Money Management

Amazon’s got some great deals happening this month. Read on to see where you can potentially save big. [[{“value”:”

If you’re an avid Amazon shopper, you’re probably well aware that the online retail giant commonly offers its share of great deals. But sorting through all of them can be overwhelming.

We’ve highlighted some of the best bargains you might find this month. Have a read and see if any of these are a good purchase for you.

1. Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet

Planning a big summer road trip? If you have kids aged three to seven in particular, this tablet could be the perfect tool for keeping them occupied on a long drive. It’s also a good thing to have on hand in general, because sometimes, parents need a little downtime.

Normally, the Fire 7 Kids tablet costs $109.99, but you can snag it now for $69.99. Your purchase price includes a year of free Amazon Kids+ content, a child-proof case with built-in stand, and a two-year warranty. The latter is important because young kids and electronics aren’t always such a great combination. If your child accidentally drops their tablet and shatters it, you have protection.

2. Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Full-Zip Polar Soft Fleece Jacket

The arrival of spring means it’s a good time to stock up on light jackets and layers that keep you warm but don’t make you sweaty like your winter coat might at this time of the year. Right now, some of Amazon’s women’s fleece jackets are on sale for as low as $8.90 — a whopping 69% off of the usual price.

Now, you will have to click on each color individually to see its price, and do be mindful of the fact that not every color is discounted. But if your spring wardrobe needs a couple more pieces, this could be a smart buy.

3. Keurig K- Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, White

Brewing coffee at home is a great way to cut the potentially large expense of a daily Starbucks or Dunkin’ latte out of your budget. Right now, Amazon has this Keurig model on sale for $79.99, which is 38% off the usual price of $129.99.

What makes this particular Keurig so great is its small size and slim fit. So even if you’re someone who rents a studio apartment in a big city whose kitchen is nothing more than a fridge and a patch of countertop, chances are, you can still fit this gadget in.

4. Shark AV753 ION Robot Vacuum, Tri-Brush System, Wifi Connected

If you’ve been meaning to outsource the task of vacuuming to a machine for a while now, you may want to consider this Shark robot vacuum. It comes with 120 minutes of runtime and is compatible with your Alexa device so you can command it to do things with your voice.

Normally, this model costs $229.99, but now, it’s on sale for 26% off, bringing your price to $169.99. And if you’re feeling guilty about raiding your savings to buy a robot vacuum, ask yourself whether the time you’re freeing up could help you make up the money.

Let’s say you’re self-employed earning $80 an hour on average. It’ll take a little more than two hours’ worth of work to make back the money the vacuum costs. From there, for every hour you don’t have to vacuum because a machine is doing it for you, you have the opportunity to earn more.

5. High Back Executive Office Chair

Many people are working from home these days on a partial or full-time basis. But one lesser-known drawback of that arrangement is that you may not have a setup that’s conducive to keeping your body ache and pain free.

If you’ve been plugging away at your kitchen table all these months, it may be time to spring for a separate desk and chair so you can work more comfortably. Amazon can help with the latter, because right now, this model is only $129.99, 28% off of its usual price of $179.99. This ergonomic chair is adjustable and comes with padded flip-up arms for ideal support.

If you’re self-employed, talk to your accountant about whether this chair (or any other office furniture you buy) qualifies as a deductible business expense. You may be in line for some tax savings.

All of these Amazon buys are available at great prices. But remember, a sale is only worth pursuing if you have the money to pay for your purchases in full. If you’re forced to carry a balance on a credit card that accrues interest, you immediately negate at least a portion of your savings off the bat. And if you carry that balance for a long time, the amount of interest you pay might wipe out your savings completely and exceed it.

So whether you’re interested in a new office chair, a Keurig, or something not on this list, ask yourself, “Can I pay for this outright?” If not, you’re better off waiting for the next sale to come along.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends Maker. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Spring and summer are just around the corner. Learn how Costco can help you start budgeting for your warm weather plans. [[{“value”:”

With the first taste of warmer weather hitting much of the U.S. this past month, many of us have already started planning for our time outdoors this spring. And while Costco is known for its incredible savings on homegoods and groceries, many people may be missing out on their seasonal offerings. From gardening to backyard barbecues to beach vacations, Costco has some incredible spring finds for under $25.

1. Swimwear

Whether you’ll be at the lake, the beach, or the water park, chances are you’ll need a swimsuit this spring and summer. But swimwear can be costly. A brand name swimsuit can easily cost you $70.00 or more, which is why Costco is a fantastic option if you’re looking for budget swimwear. Costco carries brand name swimsuits like Hurley, Jessica Simpson, Speedo and Lands End at reasonable prices. For example, a Hurley ladies one-piece swimsuit goes for just $21.99, while men’s Hurley swim trunks start at $18.99.

2. Water bottles

Even if you’re the plastic water bottle type, nobody wants to sip out of a bottle that’s been boiling in the sun. And let’s be honest — few of us probably want to contribute to the mass of plastic waste in the ocean. Fortunately, Costco sells a 2-pack of ThermoFlask 24 ounce insulated water bottles for $18.99, which is about $2.00 to $4.00 cheaper than other retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

3. Sunscreen

We’ve all been there — you get back from a long day out in the sun only to realize you look redder than the backside of a baboon.

Luckily, Costco sells sunscreen in bulk, helping you stay stocked up. For example, right now, you can buy two eight ounce cans and one bottle of Banana Sport SPF 50 for only $13.99. For comparison, Amazon sells two eight ounce cans of the same sunscreen for the same price.

Just be sure to bring a bottle to a hotel or resort, as you don’t want to pay resort prices for sunscreen, which can be double or triple the price you’d pay at the store. This happened to me recently, and I ended up paying $40 for a single bottle.

4. Beach towels

If you are a frequent pool- or beachgoer, you know you can never have too many beach towels. If you’re due for a new stash of towels, Costco sells them starting at $17.99. And in typical Costco fashion, you can save when you buy in bulk. A set of two oversized beach towels is just $19.99. For comparison, you’re looking at paying about twice that amount for a similar style and size at Walmart.

5. Allergy medicine

If you are one of the 80 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, this one’s for you. Costco’s Kirkland Signature NonDrowsy AllerClear Antihistamine 10mg tablets are $11.69 for a pack of 365, which is roughly $0.03 per tablet. Meanwhile, Amazon sells a similar product (GoodSense Allergy Relief Loratadine Tablets) for $12.99.

All in all, shopping at Costco can help you save money on your spring or summer essentials. And if you have yet to book your summer travel, don’t overlook Costco’s vacation packages, which can save you hundreds of dollars on your credit card bill when planning for your next trip. You can even get 2% cash back as a Costco Executive member, helping you save even more on your next summer vacation.

Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Costco Wholesale, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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You’ll never find everything during an inspection. But hopefully you’ll find these things one home buyer missed. [[{“value”:”

Knowing how important the home inspection can be, I had one scheduled ASAP after my offer was accepted. On the day, I showed up early, I followed the inspector doggedly — I even took notes.

And yet, here I am, myriad repairs later, wondering how I missed so much.

Ultimately, there’s only so much you’re going to discover during even the most thorough inspection. You generally aren’t taking down walls, opening up ceilings, or putting cameras in pipes.

That said, there are definitely some things I could have paid more attention to at the time. Although it wouldn’t have changed my mind about purchasing the house, I’d have been better able to plan and prepare, potentially saving me lots of money. Here are a few examples of what I mean.

1. The state of the HVAC system

While home inspectors are required to know quite a bit about, well, quite a bit, they usually aren’t specialists, especially not in HVAC maintenance and repair. So, while my inspector dutifully turned on the heat and AC to test their function, he couldn’t tell me much more about the age of the machinery than that it was “on the older side.”

In my mind, this translated to, “You may have to replace this in a few years.” However, in hindsight, I should have taken it to mean: “You should get this serviced by a professional before winter because it could die at any moment.”

Fun fact: An emergency furnace replacement in December when it’s 20 F outside is much more expensive than a planned upgrade in August when it’s 70 F.

The takeaway

Ask your inspector (and the sellers if possible) about the exact age of all of the appliances, including the HVAC and water heater. Even if everything is newer, have a professional service everything as soon as possible to head off any potential issues.

2. Unmaintained maintenance issues

It’s amazing how many things around a house require regular maintenance to prevent catastrophic failure. During your inspection, it’s best to identify as many of those things as possible — and whether the current owners have been keeping up with them.

For example, did you know that a Built-Up Roof (tar-and-gravel roof) breaks down and cracks over time? If you don’t re-tar regularly, it leaks. Guess how I found out?

Once again, I can’t say I was entirely unwarned. My inspector did point out a few areas of the roof in question that looked like they needed maintenance. What I didn’t understand was that the need was rather immediate — like, this roof is probably already leaking right now immediate.

The takeaway

If the inspector points to things that need maintenance, make careful note of them on the to-do list — near the top of the to-do list, in fact. Even if they’ve been maintained thus far, you’ll want to make sure you keep up with it. And if they haven’t been maintained, consult a professional about what needs to be done as soon as you can.

If the inspector finds repeated signs that regular maintenance hasn’t been upkept, take that as a sign that you (and your savings account) are going to be very busy playing catch-up.

3. Less-finished finishes

The finishes on a house are just that: the finishing touches. They bring everything together and give your house its homey charm. So when they’re not right, it can become like an itch you can’t scratch.

In my case, there are a ton of little details that I either didn’t notice or didn’t note during the walkthroughs and inspection. The kitchen, for instance, is missing baseboards all around. I noticed a couple missing — but I definitely didn’t realize it was nearly all of them.

These sorts of things aren’t going to make or break your purchase, or cause any particular safety issues. However, they definitely cost money to fix, money you’re going to want to spend before you show off your new home. It’d be nice to know how much money that is before you get started.

The takeaway

Look closely at all the finishes during your walkthroughs and inspection. Look for missing baseboards, unfinished drywall, thresholds missing covers, knobs and/or hardware that don’t match, etc. Add these items to your to-do list — and your to-do list budget — so you have an idea of the scope of the work that needs finished.

You can’t find it all

Again, I want to make it clear that knowing these things wouldn’t have made me change my mind about the house — yes, even the furnace thing. This house checked so many boxes, in such a disappointing market, that I’m still happy to have found it.

Besides, you’re never going to be able to discover it all during an inspection. Every single house has its quirks, and you’re only going to really find them by living in it.

So, definitely pay careful attention during your walkthroughs and inspection. You’ll hopefully find any major red flags. And, if you’re more on the ball than I was, maybe you’ll be adequately prepared for what you’ll find when you move in. Hopefully you can learn from some of my mistakes.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Scan & Go already saves people time by skipping the checkout line. This new feature adds saving money to the mix. [[{“value”:”

Compared to making small talk with a cashier, I certainly prefer self-checkout. However, I still find it tedious and annoying. That’s why my absolute favorite method is Scan & Go. I get to skip the line completely. And now, I get even more: extra savings.

Sam’s Club recently introduced Scan & Go Offers, which mean extra savings on select items when you shop with Scan & Go. Want to learn more? Here’s how it works.

Scan & Go basics

If you’re not familiar with Scan & Go, it’s a feature built into the Sam’s Club mobile app that lets you scan your items as you shop. Then, when you’re finished, you can pay and complete your purchase right in the app. You never even need to spare so much as a glance for the checkout line.

For example, when you pick up that two-pack of peanut butter, you use the app to add it to your digital cart — then place it into your physical cart and keep shopping. Each item gets scanned as you put it in your cart. (I like to put the baggable things in my reusable bags after I scan them.)

Once you’ve scanned everything and are ready to go, you choose your payment method and check out in the app. When your transaction is complete, you’ll get a digital receipt. The folks at the door can scan it just like the physical receipt you get from the checkout lane. Then you’re ready to go.

How to save money with Scan & Go

As much as I love Scan & Go, it seems it hasn’t had the widespread adoption Sam’s Club was hoping for. At least, that’s why I assume the company started Scan & Go savings.

In any case, it’s pretty cool. Basically, certain items will offer an extra discount if you use Scan & Go in-store. Savings are automatic, and you don’t need to activate anything. All you need to do is, well, use Scan & Go to buy the eligible item. Easy peasy.

Eligible items will have a “Scan & Go Savings” tag online and in the app, along with noting how much you can save. Through April 7, 2024, for instance, you can save $3 on a three-pack of Lysol.

Stack with Sam’s Cash and card rewards

Another neat thing about the extra Scan & Go savings is that they’re extra. What I mean is, you can stack those savings with other things, such as the Sam’s Cash you earn as a Plus member.

And, as always, don’t forget to earn your credit card rewards on top of it all, too. You can put your best rewards card in your Sam’s Club app as your payment method. Then, when you use Scan & Go to check out, you can select that card to pay. You’ll get the same rewards you’d earn paying directly at the checkout machine with your physical card.

Considering Sam’s Club’s already competitive prices, extra discounts are icing on the cake. And since I already love Scan & Go for saving time, I’m excited it can now save me money in my budget, too.

Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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If you have the credit score and financial stability to get a new travel credit card, April might be a good month to get one. Find out why. [[{“value”:”

Travel credit cards are an excellent way for budget-conscious travelers to start saving for their next big adventure. Many of the top travel credit cards earn points and miles on your everyday spending, helping you turn groceries and gas into a business-class ticket to your next destination.

While these cards can come in handy all-year-round, they’re especially useful for those who are planning summer vacations. After all, with the average American planning to take at least three trips this summer (at about $2,743 per trip, according to Go City), a travel card in your quiver ensures you’re collecting the most rewards for those travel purchases. So, if you have the credit score and financial stability to get a new card, here’s why April might be a good time to start applying.

1. Earn your sign-up bonus early

Signing up for a new credit card often puts you in the race for a welcome bonus. Many of the best travel credit cards have hefty bonuses that could put as much as $750 (or more) toward your next adventure.

The problem, of course, is that you have to hit certain spending limits before that bonus becomes yours. There also might be a lag between the moment you hit the requirements and the moment when the bonus is credited to your account. For instance, a card might have a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 within three months of opening your account. Once you hit those requirements, the card issuer will apply the bonus to your rewards balance within two billing cycles.

If you get your travel credit card in April, that gives you some time to hit the bonus requirements before it’s time to start traveling in the summer. You can charge any bookings or reservations you make in advance to your card, helping you hit the required spending threshold. If you get your bonus in time, you might be able to apply it as a statement credit against these charges, though if your card doesn’t have a 0% APR intro period, don’t hesitate to pay them off.

2. Start earning rewards for summer travel

Getting a travel card in April means you can start building up a slew of points or miles, which you can then use to cover portions of your summer travel.

Most travel cards will earn extra points or miles for travel purchases. But many of the best travel cards will also earn extra on various spending categories, like food or fuel. Since you’re probably already budgeting for this spending, one of these cards can help you set points aside for your future travel.

Of course, you don’t need a travel credit card to earn extra points. In fact, you might be better off with a cash back credit card that more closely aligns with your spending. You can accumulate this cash back, then use it to help cover your travel purchases. A few types of credit cards that might help you earn more include:

Best credit cards for dining and restaurantsBest credit cards for gas and groceriesBest credit cards for streaming servicesBest credit cards for large purchases

3. Take advantage of travel insurance

Finally, many credit cards have hefty travel insurance built into their cards. This insurance could include trip cancellation, trip delay, rental collision, baggage delay, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident, among others. When you book your summer travel with a card that has travel insurance, that coverage is available for you to use, if you need it. If you’re thinking about buying travel insurance, this could save you some money.

All things considered, getting a travel credit card now means you can start earning rewards for your summer travel plans. This could include covering airfare, hotels, or other charges, like baggage or food. Take a look at some of our favorite travel cards and see if it’s worth applying for a new one in April.

Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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