Work for a nonprofit or school? The more you get for free (or cheap), the better. TechSoup is a solid resource for finding discounts and free stuff you might not know about, like Microsoft Office or IT help.
A travel money mistake way too many people make
I’m going to Japan in March and have looked up flights on a few different sites. Roundtrip prices vary as much as $900 depending on where you look. Oof!
Here’s the twist
One place I checked was my credit card rewards site. I get points and perks, so total no-brainer, right? Not so fast. Do a little digging and you may find that it’s not the bigger, better deal.
Lots of credit card companies offer fancy booking tools as a perk to justify the hefty annual fee, but they’re not always as … perky as you’d think.
The long and short of it: Prices through your credit card company are often higher than booking directly. Airlines and hotels want to drive customers to book through them, so you’re way more likely to snag a deal through their sites.
Nope, it’s not ‘free’
You probably spent a ton of money to get those points in the first place. When you put it that way, it doesn’t seem so free. And if you don’t have enough points to cover the entire trip, you’ll still have to shell out some cash to settle the bill.
Pro tip: I often cash in credit card points for gift cards to places where I’m already shopping or want to buy someone a gift.
Pricing predicament
Your credit card company doesn’t set hotel room or plane ticket prices through their portals. Most don’t even manage the travel booking features at all.
- Expedia is behind the American Express travel site.
- The popular Hopper tool manages Capital One’s offering.
Keep in mind, too, that hotel and flight prices fluctuate, and websites don’t update their pricing at the same time. If you don’t check around, you could wind up paying the older, more expensive rate.
Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars
My car insurance just went up 32%. Did I have an accident or get a few tickets? Nope. Since 2020, car insurance rates in the U.S. have risen by a whopping 37%. The main reason? High-tech vehicles — aka anything remotely new — cost way more to repair. And you don’t need to have a high-tech car to feel the pinch. It’s hitting everyone.
4 ways to get discounts without sharing data
Want that sale price? You don’t have to give up your personal info to get it.
🚨 Facebook ad alert: A massive ad campaign is hitting Facebook, pushing 600-plus fishy online shops. They bait you with huge discounts on brands like Nike and sweet deals on iPhones. Fake user comments make it all look more legit. There’s an easy way to spot the scam: These dodgy sites only work on mobile; click on them outside of your phone, and you’ll get a 404 error.
Bin stores: Hidden shops full of Amazon, Target, Walmart and Wayfair returns
I went to a bin store the other day. I bought a completely sealed two-foot by two-foot box for $10. Inside my mystery box were four pairs of men’s black socks, a cat bell, two potato peelers, an iPhone stand and a Dallas Cowboys women’s shirt that I got a kick out of. Someone must have made a snap decision to return that.
Privacy: Is it wise to hand over your email and number for discounts?
It’s a savvy shopper’s favorite time of year: Discounts and deals as far as the eye can see.
You’re probably like me — I don’t like paying full price. But is handing over your email address, phone number or even more worth it for a coupon code? Like most things tech, it depends.
Score: A bunch of fast-food restaurants have apps that give you discounts and free stuff. Here’s a list. Just know you’re handing over data, so the freebies aren’t really free. Worth it for french fries? Your call.
Hate your cable company now? Wait until you hear this: The cable giants are throwing a fit over the FCC’s plan to ban early termination fees. Cable companies whine the fees are why they can offer us “discounts.” Cut them, they warn, and prices will go up.
Insurance rates are through the roof - and you can blame AI
There’s a good chance you’ve been hit with insurance rate hikes — and it’s not just you. Within the past year, about a third of us have been hit with increases to the tune of 17%.
Insurance companies blame it on rising costs for car parts, replacement cards and all those expensive claims.
Not-so-spooky meal deals for Halloween in 2023
Halloween is lurking around the corner, and you know what that means — spooktacular treats and deals! 👻 I’ve rounded up some fang-tastic offers for you to sink your teeth into this season. No tricks, just treats, as we dive into these mouthwatering deals.
How to score store discounts without handing over your data
Imagine if this true story happened to you. Someone drops a yogurt on the grocery store floor. You slip and shatter your knee. The grocery store says, “Not our fault. You were probably drunk. Just look at all the booze you buy all the time!”
Genius tech life hacks no one tells you — until now
You know you must reset your phone when you sell or get rid of it, but what about your printer?
No joke, your home office powerhouse stores more than you realize and can be dangerous in the wrong hands. It’s easy to wipe it, though. Check out No. 4 here.
Don’t make these 5 big mistakes when buying electronics on Amazon
Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.
Quick and easy ways to save money shopping on Amazon
Even if you’re not an Amazon fan, you can’t deny how easy it is to find just about anything you want. That includes, of course, gifts.
There’s also account security to consider. You should remove your Amazon public profile, for one. Tap or click for five security steps every Amazon shopper should take.
5 ways to get the most out of a Costco or Sam's Club membership
Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club may be able to save you up to 30% on your annual grocery bill. However, just because you shop big doesn’t mean you’ll always come out on top.
Convenience, accessibility and, of course, price all vary by purchase. Luckily, we’ve got five tips to help you make the right choice every time.
Memorial Day weekend do’s and don’ts
Do you want to do some shopping this Memorial Day weekend? Here’s what’s worth buying and what you should definitely wait on, courtesy of the shopping pros at RetailMeNot.
✅ Check this secret link out: Amazon’s having a huge Memorial Day Sale. Savings of up to 50% across every product category. Here’s a link where you can search just what’s on sale.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
5 useful apps every senior should download
Do you have seniors in your life who don’t take full advantage of their smartphones? It’s pretty standard since not everyone grew up with these technological wonders. Tap or click here for hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.
Tech is expensive! Ways you’re wasting money and smart fixes to save
Look around your house. How much do you think you have spent on gadgets and tech subscriptions over the years?
With shiny new gear popping up daily and yet another streaming service there to woo you, it’s hard to stop the flow of cash. I can help. Here are all the best ways to scan without shelling out money for a scanner. You’re welcome.
How to get a hotel room cheaper than the best price online
Here’s my spending philosophy: If you can get something cheaper, it’s worth a little effort. Of course, I like tools that do the hard work for me. Tap or click for an online shopping helper to find discounts that work.