Money Management

Want great gifts on the cheap? Read on to see how Amazon has you covered. 

If you have a really long holiday gift list to tackle this year, I totally feel your pain. I love giving gifts to the people I love. At the same time, I don’t particularly enjoy seeing my savings account balance plummet.

That’s why I do my best to be on the lookout for big sales during the holiday season. And right now, Amazon has plenty of great gifts in stock for less than $20. Here are some items you may want to check out.

1. Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Junior Board Game

The adult version of Monopoly can be a little intense, and it requires a huge time commitment. The kids’ version of Monopoly, by contrast, is much more low key, and you don’t need to carve out a three-hour window of time to play it. Plus, it’s a great tool for teaching younger kids some basic math skills.

The game is rated for ages 5 and up, and it’s generally well-suited for children up to about 9 or 10. Right now, Amazon has it on sale for $11.49, down from its usual $16.99 price tag.

2. Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection

Some parents absolutely hate Play-Doh. And if you’re one of them, that’s understandable. There’s nothing worse than having to scrape pieces of dried-up Play-Doh out of carpets (or, ahem, your dog’s hair). But if your kids love Play-Doh and you’re looking for a great gift that won’t result in a huge credit card tab, Amazon has you covered.

This 65-pack of Play-Doh costs just $17.99 right now and features a wide variety of colors, including some metallic and sparkly ones. And if you set ground rules (such as “only use this at the table”), you may find that the cleanup isn’t so bad.

3. Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket

Not all throw blankets are created equal. But this Bedsure throw is just about as warm and cozy as blankets get. It’s perfect for movie nights on the couch, and it does a great job of taking the chill off if your home’s heating system leaves much to be desired.

Amazon has it on sale right now for $15.99 in a variety of colors. Choose from navy blue, bright orange, dark green, and more.

4. Amazon Essentials Women’s Pull-On Knit Jegging

Some of us may have reached the point in our lives where we just can’t stomach the idea of wearing real pants — jeans included. The great thing about these Amazon Essentials jeggings is that they have the look of jeans, but with a lot more stretch so you feel like you’re wearing a pair of sweatpants.

Normally, they retail for $21.52, but right now, you can score a pair for just $16.10 and gift it to that person in your life who also refuses to wear real pants.

5. Under Armour Men’s Tech Golf Polo

Need a great gift for your dad, spouse, or uncle? Even if they’re not a fan of golf per se, this Under Armour polo makes an awesome gift. It’s made of a cool, moisture-wicking fabric that comes in handy on those hot summer days. And it’s a great option for those who work in an office with a business casual dress code. Normally, these polo shirts retail for $45, but you can score a navy one right now for just $19.63.

Not only are these items all available right now for under $20, but I can vouch for how awesome they are because I have each and every one in my household. (Well, okay, I probably wouldn’t refer to Play-Doh as “awesome,” but my kids sure love it.) So if you’ve been struggling to find affordable gifts for the important people in your life, consider visiting Amazon ASAP and adding some of these finds to your cart.

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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. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Buying a foreclosed home might save you some money, but watch out! Read on for a few potential pitfalls of buying a home in this less traditional way. 

Buying a foreclosure may seem like a good way to get real estate on sale. After all, foreclosures often sell at auction for a lower price. And while you usually do need to pay cash at a foreclosure auction (and won’t be able to use a mortgage loan to buy a home), you may be able to buy for far less than expected depending on the situation.

The problem, however, is that there are huge risks associated with buying a house that’s been foreclosed on. Here are a few of the biggest potential dangers you could face if you opt to buy a home that’s been foreclosed on.

1. You could end up with unpaid debts that become your responsibility

If you buy a foreclosed home, you could be buying the house with additional debts attached.

Houses could have multiple claims on them, not just from a mortgage lender but also other creditors. If the property owner had a home equity loan or line of credit or was sued and got a judgment against them, these parties could have a claim. Those who have claims on the house could have liens that follow the property. This means you’d end up having to pay them out of your checking account once you become the owner of the home.

Some of these liens may be taken care of by the foreclosure auction, like the mortgage lien if the mortgage lender foreclosed. But many will follow the property — including the mortgage debt if you bought the house after a foreclosure by the homeowners association.

You might have property tax debt to pay as well, or there may be outstanding water and utility bills that have to be taken care of. You should conduct a title search to find out about any claims on the house that could come with it — and that you could become responsible for as the new owner.

2. The house may be in poor condition

Very often, people who are facing foreclosure don’t have the money to properly maintain their houses. This means a foreclosed home could come with many deferred maintenance issues, like roof leaks and foundation cracks. And, in some situations, people get mad about being foreclosed on and they purposefully cause serious damage to the house. This could include tearing out copper wiring or pouring cement down toilets and ruining the plumbing system.

In many situations, you won’t be allowed to go into a foreclosed home to inspect it prior to buying it. This means that you won’t always know what you’re purchasing and you could find a host of big problems when you finally become the owner and take possession of the home.

You need to be prepared for the financial costs of fixing up a property, as well as be ready to bring in whatever contractors you need to make the fixes. It could still be a good deal to buy a home that has sustained damage if you are up for remodeling it, but take those costs into account when deciding whether to go through with the purchase.

3. You may have to go through the eviction process

Finally, if there are people still living in the foreclosed home, you may have to go through the eviction process to have them removed. You generally can’t just lock people out or remove their stuff, but instead have to go to court to get an order that they must vacate the premises and then get law enforcement to help you. You also have to provide proper notice.

This whole process can take weeks and cost money, so be aware of the potential for added expenses and stress.

If you’re ready to tackle these problems and you find a foreclosure you think is a good deal, then moving forward with buying it can make sense. But be aware of these potential problems so you don’t jump into the purchase without a full understanding of what you’re taking on in the process.

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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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If you find yourself spending gobs of time searching for the best deals, price comparison apps could be right for you. Find out which apps you should download here. 

If you, like me, are a lazy shopper, price comparison apps are essential. These apps take the guesswork out of finding the lowest prices by comparing thousands of merchants for similar products. They’re not flawless (read: they’re loaded with advertisements), and they don’t have every local business or merchant in their database. But for comparing prices among popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, these apps can save you time and help your personal finances tremendously.

Let’s take a look at four price comparison apps that could help you save money and change the way you shop.

1. ShopSavvy

Shop Savvy is a classic price comparison app that has a strong barcode reader. While you’re looking at an item in a store, scanning its barcode through the app will bring up online merchants who are selling the same item. Alternatively, you can look up items in its search bar to compare prices across a broad list of retailers and websites.

The app has a massive database of sellers, but the user interface is a little clunky. You can also sign up for ShopSavvy Pro, which costs $2.99 monthly or $29.99 per year. I’ve never used it, but from what I can see, its main perk is that you don’t have to watch ads after you scan a barcode.

2. BuyVia

BuyVia is similar to ShopSavvy in that you can scan barcodes and research items through the app. This app, however, is easier to navigate and it even compiles coupons for a large database of stores. That said, in my experience, ShopSavvy has the better barcode scanner, as it compares prices across tens of thousands of merchants, while BuyVia is limited to big names like Best Buy, Target, and Amazon.

3. Fabulessly Frugal

This is an app I just discovered, and I’m already hooked. The app’s strength is in letting you set alerts for specific items — like a Nintendo Switch — and getting notifications when that item is on sale. It doesn’t have a strong price comparison functionality, but it does give you a good idea of ongoing deals for popular items.

One unique feature is its “price point” function. This feature tells you what’s a good price for items sold by popular kitchen and toiletry brands, like Crest and Tide. For example, if you wanted to buy Tide Plus powder, the app would tell you to look for a price that’s below $11.66. If you then found one that’s $10.07 or below, that would be a “stock up” price, or a price that’s rare and worthy of buying the item in bulk.

4. Price.com

Of all the price comparison apps I’ve used, Price.com is my favorite. It’s easy to use, compares prices across a wide inventory of stores, and applies cash back coupons automatically when I make purchases through the app. Its barcode reader isn’t as strong as ShopSavvy, but searching for products by name is made comprehensive by including both new and used items. Its clean interface also makes it easy to navigate.

One downside is that Price.com isn’t always accurate and doesn’t always include shipping charges. For example, I looked up a Nintendo Switch and found that it was $240 on eBay. That was the best price at the time (the runner-up was Walmart, at $279.99), but when I clicked to view the listing page, I found that there was a $30 shipping charge.

Occasionally, it lists websites that don’t exist. For the same Nintendo Switch search, I found one website that was selling it for $137.50. The website — Woot — does exist, but the listing page has become a 404 error.

All things considered, these four apps make finding good deals no longer a chore. Use them to track item prices, get some extra cash back, and snag low deals before they’re gone. Who knows — you might even find something for yourself at a good price.

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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. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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A January financial fast can help you reset your spending habits and find more money in your budget for your priorities. Read on to learn how. 

Overdoing it during the holiday season is normal (for a lot of us, anyway). It feels great to enjoy the food, shop for gifts, attend parties, buy outfits, visit with loved ones, and create a festive atmosphere at home. I even enjoy splurging on some of my own wishlist items when prices get marked down for the holidays. Those experiences are wonderful because we don’t get to have them all the time. And it’s a good thing we don’t, because they’re almost all expenses that would be outside your regular budget.

The problem is the financial hangover that comes later. Some of us will wake up in January with expensive credit card debt that we didn’t have a few weeks ago. Some will wake up with a smaller savings account balance. And some will wake up with regret or even shame. Yuck all around.

A financial fast can clear your money mind so you can reflect on your spending patterns and create a satisfying plan for the coming year.

What is a financial fast?

A financial fast is when you avoid spending money on any nonessential expense for a period of time. Three weeks is a good amount of time, because it takes at least that long to develop new habits. There is no limit on how long you can extend your fast.

During your fast, you’ll avoid buying anything other than true essentials. Not everyone’s needs are the same. Consider these:

HousingMinimum debt paymentsTransportation (for necessary travel like work, grocery shopping, and doctor’s appointments)Insurance premiums (don’t let your policies lapse, but this is a good time to review your coverage to make sure you aren’t paying for more than you need)Groceries (stretch the budget as much as you can)Utilities (adjust the thermostat to bring costs down)Child care (so you can work)Healthcare (prescriptions, and dentist and doctor visits, but not for elective care)

Everything else is a want, including restaurant meals, streaming subscriptions, and upgraded data service on your cellphone. Gifts for others are also wants, even if you’re invited to a birthday party.

Why do a financial fast?

A financial fast is great for getting a handle on your spending so that you can put more of your money where you want it. The world we live in looks like this:

Spending money is easy.Merchants make buying fun and exciting.There’s a big gap of time between making a purchase with a credit card and paying for it, so it’s harder to associate each thing we buy with the parting of dollars from our bank accounts.

The world we want to live in looks like this:

You have enough money to cover your needs, plus some left over.You choose to save for the things that are important to you.You know where your money goes.You understand how costly debt is and you’re ready to leave yours behind.

If you want your money situation to be calm and purposeful, a financial fast might help.

As a culture, we spend a lot on the holidays. We live a little more extravagantly and shower our love on others in the form of gifts. It can be a time of big spending, so January is a great time to come down for a landing.

How do you do a financial fast?

Choose your days: Choose a 21-day period in between special occasions. (Hint: you’ve got plenty of time between New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.)

Make it harder to spend: Delete your credit card info from shopping sites. Leave your cards at home and use cash instead. (Paying with cash has been shown to make people spend less.) If you have to use plastic, use a debit card.

Consider canceling: Whether to cancel optional recurring expenses like a gym membership and a streaming service is up to you and depends on how drastically you want to cut expenses. If you can live without it for a short time without a financial penalty (like a cancellation fee), think about dropping any expenses that could show up in these three weeks.

Buy groceries and make all your meals: Avoid buying pre-made meals at the grocery store because those are essentially the same as getting takeout, and usually cost more than making the same meals yourself.

Review your spending every day: Congratulate yourself if you make it through the day without any unnecessary spending. If you bought something you wanted (rather than needed), don’t beat yourself up. For some of us, spending is a habit that takes time to change.

Reflect: As you go through the fast, look back at the items you wanted to spend money on but didn’t. Those might be things you can live without more often in the future in order to create more cash flow for what’s important to you.

Completing a financial fast is going to feel really good. You might feel as if you have a lot of money or be surprised at how much you’ve been spending. This is a great time to create a budget (or revise the one you had) and give every dollar a job that helps you reach your financial goals.

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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.Kimberly Rotter has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Flow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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On a budget for holiday gift-buying? Read on to learn about some low-cost finds at Costco. 

If you’re stressed out about the number of holiday gifts you need to buy this year, you’re no doubt in good company. And if you’re short on funds, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to find something for everyone on your list without ending up with a massive pile of credit card debt.

If you’re a Costco member, though, you’re in luck. The warehouse club giant has a host of products in store that make great Christmas gifts for under $30. Here are some worth checking out.

1. Kirkland Signature Ladies’ Cozy Fleece Crewneck

If you live in an area with cold winters, you can really never have too many warm sweatshirts. Costco is selling a Kirkland brand women’s fleece top for $16.99. It’s a longer length for added coverage and comes in a range of sizes and two colors — oatmeal beige and purple. It’s machine-washable for easy care and a great gift for that person in your life who always seems to be cold.

2. Spyder Active Men’s Long Sleeve Shirt

Wearing cotton during a workout can mean sweating up a storm only to have your shirt stay damp and cold until you’re able to peel it off. That’s just not a good feeling. So if there’s someone special in your life with a tendency to hit the gym or go for a jog, this shirt makes a great gift. It’s a moisture-wicking top that’s perfect for an intense workout, and it features reflective shoulder detailing so that whoever wears it is more visible during those early morning or evening runs. It comes in blue, black, and gray in a variety of sizes for just $15.99.

3. Fun With Mouse & Friends: 6 Picture Book Box Set

If you need a holiday gift for a book-loving toddler or preschooler, you should consider this set. It features fun classics such as If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Take a Mouse to School. At $26.99, you’re only paying about $4.50 apiece for six hardcover books. The set also includes a bonus poster.

4. Life Comfort Reversible Sherpa Fleece Blanket

Throw blankets are a good gift for pretty much anyone. And Costco is selling a reversible sherpa fleece throw for $19.99. It’s large enough to fit a queen- or king-sized bed and is machine-washable for easy care. Choose from mutli-colored, gray, or dark gray, depending on your recipient’s taste.

5. Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air Popcorn Maker

A big reason some people like going to the movies is getting to enjoy a bag of freshly popped popcorn. Now, your loved ones can experience that from the comfort of home — and save the money they’d otherwise have to spend on a ticket. This popcorn maker produces up to 15 cups of popcorn — enough to feed a crowd. And all of its removable parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. You can find this gadget for just $23.99.

All of the items above are available on Costco.com, and the prices listed reflect what you’ll pay online. But Costco often has lower prices at its warehouse club stores. So if money is tight this season, it could pay to brave the crowds and do your holiday shopping in person. You might end up spending even less on the gifts you’re looking to buy.

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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.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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