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Trump’s Venezuela oil deal uses U.S. law, courts and capital to make Venezuelan oil investable again. Critics’ objections are real, but every one of them can be fixed.

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There’s a longstanding rivalry between Costco and Sam’s Club in the warehouse club world, and for good reason.

While BJ’s Wholesale is a solid contender in its own right, Costco and Sam’s Club tend to dominate the market. And each chain has its own competitive advantage.

Costco’s shining star is its Kirkland Signature brand. Customers have come to recognize Kirkland not just for its low prices, but also its high quality and engaging selection.

Sam’s Club may not win on store brand quality or recognition. But it trumps Costco on technology and convenient checkout options. 

In fact, Costco refuses to offer curbside pickup as part of its model, while Sam’s Club not only offers curbside pickup, but doesn’t charge extra for it. Sam’s Club was also first to offer better technology at checkout to speed up the process. 

And the differences between the two don’t end there.

Sam’s Club wants more of Costco’s business

During its last quarter, Costco reported that it had 82.9 million paid members. Its renewal rate among U.S. and Canada was 92.2%. 

Sam’s Club does not publicly disclose exact membership numbers. However, during parent company Walmart’s most recent earnings call, CEO John Furner said, “Membership fee revenue was at an all-time high on growth of 17%.”

Related: Target takes big step to be more like Costco

The company specifically enjoyed 6% growth at Sam’s Club U.S.

Still, Sam’s Club is clearly on the hunt for more members. And its current $25 Club membership promotion proves it.

Costco, on the other hand, does not offer discounted memberships as a matter of course. 

The company firmly believes that its memberships can sell themselves through exciting inventory, fantastic deals, and a strong customer experience overall. 

Sam’s Club may not win on store brand quality or recognition. But it trumps Costco on technology and convenient checkout options.JJBers, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr; Walmart, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr

Sam’s Club offers members more holiday store access

Closing down for holidays isn’t an easy business decision for companies like Costco and Walmart to make. Any day the store isn’t open to customers is a day of lost revenue.

But Costco is willing to give up that revenue more often.

Costco has seven holidays it closes for during the year:

New Year’s Day

Easter

Memorial Day

July 4

Labor Day

Thanksgiving

ChristmasSource: Costco

Sam’s Club, on the other hand, only closes four times a year:

New Year’s Day

Easter

Thanksgiving

ChristmasSource: Sam’sClub

So while Costco won’t be open to members during the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Sam’s Club will.

Costco sees major shift in member behavior

Retail chain shuts all locations as legal changes hit industry

Costco makes major investment in online shopping for members

Of course, the decision to open on Labor Day may not, by itself, drive an uptick in membership rates. But these strategic decisions are part of Walmart’s broader plan to grow Sam’s Club into the same warehouse club giant Costco is. 

And if Sam’s Club keeps offering up perks such as discounted memberships and other incentives, those efforts, combined with fewer closures, could help the company take business from Costco and grow its own customer base.

Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco and Walmart.

Related: Costco makes a delivery change members will love

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Why we love this deal

It might be hard to imagine it now when temperatures are still in the mid 80s, but in just a few weeks, the weather will take a turn, dropping a bit lower, and making our favorite layers more important than ever. As hard as it is to see summer go each year, the coziness of fall is always exciting, and the countdown is on until we can break out our soft sweats, super plush sweaters, and our favorite sweatshirts that serve us well year after year. While it’s easy to love our tried-and-true, well-worn pieces of apparel, with every new season, it’s natural to want to add a few new items of clothing to your wardrobe, and the Hanes Hoodie fits right in with all your other loungewear and cozy clothes.

Not only is it a bestseller on Amazon with over 126,000 five-star ratings, but the already super affordable $27 sweatshirt is now on sale for 70% off — that’s 53% less than Walmart is selling it for right now. During this limited-time deal, you can get the pullover hoodie for just $8 and have it delivered to your door far before the first leaves start falling. 

Hanes Hoodie, $8 (was $27) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Why do shoppers love it?

This sweatshirt comes in 30 colors, but not all colors are made with the same fabric blend. Most options are made with a 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend, but a few are made with a 99% cotton, 1% polyester blend or a 65% cotton, 35% polyester blend. It’s doesn’t make a huge difference feel or fit wise, other than the fact that the 99% cotton hoodie might feel a bit softer on the skin, but if you have a preferred blend in mind, make sure you check out the product information under “Top highlights” to get the full breakdown before ordering. 

With the 50/50 blend, you get the best of both worlds. The cotton is soft and gentle on skin, and far more breathable than other fabrics. The polyester retains color incredibly well, is a stronger, more durable, weave, and resists wrinkling and shrinking. Combined, the two create a comfortable, well-fitting hoodie that promotes airflow to keep you cool, and holds up in appearance wash after wash. The polyester fleece used in this design also keeps you warm without being overly bulky.

As a unisex hoodie that is available in sizes small through 5X-large, this pullover is great for anyone, and is designed to flatter all kinds of silhouettes. The pullover has a classic hood with adjustable drawstrings to change the fit around your neck and head. It also has ribbed cuffs and a waistband for a secure fit that keeps its shape. The front of the hoodie has a split kangaroo pocket that keeps hands warm and is helpful in storing small everyday items. 

Related: Champion’s cotton joggers are on sale for just $17 at Amazon

The double-needle stitching around the neck and armholes combined with the pill-resistant fabric makes this hoodie a long-lasting piece of apparel, one that maintains its look and feel even after multiple washes. For best results, machine wash with cold water and tumble or hang dry. 

Details to know

Material: Polyester and cotton. 

Colors: 30.

Sizes: Small through 5X-Large.

Care: Machine wash.  

It’s rare to see such a simple product have over 126,000 five-star ratings, but this hoodie does, and shoppers can’t stop sharing all the things they love in the reviews. Medium-weight without a lot of bulk, this sweatshirt is very comfortable, and the wide variety of colors to choose from make it so fun to shop for. “Best bang for your buck,” one shopper said. “I own five different colors and plan to get at least three more.” Shoppers say they are super versatile and great for layering, and they don’t pill or deteriorate in quality even after lots of wear. 

Shop more deals 

Coofandy Quarter-Zip Pullover Sweatshirt, $20 (was $23) at Amazon

Pinkspark Lightweight Workout Hoodie Pullover, $13 (was $20) at Amazon

Hanes Zip-Up Hoodie, $11 (was $28) at Amazon

For just $8, you can add a Hanes Hoodie to your wardrobe and have a cozy, brand new pullover just in time for fall if you purchase now. 

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Millions of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans will receive an annual notice of change this fall. It may be one of the most consequential Medicare documents they receive all year.

The notice compares a plan’s current costs and coverage with what it will offer in 2027. Those changes can affect premiums, prescription drug coverage, cost-sharing, and supplemental benefits.

Jae Oh, a certified financial planner and author of “Maximize Your Medicare,” said beneficiaries should not assume that a plan that worked in 2026 will remain their best choice in 2027. Even members who are healthy, take few medications, and have been satisfied with their coverage should review the notice before allowing the plan to renew automatically.

Below is a transcript of the interview with Oh, edited for brevity and clarity.

What is an Annual Notice of Change?

Bob Powell: What is the annual notice of change?

Jae Oh: Every person enrolled in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan receives an annual notice of change, commonly called an ANOC. Every carrier is required to send it.

It is easy to throw it in the trash, but I highly discourage that because the notice describes changes that can affect what you pay and the coverage your plan provides in 2027.

If I had to choose one document that every member should open, this is it.”

What should beneficiaries review first?

Powell: What should people examine in the fine print?

Oh: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires plans to provide side-by-side information showing what members incurred in 2026 and what they will incur in 2027.

Look for changes to the monthly premium, drug formulary, and other important coverage provisions. The formulary is the list of medications the plan covers.

The notice provides accurate information about the plan as a whole, but it cannot tell you exactly how much you personally will be affected. You have to determine whether each change applies to your medications, providers, and circumstances where you live.

How can drug coverage change?

Powell: What should people with Medicare Advantage drug coverage or a stand-alone Part D plan investigate?

Oh: Check whether your medications remain covered and whether they have moved to different tiers. Also examine changes in copayments, coinsurance, prior-authorization requirements, and step therapy.

The big issue for 2027 may be the end of additional subsidies that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been providing to Part D plans, including prescription drug coverage within Medicare Advantage plans.

That money will cease at the end of 2026, and plans will have to recover it in some form. That could mean higher premiums, higher copayments for certain medications, or different coinsurance percentages.

It is difficult to know how large those changes will be until the new plan terms are released.

Can doing nothing be reasonable?

Powell: Is there ever a case in which someone reads the annual notice and decides to do nothing?

Oh: Certainly. The plan may still be doing its job. You may be satisfied with its benefits, provider network, and supplemental offerings, such as dental, vision, fitness, or over-the-counter benefits.

If you do nothing, your 2026 plan will generally renew for 2027. But health care delivery is volatile. Pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, and insurers all face changing conditions.

You should reconsider your existing arrangement each year and determine whether it remains the best option for 2027. Doing nothing should be a decision, not an oversight.

How does the payment plan work?

Powell: What should beneficiaries know about the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?

Oh: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is designed to smooth prescription expenses across the year. Paying a large amount at once, including costs associated with a Part D deductible, can be difficult.

The program allows beneficiaries to spread anticipated out-of-pocket prescription costs over the year rather than paying the full amount at the pharmacy when a prescription is filled.

What do star ratings mean?

Powell: Have there also been changes involving Medicare star ratings?

Oh: The star-rating system has faced litigation, and carriers have been largely successful in appealing some decisions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The outcome can affect the money available to carriers and, indirectly, the supplemental benefits included in their plans. But those financial disputes are not particularly useful when an individual is choosing a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

For beneficiaries, the better approach is to focus on the plan’s actual costs, drug coverage, provider network, and benefits.

How have Medicare marketing rules changed?

Powell: What changed concerning the 48-hour waiting period for Medicare plan appointments?

Oh: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has long been concerned about how Medicare plans are marketed. Agents and brokers use a regulated form known as a scope of appointment to document what will be discussed with a beneficiary.

Previously, someone who contacted an agent could be required to wait 48 hours before an appointment. That waiting period no longer applies in the same way.

If you already know and trust your insurance agent, representative or broker, you should be able to work with that person much as you have in the past.

Why should everyone open the notice?

Powell: What deserves to be reemphasized?

Oh: The annual notice of change is the one document everyone should open, even if you are in good health, take only one or two medications, and have been happy with your Medicare Advantage plan for years.

The forces affecting Medicare involve every part of healthcare delivery, including pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, and insurance carriers. It is better to review the changes with your eyes wide open than to be blindsided by an unexpected cost or coverage problem later.