11 Ways to Save on Instacart (from an Instacart Power User)
My initial perception of Instacart was that it was a “convenience premium” service. What exactly does that mean? Well, in the case of Instacart, you pay a premium for grocery items in exchange for the...
View ArticleCostco In-Store vs. Costco Same-Day vs. Costco on Instacart: An Investigative...
I’ve written about how you can shop at Costco without a membership in the past. One of the few ways to do so is through Instacart. Costco has taken their Instacart partnership very seriously – even...
View ArticleDiscounted Instacart Gift Cards: $100 for $79.99 at Costco.com
Costco.com is once again offering discounted Instacart gift cards (e-gift cards, specifically) to Costco members on their site. Members can purchase up to 2 $100 Instacart e-gift cards for $79.99 each...
View ArticleNew Series I Bond Rate for May 2024 – November 2024: 4.28%
This article has been updated to reflect the current new Series I bond rates for May, 2024 to November, 2024 period. The new I bond rate has been set at a composite 4.28% (down from 5.27% APR in the...
View ArticleMaximum HSA Contributions for 2024 & 2025
This maximum HSA contribution overview has been updated with info for the 2024 and 2025 tax years. If you’ve been following this site, you know that I have long been a big fan of health savings...
View ArticleI’m an FSA Convert. Here’s My HSA + FSA Combination Strategy.
I’ve been a huge advocate for health savings accounts (HSAs) for many years. While I worked for a MegaCorp, I participated in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) and contributed the maximum HSA...
View ArticleLow-Risk Alternatives to Stocks & Low-Interest Cash Savings
At a recent social gathering, I was introduced to a pediatric surgeon – a younger guy, probably in his early 30s. We got to chatting about what we do for a living, as strangers often do. After...
View ArticleWhat is a Money Market Fund? How to Invest, Pros, Cons, & More
I recently highlighted a few different alternatives to stocks and low-interest cash savings. One of the options I mentioned was a money market fund (also known as a money market mutual fund). Money...
View ArticleDiscounted Instacart Gift Cards: $100 for $80 at Samsclub.com
Sam’s Club is offering discounted Instacart gift cards (e-gift cards, specifically) to Sam’s Club members on the samsclub.com website. Members can purchase up to 2 $100 Instacart e-gift cards for $80...
View ArticleCostco Membership Fee Price Increases Coming September, 2024
Heads up to current and potential Costco members: Costco announced via their recent earnings report that they will be increasing the annual membership fee for both the standard Gold Star ($5 annual...
View ArticleCostco Membership Deal: $40 Costco Shop Card with Membership
Groupon is offering a bonus $40 Costco Digital Shop Card deal on new annual “Gold Star” Costco memberships (which currently cost $60) or “Executive” membership (which currently costs $120). This could...
View ArticleAmazon Prime Day Deals that are Actually Good (July 16-17)
Amazon’s Prime Day is July 16-17. I’m not a year-long Prime member, however, I do usually sign up for a free 30-Day Amazon Prime Trial around Prime Day and pay close attention to Prime Day deal in...
View ArticleFree USPS COVID Tests are Back
PSA to readers: as of September 26, 2024, the USPS is once again offering free COVID tests for order on the USPS test kit site. Shipping is free as well. This is the first time since March that the...
View ArticleFed Rate Cuts: What they Mean & 3 Moves to Consider
On September 18th, the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its targeted Effective Federal Funds Rate (EFFR) – the rate at which banks borrow and lend each other money- by 0.5% from 5.25-5.50% to 4.75%-5.00%....
View ArticleIRS Direct File is Expanding in 2025, But Still Falls Short for Most
The IRS just announced that its free-filing tax software, IRS Direct File, will be expanding its pilot launch in 2025 (for filing 2024 tax returns) to 12 new states. Direct File originally launched in...
View ArticleAmazon Prime Day Deals that are Actually Good (October 8-9)
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are October 8th and October 9th. I’m not a year-long Prime member, however, I do usually sign up for a free 30-Day Amazon Prime Trial around Prime Days and pay close...
View ArticleFederal Tax Brackets for 2024 & 2025 (IRS Tax Rate Tables)
This article on federal tax brackets has been updated for the 2024 and 2025 tax years. The IRS has released its 2024 tax brackets (the bracketed tax rate table for IRS federal income tax rates). Each...
View ArticleCapital Gains Tax Rates for 2024 & 2025
This article on capital gains tax rates has been updated for the 2024 and 2025 tax years. Capital gains tax rules do not make for a particularly thrilling topic. But, seeing that this is a personal...
View ArticleIRS Standard Deduction & Exemption Amounts (2024 & 2025)
This article on standard deductions has been updated for the 2024 and 2025 tax years. The IRS has released its 2025 standard deduction amounts. Each year, the IRS adjusts standard deduction amounts for...
View ArticleEarned Income Tax Credit Tables & Basics (for 2024 & 2025)
This article on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has been updated with all of the relevant information for the 2024 and 2025 tax years. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the most...
View Article