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If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you might be looking at your subscription and wondering what else it includes. With so many benefits from video streaming to free shipping, it’s natural to ask if your membership also opens the door to a library of audiobooks. It’s a common question, and the answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

Let’s clear up what your Prime membership directly offers for audiobook lovers and then look at the fantastic, closely-related service that truly specializes in them.

What Your Prime Membership Actually Includes

Your standard Amazon Prime subscription does not give you unlimited, free access to a vast catalog of audiobooks. Many people hope it works like the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library or Prime Reading for e-books, but for audio. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. While you might occasionally find a small selection of free audiobook titles as part of a promotion, it’s not a consistent, built-in benefit.

The Real Hub for Amazon Audiobooks

The primary destination for audiobooks on Amazon is Audible, an Amazon company. Audible is the leading service for spoken-word entertainment, offering a massive library of titles. However, Audible is a separate, paid subscription service. This is where the confusion often comes from—they’re both under the Amazon umbrella, but they operate independently.

How to Find Free Audiobooks with Prime

There are still ways to use your Prime benefits to listen to some audiobooks without an extra Audible subscription. A little-known feature is that many titles in the Prime Reading catalog include a free Audible narration. When you borrow the Kindle e-book for free through Prime Reading, you can often add the professional narration at no additional cost. It’s a fantastic way to switch between reading and listening on your commute or while doing chores.

Is an Audible Subscription Worth It?

If you’re a frequent listener, an Audible membership is a great value. You get credits each month to purchase any audiobook you want, and you keep it even if you cancel your membership. For casual listeners, sticking with the Prime Reading perk or purchasing individual titles might be sufficient.

So, while Amazon Prime doesn’t directly offer a dedicated audiobook library, it does provide a clever backdoor to free listens. By pairing your Prime Reading access with Audible narrations, you can still enjoy a good story told aloud as part of the membership you already have.

You’re scrolling through Amazon, and you’ve found the perfect item at a great price. But then you think, “I could get this from Walmart and have it today.” It’s a common dilemma in modern shopping. This leads to a very important question: will Walmart match that lower price you see on Amazon?

The short and direct answer is that Walmart does not have a formal, nationwide price matching policy for Amazon or any other online competitors. Several years ago, they phased out their general ad match program. However, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. Walmart has developed its own strategies to compete, giving you other ways to save.

How Walmart Competes with Amazon’s Prices

Instead of matching prices at the register, Walmart focuses on being competitive from the start. The company has a dedicated team and automated systems that constantly monitor prices on items sold by Walmart.com and shipped by Amazon. When they identify a lower price, they often adjust their own online price to match or beat it. This means the sale price is already available to everyone, with no need to show proof or ask for a match.

Your Best Bet for Getting the Lowest Price

Since you can’t rely on an in-store price match, your strategy should shift. Always check the price on the Walmart app or website for the exact item you want. Often, you’ll find the price is already very similar to Amazon’s. Look for tags that say “Rollback” or “Special Buy” for temporary discounts. For online orders, also keep an eye out for a “Price When Checked Out” note, which guarantees that the price you see now is the one you’ll pay, even if it goes up before your order ships.

A Clever Alternative: The Walmart+ Subscription

If you’re a frequent shopper, a Walmart+ membership can be a great value. For a yearly fee, you get free shipping with no minimum order, much like Amazon Prime. This can instantly make a slightly higher price at Walmart a better deal if you were going to pay for shipping elsewhere. Members also get perks like free grocery delivery and fuel discounts, adding to the overall value.

While you can’t walk into a Walmart and ask them to honor an Amazon price, the competitive landscape works in your favor. By checking Walmart’s online prices directly and considering the benefits of memberships like Walmart+, you can still make an informed decision and often get a fantastic deal without the wait.

You’ve received an American Express gift card, and your mind immediately jumps to the endless aisles of Amazon. It’s a natural thought! Before you start filling your cart with everything from books to blenders, it’s important to know if these two financial giants play nicely together. The short answer is yes, but there’s a specific way to make it happen.

Amazon does not allow you to directly enter an American Express gift card number at the standard checkout page as a payment method. This is because the system treats it like a credit card, and prepaid cards need to be processed differently. Don’t worry, though—you have a simple and effective workaround.

The Simple Workaround for Using Your Amex Gift Card

The easiest way to use your American Express gift card on Amazon is to treat it like a regular Amex card and add it to your Amazon Wallet. Go to ‘Your Account,’ then ‘Your Payments.’ Click on ‘Add a payment method’ and enter the gift card number, expiration date, and the 4-digit security code just as you would with a credit card. Amazon will verify the funds and add it to your list of available payment options.

Tips for a Smooth Checkout Experience

Since your Amex gift card has a fixed balance, a little planning goes a long way. First, know your exact balance by checking it online at the Amex gift card website or by calling the number on the back of the card. When you’re ready to check out on Amazon, ensure your cart total is less than or equal to the gift card’s balance. If your order costs more, you’ll need to use a second payment method to cover the difference.

What to Do If Your Card Gets Declined

It can be frustrating if your card is declined. The most common reason is that you’re trying to make a purchase that exceeds the available balance. Remember to account for any pending holds or shipping costs. Another possibility is that the billing address you entered for the card on Amazon doesn’t match the one you used when you registered the gift card online, which is a recommended step for security.

Using your American Express gift card on Amazon is a straightforward process once you know the secret. By adding it to your wallet and keeping a close eye on the balance, you can easily put your gift funds toward millions of items. It’s a convenient way to shop for exactly what you want.

If you’ve ever ordered a book online, you’ve likely used either Amazon or Barnes & Noble. These two giants are often mentioned in the same breath when discussing booksellers, leading many to wonder about their corporate relationship. It’s a common question that pops up, especially as we see more and more companies merging or being acquired by larger rivals. So, let’s clear the air right away.

The straightforward answer is no, Amazon does not own Barnes & Noble. They are, in fact, direct competitors in the bookselling market and have been for decades. While they both sell books, their business journeys and current structures are quite different. Understanding this distinction helps paint a clearer picture of the modern retail landscape.

The Separate Paths of Two Book Giants

Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, started as an online bookstore but rapidly expanded into the everything store we know today. It’s a massive publicly traded technology company. Barnes & Noble, on the other hand, has a much longer history, tracing its roots back to 1886. It is best known for its large physical retail stores and its Nook e-reader. Today, Barnes & Noble is a separate, independent company owned by the private equity firm Elliott Investment Management.

Where the Confusion Might Come From

It’s easy to see why someone might think there’s a connection. Amazon’s dominance in online retail can make it seem like it owns everything. Furthermore, both companies have their own lines of e-readers—the Kindle and the Nook—which places them in direct competition for your digital reading time. This head-to-head rivalry in multiple areas can sometimes blur the lines, making it appear as if they are part of the same corporate family when they are not.

The Current State of the Book Market

While they are separate entities, their competition has shaped how we buy and read books. Amazon revolutionized online shopping and self-publishing, while Barnes & Noble has worked to maintain the experience of browsing in a physical bookstore. In recent years, Barnes & Noble has seen a resurgence by focusing on what makes its stores special: community events, knowledgeable staff, and a curated selection of books and gifts.

So, the next time you’re deciding between clicking “add to cart” online or visiting your local mall, you can be sure you’re choosing between two distinct companies. They may be rivals, but they continue to coexist, offering different ways for us to find our next great read.

If you’re looking to simplify your life and order more of your daily essentials online, you might be wondering about buying contact lenses. After all, Amazon sells nearly everything, so it’s a natural question to ask. The good news is, yes, you can absolutely find contact lenses on Amazon. It has become a convenient hub for many major brands, often at competitive prices.

However, buying vision correction products online comes with a few important considerations. It’s not quite as simple as adding a book to your cart. A little knowledge before you shop can ensure you get the right product for your eyes safely and efficiently.

How to Shop for Contacts on Amazon Safely

The most critical step is having a current prescription. Just like at an optometrist’s office, you will need to provide your prescription details. Amazon works with verified eye care professionals to confirm your prescription information, so have your brand, power (sphere, cylinder, axis if applicable), and base curve on hand. This process is in place to protect your eye health.

What Brands and Types You Can Find

You’ll discover a wide array of options on Amazon. Major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, and Dailies are readily available. Whether you need daily, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses, and even some toric lenses for astigmatism, the selection is robust. You can often buy in bulk, which can lead to significant savings over time.

Checking for Authenticity and Seller Reputation

When buying any health product online, it’s wise to be cautious. Always check that you are purchasing from a reputable seller. On Amazon, look for items that are “Shipped from and sold by Amazon.com” or sold by the brand’s official store. This is your best guarantee that the products are authentic and have been stored correctly. Reading recent customer reviews can also provide valuable insight.

Weighing the Convenience and Cost

One of the biggest benefits of using Amazon is convenience. With fast shipping, easy reordering, and often lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, it’s a compelling option. Be sure to compare the total cost, including any shipping fees, with your current provider to see if it makes financial sense for you.

In short, Amazon is a legitimate and convenient platform for purchasing your contact lenses, provided you have a valid prescription and shop carefully from trusted sellers. It combines the ease of online shopping with the necessity of vision correction, making it a great resource for many.

If you’re driving for Amazon Flex, you’re your own boss. That freedom is fantastic, but it comes with a big question about tax time. You’ve probably noticed that your earnings look different from a traditional paycheck, and you’re wondering where the tax withholding went.

The short answer is that Amazon Flex does not take taxes out of your payments. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for managing your own tax obligations. This means you need to plan ahead to avoid a surprise bill when you file your annual return.

Why You’re an Independent Contractor for Tax Purposes

When you work a regular job, your employer withholds income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from each paycheck. With Amazon Flex, you are not an employee. You’re a business owner in the eyes of the IRS, and Amazon is your client. This is why taxes aren’t automatically deducted. You receive the full amount of your block earnings, and it’s up to you to set aside money for the taxman.

Your New Tax Responsibilities as a Driver

Since taxes aren’t withheld, you’re responsible for paying what’s often called the self-employment tax. This covers both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare. On top of that, you’ll need to pay your regular federal and state income taxes on your Flex earnings. The key is to track your net income—what’s left after your business expenses—as that is what you’ll be taxed on.

Smart Ways to Prepare for Tax Season

Don’t let tax day sneak up on you. A great habit is to set aside a portion of each payment, perhaps 25-30%, in a separate savings account specifically for taxes. More importantly, you must keep meticulous records of your driving-related expenses. This includes mileage (using the IRS standard rate), your phone bill, car maintenance, and even part of your phone bill. These expenses lower your taxable income, which can significantly reduce your tax bill.

Considering Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments

If you expect to owe more than $1,000 in taxes for the year, the IRS requires you to make quarterly estimated tax payments. This means you pay your taxes in four installments throughout the year instead of one lump sum in April. It’s a way to stay current and avoid potential underpayment penalties.

While handling your own taxes requires more effort, being proactive makes it manageable. By setting aside money and tracking every deductible expense, you can navigate tax season with confidence and keep more of your hard-earned money.

As the year winds down, you might see friends sharing colorful graphics from their favorite music streaming services, showcasing their most-played songs and artists. If Amazon Music is your go-to app for listening, you might be wondering if you get to join in on the fun. Does Amazon Music have its own version of the popular “Wrapped” recap?

The short answer is yes, but it goes by a different name. Amazon Music creates an annual music review feature for its subscribers, offering a personalized look back at your listening habits over the past year.

What Amazon Music Calls Its Year-End Recap

Instead of “Wrapped,” Amazon Music’s feature is called My 2023 Replay. The name changes slightly each year to reflect the current year. This is your personalized hub for seeing which songs, artists, and genres you played the most. It’s designed to be a fun and nostalgic way to revisit the soundtrack of your year.

How to Find Your Amazon Music Replay

Accessing your recap is straightforward. You can typically find it directly within the Amazon Music app by searching for “My Replay” or by visiting the dedicated Replay website on your computer or phone browser. Once you log in with your Amazon account, it will generate your unique stats and playlists. Many people find it easiest to just search for “Amazon Music Replay” in their web browser.

What Your Replay Includes

Your personalized Replay experience breaks down your listening history in several engaging ways. You can see your top songs, top artists, and total minutes listened. A great feature is that it often compiles your top songs into a dedicated playlist that you can save and listen to anytime, creating a perfect time capsule of your year in music.

When to Look For Your Recap

While the major year-end push happens in December, a nice benefit of Amazon Music Replay is that it’s often updated throughout the year. You can sometimes check your stats seasonally to see how your musical tastes are evolving, not just when the calendar flips to a new year.

So, if you’re an Amazon Music user, you can definitely participate in the annual tradition of sharing your musical journey. Just look for “My Replay” and get ready to see your listening habits summarized in a fun, shareable way.

You’re scrolling through Amazon, trying to decide on a new gadget or book, and you find yourself relying heavily on customer reviews. It’s a common habit, and it makes you wonder about the people behind those star ratings. A question might pop into your head: does Amazon actually pay people to write these reviews?

It’s a fair question, especially when you see so many detailed posts with photos and videos. The short and direct answer is no, Amazon does not pay customers for their standard product reviews. The company’s policy strictly prohibits any form of compensation in exchange for a review, as it aims to keep feedback authentic and unbiased.

What is the Amazon Vine Program?

While Amazon doesn’t pay for everyday reviews, there is a special, invitation-only program called Amazon Vine. This program selects trusted reviewers to receive free products from participating sellers. The goal is to generate early, honest reviews for new or pre-release items. Vine Voices, as they are called, are not paid for their opinions. They get to keep the product but are explicitly instructed that they cannot be influenced by the fact they received it for free. Their reviews are marked with a “Vine Customer Review of Free Product” badge for transparency.

The Serious Problem of Fake Reviews

Outside of the official Vine program, there is a bustling underground market for fake reviews. Some third-party sellers may try to game the system by offering money, discounts, or free products in exchange for positive ratings. This is a direct violation of Amazon’s policies. The company invests heavily in machine learning and human investigators to detect and remove these incentivized reviews, and they take action against sellers and reviewers who break the rules.

How to Spot an Authentic Review

Since you can’t always trust every five-star rating, it helps to be a savvy shopper. Look for reviews that are Verified Purchases, meaning Amazon has confirmed the reviewer bought the item. Pay close attention to mid-range ratings, like three stars; they often provide the most balanced and useful pros and cons. Be wary of reviews that use overly promotional language or a large number of generic, five-star ratings posted in a short period.

So, while you won’t get a paycheck from Amazon for sharing your thoughts, your honest review is incredibly valuable. It helps millions of other shoppers make informed decisions and holds sellers accountable for the quality of their products. Your unbiased voice is what keeps the system working for everyone.

You’ve found the perfect part for your car on Amazon at a great price, but you need it today. As you stand in the AutoZone aisle, you wonder if they’ll match that online deal. It’s a common question for savvy shoppers looking to combine convenience with cost savings.

Knowing a store’s price match policy can save you both time and money. Let’s clear up the confusion and get you the information you need to make your next auto parts purchase with confidence.

AutoZone’s Official Price Match Policy

When it comes to matching Amazon’s prices, the answer is generally no. AutoZone’s official policy does not include matching online retailers like Amazon. Their policy is typically focused on matching local, brick-and-mortar competitors. This means the store across the street is their main concern, not the vast digital marketplace.

Why AutoZone Doesn’t Match Online Prices

There are a few practical reasons for this. Online prices can fluctuate wildly and may be from third-party sellers, not Amazon directly, which makes verification difficult. By focusing on local competitors, AutoZone ensures they are comparing the same product, from an authorized seller, in the same immediate market. This helps them keep their policy fair and manageable for their store staff.

Smart Alternatives for Saving at AutoZone

Just because they don’t match Amazon doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. AutoZone often has its own promotions and discounts. It’s always a good idea to check their website for current sales or online-only coupons you can show at the register. You can also ask a store associate if there are any upcoming sales on the item you need. Sometimes, a little patience can lead to significant savings.

Making Your Final Decision

Your choice ultimately comes down to a balance of speed and cost. If you need the part immediately, paying AutoZone’s price for the convenience and instant gratification might be worth it. If you can wait a day or two, ordering from Amazon could be the more budget-friendly option. Weigh the urgency of your repair against the potential savings.

While you can’t walk into AutoZone and get them to match an Amazon price, being an informed shopper helps you navigate your options. Checking for in-store promotions and weighing the value of instant availability will ensure you make the best decision for your car and your wallet.

If you’re an avid online shopper, you’ve likely found yourself with a healthy balance in your PayPal account and a cart full of goodies on Amazon. It’s a natural question to ask: can you use your PayPal funds to pay for your Amazon order? The direct answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

The Direct Answer: Amazon and PayPal

As of now, you cannot directly use your PayPal account as a payment method at the Amazon checkout. When you go to pay, you’ll see options for credit or debit cards, Amazon gift cards, and even their own Amazon Pay service, but PayPal is not listed. This is primarily because Amazon has developed its own competing payment system.

A Clever Workaround for Using PayPal

While you can’t select PayPal from the payment menu, there is a very effective and official way to use your PayPal balance. The solution is to purchase an Amazon gift card using your PayPal funds. You can do this on sites like the official PayPal Digital Gifts store or other reputable online retailers that accept PayPal. Once you buy the digital gift card, the code is emailed to you almost instantly. You then simply apply that code to your Amazon account balance and use it to shop for anything on the site.

Why This Workaround is Actually Helpful

Using this method offers a couple of nice benefits. First, it gives you a way to spend the money you specifically have in your PayPal account. Second, it can help with budgeting. By loading a specific amount onto your Amazon balance, you can avoid impulse spending beyond that set limit. It’s a simple process that effectively bridges the gap between these two financial giants.

Other Payment Options on Amazon

Since PayPal isn’t a direct option, it’s good to know what Amazon does accept. Your main choices are all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). They also offer their own store card and line of credit, and you can always use checking account routing numbers for some purchases. For those who prefer a pay-as-you-go method, using gift cards is a perfect solution.

So, while you won’t see the PayPal button at checkout, a quick stop to buy a digital gift card is all it takes to turn your PayPal balance into Amazon shopping power. It’s an easy extra step that gets the job done.