Your dollars don’t go as far these days. Sure, things are more expensive, but “buy now” buttons and shiny new services add up much faster than we’d like to believe. It’s no surprise that subscription-based business models are so popular.
That’s why it’s a good idea to decide what merits the monthly hit to your bank account. Here’s how to track your subscriptions and determine what’s worth keeping.
This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, Oracle NetSuite. Before we jump into how to streamline your budget, we have a quick note for small business owners and operators.
Run a business? The right software makes a world of difference
If you’re a business owner, you don’t need me to tell you running a business is challenging. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, and stop paying for multiple systems that don’t give you the information you need when you need it. It’s time to upgrade to NetSuite by Oracle, the world’s No. 1 cloud business system.
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Today, most of us own less media than ever before. Forget building collections of albums and movies. Now, most people have extensive digital collections they access through monthly subscriptions.
Unlimited access to tons of content for a cheap monthly fee sounds excellent, but what happens if one platform isn’t enough for all your interests? You end up paying for multiple services, and those charges add up fast.
If you’re brave enough to shop on Black Friday, you know the importance of a game plan. Some folks prepare by lacing up their running shoes; others are ready to throw some elbow jabs. We prefer the non-violent approach: Showing up bright and early to get a head start on the action.
Stop guessing and start saving: This savings goal calculator from Clark.com takes the guesswork out of saving money. Enter your desired amount, current savings and how often you plan to contribute, and the calculator will show you exactly how much you need to save each month to reach your goal. Subscribe to Clark’s free newsletter for more must-have money tips every day.
🚨 Bank of America lost your data … literally: Nope, it wasn’t a cyberattack. This time, savings bond documents went missing in transit, and they had everything. Names, addresses, account numbers, SSNs and more — the full “steal my identity” starter pack. No word yet on how many people are affected, but the bank says it’ll notify you. PSA: Freeze your credit.
What you can earn as a new Apple Card customer when you spend $500 within your first 60 days of opening an account. You can deposit the bonus into your Apple Cash or Apple Card Savings account and spend it however you want. Hurry — the offer is available until Jan. 13.
Shopping guide: Gifts under $25 for everyone on your list
Amazon
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you know what that means — it’s time to start Christmas shopping. Tons of sales are already available online, but we understand how difficult it can be to sort through all those deals.
Summer is here, which means it’s high time to plan a vacation to get away from it all. Maybe you’re picturing a sun-drenched beach, or perhaps your mind wanders to a cozy cabin away from the hustle and bustle.
Many people are turning their vacation dreams into reality this summer, while also trying to stay on budget. But oftentimes, a hotel or rental, plane tickets, a car when you arrive, food and drinks, gas — can all add up fast.
💸 $8.2 million in crypto seized: Give the DOJ a hand for cracking down on romance baiting. You know, scammers promise to love you forever, help you invest in bogus platforms and vanish with your money. One woman lost over $660,000 (her life savings), and the scammer still asked for another $300,000 to “improve her credit score.” Wondering if you’re getting scammed? Ask me here.
Don’t fall for this: Have a TD Bank account? If you get a text about a big pending charge, don’t click it. It links to a fake TD Bank site that looks real but steals your login info. Some folks have lost their life savings. So sad.
💸 Who’s in your wallet? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says Capital One conned customers out of $2 billion in interest payments. They promised super-high rates for 360 Performance Savings accounts, then froze them at 0.30%. If this happened to you, file a complaint.
The internet is a dangerous place. Hackers and scammers are everywhere, and big tech companies thrive on collecting and selling your data.
That’s why Kim and the team created the ad-free Komando Community. If you’re looking for a safe place to get answers to your digital questions, meet others who share your interests and get exclusive access to Kim’s trusted advice, look no further. The best part? We’ll never sell your data to advertisers.
What’s the best way to test out a new product? Free samples, of course.
A good site to look at for free samples is It’s All Free Online. This site is popular for deals on top brands and contests. The site collects links and instructions to sign up for freebies.
