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Is Costco Open MLK Day?

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Costco MLK Day
The beginning of the year can be a crazy time. Many people are trying to get organized, stay on top of their resolutions and then remember all the federal holidays. Federal holidays are important to remember because usually the banks, post offices, and stock markets close on those days. Some stores also close. The second federal holiday of the year is on Monday, January 20. Is Costco open Martin Luther King Jr Day?

Is Costco Open on MLK Day?

Costco is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Costco closes on a few holidays throughout the year, but Martin Luther King Jr Day is not one of them. The wholesale retailer will be open regular hours throughout the week of MLK Day.

When Do Costco Stores Close?

Costco closes its doors more than most retailers. Unlike Walmart, Costco closes on Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day and other holidays. Here is a list of the Costco holiday schedule:

  • January 1 (Wednesday): Costco is closed on New Year’s Day
  • January 20 (Monday): Costco is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • February 14 (Friday): Costco is open on Valentine’s Day
  • February 17 (Monday): Costco is open on Presidents’ Day
  • March 17 (Tuesday): Costco is open on St. Patrick’s Day
  • April 10 (Friday): Costco is open on Good Friday
  • April 11 (Saturday): Costco is open on Easter Saturday
  • April 12 (Sunday): Costco is closed on Easter Sunday
  • April 13 (Monday): Costco is open on Easter Monday
  • May 10 (Sunday): Costco is open on Mother’s Day
  • May 25 (Monday): Costco is closed on Memorial Day
  • June 21 (Sunday): Costco is open on Father’s Day
  • July 4 (Saturday): Costco is closed on Independence Day
  • September 7 (Monday): Costco is closed on Labor Day
  • October 12 (Monday): Costco is open on Columbus Day
  • October 31 (Saturday): Costco is open on Halloween
  • November 11 (Wednesday): Costco is open on Veteran’s Day
  • November 26 (Thursday): Costco is closed on Thanksgiving Day
  • December 24 (Thursday): Costco is open, but closes early on Christmas Eve
  • December 25 (Friday): Costco is closed on Christmas Day
  • December 31 (Thursday): Costco is open, but closes early on New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 (Friday): Costco is closed on New Year’s Day 2019

Call Ahead To Confirm Hours

If you are ever wondering about a specific store’s hours of operation, call and ask about the hours. While Costco is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are some stores that will be closed, so it is a good idea to check the hours of operation on federal holidays. However, rest assured, Costco will be available for all of your needs Monday.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you are an avid shopper at Costco, we recommend applying for the credit card that is designed exclusively for Costco members. It has great cash back offer, earning as much as 4% cash back on gas! Plus there is no annual fee and you get a reward certificate every year that you can redeem for cash or purchases at Costco! Learn more about how the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can work for you.

 

Photo: Flickr: Mike Mozart

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Buy it Nice, or Buy it Twice: Save Money by not Going Cheap

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Buy it nice, or buy it twice!

Here at Savingadvice, we know that cheaper isn’t always better. This may be a surprise, given most of our subject matter. Regardless, we know that there are some things that deserve a little more attention to quality than price. This balance is summed up by my favorite word: Value. Value is a principal that is built by comparing the quality of something, how useful it is to you, and how much it will cost. If you can snag something great for cheap, awesome; the reality is, though, that there are some items that make this pretty difficult. So in order to get the best value out of your purchases, here are 3 times when you should buy it nice, or buy it twice!

Cars and Trucks

First things first, do not read this as me telling you to go out and buy a new luxury car. New cars are a terrible value proposition, and luxury vehicles can struggle in terms of reliability. What I am saying here is that  just because you “don’t mind bumming it” with a beater, doesn’t mean you should grab that $600 Altima with a blown head gasket. Consider paying around $3000 for a real reliable mainstay. As far as new vehicles go, if you just have to have one, don’t buy from brands that are known to break just because they are cheap. I used to work for a car dealer, and across the street was a massive Kia dealership with constant “blowout” sales. Don’t fall for this trap, which is common with brands like Kia, Nissan, and Chrystler. All of these brands have one thing in common: Their cars do not last. If you have to buy a new car, spend a little more for a reputable brand with a good warranty to get the most out of your money.

Furniture

This one is a very circumstantial call. Now, I’m not saying I think cheap brands like Ikea aren’t as bad as everybody says they are. Although, I do think that there is merit in paying a little more if you plan to live in one place for a long time. That is where discretion comes in. If you are putting together a nice looking dorm for a couple years, go ahead and cheap out a little. On the other hand, if you plan to decorate your forever home, buy with quality in mind. Don’t be afraid to look on the used market for good prices,, just avoid anything that won’t last.

Your Home

Whether it be an apartment, a condo, or your first real house, be picky. Low prices aren’t always good prices, and low-end homes can come with high-end issues. Some even come with severe health risks when bugs, mold, or water damage end up in the mix. Do your research, and if you aren’t experienced in doing so, don’t assume you’ll tackle a dirt-cheap fixer-upper. If you can snag a home for way under value, and have enough money to fix all the major issues in the home, go for it. With that said, do not buy too early and skimp out on a home missing major quality-of-life factors like solid HVAC systems or appliances, assuming you’ll “get to it later.”

How to Turn Old Clothes Into Cash

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turn old clothes into cash

Is your closet getting a little cramped? At a certain point, you just find yourself glancing into the cotton abyss and there are many things you haven’t worn in months. This becomes especially frustrating when you want to buy new clothes, but you just don’t have the space to store them. Even worse, when you have to move and you realize that boxes actually… cost MONEY? No, this just won’t do. So, we find ourselves needing to offload some clothes, and what kind of savers would we be if we didn’t find a few ways to turn old clothes into cash?

OfferUp

One of the best apps for selling anything, OfferUp provides a clean and simple interface to sell your personal belongings. while not specifically geared for clothes, it is one of the most widely used online resources on this list. The best part about OfferUp is that you probably already have the app on your phone. Putting up an ad is easy, quick, and the analytics are very consumable. Definitely the way to go if you are just trying to get rid of one or two higher-priced items.

Poshmark

Now we are into the clothing-focused secondhand apps. Poshmark is a favorite among most of the secondhand sellers I know, as you get to personalize your own online storefront. Not only this, but they make the shipping process super easy. After a purchase is made by a customer, you are sent a prepaid shipping label and you send it off. You can use Poshmark for all varieties of clothing (even menswear) and you’ll get plenty of attention. Poshmark is the perfect upfront fee-less option for somebody who is really trying to empty their closet. One major downside, though, is the 20% cut they take if you do sell something. As a result, it is usually a better idea to post higher-end items here as well.

thredUP

As far as online consignment goes, thredUP is an absolute titan. With thredUP, you can post items for sale, recycling, or even donation. They are the quickest way to get rid of all your clothes, and the process is very simple. You pay your two-dollar fee, receive your bag and prepaid shipping label, and send your clothes off to them. Just like that, you’ve freed up all the closet space you need. After about a month, you will find out exactly how much money thredUP will give you for the ability to resell your clothes. They won’t always be willing to sell everything you send, and you can pay $11 to take back those unwanted items, or just allow them to recycle them for you for free. So, if your primary goal is to get rid of a lot of clothes, and you don’t mind only taking in a bit of cash, thredUP is your play. With that said, keep in mind they only accept menswear as donations.

New Year’s Deals and Freebies

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new year's deals

Ring in 2020 financially healthy with these New Year’s deals and freebies.

Just when you thought the holidays could not get any more expensive, New Year’s comes around. Many individuals will plan parties, and whether lavish or not, they can still be costly. From food to drinks or even just going out for your New Year’s Eve plans, the holiday costs can really add up. The good news is you can still start 2020 off in a positive way without overspending.

Save money by taking advantage of these New Year’s deals and freebies:

New Year’s Freebies

  • Free transportation. Many areas, like London, will be making it possible to have free transportation from late night December 31, 2019 through the afternoon on New Year’s Day. Check your own local transportation services to see what may be offered for free.
  • Free yoga classes. Free yoga classes can be found practically every where for the New Year. From New Year’s Eve events or New Year’s Day class, you can celebrate a new 365 days healthy and stress-free.
  • Greeting cards and scrapbooking tools. Are you resolving to be more creative? Want to send friends and family a goodbye to 2019? There are plenty of New Year’s freebies online.
  • The United States Botanic Garden (USBG). Visit the holiday exhibit at the USBG in Washington D.C. through the New Year celebration at no charge. Other activities, such as the train exhibit and live seasonal music, can also be enjoyed.
  • Coffee. Enjoy free coffee from Sheetz and Cumberland Farms during the New Year celebrations.
  • Free Uber rides in select towns. Started a few years back in Michigan, law firms in certain towns are paying for Uber/Lyft rides Tuesday night. Look yours up to see if your town qualifies.
  • Free New Year’s games. Hosting your own party? Free entertainment is always a plus to save money. Try these at yours.

New Year’s Deals

  • Discounted Uber rides. Be safe this weekend with discounted uberPOOL rides with Uber’s New Year’s promotion. Simply check out this link and see what you can snag.
  • Amazon deals. Amazon’s holiday deals continue with its “New Year, New You” sales on a variety of merchandise.
  • Hotel discounts. Last minute travel plans? Save $50 when you spend more than $300 in select hotel bookings through New Year’s Eve when you use the code HOLIDAY19 at checkout. You can also save 10% on select hotels with the code OFRSDEC19 until January 1.
  • AirBnB promotion for new subscribers. Get a coupon code for up to $35 off from RetailMeNot for your first trip.
  • Best Buy sales. Best Buy has some great New Year’s deals you won’t want to miss. From TVs to phones, Best Buy is one of the stores to check out this weekend for technology sales.
  • Clothing discounts. Under Armor, Charlotte Russe, Maurices and more are all having great deals to ring in 2019. Check out their social media sites, subscribe to their emails lists or look at RetailMeNot.com for coupons.

These are just a few of the many deals happening to celebrate another year. With a little digging and patience, you can snag some awesome discounts and start the New Year with savings.

Do you have anything to add to the list?

Is Costco Open New Years Day 2020?

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is costco open new years day
Costco is busy throughout the year, especially during the holidays. Not only are people looking for great after Christmas deals, but they’re also heading to the store for returns. Fortunately, we have good news and bad news if you’re wondering if Costco is open on New Year’s 2020.

Is Costco Open New Years Day 2020?

Costco is one of the very few retailers that close on New Years Day. However, Costco also remains closed on many holidays other retailers do not, including Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Costco Holiday Schedule 2020:

Wednesday, January 1, 2020: Costco is closed on New Year’s Day
Monday, January 20, 2020: Costco is open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday, February 14, 2020: Costco is open on Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 17, 2020: Costco is open on Presidents’ Day
Tuesday, March 17, 2020: Costco is open on St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, April 10, 2020: Costco is open on Good Friday
Saturday, April 11, 2020: Costco is open on Easter Saturday
Sunday, April 12, 2020: Costco is closed on Easter Sunday
Monday, April 13, 2020: Costco is open on Easter Monday
Sunday, May 10, 2020: Costco is open on Mother’s Day
Monday, May 25, 2020: Costco is closed on Memorial Day
Sunday, June 21, 2020: Costco is open on Father’s Day
Saturday, July 4, 2020: Costco is closed on Independence Day
Monday, September 7, 2020: Costco is closed on Labor Day
Monday, October 12, 2020: Costco is open on Columbus Day
Saturday, October 31, 2020: Costco is open on Halloween
Wednesday, November 11, 2020: Costco is open on Veteran’s Day
Thursday, November 26, 2020: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, December 24, 2020: Costco is open, but closes early on Christmas Eve
Friday, December 25, 2020: Costco is closed on Christmas Day
Thursday, December 31, 2020: Costco is open, but closes early on New Year’s Eve
Friday, January 1, 2021: Costco is closed on New Year’s Day 2021

Costco’s store hours on weekdays run from 10:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. However, they close earlier on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Although Costco is not open on the first day of the new year, it is open on New Year’s Eve, so you still might have time to grab what you need until they reopen on January 2. Take note they close their doors earlier than usual, so you might want to get there before the crowds start cramming in for last-minute items.

The holiday schedule above is general and might change. Plus, there might be exceptions to the rule, so it makes sense to verify with your local Costco if you have any questions. It’s also important to remember that Costco warehouses and Costco business centers do not share the same schedule, and they may have different hours.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you are an avid shopper at Costco, we recommend applying for the credit card that is designed exclusively for Costco members. It has great cash back offer, earning as much as 4% cash back on gas! Plus there is no annual fee and you get a reward certificate every year that you can redeem for cash or purchases at Costco! Learn more about how the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can work for you.

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For more info on Costco check out these articles.

Is the Costco Membership Fee Worth it?

Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth the Price?
Costco Return Policy

Costco Tires

Photo: Mike Mozart

Unclaimed Airport Luggage Auction: How Does it Work?

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There are plenty of ways to snag cheap goods in bulk online, and the best spots tend to be the lesser known ones. One of the rare gems I have come across recently is the unclaimed airport luggage auction. As is probably obvious, these auctions involve airline luggage that has been left for too long and is subject to sale to make sure the airports no longer have to deal with holding it. Due to the pretty niche nature of these auctions, you can usually find better deals than in more general auctions. So, let’s dive into exactly how unclaimed airport luggage auctions work.

How do they choose luggage to auction?

I’m sure you’ve already gathered what the primary criteria for these auctions are: time. As far as how long it takes, timeframes change depending on the airline. Most often, the average sits around 21 days (three weeks) from the point at which it was left. Not much else goes into the consideration for unclaimed airport luggage auctions, as the quality/quantity of items is pretty random. Obviously, illegal items are not in consideration, nor are weapons due to the lack of licensed FFA dealers at airports. Other restrictions like tobacco products or knives vary by location.

How much money would I need?

As I said before, luggage auctions are relatively unknown. as a result, the prices don’t tend to get all that high. Barring unusual circumstances or obviously valuable pieces, prices tend to hang from $25-120 US. This is great news for bargain clothing shoppers, as the high end of that budget would probably land you a pair of jeans and a nice shirt or two from a discount store. Obviously, you’re saving money due to the gamble, but you never know what bonus treasures you will find. With financial risk being so low, it’s a reasonably worthy proposition.

How do I buy from these auctions?

Aside from pretty general auction sites like Public Surplus, auctioned luggage is primarily available in person. Using helpful sites like this one, you can track unclaimed airport luggage auctions and try your hand. You are typically going to the airport in question on a slower travel day, heading to a meeting place especially set up for the auction, and the rest is fairly simple. As with a typical auction, all sales are final and you usually want to have actual cash in hand for anything you want to purchase.

All in all, if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday that involves a little bargain shopping, go for it! The risk here is low, the “lottery effect” is fun, and it gives you a good reason to get out of the house. Plus, most airports are near city centers, so go get yourself a bite to eat and have some fun at a low-cost unclaimed airport luggage auction!