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Money Management

6 Sam’s Club Features You Aren’t Taking Advantage of — but Should

By Money Management No Comments

To sweeten the pot, Sam’s Club offers its members special perks. Here are six you may not be taking advantage of. 

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Whether you’ve recently become a Sam’s Club member or have shopped at the warehouse store for years, there may be some perks of membership you’re not taking advantage of. Here are six of those perks.

1. Scan & Go

If you’re standing in a long line, waiting to check out at Sam’s Club, you don’t have to. You can check yourself out as you shop. Here’s how it works:

You download the Sam’s Club app on your iPhone or Android. Once you store payment information in your account on the app, you’re ready to shop. Sam’s Cash, EBT, and all major credit cards are accepted as forms of payment.When you find something you want to buy, you scan the product barcode using your smartphone. If you have trouble, you can always use the “find the item” feature on the Sam’s Club app to look the product up and add it to your virtual basket.Once you’ve filled your real-life cart with the items you wish to purchase and have scanned the barcodes for each item, it’s time to pay. Fortunately, it’s as easy as pushing the pay button on the app.Instead of showing a paper receipt to a Sam’s Club employee on the way out of the store, you’ll show them the virtual receipt on your phone.

Scan & Go can even help you save money on groceries by tracking your purchases. Try it once, and you may enjoy the extra time (and money) it saves.

2. Curbside pickup

There may be a million ways that going inside the store to pick up the things you need would be a challenge. Maybe you’re recovering from surgery, not feeling well, have mobility issues, or have a car full of kids you don’t want to drag through the entire club. Whatever your reason, now’s a good time to take advantage of curbside pickup.

Buying is as easy as logging onto your computer or going into the Sam’s Club app on your phone and picking the items you need. As with Scan & Go, you can pay for purchases using Sam’s Cash, EBT, and all major credit cards.

When you arrive at the store, park in a designated curbside pickup spot and check in on your phone. Within minutes, your items will be brought to your vehicle. That 48 pounds of dog food? It’s no problem. Someone will bring it out to you.

One other advantage of curbside pickup: If you have a problem with impulse buying, you may find it easier to control if you don’t stroll through the store to check out new items.

3. Guest membership

Maybe you’ve never been a Sam’s Club member and wonder if it’s right for you, or perhaps you want to see if shopping at Sam’s would leave you with a little extra money to invest. Whatever your reason, you can sign up for a guest membership that gives you access to Sam’s Club online. As a guest, you’ll have to pay a 10% service fee per order, but you’ll still have the opportunity to experience what shopping through Sam’s is all about. There’s no charge to become a guest member for a day.

4. Car rentals

Just as Sam’s Club members have access to discount vacation packages, they also have access to discount car rentals. Members score discounts of up to 25% on rentals nationwide. And these aren’t cars from no-name rental companies but from big players like Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar. You can set up a rental online or, if you need help, by calling (833) 494-7267.

5. Special item requests

Have you ever wished Sam’s Club carried a specific brand of toothpaste or type of battery? If so, you may not realize that Sam’s accepts requests. To request an item from Sam’s Club, you’ll fill out an online request form, and your request will be submitted to the buying team. While there’s no guarantee that Sam’s will begin carrying the product, it will look into adding it to its everyday purchases.

Note: The more information you can provide about the product via the request form, the better. For example, if there’s a UPC or model number, include it with your request.

6. Overnight RV parking

Like its parent company Walmart, Sam’s Club is a big fan of those traveling by RV. Some Sam’s Clubs allow RVs to save the hassle of finding a campground by parking in their lots overnight. Parking policies vary by club due to local zoning restrictions, but if you’re curious about a city where you plan to stop, this club locator will tell you where you can find the nearest Sam’s Club. Once you know where it is, call the club to ask about their overnight parking policy. If it’s permissible, tell them when you plan to spend the night there.

Sam’s Club and Costco may be the two largest warehouse retailers in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they will stop coming up with new ways to impress members. If you’re paying for an annual membership anyway, why not take advantage of all that membership offers?

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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.Dana George has positions in Walmart. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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This Free Amazon Return Option Has Saved Me Time and Money

By Money Management No Comments

Before taking your Amazon return to UPS, consider using a free drop-off location instead. Find out how to return your Amazon purchase for free at Staples. 

Image source: Getty Images

While I’m a big fan of shopping online, not every item I buy works out. Sometimes, it can be challenging to decide whether a product will fit you or if it will be the ideal product for your needs. When you receive something that isn’t a fantastic find, you’ll have to decide whether to keep or return it.

I recently had an experience returning something purchased through Amazon, and the return process was simple and fast. I was able to save time and money. Find out how you can save time and money using one of Amazon’s free return options.

You can drop off Amazon returns at Staples

I recently received an Amazon item that didn’t fit the product description. So I decided to return it. I noticed that one available return option was to drop off the item at Staples. I logged into my Amazon account and began the return process. After selecting Staples as my drop-off location, I was sent a QR code and was told to bring the item and the QR code to a Staples store.

A couple of days later, I walked into my local Staples store to make the return. I pulled up the QR code on my phone and handed the worker the product I intended to return. The employee scanned my QR code, packed the item, and handed me a receipt. The entire return process took less than two minutes. The best part was it cost me nothing. I’m a big fan of free!

You don’t have to package your return when you choose Staples for your Amazon return drop-off point. Staples takes care of it all and ships it for you. If you’re short on time and don’t want to struggle with packing tape (this is a universal problem, right?!), you may want to consider this return method the next time you need to return something you bought on Amazon.

Amazon offers several free return options

Staples isn’t the only free drop-off return option available to Amazon customers. Kohl’s is another retailer that has partnered with Amazon to accept returns. When you take your item to Kohl’s, an employee will scan your QR code and pack and ship your return. It’s easy and quick.

Amazon customers also have the option to drop off returns at Amazon Hub lockers. If you have a locker near your home, this could be another free return alternative to explore. You’ll be sent a drop-off code that you can use when you arrive at the Amazon Hub locker. However, with this return option, you’ll be responsible for packing and labeling your package.

Amazon has been charging some customers $1 for UPS returns. This fee doesn’t apply to all returns, but you may be charged a fee when using UPS if other free return options are available in your area. If you want to keep more money in your checking account, you may want to give one of the free return options a try. When you initiate a return through your Amazon account, you’ll be shown all available free drop-off options.

Consider the cost of returns when shopping online

Before you shop online, you should review the retailer’s return policy. Some companies offer free returns by mail, but that’s not always the case. As living costs rise, some brands are now passing the return shipping costs on to the customers. Every bit of money spent on extra fees impacts your personal finances, so it’s a good idea to review potential shipping fees before placing an order. Knowing what to expect can help you avoid costly surprises.

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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. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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13 Types of Insurance for Small Businesses

By Money Management No Comments

All kinds of things can go wrong with your small business. These policies can help you deal with the consequences. Read on to learn more. 

Image source: Getty Images

There is insurance for just about everything (even paranormal infestations). So it should come as no surprise that there are just as many types of insurance for your small business as there are for other parts of your life.

Nearly all small businesses will likely benefit from some amount of business insurance — and yes, I’m including freelancers and side hustlers here, too. But the specific type of insurance(s) needed by any given business will vary a lot by industry and services.

We’ll go over some of the most common types of business insurance so you can get an idea of what your business may need.

1. General liability insurance

As its name suggests, general liability insurance covers a wide range of liability situations that you may face as a business owner. Some common examples may be:

Bodily injury and property damage liabilityPersonal injuryMedical paymentsAdvertising injury (copyright infringement)Reputational harm (libel, slander, etc.)

Keep in mind that liability insurance covers damage done to third parties, not to you (the “first party”). For instance, it doesn’t cover theft or damage of your own property.

2. Professional liability / errors and omissions insurance

In addition to general liability insurance, small businesses that provide a service should consider professional liability insurance. This includes occupations like accountants, designers, consultants, and real estate agents.

Sometimes called an errors and omissions (E&O) policy, professional liability covers a business in case it is sued by customers or patients for presumed negligence. In other words, if a mistake is made, if something is forgotten, if something is simply bungled — and your business gets sued over it, an E&O policy could cover the legal fees and any settlement costs.

3. Cybersecurity insurance

There are over 1,000 data breaches every year. If your business is victim to one, you could face damages in all manner of ways. For one thing, your company’s data could be stolen, which can be costly to retrieve (if it’s even possible).

Arguably worse, customer information could be stolen (putting you on the hook for their damages). Cybersecurity liability policies can include coverage for things like data retrieval, digital security upgrades, and even customer reimbursements.

4. Commercial auto insurance

There are two common situations in which you may need commercial auto insurance:

You are driving a vehicle owned by your businessYou are driving a personal vehicle while doing business

In either case, your personal auto insurance is unlikely to apply, making a commercial policy necessary. Commercial auto insurance covers a lot of the same things as personal auto insurance, including injury and damage liability, as well as vehicle damage from things like theft or weather events.

Rideshare insurance

A common reason you may be using your personal vehicle for business purposes is if you work for a rideshare company as a contractor. While some rideshare companies offer limited insurance coverage for their drivers, it may have gaps, such as when you are not actively on a ride request. Since personal insurance policies may not kick in at all if you’re “on the clock,” you may need a rideshare endorsement to cover any gaps.

5. Commercial property insurance

Commercial property insurance is basically like homeowners insurance, but for property you buy for/with your business. It typically covers the building(s), as well as items like inventory and equipment, for covered events like fires or falling trees. Similar to homeowners insurance, you’ll likely need a special endorsement if you want to get flood insurance for your commercial property.

6. Business income / interruption insurance

If you have a good commercial property insurance policy, your building and inventory will likely be covered. But what about the business you lose while you repair or rebuild your office or store? That’s when business income (sometimes called business interruption) insurance kicks in.

This type of policy can help cover expenses if your business closure is due to a covered incident, such as from fire or theft. Typical coverage may include:

Lost net incomeMortgage, lease, or rental paymentsLoan or credit card paymentsTemporary relocation expensesPayroll expensesRoutine bills

For example, say your small coffee shop has a fire. Commercial property insurance can cover the cost of repairs for the building, and may cover any equipment that is damaged or destroyed. But it won’t do anything about the money you’ll lose while those repairs are being done. Business income insurance can cover the lost income and help you make payroll in the meantime.

7. Home-based business insurance

While some types of businesses have to run out of commercial spaces, plenty of us run our small businesses from our homes. That doesn’t mean you can skip some sort of business property insurance, however — even if you have renters or homeowners insurance.

Typical homeowners insurance has limited coverage for equipment and/or inventory related to a home business. If your existing policy doesn’t offer enough coverage, you may need a home-based business policy to get adequate protection.

8. Special event insurance

Many types of special event insurance are advertised to people organizing their own events, but it could also be beneficial to pick up if you’re a professional organizer. This type of coverage protects event planners under all manner of scenarios, such as injuries, damage to venues, and sudden weather events. It can also apply to damages should a vendor go out of business or the event is canceled.

9. Intellectual property insurance

There are two main types of intellectual property (IP) insurance:

Infringement defense: This is what you need if your company infringes upon someone else’s IP and gets suedAbatement enforcement coverage: This is what you need if you need to sue someone else for using your IP.

Many general liability policies will include some sort of coverage for infringement under their advertising liability clauses.

However, if you’re in a highly creative field and your intellectual property is your bread and butter, you may need a separate policy or endorsement with abatement enforcement coverage to help you protect your own trademarks, patents, and other copyrights against theft or misuse.

10. Worker’s compensation insurance

If you have any employees, worker’s compensation insurance is a mandatory legal requirement. Not having the required worker’s compensation insurance can result in heavy fines.

A typical worker’s comp policy will cover a lot of related expenses should an employee become sick or injured while on the job. This can include:

Medical billsLost wagesRehabilitationFuneral expensesDeath benefits

Some worker’s comp policies may also help cover legal expenses should there be lawsuits as a result of the covered incident or illness.

11. Product liability insurance

No matter how many rounds of testing your products go through, something can still go wrong. If that happens, you’re going to want insurance that covers your products. Product liability insurance helps protect your business should a product you produced, distributed, or sold prove defective and cause personal injury or bodily harm.

Note the last bit about injury and harm. This kind of insurance won’t kick in if there’s a misprint on a t-shirt and you need to hand out a refund. But if the t-shirt turns out to be radioactive and your customer suddenly has two heads, well, then you probably have a product liability claim.

12. Commercial umbrella insurance

Even the best insurance has a cap on how much it will cover. If you’re concerned your regular business insurance policies won’t offer enough coverage, a commercial umbrella policy could help cover any excesses.

For example, suppose someone slips and falls in your office and sues you for $1 million. If your general liability policy has a maximum of $500,000 for personal injury, an umbrella policy could cover the remaining half a million.

If you have a small home business and no employees, an umbrella policy may not make sense. But if you have many customers and/or employees visiting your commercial property, or spending a lot of time on other people’s properties, then it may be beneficial.

13. Bundling with a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

The same way you can bundle personal insurance, you can purchase business insurance that is already bundled. For example, many insurance companies will offer you a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that bundles both property and liability insurance into one policy. The specific coverage options will vary by provider, but you can often add additional endorsements if you have other needs.

Bundling your business policies into a BOP can make keeping track of them much easier. It may also be less expensive than buying individual insurance policies.

Some coverage is usually better than no coverage

No matter how small your business is, definitely consider getting the appropriate business insurance. Few of us see the problems coming until they happen. If — or, let’s face it, when — something goes wrong, you’ll be glad you were prepared.

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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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Gas Is Almost $1 Cheaper per Gallon Than a Year Ago. Here’s How to Save Even More

By Money Management No Comments

Gas prices may be down, but the savings don’t have to end there. Read on to learn more. 

Image source: Getty Images

Last spring and summer, many Americans found themselves struggling to keep up with rising living costs. And gas prices were a big part of the problem.

The Ukraine crisis drove the price of gas upward in a meaningful way, so much so that in mid-May of 2022, the average price for a gallon of gas was a whopping $4.47 a gallon on a national level. Thankfully, gas prices were down 21% from a year prior as of mid-May, and were almost $1 cheaper per gallon at an average price of $3.54.

But while gas prices may be less burdensome in general, there are still steps you can take to eke out extra savings in the course of filling up your car. Here are a few strategies you can employ to fuel your vehicle for less.

1. Pay cash

Many credit cards offer bonus cash back at the pump, so it can be enticing to swipe a credit card when you’re filling up your car. But while paying with a credit card might result in a cool 2%, 3%, or 4% back on your purchase, you might also end up paying something in the ballpark of $0.10 more per gallon for the privilege of using a credit card. So all told, it pays to compare prices, crunch the numbers, and see how much savings you can reap by paying for gas in cash instead.

2. Shop around

It’s one thing to drive many miles out of your way to fill up your car at a lower price per gallon. In that situation, what you save on gas, you might spend by hauling over to another neighborhood. But if you live in an area with multiple gas stations in close proximity, then it pays to use an app like GasBuddy to compare prices before choosing one station over another. You may find that driving around the corner saves you a few dollars if your tank is close to empty.

3. Take advantage of your Costco membership

If you’re a Costco member and tend to shop there frequently, it could pay to time your shopping trips with when your tank needs a refill. Costco isn’t guaranteed to have the cheapest gas in town, but many members find that it does. So if you’re heading there anyway to do your grocery shopping, you might as well fill up your tank and take advantage of the lower gas prices Costco is known for.

It’s nice that the cost of gas has reached a more moderate level. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to save even more. For a lot of people, money is still pretty tight due to inflation. So if you’re able to save a few dollars here and a few dollars there at the pump, it could actually go a long way.

And even if you’re doing fine financially, why pay more for gas when there are options to save? Spending $10 less on gas each month could cover a couple of morning lattes or late-night pizza slices. So you might as well free up that cash if you can.

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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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5 Amazing Sam’s Club Buys for Under $20

By Money Management No Comments

Setting up a new living space can be expensive. Here are five Sam’s Club products that make cleaning and organizing a breeze and won’t break the bank. 

Image source: Getty Images

If you, or someone you know, is moving away from home for the first time or heading off to college, this article is for you. As you know, moving is expensive, especially if you need new things for the new space. Here, we’ll cover five Sam’s Club buys under $20, each perfect for those on the move.

1. CleverMade Collapsible Fabric Laundry Basket: 2 pack

What’s more convenient than a laundry basket that folds flat when not in use? That way, a person can tuck it under their bed or slip it into a closet without eating up space. Sam’s Club offers two polyester, linen, and steel baskets for just under $20. While they can be used any way a person sees fit, it’s easy to imagine one of the 23″ L x 15″ W x 13.25″ H baskets being used as a laundry hamper and the other for storage.

Sam’s Club price: $19.98

Amazon Price: $34.38

2. Member’s Mark 2-Tier Round Fruit Basket

I realize this product is intended to be used as a fruit basket, and it can be. However, it would also work as an organizing system on a bathroom sink or study desk. Measuring only 22.5″ tall, it doesn’t take up much space but does provide a way to keep small items in one spot. It also serves as evidence that it’s possible to organize on a budget.

Sam’s Club price: $19.98

Amazon price: $24

3. Scotch Heavy Duty Packing Tape Dispenser, 1.88″ x 60 yds, 2 rolls

There may be nothing exciting about packing tape, but boy, this stuff is useful. Just think about the last time you moved and how many rolls of tape you tore through. Sam’s is the place to pick up tape right now, with this 2-roll pack going for $15.46. Every dollar you spend is another dollar you can tuck away for a rainy day.

Sam’s Club price: $15.46

Ebay price: $27

4. 60 Quart Clear Storage Tote: 2 pack

Storage totes must be one of the most under-rated, under-valued products in the known world. They make moving easy, allow you to organize once you arrive somewhere, and keep your belongings dry. And because these are clear, you can see what’s in them without removing the lid.

Sam’s Club price: $19.98 ($9.99 each)

Amazon price: $18.21 each

5. Clorox Disinfecting Bleach-Free Cleaning Wipes, 85 wipes: 5 pack

If a person is moving into a dorm room or small apartment without much space, cleaning wipes are the least they can have on hand to fight grime. The germ-killing ingredients in these Clorox Wipes are effective for one year from the manufactured date, meaning they’ll make it through an entire academic year.

Sam’s Club price: $18.98

Walmart price: $25

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, it’s a win to find the things you need at prices that won’t drain your checking account. The more you save, the more money you’ll have left over for the things you want to do.

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

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My Husband and I Used This Mortgage Trick to Build Home Equity Sooner

By Money Management No Comments

A writer and her husband took advantage of an affordable mortgage payment and used it to their advantage. Read on to learn more. 

Image source: Getty Images

The home my husband and I own today is by no means a mansion. It’s a modest but comfortable home with a nice-sized basement. But the first home we owned was a true starter home. It was considerably smaller and offered roughly half the square footage we have today.

Because our first home wasn’t as large or updated as our current home, it came with a fairly low mortgage payment each month. That was due in part to the fact that we’d borrowed less, and also, due to the fact that we were able to lock in a pretty low mortgage rate on our loan.

My husband and I knew that building equity in our starter home would give us more options for upsizing down the line. And so we made one key move that allowed us to build equity faster.

When you double up on your payments

The monthly payment on our old house was less than half of what our current mortgage payment amounts to. At the time, that payment was very affordable to us and left us with a lot of extra income. So we decided to get into the habit of making a double payment on our mortgage each month.

In fact, we had our old mortgage set up to autopay, and so what we did was double the amount of the payment so it would happen automatically. That way, it was just part of our budget and we wouldn’t be tempted to spend that extra money elsewhere.

Making double payments on our mortgage for a few years made it so that when we were ready to upsize to our current home, we had a nice amount of equity to tap. That, combined with money from our savings, allowed us to put down about 50% of our home’s price at closing, minimizing the amount we had to borrow.

Should you start making double payments on your mortgage?

If your goal is to build equity in your home sooner or pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule, then making double payments like we did makes sense. But if that’s not doable, don’t sweat it.

I don’t remember the exact mortgage rate we had on our starter home, partly because it was a long time ago and partly because our rate was adjustable. But I can say that it was way lower than the average 30-year mortgage rate today, which is 6.71%, according to Freddie Mac. If you’re stuck with a higher mortgage rate, it means you may be facing higher payments that are difficult to double.

You may also want to stick to your regular payments if you happen to have a very low interest rate on your mortgage, which may be the case if you signed your loan in 2020 or 2021, before rates started to climb. In that case, it could make more financial sense to invest your money rather than pay down a loan with an interest rate around just 3%.

But if your goal is to build home equity sooner, then paying extra into your mortgage is a good bet. And remember, you don’t have to commit to a double payment like we did. Boosting your monthly payments by even $100 or $200 a month could go a long way toward building equity, so if that’s what you can afford, do that. You don’t want to strain your budget in an effort to build that equity sooner and risk falling behind on other bills 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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