Money Management

This month’s sales offer some great deals on things you may need around the house. 

With more of us working from home, there’s a greater demand for home and office goods. We took a look at what Sam’s Club had to offer on that front for March, and we found several good sales going on. If you see something you like, keep an eye out for the expiration date.

Home office

HP ENVY 6458e All-in-One Wireless Color Inkjet Printer

Regular price: $165

Sale price: $100

If you’re looking for a wireless printer that does it all, this HP prints, scans in color, offers two-sided printing, and produces borderless photos and documents.

You’ll also receive a couple of bonuses, including six months of Instant Ink with HP+ and the ability to send mobile faxes for 24 months with the HP Smart app.

Deal expires: March 12

FireKing Turtle 4-Drawer Compact File Cabinet

Regular price: $1,389

Sale price: $1,299

If you own a small business or work from home, you may have documents that you cannot afford to lose to flood or fire. This environmentally friendly and scratch-resistant file cabinet fits both letter and legal size documents. More importantly, it resists fires with temperatures over 1,700°F for at least one hour and when the fire department arrives, it’s water resistant. Worried about what happens if the floor collapses? The cabinet is impact resistant against a 30-foot drop.

Household

Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera + Solar Panel

Regular price: $449

Sale price: $319

If you’re lining up springtime projects, these four 1080p HD video cameras and one solar panel will be a great addition to your security system. Connected directly to Wi-Fi, this set features an integrated spotlight that allows you to see important features, like faces and license plate numbers. If things look “hinky,” the set offers a built-in siren that can be triggered manually or automatically.

Deal expires: March 12

Member’s Mark Stockton 4-Piece Deep Seating Patio Set

Regular price: $1,999

Sale price: $1,599

While you’re planning for spring, take a look at this four-piece patio set. Each piece features handwoven all-weather wicker with 3,000+ hours of UV resistance. The set consists of a sofa and two wide, deep-seated side chairs. Each of the elegant, oversized cushions is tailored with button accents and covered in Sunbrella fabric for easy care and long-lasting comfort.

Deal expires: March 14

VIZIO Immersive Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos

Normal price: $750

Sale price: $600

You can now add Dolby — famous for its premium sound — to your home with a system that includes an immersive sound bar and adaptive height speakers that automatically rotate to optimize performance.

If you’re building a home theater, there are few names more dependable than Dolby.

Deal expires: March 31

Finally, if you’re not a Sam’s Club member, you can snag a Club Membership for just $25. That’s 50% off the regular price. But if you’d rather take advantage of the perks associated with a Plus Membership, you’ll receive a 40% off, paying only $70 for an annual membership. Few things are better than saving money when you’re joining a club that allows you to leave more money in the bank.

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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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A good accountant can help you work around all of these. 

If you’ve recently become self-employed, you’re in good company. An estimated 16 million U.S. workers identify as being self-employed, according to Pew Research Center.

There are many benefits to being self-employed, such as getting to set your own hours and enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. But self-employment can also be challenging when it comes to paying taxes. Here are a few hiccups you might encounter.

1. Not having taxes deducted from your earnings

Salaried workers commonly have taxes deducted from their earnings so that by the time their paychecks hit their bank accounts, they don’t have to worry about owing a portion of that money to the IRS. When you’re self-employed, that doesn’t happen. And so when you bring in money, you may not know how much of that is actually yours to spend. That can be an unsettling feeling, and it can make it very difficult to budget out your living expenses.

2. Struggling to calculate estimated taxes

When you’re self-employed, you’re required to pay taxes to the IRS as you earn money in the form of quarterly payments. But it’s on you to estimate how much you owe the IRS each quarter. And that can be difficult, because it’s not just your job-related earnings that need to go into that number. Rather, it’s your total income picture, including things like capital gains in your brokerage account and interest income from your savings.

If you underestimate your quarterly taxes, you’ll end up having to write the IRS a check. But overestimating your quarterly taxes isn’t great, either. It could mean denying yourself income for bill-paying purposes and struggling financially because of that. And in some cases, paying the IRS too much in quarterly taxes could leave you having to rack up a balance on your credit cards in the absence of having pocketed the money you were entitled to.

3. Owing money at tax time

It’s pretty common for people who are self-employed to end up owing the IRS money during tax season. This isn’t necessarily a terrible thing if it’s something you plan for. But when you’re new to self-employment, it could throw you for a loop — especially if you don’t actually have the money to pay your tax bill in full.

Get help if you’re self-employed

When you’re self-employed, there’s a lot on your plate. You have to work hard to generate income and manage your time and schedule, not to mention oversee your tax situation.

That’s why it’s so important to team up with a great accountant if you’re making the jump into self-employment. An accountant can help you estimate your quarterly taxes based on your broad financial picture, and they can also help you take steps to try to minimize your tax burden.

If you’re not sure how to find a good accountant, one of the best ways to go about it is to talk to the people you know who are also self-employed. Ask them for recommendations, and then interview accountants to get a sense of how much they charge and how they work.

Taxes can become very complex when you go from being a salaried employee to working for yourself. So it pays to get help to avoid mistakes that hurt you financially or make your life more stressful than it needs to be.

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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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Don’t let this tax season be an even bigger headache for you. 

You might think that no one in their right mind enjoys filing taxes, but that’s not exactly true. Tax season, with all of its complicated rules and a boatload of money up for grabs, is one of identity thieves’ favorite times of year.

If they choose you as their target, it could turn an already unpleasant activity into a nightmare that could take weeks to resolve. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to avoid this issue.

How identity thieves profit from doing your taxes

Identity thieves know that many people will receive refund checks from the government once they file their taxes for 2022. They also know the size of your refund check depends on several factors, including how much you’ve had withheld from your paychecks throughout the year and what kinds of tax breaks you qualify for.

It’s that second factor that thieves use to their advantage. You might not have any children, but an identity thief might claim you have a dozen in order to rack up Child Tax Credits. Then, they might say you had some huge medical expenses you had to pay for in 2022 to get another deduction. Or they can claim you maxed out your retirement accounts when you didn’t actually set aside a dime.

All of these things reduce your tax liability in the eyes of the government and may also increase the size of your refund check. That’s great news for you when those deductions are legitimate. But when they’re not, they’re likely to raise some red flags with the IRS.

Identity thieves don’t care about that, though. They’ll say whatever they have to in order to generate the largest refund check possible. Then, they’ll submit their phony return and have the refund check mailed directly to them.

This kind of scheme has become especially popular in the last few years, with tax-related identity theft claims rising 45% since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research by Investment Property Exchange Services. And part of the reason for this might be because it can go unnoticed for so long. Many people don’t even realize someone’s filed a fraudulent tax return on their behalf until they receive a notice from the IRS or try to submit their real tax return, only to be told they already have.

How to stop an identity thief from making tax season even worse for you

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of this sort of scam is to file your tax return promptly. Once it’s submitted, a thief won’t be able to file another one on your behalf so they’ll move onto other targets. You should have received your tax forms from your employer by now, but if you haven’t, reach out to them and begin gathering all other relevant paperwork so you can begin filing right away.

You should also take general steps to protect yourself from identity theft, like not accessing personal or financial information on public wifi networks and not sharing your Social Security number with others. Identity thieves need this information in order to file a return on your behalf, and they’re more likely to go after those who make themselves easy targets.

You can also request an identity protection PIN from the IRS. It will issue you a six-digit number, which you must enter whenever you file your tax return now or in the future. This tells the IRS that it’s you filing the return, and it will prevent identity thieves from being able to file one on your behalf.

What to do if you’re the victim of tax identity fraud

Being a victim of tax identity fraud is stressful, but you can get things straightened out with the IRS. The first step depends on how you find out about the fraud. If the IRS sends you a notice about a suspicious tax return, follow its instructions. If you find out because you’re unable to submit your real tax return, then you’ll need to fill out an Identity Theft Affidavit and submit it to the IRS along with a paper copy of your return. Then, continue following IRS instructions.

If you believe the thief may have filed state or local taxes in your name as well, reach out to your state department of taxation. Someone there should be able to verify whether there’s been a return filed in your name and help you with next steps.

It’s also a good idea to notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local police department. This could help stop the identity thief and it’ll also help you document the theft. This documentation could be critical for you down the line, especially if your credit score takes a hit due to the theft.

Consider checking your credit reports as well to see if the identity thief has opened any other fraudulent accounts in your name. You can access yours for free through AnnualCreditReport.com, and you can get up to three free reports per week through the end of 2023. If you notice anything unusual here, notify the credit bureau and the financial institution associated with the account as soon as possible.

Hopefully, you don’t ever find yourself the victim of tax identity fraud, but it’s important you know how to prevent and respond to this situation anyway. It can be stressful, but as long as you’re upfront with the IRS, you should be able to resolve the situation without too many problems.

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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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Keep these in mind when doing your shopping. 

Some people pay for a Costco membership only to use it pretty sparingly. But if you’re someone who shops at Costco on a regular basis, then you may find that the cost of your membership easily pays for itself and then some. That’s because buying food, household essentials, and other products at Costco will commonly result in a lower credit card tab than you’d rack up at the regular supermarket and other retail stores or websites.

But while Costco tends to perpetually offer competitive prices on a host of items, this month, it has a number of products further discounted. Here are a few specific bargains it pays to look out for.

1. $5 off Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Salmon is a healthy protein that people are often encouraged to eat more of. Now, you can get a three-pound resealable bag of frozen, skin-on salmon at a $5 discount off of Costco’s already low price. And if you can’t make it to the store to load up on salmon in person, you can order same-day delivery and have it arrive at your door instead.

2. $6 off a 64-count box of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars may not be the healthiest on-the-go snack, since they’re somewhat low in protein and a little higher in sugar. But if you have kids who tend to get hungry after school, these bars should fit the bill. Right now, you can save $6 on a variety pack of strawberry, blueberry, and apple cinnamon flavors.

3. $150 off an HP 14″ Chromebook Laptop Bundle

Need a new Chromebook? Costco has this HP model on offer, and as part of its bundle, you’ll also get a wireless mouse and protective sleeve. The Chromebook itself is backlit and compatible with Google Assistant. Best of all, you’ll get a two-year warranty when you purchase this model through Costco, along with free technical support.

4. $100 off the Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal + Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

There’s a reason Dyson has long been a trusted name in the world of vacuum cleaners. Its models are known to get the job done and make it easier along the way. This particular Dyson model offers three different cleaning modes and can run for up to 60 minutes. And at a weight of under six pounds, you’re less likely to strain your back getting your floors cleaned.

5. $7 off Preen Garden Weed Preventer

With the warm weather soon approaching, now’s a good time to get back into gardening mode. You can snag a 22-pound tub of Preen weed preventer at a $7 discount. That’ll give you extra money to invest in other aspects of your garden.

Many people are trying to replenish their savings accounts this year after having dipped in to cope with inflation. Shopping at Costco is a good way to spend less on the things you need to feed your family and maintain your home. And it always makes sense to look out for limited-time sales so you can get away with spending even less.

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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 until 2024, 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.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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You may want to keep an eye out for these items. 

Shopping on Amazon often means getting to save money on your purchases and enjoy a lower credit card tab than you’d rack up elsewhere. But it never hurts to be mindful of the deals Amazon runs on a limited basis. Here are a few worth checking out this month.

1. Amazon Essentials Men’s Full-Zip Polar Fleece Jacket

March is here, which means it’s not quite time to give up on wearing a jacket, but it may be more than appropriate to finally ditch your winter coat. If you want something for that in-between weather, this men’s zip-up fleece is a good find. And right now, Amazon has it marked down from $29.90 to $17.40, which is a 42% discount.

Best of all, if you’re a Prime member, this item is eligible for you to try before you buy. Amazon will ship you the item without charging your credit card for it, and you’ll get a seven-day window to try it on. If it fits, and it’s comfortable, you can simply check out as you normally would. If not, just send it back, and you won’t have to pay for it.

2. iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum

Let’s face it — vacuuming can be a drag. But if you have pets or kids, it’s something you might have to do often.

Or do you? In an age where we often let machines take over our lives, you have the option to outsource your vacuuming to a robot equipped to get your home nice and spotless. Amazon has this Roomba model on sale for $179. Compared to its normal $275.99, that’s a savings of 35%.

3. Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat

Having a baby? You’ll need a way to transport your infant safely. But you also don’t have to spend several hundred dollars on a car seat.

Graco has long been a trusted brand in that regard. And now, you can snag the SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat for just $89.99 instead of its usual $119.99 price point.

And if you’re worried about installing your new car seat, worry not. Graco models are known to come with easy-to-follow instructions. And if you’re still not confident, contact your local police or fire station. Many will help you install your car seat free of charge.

4. MATEIN Extra Large 17-Inch Travel Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port

Whether you tend to haul a lot of stuff to work or have some business travel planned, this backpack could make it easier to transport your laptop and belongings from one place to another. Its larger capacity makes it ideal for storing not just some electronics, but a change of clothes if you need one. And if you’re someone who doesn’t like to check a bag while flying, you might manage to fit your belongings in here and simply bring it on board as a carry-on.

Right now, this backpack is available on Amazon for $50.99. It’s normally priced at $75.99.

5. CHRLEISURE Leggings with Pockets for Women

It’s hard to beat the comfort of leggings. But many pose a major problem — there’s nowhere to put your phone, keys, or anything else you might need to carry with you when you’re on the move.

These leggings solve for that thanks to their side pockets. And you can snag a three-pack for $44.79, which is 20% less than their usual $55.99 price point.

A lot of people are struggling with bills due to inflation, so if money is tight for you, it may not be the best time to be browsing Amazon. But if you’re doing okay financially and have a solid amount of money in your savings account, then it could pay to scoop up these deals while they last.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2024

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 until 2024, 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.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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