14th September 2017 6

USED GOODS ARE GOOD

People are starting to feel the urge to get organized for the new school year, and many have embraced decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s “Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” That means garage sales are popping up and thrift stores are brimming with gently used items that may be your next big treasure. Before diving headlong into secondhand shopping, be sure to know the best things to look for.

REFUNDAMENTALS

The average tax refund this year, as of late March, is nearly $2,900, according to the Internal Revenue Service – a sizable sum to get all at once. Deciding what to do with such a windfall can be daunting. In a 2016 survey by Capital One, 65 percent of respondents said they think it’s best to use a tax refund in a practical way. But what is “practical” may depend on the situation. Respondents were evenly split on the question of saving vs. spending the money. Either way, there are many financially sound approaches to making the most of a tax refund.

When you shop in exclusive boutiques, you know you’re going to pay a high price for what you hope is high quality. But there are some situations where you’re just getting gouged. Here in no particular order are some of the most overpriced purchases in America, and what you can do about it.

If you’re a merchant, the only way to profit is to sell stuff for more than you pay for it. As a consumer, whether you’re sipping a martini in a swanky bar or swilling bottled water from the grocery store, you are swallowing that markup.

What’s a fair markup? Fifty percent? One hundred? Two? It depends on both product and business, but one thing’s for sure – you can save a lot of money by paying attention.

Here, in no particular order, is a larger list of products with high markups, along with ways to avoid paying a premium.