Today we’re talking all about money. We kick things off with a short story about Peter the Eagle, who lived in a U.S. Mint. Next we answer today's burning question: why do some coins have ridges? Then it's time for some behind-the-scenes secrets of game shows.
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The Memorial Day sales have started early this year, and it's easy to find yourself drowning in offers for cheap mattresses, appliances, shoes, and grills. To help you cut through the noise and focus on the best deals around, we threw together some of our favorite Memorial Day sales going on right now. Take a look below.
Through May 31, you can save up to $400 on every mattress model Leesa has to offer, from the value-minded Studio by Leesa design to the premium Leesa Legend, which touts a combination of memory foam and micro-coil springs to keep you comfortable in any position you sleep in.
Find it: Leesa
This one is labeled as simply a “summer sale,” but the deals are good only through Memorial Day, so you should get to it quickly. This sale takes up to 20 percent off outdoor grilling and dining essentials, like cast-iron shrimp pans ($32), a stainless steel burger-grilling basket ($16), and, of course, your choice of barbeque sauce to go along with it.
Find it: Sur la Table
Wayfair is cutting prices on all manner of appliances until May 28. Though you can pretty much find any home appliance imaginable at a low price, the sale is highlighted by $130 off a KitchenAid stand mixer and 62 percent off this eight-in-one GoWise air fryer.
And that’s only part of the brand’s multiple Memorial Day sales, which you can browse here. They’re also taking up to 40 percent off Samsung refrigerators and washing machines, up to 65 percent off living room furniture, and up to 60 percent off mattresses.
Find it: Wayfair
If you sign up for a Blue Apron subscription before May 26, you’ll save $20 on each of your first three box deliveries, totaling $60 in savings.
Find it: Blue Apron
Score 20 percent off sitewide at Shop.PBS.org when you use the promo code TAKE20. This slashes prices on everything from documentaries like Ken Burns’s The Roosevelt: An Intimate History ($48) and The Civil War ($64) to a Pride & Prejudice tote bag ($27) and this precious heat-changing King Henry VIII mug ($11) that reveals the fates of his many wives when you pour your morning coffee.
Find it: The PBS Store
While Amazon doesn’t have an official Memorial Day sale, the ecommerce giant still has plenty of ever-changing deals to pick from. Right now, you can take $100 off this outdoor grill from Weber, $70 off a eufy robot vacuum, and 22 percent off the ASUS gaming laptop. For more deals, just go to Amazon and have a look around.
You can save up to 50 percent on tents, hiking packs, outdoor wear, and more from brands like Patagonia, Marmot, and others during Backcountry's Memorial Day sale.
Find it: Backcountry
From now until June 2, Entertainment Earth is having a buy one, get one half off sale on select Funko Pops. This includes stalwarts like the Star Wars and Batman lines, and more recent additions like the Schitt's Creek Funkos and the pre-orders for the upcoming X-Men movie line.
Find it: Entertainment Earth
With the promo code SUNSCREEN, you can take 20 percent off one full-price item at Moosejaw, along with finding up to 30 percent off select items during the outdoor brand's summer sale. These deals include casual clothing, outdoor wear, trail sneakers, and more.
Find it: Moosejaw
Through May 25, you can save 25 percent on select summer items, and 40 percent off products from last season. This can include anything from hiking packs and luggage to outdoorsy socks and hats. So if you're planning on getting acquainted with the great outdoors this summer, now you can do it on the cheap.
Find it: Osprey
At Mental Floss, we only write about the products we love and want to share with our readers, so all products are chosen independently by our editors. Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.
Between the gifts, parties, and other obligations of the holiday season, it might seem like smarter financial choices will have to wait. But just because you’re spending a little more than usual doesn’t mean you can’t put your financial planning into sharper focus. To help you get started, here are the best financial gifts you can give yourself this holiday season to prepare for a great 2020 and beyond, presented by Discover and Mental Floss. There are small steps you can take immediately to give your finances a boost, like using the Discover it card, which rewards you on every purchase you make with the card. And then there’s long-term planning, like retirement funds, that will help solidify your financial future.
Plenty of people set spending limits on home expenses, entertainment, clothing, and other expenditures. But sometimes, these amounts need adjusting, especially as life and financial situations change over time. Consider sitting down at the end of the month and examining where all of your money went—from there you can spot unnecessary spending and find ways to fix it.
Cash back, mileage, or promotional interest offers—credit cards offer a variety of incentives, but not everyone takes the time to analyze the offers. Don’t let free money pass you by—look into what rewards programs your card offers and take advantage of these financial gifts that are just waiting for you. With the Discover it card, for example, you can earn rewards on every purchase you make. Plus, Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year! It’s unlimited, too, so those weekly coffees you’re trying to fit into your budget can be paid for by money you’ve already earned. Learn more at Discover.com/match.
Some of us secure home or car insurance and then never think about it again. It’s better to assess your coverage periodically to make sure you’re financially protected for things that are important and consider gap coverage if your policy is lacking. It’s better to spend a little more in policy premiums now than be hit with an unforeseen hardship later. Alternately, you might find your premiums can be lowered owing to a new home improvement project, like new water pipes or an updated roof.
Don’t fall into the trap of putting off retirement savings until you snag a salary increase or reduce expenses. Every year you fail to feed a 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, or other nest egg means one less year you’ll accrue in your pursuit of saving for life after work. Remember that your employer may offer matching and tax-deferred options for diverting some of your income. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time to learn how to start a retirement fund—the sooner, the better.
It can be hard to save money—it involves careful planning, a realistic strategy, and most importantly, cutting back a bit. But the benefits far outweigh the negatives. So if you don’t have one already, set up a savings account this holiday season and start putting some money away every month. It doesn’t even have to be you that does it—ask your bank or employer’s payroll department if they can set up an automated process to save the money for you. So next time you have your eye on a big trip or want to buy a new 4K television, you’ll have a nest egg waiting to pay for it. And big purchases lead to big cashback bonuses, so be sure to take advantage whenever you can.
You can take one step to financial stability with the Discover it® Card—which automatically matches all the cash back you earn, dollar for dollar, at the end of your first year. Learn more at Discover.com/match.