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Costco Raising Membership Fees For First Time Since 2017

Costco plans to raise the cost of membership fees by $5 starting on September 1, the company said in a press release Thursday. This is the first membership price hike since 2017, but fortunately, the cost of the hot dog and soda combo is staying at just $1.50, the same price it's been since 1985.

"With this increase, all U.S. And Canada Gold Star, Business and Business add-on members will pay an annual fee of $65," the company announced Wednesday.

"Also effective September 1, annual fees for Executive Memberships in the U.S. And Canada will increase from $120 to $130 (Primary membership of $65, plus the Executive upgrade of $65), and the maximum annual 2% Reward associated with the Executive Membership will increase from $1,000 to $1,250," the statement continues.

The new prices will impact about 52 million memberships, with roughly half of those being the Executive memberships, according to Costco. The fee increases are only impacting customers in the U.S. And Canada, which have 609 and 108 warehouses respectively. But Costco also has locations in Mexico, Japan, the UK, South Korea, Australia, and China, among others.

Costco rival Sam's Club last raised its basic membership fee from $45 to $50 back in 2022, but the company's recent announcement that it would raise the minimum required for free shipping on Plus memberships has ruffled some feathers, according to USA Today. Plus members pay a $110 annual membership fee but will need to spend at least $50 per order to get the $8 shipping fee waived.

Inflation has been a key issue of discontent for American shoppers since the covid-19 pandemic, with the cost of basic goods soaring. But there have been positive signs in recent months that inflation is getting under control. Overall inflation was 3% last month on a yearly basis, according to the latest figures released on Thursday. That's down from 3.3% in May and lower than the 3.1% that was expected by economists, according to the New York Times.

Costco's Luxe, Royalcore-Inspired Floor Mirror Is Back In Stock (and Just $150!)

Credit: Ian Dewar Photography/Shutterstock Credit: Ian Dewar Photography/Shutterstock

If you're looking for a new floor-length mirror that will make you feel like royalty without breaking the bank, you'll be happy to know that Costco's fan-favorite gold mirror is back in stores — and it's on sale.

Instagram content creator Shannon (@costco.So.Obsessed) highlighted it in a July 7 post, writing, "How pretty is this gold mirror?" She added that it retails for $150 in her location, although the price seems to vary from store to store. That's an amazing deal given that mirrors of this size can cost hundreds, if not thousands, more when you purchase them from other retailers.

Officially known as the Ravena Floor Mirror, this find features intricate antique scrollwork at the top that's immediately reminiscent of the popular "royalcore" decor trend that's dominating sites like TikTok and Pinterest. This aesthetic is all about adding opulence and luxury to modern spaces, so if you've daydreamed about giving your home a Bridgerton-inspired makeover, this could be the mirror for you. Although "royalcore" decor tends to embrace gold accents, the Ravena Floor Mirror is also available in silver in case that's more in line with your personal color palette.

A word of advice: Before heading to your local Costco to find it yourself, you can save time by calling your local warehouse, pressing 1 on your phone's keypad, and asking where to find the mirror (which is listed as item 1695517) in your area.

If heading to Costco isn't in your plans, no worries! You can also order the mirror on Costco's website. You'll have to pay the slightly higher price tag of $250, but you can rest easy knowing that it ships right to your door. Judging by shopper reviews, it's worth the wait — the Ravena Floor Mirror boasts a 4.9 out of 5-star rating on Costco's site based on more than 20 reviews.

Ravena Floor Mirror

Ravena Floor Mirror

Costco

$249.99

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"Best mirror I ever had," one five-star reviewer wrote. "Simply gorgeous. Well made and quality is on point. Don't ponder, just buy it."

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Score A Roomba For Just $160 With This Early Amazon Prime Deal

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Amazon Prime Day 2024 doesn't start until July 16, but Prime members can already get access to exclusive discounts before the big two-day event. That includes a $90 discount on iRobot's Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum, which brings the smart cleaning gadget down to its lowest price ever. This is an essential purchase for anyone who wants cleaner floors, but doesn't want to get their hands dirty. If you don't have an active Amazon Prime account, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to take advantage of these deals.

iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum $159.99 (Was $249.99)

iRobot

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iRobot's entry-level robot vacuum uses a three-stage cleaning system, which includes automatically managing its sucking power based on its to keep your floors spotless. An edge-sweeping brush extends outward from below the vacuum to bring dust and debris that's accumulated along the sides of your walls and into corners of your room with ease.

A smartphone app available on iOS and Android allows you to control and manage this robot vacuum's schedule remotely, so you can return home with clean floors and never have to worry about hearing the whirring of the vacuum's motors. IRobot says the Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum can last up to 120 minutes per charge, and will automatically return to its base to recharge when it's depleted.

More early Prime Day vacuum deals:

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