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10 things to stop paying for to save money now

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March 31, 2026

VIRAL GROCERY SHOPPING METHOD PROMISES TO SLASH SPENDING: ‘WAY EASIER, WAY CHEAPER’

10 things to stop paying for to save money now

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Money can start to feel tight faster than you expect. It is not always one big expense. More often, it is a series of small charges that quietly add up over time.

When that happens, it is easy to think you need a major reset. You don’t. In many cases, the fastest way to create breathing room is to stop paying for things that are not adding real value to your day.

That is where this list comes in. These are 10 common expenses you can cut back on right now. Start with one or two, and you will likely notice the difference quickly.

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Cutting back on recurring costs like delivery apps, gym memberships and bottled water can create quick financial breathing room. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

1) Daily ‘treat’ habits that quietly add up

That quick coffee run or snack feels harmless. It takes a minute and gives you a boost. Over time, it adds up fast. A $6 drink every weekday can reach around $1,500 a year. You don’t have to cut it completely. Just change how often it happens.

Tech tip: Use your banking app’s spending insights to see how much you’re actually spending in this category. Most major banks now auto-categorize purchases.

Quick step: Open your banking or credit card app, then go to transactions or spending insights. Use the search bar and type “coffee” or filter by a category like “dining” or “food and drink.” Most apps will show how much you’ve spent over the last month.

Seeing the total makes it easier to cut back without guessing.

2) Convenience spending you barely notice

Convenience costs more than it seems. Delivery apps, one-click checkouts and saved payment methods make it almost too easy to spend. That is when purchases start happening without much thought.

Tech tip: Remove saved cards from your favorite shopping apps. Making yourself enter your payment details each time can help slow down impulse buys.

Quick step:

iPhone: Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > select a card > Remove Card
Android: Open the Samsung Wallet app > tap All or Menu > Payment cards > select a card > tap More (three dots) > Remove card. (Settings and menu names may vary slightly depending on your software version.)
Google Pay (Android): Open Google Wallet app > tap your card > three dots (top right) > Remove payment method
Apps (Amazon, DoorDash, Uber, etc.): Open the app > go to Account or Profile > tap Payments, Wallet or Payment methods > select a card > tap Edit or Remove. (Menu names may vary slightly depending on the app version.)

A small pause at checkout can stop a purchase you did not really need.

3) Subscriptions you forgot you had

Streaming services, apps, cloud storage and free trials that turned into charges. Most people are paying for at least one thing they rarely use.

Tech tip: Your phone already tracks this.

Quick steps:

iPhone: Settings > your name > Subscriptions
Samsung Galaxy (Android): Open Google Play > Profile icon > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)

You’ll see everything in one place and can cancel in just a few seconds.

4) Storage you never visit

Storage units feel temporary, but the monthly charge sticks around. If you have not used those items in a year, you likely do not need them.

Tech tip: Sell items quickly using apps like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp instead of letting them sit.

Quick step: Take photos on your phone, list items in minutes and price to move.

Turning unused items into cash is better than paying to store them.

7 FOOLPROOF WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IN A TOUGH ECONOMY

A receipt is held out in a grocery store.

Small daily purchases, unused subscriptions and convenience spending can quietly drain your budget faster than expected. (Douglas Rissing/Getty Images)

5) Gym memberships you are not using

Signing up feels productive. Showing up is what counts. If you are not going, it becomes a recurring charge with no benefit.

Tech tip: Replace it with free fitness apps or built-in phone features.

Apple Fitness: Basic tracking is free with iPhone
YouTube: Free workout videos are easy to find
iPhone: Open the Health app > tap Steps to track your daily movement
Samsung: Open the Samsung Health app> tap Steps (or install it if needed)

Quick step: Set a daily step goal in your Health or Samsung Health app and start there.

Consistency matters more than where you work out.

6) Bottled water and repeat small buys

This one slips under the radar. Buying a drink here, a snack there or a bottle of water on the go does not feel like much in the moment. But over time, it turns into a steady drain on your budget. If you have access to clean tap water, you are paying for something you already have. The real issue is not the item. It is the pattern. These are repeat purchases that happen automatically.

Tech tip: Use your phone to break the habit before you leave the house, not after you are already out.

Quick step:

iPhone: Open the Reminders app > tap New Reminder or the + sign > type “Bring water bottle” > tap the (i) icon > set it to alert you at a specific time or when leaving your home location > Click the blue check mark in the upper right of the screen.
Samsung: (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)Option 1: Open Reminder app (Samsung Reminders) > Create reminder > add “Bring water bottle” > set time or location.Option 2: Say, “Hey Google, remind me to bring my water bottle when I leave home.”

Catching the habit before you leave helps you avoid spending later.

7) Premium gas your car does not require

Many drivers pay extra for premium gas without needing it. If your car is designed for regular fuel, premium will not help performance.

Tech tip: Look up your car’s fuel requirement online in seconds.

Quick step: Search: “Does [your car model] require premium gas” or check your manual digitally.

Using the right fuel can save you money every time you fill up.

8) Upgrading your phone too often

New phones are appealing. The upgrades feel important. In reality, most changes are minor, and your current phone likely still does everything you need. The biggest issue most people run into is not performance. It is battery life. That is often fixable.

Tech tip: Check your battery health and storage before deciding to upgrade. Those two things usually explain why a phone feels “old.”

Quick steps:

iPhone: Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging (look at Maximum Capacity)
Samsung: (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)Settings > Battery > Battery usage > tap Diagnostics or Device care > check battery status

Battery health above 85% means you are in good shape. Keep your phone. Around 80% or lower means the battery is wearing out. Replace the battery instead of upgrading. Still running slow after updates and clearing storage? It may be time to move on.

HOUSING EXPERT WARNS PRE-PANDEMIC AFFORDABILITY LEVELS MAY NEVER RETURN IN AMERICA

Saving money often starts with fewer automatic charges, fewer impulse buys and better use of the tech you already have. (Juanmonino/Getty Images)

9) Lottery tickets and quick-win promises

It is easy to justify a few dollars here and there. But over time, it adds up, and the odds stay the same.

Tech tip: Set up an automatic transfer instead.

Quick step:

Go to your bank app
Set recurring transfer (even $5 a week) to savings

You turn a habit into something that actually builds money. Plus, small, steady savings will always beat relying on luck.

10) Buying out of habit, not need

Scrolling and buying can become automatic. Most purchases are not planned. They happen in the moment. That is how small, unplanned spending starts to add up.

Tech tip: Turn off push notifications from shopping apps. Fewer alerts mean fewer chances to buy on impulse.

Quick step:

iPhone: Settings > Notifications > select app > toggle off
Samsung: Settings > Notifications > App notifications > toggle off notifications for the app you wish to stop receiving notifications from (Menu names may vary slightly depending on your device and software version.)

Fewer alerts mean fewer chances to spend without thinking.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

You don’t need to cut everything. Focus on the expenses that are not adding real value. Saving money does not always come from doing more. Often, it comes from doing less. Less automatic spending. Fewer impulse purchases. Fewer charges you forgot about. Technology can either make spending easier or help you stay in control. It depends on how you use it. Start small. Stay consistent. That is where the real change happens.

So here’s something worth thinking about: Which app, subscription, or habit is quietly costing you money every month without you realizing it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Gas in U.S. hits $4 a gallon for first time since August 2022

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March 31, 2026

Gas in U.S. hits a gallon for first time since August 2022

Gasoline prices in the U.S. on Tuesday topped $4 a gallon on average for the first time in more than three years, the latest sign of how the Iran war is driving up fuel costs for U.S. motorists.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $4.02 a gallon, AAA said, up from $3.99 on Monday and more than $1 from a month ago. The cost of oil, the primary driver of fuel costs, has surged since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The conflict is disrupting the ship-borne passage of crude through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow conduit connecting to the Persian Gulf that normally accommodates roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas.

President Trump has sent mixed messages about his commitment to reopening the strait. On Tuesday, he told CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang that he is not ready to abandon efforts to force Iran to reopen the waterway. At the same time, he suggested in a Truth Social post this morning that U.S. allies would need to pursue their own efforts to restore the flow of oil from the region.

Asked about rising fuel costs, Mr. Trump said U.S. gas prices will drop “when we leave, when it’s over.”

Separately, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also told CBS News in an email on Tuesday that “When Operation Epic Fury is complete, gas prices will plummet back to the multi-year lows American drivers enjoyed before these short-term disruptions.”

Highest gas prices since August 2022

The last time gas was above $4 per gallon was in August 2022. Prices briefly topped $5 per gallon in June of that year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent crude oil prices surging.

“It’s not the shock of $5, but motorists are really going to start to see those digits go up on the dollar price on the pump relatively quickly,” Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert at GasBuddy, told CBS News.

Since 2009, gasoline has only spent 157 days — all in the year 2022 — above $4 a gallon, according to De Haan.

A CBS News poll released on March 22 found that rising gas prices are heightening concerns about the U.S. economy. In the short term, 90% of respondents expect the Iran war to drive up oil and gas prices, while 58% said fuel costs were likely to increase over the long term.

Drivers are also noticing the local impact, with 85% reporting higher prices in their area, according to the poll of 3,335 U.S. adults interviewed from March 17-20.

Diesel prices also rose again, reaching $5.454 a gallon Tuesday, compared to Monday’s $5.416. The fuel is commonly used in farming and construction, as well as in trucks, trains and boats that transport American goods.

As transportation costs increase due to higher energy prices, companies could eventually shift part of the burden onto customers, Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG, recently told CBS News.

Research also shows that the additional money Americans spend on gas this year could erase nearly all of the additional money they are slated to collect in tax refunds.

The Trump administration has pulled multiple levers in an effort to tame energy prices, such as releasing oil from its strategic reserve and relaxing government regulations that can push up the cost of petroleum products.

Analysts, however, told CBS News those measures alone aren’t enough to fill the energy supply gap or ease prices for Americans.

Edited by

Alain Sherter and

Brian Dakss

In:

2026 World Cup playoffs: Who will claim the final six spots?

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March 31, 2026

– World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
– USMNT handed reality check by Belgium ahead of World Cup
– Cost of the World Cup: The price tag to follow your team to glory

2026 World Cup playoffs: Who will claim the final six spots?

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off on June 11 when co-hosts Mexico play South Africa in Mexico City, but six qualification places are still up for grabs in the European and intercontinental playoffs.

The final qualified teams will be confirmed Tuesday with four European nations and the winners of the two intercontinental playoff finals sealing their spot in the Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer.

Kosovo will host Türkiye attempting to reach their first World Cup, and four-time world champions Italy must win at Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid missing out on the finals for the third successive tournament.

Iraq (1986), Congo DR (as Zaire in 1974), Bolivia (1994) and Türkiye (2002) are all looking to end lengthy absences from the World Cup, but who will be victorious in the six qualification finals?

EUROPE

PATH A
Winner enters World Cup Group B (Canada, Qatar, Switzerland)

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy (Zenica, Bosnia): Edin Dzeko‘s 86th-minute goal against Wales in Cardiff was the lifeline Bosnia needed to stay in the semifinal and take the game to penalties, which ended with a 4-2 shootout win for Sergej Barbarez’s team. At 40 years old, former Manchester City, AS Roma and Inter Milan striker Dzeko will become one of the oldest outfield players to appear at a World Cup if he can inspire Bosnia again in the final, but Italy will go into the game as strong favorites.

Gennaro Gattuso’s team overcame a nervous start to beat Northern Ireland 2-0 on Bergamo in Thursday’s semifinal and that victory has boosted morale in Italy following playoff heartbreak in 2018 and 2022. Bosnia have home advantage in Zenica at the hostile Stadium Bilino Polje, but Italy have the pedigree of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali and Manuel Locatelli, so they will have no excuses for another playoff failure.

Winners: Italy

Laurens: Italy face tougher test against Bosnia and Herzegovina

Julien Laurens breaks down Bosnia and Herzegovina’s dramatic penalty win over Wales ahead of their World Cup showdown with Italy.

PATH B
Winner enters World Cup Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia)

Sweden vs. Poland (Stockholm, Sweden): Viktor Gyökeres almost single-handedly sealed Sweden’s place in the final with a hat trick in Thursday’s 3-1 semifinal win against Ukraine in Valencia. Sweden, now coached by former Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter, seriously underperformed during the qualifiers witha winless group campaign, but they now have a home game against Poland to book a place at the World Cup.

The Poles had to fight back from going a goal down against Albania in Warsaw before winning 2-1 with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski and they go into the Sweden game having run Netherlands close in their qualifying group. Recent form suggests that Poland will be favorites, but Sweden are at home and the confidence of a big win against Ukraine. It will be close, but Sweden will shade it — maybe even on penalties.

Winners: Sweden

PATH C
Winner enters World Cup Group D (United States, Paraguay, Australia)

Kosovo vs. Türkiye (Pristina, Kosovo): Though Türkiye’s semifinal against Romania went as expected with Vincenzo Montella’s team winning 1-0 through Ferdi Kadioglu‘s goal, Kosovo upset the odds with a 4-3 win away to Slovakia. Kosovo went into the playoffs as the lowest-ranked European nation still alive in the competition, sitting in 78th position between Israel and Oman in the FIFA World Ranking, but they dominated in Bratislava to seal a deserved victory.

Franco Foda’s team is young, bold and full of pace and energy, and they have the ability to shock a Türkiye team stacked with top talent including Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz. Türkiye have won the two previous meetings between the teams and will be favorites, but Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri will be rocking in Pristina on Tuesday, and a passionate atmosphere could tip the balance in Kosovo’s favor.

Winners: Kosovo

PATH D
Winner enters World Cup Group A (Mexico, South Korea, South Africa)

Czechia vs. Denmark (Prague, Czechia): Czechia looked dead and buried against the Republic of Ireland after finding themselves 2-0 down in Prague after 23 minutes, but Miroslav Koubek’s team fought back to take the game to penalties before winning 4-3 from the spot kicks.

But the Czechs will face a Denmark side that showed its quality with a 4-0 win against North Macedonia in Copenhagen, so the Danes will be strong favorites heading into the final. The questions about Denmark have nothing to do with their quality — coach Brian Riemer has Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Højlund and Christian Norgaard on his roster — but whether they can handle the pressure of being favorites. A draw against Belarus and defeat against Scotland saw them blow their hopes of automatic qualification, so will they feel the heat against the Czechs? That’s the danger for Denmark, but perhaps beating North Macedonia has proved their mettle.

Winners: Denmark

INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYOFFS

PATHWAY 1
Winner enters World Cup Group K (Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia)

Congo DR vs. Jamaica (Zapopan, Mexico): Jamaica toiled to a 1-0 win against rank outsiders New Caledonia in the semifinal, so they will have to step up several levels to have any hope of beating Congo DR.

Congo, nicknamed the “Warriors of the Equator,” have top-level European experience in their squad with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) and captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille), so they should be too strong for a Jamaica side led by interim coach Rudolph Speid. Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri scored the match winner for Jamaica against New Caledonia, but repeating that effort will be tough against one of the strongest African teams.

Winners: Congo DR

PATHWAY 2
Winner enters World Cup Group I (France, Senegal, Norway)

Iraq vs. Bolivia (Guadalupe, Mexico): Iraq’s preparations for their playoff have been thrown into disarray by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing coach Graham Arnold to ask FIFA for the game to postponed due to the difficulties of his squad being about to travel from the region. But Tuesday’s match will go ahead and the Lions of Mesopotamia will have a full squad due to call on after being given the use of a private jet to travel to Mexico. Whether the disruption to their plans will affect Iraq’s chances remains to be seen, but Bolivia’s 2-1 semifinal win over Suriname, when they overturned a 1-0 deficit to claim victory, showed that the South American nation is match ready — the same cannot be said for Iraq. Having had no competitive games since December, Iraq might struggle to win this game and end a 40-year wait for a World Cup appearance.

Winners: Bolivia

DHS rips Jimmy Kimmel for mocking Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s plumbing background

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March 31, 2026

SEN RAND PAUL GRILLS MULLIN ON PAST COMMENTS ON ASSAULT: ‘TELL IT TO MY FACE’

DHS rips Jimmy Kimmel for mocking Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s plumbing background

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The Department of Homeland Security is firing back at comedian Jimmy Kimmel, accusing the late-night host of ridiculing Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s blue-collar roots.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a DHS spokesperson defended Mullin’s journey from a family plumbing business to the president’s Cabinet.

“Secretary Mullin represents the best of blue-collar America, and failed comedian Jimmy Kimmel chooses to ridicule him for it,” the agency said.

The disagreement began after Kimmel mocked Mullin’s qualifications during his show last week. He compared the former senator’s qualifications to those of the famous Nintendo character Mario, a plumber.

President Donald Trump shook hands with newly sworn-in Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 24, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“He’s the now-former senator of Oklahoma. Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber. That’s right. We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now. It worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?” Kimmel said.

Mullin attended college on a wrestling scholarship before leaving to take over his family’s plumbing business when his father became ill. Before becoming Homeland Security Secretary, Mullin represented Oklahoma in the House and Senate for over a decade.

FCC BOSS VOWS TO ‘REBALANCE’ MEDIA, URGES MORE PRO-AMERICA PROGRAMMING

“In what other country could a young plumber from rural Oklahoma get fed up one day, run for Congress, serve his community in the House and Senate, and then be called to serve in the president’s Cabinet to protect the homeland,” DHS added.

Jimmy Kimmel hosts late-night talk show during studio taping.

ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

MULLIN FACES DEMOCRAT GRILLING IN FIRST HURDLE TO LEAD DHS AMID SHUTDOWN FIGHT

Kimmel defended his original comments on Thursday, directly addressing the backlash during his monologue.

“Let me make this very clear, I’m not upset that the head of Homeland Security used to be a plumber. I’m upset that he isn’t still a plumber,” Kimmel said, accusing conservative commentators of twisting his words and arguing he was not trying to insult plumbers.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin arrives for Senate confirmation hearing on DHS nomination.

Markwayne Mullin looks on during a confirmation hearing to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Mullin was later confirmed to the post. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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“I wouldn’t put a plumber in charge of Homeland Security for the same reason I wouldn’t call a five-star general to pull a rat out of my toilet. OK? We all have our areas of expertise,” Kimmel added.

The DHS statement also pointed to comments from President Donald Trump on “The Five” Thursday, where he called Mullin “country smart” and well-respected. Mullin was sworn in as DHS chief last week after his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

A representative for Kimmel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Madison is a writer for Fox News Digital on the Flash team.

Pottery firm Denby appoints administrators in ‘necessary step’

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March 31, 2026

Pottery firm Denby appoints administrators in ‘necessary step’

The 217-year-old firm says it appointed FRP Advisory as administrators on Tuesday.

Source link

Don Miguel Ruiz Quote: Quote of the day by Don Miguel Ruiz: “In our development, as we grow throughout our lives, the structure of our beliefs becomes very complicated, and we…” – The Times of India

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March 31, 2026

Don Miguel Ruiz is a spiritual teacher and author known for his powerful book “The Four Agreements.” His teachings which are based on ancient Toltec wisdom, are focused on personal liberty, awareness, and breaking free from beliefs. Born in Mexico, Ruiz comes from a family of healers and spiritualists. His upbringing had a significant impact on his philosophical beliefs. Ruiz started his career in medicine but his life took a drastic turn, leading him to Toltec wisdom. His teachings have helped readers understand that most of human suffering is caused by beliefs and not reality.Today’s quote, “In our development, as we grow throughout our lives, the structure of our beliefs becomes very complicated, and we make it even more complicated because we make the assumption that what we believe is the absolute truth” is widely attributed to Don Miguel Ruiz.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

What the quote conveys

The essence of this quote, however, lies in its demonstration of how our belief systems change and become more complex as we mature. From a young age, we are exposed to ideas through parents, society, and life experiences, which are then stacked on top of one another, creating a complex system of belief. What starts off as simple understanding gradually develops into a complex system of belief, which defines who we are, how we act, and how we believe we should act towards others.The problem, according to Ruiz, with this system of belief is that we assume these are absolute truths, not simply interpretations of reality, which can hinder our understanding of a situation, making us close-minded to new ideas and perspectives, which can ultimately result in misunderstandings, conflicts, and unnecessary emotional pain, simply because we believe we are right and everyone else is wrong. The quote ultimately encourages self-awareness. By realizing that our beliefs are based on what has been taught to us and not necessarily on what is true in itself, we can free ourselves from these beliefs and become more open-minded and simple in our thoughts and actions.Don Miguel Ruiz’s quote is a reminder that our beliefs are not necessarily based on truths but are evolving ideas in themselves. By simplifying our beliefs, we can free ourselves from these beliefs and become more open-minded and balanced in our thoughts and actions. By doing so, we can not only become more self-aware as individuals but can also become more empathetic and wise.

Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement over

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March 31, 2026

Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement over

Taylor Swift is being sued by Las Vegas performer Maren Wade who has accused the superstar of trademark infringement over her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Wade is the creator of the “Confessions of a Showgirl” podcast, which started as a column in 2014.

Costco unveils checkouts promising eight-second transactions

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March 31, 2026

Costco unveils checkouts promising eight-second transactions

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Costco is testing a new checkout system that executives say could allow some shoppers to complete transactions in as little as eight seconds.

The warehouse retailer’s pilot program introduces a “pre-scan” process in which employees scan customers’ items while they are still waiting in line, Costco Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip announced during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Delish reports.

Costco’s new checkout process is designed to save time by scanning items before customers even reach the register. While shoppers are still waiting in line, an employee approaches and scans everything in their cart using a handheld device, effectively entering the full order into the system in advance.

By the time the customer reaches the front and scans their membership card, all their items appear on the screen, eliminating the need to rescan anything. The transaction is then reduced to a quick payment step. The approach is similar to how busy drive-thrus, like In-N-Out or Chick-fil-A, handle peak hours, taking orders ahead of time to keep lines moving efficiently.

Early results at Costco show the system is improving traffic flow and customer satisfaction, with shorter lines and faster transactions, Millerchip said.

Costco is piloting a ‘pre-scan’ system where employees scan items while customers wait in line so purchases are ready to pay instantly at checkout (Getty Images)

“In digital, we continue to make strides with our roadmap to deliver a more seamless experience for members in warehouse and online,” Millerchip said on the call, Delish reports. “In the warehouses, we are achieving meaningful improvements in the speed of checkout and employee productivity, both as a result of our mobile wallet enhancements, pharmacy pay ahead and the rollout of employee pre-scan technology.”

“We are also piloting automated pay stations that will allow members to pay for their pre-scan orders seamlessly with an average transaction time of around eight seconds,” Millerchip added. “Early results show this is improving the flow of traffic, and we have received great member feedback.”

Costco is also testing a new “Scan & Go” checkout system designed to speed up the shopping experience and reduce time spent in line. The feature allows customers to scan items as they shop using the Costco mobile app, eliminating the need to unload and rescan products at a traditional register. After completing their purchase in the app, shoppers can simply present a QR code at the exit to verify their items before leaving the store.

The change comes as Costco works to tackle long checkout lines, a major customer complaint. By combining employee-assisted scanning with self-checkout technology, the company aims to speed things up without eliminating traditional lanes, while also catching up to similar systems already used by competitors like Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Sharon Stone reflects on her career and talks about joining

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March 31, 2026