Money Management

Need a savings boost? Read on for some ways to better your finances this month. [[{“value”:”

If you can’t remember the last time you added money to your savings account, you’re not alone. Late 2023 data from PayrollOrg found that 78% of Americans would experience financial difficulties if their paychecks were delayed by a week. This tells us that most workers do not have a good amount of savings to fall back on.

Now ideally, your employer will issue your paychecks when they’re supposed to, so you won’t have to worry about a delay in pay. The point, however, is that you never know when you might run into a financial issue or hiccup that necessitates savings.

So if you don’t have a solid emergency fund — one with enough money to cover three months of essential expenses at a minimum — then it’s time to get serious about boosting your savings. And here are a few steps you can take to save some money this April.

1. Use coupon apps to your advantage

Clipping coupons from the newspaper or virtually via websites has the potential to be a time-consuming process, even though it’s a good way to save money. But you can make life easier on yourself by turning to a coupon app instead.

Many of the apps on this list are free to use, and they could result in serious savings on the items you normally buy. The key, however, is to not fall into the trap of buying things simply because you have a coupon for them. For this strategy to result in actual savings, pledge to only coupon your way to discounts on the items you were already planning to purchase.

2. Find a budgeting app that’s easy to use

Budgeting is a good way to manage your spending and carve out room for savings. However, it can be a little tedious, especially if you find that you’re constantly having to access and update a budgeting spreadsheet.

A better solution? Turn to an app. Some of today’s budgeting apps are designed to sync to your credit cards and bank account, so your spending is categorized and tracked automatically. It’s an easy way to engage in more mindful spending and get a better handle on the things you’re paying for.

3. Do a spending audit and unload expenses that aren’t enhancing your quality of life

Everyone spends money on things that bring them happiness. And that’s not something you should feel guilty about.

However, the less money you spend on non-essential items, the more you can put in the bank. So it’s a good idea to make sure that the non-essentials you’re paying for are really worth it.

To that end, do a spending audit. Comb through your bank and credit card statements from the past three months or so, make a list of the extras you’ve been paying for and their respective costs, and then ask yourself if each one is really worth paying for. You may decide that while canceling Netflix would subject you to too many nights of boredom at home, canceling your gym membership isn’t really such a problem since you’ve been doing more jogging and outdoor exercise anyway.

The sooner you get into the habit of saving money, the better you might feel about your financial picture as a whole. Use these tips to make April a strong month on the savings front. And then stick with them for future months so you can keep up the great work.

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.Maurie Backman has positions in Netflix. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

Watching a baseball game in person can be expensive. Learn how Costco could help you save on baseball tickets. [[{“value”:”

Baseball season is in full swing, which might be making you eager to buy tickets to see your favorite team. And while there’s nothing like watching your favorite team in person, the price of tickets could trip up your budget. After all, unless you’re okay sitting in the nosebleed seats, you could spend $50 to $200 or more per person just to have a decent view. Add in snacks, drinks, meals, parking, and other merchandise, and you could easily wrack up credit card debt just to watch America’s favorite pastime in person.

One way to make watching baseball in person more affordable, without sacrificing on view or fun, is to buy your tickets through Costco. Although it doesn’t sell tickets for every team, Costco typically offers great values for those it does. If you’re eager to watch baseball this spring or summer, let’s see if Costco can help put you closer to the plate.

Costco sells cheap ticket bundles at fixed prices

First off, Costco isn’t a ticket vendor. It doesn’t sell tickets for individual seats, nor does it reserve a seat for you when you purchase ticket packages from it (more on this below). Often, Costco will sell you two tickets in a general section area, like a lower level or mezzanine, for a flat price, like $99.99.

This flat price can work in your favor. Most stadiums price tickets differently depending on the game and day. For example, a game against a division rival on the weekend will draw a large crowd, resulting in fewer seats and higher prices per seat. A game featuring a team outside your division on a weekday, however, might not cost as much. When ongoing ticket prices are generally higher, you can use Costco’s fixed prices to help you save money.

For example, Costco currently sells two New York Yankees tickets in the Main Level, which includes sections 205 to 201 and 228 to 234, for $99.99. The package also comes with a $30 food/beverage voucher. On SeatGreek — the go-to for cheap baseball tickets — these same sections’ tickets are priced between $50 to $80 each, depending on the game. For a division foe (like the Tampa Bay Rays), you’re likely going to pay $70 to $80 a seat for Main Level seats, or $140 to $160 for two. In this case, Costco’s package would save $40 to $60 for tickets, plus give you $30 in food and beverages — a total savings of about $70 to $90.

Costco also doesn’t charge you merchant fees, which can add up to about $20 per ticket when you purchase them online. For our Yankees example, that means you could save roughly $90 to $110 by buying your tickets through Costco.

For some perspective, here’s how Costco’s prices compare to the average ticket price in 2023 for certain popular teams.

Why you might not want to buy MLB tickets through Costco

As I said above, Costco isn’t a ticket vendor, nor does it reserve seats for you. When you purchase tickets, Costco will send you an e-voucher, which you redeem through a link that Costco provides. The voucher and link usually arrive within three hours of purchasing your tickets, though sometimes it can take up to 72 hours. What’s more, Costco’s MLB tickets are nonrefundable. Unlike other products, which fall under its 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, you cannot return MLB tickets for a full refund.

This can create problems if you’re trying to reserve tickets for a specific game. Again, let’s say you want to watch the Yankees face a division rival, like the Tampa Bay Rays or the Boston Red Sox. You have a day in mind — let’s say April 20 — and you’ve even checked to make sure the Main Level seats you want are available. Even so, you could very well purchase a ticket bundle through Costco only to find out that the seats you wanted are now sold out. Because there’s at least a three hour lag between purchasing your tickets and receiving your voucher, you can’t be sure those seats will be there for you.

Of course, the voucher is redeemable for the rest of the season. But you’ll want to pick games well in advance to avoid any disappointments.

Even with the slight risk that you can’t get tickets for the games you want, you’ll save big when you do. Before you buy your tickets through third-party vendors or directly from your stadium, check out Costco’s deals. You’ll save on merchant fees, and you might even get a drink or food voucher. Go to Costco.com to see if it sells tickets for your team and start planning your next baseball outing.

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 positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

You may not have the money to pay the IRS what you owe. But read on to see why a partial payment is better than none. [[{“value”:”

Many people who file a tax return end up with a refund. And this year, the average tax refund as of this writing is $3,081.

But not everyone gets a refund. If your income increased a lot last year but you didn’t increase your tax withholding, then you may end up owing the IRS money this April.

Similarly, maybe your wages didn’t rise last year, but you earned more money overall between dividends in your brokerage account and interest in your savings account. If either of those income sources was substantial, it could be enough to create a balance due.

Now, it’s never fun to have to dip into your savings to send money to the IRS. But what if you don’t have enough savings to cover the sum you owe?

In that case, you’re better off paying the IRS something rather than nothing at all. Here’s why.

It’s all about minimizing your tax penalties

You should know that the IRS imposes a penalty for filing taxes late when you owe money. So it’s a good thing to get your return in by April 15.

Let’s say you file your taxes by April 15 but can’t cover the amount you owe in full. From there, you’ll face a late payment penalty equal to 0.5% of your unpaid tax bill per month or partial month your money is late, up to 25%. You’ll also be charged interest on your unpaid tax debt. If you’re able to make a partial payment on your tax bill, it’s in your best financial interest to do so.

Let’s say you owe the IRS $2,000 and can’t pay it. This means that for each month or partial month you’re late sending in that money, you’ll face a penalty of $10.

But let’s say you have $1,000 in savings you can part with. If you send that $1,000 in by April 15, then going forward, you’ll only be looking at a late payment penalty of $5 per month or partial month you’re late.

Get onto a payment plan if you can’t pay in full

Sending the IRS a partial payment by the April 15 deadline is a show of good faith, if you will. But don’t stop there. Also contact the agency to get on a payment plan to tackle the remainder of your tax bill.

If you don’t reach out to get onto a payment plan, the IRS might think you’re blowing off your remaining debt. And if so, the agency could eventually seek to garnish your wages to get repaid.

However, once you get onto a payment plan, you’ll be considered current on your tax debt as long as you’re sticking to the terms of that payment plan. So if you owe the IRS $1,000 but you’ve made your first $50 payment under your payment plan on time, your wages should be safe.

Owing the IRS money is a bummer. But if you can’t pay your tax bill in full by April 15, pay what you can to minimize the penalties you’re hit with.

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.

“}]] Read More 

The price of some Dollar Tree items is about to go up way past the $1 mark. Read on to learn more. [[{“value”:”

In 2021, Dollar Tree caused an uproar when it raised its standard price from $1, as the store name implies, to $1.25. The retail giant then rolled back its prices to $1 in 2023, a move that coincided with cooling inflation.

But now, Dollar Tree has announced that it will be adding a host of new products to its inventory lineup this year. And many of them will cost well more than $1.

Prepare to pay more at Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree is seeking to expand its product lineup. But clearly, the retail powerhouse is struggling to do that while maintaining its $1 price point. Dollar Tree will be introducing new products at higher price points, some of which might cost as much as $7.

On the one hand, it can be argued that Dollar Tree’s decision is one that can benefit consumers, because going forward, they’ll have access to a wider selection of products under the same roof. On the other hand, this change from Dollar Tree’s has the potential to lead consumers astray.

Understandably, consumers tend to associate stores like Dollar Tree with ultra-low prices. So when they walk in, they expect to get a discount.

Now, if consumers start to see higher-priced products on the store’s shelves, they might naturally assume that those prices are the best ones out there. But that’s not always the case.

How to avoid getting ripped off

Stores like Dollar Tree can be a source of savings for money-conscious consumers. But if you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to do your research when you’re stocking up on household goods rather than assume that a given store has the best deals in town because of its name. And it’s especially important to be vigilant now that Dollar Tree has expressly said it’s going to be stocking products at considerably higher price points.

Of course, it’s one thing if you’re running into your local dollar store to buy a single package of pencils for your child to take to school. At that point, if the price is $1, or somewhere in that vicinity, and time is of the essence, so be it.

Rather, it’s when you’re doing a bigger shopping trip or buying higher-priced items that it really pays to be careful and take a look at what competing retailers are charging. You may find that certain items are less expensive on Amazon or at Walmart, for example, than your local dollar store.

Another tactic worth exploring? Get into the habit of looking at stores’ weekly circulars. It may be that Dollar Tree will have a given item you’re looking for available for $5. That item might normally cost $6 at Target. But if you see that it’s on sale at Target for $4, that’s the better deal.

Finally, if money is really tight in your world, it pays to get aggressive in seeking out coupons.

Different coupon apps may help you save on the items you use regularly. And the good news is that Dollar Tree generally accepts coupons at its stores.

Now that Dollar Tree is introducing higher-priced items to its lineup, other dollar store chains may choose to follow suit. Be vigilant as a consumer and pay attention to prices so you don’t wind up spending more than you have to.

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. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon and Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

Want to customize your living space? You need housewares! Keep reading for one writer’s favorite places to help make a house a home for less money. [[{“value”:”

Home decor and furnishings are truly my Achilles’ heel, and now that I’m buying a house, I only expect the problem to get worse. I’m always on the lookout for a good deal on throw pillows, cookware, and bed sheets, and some sources are better than others for offering the right combination of selection and price. Here are five of my favorite places to buy inexpensive home goods.

1. Target

Visiting Target can be dangerous for my budget, and it’s due to the many cheap and adorable housewares to be found within its aisles. As a result, I don’t visit my local store often, and if I need something from Target (it also offers great prices on OTC medications and toiletries), I generally buy it online.

Why is Target a good place for cheap housewares? There are a few reasons. Its end caps in the home section aisles often feature clearance-priced items, which can save you a ton of money if you spot something you like (and ideally, need).

And its house brands are especially great — I’m a major fan of the Threshold line of bed linens — the Performance sheets are 400 thread count 100% cotton, and they wash and wear beautifully, with no pilling (like you’d find with bed sheets that aren’t 100% cotton). I’ve sworn by them for years. Also, if you like candles, Target has a stellar selection for every budget.

2. At Home

Are you lucky enough to have an At Home store in your area? You might be — this big-box housewares superstore has more than 250 locations in 40 states. The average store size is 100,000 square feet, and you can find options for indoor living space as well as outdoor living space. Failing that, you can also shop online.

Furniture, holiday decor, even something essential like storage boxes for your closets — it’s all there. Like at Target, At Home frequently runs sales, both clearance and otherwise. And if you enjoy perusing holiday decor after the holiday has passed, you’ll find lots of chances for a smaller credit card tab in the process of shopping there.

3. Your local thrift store

While I wouldn’t necessarily advise buying soft furniture (such as a couch), small appliances (unless they have been tested and work properly/safely), or anything that can’t effectively be deep cleaned, your local thrift store is a hidden gem for cheap houseware purchases.

In particular, you might find shockingly low prices (often less than $1 apiece) on items like mugs and other dishware, especially if you love vintage looks. Check out the selection of artwork, too — it’s become a big trend to buy cheap paintings and then modify them to make them unique and fun.

Just note that proceeds earned by some thrift stores go to benefit certain charitable organizations. So if you’re concerned that your values may not align with those of the benefiting nonprofit, shop accordingly.

4. A restaurant supply store

OK, here’s one you may not have considered. Need to furnish your kitchen? Then you absolutely need to visit your local restaurant supply store! Go to Google and search “(your city name) restaurant supplies” and see what comes up.

In most cases, these stores are open to the public, which means you. They primarily cater to restaurant owners and other food service operations, so they will not be organized the way, say, Bed Bath & Beyond (RIP) used to be, with brightly lit aisles and nice displays.

But what you’ll get in exchange is cheap prices on bulletproof equipment for serious cooking. This means you might not find fancy-shaped cake pans — but you will find sturdy round ones in a variety of sizes. Need sheet pans for baking dozens of holiday cookies? Look to your restaurant supply store. My most recent acquisitions from one in my area include a large plastic cutting board and an excellent wok.

5. Amazon — sometimes

I’m an Amazon fan, and it can sometimes be a good place to find inexpensive housewares. In particular, I’ve had success with buying dishes, small appliances, and curtains from Amazon. These items go on sale periodically, and it’s worth popping over to check prices when Amazon is running a big shopping event, like Prime Day — if you need, say, a new vacuum, this is often a good time to find a deal.

And while it’s nice to look at curtains in person and buy them from a place like Target or At Home, a problem I’ve run into is not finding enough of the size/color you need in stock. One big perk of buying from Amazon is being able to read reviews from shoppers just like you. Just be mindful of fake reviews.

If you love being able to make your house more beautiful, more comfortable, and more functional for less money, I urge you to check out these options for housewares. You never know what you’ll find — and it might even be on sale.

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. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More