Money Management

This spooky season, Sam’s Club is promoting money-saving membership deals. Find out how to save up to $55 when you join Sam’s Club by Oct 15. 

If you’ve been considering joining a warehouse club, you may want to become a Sam’s Club member. The popular retailer is offering major discounts on memberships through Oct. 15.

New members can save $35 to $55 on a membership. For some shoppers, a warehouse club membership is an excellent tool to help them meet personal finance strategies. Getting a discount on groceries and household essentials could be a win for your bank account balance.

Don’t miss this Sam’s Club spooky savings membership event

October is well underway, so it’s time for all things spooky. But it’s not too early to start thinking about the upcoming holiday season. A warehouse club membership could be helpful if you still need to do your holiday shopping and plan to host friends and family for seasonal gatherings.

You could get deals on food and drinks and gift items like clothes and electronics. If you’re not a Sam’s Club member, you can benefit from the current membership sale through Oct. 15. New members who enroll in-club or online can save on their first year of membership costs.

Here’s a breakdown of the current Sam’s Club membership deals that are available:

Get a one-year Club membership for $15 instead of $50 — a savings of $35.Get a one-year Plus membership for $55 instead of $110 — a savings of $55.

Which Sam’s Club membership is right for you?

If you’re considering joining, you may wonder which membership to buy. The Club membership is the standard membership type offered by Sam’s Club. With this membership, you can shop all the advertised members-only deals in-club and online.

The upgraded Plus membership offers additional perks like free shipping on eligible online purchases, free curbside pickup, and the ability to get 2% back in Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases (you can earn up to $500 in Sam’s Cash earnings per membership year).

It’s worth noting that the membership discounts highlighted above only apply to new members and are only valid during the first membership year. You’ll pay the usual annual membership rate if you continue to stay a member beyond the first year.

Still unsure if you should join? Here are some big perks of a Sam’s Club membership.

Tips to maximize your savings while shopping at Sam’s Club

Investing in a warehouse club membership could help you save money on everyday expenses. But with so many great sales, you may be tempted to overspend. You may want to create a shopping list before visiting your local club. This way, you don’t rack up costly credit card debt.

To maximize your savings, review current sales before you shop. The Sam’s Club mobile app and website outline what’s on sale. The website and mobile app are also excellent places to research prices before shopping so you can honor your budget. Whether you shop in-club or online, you may want to consider using a rewards credit card when paying for your purchases.

With the right credit card in your wallet, you can get rewarded every time you shop. For example, a cash back credit card could be a great option if you want to earn money back on your regular purchases. Learn more about the benefits of these rewards cards by reviewing our list of the best cash back credit cards.

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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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American Express is rewarding card members with its third annual Members Week. Learn more about it and see what kind of special offers will be available. 

American Express Member Week is back. Launched in 2021, the annual event will run this year from Oct. 9 through Oct. 13. Card members will have access to limited-time special offers and unique experiences in select cities.

American Express is also doing something new this time around. Although Member Week is made for those with American Express cards, non-card members now also have the opportunity to get in on the action.

While American Express hasn’t announced everything yet, it has released information about the upcoming offers and experiences. Here’s a first look at what to expect.

Up to $375 in limited-time offers

American Express is known for its special offers, which add even more value to its best card offers. It has already announced that there will be up to $375 in offers across several categories, including travel, dining, and retail. (Terms apply.) These deals will be available through Amex Offers, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for them. Amex Offers are available in your online card account and through the American Express app.

Travel offers

American Express will have several special travel offers available:

Eligible card members with Delta American Express cards can earn travel credits after an eligible international flight purchase on Delta.com.There will be Amex Offers available for flights and cruises. Flight offers include discounts with Delta, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways. Cruise offers will be available on 17 cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silversea.Eligible card members can earn an $80 statement credit at select Hilton properties when they book directly through Hilton.com and spend $200 or more (card exclusions apply).Terms apply.

$50 in dining credits

Eligible card members can get a $25 statement credit after spending $75 or more at over 200 participating Resy restaurants. This offer will be available twice per card member, for up to $50 in statement credits. Enrollment is required and terms apply.

Retail offers

Eligible card members will be able to enroll in Amex Offers for a variety of brands, including Bose, Dell, Hydro Flask, Levi’s, Revolve, Shiseido, Sunglass Hut, and Vuori. Terms apply.

Entertainment offers

Eligible card members can get exclusive presale access to sports and entertainment events. These include Coachella, LCD Soundsystem’s NYC Residency, and the 2024 US Open Golf Championship. Terms apply.

Business offers

Members with business cards can get up to $165 in total value when they make select purchases from DocuSign, Hertz®, Instacart Business (card exclusions apply), Lowe’s, and Squarespace. Terms apply.

Special experiences

American Express is also offering special experiences in select cities. If you get a Member Week pass online, you can sign up for mobile notifications about events in your area that match your interests.

Olivia Rodrigo virtual event

Olivia Rodrigo will perform songs from her new album, GUTS, on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. ET. Fans will be able to watch it from then through Oct. 12.

Outstanding in the Field Dinners featuring top Resy chefs

Card members and Member Week Pass holders can make reservations for Outstanding in the Field Dinners. Tickets are available for $275, space is limited, and terms apply. There are two events:

Austin, Texas with Chef Fermín Núñez of Suerte & Este on Oct. 11 (tickets on sale now)Washington D.C. with Chefs Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss of Lutèce and Pascual on Oct. 18 (tickets on sale starting Oct. 10)

Topgolf

Card members and Member Week Pass holders can meet and compete with professional golfers at two Topgolf locations:

Las Vegas on Oct. 10Miami on Oct. 12

In addition, eligible card members can earn a statement credit for purchases at Topgolf locations nationwide. Terms apply.

Hypebeast x Amex Art of Travel Collection

American Express partnered with Hypebeast and artist James Jarvis for this collection. Card members and Member Week Pass holders will be able to purchase travel gear and decals starting Oct. 10 on Hypebeast. Terms apply.

How to participate in American Express Member Week

If you’re interested in any of those special experiences, it’s a good idea to get a Member Week Pass. You can do this online at the Member Week Pass website, and it’s free of charge. It’s available to card members and non-card members.

You don’t need to get a Member Week Pass if you’re already an American Express card member, but you may want to get one anyway. That way, you can receive notifications on offers and experiences.

You’ll find the limited-time offers in Amex Offers. Remember that you typically need to enroll your eligible American Express card in each offer you want to use. Even when it’s not Member Week, it’s still worth checking Amex Offers regularly, as there are often great deals available.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 2025

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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.Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Excited for Prime Day? Read on for a list of items this writer is planning to steer clear of. 

Amazon’s October Prime Day event, known as Prime Big Deal Days, is right around the corner. The mega-event is happening Oct. 10 and 11. And during that time, Prime members will be privy to a host of bargains ranging from houseware to electronics.

I may decide to whip out my credit card and make a few Prime Day purchases. But here are three items I specifically plan to avoid next week.

1. A new TV

At this point, there are several TVs in my house that are rather old. And I have been thinking of replacing them. But I won’t be scoping out TV sales during October’s Prime Day event.

The reason? Retailers tend to discount TVs most heavily from mid-January through early February in conjunction with the major football event we all know and love. So I’d rather wait until then to see if the sales are better since I’m not in a rush.

Also, there tend to be a lot of TVs on sale around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Sometimes, those TVs will be lower-quality versions of popular models, making them less of a great deal. But if you’re someone who doesn’t care so much about things like that and your goal is to simply snag an inexpensive TV, then it could pay to wait.

2. Fall and winter clothing

Amazon is likely to offer a bunch of savings on clothing and accessories during Prime Big Deal Days. But I won’t be loading up on fall and winter clothing for one big reason.

Retailers tend to offer the heaviest discounts on clothing right after the associated season is over. So while it might pay to buy summer clothing during Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day event, I don’t plan to buy fall or winter clothing at that time. Instead, I plan to sit tight until the March/April time frame.

3. Kitchen gadgets

Amazon might have a host of low-cost kitchen gadgets available during Prime Big Deal Days. But I’m not going to buy any because chances are, they’ll just sit in a cabinet taking up space.

Even though I’m someone who does a fair amount of cooking, the only tools I use regularly are a stand mixer, hand mixer, food processor, and slow cooker. And guess what? I have all of those things already.

You may be tempted to buy new kitchen gadgets if you find that they’re heavily discounted. But before you do, think about how often you cook and how likely you are to get good use out of those purchases.

It may be tempting to buy a food chopper for 50% off its usual price. But if that has you spending $30 rather than $60 and you don’t actually use that item, then you haven’t saved $30 — you’ve wasted $30.

I have every intention of checking out the deals that hit during October’s Prime Day event. And I may even try to tackle some of my holiday shopping if the discounts are appealing enough. But I’ll be steering clear of these three items, and you may want to do the same.

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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.com. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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On average, women accept lower salaries when compared to men. Find out how women can advocate for themselves financially before accepting a new job offer. 

How much you earn is important. You want to ensure your salary provides enough money for you to afford all your bills. A Federal Reserve Bank of New York study found that the lowest wage one would accept when taking a new job varied significantly between men and women.

Men want to be paid over $91,000, while women will accept a salary of just over $66,000. This disappointing statistic is further proof that financial inequalities between men and women still exist. Let’s discuss how women can advocate for themselves so they’re paid fairly.

Women will accept a salary of $66,068

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published the SCE Labor Market Survey in July. This study looked at consumers’ experiences and expectations regarding the labor market.

It turns out that men and women have very different expectations for their reservation wage or the lowest wage they would be willing to accept when taking a new job offer. The study found that women will accept a salary of as little as $66,068.

But men expect much more money. The same study found that men will accept a salary of $91,048. That’s a difference of $24,980 — a significant amount of money. As women earn less than men year after year, their bank account balances continue to suffer.

This isn’t surprising considering the current gender wage gap in the United States. According to a recent analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2022, women earn an average of 82% of what men earn. The research studied the median hourly earnings of full-time and part-time workers in the United States.

Why are many women willing to accept a much lower salary when taking a job? Previous negative salary experiences could deter some women from asking for more money when considering job offers, and they may feel powerless during the negotiation process.

Three ways women can command higher salaries

Stats like the ones mentioned above show that there is more work to do in ensuring financial equality for women. If you’re a woman looking for work or considering a job offer, advocating for yourself is crucial. Otherwise, your personal finances could suffer.

Here are three ways that women can advocate for themselves financially.

1. Research salaries so you know your worth

It’s essential to carefully research salaries before considering a potential job offer. By analyzing average wages for your role, you can be armed with more information, so you know what a fair rate would be before accepting a job offer.

You can research average salaries by role using employer review and compensation websites like Glassdoor. Another way to learn more about average salaries for your role or positions similar to yours is by joining professional social media groups and reading and responding to salary discussions. Alternatively, you can view various job listings to see what salaries are listed. More states are requiring salary ranges in job postings, so this is getting easier.

2. Talk about pay with friends and colleagues

Talking about pay with your loved ones, friends, and coworkers can be beneficial. You could be underpaid for your work without knowing it if you don’t have these discussions. While it may initially feel uncomfortable, talking about pay with people you trust can help you better understand your worth. Don’t be afraid to talk about salaries if you want to be compensated fairly.

3. Negotiate for better pay

Don’t be in a hurry to accept the first job offer that comes your way. The first salary offered could be the lowest salary the employer is willing to pay. By having already researched average salaries and discussed pay rates with people in similar positions, you’ll have a better idea of the going rate when it comes time to consider a job offer. It’s worth it to ask for a better salary. If you need help, review these tips to negotiate higher pay.

You’re worth it

Whether you’re looking for a new job or considering transitioning to a different role with your current employer, consider how a job change will impact your finances. Don’t settle for a low salary offer. You deserve to be paid well for your hard work. You’re worth it!

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until nearly 2025

If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our experts love this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, an insane cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee.

In fact, this card is so good that our experts even use it personally. Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

Read our free review

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