vault, then automatically fill in the needed login information from right within your web browser or via a desktop app. Staying secure has never been easier with a password manager.
While all of the password managers we will discuss are solid options, each offers a few different features that make them stand out. Keep reading to learn about our top picks for the best password managers and find out which solution is the best for you.
1Password: Best Overall Password Manager
Pros
Desktop app available for Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux and Chrome OS
Easily share password information with others whether or not they have 1Password installed
Watchtower features alert to you to any security breaches that may occur involving your accounts
Cons
While a free trial is available, 1Password doesn’t offer a free version tier for its users
Pricing: Starts at $2.99/mo.
1Password is our top pick for the best overall password manager. If you are looking for the best solution to secure your passwords and manage your security online with ease, 1Password is an option you can jump into without much doubt.
You can install the 1Password password manager onto a wide breadth of platforms, including Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, Linux and Chrome OS. This means that no matter what platform or devices you use — smartphone, tablet or computer — you’ll always have access to your passwords.
One feature we love: In addition to storing unlimited passwords, you can also store up to 1GB of documents. With 1Password, you can store sensitive notes or documents such as tax documents or notes that include sensitive information such as Social Security numbers.
Do you need to share information with others, such as your HBO Max or Disney+ login? With a few clicks or taps, you can share a password to a fellow 1Password user’s vault or create a secure web link to the password that expires within a set period.
Another excellent feature that highlights 1Password’s commitment to keeping its users secure is its Watchtower feature, which allows you to keep an eye on your accounts and receive an alert if there are any security issues. 1Password will then walk you through resetting your password to restrengthen your account security.
The primary downside to 1Password is the lack of a free version, which most password managers do offer. If you want to use 1Password, you’ll need to pony up at least $2.99 a month for a personal account or $4.99 a month for a family account that supports up to five people. Business and enterprise offerings are also available, starting at $7.99 a month per user.
Bitwarden: Best Free Password Manager
Pros
Excellent free version that allows users to store unlimited passwords
Unlimited ability to connect with and sync multiple devices
Encrypted export if you choose to switch password managers
Cons
Free version doesn’t offer encrypted file storage or advanced security features
Pricing: Free or starting at $10/yr
If you are looking for a password manager but aren’t sure you want to shell out the dough for a subscription, you’ll want to try out Bitwarden. We found the Bitwarden password manager to be well designed while supporting various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux.
The Bitwarden free tier offers the majority of the platform’s features, including unlimited device syncing, mobile device and browser apps, unlimited vault items and the ability to generate secure passwords. This all means that you can store your valuable password data without worrying about hitting an arbitrary limit.
The free tier supports only a single user, and there’s no option to store encrypted files in your vault; if you want to keep a few sensitive documents secure, you’ll need to look into the paid plan.
Like many other password managers, Bitwarden allows you to export your vault if you wish to make a backup or decide to move to a different password manager. In particular, we praise Bitwarden for allowing users to export their vault as an encrypted JSON file to keep it more secure.
If you decide you want more than what the free version offers, you can upgrade to the Premium tier for an impressive $10 a year. At that level, you’ll gain the ability to share encrypted files, store up to 1GB of secure files, gain access to additional security features and be able to contact Bitwarden’s priority support if the need arises.
NordPass: Best Password Manager for Business (Enterprise)
Pros
Provides a security dashboard with the ability to set companywide password management settings
Offers SSO (Single Sign On) with Google Workspace, Azure AD, MS ADFS and Okta
User provisioning is available via active-directory
Cons
Best features are on the more expensive Enterprise plan
Pricing: Starting at $3.59 per user/mo.
NordPass is a new pick on our list for 2023, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Nord Security has been offering powerful tools to protect personal users and businesses while surfing the web. While the company is most famous for its NordVPN offering, NordPass provides a compelling password management solution for small and large companies.
Starting with the basics, NordPass provides a secure solution for storing passwords, credit cards and other sensitive information. Users can quickly generate a strong password when signing up for a new website or account. NordPass also provides built-in tools for sharing passwords with co-workers securely and notifying users of any potential security breaches.
From an IT perspective, NordPass’ business and enterprise password management offerings enable companies to monitor accounts and emails for data breaches, receiving real-time notifications. Administrators can also set companywide settings, such as the minimum requirements for generating new secure passwords.
The NordPass Business plan includes SSO (Single Sign On) with Google Workspace; Enterprise users can upgrade and gain access to Azure AD, MS ADFS and Okta SSO options. User provisioning is also available via active-directory, and shared folders can be created for sensitive documents.
NordPass Business accounts are limited to 250 users; however, the Enterprise account option provides unlimited user seats. If you’re not a business, NordPass also includes personal and family account options.
Other Excellent Password Managers
While we’ve shared our top picks for the best password managers, there are still a few other options that you may want to consider. Sometimes, you’ll find an aspect of a password manager that simply doesn’t work for your digital life; these are some excellent alternatives in those scenarios.
Keeper
Pros
Emergency Access feature in case of an emergency or death
Save and restore your vault to past points in time
Offers a free 30-day trial of its Unlimited tier before defaulting to the free version
Cons
Secure file storage is limited without paying for the “Secure File Storage” add-on plan
Dark web monitoring is also an add-on and will cost you extra
Pricing: Free or starting at $2.91/mo.
While Keeper didn’t make it into our top three choices for the best password managers, that doesn’t mean you should avoid it. Keeper is a highly competent option.
Keeper offers many of the same benefits as other password managers on our list, such as login autofill, the ability to store credit card information and other sensitive data, as well as secure file storage. However, Keeper limits the number of files you can store unless you add its “Secure File Storage” feature to your subscription.
One feature that we love from Keeper is the ability to save and restore your vault to a previous point in time. Let’s say there’s an issue and your password vault gets scrambled; with only a few clicks, you can restore everything to how it was a few days, weeks or months ago.
Keeper also implements a smart Emergency Access feature that allows up to five emergency contacts to access your vault in the case of an emergency or death. Perhaps you are in the hospital and a secure insurance file needs to be accessed within your vault. If your spouse has been granted access, they would be able to retrieve the file.
Keeper does offer a free version of its password manager, but we find it quite limited without web access and multi-device syncing. Luckily, you can enjoy a 30-day trial of Keeper Unlimited before deciding if it’s the right choice for you. Just note that if you want secure file storage or BreachWatch dark web monitoring, you’ll need to pay extra.
Dashlane
Pros
Includes a VPN for better protection when using public Wi-Fi
Automatic Password Changer feature to change potentially compromised passwords
Dark web monitoring for up to five email addresses
Cons
More expensive than the competition
Pricing: Free or starting at $4.99/mo.
If you watch YouTube, it’s unlikely that you haven’t heard of Dashlane, as the company has been sponsoring many YouTubers’ channels. Dashlane is yet another solid password management option, and it includes a few excellent features, such as a VPN with all non-free account subscriptions.
A VPN allows you to browse the web while disguising your IP address; the result is a more secure experience that is perfect for banking or accessing other sensitive online accounts. We highly recommend using a VPN when using public Wi-Fi (such as at a hotel) for such tasks, and we’re thrilled to see that Dashlane includes one with its services.
Dashlane has another great way to look out for your security — dark web monitoring. You can register up to five email addresses and receive an alert if one is seen on the dark web, a place on the internet where hackers may be attempting to sell your data.
Suppose any of your data does happen to be compromised. In that case, Dashlane’s Automatic Password Changer will automatically log in to and change your password on affected sites. However, the feature works only with supported websites.
The biggest downside to Dashlane would have to be its pricing. Dashlane Premium will cost you at least $4.99 a month. That’s if you plan to pay yearly; if you opt to pay monthly, Dashlane Premium will run you $6.49 a month for a personal account or $8.99 a month for a family account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Password Managers Have Been Hacked?
Unfortunately, hacking and security vulnerabilities are something that every password manager on our last has had to deal with in the past. But the rating of a password manager’s security is also based on how well the company can patch the problem or alert its users.
It’s challenging to determine which password manager is the strongest, but each option in our guide has proved effective in managing customer passwords. The password managers we recommend use strong encryption standards and two-factor authentication to keep users safe.
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Password Manager?
The biggest reason you wouldn’t want to use one of our best password managers is that forgetting your master password would mean losing access to your entire vault. However, utilizing a password manager is the best way to manage your online account security. Some password managers even offer to have family members unlock your vault if you forget your password or the need arises.
What Is the Easiest Password Manager to Use?
All of the password managers we recommended can auto-fill passwords, making the process of using a password manager a cinch. Our top-rated password manager is 1Password, and it offers an elegant and easy interface to navigate across multiple device types.
Which Is Better, LastPass or 1Password?
1Password took the award for our top recommended password manager. In previous years we recommended LastPass, but due to a major security breach in 2022 we no longer recommend it for personal or business use.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
Millions of Americans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, will receive less money for food starting in March.
SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, received a boost three years ago as part of a pandemic-era emergency allotment.
But these extra benefits — which gave recipients an average of $95 or more a month to buy groceries — are set to expire in March under a new government spending bill.
How Are SNAP Benefits Changing?
For nearly three years, emergency allotments allowed all SNAP households to receive an additional $95 per month, or the maximum benefit amount for their household size, whichever was greater.
Residents in some states have already seen their benefits cut. Thirty-two states plus the District of Columbia are still providing the boost, but only until March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In South Carolina, benefits return to normal this month.
Bigger benefits have already expired in these states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming.
Impact of Smaller SNAP Benefits on the Most Vulnerable
More than 80% of SNAP recipients are part of a working family, a person with a severe disability or a senior citizen living on a fixed income.
Seniors on Social Security will be hit hardest by the pull back in SNAP benefits. Social Security gave recipients a record 8.7% increase this year due to inflation — but it’s a double-edged sword.
Social Security counts as income when determining SNAP eligibility, so bigger checks means seniors can expect further reductions in their SNAP benefits by March.
The news comes amid rising food prices and the end of other pandemic-era measures, including the child tax credit and universal free school meals.
“It feels like yet another example of our society punishing people for being poor,” said Mary Lee Downey, founder and CEO of The Hope Partnership, a nonprofit providing poverty alleviation services in Kissimmee, Florida.
“As these benefits disappear, we can expect to see drastic increases in families seeking services just to feed their children and keep a roof over their heads,” Downey said.
9 Ways to Save Money on Food as SNAP Benefits Expire
For the millions of Americans impacted by a drop in SNAP benefits, affording groceries is about to get even harder.
Here are 12 ways to save money on food to help stretch your budget.
1. Reach Out to a Food Pantry
Asking for help isn’t easy, but food pantries provide a legitimate way to get food for free. It may be your best option if there simply isn’t enough money in your budget anymore.
You can also call United Way’s 211 service to find other local resources.
2. Master the Art of Meal Prep
Meal prep is the best way to save money on groceries while reducing food waste at the same time. But finding time to do it can be tough.
Our tips for budget meal planning include keeping an eye on sales, shopping for specific recipes or dishes, buying what’s in season and more.
3. Get Creative With Your Food Pantry Haul
Food pantries usually provide enough food to last a week, but there’s a few ways to make it stretch longer.
You can pair cheap produce with food pantry staples like black beans and rice to create a filling meal for less than $2.
When it comes to keeping your kitchen stocked with those supplementary meal-enhancing ingredients, pick up a few items here and there when you go grocery shopping instead of buying in bulk.
4. Make Entrees That Do Double Duty
Eating the same thing for lunch and dinner isn’t exciting, but it’s a proven way to save money on food.
Check out Taste of Home’s 150 freezer casserole recipes to find meals for your family that you can use for at least two meals.
5. Find Out What Day Your Grocery Store Marks Down Items
Grocery stores usually discount items that are close to expiring on a specific day of the week. Asking a store associate what day and time they mark down items is a smart way to score discounts you won’t find in your weekly grocery store ad.
6. Get Super Cheap Food With These 2 Apps
Two apps are working to reduce food waste — and pass the savings on to you.
Too Good To Go and Flashfood connect businesses with consumers willing to purchase food near its expiration date at a steep discount.
There are tons of stories online of frugal folks finding dealssteep discounts from restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores by checking these apps, which often provide bundles of food for less than $15.
The biggest drawback about these food waste apps is they’re only available in select U.S. cities. Still, it is worth downloading them (they’re both free) to see if you can score discounted food.
7. Check High and Low on the Grocery Shelves
Next time you go to the grocery store, check the top and bottom shelves first. Grocery stores know that most people only look at the middle area, so that’s where more expensive items tend to be.
Pro Tip
Before your next grocery run, sign up to be on the Nielsen Consumer Panel. If selected, you’ll use their app to scan grocery items’ barcodes, which earn you points you can redeem for gift cards.
8. Consider A Meatless Monday
With meat prices higher than ever, picking just one day a week to go meat-free can cut your costs.
Try these 10 meatless Monday recipes to replace chicken, pork, beef and fish once a week, save money and stretch your meat supply.
9. Learn New Recipes That Fit Your Budget
We all need a little inspiration sometimes.
Glossy cookbooks and celebrity cooking shows are nice. But where can you actually learn to cook, in your own kitchen, on a budget?
Check out this list of seven budget food bloggers who can teach you how to cook cheap, delicious meals at home.
A chef named Frankie Celenza hosts a series called “Struggle Meals” which teaches you how to cook dishes for $2 or less per serving along with ways to save money on groceries and practical meal planning advice.
Looking for even more ways to save money on food? Check out these 334 tips from our best food articles.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. She focuses on retirement, investing, taxes and life insurance.
Frontier Airlines just unveiled a new summer pass that gets you unlimited flights from May to September for only $399.
It’s called the GoWild! Summer Pass. But if you want one, you’ll need to act quickly.
There are a limited number of passes available at the $399 introductory rate, and they’re available only for a limited time, Frontier says. The airline’s website indicates the regular retail price for the pass will be $999.
With the pass, you can fly as often as you like from May 2 to Sept. 30 (other than about a dozen blackout dates that are listed online). Given that five-month time span, students and teachers and vacationing families might be especially interested in the deal.
Of course, you also have to be willing to fly Frontier, which is an ultra-low-cost carrier. Frontier draws its share of complaints about service, and it charges extra fees for everything from beverages to carry-on bags and assigned seats.
Still, 400 bucks for unlimited flights, even if it’s on a budget carrier — that’s a deal, especially if you’re looking to fly a lot.
No other U.S. airline currently has an all-you-can-fly deal. JetBlue used to have an “All You Can Jet” pass that lasted a month, but the airline no longer offers that except as a prize in promotional contests.
What Does ‘Available for a Limited Time’ Mean?
So what does Frontier mean when it says $399 is an “introductory rate,” available only for a limited time?
We have an example of what that means.
In November, Frontier announced an all-you-can-fly pass for 2023. Called the GoWild! Pass, the annual pass launched at a price of $599. Within just a few weeks, the price went up to $799. Now the price is $1,299 for a one-year flying pass, with a year of unlimited flights starting on May 2.
‘A Truly Epic Summer’
The GoWild! Summer Pass can’t be transferred to another person. Also, this is important — unless you cancel after the summer, it will automatically renew for next summer, probably for the regular retail rate of $999.
Each flight costs 1 cent, plus any taxes and extra fees, like for checked bags, carry-on bags or specific seats on the plane.
“For people with flexible schedules, this is a terrific opportunity to have a truly epic summer and then some, soaking up rays on the beach, exploring national parks and visiting new cities,” said Daniel Shurz, a senior VP for Frontier.
Based in Denver, Frontier is a budget carrier that flies to more than 100 cities. This summer, it’ll add new nonstop routes from five mainland U.S. cities to Puerto Rico.
Remember, the $399 summer passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you’re interested in this deal, it’s best not to dawdle.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, routine vision care isn’t guaranteed.
Some privately administered Medicare Advantage plans cover eyeglasses and eye exams.
But Original Medicare — which provides health insurance to about 36 million Americans — doesn’t pay for your new eyeglass frames or an annual vision exam.
So how do you know, in your own case, what’s covered and what’s not?
Whether you’re new to Medicare and wondering what to expect at your next eye exam, or you’re a long-time beneficiary trying to save money on glasses, our guide to Medicare vision coverage and affordable eye care is here to help.
How Medicare Covers Vision
If you have a serious eye disease like cataracts or glaucoma, Medicare Part B will generally pay for treatment.
But that’s not the case for routine exams and eyeglasses.
Most private Medicare Advantage plans provide some coverage for glasses and routine vision tests. Original Medicare does not.
Here’s how it breaks down.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare does not cover routine vision exams, eyeglasses or contact lenses. Lasik surgery isn’t covered either.
You’re on the hook for the full cost unless you have secondary insurance like Medicaid.
Original Medicare does cover eye care related to illness or injury, including cataract surgery and glaucoma screenings. More on that shortly.
Medicare Advantage
Nearly all Medicare Advantage plans — which are administered by private insurance companies like United Healthcare and Cigna — include some routine vision coverage.
However, vision benefits are pretty modest — plans offer about $160 worth of eyewear and eye exam coverage a year on average, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
Medicare Advantage plans also restrict the vision benefits they offer, including:
how often you can replace glasses and/or contact lenses.
how often the plan will pay for eye exams.
For example, 47% of Medicare Advantage plans limit beneficiaries to one pair of eyeglasses every two years, according to the KFF analysis.
Finally, to get these vision benefits, you will need to use certain eye care professionals and services within your specific Medicare Advantage plan network.
Need a refresher on how Medicare works? Check out answers to seven frequently asked questions.
Medicare Coverage for Other Eye Treatments and Conditions
By law, both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage must cover the same basic vision services for eye diseases and chronic conditions.
If you have an eye disease that causes low vision, such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, Medicare Part B will cover screening tests and standard treatment.
You’ll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for these covered treatments and services after meeting your Part B deductible.
Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost for:
Certain treatments for serious eye conditions, including micro-invasive glaucoma surgery.
Cataract surgery. Medicare will pay to implant a conventional intraocular lens. It will also cover one pair of standard-frame eyeglasses or a set of contact lenses after cataract surgery.
Detached retina treatment.
Treatment for certain dry eye conditions.
Eye exam for people with diabetes to detect glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Annual glaucoma test for people at high-risk of developing the disease or with a family history of glaucoma.
Some tests and treatments for age-related macular degeneration.
An eye prosthesis (artificial eye) for patients with absence or shrinkage of an eye due to birth defect, injury or surgical removal.
Pro Tip
The services above are covered whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Some diseases and conditions — such as lupus and shingles — can affect your vision even though they aren’t traditional eye diseases. Medicare Part B covers treatment for your eyes if you have one of the many conditions on this list from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
How to Save Money on Vision Care Costs
Eyeglasses and routine vision exams are pricey for Original Medicare beneficiaries.
Fortunately, several programs and organizations offer free or discounted eyeglasses and exams for older adults.
Here are some of the best ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs on routine vision care when you’re enrolled in Medicare.
How to Save Money on Eye Exams
The national average cost of a comprehensive eye exam is $150, but the figure can vary from $50 to $200 or more.
Here are a few ways to keep more money in your pocket without forgoing important eye care.
Discounts for AAA and AARP Members
AAA and AARP members can receive discounts at participating LensCrafters and other retail locations nationwide.
Members of AAA and AARP can get the following discounts at LensCrafters:
30% off comprehensive eye exams.
50% off lenses with the purchase of a frame for eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses. Valid in-store and online.
10% off disposable contact lenses.
30% off non-prescription sunglasses.
AARP members also receive these discounts through other providers:
$55 comprehensive eye exam at participating independent eye doctors (Use this tool to find a location near you).
$10 off best in-store offer on a complete eyewear purchase at Target Optical.
10% off contact lenses at Target Optical.
$10 off non-prescription sunglasses at Target Optical.
30% off a complete pair of glasses at Glasses.com (Use code RP_30OFF_GL at check out).
Pro Tip
To receive your AAA or AARP member discount, make sure to present your membership card at participating locations.
Costco and Walmart
Retailers like Costco and Walmart offer optical centers with affordable pricing on eye exams and glasses.
At Walmart, eye exams average about $75, but prices vary by location.
Like Walmart, Costco eye exam costs vary, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 for an exam.
Both retailers also offer a wide selection of eyeglasses in the $35 to $75 range.
EyeCare America
EyeCare America is the public service arm of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Its Seniors Program provides comprehensive eye exams and up to one year of followup care for any eye condition diagnosed during the initial exam.
These services are free to qualifying older Americans. It’s one of the only national programs that offers free eye exams for people on Original Medicare.
To qualify for the EyeCare America Senior Program, you must:
Be age 65 or older.
Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Not belong to an HMO or have eye care benefits through the VA.
Not have seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years.
Just a heads up: This program does not cover the cost of eyeglasses.
You can see if you qualify and apply for the program by filling out this form.
Lions Club International
The Lions Club can pay for eye care and eye exams at local club locations and community events. Some locations also provide eyeglasses.
Students at optometry schools sometimes provide free or discounted eye exams during clinics.
These undergraduates are closely supervised by faculty members, so it can be a cheap way to score a routine vision test.
You can use this tool to search for schools in your area — although the eye exams and care provided vary from school to school.
Another option is asking local vision care providers if they offer any senior discounts or in-house financing plans. Make sure to call ahead and ask before scheduling an appointment.
Older people with low incomes may also qualify for free or reduced eye exams at their local county health department.
Finally, numerous local nonprofits offer free eye exams throughout the year. Call United Way’s 211 service to see if a program exists near you. Or Google “free eye exams near me.”
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Where to Get Free or Cheap Eyeglasses
Affordable eyeglass lenses and frames are easy to find online or at large retail stores like Walmart and Costco.
There is also a program that provides free eyeglasses to those who qualify — but be prepared to jump through some hoops first.
OneSight Vision Voucher Program
The OneSight Vision Voucher program helps people in need receive free eyewear if they’re not able to cover the cost of eyeglasses with insurance.
Here are the steps you need to take:
Get a referral letter from a nonprofit organization verifying your visual and financial need for glasses. The letter must be written on company letterhead and include the Tax ID# of the nonprofit organization. Recommended nonprofits include churches, the Lions Club, Prevent Blindness, Red Cross and United Way.
You’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor. If you don’t have a prescription that is less than two years old, you can ask the onsite doctors at a Luxottica Retail location if they can donate a free eye exam.
Take your referral letter and prescription from an eye doctor to a participating Luxottica Retail location — which includes LensCrafters, Target Optical and Pearle Vision corporate stores — to get your free pair of eyeglasses.
Check out OneSight’s website to learn more about its vision voucher program.
Cheap Online Eyeglass Retailers
Buying eyeglasses online is a cheap alternative to paying hundreds of dollars for a fancy pair at your optometrist’s office.
People who bought glasses online paid a median of $91, while those who shopped in-store spent $234, according to a 2021 survey from Consumer Reports.
Some online retailers, like Zenni Optical, offer single prescription glasses starting at just $7. You’ll pay more for special coatings, progressive lenses and other add-ons.
Many of these sites offer virtual “try on” features and come with convenient return policies so you can find frames and lenses that work for you.
Does It Make Sense to Buy Private Vision Insurance on Medicare?
Medicare beneficiaries can purchase private vision insurance to help offset the cost of eyeglasses and routine eye exams. According to KFF, Medicare patients spent an average of $242 out of pocket on vision care in 2018.
Plans are generally inexpensive — usually $10 to $15 a month — and premiums usually don’t increase with age like other types of health insurance.
However, private insurance copayments and deductibles may not make it worthwhile.
You should carefully examine any private vision insurance plan benefits and costs before signing up. Make sure the plan actually saves you money on eyeglasses and routine exams.
Does the VA or Medicaid Cover Eyeglasses and Eye Exams?
Medicare may not be your only form of insurance.
If you are also enrolled in Medicaid or Veterans Affairs health benefits, you may qualify for free or low-cost vision care.
Medicaid Vision Coverage
Medicaid will cover eye exams for adults ages 21 and older in most states — but not all.
Medicaid is a federally funded health insurance program for people with low incomes. It’s administered at the state-level, so each state determines its own vision benefits and limitations.
According to KFF:
At least 42 states offer some coverage for optometrist services.
At least 33 states offer some coverage for eyeglasses.
In states that do provide vision benefits, basic eye exams are covered. Prescription glasses with basic frames are also usually covered, but each state has specific caps.
Copays for eye exams with Medicaid are affordable, usually $15 or less.
Research your specific state’s Medicaid vision coverage or contact your local Medicaid office for more information. Speaking with a local Medicaid office and your individual plan provider is the best way to understand your specific vision benefits.
Once you’re clear on your coverage, make sure your eye doctor accepts Medicaid before scheduling an eye exam.
VA Vision Coverage
If you have VA health care benefits, the program will cover your routine eye exams and preventive vision testing.
Talk to your VA primary care provider or contact your nearest VA medical center or clinic for more information.
Veterans can also qualify for free eyeglasses or contact lenses by meeting one of the following criteria:
Have a disability linked to your military service for which you’re receiving VA disability payments.
Are a former prisoner of war.
Were awarded a Purple Heart.
Receive benefits under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1151.
Receive an increased pension because you’re permanently housebound and in need of regular aid.
Experience vision problems caused by another illness — such as stroke or diabetes — for which you’re receiving VA care.
Suffer from geriatric chronic illnesses (long-lasting illnesses that affect the elderly).
The following groups can also qualify for free eyeglasses through the VA:
Veterans with significant functional or cognitive impairments.
Veterans with a vision impairment severe enough that it interferes with their ability to participate in their own medical treatment.
Veterans who have service-connected vision disabilities rated 0%.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
Picking up your prescriptions might get a little trickier soon because the nation’s biggest pharmacy chains are cutting back their hours.
CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and Rite Aid have each announced plans to scale back their pharmacies’ operating hours because there’s an ongoing shortage of pharmacists.
Depending on where you live and how much flexibility you have to pick up your meds, this might become a problem for you. If it does, just know that you have other options.
Online pharmacies are becoming increasingly popular, and they’ll ship your medications right to you — although this option isn’t for everyone. Here’s an article looking at the pros and cons of online pharmacies and comparing six of the most popular ones. We’ll summarize its findings a little lower.
What’s Going On With Pharmacies?
The big brick-and-mortar drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens are having a tough time keeping their pharmacies open as long as they’d like to. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening.
CVS, America’s largest drugstore chain by revenue, plans to cut hours at two-thirds of its 9,000 locations by March. The new hours of operation at those pharmacies will vary.
Walgreens, which includes the chain Duane Reade, announced in December it was cutting hours due to labor shortages. (So did Rite Aid.)
Walmart plans to change pharmacy closing hours from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. at most of its 4,600 stores in March.
These three chains operate nearly 24,000 pharmacies across the country, so it’s a big deal when they make a change like this.
This is happening due to a shortage of pharmacists. There’s a self-perpetuating cycle where a shortage of pharmacists leads to stressful job environments for pharmacists, which contributes to burnout and more pharmacists quitting their jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts about 13,600 job openings for pharmacists per year over the next decade, to replace pharmacists who are either retiring or leaving the field to pursue different careers.
So what does this mean for you? It means it might get a little trickier to pick up your meds when you need them.
If you’re thinking about switching to an online pharmacy instead of a brick-and-mortar location, here’s what you need to know. Here’s a deep dive into the subject, and here it is summarized:
Pros of Online Pharmacies
Pricing and home delivery are the main benefits.
Shopping around: It’s easy to find the best deal. With options from companies like Walgreens, Amazon and Express Scripts, you can quickly check the prices and availability of your prescribed medications.
Saving money: Online pharmacies are sometimes cheaper than in-person pharmacies, too.
Delivery: Your prescriptions are shipped directly to your home. Many online pharmacies even have free shipping and free auto-refills with a script from your doctor.
With Amazon’s new service RxPass, Prime members can pay $5 a month for as many eligible generic meds as they need and have them delivered for free.
Cons of Online Pharmacies
As great as online pharmacies can be, there are some drawbacks.
Consultations: You may not be able to consult with a pharmacist about your medication in real time. Some online pharmacies offer live chats or the ability to call in to a trained pharmacy professional, but some don’t.
Generics: They may swap your brand-name medication for a generic one without you knowing. In-store pharmacies do this, too, but it’s easier to correct them if you want to.
Insurance: Some online pharmacies require you to have specific insurance coverage that partners with them.
Before you go digital with your prescriptions, there’s some food for thought. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about whether the pharmacy will be open.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
We’re always looking for ways to save money, and one surefire way to do that is to buy products that last.
You can also buy products from companies that will repair or replace them if they break.
You may spend a bit more upfront, but quality items — and ones with awesome lifetime warranties — can end up saving you money in the long run.
From backpacks to knives, here’s a list of 18 brands that offer lifetime warranties with no strings attached — plus 32 that cover manufacturer defects forever.
18 Companies With Lifetime Warranties
Yes, sometimes even for normal wear and tear.
1. Cutco
Knife-maker Cutco was founded in Olean, New York, in 1949. It offers a “forever guarantee” that extends to knives given as gifts or hand-me-downs. The guarantee includes free sharpening to help extend the life of the knife; you just pay shipping.
“We want every Cutco owner to be satisfied forever, and when the product is passed along, we will continue to back that pledge,” says the company’s website.
“If at any time you are not satisfied with the performance of your product, we will correct the problem or replace the product.”
Jansport guarantees a lifetime warranty on nearly all of its backpacks, messenger bags, fanny packs and hiking bags. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
2. JanSport
Parents sending their kids off to school have long recognized backpack-maker JanSport for its top-notch warranty. This company, founded in 1967, guarantees nearly all of its backpacks, messenger bags, fanny packs and hiking bags.
“JanSport branded products covered by this warranty are warranted to the original owner against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product,” JanSport says on its website.
The lifetime warranty covers defects such as ripped seams, defective zippers and broken buckles. Damage due to normal wear and tear, such as fading or scuffing, is not covered.
3. Manduka
This California-based company guarantees many of its yoga mats for life, even if the product wears out from regular use. Manduka notes that its mats last about 10 years when cared for properly.
A Manduka PRO yoga mat will cost you $129, but the price tag may well be worth it if you practice regularly and your mat wears out.
4. Feetures
Feetures is a family-owned sock-maker in North Carolina. This company makes high-performance socks for runners and other athletes, and it’ll offer you a replacement pair or refund at any time through its lifetime warranty.
5. Eddie Bauer
This outdoor gear and clothing maker stands behind its products so much that it offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
“We design all our products to last, and we test and manufacture to the highest quality standards,” the company states on its website. “If your Eddie Bauer product has a defect in materials or workmanship, you may return it, with proof of purchase, within one year, for a replacement or refund back to the original form of payment.”
Craftsman tools, including wrenches, hand tools, gardening and pruning tools, are eligible for replacement, free of charge, over the lifetime of the product. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
6. Craftsman
Talk to someone who uses tools on a regular basis and you’ve probably heard about Craftsman’s warranty.
Many of the company’s tools, including wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, ratchets and sockets, are eligible for replacement, free of charge, over the lifetime of the product.
Just return the product that has failed to perform “for any reason” to a retail partner, no proof of purchase required, according to the company’s website. Other products must be under warranty to be repaired or replaced. This page provides a full breakdown of how Craftsman handles repairs and replacements.
7. Osprey
Osprey’s “All Mighty Guarantee” ensures that if you buy one of the company’s bags or backpacks, it’s guaranteed for life.
The brand’s motto: Any reason, any product, any era.
“Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge — whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday,” Osprey’s website says.
“If we are unable to perform a functional repair on your pack, we will happily replace it.”
8. Vermont Teddy Bear
If you buy a stuffed bear from Vermont Teddy Bear, it’s backed by the company’s lifetime warranty.
VTB has some fun with it, too, and encourages you to send your bear to its “Bear Hospital.” You’ll need to fill out a bear hospital form to admit your loved one to the hospital, where the “Bear doctor” will nurse it back to full health in three to four weeks.
9. Duluth Trading Company
Duluth Trading Company, which makes clothing, outerwear, footwear and other items, offers a “No Bull Guarantee” on its products.
The company has a one-year return policy, and after one year, it will “consider returns for items that are defective or don’t perform as designed.”
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10. Davek
Invest in a sturdy Davek umbrella (prices range from $59 to $350) and it’s backed by the company’s unconditional lifetime guarantee.
“We want this to be the last umbrella you will ever need,” the company’s website states.
Owners must register their umbrellas to be eligible for the lifetime warranty.
11. Zippo
Zippo makes lighters, hand warmers and knives. Its warranty motto on its windproof lighter: “It works or we fix it free.”
“We don’t make that promise lightly,” Zippo says.
“We know that behind every Zippo Windproof Lighter sent for repair is an owner depending on our promise to get it back in working order. Whether a Windproof Lighter is 5 years, 25 years or 50 years old, it will serve as a dependable source of flame for years to come — we guarantee it!”
12. Leupold
Leupold is based in Beaverton, Oregon, and makes binoculars, scopes and rangefinders used by golfers, hunters, security personnel and police.
The company will replace its riflescopes, binoculars and spotting scopes — whether you’re the original owner or not — forever, thanks to its lifetime warranty.
“You don’t need proof of ownership or a warranty card, and there’s no time limit,” the company says.
“We do this because we believe in superior quality and craftsmanship, and we’re confident your Leupold won’t let you down.”
13. Red Oxx
Red Oxx travel bags are covered by the company’s “No Bull” Lifetime Warranty, which means it will repair or replace its products, no questions asked.
Vermont sock-maker Darn Tough Socks offers a 100% unconditional lifetime guarantee on its socks, which are, apparently, pretty darn tough.
“If these aren’t the longest lasting socks you’ve ever owned, you can return them to us for another pair. No receipt needed, just the pair in question,” the company’s website states.
It also says its warranty has no strings and no conditions.
15. L.L. Bean
If you’ve purchased something from L.L. Bean in the last century, you’ve probably heard of its legendary lifetime warranty. The Maine-based company makes clothing, shoes, outdoor gear, backpacks and other items.
You can send back an item purchased from L.L. Bean for any reason for up to one year from the time of purchase. After a year, the company will “consider any items for return that are defective due to materials or craftsmanship,” its website states.
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16. XIKAR
XIKAR, which makes cigar accessories, offers a limited lifetime warranty on all products. Simply drop your lighter or cigar cutter in the mail, and the company will repair or replace it for free.
Note that the company might send you a “refurbished equivalent, depending on the age and condition of the return.”
17. Orvis
This outdoor gear and apparel company offers a Great Catch Guarantee, which promises to make things right if you are dissatisfied with any product or service for any reason.
18. Away
Away, a company that makes suitcases with high-capacity batteries for charging cell phones and other devices, offers a lifetime limited warranty for the non-electronic components of its luggage. If your bag’s shell, wheels, handles or zippers stop working, the company will fix them or replace the bag for free.
You must be the bag’s original owner and have used it for travel by “air, car, train, boat and foot” for damage to be covered. To qualify, the problem must “impair the functionality of the product.”
The company won’t hang you out to dry if the battery dies, either. Away guarantees the electronic components inside its suitcases for two years.
32 Brands With Warranties for Manufacturer Defects
They might not cover regular wear and tear, but these companies will fix or replace unsatisfactory items through limited lifetime warranties and other guarantees.
19. Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)
Vancouver-based MEC has sold gear for snowsports, climbing, hiking, running, camping and other outdoor activities since 1971.
The company offers a “Rocksolid Guarantee” on all of its products and the advice its employees give you.
“If the quality of an item hasn’t met your expectations, you can bring it back,” according to the company’s website.
“We also guarantee the product selection advice we give. If something you purchased based on this advice turns out to be unsuitable, you can bring it back for an exchange, refund or credit.”
20. Columbia
On outerwear and equipment — think coats and backpacks — outdoor gear-maker Columbia offers a limited lifetime warranty.
Though the company won’t replace an item for normal wear and tear, Columbia will replace items with manufacturer defects.
If the zipper breaks, for example, you can send your jacket in to have it inspected. If the folks in the warranty department determine the defect is covered by the warranty, they’ll fix it and send it back, or send you a credit for the value of the item so you can buy a new one.
The company offers a one-year warranty on shoes and sportswear.
Patagonia’s lifetime warranty guarantees if their product doesn’t perform as expected, the company will replace it. Photo courtesy of Patagonia
21. Patagonia
Outdoor gear-maker Patagonia calls its lifetime warranty an “Ironclad Guarantee.” If you buy Patagonia apparel and gear for climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing or trail running, and it doesn’t perform as expected, the company will replace it.
“We guarantee everything we make,” according to the company’s website. “If you are not satisfied with one of our products at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, return it to the store you bought it from or to Patagonia for a repair, replacement or refund.”
Patagonia says it will repair damage due to normal wear and tear “at a reasonable charge.”
REI will also let you return an item for any reason for up to one year after you bought it if you are an REI member (that drops down to 90 days if you’re not a member).
23. Nordstrom
The department store Nordstrom has a famously generous return policy. Technically, it doesn’t actually have a return policy — but what the company means is that it’ll take back or exchange nearly any item, for any reason, at any time.
“We stand behind our goods and services and want customers to be satisfied with them,” explains the company’s website.
“We’ll always do our best to take care of customers — our philosophy is to deal with them fairly and reasonably.” There’s no time limit for returns or exchanges, so use your best judgment.
24. Vortex Optics
Vortex Optics makes an array of products, including binoculars, gun scopes, tripods and other gear.
The company has a “VIP warranty,” which says that it will repair or replace any Vortex product if it becomes damaged or defective. The warranty doesn’t cover theft, loss, deliberate damage or cosmetic damage.
The warranty is fully transferable and you don’t need to hang on to your receipt.
“You see, it doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all Vortex Optics riflescopes, prism scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods and monoculars,” according to the company’s website.
25. Adidas
Sportswear company Adidas will replace or repair any returned item that has a manufacturer defect or a “deviation from factory specifications.”
The company’s warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, however.
26. Jostens
Ring-maker Jostens offers a limited lifetime warranty on many of its rings, including high school class rings, college class rings and youth sports rings.
The company will resize, refinish, polish, clean and replace some types of stones for the life of the ring, as long as you’re the original owner.
27. Le Creuset
This maker of multicolored cookware products offers a limited lifetime warranty on cast iron, tri-ply stainless steel, metal bakeware and toughened nonstick items.
The Le Creuset warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, only defects in material and workmanship for products used in a normal household setting. To be eligible, you need to make sure you take care of your skillets and pans according to the company’s instructions.
The company offers five-year warranties on kettles and stockpots. It offers a limited 10-year warranty on stoneware.
Tervis insulated products come with a lifetime guarantee. If the staff determines, after an inspection, that an item has a material defect or a problem due to workmanship, the company will replace it for free. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
28. Tervis
Tervis makes water bottles, cups and mugs with nifty decorations (hello, Harry Potter cup!). It stands behind its products with guarantees.
The classic insulated products come with a lifetime guarantee. If Tervis’ staff determine, after an inspection, that an item has a material defect or a problem due to workmanship, the company will replace it for free.
Stainless steel items come with a limited five-year guarantee.
However, the warranties do not cover normal wear and tear, improper care or abuse. They also do not cover accessories.
29. Wüsthof
Wüsthof has been making knives and other kitchen tools since 1814, and it offers a lifetime warranty for defects in workmanship and materials.
30. Rainbow Sandals
Jay “Sparky” Longley began making sandals in his Laguna Beach garage in 1972. Now, if you buy a pair of his flip-flops, they’re guaranteed “for the lifetime of the sole,” according to the company’s website.
“The sandals will be eligible for warranty until you have worn through anywhere on the top or bottom layer of the sole.”
The warranty covers manufacturing defects only. If the strap pulls out from the base of the sandal or if the sandal’s sole layers become unglued, the shoes are likely covered by the warranty and the company will repair or replace them at no charge.
31. Filson
This Seattle-based company has made luggage, watches, outdoor gear and other items since 1897.
Filson offers a lifetime guarantee that covers failure of workmanship and materials for the life of its products. Normal wear and tear is not covered by the warranty.
32. The North Face
Most North Face products are guaranteed for the lifetime of the item against defects in materials and workmanship, with the exception of shoes and products from The North Face Renewed series, which have only a one-year guarantee.
Skullcandy now offers a one-year limited warranty on most products for manufacturing defects. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
33. Skullcandy
Skullcandy makes colorful earbuds and headphones that range in price from $17.99 to $199.99.
The company offers a one-year limited warranty on most products for manufacturing defects. Products purchased before April 1, 2021, come with a two-year limited warranty.
34. Hydro Flask
Founded in 2009 in Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask makes insulated bottles and food storage containers. The company offers the Hydro Flask Let’s Go! Promise: Product Warranty, which covers manufacturer defects but not normal wear and tear. Depending on the product, the warranty may be lifetime or five years.
The company will replace your flask or bottle if it has a broken or leaking cap, if it has lost its insulating properties or if it has been damaged during shipping. It will also replace your bottle or flask if it rattles.
35. Dakine
Dakine makes gear for playing in the snow, surfing, cycling and windsurfing. The company was founded in Hawaii in 1979 and is now in Hood River, Oregon.
Dakine’s 10-year limited lifetime warranty protects its backpacks and bags against manufacturing defects, but it does not cover normal wear and tear. Dakine also offers a two-year limited warranty on gloves, accessories, windsurf and kite gear, outerwear and apparel.
According to the company’s website, manufacturer defects include things like a straight-edge tear along a seam, a stitching defect that makes it difficult to use the product and zipper malfunctions.
36. Chaco
Sandal-maker Chaco promises that its shoes will be free from defects in materials and workmanship. The company offers a limited lifetime warranty on its sandals, which have received high praise from devoted outdoorsmen and women.
The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, problems with fit or sandals that have been worn past the point of repair.
37. Timbuk2
Timbuk2 makes messenger bags, backpacks, laptop bags and duffel bags. The company offers a lifetime warranty on all of its bags (but not its shirts, hoodies, wallets or face masks) that covers defects in materials or workmanship.
“Your Timbuk2 bag is sewn by hand and might contain some slight imperfections. Like Daniel Craig or Marilyn Monroe, the slight imperfections are what add character to an already awesome product,” according to the company’s website.
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38. CamelBak
The “Got Your Bak” guarantee covers defects in workmanship and materials for all CamelBak reservoirs, backpacks, bottles and accessories.
“Our Got Your Bak warranty program covers CamelBak products that legitimately fail due to a manufacture defect,” the company’s website states.
39. Polar Bottle
If you buy one of its water bottles and it breaks or is somehow faulty due to “defects in materials and workmanship,” Polar Bottle will replace it for you.
The warranty does not cover regular wear and tear on the item. It also does not cover “accident, combat damage, improper care or cleaning, non-standard usage or negligence.”
40. Gibson
Founded in 1894 in Nashville, Tennessee, Gibson has been a favorite of guitar players for centuries. Gibson guarantees its instruments to be free from defaults due to workmanship or materials, promising to repair or replace any instrument that doesn’t meet this standard. The warranty applies only to the original purchaser.
The warranty doesn’t cover instruments that have been modified, or damage that occurs from “misuse, negligence, accident or improper operation,” according to Gibson’s website.
41. Big Green Egg
A Big Green Egg ceramic cooker is an investment that costs between $429 and $2,199, depending on size. But every cooker comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which softens the blow slightly.
The warranty covers “materials and workmanship on all ceramic components (including dome, base, damper top, fire box and fire ring),” according to the manufacturer.
The lifetime guarantee is valid for the original owner, so if you buy one second-hand it won’t be eligible. You also need to make sure you register your product in order to make a claim on the warranty.
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42. Tupperware
Tupperware is best known for its plasticware that’s perfect for storing leftovers, but the company also makes a wide range of other kitchen products.
Tupperware’s website states that its products are “warranted by Tupperware against chipping, cracking, breaking or peeling under normal non-commercial use for the lifetime of the product.”
Depending on the product, certain components may be excluded from the lifetime guarantee. For example, the limited lifetime warranty does not cover the silicone parts from the Microwave Pressure Cooker.
As of January 2023, Tupperware’s website says that the company is currently upgrading its warranty system and is unable to process claims, but once the upgrade is complete, you’ll be able to submit your warranty claim as per usual.
43. Calphalon
Calphalon makes kitchenware designed to withstand the test of time. Many of Calphalon’s items come with a lifetime warranty.
“Calphalon will replace any item found defective in material or workmanship when put to normal household use and cared for according to the instructions,” according to the company’s website.
Some older Calphalon items do not fall under the lifetime warranty and instead have a 10-year warranty.
44. Cross
Since 1846, Cross has made writing instruments and accessories like padfolios, wallets and journals. The company stands by its products by offering a lifetime mechanical warranty for its writing instruments, and shorter guarantees for leather products and timepieces.
According to Cross’ website, “All Cross writing instrument mechanisms are unquestionably guaranteed against mechanical failure, regardless of age.”
45. Lupine Pet
Quality pet products can be hard to find. Lupine Pet makes that a little easier thanks to its GUARANTEED (Even if Chewed) program.
“GUARANTEED (Even if Chewed) means we will replace any Lupine Pet brand dog collars, leashes or pet gear that has been accidentally damaged during normal pet-related activities, even chewing accidents!” Lupine Pet says on its website.
Lupine Pet will not replace an item that has been lost or outgrown, or one that has faded or has normal wear and tear.
46. Kryptonite Lock
Kryptonite makes secure locks for bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The company guarantees its products and will replace any lock that has a defect in material or workmanship.
All Kryptonite Lock products carry a lifetime limited warranty. Kryptonite also makes bike lights; those carry a two-year warranty.
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47. Kingston Technology
As technology has progressed, so has Kingston. The company got its start in 1987 making surface mount memory chips; today it makes several varieties of memory cards, SSDs, USB flash drives and more.
Kingston offers a lifetime warranty for many of its products. Other products carry warranties that range from one year to five years, depending on the item. You can find a full list of what is covered on Kingston’s website.
48. Stanley Tools
Top-quality tools can serve you for many years. Stanley makes a wide variety of tools, and many of them are covered by a lifetime warranty.
Tools covered by this warranty include wrenches, sockets, ratchets, drive accessories, tape measures, hand tools, and landscaping and garden tools. Other items may offer a shorter warranty.
49. Tilley
Tilley offers a lifetime guarantee on many of its hats. If your hat has the guarantee, it’ll be printed on the woven label inside the hat. You’ll need to register the hat for it to be covered by the guarantee.
“Your Tilley hat should be treasured,” says Tilley’s website. “We are so confident in our craftsmanship that some of our hats are Guaranteed for Life against normal wear and tear, poor workmanship, or faulty material. If your hat is Guaranteed for Life, we will repair or replace it free of charge.”
50. Fiskars
Fiskars makes a wide range of products, from kitchen knives and craft blades to gardening shears and saws. The company stands by its products with its lifetime warranty.
According to the Fiskars website, “Fiskars products are warranted to the consumer purchaser to be free of defects in material and workmanship for as long as the consumer owns the product.”
This warranty doesn’t cover sharpening, wear and tear due to normal use or accidental damage.
Sarah Kuta and Cat Hiles are contributors to The Penny Hoarder.
Whether you have a spouse who wants to share a banking password or a younger sibling who keeps badgering you for your password to Netflix, password sharing can be tricky business. If you don’t share a password securely, you could quickly find yourself in hot water.
Ask yourself whether you want to share a password in the first place and if there could be negative repercussions if you pass out your secret information. Not all services smile upon password sharing, and better options may be available.
Let’s take a deep dive into password sharing and determine the best way to go about it.
Should You Share Your Passwords?
Before you go about securely sharing your passwords, you’ll want to take a moment to decide if sharing your password is the best decision. For starters, you’ll need to know what access you are granting when you share a password.
If you are sharing a bank account password, you may be giving full access to your money and financial details. This could be a bad move, and as an alternative, some banks may allow you to set up more limited accounts for third parties, which could be a better solution.
We recommend contacting your bank to see what options are available for sharing account access and providing limited access to specific individuals. If you are a business, services such as Chase for Business offer the ability to set up multiple users with varying levels of access and control.
When it comes to websites that don’t seem to contain crucial information, such as media streaming websites — Netflix, HBO Max or Hulu — you may still want to give sharing your password a second thought. Providing access to your account could allow a friend or family member to upgrade packages at your expense or gain bits of your credit or debit card information.
Not all streaming services are thrilled at the idea of you sharing your login credentials with others outside of your household — the same goes for many other services. You could quickly find yourself in breach of contract and at risk of having your account deactivated. Check the rules with your service before sharing account details.
But, in the end, you have decided that you want to share your password, so what’s the best way to go about it? Keep reading, and we’ll discuss the safest way to work with shared passwords so they are less likely to get exposed to those you’d rather keep locked out.
How to Securely Share Your Passwords
We’re going to get straight to the point — the securest way to share your password is by using a password manager. If you are unfamiliar with password managers, check out our password manager guide to learn how they can help you create and manage a more secure online digital life.
To make things easier, we’ll explain how to share your passwords safely within two of our favorite password managers — 1Password and LastPass. Other password managers may have a similar feature, so be sure to check the software developer’s website for more detailed information.
If you are a business looking to help employees share passwords and access work account credentials with ease, we recommend LastPass. This password manager has features that help keep business-critical software secure, security breaches at bay and general security in good shape.
Sharing Passwords With 1Password
The team at 1Password has provided a few ways to share passwords. If you are a member of a family or team account, you can share an entire collection of passwords, often referred to as a “vault.” However, they teach you how to share your passwords via a secure link whether or not they have a 1Password account.
Begin by opening 1Password and clicking on the password you wish to share.
Next, click the Share button. (On macOS, this button will be hidden behind a box-with-an-upward-arrow icon. On Windows, Linux and Android, the button will be hidden behind a three-vertical-dots icon.)
Under the Link Expires After heading, choose how many days you wish the secure link to last before it is no longer viewable.
Then, under the Available To heading, choose if you wish to limit who can access the link to view the password. If you decide to restrict the password’s access, enter the email addresses of the individuals you wish to grant access.
Next, check the Can Be Viewed Only 1 Time box if you want to limit the password link to be viewed only a single time.
Lastly, click Get Link to Share and send the link to the person you want to share your password.
Sharing Passwords With LastPass
When sharing a password from within LastPass, the person you share the password with also needs a LastPass account. This restriction is due to the way LastPass’ encrypted sharing system works. Luckily, a LastPass account is free and won’t cost your friend or family member any additional dough.
Hover your mouse over the password you wish to share, then click the Two-People icon that appears.
Enter the email address of the LastPass user you wish to share your password.
If you also want the person you are sharing the password with to be able to view it, check the Allow Recipient to View Password box.
Lastly, click Share.
Sharing Passwords With Other Password Managers
If you don’t use 1Password or LastPass as your password manager, don’t fret — that isn’t an issue, and we’ve got your back. Here are links to common password managers and more details on their respective password-sharing abilities.
It is crucial to note that some password managers may require you to be on a paid plan to share passwords with others. Our favorite password manager that doesn’t impose this paid-only-sharing limitation is LastPass.
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How NOT to Share Your Passwords
We’ve already established that password managers are the best way to share passwords; they offer a secure, encrypted and controlled environment from which you can share your most important data with others. So, you may be wondering, what should I not do?
Unfortunately, most other ways of sharing passwords outside of a password manager are not secure. Sending passwords to others via text message, email or Google Doc is not recommended.
Passwords shared via these methods are generally not encrypted, and their access is poorly controlled. For example, it is much easier for someone to sit down at your computer or pick up your smartphone and view unlocked Google Docs, then get into your password manager.
Additionally, you’ll want to avoid physically writing down a password and sharing it with another person. While they could lock the password away in a safe, they could just as easily leave it out on their desk for anyone to access.
Trust us, stick to a password manager for managing and sharing account credentials.
How to Share Passwords Between Apple Devices
Apple devices have a few special tricks up their sleeves when it comes to password technology. Whether you are on a Mac, iPad or iPhone, there is an easy way to share passwords that you have saved within Safari. You can even share your Wi-Fi passwords with others in only a few clicks. Here’s how to go about that.
Share Passwords on iPhone
Begin by opening the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Click on the Passwords section to open your password vault — you will be prompted to enter your device’s password or authenticate via either FaceID or TouchID.
Select the password you wish to share, then click the share button (a box-with-an-upward-arrow icon).
Lastly, via AirDrop, you’ll be able to select a device that you wish to share your password information.
If you need assistance with using AirDrop, check out Apple’s support article for more detailed information on how the feature works. For starters, ensure that you and the other individual have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled for the feature to work.
Share Your Wi-Fi Passwords
If you have a friend, family member or colleague who’s trying to access your Wi-Fi network, you can easily share the password in only a few taps. This can help avoid the need to flip your router over and read out a convoluted chain of letters, numbers and symbols.
However, it is crucial to note that both individuals will need their respective Apple IDs saved in the other person’s Contacts for this feature to work. Additionally, both individuals will need their Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switched on.
Begin by ensuring the device sharing the Wi-Fi password is unlocked and connected to the desired Wi-Fi network.
Next, have the device that wishes to connect tap on the Wi-Fi network to initiate the connection process.
A prompt should appear on the device that already has access to the Wi-Fi network, asking if you wish to share the password — simply tap Share Password.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing Passwords
We’ve found the answers to many of the most common questions about sharing passwords.
How Can I Share My Password With Others?
The best way to share a password with another person is to use a password manager’s sharing feature. Password managers allow you to share your password in a method that is encrypted for safety and offers complete control. If you don’t already use a password manager, we recommend that you check out our roundup of the best options.
Is It Ever OK to Share Passwords?
Yes. We would be liars if we said that there weren’t benefits to sharing your passwords at times. However, you must share your password safely and securely. Sharing passwords is commonly due out of ease, but if you don’t go about it in a certain way, it could easily cause more issues down the road.
Is It Safe to Save Passwords in Email?
It’s not recommended to send shared login credentials via an email account. Emails aren’t typically encrypted and don’t offer the same level of security and protection that something such as a password manager would provide.
Michael Archambault is a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder specializing in technology.
The debate about switching from gas stoves to electric cooktops has been heating up lately on social media. So what’s the firestorm of controversy about?
In short, state and national agencies are advising — and in some cases giving tax incentives — for consumers to save energy by switching from gas appliances to electric.
If you’re looking to purchase a new stove or cooktop this year, it may be time to consider electric or induction ranges as a cheaper and potentially safer alternative.
Why Are People Switching From Gas to Electric Appliances?
Ditching gas stoves at home boils down to two main concerns. First, there are safety concerns about using gas in areas that are not well ventilated. Some studies have linked health concerns, specifically asthma, to elevated levels of indoor air pollution from gas-burning appliances.
Second, unlike electric appliances, gas appliances — like ranges and cooktops — release methane gas and other greenhouse gas emissions into the environment. Stanford researchers estimate the use of gas stoves in the United States puts the equivalent of tailpipe emissions from 500,000 cars into the environment every year.
“Although carbon dioxide is more abundant in the atmosphere, methane’s global warming potential is about 86 times as great over a 20-year period and at least 25 times as great a century after its release,” according to Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment’s 2022 report.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Switching From Gas to Electric?
When shopping for appliances, most consumers interested in saving energy look for the Energy Star rating and leave it at that. Gas ranges have long been considered superior for cooking and generally are more energy efficient, so switching to an electric or induction range may seem like a step down for home cooks.
Here are the pros and cons of ditching gas and switching to cooking with electricity.
Pros
Fewer emissions/indoor pollutants than gas
Rebate and tax credits may be available
Cheaper than gas
Fewer health concerns
Induction heats/cools faster
Cons
May require upgrade to electric service
Professional installation if wiring is done
May require new cookware
Induction cooktop can be hard to clean
Electric can be slower to heat
The costs of switching from electric to gas depend on whether your house needs an electrical upgrade to add a stove. Before you start panicking, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides both a tax credit and rebates aimed at cutting the cost of electrical changes for homeowners.
Can the Gas Stove Rebate in the Inflation Reduction Act Save You Money?
If you’re in the market to replace your gas stove or an existing electric stove in the near future, you’re in luck. The Inflation Reduction Act includes rebates and a tax credit for purchasing and installing an energy-efficient heat pump water heater, infrastructure to support electric vehicles and buying new electric appliances.
This goes beyond the usual rebates for Energy Star products and includes electric and induction cooktops, ranges or stoves, and even wall ovens.
See what else is included in the Inflation Reduction Act and how this landmark legislation can save you and your household money this year.
How Much Is the Electric Appliance Rebate?
The legislation sets aside $4.5 billion in funding for electric appliance rebates and also includes stipulations about how much homeowners can receive on qualifying appliances.
Homeowners are eligible for an $840 rebate on the purchase of an electric or induction stove, cooktop, range or oven — plus up to $500 to cover the costs of converting from natural gas to propane or electric.
For those who need to upgrade electric service, rebates include $2,500 for electric wiring and $4,000 for an electric load service center upgrade.
Pro Tip
Get more bang for your buck by considering which home projects will maximize the energy rebates included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Do I Qualify for the Electric Appliance Rebate?
Before you ditch your gas stove, there are income limits to qualify for a rebate.
You’ll receive 100% of the rebate if your household income is 80% or less of the median family income in your area.
If your income is 80% to 150% of the median family income, you’ll be eligible for 50% of the rebate.
If you make 150% or more of the area median income, you won’t be eligible for this rebate.
Data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be used to determine income levels in your area. You can use the HUD database to check your eligibility.
Which Energy-Efficient Appliances Qualify for the Rebate?
The legislation is vague on which appliances qualify for the rebate and doesn’t specifically prohibit funding from being used in alternative ways.
For instance, you might be able to replace your old electric range with a newer electric model and still qualify for the rebate. Each state will determine how the rebate can be applied.
Other appliances eligible for rebates include those that maximize energy efficiency, like an electric heat pump water heater.
How and When Will the Electric Appliance Rebate Be Available?
The federal government has made the funding for these electric appliance rebates available, but it’s up to each state to implement the program. The U.S. Department of Energy has provided a rough framework for the tax credit and rebates on their website.
While it might take a while for some of these rebate programs to get off the ground, the funding is available through 2031. While it’s best to wait until the rebate program launches in your state, if you have to buy an electric stove or heat pump soon, save your receipts and stay tuned.
Kaz Weida is a senior staff writer at The Penny Hoarder covering saving money and budgeting. As a journalist, she has written about a wide array of topics including finance, health, politics, education and technology for the last decade.
Unlike more extreme sports, we don’t always consider the toll regular long walks can have on our bodies. That is, until you take a walk and come home with blisters, sore arches or painful joints.
Good walking shoes matter, and spending just a little can go a long way in how enjoyable — and pain-free — your walks are.
Specifically, you should look for flexibility, comfort and stability in a pair of walking shoes, according to Dr. Jeffrey Hurless, board-certified podiatrist, foot surgeon and medical director of Healthy Feet Store.
“These shoes are also typically a little heavier in weight than running shoes to help maintain stability,” he said.
So how exactly can you tell a quality walking shoe from the latest sneaker hype? We sat down with the experts to bring you this guide. Here are seven of the most highly-rated walking shoes on the market that you can buy without breaking your budget.
Best for daily walkers: Propét Tour Knit
Best for all weather: Vionic Walker
Best for all terrain: Xero Shoes TerraFlex
Best for arch support: Propét TravelActiv
Best for wide feet: Propét Stability X
Best for bad knees: ASICS Gel-Venture 8
Best slip-on: Lem’s Drifter
Best Walking Shoe for Daily Walkers
Shoe: Propét Tour Knit
Price: $89
Why they’re the best: When it comes to a versatile walking shoe for your daily jaunts, Derek Roach, owner of Flow Feet likes the Propét Tour Knit.
“This style features a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop which helps with forward movement in each stride,” Roach said. “The precision knit uppers are great for breathability and to keep the inside of the shoe fresh even with frequent use. The insole is a Ortholite X25™ Open Cell foam insert that provides multiple layers of cushioning for comfort on long walks or even with strenuous exercise.”
Photo courtesy of Vionic
Best Walking Shoe for All Weather
Shoe: Vionic Walker
Price: $110
Why they’re the best: No matter where your walks take you, the sturdy construction and long-lasting comfort of the Vionic Walkers will have your back.
“These are a great option for active folks looking for a shoe that features comfort, stability and water resistance during long walks or gym workouts,” Hurless said. “This shoe is constructed of a 100% breathable polyester mesh lining and a water-resistant full grain leather upper.”
“These are the best all-terrain shoes,” Kuizinas said. “They’re great for walking on different terrain because of the tread pattern, but they still have the zero drop, wide toe box shape that allows feet to function naturally.”
Pro Tip
You could pay for those new walking shoes by starting a dog-walking business. We dig into the top pet care apps and how much you might earn.
Best Walking Shoe for Bad Knees
Shoe: ASICS Gel-Venture 8
Price: $60
Why they’re the best: Another common complaint for regular walkers is pain in their knees. The ASICS Gel-Venture 8 answers the call, by way of a special design specifically intended for people with bad knees.
“The shoe is designed to help people who suffer from common knee problems such as patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee) and chondromalacia (cartilage damage that can cause pain and instability),” said Dr. Daniel Boyer of Farr Institute. “The shoe offers a secure fit with an adjustable instep that can be tightened or loosened as needed, with outsole feature grooves that increase traction and durability.”
Photo courtesy of Lauren Shelzam/Propét
Best Walking Shoe for Wide Feet
Shoe: Propét Stability X
Price: $85
Why they’re the best: It can be hard to find good shoes for wide feet. Fortunately, the Propét Stability X has some pretty nifty technology making long walks for the wide-footed that much better.
“The Stability X has two layers of removable inserts to adjust the depth of the shoe allowing your feet to sit lower in the shoe for a wider toe box fit,” Roach said. “The style comes in widths up to XXW for wider feet.”
Photo courtesy of Propét
Best Walking Shoe for Arch Support
Shoe: Propét TravelActiv
Price: $70
Why they’re the best: Bad arches? Not to worry. Dr. Hurless recommends the Propét TravelActiv for their comfort, functionality and style.
“The cushioned EVA insole provides lasting support for your arches, with the footbed being completely removable in the event that you want to replace them with your custom orthotics,” Hurless said. “These walking shoes feature good traction, are lightweight and offer superior support.”
Best Slip-On Walking Shoe
Shoe: Lem’s Drifter
Price: $95
Why they’re the best: Not a fan of fussing with shoelaces? Then you’re going to like these highly rated slip-on walking shoes recommended by Dr. Kuizinas.
“The Lem’s Drifters can be worn with or without the back, making them a great convertible option,” Kuzinas said. “The wide, foot shaped toe box and flexible sole allow for a natural foot posture while walking with just enough cushioning to keep your feet happy on long walks.”
Contributor Larissa Runkle frequently writes on finance, real estate and lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder.
I feel like a fool. After years of occasionally writing articles about scams and fraud, I fell for a simple phishing scam on my cell phone. I gave up my debit card information to a scammer — possibly one based in the tiny European nation of Montenegro.
It happened like this: Two days after I mailed a package, I got a text message saying the package was undeliverable. A link took me to an official-looking Postal Service website where I was prompted to enter a card number to “re-mail” the package.
I typed in my personal financial information, even though in retrospect I obviously should have known better.
This experience left me with two burning questions:
How did these scammers know I had sent a package in the mail?
Is this something that other people should be worried about? How should they handle it?
So I spoke with a bunch of online security experts. They disagreed about whether the scammers actually knew I had mailed a package.
But they all agreed on one thing: This kind of phone texting scam is becoming increasingly common. People need to watch out, the experts say, because the problem is only likely to get worse.
Unfortunately, phishing scams aren’t the only scams out there. Mystery shopper scams are a thing, too. Here’s how to avoid them.
“Phishing” is when someone poses as a reputable company or organization to get your personal information. They might pretend to be from your bank, or the government or a business you’ve dealt with before. They might ask you for your bank account number, Social Security number, passwords and other information that legitimate companies never ask for.
Here’s how the attack on me unfolded:
I recently mailed a package via the U.S. Postal Service. The important thing to know here is that I almost never do this. I rarely mail packages to people, but this was a special occasion.
Only two days later I got the following text: “[.USPS.] Your package is undeliverable, the address on file did not match the zip code, please update the address.”
Well! I stupidly clicked on the link provided, which brought me to a website that absolutely looked like an official U.S. Postal Service website. To “re-mail” my package, I typed in my debit card number, expiration date and three-digit verification number.
In my defense, I was a little tired and preoccupied at the time, so clearly I didn’t think this through. And I had been a little worried about the package I mailed, because it was important.
That’s why I missed a number of totally obvious red flags — such as the fact that this supposed “U.S. Postal Service” website I visited had an IP address ending in “.me,” which is the internet domain for Montenegro. It’s a smallish European country that’s next to Serbia and Kosovo, north of Greece.
Once I realized my mistake, I immediately called my bank and canceled my debit card before some scammer in the Balkans could use my information to drain my bank account.
Right now I have no debit card, which is inconvenient. But here’s what’s really bothering me: How did the scammers know I had mailed a package? I decided to ask some online security experts, including engineers, bank executives and attorneys who specialize in this kind of thing.
Rental scams are on the rise, too. Here’s how to spot a scam and keep yourself safe.
What the Experts Are Saying
“Mail delivery scams start with a seemingly official email or text about a package you’ve sent or a package being ‘sent’ to you,” said Washington, D.C., attorney Allan M. Siegel. “These texts or emails often urge you to click on a link to update personal information or payment methods.”
Siegel suspects a scammer got my phone number from “bots” located across millions of websites, and cross-referenced it with shipping data.
Martin Gasparian, an attorney in central California, agreed:
“Your data was likely taken by bots that prowl millions of sites on the internet,” he said. “In this case, your email or phone number was likely used on an official shipping website but was taken and used by scammers.”
How?
“There are several ways for someone to get access to your USPS package information,” said network security engineer Andreas Grant, founder of security company Networks Hardware. “The most common one would be to get their hands on your package tracking information. A package travels a long way before reaching the destination, so a lot of people can be a suspect here.”
However, other security experts suspect that the scam text I got was probably a lucky guess by the scammer, not the product of inside information.
“It’s likely they had no way of knowing you were expecting a package. Instead, they will have sent exactly the same message to possibly millions of people,” said Colin Palfrey, chief marketing officer of the personal finance management company Crediful.
Chris Drake, a telecom security expert who’s the chief technology officer for a communications company called iconectiv, agreed:
“It is much more likely that they do not really know you are waiting for a package and instead they sent out a million of these and waited for responses.”
Here’s one thing all these experts agree on: These types of scams are becoming more and more common.
“People managing online shipping accounts need to be vigilant, as these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect,” warned Ben Michael, an attorney with Michael & Associates in Austin, Texas.
Tips for How to Protect Yourself
Again, don’t be like me. Pay close attention to every word in a text before you respond to it.
Here are tips from our experts and the Federal Trade Commission about how to avoid being scammed:
Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages, as they may lead to phishing websites.
Be aware of red flags, such as poor grammar and spelling, and unfamiliar internet domains.
“Anytime you receive a text or email that asks you to reconfirm or reenter your credit card information, check the message carefully,” said Grant, the network security engineer. “Watch out for spelling errors in the URL, as scammers often use a slightly misspelled version of the original domain name.”
Keep in mind that scammers want you to act now. That’s a dead giveaway. What’s the rush? It’s because they’re trying to con you into sending money before you find out who’s really on the other end. Resist the pressure to act immediately.
Here at The Penny Hoarder, we kind of have a thing for Abe Lincoln.
His face is profiled on our favorite coin after all.
But as much as we love our pennies, we also like seeing Lincoln’s bearded mug on the front of the $5 bill. And saving $5 bills is much more lucrative than hoarding pennies.
How to Save Money With the 5 Dollar Challenge
The five dollar challenge is a simple way of saving money— one that doesn’t involve much thought or effort. You don’t have to do any math. You don’t have to cut back on spending. You don’t have to put aside an obscene amount of money each month.
All this challenge requires is for you to stash away every $5 bill you get as change. That’s it.
If you’re paying for something and the cashier hands you back a bill with Lincoln’s solemn face, don’t use it to buy coffee or a cheap lunch from the drive thru. Commit that $5 bill to your savings account.
Depending on how long you participate in the savings challenge, you could end up banking a lot of cash. Five dollar bills can add up quickly. Just putting aside two $5 bills a week will give you $520 in savings after a year. And since the amount is fairly nominal, your savings can grow without even missing your $5 bills.
Savings Calculator
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Final balance: $0
Where to Keep Your Money
Separating all your $5 bills from the rest of your spending money is key to succeeding in this challenge. Many folks who participate in the $5 challenge stash their cash in jars, envelopes or even shoe boxes. Think of it as your adult piggy bank!
You can keep a running count of your balance or just wait until the end of your challenge to be surprised by the total.
If you don’t feel like keeping all that extra money at home though, make weekly deposits into a savings account. Your savings will be insured, you’ll distance yourself from your stash and you can even earn interest — especially if you have a high-yield savings account.
Participating in the Challenge When You Don’t Use Cash
If you’re used to swiping your debit card everywhere you go, that doesn’t mean the five dollar challenge isn’t for you. You’ll just have to do a little extra work.
When you make a purchase, think about what change you would have received if you paid in cash. For example, if your Target run totals to $84.25 and you would have paid with a $100 bill, you’d likely get a $5 bill, a $10 bill and 75 cents back as change. Before you pull out of the parking lot, log onto your online banking account to transfer $5 to your savings.
To make it simpler, you could resolve to transfer $5 to your savings account every time you swipe your card. Or you could be more selective and only add $5 to your account when you make a specific purchase, like filling up your gas tank.
Another option is to, well, make the switch to using cash — but do it just for your fun money expenditures. Stick with swiping your card to get groceries or stock up on toiletries, but pay with cash when you go shoe shopping or out to eat. Any $5 bill you receive in change goes — you guessed it — straight to your savings.
If squirreling away $5 bills doesn’t work for you, you can modify your money-saving endeavor while still sticking to the basic premise of the challenge.
Save all the coins you get as change. (Piggy banks aren’t just for kids, you know.) Or you could put aside all the $1 bills you receive.
Going with a smaller denomination of money doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be saving less. For example, if you frequently receive more $1 bills as change than $5 bills, you could end up saving more.
Have a Goal for Your Savings
Whether you plan to stick with this savings challenge for a couple months or the whole year, it’s good to have a plan for what you’ll do with the money you save.
You could afford something nice for yourself, like taking a much-needed vacation or buying something on your personal wish list. Or you could use the money for something that reflects your financial goals, like making a nice dent in your student loan or credit card balance.
However you decide to use your savings, having an end-goal in mind can keep you motivated to stay consistent — and to not dig into your stockpile before the challenge ends.
Nicole Dow is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Senior writer Robert Bruce updated this post for 2023.
The convenience and portability of audiobooks let you enjoy your love of reading on the go. But how do you save money on the audiobooks you want?
There are a number of audiobook services available, but the options can be overwhelming. Finding the right audiobook service is a matter of finding the best one for how you like to read.
11 Services for Cheap Audiobooks
Here’s our rundown of some of the best audiobook services where you can grab a book for your ears.
1. Audible
Audible is a big name in audiobooks. As a part of Amazon, it’s heavily marketed and easily available, but it has its pros and cons.
Pros
Audible boasts one of the largest audiobook libraries out there with more than 500,000 titles and around 100,000 podcasts, according to a company spokesperson. Whatever you like to read, you can probably find it on Audible.
You get to keep any titles you read even if you cancel your subscription.
You also get daily deals and an extra 30% discount on additional book purchases.
You can download the books you choose and listen offline.
You can try Audible out with a no-cost, 30-day trial period.
Amazon Prime members can try Audible free for 30 days while also receiving 2 credits (1 credit = 1 title) per month.
Cons
Audible is a subscription service with five different subscription plans, the cheapest being $7.95 per month. At that lowest tier, though, you are unable to earn extra credits and you won’t get discounts on premium selection titles or access to exclusive sales.
The other membership plans are pricey. They include monthly subscriptions of $14.95 for one credit per month or $22.95 for two credits per month. Annual plans are also available; they cost $149.50 for 12 credits per year or $229.50 for 24 credits per year.
Unused credits expire after one year. They also expire when you cancel your membership.
2. Audiobooks.com
Audiobooks.com is another subscription service, much like Audible.
Pros
Very large selection with more than 350,000 titles plus more than 10,000 free audiobooks.
Access to more than 100 million podcast episodes for free.
Your subscription includes one book per month.
You can buy extra credits as needed. One credit equals one book.
You get free extra VIP books each month with no additional charge. VIP titles are older, less popular books, but they aren’t all obscure. For example, one book currently on the list is Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.”
With a free 30-day trial you get one book free and can also select two books from the VIP collection that changes monthly.
You can stream books or download so you can listen offline.
Cons
It’s more expensive than many options at $14.95 per month.
3. Scribd
Scribd is a subscription service that allows you to access “unlimited” audiobooks and also offers features like ebooks, podcasts and even sheet music.
Pros
At $11.99 it’s cheaper than Audiobooks.com and you get to listen to as many books as you want.
There are a lot of extras like Kindle books, magazines and even sheet music available with your subscription.
You can choose from more than 2 million ebooks, 300,000 audiobooks and 1 million magazine and news articles.
It includes a 30-day free trial.
Cons
The term “unlimited” isn’t 100% accurate. Users in the iPhone app store complain that after two or three popular books, your ability to read new and popular titles becomes very limited for the rest of the month.
You’re renting rather than buying the books, so you cannot keep them.
The platform is not loaded with extras like some of the other services.
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4. Downpour
For $12.99, subscription service Downpour gives you one credit (good for any one book) per month. You can spend them as you go or save them up. Or you can simply rent or buy books without a subscription, but you’ll pay a little more for each title.
Pros
Less expensive than Audiobooks.com.
You own the books and can keep them even if you cancel.
You can download and listen offline.
You have the option to buy or rent books outside of the membership. Rentals are less expensive. But, if you buy the book, you’ll pay more than you would with a membership.
Cons
Smaller selection with just 80,000 titles (and counting).
Each credit expires after 12 months.
Books for purchase are pricey, though there is a tab for “Daily Deals” with sections for downloads under $10, $5 and even 99 cents.
5. Chirp
Chirp is a sister site of Bookbub, an e-book site. When you sign up for the service, you get a daily email featuring special deals. Many of the deals are $3.99 or less for each book.
Pros
No subscription needed, so you only pay for what you buy.
You buy rather than rent the books, so they’re yours to keep.
You can purchase from a wide selection of books at regular price.
There is a “my wishlist” section where you can list out the books you want to listen to and get alerts if they go on sale.
Cons
The featured deals are random and aren’t catered to your taste, so you may or may not see books on sale that you actually want to read.
6. Apple Books
Apple Books is a store for Apple users to purchase audiobooks. It’s not a subscription site, just a pay-for-what-you-want store.
Pros
New and popular books are available, as well as classics.
Apple editors curate general lists to help readers find new books.
You keep your audiobooks right on your phone or iPad.
You can download books and listen to them from your Apple Watch while you workout.
No pressure to download books to justify a monthly expense.
Cons
Individual books can be expensive.
7. Google Play Books
Google Play Books is much like Apple Books, but for Android and PC users, and with a few more perks.
Pros
No subscription, just buy what you like.
Listen to previews before committing.
Good sales and prices overall.
Can be used on iPhones and Macs.
Large selection of audiobooks.
Offers some free books.
Cons
Some users complain that the app is clunky.
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8. Libro.fm
Libro.fm is the independent bookstore of audiobook services — the anti-Audible if you will.
Pros
Libro.fm donates a portion of every purchase you make to the locally owned bookstore of your choice.
No membership required.
However, you have an option to become a member for $14.99 per month, which gives you two audiobook credits initially, then one per month after and 30% off individual purchases.
More than 275,000 audiobooks are available, including 99% of all New York Times bestsellers.
You own the books you buy, meaning you keep them if you ever cancel your membership.
Offers free iOS and Android listening apps.
Cons
Similarly priced plans through Audible and Audiobooks.com offer a larger catalog of books to choose from.
9. Blinkist
Blinkist is a unique service in that it offers condensed versions of popular nonfiction books for people who don’t feel like they have time to listen to entire books.
Pros
It’s fairly inexpensive at only $8.34 per month.
You can try the service out for free for seven days.
Includes access to more than 5,500 nonfiction books in dozens of categories.
Most audiobooks can be listened to in 15 minutes or less.
Subscription includes unlimited access to all books.
If you like the condensed book, you can upgrade to the full version.
Cons
Nonfiction only.
Good for a quick overview but not for in-depth knowledge.
10. Librivox
The Librivox audiobooks website declares “acoustical liberation of books in the public domain.” So what does that mean? Basically, it’s a free library of audiobooks that are old enough to have outlasted their copyright. They are read by volunteers.
Pros
Completely free to use.
Lots of great classics like “Moby Dick,” “Frankenstein” and “The Life and Times of Frederick Douglas.”
Curious about a career or side hustle as an audiobook narrator? Check out our guide that covers everything you need to know.
11. Your Public Library System
To find free audiobooks, you can always go to your local library and check out audiobooks on CD, but that’s so 2005. These days most library systems are hooked up with apps like OverDrive or Hoopla so you can check out audiobooks digitally on your phone, tablet or reader.
Pros
With a library card, it’s completely free.
Not limited to your local library but connected to a large network of libraries, so there are many titles available.
You can place holds on titles you want if they are not currently available.
Cons
You may not find every book you want.
Books are checked out just like non-digital copies, so they are limited and you may have to wait for certain books.
New and popular books frequently have a very long waiting list.
You do not keep the titles, just borrow.
Pro Tip
Public libraries lend so much more than books, audiobooks and movies. Depending on the library, you can borrow museum passes, tools, puzzles, cake pans, games and more
Tyler Omoth is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Robert Bruce, a senior writer with The Penny Hoarder, also worked on this story.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the new and used car market has been tumultuous, with unprecedented price hikes and major supply shortages reaching a crescendo in 2022. With some new car models taking months to order, many drivers have turned to used vehicles – but even those have been hard to come by.
At the same time, Americans have faced high gas prices due to rising inflation and the ongoing war in Ukraine, leading many to consider electric vehicles.
In 2023, experts expect supply chain issues to level out, leading to more inventory on dealership lots. Even so, new car prices will likely stay high as we face ongoing inflation in 2023. Used vehicle prices, however, could drop 10% to 20% this year, according to J.P. Morgan Research.
And with a new tax credit going into effect in 2023 for used electric vehicles, this just might be the year to invest in a pre-owned EV.
New to the used electric vehicle market? We’ve got you covered. Below, we’ll break down tips for buying a used EV, five of the best used electric cars under $20K and how much it costs to drive an EV.
Still driving a gas-powered car? You can save money on gas if you join one of these six fuel rewards programs.
7 Tips for Buying a Used Electric Car
How is shopping for used electric cars different from buying used gas cars? Primarily, you’ll need to focus on electric range and battery life. Here are seven tips to make sure you find a good one:
1. Make a List of Potential Models — and Act Fast
The Nissan Leaf was the world’s first mass-produced all-electric car, and it continues to be among the most affordable more than a decade later. But the used EV market now has a lot more options, from the luxurious BMW i3 and Tesla Model S to the practical Ford Focus Electric and Volkswagen e-Golf.
Consider Price
If you’re shopping for a used EV on a budget, you can take models like the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model S off your list (though now that the BMW i3 has been on the market so long, you can find older models under $15,000). Set a max budget for yourself, and research used EV prices within your range.
Some of the more affordable options will come from brands like Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, Chevy and Ford. If you need a good starting point, scroll down to our list of the best used electric cars under $20,000.
Consider Range
Price is only half of the consideration. Think about how you’ll drive your EV each day. What’s the max range you’ll need for most daily drives? Find an electric vehicle in your price range that can go as far as you need it to on a single charge.
That way, you won’t have to worry about charging on the go.
If you do plan to charge during an outing, take advantage of DC (direct current) fast charging, also called Level 3 charging. A DC fast charging port will allow you to charge your car’s battery much faster (in around 30 minutes), but you won’t get a 100% charge (DC fast charging typically yields up to 80% of a charge).
While most EVs can be charged with a DC fast charging plug, this is not always the case, especially in older models. If looking at some of the earliest model-year EVs, pay attention to this feature.
Act Fast
Once you’ve found a few models you’re interested in, plug them in (pun so intended) to The Penny Hoarder car comparison spreadsheet to see which option is best for you.
When your preferred model becomes available privately or at a dealership, act fast. Both used and new cars are selling just as quickly as they’re being listed. If you don’t go for a test drive and make an offer as soon as possible, another buyer will.
2. Buy From a Dealership
Normally, you can find lower used car prices by buying from a private seller, but when it comes to buying a used EV, you may want to buy from a certified car dealership, even if the price is slightly higher.
Why? Starting this year, the Inflation Reduction Act’s new tax credits for used EV sales goes into effect. Customers who buy a used electric car from a dealership may be eligible for 30% of the sale price in tax credits (up to $4,000).
As with any tax credits, there are lots of stipulations. Check out this IRS resource to see if you (and the used EV you want to buy) qualify. The big issue is that it only applies to used EVs under $25,000. According to Recurrent Auto, that’s just 12% of used EVs on the market.
Note: This tax credit is nonrefundable.
3. Understand How the Warranty Works
When the original driver purchased their electric car, the manufacturer likely included an extended warranty on the battery.
Lithium-ion batteries are the single most expensive component of an EV. To assuage buyer fears of replacements, automakers commonly offer eight years (or 100,000 miles) of coverage for new EV batteries. But not all warranties are transferable.
When doing initial research on a model listed for sale, you could ask the seller for information on the warranty, but it’s always better to confirm this yourself. Find the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number), then call the manufacturer’s customer service department to get the details on the warranty.
Specifically ask how many years are left on the warranty — and if it will transfer to you with the sale. If there is no transferable warranty, be cautious of buying an older model whose battery may be on its final legs.
4. Find a Car That’s Recently Had Its Battery Replaced
Alternatively, especially if you’re reaching back to high-mileage EVs from the beginning of the 2010s, find an electric car that has just had its battery replaced. Ask the seller for receipts and paperwork confirming the battery replacement.
If the seller can’t find any paperwork but says the battery was replaced, you can often confirm the work by checking on a vehicle history report from Carfax.
5. Use Battery Life to Haggle
If there is no remaining warranty on the battery and it hasn’t recently been replaced, you can use the battery degradation to your advantage.
Ask the dealership for a full report on the vehicle’s battery health (or just see what the estimated range for the battery is after a full charge — there’s typically a gauge on the dashboard). Compare this expected range to the range that was originally advertised when this model first went on the market. If there is a stark difference, you’ve just found a major bargaining chip.
Bear in mind that now is a tough time to haggle. If you are trying to get the seller to drop to a lower price, they may just pass on the sale and wait for the next buyer to come in. (Said buyer is probably just minutes behind you in this current used market.)
If you do get the seller to drop the price, remember that you’ll likely be paying to replace the battery in the coming years. According to Recurrent Auto, new EV batteries can range from $3,000 to more than $20,000. Ouch.
6. Take It to a Specialized Mechanic
Before buying any used car, you should take it on a test drive to a trusted mechanic for a full inspection. The mechanic will inform you of any problems that the seller may not have disclosed.
This helps you 1) haggle for a lower price or 2) know when to walk away from a bad deal.
When considering a used electric car, find a mechanic who specializes in EVs. Not every mechanic has been trained to work on an electric powertrain, so it’s important to narrow your search down to mechanics with an actual background in electric car maintenance and repairs.
7. Consider Alternatives: Hybrids and Plug-In Hybrids
If you’re finding the cost of used electric cars to be out of your price range, you don’t have to give up on the notion of eco-friendly driving altogether — especially as gas prices continue to skyrocket.
Hybrid vehicles have been mainstream much longer than EVs and don’t come with any range anxiety. There’s no initial investment to install charging infrastructure at home, and hybrids are so common that finding one in your budget shouldn’t be a problem.
You can also consider a plug-in hybrid. These models draw on electric power first, but if you need additional range, there’s still a gas engine to complete your drive. Of the two, used hybrids are typically cheaper (and easier to find) than plug-ins.
So what’s the difference? Check out our hybrid vs. electric comparison before buying. hybrid vs. electric.
5 Best Used Electric Cars Under $20,000
As Recurrent Auto points out, most used EVs on the market still cost more than $25,000, making them ineligible for the used EV tax credit. Whether it’s to qualify for the tax credit or just stay on a stricter budget, you’ll need to work from a shorter list of used EVs to stay under $20K.
Look at models from the early to mid 2010s for the best prices. Prices will vary based on model year, battery condition, mileage and other factors, but in general, the models below are the best used electric cars under $20,000. (You’ll notice there’s no used Tesla model on this list!)
1. Nissan Leaf
Without a doubt, the Nissan Leaf continues to be one of the best used electric cars available. This entry-level economy car has all the typical features you’re looking for — from airbags to a power driver’s seat — in a highly efficient package.
Because the Leaf has been on the market the longest, there are plenty of options available, which keeps costs lower. However, we particularly recommend one with a higher-capacity battery for a more practical range, which means the 2016 model year and onward.
You can easily find a used Nissan Leaf in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Super old models might be listed below $6,000.
2. Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul compact crossover was an instant hit because of its funky shape and unique marketing (remember those dancing hamsters?), so it didn’t take long for Kia to launch an all-electric version. Because it’s been around since 2014, you can find Soul EVs listed in the $15,000-$20,000 range.
For that price, you’ll get more than just an efficient crossover; the Kia Soul EV has a spacious interior, smartphone connectivity and cutting-edge safety tech, especially on more recent models (2018 was its last model year in the U.S.).
3. Chevy Spark EV
The Chevy Spark is a no-frills economy car that replaced the Chevy Aveo in the early 2010s. The electric variant of it was short-lived and only sold in a few states, so finding one on the market might prove tough.
But if you’re able to find one — and don’t mind the serious lack of amenities — you can expect to pay under $15,000 (or maybe even under $10,000).
One bright spot: The Spark has had a history of fun colors over the years. While most of the used Chevy Spark EVs will be white or black, you might come across something with more personality, like an Electric Blue Metallic.
4. Fiat 500e
Though former Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne famously didn’t want you to buy his Fiat 500e, the car itself is pretty nice. The subcompact has fierce Italian styling and boasts up to 87 miles of range (more than 100 for purely city driving).
These models had very low production numbers, so finding one near you may be a challenge. If you’re lucky, you may find one for roughly $10,000-15,000.
5. Volkswagen e-Golf
You might recall the Volkswagen emission scandal back in 2015, in which Volkswagen intentionally cheated to get better EPA ratings for its diesel vehicles. While we’d stay clear of any used diesel Volkswagen models from that era, the Volkswagen e-Golf is actually a good pick.
The e-Golf is a hatchback with plenty of cargo space and passenger space; while some of the models on this list can only comfortably seat two, you can fit a family of five in an e-Golf. By 2017, it boasted an EPA estimated range of 125 miles.
The e-Golf was made as recently as 2019, but those newer models are above our $20,000 threshold. Go further back in model years to find one for around $15,000.
Honorable Mentions
Though these EVs didn’t make the final cut, they’re still worth considering for their low prices and decent range:
Kia Niro EV
Chevrolet Bolt
Ford Focus Electric
Hyundai Ioniq EV
Hyundai Kona Electric
BMW i3
Pro Tip
Pay attention to model year when doing research. The further back you go, the more affordable vehicles tend to be, but you’ll have to worry more about a lower range and greater battery degradation.
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New vs. Used Electric Cars
Automakers are betting big on EVs. Ford is putting $22 billion toward electrification through the first half of this decade, GM is planning for 30 electric models by 2025, Honda and Toyota each plan to launch 30 EVs by 2030 and Volkswagen is aiming for 50% electric sales by the same year.
Clearly, the market is about to be saturated with electric cars (and electric trucks and SUVs — you can even get an electric Mustang!). And with government incentives (like federal tax credits up to $7,500) for new electric models, it makes a lot of sense to buy new.
But not everyone can afford a brand-new Model S from Tesla, and even the compact, all-electric Nissan Leaf is more affordable when bought used. Plus, the ongoing chip shortage and continued supply chain issues are particularly affecting new electric vehicle sales, driving up prices and delaying delivery (last summer, it took an average of four months to get Volkswagen’s ID.4 model).
Buying a used electric car means a lower price (average resale values are typically lower for EVs since there’s less demand). It also means no wait time; you can head to the dealer lot, go for a test drive and take the electric car home that same day.
But buying a used EV is a little different from the typical used car shopping experience. Arm yourself with information before heading to the dealer or private seller to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
How Much Does It Cost to Drive an Electric Vehicle?
Electric cars may have a higher sticker price, but can you save money over time? Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding if an EV is worth the cost:
Tax Credits
If you bought a new electric vehicle, you can likely apply for a federal tax credit up to $7,500. Previously, when you bought a used EV, you couldn’t apply for a rebate.
The Inflation Reduction Act changed that starting in 2023, establishing up to $4,000 in tax credits for used electric car purchases. Because of strict IRS requirements, however, experts estimate very few used EVs will actually be eligible.
Maintenance
A hallmark of electric cars is the lack of routine maintenance. EVs don’t need regular oil changes or air filter replacements, so you will spend much less each year on upkeep.
Keep in mind: When you do need to replace the battery of your EV or have any basic repair work done, the cost will be much higher than what mechanics charge for gas cars.
Charging
While you may still buy fuel for a plug-in hybrid, a true 100% electric vehicle means you won’t have to worry about rising gas prices.
Of course, you will have to pay for charging infrastructure installation at home, and you’ll notice a spike in your electric bill. However, the cost of charging an EV is far less than what you would spend on gas to travel the same distance.
Insurance
Insuring a used car is typically more affordable than insuring a new car, but what about electric models vs. gas-powered cars?
According to ValuePenguin, EV owners should expect to pay 25% more for car insurance. Why? Because electric vehicles are typically more expensive to buy and repair.
The Bottom Line
Buying a used electric car can result in great savings: They’re cheaper than new electric cars, they’re now eligible for tax credits and you’ll save a lot of money on fuel over the years of ownership.
But in today’s market, even used cars can be pricey. Make a list of cars within your budget, know what to look for during your test drive and be prepared to walk away from a sale if the price isn’t right.
Contributor Timothy Moore is a writer and editor in Cincinnati, Ohio. He focuses on banks, loans and insurance for The Penny Hoarder. His work has been featured on INSIDER, Sound Dollar, Forbes, HomeAdvisor, WDW Magazine, Chime and SoFi..
Striving to compete with America’s biggest pharmacy chains, Amazon is launching a $5-a-month prescription plan in which Amazon Prime members get as many drugs as they need from a roster of 50 generic medications.
The medications in question are used to treat more than 80 chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, acid reflux, diabetes and even male pattern baldness.
In addition to costing only $5 a month, the medications are delivered to your home for free, Amazon says.
This new prescription benefit, called RxPass, is Amazon’s latest effort to expand its reach in health care. In the pharmacy industry in particular, Amazon is trying to lure pharmacy customers away from its main competitors — CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.
If you’re already an Amazon Prime member (which costs $139 a year) and you get your meds somewhere else, it might be worth checking to see how much money you might save by switching to this $5-a-month drug delivery service.
Patients don’t use health insurance with RxPass, so you don’t need to worry about deductibles or copays. You’ll be charged a flat $5 monthly fee on top of your monthly Prime membership dues.
However, patients who are enrolled in government health care programs like Medicare or Medicaid aren’t able to sign up for RxPass.
How Amazon Pharmacy Works
The launch of RxPass comes a little over two years after the launch of Amazon Pharmacy, which debuted in November 2020.
Amazon Pharmacy is now available in all 50 states to Prime and non-Prime members. Customers can transfer existing prescriptions over to the online platform or ask doctors to call in prescriptions directly.
Amazon Pharmacy’s medications include typical pills and creams, as well as refrigerated prescriptions like insulin. However, it doesn’t offer Schedule II controlled medications (i.e., opioids).
Aside from the new RxPass, here are some of Amazon Pharmacy’s other features:
Upfront price transparency: Amazon Pharmacy allows you to compare the price of the medication between multiple drug companies, and you can determine the cost of each prescription if paying with your insurance copay versus using Amazon Pharmacy’s discount card without insurance. This gives you far greater flexibility than you would get at a traditional pharmacy.
Prescription savings card: Amazon Prime members can save up to 80% off generic prescriptions and 40% off brand-name medications when paying without insurance. Prime members can also collect these savings at more than 60,000 participating pharmacies across the country by using Amazon’s digital prescription savings card instead of paying with insurance. This card functions similarly to ones provided by GoodRx and SingleCare, which offer patients significant discounts on prescriptions when they pay without insurance.
Free two-day shipping for Prime Members: Amazon Pharmacy is most advantageous if you are a Prime member ($139 a year), as you will earn free two-day shipping. But even if you don’t have Prime, you can still purchase your prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy. Free delivery takes four to five days, but you can spend $5.99 to expedite shipping (two days).
24/7 customer service: Amazon offers online self-service as well as customer service over the phone with real pharmacists 24/7.
Amazon does allow you to pay with insurance and accepts most major insurances. The price is likely to be comparable to what you would pay at CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid as your copay, according to Consumer Reports.
Amazon Pharmacy accepts all major credit and debit cards. Customers with an HSA or FSA can input their card information to make purchases as well.
Before You Order From Amazon Pharmacy…
If you take medications that aren’t covered by RxPass, you have some different calculations to make.
With e-commerce usage at an all-time high, you may be considering leaving your traditional pharmacy in favor of ordering your prescription from your couch. However, Amazon Pharmacy may not always be the best choice.
As with any pharmacy, the surefire way to make sure you’re getting the best deal is to call around. Many pharmacies can also do price-matching if you find a cheaper prescription elsewhere, so if you have a preferred pharmacy, you still may be able to save just as much with it as you would with Amazon Pharmacy.
Don’t forget about GoodRx and SingleCare, which also offer discounts at brick-and-mortar pharmacies. These could get you similar — or even better — savings on specific prescriptions than you’d get with Amazon.
Most importantly, before opting to buy a prescription without insurance because of the savings, consider your deductible. If you are on a high-deductible health insurance plan and would like to potentially meet that deductible in a given year, note that any money you spend on prescriptions sans insurance will not apply to that deductible, thus making it less likely you will hit the annual requirement to increase insurance contributions to medical bills.
Amazon Clinic: The Next Step in Amazon’s Health Care Journey
In November 2022, Amazon officially announced its new Amazon Clinic offering. Still in its early stages, Amazon Clinic offers affordable virtual care for select health conditions, often faster than patients could get in to see an in-person doctor.
Amazon Clinic is available in 33 states, though Amazon plans to expand in the coming months. For reference, Amazon Pharmacy started in 45 states in 2020 and has since expanded to all 50.
With Amazon Clinic, patients will be able to see pricing upfront, rather than wait for a dreaded medical bill in the mail weeks after an appointment. However, Amazon Clinic does not yet accept insurance, meaning you’ll be paying out of pocket (and costs won’t go toward your deductible).
Amazon acknowledges that telemedicine isn’t right for every condition; sometimes you need to see a doctor in person for tests, observation and treatment. If you try to use Amazon Clinic for an issue that doesn’t make sense for virtual health care, Amazon will let you know from the start — so there’s no risk that you’ll pay for a consultation that ultimately offers no solution.
Qualifying conditions for Amazon Clinic include acne, birth control, eczema, GERD, hair loss, migraines, motion sickness and seasonal allergies.
The big appeal of Amazon Clinic is the flexibility — you can talk with a doctor about health concerns while at work, cooking dinner or lying in bed. Speed is also noteworthy: While it may take several days or weeks to see a primary care physician, Amazon Clinic can get you connected with a doctor in just a few hours.
The cost of a consultation will vary by provider but does include follow-up messaging with the provider for two weeks. Consultations are solely message-based (no video). Doctors on the platform can write prescriptions — and you can even utilize Amazon Pharmacy seamlessly after your consultation.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Contributor Timothy Moore is a writer and editor in Cincinnati who covers banks, loans, insurance, travel and automotive topics for The Penny Hoarder.
How many parents are still paying off Santa’s shopping spree while the holiday toy haul gathers dust?
With newer and more expensive toys coming out every year it might feel hard to keep up, but what if there was a way around those price tags? What if you could get toys for free — or better yet, what if your children could earn toys themselves?
A Cool Job for Kids: Toy Testing
It sounds crazy, but it’s entirely possible. Many legitimate toy companies hire normal kids to be toy testers. If you want your child to be one, the age range seems to vary depending on the application, but typically companies are looking for toddlers through preteens. The company will either send your child a toy to review or ask you to take them to a toy lab at the company’s headquarters.
Interested? Here are three tips to help your child land the gig:
1. Get a Jump on the Toy Testing Competition
These jobs are hard to find. They pop up unexpectedly, so you should always be on the lookout. As journalist Samantha Christmann explained, be proactive by emailing toy companies directly and asking about opportunities. For example, you can email your contact information and your child’s name and interests to [email protected] to find opportunities at Fisher-Price.
2. Prowl Social Media
Follow toy companies on Facebook — both major ones and smaller players. For example, the toy company Step 2 posted on its Facebook page that it was looking for kids to test a Thomas the Tank Engine bed. The company wanted to send the bed to several families to try out. The families got to keep the bed for free in exchange for a product review.
Krystal Butherus, a Florida lifestyle blogger, was selected to test the Thomas the Tank Engine bed after hearing about the opportunity in a blogger Facebook group. Butherus advises anyone interested in toy testing to set up a blog and social media accounts “to show influence if you’re interested in being a toy tester.”
“Word-of-mouth marketing still seems like a big deal to brands,”Butherus advised. “And it’s worthwhile if you actually use the product and enjoy sharing the information with your friends and family.”
As another example, in 2014 The Warehouse toy company in New Zealand gave its prestigious toy testers $200 worth of toys plus $8,000 cash for their families! To snag one of those jobs, kids had to buy a toy from their store and upload a video of themselves playing with it and explaining why they’d be a great toy tester.
Some examples of popular toy company Facebook pages to keep an eye out for include:
And if you want to stay updated on toy testing opportunities for Mattel and Fisher Price toys you can sign up to become a part of their companies newsletter through the Fisher Price Family Club.
If you want your kids to land toy testing opportunities like these, make sure they are comfortable in front of the camera and have no problem selling their skills! Toy testing is a great opportunity for them to learn marketing skills and the power of social media all while hopefully getting tons of free toys.
3. Curate Your Online Presence
As Butherus advised, you should have a strong online community to be a toy tester, even if it’s just an active Pinterest page, to be more desirable to toy companies. The bigger online reach you have, the more likely it is that you will be selected as a toy tester.
Another way to build your online presence is creating a toy testing YouTube channel. One famous example of a child that made billions creating toy testing review videos is Evan. This ambitious 8-year-old made millions of dollars testing and reviewing toys with his channel EvanTubeHD and still makes videos today with over 7 million subscribers.
If you want to toy test regularly, prepare your blog by reviewing toys that you already have. That way, you can use these posts as a portfolio to show companies that you write well and review products thoroughly.
And if you’re looking for additional free toys for your children to review on their YouTube or blog, The Freecycle Network is a great place to get started. This grassroots non-profit movement was created to practice sustainability and keep quality items out of landfills. The Freecycle Network has over 10 million members and spans across 5,300 towns in the U.S. for people to give and receive free items, including toys.
4. Make A Thorough Toy Review for Companies
When doing a review, be sure to describe the product in detail, including the size, the color, and the age group it’s designed for. Make sure to mention any special or unique features. Have your kid play with the toy for about a month before posting the review, so you can comment on how it held up to wear and tear.
Also, don’t be afraid to mention if you weren’t happy with a toy. Remember, many toy tester jobs exist to check on the safety and reliability of a product, so it’s an important job but also one that involves a bit of risk. Make your reviews honest and reliable, and the companies will thank you.
While it might seem like these toy tester jobs are too good to be true, many kids out there are not spending $20 for a new toy . Instead, they can put that money in their college funds and enjoy playing with free toys instead.
Catherine Alford is a full-time blogger, personal finance freelance writer, and mom of twins. She writes about how to balance life and a budget all across the web including on her own site, Budget Blonde. Freelancer Caroline Gaspich contributed to this report.
Paying for the privilege of shopping at a wholesale warehouse isn’t always worth the cost. Many shoppers think they’re saving a bundle by buying in bulk but never bother to do the math. Is shopping at warehouses like Costco really worth it compared to your local grocery store?
With lower prices per unit for buying bulk, you might save a few dollars, but that can get gobbled up by travel expenses, food waste, and Gold Star or Executive membership fees. Let’s take a closer look at when shopping at Costco makes sense and when skipping it is a smart money move for your household.
Is the Costco Membership Fee Worth It?
Whether Costco’s cover charge is worthwhile depends on your situation.
The money itself can mean more or less depending on how much of a stretch it is for your budget, of course… but that’s not the only factor.
To figure out whether paying the membership fee would be a savings or a needless splurge, you’ve got to examine your purchasing needs and behaviors — and match them up with the goods and services Costco has to offer.
How Much Is a Costco Membership?
Costco offers three different memberships, one of which is a business membership and all of which have annual membership fees. All memberships, including the standard Gold Star membership, come with one free household card and are valid at all Costco locations worldwide.
Costco Membership Prices
Membership
Annual Membership Fee
Reward Points
# of Members
Other Benefits
Gold Star
$60
No
2
N/A
Executive
$120
Yes, 2% back on purchases
2
Savings on Costco services and travel benefits
Business
$60
No
2 free, additional members $60
Can purchase items for resale
You’ll be tempted to sneak your entire extended family in under the membership umbrella, but don’t. Costco specifies that the Gold Star and the Gold Star Executive memberships can have only one primary cardholder. A second card is provided free of charge for any household member you designate, but they must be over the age of 18.
How Much Do You Save Shopping at Costco?
Before we dive into whether a membership is worth it, let’s do the math on Costco’s bulk items, specifically everyday grocery or household items. For the purposes of comparison, the prices quoted are for store brands or name brands available at all three stores in mid-January 2023.
Costco Price Comparison
Item
Costco
Walmart
Target
Eggs (white), dozen
$3.60
$5.28
$3.89
Milk (1%), gallon
$3.14
$2.96
$2.99
Bread (white), 24 oz. (Grandma Sycamore)
$3.14
$3.28
$3.49
Chicken breast, per pound
$2.99
$3.42
$3.79
Toilet paper
73 cents/roll
87 cents/roll
83 cents/roll
As the price comparison shows, Costco members do enjoy lower prices when buying in bulk but not on all items. Some of the deeper discounts can also be found on popular Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand products such as rotisserie chicken, olive oil, maple syrup, saran wrap, batteries and more.
Keep in mind Costco’s per-unit prices are for buying large quantities. That’s not a big deal for household staples or groceries with a long shelf life, but for perishables, it’s a problem. Costco members have to carefully consider how much their household can consume and if they have the space to store bulk items.
6 Reasons a Costco Membership Is Worth It
So when is a Costco membership worth it? When your savings add up to more than the annual membership fee.
For Gold Star members who shop Costco regularly, that would mean saving $5 or more per month — not a stretch when you’re salivating over those egg and chicken prices.
Executive memberships are more expensive, but they also offer 2% back in reward points. Costco estimates that to recoup your $120 Executive membership fee, you’d have to spend about $500 per month.
Here are the six situations when a Costco membership is money well-spent (and saved).
1. If You Have Kids
If there’s anything you need lots and lots of as a parent, it’s diapers and wipes — unless you’re using cloth reusables, or even braving the world of potty training. The price point on Kirkland Signature diapers is hard to beat, coming in at 18 cents per diaper.
Perhaps you’ve heard the rumors, but Kirkland Signature baby wipes are the stuff of parenting legend. They’re just 3 cents per wipe. Costco also sells baby formula in bulk, although Costco is struggling with the same supply chain shortages as other stores.
Another family-friendly savings nexus? Quick and easy prepared foods. Busy parents will love finding pre-packed heat-and-eat rice and quinoa at a steep discount from grocery store prices.
Oh, and don’t forget the free samples that’ll have your kids begging you to take them along when you go shopping. How’s that for a change of pace?
Pro Tip
Need to buy a bunch of diapers for next to nothing? Here are 11 ways you can stock up on free diapers, including in your doctor’s office and at local diaper banks.
2. If You Buy Organic
As of 2020, 10% or more of all organic grocery purchases in the U.S. happened at Costco. This Seattle-based wholesale chain has become an organic retail powerhouse, offering many bulk organic foods for lower prices.
These are just a few of the major organic brands Costco carries in addition to its Kirkland Signature organic products and produce:
Pacific Foods
Nature’s Path
Annie’s
Green Mountain Creamery
Namaste
Seeds of Change
Made in Nature
Nasoya
Costco is also widely known for offering bulk meat and poultry raised without antibiotics or hormones as well as cage-free eggs.
3. If You Have a Dog
Costco’s Kirkland Signature dog food earns solid reviews from veterinarians and others, who find it a trustworthy, inexpensive alternative to pricier pet brands. A 40-pound bag will set tails wagging at about $1.34 per pound, and there are half a dozen different formulas designed for puppies, seniors, small breeds and more.
Another reason Costco is a dog’s best friend? Kimberly Gauthier feeds her four dogs a raw diet — which means she buys a lot of meat.
“A Costco membership makes this affordable,” she writes. She needed an extra freezer to store it all, and she bought that at Costco, too!
She also mentioned Costco’s dog beds are some of the best-priced and highest-quality on the market. She’d know — she’s the mind behind Keep the Tail Wagging, a blog all about dog nutrition and care.
4. If You Drive a Lot — or at All
One of the best deals at Costco probably isn’t on your grocery list. It’s gasoline.
Yup: Costco’s got some of the most affordable gas around, and you can’t purchase it without a membership (unless you’ve got a Costco cash card, which only members can purchase). Just be warned that Costco gas stations have notoriously long lines of members waiting for the pump, so fuel up during off-hours instead of on weekends.
Another Costco automotive perk that’s worth the membership fees, even if you have an electric vehicle, is the Costco tire center. It offers deep discounts on tires, free rotation and maintenance, and the tire center fills up your tires with nitrogen instead of air.
5. If You’ve Got a Big Expense Coming Up
OK. Hear us out on this one. The Costco list of weird discounts includes some crazy stuff you’d never imagine buying from a warehouse, like a casket or an engagement ring.
But big price tags mean bigger kickbacks if you have an Executive membership. And even with a Gold Star membership, there’s a good chance discounts on things like vacation packages, furniture or backyard play sets could recoup your annual fee in a single purchase.
6. If Costco Is Your Jam
Hey, no judgment. Shopping at Costco still feels like an adventure, and cruising down the wine aisle while noshing on samples isn’t the wrong way to spend a Saturday morning. And with its commitment to a livable wage, ethical food sourcing and generous return policy, supporting Costco can feel as good for your conscience as it is for your wallet.
And how about that famous $1.50 hot dog deal at the Costco food court? Marketwatch estimated the hot dogs at Costco should cost about $4 when adjusted for inflation, but co-founder Jim Sinegal threatened to kill CEO Craig Jelinek if he raised the cost so they’ll be $1.50 for the foreseeable future.
4 Reasons to Rethink a Costco Membership
Is Costco worth it for everyone? Not exactly. The following are some situations in which a Costco membership might cost you more than it saves.
1. If You Live By Yourself
This one’s tricky.
Some things are worth buying in bulk because they never go bad and you can never have too much (read: toilet paper). But since most folks who live alone don’t have the space to store bulk items, a warehouse membership might be a wasted cost if you’re flying solo.
2. If You’re Part of a Couple
While a warehouse membership is almost a no-brainer for families, it’s a bit more of a stretch for a child-free couple. Do you really go through that much stuff?
There are some ways to get around potential waste when buying in bulk, like splitting purchases with another couple. Although Costco allows only the actual cardholder to make purchases, you can easily split the bill afterward and have your friends reimburse you in cash.
So, you’ll get to take advantage of Costco’s awesome deals without contributing to America’s massive problem with food waste. Heck yes!
3. If You Live Too Far From a Costco Warehouse
How far is too far to make a Costco membership worth the travel and the trouble? The consensus is anything longer than 20-30 minutes, depending on your gas mileage and traffic congestion, is too far to travel to your local Costco. You can check an online fuel calculator to see exactly how much you’ll spend.
The good news is that as of January 2023, Costco has 847 locations worldwide, with 583 in the United States alone. So in most corners of the country, you don’t have to travel far to find a Costco near you.
Looking to save at the pump? Here are 20 ways to make your gas dollar take you a little farther.
4. If You Don’t Have a Visa Card
A few years back, Costco decided to accept payment via credit card only from Visa cards. If you’re a member, Costco accepts cash, personal checks, most ATM/debit cards and many mobile pay options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
You can also have someone purchase Costco shop cards for you to use, but that’s a serious hassle.
Pro Tip
If you’re considering opening up another credit card this year, explore our advice about balance transfers and see which credit card rewards are the best fit for you.
Costco shoppers leave a Costco Wholesale in Cranberry Township, Pa. Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo
3 Things You Can Buy at Costco Without a Membership
Did you know you can use a bunch of Costco’s services and even buy some products without a membership? Yep. Step this way and see what you can slide into your cart.
1. Prescriptions
It’s a not-so-well-kept secret that you can actually access Costco’s pharmacy without a membership — your right to do so is protected by state law. You can also get low-cost immunizations, hearing tests and eye exams membership-free!
Did you know 5.8 million Medicare beneficiaries struggle to afford their prescriptions? Check out our guide on how to save money on medications in retirement and beyond.
2. Alcohol and Wine
One thing you probably didn’t know about Costco: It’s the largest wine retailer in the U.S., and in some states, it is required to sell alcohol and wine to you even if you don’t have a membership.
While it’s technically to do with post-Prohibition-era laws pointed at speakeasies, these are the states where you can fill up your cart with booze and bypass the membership fee:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New York
Texas
Vermont
3. Online Orders
Some of Costco’s products are available online only, which works out just fine for folks without a membership card. You’ll have to pay a 5% surcharge for orders on Costco.com, but you’ll still have access to the same products, such as Costco’s popular discounted gift cards.
One caveat is that members get free two-day delivery for orders of $75 or more, but as a nonmember, you’ll be stuck with three- to five-day standard shipping for your online Costco purchases.
Should You Get a Costco Membership?
The answer to whether to get a Costco membership is mostly a personal one. If you live alone but have a chest freezer and a big pantry, the benefits of making fewer trips to the grocery store might be worth it to you.
Keep in mind there are also other warehouse stores out there (hello, Sam’s Club) that might be closer to where you live or a better fit for your needs. As long as you’ve weighed the pros and cons, fill up your cart with the good stuff and enjoy the samples guilt-free.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Jamie Cattanach, a former writer for The Penny Hoarder, contributed.
Eggs used to be a relatively cheap standby, but not anymore. How expensive are eggs right now? Here are three crazy things that’ll show you how pricy eggs have gotten these days.
First, eggs are so highly in demand that border officials are actually seeing a spike in egg smuggling from Mexico. Egg smuggling! Who’d have thought?
Second, social media is suddenly full of humorous memes about the egg price crisis. You may as well laugh so you won’t cry.
Third, egg companies are being accused of price gouging. Activists are demanding a federal investigation into egg producers’ record-high profits.
What’s the deal with eggs? Why all the excitement about eggs?
All this fuss is because egg prices have skyrocketed a mind-blowing 60% in only a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Out of all the price increases you’re seeing at your local grocery store, the price of eggs has gone up the most.
We’ve got a couple of ideas for what you can do about that. We’ve got advice about cheaper baking substitutions if a recipe is asking for eggs. Or, if you’re thinking bigger, we’ve got advice about raising backyard chickens so you can supply your own eggs.
First, let’s take a look at the problem.
Bird Flu and 50 Million Dead Chickens
Last year, a dozen eggs would have probably cost you about $1.50. Today it’d be more than $4 in many parts of the country. In much of California, a dozen eggs cost more than $7.
Some of this huge price hike is due to inflation and supply chain woes, but by far the biggest reason is a massive avian flu outbreak among American chicken flocks, killing some 50 million chickens in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It’s basic math: 50 million fewer chickens means a lot fewer eggs. It’s a matter of supply and demand, leading to higher prices at the supermarket.
In recent days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have started reporting a spike in people attempting to smuggle eggs into the country illegally from Mexico, where egg prices are lower. (Bringing uncooked eggs from Mexico into the U.S. is illegal due to the risk of bird flu.)
Customs officials in San Diego tweeted last week about “an increase in the number of eggs intercepted at our ports.” When the illicit eggs are discovered at border crossings, officials confiscate and destroy them.
Then there are the internet memes: It’s too expensive now to egg your enemy’s house. Easter egg hunts are hereby canceled. Having eggs in your grocery cart is suddenly a sign of wealth.
Will Egg Prices Go Down?
Experts expect the price of eggs to fall eventually. Prices won’t fall back to where they were before our inflation woes. But the side effects of a massive avian flu outbreak should wear off over time — exactly when this will happen is up in the air. But there are signs that egg prices are starting to taper off.
The group wants antitrust regulators to examine record profits at the biggest company, Cal-Maine Foods, which controls 20% of the retail egg market. In December, the company reported that its profits were up 600% over the previous year, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Substituting eggs is a tricky endeavor for bakers. However, it may be necessary due to these prices.
Some ingredients provide the same lift to baked goods as eggs, notably baking powder and baking soda. But getting the ratio correct is complicated. Surprisingly, foodies concur that carbonated water is the best egg substitute for baked goods like cakes and muffins.
Egg Baking Substitutes
Substitute
Ratio
Cost per dozen
Carbonated water (club soda)
¼ cup = 1 egg
69 cents (24 oz.)
Water, oil and baking powder
2 Tbsp. water + 2 tsp. BP +1 tsp. oil = 1 egg
$1.32
Mashed banana
¼ cup = 1 egg
$1.38
Nut butter
3 tablespoons = 1 egg
$1.64
If you don’t have baking powder, you can use a third of the same amount of baking soda.
Keep in mind that using bananas creates a different flavor profile as well as a gummier texture. But for some baked goods, the additional moisture in bananas can be a boon for your taste buds.
The Revenge of the Backyard Chicken
What else can you do? If you’re thinking bigger, you might consider raising backyard chickens so you can supply your own eggs.
Be warned that it’s not necessarily easy. Before impulse-buying some baby chicks, you’ll want to think carefully about all the costs associated with chicken keeping.
Still, it’s one way to ensure yourself a steady supply of eggs.
Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Here’s your chance to find out.
Mike Brassfield ([email protected]) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Kaz Weida, a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder, contributed.
