The article discusses various aspects of investing in CDs and finding deeply discounted items at Dollar General. It explains the benefits of investing in CDs compared to savings accounts, emphasizing the higher interest rates and the need for proper CD laddering strategies to ensure accessibility to funds when needed. The consequences of accessing funds before the maturity date of CDs are also highlighted.
On the other hand, the article also delves into how Dollar General marks down items to one cent when they need to be removed from stock, with a specific focus on the steps to find these discounted products.
It also briefly touches on finding the best auto insurance rates by shopping around and considering various factors that affect premiums.
The article provides practical advice on managing finances and making smart purchasing decisions.“`html
How to Score Penny Items at Dollar General
it can help to go early in the morning before all of the items you might want are bought up.
Check the penny lists onlinePenny items are not advertised, since they are not really supposed to be for sale at that price. This means you can’t just consult the Dollar General sales flyer to see what’s on discount. You also shouldn’t ask cashiers, as they not only won’t help you find the items but instead are more likely to remove them from the shelves before you can purchase them.Since these products are like hidden gems, you’ll want a guide to discovering them — and there are a few lists online that can help you do that. The Krazy Coupon lady publishes a weekly list of penny items. You can also join Facebook groups dedicated to finding them.Since penny items change regularly, you’ll want to check out these resources every week to see what’s on discount.
Load up your cartWhen you are lucky enough to find a penny list item on the shelves, you should bring up as many of the items as you want to purchase.As soon as you have alerted the store to the fact the items were left on the shelf, they will be pulled so you won’t have a chance to get any more of them. If they ring up for a higher price, you can just say you changed your mind.
Get lucky with your cashierFinally, you need to hope that the cashier you have ringing up your items allows you to actually buy them. Official store policy is that they should not be purchased, so you may well be told you can’t actually get the item for a penny and may have to put the item back.While there’s an element of luck involved in both finding the penny items and being able to buy them, it may be worth the effort to try if there’s something on the penny list you are excited about purchasing — or if you happen to be at Dollar General anyway.
Does Your Income Make You Upper Class, Middle Class, or Lower Class?
By: Christy Bieber | Updated Sept. 5, 2023 – First published on Sept. 5, 2023
Incomes vary widely across the United States, with some people making many times the amount that others earn. If you’ve ever wondered how your personal finances stack up, and what “class” your income officially puts you in, here’s what you need to know.
What income do you need to be upper, middle, or lower class?Based on 2021 data, here’s what you would need to earn in order to be in each class:Lower class: This is defined as the bottom 20% of earners. Those in the lower class have an income at or below $28,007.Lower middle class: This is defined as individuals in the 20th to 40th percentile of household income. Earnings among this group are between $28,008 and $55,000Middle class: The middle class is officially those whose earnings put them in the 40th to 60th percentile of household income. The income range is $55,001 to $89,744.Upper middle class: Anyone with earnings in the 60th to 80th percentile would be considered upper middle class. Those in the upper middle class have incomes between $89,745 and $149,131.Upper class: Finally, the upper class is the top 20% of earners and they have incomes of $149,132 or higher.
Take a look at these numbers and see where you fall based on your own earnings. And remember, this is a snapshot in time — your earnings can change throughout your life, and so can your class designation.
Will your success be determined by your income and class?It’s probably not a surprise that those in the upper classes or in the upper middle class do have a higher net worth than those in the lower class or the lower middle class. But the disparity is greater than you might think. While the median net worth of those with incomes of $149,132 or higher is $805,400, the median net worth of those in the lower class is just $12,000.
Your income impacts how easy it is for you to build wealth. If you make more money, it is easier to save it and invest it in a brokerage account where it can work for you. If you make less money, then you may struggle even to cover the necessities out of your checking account, much less to buy valuable assets that help you grow richer over time.But that doesn’t mean people who don’t make a lot of money can’t be a financial success. A lot depends on what you do with the money you actually have, including how much you spend and how much you save. There are plenty of people who make over $100,000 a year who live paycheck to paycheck, and plenty of people with incomes that put them squarely in the lower or lower middle class who have diligently saved and grown quite wealthy over many years.Here’s how you can improve your standingDon’t be discouraged if you aren’t in the class you hope to be.
For one thing, you have opportunities to increase your income by taking the following steps:Learning new job skills: You could obtain a certification, take part in a management training program at work, or take some classes to develop skills that may help you get promoted (such as computer training courses or public speaking classes), depending on your industry.Take on a side hustle: The average side hustle brings in $483 per month, which is a good amount of extra money that could make a meaningful difference in your income.Work some extra hours: If your company allows you to work overtime, take advantage of it, as many people are paid time and a half for overtime hours.Negotiate your salary: According to Pew Research, when workers negotiated for higher pay, 28% said they received the extra money they asked for and 38% indicated they were given more than originally offered but less than their ask. Whether you are getting a new job or staying at your current job but feel you’re underpaid, it doesn’t hurt to make a request for more money — especially if you can find salary data to back up the fact that others in your industry are paid more.And even if your earnings never put you in the top 20% of earners, you can still have a rich life and end up with the financial security you deserve — especially if you prioritize saving as much as you can for as long as you can.
My Brother Won a Car on The Price Is Right. Here’s What It Cost Him
By: Maurie Backman | Updated Dec. 7, 2023 – First published on Dec. 6, 2023
When my brother got tickets to be in the audience of The Price Is Right, he figured it would simply be an entertaining way to spend a day off. He didn’t imagine his name would actually be called during the show’s opening round.But lo and behold, my brother was one of the first four contestants asked to come on down and participate in the iconic show that has you guessing at prices of various consumer goods. And as luck would have it, my brother was able to out-bid his competitors and move on for a chance at a new car — a car he won through savvy guessing, but also, a nice amount of luck.My brother was ecstatic to have won such an awesome and valuable prize. But that prize wound up being a bit of a mixed bag.Taking the money and runningMy brother won a Hyundai Elantra with an estimated value of $25,415. He was
“`Winning a car on a game show was an exciting experience for my brother, but it came with a catch: he already had a car and didn’t want to deal with the expenses of maintaining another one. Fortunately, he was able to work out a deal with the dealership, using the value of the car prize to buy a used car and then sell it back for cash. This was a better option for him considering the additional costs associated with keeping the new car.
However, the thrill of winning prizes on a game show also comes with a downside — the tax bill. After winning a grill package and a car worth over $26,000, my brother is now facing a significant tax bill on his winnings. Regardless of whether the car was taken as cash or not, he will still need to account for the taxes on the value of the prizes.
Managing the taxes on game show winnings can be tricky, and it’s important to consider the implications before diving into such winnings. Seeking advice from a qualified accountant before participating in game shows with substantial prizes is a wise move. While game show winnings can be a financial gain, the tax obligations should not be overlooked.
