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Costco to use $184M tariff refund to cut prices on everyday goods
14 days ago•Source: MyNorthwest.com
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12.675 min•14 days ago
Costco Channels $184M Tariff Windfall Into Price Cuts Amid Broader Refund Wave
Costco has received $184 million in refunds from the federal government for tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. The retailer plans to use these funds to lower prices on everyday and non-food items. This follows a strong fourth quarter where Costco reported nearly $96 billion in revenue, an 11% increase year-over-year, and a 15% rise in net income. The refunds are part of a broader wave of reimbursements expected after a federal judge ruled that importers are entitled to money back for unconstitutional taxes imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
12.97 min•21 days ago
FTC Expands Amazon Prime Refunds to $200, Auto-Paying Millions
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Orlando Tops WalletHub's Retirement Index for Comfort and Cost
WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of the best places to retire names Orlando as the top city for retirement with comfort and cost in mind, followed by Charleston, Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Casper, Scottsdale, Tampa, Miami and Pittsburgh; the list evaluates cost of living, taxes, activities and health care quality to identify ideal retirement destinations.
The Quiet Quant Behind Wall Street’s Tax-Saving Surge
Wealth managers use leveraged long-short, tax-aware strategies inside separately managed accounts (SMAs) to harvest losses and offset gains, deferring taxes in a rising market. Quantinno Capital Management, led by Hoon Kim after AQR, has exploded from about $2B to roughly $70B in three years, challenging AQR as Fidelity and Schwab tighten custody. The model’s growth hinges on advisor adoption, but it carries leverage costs and bear-market risk, plus concerns about over-selling to clients.
SSA September 2026 payments follow a steady Wednesday calendar
September 2026 Social Security retirement benefits follow the SSA schedule: payments go out on Wednesdays—Sept. 9 for birthdays 1–10, Sept. 16 for 11–20, Sept. 23 for 21–31 (Sept. 3 for those who started benefits before May 1997). Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments typically occur on the first business day of the month (Sept. 1, 2026), with additional 2026 SSI dates (Oct 1, Oct 30, Dec 1, Dec 31). Note the September check covers August benefits, while September benefits arrive in October. The SSA also provides an online calendar for budgeting the full 2026/2027 schedule.
August 26 Social Security payments: who’s in line this week
The August 26 Social Security payments go out this week; beneficiaries born between the 21st and month-end receive on Aug. 26, with the standard Wednesday schedule depending on birthdate. SSI recipients typically get payments on the first business day of the month (August’s SSI was issued July 31 since the 1st fell on a Saturday); remaining 2026 SSI dates are Sept. 1, Oct. 1, Oct. 30, Dec. 1, and Dec. 31. The piece also notes an expected Social Security funding shortfall by 2032 and policy ideas, including capping annual benefits at $100,000, to shore up the trust fund.
Costco to offer Medicare plans through SCAN in select states
Costco will offer Medicare Advantage in two states and a Medigap plan in one state through a SCAN Group partnership; the exact rollout states haven’t been disclosed, but SCAN already serves Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington, where Costco operates many stores. This expands Costco’s services beyond groceries and aligns with moves by rivals like Walmart to broaden warehouse-club healthcare offerings, targeting its substantial population of baby boomer shoppers.
State Farm's Record $5B Dividend Goes to Eligible Auto Customers
State Farm has begun issuing a $5 billion dividend to auto-insurance customers—the largest in its history—with payments averaging about $100 per vehicle and varying by state and premiums. Eligible policyholders are those with an active personal auto policy in 2025 across more than 49 million vehicles. Recipients will be notified by email or letter, and a toll-free number is available for questions; the company announced the dividend earlier this year and payments are ongoing until complete.
SSA Aug. 19 Pay Day: Who Will See Their Social Security Benefit This Week
Millions of Social Security recipients will receive August benefits this week, with payments going out on Wednesday, Aug. 19 for those born on the 11th–20th of any month. Generally, birth-date-based timing puts 1st–10th on the 2nd Wednesday, 11th–20th on the 3rd Wednesday, and 21st–31st on the 4th Wednesday each month; SSI is usually paid on the first, though August’s dates were affected by weekends. The article also outlines the rest of 2026’s payment calendar and notes long-term funding concerns for the program’s solvency around 2032.
Powerball restarts at $35 million after Saturday draw yields no winner
No one matched all six numbers in Saturday's Powerball drawing, so the jackpot resets at $35 million for the next drawing on Monday, Aug. 17 (with a $15.2 million cash option); last week's $1.04 billion Illinois win pushed Powerball to its eighth-largest prize, and the game has since expanded to the United Kingdom with different ticket prices and prize structure.
The 1982-D Small Date Penny: Why the $20,000 Treasure Hunt Is Largely a Myth
USA TODAY debunks the viral claim that a 1982-D Small Date penny could be worth $18,000–$25,000, noting only two such coins have been publicly confirmed (2016 and 2019). The rarity stems from a transitional year when the Mint shifted from copper to zinc and created several penny varieties; the genuine 1982-D Small Date weighs 3.1 g, while common 1982 pennies weigh 2.5 g. With 10.7 billion pennies minted, unicorns like this are vanishingly rare, and many online listings misrepresent weight or mint details. Buyers should beware of scams on sites like eBay and prefer major auction houses with NGC holders; the safest bet for a “small date” is rolling 1982-D coins or mint bags, though the odds of finding one remain extremely slim.
401(k) Balances Near Million-Dollar Milestones Amid Retirement Fears in 2026
Empower’s analysis of over five million 401(k) accounts shows the average balance is about $351,242, up roughly 11% year over year, with balances rising with age and peaking in the 60s; about one in five savers has at least $1 million, and the average for people in their 50s is around $1.07 million. The findings highlight the power of compounding and employer matches, which can significantly boost growth. Yet surveys show lasting retirement anxiety: many Americans expect to need about $1.2 million to retire, expect only about $500k or less on Day One, and worry about Social Security funding as projection suggests funds could be tighter by 2032, underscoring ongoing concerns about retirement readiness.