Most people use Prime for the free two-day shipping. Video streaming is another perk – but you probably knew that. Same goes for free Kindle books. But some Prime benefits are less familiar.
Take Dash Buttons. They’re about the size of a thumb drive and connect to Amazon through your Wi-Fi. Let’s say you’re running out of toilet paper. Simply push the Charmin button in your bathroom, and more rolls will arrive two days later.
Is two days too long? Your $99-a-year Prime membership can get you same-day delivery on a million items. There are two catches: You must live in an eligible city; and your order must total $35 or more. Need it even faster? Free two-hour deliver is available on 25,000 items.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Yet another hidden perk of Prime is the ability to share your membership. The wrinkle: The person also shares access to your payment methods. Consider you partner in Prime carefully.
Take a look at more surprising benefits of a Prime membership.
-
Focus on These Five Critical Areas in Retirement PlanningWorried about how you'll pay for your retirement? It can help to structure your finances around five key areas: taxes, income, medical, legacy and investments.
-
Is Downsizing Right for Your Retirement?The lower costs of a smaller home in retirement might sound appealing, but be ready for the trade-offs that come with making this big decision.
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime DaySmart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards October 2024Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career SkillsSmart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge DiscountsSmart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup MeansSmart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your HomeBrandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
