Discounts found on tableware, underwear
Game Plan is a monthly guide to help you manage the month ahead.
BUY IT NOW
Not a secret: Victoria’s Secret will hold its semiannual sale June 10-24, and that means discounts on some items of more than 50 percent. The good deals on unmentionables should extend beyond the swanky doors of the Columbusbased retailer, as its competitors will try to avoid losing business and cut their own prices.
Top of the table: Dishes are a popular wedding gift, which is why retailers offer discounts on those products during June, the most-popular month for tying the knot. Discounts on dinnerware, cookware and home decor are usually as much as
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50 percent this month.
Pump up: Remember those New Year’s resolutions? For most people, those promises to get in shape are long forgotten. That point, along with the fact that most people will be taking advantage of better weather, means that gym memberships and gym equipment will be discounted in June.
THINGS TO EAT
Welcome bounty: Ohiogrown tomatoes and corn won’t start hitting their stride until next month, but June will still bring plenty of produce to farmers markets and stores, according to the Ohio Farm Bureau. Among the highlights on the vegetable side: green beans, cabbage, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, spinach and squash. The state’s blueberry, raspberry and strawberry crops also are expected to ripen this month.
Refreshing bargains: The arrival of warm weather means your family will need to stay well hydrated. Your local grocer can help. Expect to see soda, bottled water and iced-tea mixes and bags on sale. And stop by the freezer aisle to check out the bargains on frozen treats, including ice cream and Popsicles.
CAR MATTERS
Sporting chance: You can get a new sport-utility vehicle for the price of a compact car, according to Kelley Blue Book’s new list of the most-affordable vehicles by segment. The leastexpensive model is the Jeep Patriot, which the publication says has a fair purchase price of $15,851. Five other models are less than $20,000, including the Nissan Juke and Dodge Journey (all vehicles are 2014 models).
YOUR FINANCES
IRS options: Ignoring a bill from the Internal Revenue is never a good thing. Failing to pay just adds interest and penalties to what is owed. The IRS provides several options to taxpayers to make paying taxes easier, including electronic payments and monthly payments that can be directly deducted from a bank account. Don’t have enough to pay your bill? Consider offering a compromise with the IRS that allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount.
Attacking fees: Getting a savings or checking account free of fees these days is no easy task, but it can be done. Comparing bank offerings is a good place to start. More important, consumers should make a list of the services they need to help pick accounts that are the best fit. There might be other ways to save money as well, including having paychecks deposited directly into your account or maintaining a certain balance in the account. Finally, be sure to understand the potential costs if you overdraw your account. You might want to link the checking account to a savings
account to avoid fees.