Month: March 2026
2 MIN READ
APRIL 2026
Legal tools to make wills, trusts and more
Planning for your family’s future doesn’t have to be hard or costly. These important documents — like a will, trust or power of attorney — help make sure your loved ones are taken care of if something happens to you.
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Why these documents matter
Think of them as a road map for your family:
| Document | What it does | Why it’s helpful |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Says who gets your things after you’re gone | Avoids confusion, arguments and potential legal disputes |
| Trust | Lets you decide how your assets are managed | You set the rules and simplify things later for your family |
| Power of attorney |
Lets someone you trust make important decisions if you can’t | Makes sure someone can handle things in an emergency |
| Document | What it does |
|---|---|
| Will | Says who gets your things after you’re gone |
| Trust | Lets you decide how your assets are managed |
| Power of attorney |
Lets someone you trust make important decisions if you can’t |
| Document | Why it’s helpful |
|---|---|
| Will | Avoids confusion, arguments and potential legal disputes |
| Trust | You set the rules and simplify things later for your family |
| Power of attorney |
Makes sure someone can handle things in an emergency |
Ready to create your will for free?
You have 2 ways to do it:
Access Mama Bear Legal Forms when you enroll in SmartDollar to help you create free legal documents online.
Use the Free Legal Resource Center through Resources for Living (RFL) to:
Create legal forms online. Go to RFL.com/Costco > Life & Relationships > Legal services to make wills, trusts and other documents.
Talk to a lawyer. Get a free 30-minute phone call with an attorney. Call 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711).
Learn at your own pace. Browse helpful articles in the resource library.
Don’t forget to choose a beneficiary
A beneficiary is who you choose to get your money and things when you pass away. Choosing one makes payouts faster and avoids confusion. Your life insurance and retirement accounts need beneficiaries, too. Update them anytime at Costcobenefits.com (life insurance) or RPS.TRowePrice.com (retirement).
File your taxes online for free
You also have Ramsey SmartTax through SmartDollar to file federal and state taxes at no cost and check an important task off your to-do list.
Support for financial, legal and identity theft issues
RFL resources are available to all Costco employees and your household members. Dependent children living away from home can use RFL up to age 26.
Financial — Free 30-minute consultations on budgeting, credit, debt, retirement planning, tax/IRS questions, mortgages, identity theft and more.
Legal — Free 30-minute consultations with an attorney, referrals for local attorneys at discounted rates, and tools to create free wills, trusts, powers of attorney and more.
Identity theft — Free 60-minute consultation with a fraud specialist on handling identity theft, restoring identity and taking preventive steps to avoid future issues.
Categories
How drinking affects your wallet
2 MIN READ
APRIL 2026
How drinking affects your wallet
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a chance to take a closer look at your daily habits. This may include having a beer or glass of wine to unwind after a long shift, meeting co-workers for happy hour, or drinking with friends or family on the weekend. Over time, these habits can affect your budget.
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Consider how the costs add up
| If you spend about … | That adds up to … |
|---|---|
| $20 per week | About $1,040 per year |
| $35 per week | About $1,820 per year |
| $50 per week | About $2,640 per year |
| $75 per week | About $3,940 per year |
A financial check-in
With these numbers in mind, it can help to think about how drinking fits into your budget.
- About how much goes toward drinking in a typical week? The amount might be around $20 or closer to $75.
- When does that money usually go toward drinking? This could be on weekends or after work.
- Does that spending still align with your priorities right now? Are there other expenses or things you’d rather buy or save for?
You don’t have to decide to change anything right now. Paying attention to patterns like these can be enough.
Take it one step at a time
If you want to try something different, small changes can make a difference. That might mean drinking less frequently or limiting how much you spend. You could even swap in nonalcoholic options.
This can support both your finances and your health — giving you more room in your budget, better sleep and more energy throughout the day.
Get confidential support through your Costco benefits
Want extra support to change your drinking habits? Pelago can help, whether you want to drink less, more mindfully or quit altogether. Through the Pelago app, you can track your drinking, get personalized tips, use interactive tools to help manage stress, and connect with a licensed coach or counselor by chat or call. The program is confidential and available 24/7.
Pelago is available at no cost to employees and family members age 15+ enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
Learn more at pelago.health/costco or call 877-349-7755.
Categories
Investing in your 401(k) account
3 MIN READ
APRIL 2026
Investing in your 401(k) account
Other than the amount of money you contribute, the investments you choose may have the biggest impact on your Costco 401(k) Retirement Plan account savings over time.
If you’re enrolled, your 401(k) contributions are invested in a T. Rowe Price Retirement Trust* with the target date that is closest to the year you will turn 65, unless you elect otherwise.
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There are two ways to direct the investments within your account.
You choose the investments that are right for you.
Age-based approach
Your Costco 401(k) Retirement Plan offers retirement trusts that are professionally managed based on your age and years until retirement. This option provides a diversified portfolio in a single investment that’s designed to target the year an investor will retire. Its asset allocation — or investment mix — automatically adjusts throughout your working years and retirement.
You might consider an age-based approach if you feel less comfortable choosing your own investments. Age-based investments are managed to be more conservative as their target dates near. Depending on your risk tolerance, time horizon and financial situation, you may choose a retirement trust with a different target date.
Build-your-own portfolio
If you feel confident in your ability to build, diversify and manage your portfolio, you can do so with the available investment options, personally managing your portfolio and asset allocation over time to suit your needs and preferences.
About Costco stock
Company stock is also an investment option. Investing in Costco stock comes with both benefits and risks. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. You can invest up to 50% of new contributions to Costco stock. However, if you already have more than 50% of your account balance invested in Costco stock, you won’t be allowed to exchange further into Costco stock.
For a complete list of investments offered through the plan or to create your online account, visit RPS.TRowePrice.com or call 800-922-9945.
Savings speak
Money market/stable value funds have a goal of maintaining a steady value (capital preservation). They present the lowest level of market risk and the lowest return potential.
Bond funds purchase corporation or government agency debt, which is paid back over a set period of time with a fixed interest rate. They offer slightly greater risks and returns than money market/stable value investments.
Stock funds purchase ownership in a company and benefit from its profit potential. Stocks are more volatile than bonds or money market/stable value investments, and they provide greater potential for growth.
Want to buy Costco stock?
The Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers you the option of purchasing Costco stock through payroll deductions. Participation in the ESPP is entirely voluntary. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. Costco pays the fees and commissions related to each purchase. You pay the fees and commissions when you sell the shares. To learn more, visit Costcobenefits.com > Financial Wellbeing > Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
Need help navigating Medicare?
Don’t wait until you retire to figure it out. Medicare decisions should be part of your retirement planning. SGIA is here to help you understand your options and guide you through enrollment. It’s available to all employees and family members, including your parents and grandparents.SGIAmedicare.com/costco | 888-821-6486 | No cost
Aisle 401(k) articles are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.
*The T. Rowe Price Retirement Trusts (Trusts) are not mutual funds; rather, the Trusts are operated and maintained so as to qualify for exemption from registration as mutual funds pursuant to Section 3(c)(11) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trusts are established by T. Rowe Price Trust Company under Maryland banking law, and their units are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Investments in the Trusts are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government or its agencies or T. Rowe Price Trust Company and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal. For additional information on the common trust funds being offered, including a trust fact sheet, please call T. Rowe Price.
Categories
Beat inflation with SmartDollar
1 MIN READ
APRIL 2026
Beat inflation with SmartDollar
With rising prices, managing everyday expenses can feel stressful these days. SmartDollar, your free financial well-being benefit, shows you how to handle higher costs and stay in control of your money. It can help you make a budget, pay off debt and build stronger money habits. So when costs go up, you’re not stuck guessing — you have a plan for food, bills, savings and emergencies.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
SmartDollar can help you:
Build a budget: As a Costco employee, you have access to the premium version of the EveryDollar budgeting app. Track your spending and adjust for price increases on things like groceries and gas.
Reduce expenses: The program provides inflation guides and savings hacks for housing, utilities and transportation so you can find more room in your monthly budget.
Plan for emergencies: It guides you to build a $1,000 starter emergency fund, which gives you a buffer against sudden price spikes or unexpected expenses.
Get rid of debt: By using the Debt Snowball tool, you can prioritize how to tackle your debt, freeing up more of your income to cover price hikes.
Work with a coach: SmartDollar includes free, unlimited one-on-one financial coaching and video lessons. They’ll help you learn and build money habits that last.
File your taxes for free: You also get Ramsey SmartTax for free state and federal tax filing, helping you keep more of your paycheck in your pocket.
On average, users find an extra $395 in their first month by using these tools to cut unnecessary expenses.
Watch this video to learn more about SmartDollar for Costco employees.
Save time and money with RFL Worklife and LifeMart
Get help with everyday needs. Resources for Living (RFL) can connect you with local services for:
- Childcare, elder care and pet care
- Caregiver and special needs
- Community resources for rent, food and transportation
- Household services, local events and more
This free program is available to all Costco employees and members of your household. Dependent children living away from home can use RFL up to age 26.
All employees can also access employee discounts through LifeMart. Find savings on:
- Gym memberships
- Virtual fitness programs
- Childcare options (mainland and Hawaii only)
Categories
Chili-topped sweet potatoes
1 MIN READ
APRIL 2026
Chili-topped sweet potatoes
Eating well doesn’t have to mean spending more. This recipe uses pantry staples like sweet potatoes, canned tomatoes and spices so you can cut waste and whip up an easy, delicious meal. Cooking at home also lets you control ingredients — keeping your meals healthy and your wallet happy.
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Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
3/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup water
4 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup shredded cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack
Optional toppings: Scallions, cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream — make it your own!
Directions:
Step 1
Cook beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumbling the beef with a spatula, until the meat is browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 2
Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano and coriander while you’re cooking. Add tomatoes (with their juice) and water, then simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, pierce sweet potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave on high until tender all the way through, 12 to 15 minutes.
Step 4
Serve the sweet potatoes topped with the chili, cheese and any other toppings you’d like.
Make-ahead tip: Refrigerate chili for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition facts
Nutrition facts
Serving size: 1 | Total fat: 18 g | Saturated fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 88 mg | Carbohydrates: 35 g | Fiber: 8 g |
Total sugars: 12 g | Added sugars: 0 g | Protein: 31 g | Sodium: 443 mg | Potassium: 1,286 mg | Folate: 42 mcg | Calcium: 233 mg
Source: Omada