Showing posts with label sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sales. Show all posts

Friday, August 2, 2019

7.31.19 Back to school sales; Medical bill shock; Free fitness classes

7.31.19 Back to school sales; Medical bill shock; Free fitness classes



Yet another medical bill shock. In mid and large size communities hospital systems are expanding to gain market control, with generally 3 such systems dominating a metro.  In addition to 'roll-ups' - the buying out of smaller independent hospitals, large hospital systems buy up individual doctor practices. If the doctors choose not to sell-out, they get no referrals. When your doctor's practice is purchased by a hospital, know that is a landmine for your wallet.

Clark is not an athlete but is a self-motivated fitness nut. In order to sustain an exercise program, many find they do much better as part of organized group activities. That's a hot trend right now. Many traditional fitness centers are failing (so don't pay big money upfront for a gym membership). Experiential facilities offering group classes are the rage now. This is labor-intensive for a facility and therefore expensive for consumers. If you know you need group motivation, consider your local YMCA as an affordable alternative, where classes are offered for less. Also, all over the country, there are free exercise group activities to be found. Search a site like






Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Back to school sales have begun in much of the country. Overwhelmingly, schools have migrated to Chromebooks as the computer of choice. Chromebooks are easier to manage and maintain and are less vulnerable to viruses. No frills Chromebooks are under $100. If your child is going to a Chromebook based school, your cost will for a really capable one will be around $150. If your child is going to a Windows school - a good Windows laptop will cost around $199.Yet another medical bill shock. In mid and large size communities hospital systems are expanding to gain market control, with generally 3 such systems dominating a metro. In addition to 'roll-ups' - the buying out of smaller independent hospitals, large hospital systems buy up individual doctor practices. If the doctors choose not to sell-out, they get no referrals. When your doctor's practice is purchased by a hospital, know that is a landmine for your wallet.Clark is not an athlete but is a self-motivated fitness nut. In order to sustain an exercise program, many find they do much better as part of organized group activities. That's a hot trend right now. Many traditional fitness centers are failing (so don't pay big money upfront for a gym membership). Experiential facilities offering group classes are the rage now. This is labor-intensive for a facility and therefore expensive for consumers. If you know you need group motivation, consider your local YMCA as an affordable alternative, where classes are offered for less. Also, all over the country, there are free exercise group activities to be found. Search a site like MeetUp.com to locate a free local meetup group.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Read more

Walmart, Target, Macy’s and other retailers plan big sales on Prime Day

It’s official: Amazon says Prime Day 2019 is going to be a two-day event starting on July 15 — but don’t think the other retailers are just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

Stores like Walmart, Target, eBay and more are “primed” for success as well: Big sales, discounts and deals will be the order of the day for retailers not named Amazon.

Other retailers holding sales on Amazon Prime Day 2019 

“Even now we are seeing these retailers be very attentive to what Amazon is doing,” says Charis Brown, managing editor of ClarkDeals.com. “For example, as Amazon released its first official Prime Day deal for a Toshiba 43” smart LED Fire TV for $179.99, Walmart dropped the price of an RCA 43″ TV to $159.99.”

Here’s the upshot: Amazon is likely going to win its annual shopping holiday, but don’t think the competition is going to lay down for Prime Day 2019. Here are the other stores with Prime Day sales:

These retailers have big sales on Prime Day - eBay Prime Day sales

“eBay this year it’s hosting a humorously titled July 15 “Crash Sale,” referring to Amazon’s rocky start to Prime Day last year with a site crash that lasted for hours,” Charis says.

The retailer is also offering free shipping without a membership and and up to 80% off from top brands like Adidas, Apple, Dyson, Garmin, and Samsung at eBay.com/deals.

These retailers have big sales on Prime Day - Walmart Prime Day sales

The retailer says its plan to counter Prime Day will be to release “thousands” of rollbacks and special buys online from July 14-17. Walmart is also promising free shipping on select rollback items and two-day shipping on others.

These retailers have big sales on Prime Day - Target Prime Day sales

Target has launched “Deal Days” to counter what Amazon is doing on Prime Day.

Advertisement

Target is promising to have select items delivered to your home by Shipt within hours. If you have a REDcard, you can get free two-day shipping on most items.

“This year, we’re giving guests more discounts across even more of our assortment with two days to save on hundreds of thousands of items and offering the best options in retail for delivery and pick up on their terms, including same-day,” Target VP Mark Tritton says in a written statement.

Stores with Prme Day sales - Best Buy Prime Day sales

Best Buy is a doing what it can to attract shoppers in the days surrounding Prime Day, including throwing an Apple Sales Event and putting more products on its Hottest Deals page online.

Walmart, Target and other retailers plan big sales on Prime Day - Macy's Black Friday in July sales event 2019

Not to be outdone, Macy’s is countering Amazon by throwing its Black Friday in July sales event, which features deals on jewelry and more. The store is also offering free shipping for a limited time.

Prime Day 2019: How to get a good deal online

With so many retailers offering sales, you may want to know the best way to approach this sales holiday to get some great deals. Here’s what Charis says:

“There is going to be lots of competition leading into and during Prime Day, and you might get a better deal on a similar item at another retailer! In this case, it’s very important to price compare by using a tool like Google Shopping.”

Find deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Target on ClarkDeals.com every day!

Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2019

Mark your calendars for July 15 because one of the biggest shopping days of the year — like Black Friday in summer — is just around the corner: Amazon Prime Day.

Last year, Amazon offered more than one million deals globally to Amazon Prime members. (The company also experienced a major crash on Prime Day 2018, which they have promised to fix before the next shopping event.)

To help you sort through the avalanche of promotions, the deals experts at ClarkDeals.com dedicate countless hours to find the absolute best prices from reputable retailers — especially during big events like Prime Day, Black Friday and more.

Is Amazon Prime Day really a good time to find great deals? We interviewed a deals expert to find out…

Amazon Prime Day 2019: Everything you need to know

1. What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is an annual deals event for Amazon Prime members — and it keeps getting bigger every year. During Prime Day, the online retailer regularly releases exclusive offers and sales, and a few notable deals start rolling out in advance of the official date.

Amazon launched the first Amazon Prime Day to celebrate the company’s twentieth anniversary in 2015. The press release announcing the event also heavily advertised that prices would beat Black Friday sales. (We’ll let you know if that’s actually true below…)

In 2018, Amazon says sales surpassed Cyber Monday, Black Friday and the previous Prime Day. Prime members purchased more than 100 million products during Prime Day last year.

2. When is Amazon Prime Day?

Team Clark has independently confirmed that Amazon Prime Day is July 15, 2019, and will last for 48 hours. The shopping event officially begins on Monday, July 15 at 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT) and lasts through July 16.

Amazon Prime Day is July 15, 2019

Amazon has confirmed that you can start shopping with Alexa on an Echo device Saturday, July 13:

Advertisement

“Can’t wait for Monday? Shop with Alexa on an Echo device beginning Saturday, July 13 to get early access to select deals on devices. Just ask, ‘Alexa, what are my deals?'”

3. Do you need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop on Amazon Prime Day?

Yes, you do have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of Prime Day deals.

As of June 2019, an Amazon Prime membership costs $119 annually or you can choose the $12.99 per month plan to avoid a year-long commitment.

If you’re not already an Amazon Prime member, try the free 30-day trial to take advantage of Prime Day deals and free shipping.

Discounted Prime memberships are also available for students and low-income households.

Keep reading to see if Amazon’s shopping extravaganza is worth paying attention to in 2019…

4. What deals can you find on Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day popular deals

You can expect a ton of deals on Amazon devices and products like the Fire TV Stick remote and Echo Dot. Amazon also began offering sales at Whole Foods for Prime members on Prime Day last year.

Charis Brown, managing editor of ClarkDeals.com, has first-hand experience finding deals during Amazon Prime Day:

“We’ve seen great deals on Instant Pots, DNA and genetic testing kits, tools, name-brand headphones, car smartphone chargers, Roomba vacuums and Amazon-branded items like the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Amazon Fire tablet.”

Deal tip: Other retailers offer deals around Amazon Prime Day

This is perhaps the best news for your wallet: You can also find deals from other stores during Amazon Prime Day!

Advertisement

“It’s extremely likely that other retailers will have sales to try to compete with Amazon,” says Charis. “Last year, eBay offered a $25 sitewide coupon. A few weeks after Prime Day, Walmart offered a different Instant Pot for a lower price than Amazon, so you might end up finding a better deal at a different store!”

5. Is Amazon Prime Day cheaper than Black Friday?

According to Amazon, “Prime Day is a global shopping event offering more deals than Black Friday.” Money expert Clark Howard disagrees:

“Nothing is ever as cheap as Black Friday.”

Charis notes that it definitely depends on what you’re buying: “Last year, Amazon offered the Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 electric pressure cooker for $59, but then for Black Friday, Walmart had the best deal on the 8-quart 6-in-1 Instant Pot for $59.”

Here’s a rule to help you determine if you should buy a deal on Amazon Prime Day or wait until Black Friday: “If you see something you like and it’s the best price it has ever been at Amazon and other stores, go for it!”

6. Do you need to wait for Amazon Prime Day to find good deals?

No! You can find deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Target on ClarkDeals.com every day.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, research and compare prices before you purchase an item. Charis prefers Google Shopping — formerly Froogle — to compare prices between stores, but for Prime Day, “CamelCamelCamel is a must to see the price history of an item.”

Final thought: Important advice before you shop

While you can find great deals during Amazon Prime Day, it’s crucial to have a plan before you shop. Make a list now so you can stay laser-focused on finding the best deals possible!

Charis offers great advice: “Try to avoid buying something just because it’s a great deal! Buy it because you really want it or could really use it.”

Are you looking for a great bargain on Amazon Prime Day 2019? Let us know in the comments below!