Month: February 2022

Take action

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 28, 2022

person looking through binoculars into the distance

TAKE ACTION

APRIL 2022

Start preparing for retirement

Take a moment to focus on your financial well-being and make the most of your Costco Retirement Plan,* administered by T. Rowe Price.

*For Mainland and Hawaii employees, the plan is called the Costco Retirement Plan. For employees in Puerto Rico, it’s called the Costco Puerto Rico Retirement Plan.

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Make saving for retirement a priority

Whether your retirement is decades away, or just a few years down the road, use this list and your Costco Retirement Plan to get ready. Start by visiting RPS.TRowePrice.com to view your Costco Retirement Plan.

Add an extra layer of security for your plan account by setting up multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication helps keep your financial information secure by requiring two or more forms of authentication to verify your identity.

Name your beneficiary, the person (or persons) you choose to inherit your assets if anything should happen to you. If it’s been a while, check to ensure your beneficiary information is up to date.

Update your email address to receive timely newsletters and valuable saving insights.

Contribute enough to get the full matching contribution. Review your contribution now.

See if you qualify for the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (Saver’s Credit). For low- to moderate-income employees who qualify, the Saver’s Credit means you can get a tax credit based on your tax filing status, adjusted gross income and how much you contribute.

Make sure your T. Rowe Price Automatic Increase is turned on, so your contribution will be increased by 1% each year.

Strive to save 15% of your annual pay — it’s OK to work your way up to the suggested target gradually.

If you’re age 50 or older, consider making catch-up contributions. This allows up to an additional $6,500 (for 2022) to help you move closer to your retirement goal.

Get your financial house in order

Learn to budget, free yourself from high-interest debt and aim for higher savings goals with help from SmartDollar^®.

Build an emergency fund equal to three to six months’ expenses to help you in case there are unexpected changes in your income.

Make a budget that matches your lifestyle and gives you room to save.

Create a plan to pay down credit card debt; paying off small balances first can motivate you to keep going.

Use your emergency fund instead of credit cards to offset surprise costs.

The following resources are available to help you get started on your retirement plan. They are confidential and are available to you at no extra cost.

Tags Benefits, Debt, Financial planning, financial-well-being, Investments, Savings

Articles

Take action

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 4, 2022

TAKE ACTION

MARCH 2022

6 simple ways to stay hydrated

Are you drinking enough water? You might be getting less than you need. Your body is roughly 60% water, so even being slightly dehydrated can affect how you feel and function. By staying hydrated, you can improve your mood, energy level and immunity, as well as digestive and skin health. Drinking more water can even help you lose weight, thanks to the feeling of fullness it gives you. Ready to get started? Read on for some ideas that can help you stay hydrated — and start reaping the benefits.

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1. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already a bit dehydrated. On average, health experts recommend that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Try to sip water steadily throughout the day, and drink more than you usually do when the weather is hot, especially if you’re active. If you need a nudge, download one of the free, well-rated hydration tracker/reminder apps available from the App Store^® or Google Play™.

2. Add a splash of flavor.

If plain water tastes boring to you, add some flavor with fresh fruits, sliced cucumber, mint or a little fruit juice. You can also try clear soups, ice pops or sports drinks (especially if you’re exercising). All of these are great sources of fluids to keep you hydrated. Just make sure to limit caffeine and alcohol, which can cause you to become dehydrated.

3. Eat your water.

Certain fruits and vegetables contain plenty of water — and healthy nutrients. Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches and pineapples are fruits with high water content. Water-rich vegetables include cucumbers, leafy greens, radishes, celery, zucchini and tomatoes.

4. Stay cool.

Excessive heat causes your body to lose fluids. On very hot days, stay indoors and turn on the air conditioner. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, go to a place that does, like a shopping center, movie theater or public library. And plan outdoor activities for the early morning or evening.

5. Dress for the weather.

When the temperature soars, wear light, loose-fitting clothing that lets your skin breathe. Dark colors absorb heat, so stick with lighter shades. And avoid sunburn, which can increase your skin temperature and make it harder to stay cool.

6. Sip when you’re sick.

If anyone in your family is ill, pay attention to how much they’re able to drink — especially young children and the elderly. Fevers, vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration. So when you or a family member experiences these symptoms, drink plenty of fluid.

Source: Scripps Health. 6 simple ways to stay hydrated.

Ready to take some other simple steps to improve your health habits and reduce your risk of chronic disease? Your Costco benefits can help.

Tags Exercise & nutrition, physical-well-being

Articles

Learn the basics

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 1, 2022

a person eating chocolate and squeezing stress ball at computer

LEARN THE BASICS

MARCH 2022

Video: Take the stress out of eating

Staying at a healthy weight is key to good health. So why is it so challenging? Maybe it’s not a matter of how hard we try. Maybe it’s stress. In this one-and-a-half-minute video, discover how hidden stresses, hormones and other factors may be influencing your choices. And learn how to deal with them successfully.

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Show transcript

Source: TIME Health. Here’s Why You Stress Eat — And How To Stop Doing It.

If stress eating is a problem for you or a family member, your Costco benefits can help. Check out the helpful resources below for more information.

Tags emotional-well-being, Exercise & nutrition, Stress

Articles

Explore more

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 1, 2022

nutrition facts on a package seen through a magnifying glass

EXPLORE MORE

MARCH 2022

How to read a food label

Walk down any supermarket aisle, and you’ll see products with enticing labels. But the real story is on the back of the label. Checking labels may take more time when you’re shopping, but it’s worth it. You’ll feel better knowing you’re making a healthy choice for yourself and your family. And you can teach your kids to be smarter consumers by sorting out nutrition facts from empty claims.

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Serving information

Take a look at the serving size and the number of servings per container. The calories and other nutritional information are based on one serving.

Calories

Calories are a measure of how much energy you get from a serving of this food. If you ate the entire package of granola, you’d get 1,400 calories. The average number of calories your body uses is 2,000 per day. (The total varies by age, sex, weight, height and activity level.) Eating too many calories per day is associated with being overweight and obese.

Nutrients

Section three shows key nutrients that can impact your health. As a general guideline, nutrients to get less of include saturated fat, sodium and added sugars (sugars that are added during processing). Nutrients to get more of include dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium.

% Daily value

The %DV shows how much a nutrient in a serving of a food contributes to your total daily diet. It can help you determine if a serving of food is high or low in a nutrient. If it contributes less than 5% of your DV it’s low. If it’s more than 20% it’s high.¹

Looking for ways to improve your diet and overall health? See the resources below for more information, including Costco benefits that can help.

¹ U.S. Food & Drug Administration. How to understand and use the nutrition facts label.

Tags Exercise & nutrition, physical-well-being

Articles

Explore more

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 1, 2022

EXPLORE MORE

MARCH 2022

Meals for a healthier wallet

The benefits of home cooking are well known. You can use healthier ingredients, control portion size, limit sugar and salt, and avoid food allergies. By cooking together, you can also teach your kids the basics of healthy living, while sharing a fun family activity. And you can demonstrate how to stretch your food dollars with careful planning and savvy shopping.

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Savor these 6 budget-friendly shopping tips.

1. Plan ahead

Before you head to the store, create a shopping list based on your weekly menu plan. Never shop when you’re hungry. Be sure to check your refrigerator and cupboards to see what you have on hand before you head to the store. And try to limit your shopping trips to once a week.

2. Stock up on seasonal produce

Food in season is typically priced to sell. Corn on the cob, for example, can cost 10 times less in the summer than it does in the winter. So, think about buying produce in season and freezing what you don’t use. See what’s in season right now in your state by visiting SeasonalFoodGuide.org.

3. Make the most of leftovers

Using leftover vegetables, poultry or meat in soups, stews, salads and casseroles can help stretch your food dollars. For example, enjoy roast chicken one night, use the leftovers for chicken enchiladas the next night and make chicken stock from what’s left. For more tasty leftover tips, visit Chowhound.com.

4. Choose store brands

Whenever possible, buy store brands, such as our own Kirkland Signature™ brand, which are typically higher in quality and lower in price than national brands. They’re all required to meet the same grocery industry standards, but store brands cost less.

5. Try frozen, dried or canned

Produce is typically frozen, canned or dried at the peak of ripeness when nutrients are plentiful. With frozen foods, you can use only the amount you need, carefully reseal the package and return it to the freezer. Canned foods are often sitting in a bath of juice, syrup or salty water, so just rinse them before using. And dried fruits are concentrated in flavor and a great substitute for fresh fruit.

6. Shop at Costco

As you know, at Costco, we sell high-quality food in bulk at low costs per unit and pass the savings along to members. Whether you’re single or have a large family, you can save money by buying grocery items in bulk, including perishable items like fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish and more. Just divide up and freeze what you don’t use.

Sources:

NerdWallet. How to Save Money on Groceries.
WebMD. 10 ways to save money on food shopping.

Thinking about making some positive changes in your eating and spending habits? You’ll find the help you need for your journey with your Costco benefits.

Tags Exercise & nutrition, financial-well-being, Savings

Recipes

Healthy recipe

Post author By Walter Franks
Post date February 1, 2022

HEALTHY RECIPE

MARCH 2022

A tale of two pasta sauces

Homemade marinara sauce

What could be an easier, more kid-pleasing dinner than a bowl of pasta with marinara sauce? But before you reach for that convenient bottle of sauce, why not just make your own? Some of the most popular bottled sauces are surprisingly high in sodium, saturated fats, added sugars and calories. And you can make your own healthy, delicious version in around the time it takes to bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta. Why not try this simple recipe tonight?

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 30 mins

Servings: 6

Calories: 56 cal

Ingredients:

1 28-ounce can of whole, peeled tomatoes

1 medium yellow onion, peeled

2-3 large cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

A handful of fresh basil leaves, packed

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Peel the onion and garlic, then crush the garlic and dice the onion.
Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes.
Open the can of tomatoes and pour into the pan. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.
Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until liquid is reduced by 1/3 and oil gets separated from the sauce.
Remove from the heat and carefully pour sauce into a stand blender, together with the fresh basil. (Do this in batches. Blender should not be more than half full.) Blend until smooth, or until it has reached the desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the salt to suit your taste.
Serve with your favorite pasta.

Storing

Store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator (or in the freezer for up to 6 months). Reheat in the microwave when you’re ready to serve.