Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Send Packages for Less

By Selena Maranjian – Updated Nov 15, 2016 at 5:32PM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Little tips can save big money.

If you've got a box of doodads that has to get to Kalamazoo in a day or two, what are you going to do? You know you have options, such as the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS), FedEx (NYSE:FDX), and DHL. But which one will get the package there for the fewest greenbacks?

To answer this question, you used to have to spend a lot of time checking with each carrier. (More likely, you just picked one, crossed your fingers, and hoped for the best.) Times have changed, though. Now you can go to RedRoller.com, where you can quickly get price quotes for DHL, FedEx, USPS, and some smaller shipping companies. All you need to do is enter the destination's ZIP code and the package's type and weight. Unfortunately, quotes from UPS won't be included. That's because UPS prefers to include itself in its own quote provider, Iship.com, which also includes USPS. So two quick trips to these sites should give you your best choice.

It's little tips like these that can add up to a lot more money in your pocket. If you're interested in more money-saving tips, check out fellow Fool Elizabeth Brokamp's recent article "50 Simple Tips for Big Savings."

For more straight talk about money and money-saving tips, check out our personal finance newsletter, GreenLight. You can try it for free for a whole month, accessing all past issues, and there's no obligation. Recent issues have tackled topics such as:

  • Websites where you can hunt for bargain prices for electronics, food, entertainment, and more, including where to find coupons and rebates for many popular shopping sites.

  • Deals, steals, and scams, featuring tips on how to avoid being ripped off and how to take advantage of some special offers. (Trade stocks for just $4, swap your airline miles, employ tricks with Ticketmaster, find credit cards that offer big rewards, and learn why mortgage life insurance isn't a great idea.)

  • The newsletter even discusses various investment ideas, such as the Motley Fool Champion Funds pick MuhlenkampFund (FUND:MUHLX), iSharesLehman Aggregate Bond (AMEX:AGG), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). (Don't buy any of these without learning more about them, though. The newsletter mentions and describes them with some context.)

Johnson & Johnson and UPS are Motley Fool Income Investor recommendations. FedEx is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick.

Longtime Fool contributor Selena Maranjian owns shares of Johnson & Johnson and the Muhlenkamp Fund. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

None

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

United Parcel Service, Inc. Stock Quote
United Parcel Service, Inc.
UPS
$161.75 (-1.57%) $-2.58
FedEx Corporation Stock Quote
FedEx Corporation
FDX
$142.90 (-4.31%) $-6.43
Johnson & Johnson Stock Quote
Johnson & Johnson
JNJ
$165.70 (-0.61%) $-1.02
iShares Trust - iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Quote
iShares Trust - iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
AGG
$95.95 (-1.29%) $-1.25

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
329%
 
S&P 500 Returns
106%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/26/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.