Get set to save like never before! Before you get into holiday shopping, I’ve got three tips that will help you score some serious savings.
Don’t make these 5 big mistakes when buying electronics on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.
For example, you might be so wowed by a great deal that you snap it up before it sells out. Hasty buying habits can be incredibly costly in the long run, so rein in your impulses. When you’re about to buy from Amazon, read product reviews from a trusted source like Consumer Reports.
Unfortunately, many third-party sellers are notorious for buying fake five-star reviews, while others bribe people into removing low-star ratings. If you avoid these cardinal sins, you should be good to go.
1. Paying for an extended warranty
Some of the common mistakes everyone makes don’t cost much. For example, many shoppers choose the fastest delivery option — which can come with higher shipping prices. If you’re buying something small, you can probably afford to eat the cost.
If you want to save money, it’s best to wait a little longer and stick with free shipping. But some mistakes are way too costly. For example, you shouldn’t buy an extended warranty on electronics you buy online.
Most failed appliances will break down within the first 90 days. Otherwise, they’ll probably fail after around five years. So before you buy an extended warranty, consider the total cost. You’re better off putting it in a savings account or investing it so it can grow into more money.
Then again, you could always spend the extra money on another gadget to make your life easier. Tap or click here for seven tech gems that save you time.
2. Paying full price
Always look for deals and discounts. Look for alternative items and similar brands, as well. You may believe in one brand, but a comparable brand might have what you want at a much lower price.
Luckily, there’s a button at the top of your Amazon toolbar called Today’s Deals. Check it out and you can find low prices on the devices you need.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
5 ways to get the most out of a Costco or Sam's Club membership
Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club may be able to save you up to 30% on your annual grocery bill. However, just because you shop big doesn’t mean you’ll always come out on top.
Convenience, accessibility and, of course, price all vary by purchase. Luckily, we’ve got five tips to help you make the right choice every time.
Heartbreaker: A 79-year-old man lost nearly $1 million to scammers pretending to be WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss. Over the years, they drained his retirement savings and even his granddaughter’s college fund (paywall link). The saddest part? When his son moved the last $100,000 to a safe account to protect it, the man sued and disowned him. He then sent that $100,000 to the scammers, too.
$300,000 or 6 years’ worth
Of lost retirement savings for serial job hoppers. It all comes down to retirement savings rates. When you switch to a new job, you’re starting back at 3% and adding a percentage each year. Too many job changes can lead to a 41% smaller nest egg.
I saved $456.76 in 5 minutes using an app that finds subscription services
Do you ever look at your monthly bills and wonder where some of those crazy numbers come from?
I’m willing to bet some of those costly digits come from subscriptions you’re signed up for. Do you use all of them enough to justify the expense? That’s money automatically being taken out of your account every month or year.
10 free budgeting spreadsheets to help get a handle on your money
Keeping track of your finances can be a daunting task. Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly where your money was?
When I started on my own, recording and managing my finances was non-existent. If you’re not good at keeping track of what you have in your accounts or what is coming or going from those accounts, this may be the answer for you.
$33,110.68 in savings
Recommended for your emergency nest egg. That’s roughly six months of expenses for the average household. No surprise: Federal Reserve data shows 73% of households aren’t anywhere close.
😲 Stick to legitimate banks: Thousands of folks who put money into the Juno savings app are screwed. The company that provided Juno’s digital transaction ledgers collapsed, and no one can access their funds. One guy lost $38,000. Keep your savings in an FDIC-backed bank and those account balances under $250,000.
🧈 This gold scam panned out: A 74-year-old Maryland man bought gold bars with his life savings and handed them over to a fraudster to “protect his bank account.” After, he saw a story on the local news about a woman losing $1 million dollars to this same scam. He contacted the police, who set up a trap and arrested the scammer. Unfortunately, the gold was long gone.
An 82-year-old woman almost lost $3 million in a gold bar scam: First, she was swindled out of nearly $1 million of her life savings. A pop-up ad on her PC scared her into calling a fake federal agent. The “agent” said her money was in danger and would only be safe if she converted it to gold. Good news: Just as she was ready to hand over another $2 million in gold bars, they caught the 19-year-old scum behind this.
💸 Duh, it works: A money-saving strategy is all over TikTok, promising to save you over $5,000 in less than four months. Take 100 envelopes and number them from 1 to 100. Each day, deposit an amount matching the envelope number. Envelope No. 1 gets $1, the one labeled “2” gets $2 and so on. Maybe next, someone will go viral talking about savings accounts! You know, where you put money away with interest.
📺 Like cable … but different: Comcast’s new Xfinity StreamSaver bundle gets you Netflix, Apple TV+ and Peacock Premium for $15 a month. Before you get too excited, it’s the basic versions of Netflix and Peacock — in other words, lots of ads. But if you’re already on the basic plans, it’s a $10 monthly savings.
Trouble - Apple savings accounts
Open an Apple savings account? Here’s why there could be trouble brewing, in one minute.
Streaming services from most to least expensive
Wouldn’t it be great if all your favorite shows and movies were on the same platform? Sadly, all the good stuff is scattered across different apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max. If you’re juggling multiple subscriptions, these streaming services can burn a massive hole in your wallet.
This simple trick can save you hundreds of dollars a year on streaming
When cord-cutting was all the rage, the driving force was to save money. Why pay hundreds of dollars monthly for cable when you can get great shows and movies through streaming services?
The problem is the savings didn’t last long. Streaming services like DirecTV Stream, Netflix and Hulu always increase prices. Tap or click here for details on some recent price hikes.
Wait until after Christmas to buy these 6 things
Hopefully, you get everything you want this Christmas. If you didn’t, you might need to shop for yourself. Shopping after Christmas is an excellent money-saving trick any year. We bet there will be a ton of great sales in the days immediately after Christmas and all the way through 2023.
Money-saving tip: How to find coupons that will save you hundreds on bills in 2023
There are tons of steep savings waiting for you to find them. As the cost of living soars, it’s time to expand your horizons and add more money-saving tips to your toolbelt. In this how-to guide, you’ll find strategies to save money with coupons.
The secret apps and strategies pro shoppers use to save money during the holidays
Inflation has been out of control for quite a while. Even though prices have started to come down on some items, gas is still higher than normal. Tap or click here for the best hidden map feature that will save you money on gas.
Get $20 in Amazon cash to spend on Prime Day - It takes 60 seconds
Mark your calendars. Amazon Prime Day begins July 12. Good news if you plan to take advantage of the tsunami of sales. There’s an extra Amazon Prime Day discount to apply to your order.
Since inflation is sky-high, you need all the deals you can get. That’s why you should shop for the stuff you need on Amazon Prime Day. You don’t have to wait a few weeks to take advantage.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.