Money Management

Need a budget gift for Father’s Day? Read on to explore some options. 

Father’s Day will be here before you know it, and you may be eager to celebrate with your dad. But if you’re short on savings, finding a great gift for your father might prove challenging.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to give your dad a gift from the heart. Here are a few items he might appreciate, despite their lower price point.

1. Golf balls

Does your dad love nothing more than to get out for a round of golf? Finding the right club may be tricky and costly, but you really can’t go wrong with golf balls. Amazon has this set of 36 available for just $32.26 right now. Slap a bow on the box, and you’re golden.

2. A travel pillow

Have a dad who tends to travel by plane a lot? This neck pillow from Target could be a great option. Even if your dad’s travels tend to be more local, this pillow could come in handy when he’s looking to relax on the train or bus. It also features a removable cover that’s easy to wash.

3. A new chess set

If you know for a fact that your dad’s chess set vanished into the abyss of his basement years ago and has yet to resurface, a replacement set could be a great bet for Father’s Day. Walmart has this set available for just $31.95. It’s foldable and travel-friendly, so your dad can bust it out at home or pack it up and bring it over to your place for a tournament.

4. A barbecue set

If your dad loves to cook outdoors, you may not be able to swing a new grill if you’re on a tight budget. But you can consider this 17-piece barbecue tool set sold by Kohl’s instead. It features skewers, corn holders, tongs, a turner, a brush, and a digital fork thermometer. Plus, it comes in a neat storage box.

5. A cheesy t-shirt

If your dad is the corny type who’s easy to please, then this “Best Dad Ever” t-shirt might be the perfect thing to give him on Father’s Day. Amazon has it on offer in a variety of colors for just $16.99. Or, upgrade to the sweatshirt version for $31.99.

Chances are, the last thing your dad would want is to see you land in credit card debt in the course of celebrating Father’s Day. So if money isn’t exactly abundant in your world right now, stick to a gift under $50. But also, add a personal touch.

If you decide to go with a chess set, pair it with an invitation card to come over and play. If you go with the t-shirt, snap a picture of your dad wearing it next to you, stick it in a frame, and hand it over the next time you see him.

There’s a lot of pressure to spend large sums of money on events like Father’s Day. But if you take the time to show your dad how much he means to you, he likely won’t mind if your gift is a bit more low-key in nature.

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

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By becoming an Amazon Prime member this summer, you can get two years of Grubhub+ for free. Check out what you need to know about this money-saving deal. 

With Prime Day quickly approaching, you may be trying to decide whether becoming an Amazon Prime member is a good move. Prime members enjoy various benefits, including access to members-only deals, free fast shipping, and much more. If you do the majority of your shopping online, this membership can also add convenience to your life. Those considering becoming a member may want to do so before July 5. Here’s why.

Join Amazon Prime to get two years of Grubhub+ for free

Amazon has a special promotion available for new Prime members. If you join Amazon Prime by July 5, 2023, you’ll get a free 24-month Grubhub+ membership included as a benefit.

Typically Prime members get this free subscription for one year. If you order food delivery often, a Grubhub+ membership could help you keep more money in your checking account.

Grubhub+ is a paid subscription service ideal for food delivery enthusiasts. Usually, this subscription costs $9.99 a month, so a 24-month complimentary membership is a valuable incentive. Subscribers enjoy $0 delivery fees on eligible orders of $12+. Delivery fees can quickly add up and make your pizza night at home more expensive, so this is a nice perk.

By becoming a Prime member before July 5, 2023, you can score this extra benefit. Plus, you’ll be prepared to shop all the Prime Day deals this summer. While Prime Day 2023 dates have yet to be officially announced, the popular sales event is usually held in mid-July.

How to get 25% off a Grubhub order of $20+

Amazon and Grubhub have teamed up to provide Prime members with another fantastic deal. Now through June 18, 2023, Prime members can get 25% off eligible Grubhub orders of $20+, with a maximum discount of $20. This limited-time offer is available while supplies last.

This discount is available to anyone with an active Grubhub+ membership provided through Amazon Prime. To activate this offer, enter code “25FORDAD” at checkout. This deal gives you the perfect excuse to treat your dad to a delicious takeout feast this Father’s Day!

Is an Amazon Prime membership worth it?

An Amazon Prime membership is a good fit for anyone who loves a great deal and shops online often. To join, you’ll need to pay a membership fee. A Prime membership costs $14.99 monthly or $139 for a year. If you can afford to do so, paying the yearly fee will save you $40+. Here are some of the benefits that are included with a Prime membership:

Free two-day shipping on eligible ordersPrime-exclusive dealsPrescription discounts through Amazon PharmacyFree ebooks, audiobooks, and other reading material from Prime ReadingFree games through Amazon Prime GamingUnlimited photo storage and up to 5 GB of video storage through Amazon PhotosFree access to Amazon Prime VideoFree music streaming through Amazon Music

Is an Amazon Prime membership worth the cost? Only you can decide if a membership will add value to your life. If you’re still unsure about becoming a member, you may want to look at the available products sold on Amazon to get a feel for what you can buy there.

Getting clothes, electronics, toiletries, household essentials, and everything in between delivered to your doorstep free of shipping costs could be a win for your personal finances. Consider using a cash back credit card to earn rewards when shopping on Amazon.

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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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Costco’s latest bakery offering may be its most enticing one yet. Read on to learn more. 

First it was an epic chocolate and peanut butter pie. Then it was a lemon meringue cheesecake that some tasters described as “four pounds of heaven.” Now, Costco is taking its bakery game to the next level with a new churro bundt cake. And if this delicious offering makes an appearance at your local warehouse club store, you may want to scoop it up.

Yet another fabulous treat

Costco isn’t a stranger to churros — its food courts serve up fresh ones every day. But if you’re looking for a churro-like dessert to feed a crowd, you may want to be on the lookout for the latest bakery concoction, a churro bundt cake with a dulce de leche drizzle and powdered sugar.

Made by Bakery Street, a California-based dessert maker, Costco’s latest offering is said to weigh 40 ounces and retail for $10.79. So you’re paying about $0.27 per ounce of cake.

By contrast, David’s Cookies sells a 68-ounce carrot cake for $54.95. That’s about $0.81 per ounce.

Granted, these two cakes are different in nature. The point, however, is that on a per-ounce basis, Costco’s price is very reasonable.

Should you scoop up Costco’s latest dessert offering?

You may not find Costco’s new churro bundt cake at your local warehouse club store just yet. But it could make an appearance at some point. And when that happens, you may be tempted to put one of those beauties into your shopping cart.

Given its lower price point, it’s easy to make the argument that Costco’s churro bundt cake is a great deal. But that’s only if the cake doesn’t end up going to waste.

Unless you have an occasion you need a cake for, you may end up throwing a large portion of it away if you buy it for yourself, or yourself and a partner alone. After all, fresh cake tends to have a limited shelf life. And while many cakes can be frozen without issue, it’s hard to know whether this one falls into that category.

That said, if a comparable cake at your local bakery or grocery store will cost $15 for a dessert that’s one-third the size of Costco’s offering, then you may just decide to spend your $10.79 and see what happens. If you end up throwing a portion of it away, you may not end up wasting money (though there’s the concept of food waste to be mindful of). Plus, if you find yourself with too much cake on your hands, you could always be neighborly and offer a slice to the people who live in the apartment or house next door.

The great thing about shopping at Costco is getting to save money on a host of items, dessert included. Costco’s latest offering certainly sounds delicious, and it could be a great item to bring to a party or to feature at a gathering you’re hosting. But if you don’t feel that you’ll be able to finish it before it goes bad, then you may want to avoid the extra credit card charge.

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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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Being late with your taxes could hurt you in a couple of different ways. Read on to learn more. 

This year, tax returns were due on April 18. But what if your 2022 tax return never made it to the IRS?

Perhaps you’ve had an extremely busy spring at work and never got around to tackling your taxes. Or maybe you’ve been putting off your filing because you’re convinced you’ll need to send the IRS a check and you know you can’t afford a giant tax bill.

Being late with a tax return is apt to hurt you financially one way or another. The only difference is that if you owe money on your taxes and are late, the IRS will penalize you. If you’re owed money and are late, you’ll be penalizing yourself.

When you underpaid your taxes and are late

When you have a balance due to the IRS for underpaying your taxes and you’re late with a return, you could be penalized pretty harshly by the agency for your tardiness. The IRS will impose a failure-to-file penalty equal to 5% of the tax bill you owe for every month or partial month your return is late, up to 25%.

So, let’s say you owe the IRS $2,000 from 2022 and are two months late submitting your tax return. That means you’re looking at a penalty of $200, not to mention interest on your unpaid tax bill.

When you’re owed money and are late

The IRS isn’t going to penalize you for submitting a tax return late if you’re owed a refund. After all, the longer it takes you to request your refund, the longer the IRS gets to hang onto your money without owing you interest. That’s a pretty good deal.

You should know that you have three years past a given return’s due date to submit it and request an associated refund. So for 2022 tax returns, you have until April 2026 to get your return to the IRS, since that’s three years from the April 2023 deadline.

But let’s imagine the IRS owes you $2,000. Wouldn’t you rather see that cash hit your checking account sooner rather than later?

In fact, imagine you keep putting off your tax return because you don’t want to deal with it and you know there’s no penalty involved. What if you encounter a $2,000 home repair you’re forced to charge on a credit card and pay interest on in the absence of having the cash? That’s silly when the IRS is sitting on $2,000 of yours, and all you need to do to get it is file your tax return.

It pays to be timely with your taxes

Whether you owe the IRS money or it owes you, it’s a good idea to file your tax return on time. Being late is apt to hurt you financially one way or another, so why subject yourself to penalties or a delayed refund?

That said, you may have no choice but to file a tax return late due to not having received all of your tax forms on time. In that case, at the very least, make sure to request a tax extension, which will give you six extra months to submit your return.

An extension won’t get you out of paying your tax bill by the filing deadline, and you’ll accrue interest and penalties if you owe money and don’t pay on time. But it will help you avoid the above-referenced failure-to-file penalty if you owe the IRS money and submit your return past the deadline.

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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