Driver pumps gas into car

Things that have actually become cheaper because of the COVID-19 pandemic

John Matarese  |  August 24, 2020

We’re all familiar with all the items that are costing us more this year, from steak to milk to disinfecting wipes, if you can find any. But it turns out the pandemic is driving some prices lower. A few weeks…

Busiest Day for U.S. Postal Service

What you can do about mail delays

John Matarese  |  August 24, 2020

As Congress debates U.S. Postal Service funding and whether it deserves more money, postal customers everywhere are dealing with more and more delivery delays amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business owner Laurel Salaman checks her mailbox every morning, but has…

Phillip Hughes Funeral

What you need to know before you prepay for a funeral

John Matarese  |  August 16, 2020

If you have relatives who are getting older, they may be considering pre-paying for their funeral to make things easier for their survivors when they pass. Funeral directors will tell you prepaying for your funeral is a great way to…

Whirlpool To Close Plants, Cut 3000 Jobs

Laundromats and car washes are running out of quarters

John Matarese  |  August 15, 2020

What started as an inconvenience a few weeks ago is now becoming a serious problem for some businesses: a shortage of coins. It’s hitting laundromats, car washes and other coin-based businesses especially hard. Thinking of washing the car? If it’s…

Black Friday Shopping Begins On Thanksgiving Evening

Has COVID-19 killed Black Friday?

John Matarese  |  August 9, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so many aspects of American life in 2020. The latest: Holiday shopping. Frenzied Thanksgiving-night Black Friday sales, a 20-year tradition, appear to be over, at least for 2020. Stores cannot risk large crowds with the…

Why some people are receiving mysterious masks in the mail

John Matarese  |  August 8, 2020

First came reports of unwanted seeds arriving in the mail from China. Now, people are reporting that they’ve received packages containing a face mask that they did not order or want. Angela Osborne opened her mailbox the other day and…

People are being scammed out of thousands of dollars using money transfer apps

John Matarese  |  August 3, 2020

Don’t want to deal with paper money and coins due to the risk of catching COVID-19? Money transfer apps like Cash, Zelle or Venmo may sound ideal, as you don’t have to handle paper cash. But scammers are preying on…

Coke Announces Its Raising Soda Prices Due To Rising Costs

Why some Coca-Cola products are hard to find right now

John Matarese  |  August 2, 2020

Coca-Cola is the No. 1 selling soft drink in America. But just as with so many other items during the pandemic, some versions of Coke are getting very difficult to find. Twitter is filled with complaints from people who can’t…

The best and worst summer activities for the pandemic

DWYM Staff  |  July 26, 2020

With cases of COVID-19 surging again in some areas, many people are reconsidering their outside activities. And as Americans head out to summer outings and vacations, experts say it’s important to know which activities leave people the most — and…

Back-to-school will look very different this year

DWYM Staff  |  July 25, 2020

We’re now entering peak back-to-school shopping season, but this is turning out to be a school shopping season like none ever before. In the year of the pandemic, many parents are holding off, unsure their children will even set foot…

Why some stores are running out of change

DWYM Staff  |  July 24, 2020

The next time you go to a convenience store or fast-food restaurant, you might want to bring exact change. A nationwide coin shortage has grocery and convenience stores, as well as fast food restaurants, running out of coins. We all…

Backyard pools are hard to find during the coronavirus pandemic

John Matarese  |  July 19, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has left so many things in short supply this year, and each month brings a new shortage — from Lysol wipes to chicken breasts and even bicycles. The latest? Backyard pools. Meghan and Nick Newton are dreaming…

N708FR Frontier Airlines 2016 Airbus A321-211 - cn 7042 "Joe Bob the Badger"

Frontier Airlines’ COVID-19 flight vouchers already expiring

John Matarese  |  July 18, 2020

If you had to cancel a flight earlier this year, chances are you have a voucher that you need to use in the next year or two. But check it carefully. Some customers of Frontier, a popular discount airline, are…

The IRS is open again, but millions of people still don’t have their tax refunds

John Matarese  |  July 18, 2020

Good news and bad news from the IRS this July. The good: the agency reopened for business as of July 13, which means it is now taking phone calls and processing tax filings as quickly as possible. The bad: during…

Things you can’t find on store shelves because of the coronavirus pandemic

John Matarese  |  July 12, 2020

For a few months, finding disinfecting wipes, toilet paper or hand sanitizer was like striking gold because stores were sold out. But as toilet paper returns to shelves, many other items are missing. In many cases, they are less popular…

These are the best and worst face masks to protect from COVID-19

John Matarese  |  July 11, 2020

We may not love wearing them, but Americans are masking up more and more. An increasing number of states, businesses and cities are requiring face masks to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. But are you getting the proper…

Virus Outbreak California

Beware these boat and camper scams during pandemic

John Matarese  |  June 27, 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are looking for ways to avoid crowds. So buying a boat or camper might sound like a great option to keep your family safe on vacation — as long as you avoid getting scammed.…

Virus Outbreak Latin America Restaurants

Prepare to pay high prices for meat ahead of Fourth of July

John Matarese  |  June 26, 2020

Are you looking for some steaks to throw on the grill this weekend or on the Fourth of July? You may want to bring extra money — the pandemic is sending meat prices up sharply this month. High prices are…

Best Men's Soccer Cleats

Parents are having a hard time getting refunds for kids’ spring sports leagues

John Matarese  |  June 21, 2020

Thousands of youth sporting events were canceled this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s tough enough that kids are missing a whole season of baseball or soccer. But now, soccer moms and dads everywhere are growing frustrated. Many paid…

10 items that are still hard to come by because of COVID-19 pandemic

John Matarese  |  June 13, 2020

Just when stores started filling their toilet paper shelves again, other items are suddenly in short supply. Most of them have nothing to do with cleaning. You’ll recall that first, it was hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes that became impossible…

Amazon Prepares For Black Friday Sale

Amazon Prime members are complaining about delays during the pandemic

John Matarese  |  June 13, 2020

The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.If you…

Streaming TV HBO Max

Is HBO Max worth the $14.99 cost per month?

John Matarese  |  June 3, 2020

If you are someone who doesn’t get enough shows from Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV Plus and Hulu, now you have another option for TV programming. The already crowded streaming wars have a new challenger: HBO Max, which costs…

Stores that won’t be reopening after the pandemic

John Matarese  |  June 1, 2020

After a two-month COVID-19 lockdown, stores all across the country are starting to reopen. But local malls may never look the same, because some stores that closed may never come back. Kelly Stevens runs an independent toy store. She plans…

The IRS wants people to return stimulus funds accidentally sent to dead people

John Matarese  |  May 24, 2020

Bruce Bachlor is coping with a lot these days after his beloved wife recently died from an illness. With money tight, Bachlor was looking forward to receiving a $1,200 stimulus check. “I was expecting a stimulus check to help with…

Virus Outbreak Pennsylvania

What you need to know about the meat shortage

John Matarese  |  May 23, 2020

First, it was hand sanitizer. Then toilet paper and cleaning products. Now, some of the biggest staples of American dinner tables — beef, pork and chicken — are suddenly in short supply. Shoppers say they have found meat coolers more…

Virus Outbreak Payments to the Dead

Stuck in limbo: Why some young adults and students aren’t getting stimulus checks

John Matarese  |  May 17, 2020

By now, nearly 100 million Americans have received or will soon get a stimulus check. But millions of other people who desperately need money will not be able to participate in this part of the rebound. Daniel Barnes is among…

Best Vitamins

Don’t be scammed into buying fake ‘coronavirus treatments’

John Matarese  |  May 16, 2020

While standing in long lines at grocery stores in recent weeks, shoppers may have seen the National Enquirer headline shouting, “Coronavirus Cures Finally Found!” If that’s true, why is everyone fighting over toilet paper and staying home? The reality is…

Toilet paper shortage coronavirus panic buying man hoarding carrying many rolls at home in fear of corona virus outbreak closing shopping stores.

How to avoid being duped into buying fake Charmin toilet paper

John Matarese  |  May 8, 2020

If you are struggling to find hand sanitizer, face masks or toilet paper, ads on Facebook and Instagram can be very tempting during the COVID-19 pandemic. But one man has a cautionary tale. Ben Hart thought it was his lucky…

Congress Ticket Prices

Here’s what you need to know about getting Ticketmaster concert refunds

John Matarese  |  May 8, 2020

People everywhere are looking at tickets for upcoming concerts and wondering if their favorite artist’s scheduled show will actually happen. Some tours have been canceled outright. Others have postponed to a fall date. Many music fans, looking at the hundreds…

What to do if you can’t pay your bills because of the coronavirus pandemic

John Matarese  |  May 6, 2020

For many of us, rent, mortgage, car payment and other bills are coming due again. But what about those who are out of work amid the coronavirus pandemic and can’t pay those bills? Many families have yet to receive their…

What you need to know about getting a refund from VRBO

John Matarese  |  May 4, 2020

Millions of Americans are now canceling their spring and summer travel plans. Most are getting refunds. But if you booked through Vrbo — Vacation Rentals By Owner — it’s complicated. Kathy Saalfeld is one such frustrated renter. She spends her…

How to clean your workstation to kill germs

John Matarese  |  April 26, 2020

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, doctors advised everyone to wash their hands more and try not to touch things that other people have touched. But workspaces — even home workspaces — can pose a problem. Any desk can be full of…

What to know about getting a haircut or color during the pandemic

John Matarese  |  April 24, 2020

Need a haircut soon? Or maybe your roots are getting dark and not looking great on all those Zoom chats? Weeks into a mandatory salon shutdown in most states, some clients are wondering if they can get a cut and…

You might notice higher prices for beef and pork during your next grocery run

John Matarese  |  April 24, 2020

Grocery store supplies remain tight, with items from Tylenol to chicken in short supply. And it appears beef and pork could soon be added to the list. But at the same time we are finding less on the shelves, prices…

How to check the status of your stimulus check

John Matarese  |  April 24, 2020

Still waiting for your stimulus check? If you you haven’t found the funds waiting in your bank account, you could be waiting a while for that $1,200 in stimulus money. Individuals without direct deposit of their tax refunds will have…

Virus Outbreak Illinois

Beware these coronavirus face mask scams

John Matarese  |  April 17, 2020

You know how tough it is to find masks and other protective gear for sale. Stores have been sold out for months. Then why is it every time you get on your phone, ads for respirator masks and hand sanitizer…

Parents are furious that they can’t get full refunds for student trips

John Matarese  |  April 10, 2020

Sarah Hignite and her high school-aged daughter had been looking forward to a school trip to Europe. “My daughter and I had signed up with her high school, her art history class to go to Spain,” she said. The 10-day…

Virus Outbreak Maryland

Small business owners plead for more help during coronavirus shutdown

John Matarese  |  April 3, 2020

If you work for a small business or own one, these are trying times. Companies don’t want to lay off trusted workers, but many are running out of cash and say loans really aren’t enough right now. One example: an…

Kroger is hiring 10,000 workers amid the coronavirus pandemic

John Matarese  |  March 20, 2020

Kroger is making changes in its stores, effective immediately, to help shoppers get the basics they need and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Kroger spokesperson Erin Rolfes said the biggest change shoppers will see is the closing of all…

Homeowners are rushing to take advantage of lower interest rates

John Matarese  |  March 13, 2020

Tom and Alex Moonitz are a young couple getting ready for a new baby in their lives, so they perked up when their mortgage broker called them about the possibility of refinancing their home. “Being able to save any kind…

What to know about canceling your travel plans because of coronavirus

John Matarese  |  March 12, 2020

Amanda Stewart was planning a big Disney World trip for her family this spring, booking flights for her family on Southwest Airlines. But in recent days, this nervous mom decided she’d rather stay home for now. “With coronavirus popping up…

Drugstores are begging shoppers to stop hoarding hand sanitizer

John Matarese  |  March 9, 2020

First, it was face masks that disappeared after a run on stores by nervous consumers. Now it’s hand sanitizer and any type of disinfecting wipes, leaving pharmacists begging people to stop hoarding. Pharmacist Troy Stinson says his store Mullaney’s Pharmacy…

Ransomware is back, attacking computers during the coronavirus pandemic

John Matarese  |  March 6, 2020

With coronavirus spreading and shoppers clearing out store shelves, it seemed we had enough to worry about. Nope, because computer ransomware is making a comeback. Charlene Stone was working on her home computer when a “support alert” took over her…

A Target clerk saved a shopper from falling victim to a $1,000 grandparent scam

John Matarese  |  February 6, 2020

Many times these days we hear about seniors who have fallen victim to phone scams, losing thousands of dollars that they can never recover. But thanks to a quick-thinking Cincinnati-area shopper, and a Target store clerk, one older woman has…

Watch out for this Amazon delivery notice scam

John Matarese  |  December 17, 2019

The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.Many people…

Things you should buy used to save hundreds of dollars

DWYM Staff  |  December 11, 2019

We all love new stuff, especially around the holidays. But buying new can be costly. So when it comes to buying for yourself, we have a list of things you should consider buying used instead. A recent report from CNBC…

The hidden downsides of winning a home

John Matarese  |  August 27, 2019

Wouldn’t it be great to win a house? It’s a lot like winning the lottery, but in most cases, you have much better odds, such as 10,000 to one instead of 10 million to one. Unfortunately, if you don’t know…

Why you should never wait to open a TV or appliance

John Matarese  |  August 23, 2019

Valerie Merritt was looking forward to putting up a big new 4K TV in her living room, until her handyman tried to hang it up. “He was putting up the bracket,” she said, “and then he opened the box.” The…

Best Autobiography Movie

Read this before you send your old family movies to a conversion company

John Matarese  |  August 21, 2019

Do you have a bunch of VHS tapes of family memories? A baby’s first steps, graduations or one of grandma’s big birthdays? Then you need to know what happened to one woman when she mailed in some of her priceless…

What you need to know about being denied medical care for unpaid bills

John Matarese  |  August 14, 2019

A mom says she took her daughter to a walk-in clinic, but was denied treatment simply because a past bill had not been paid. Are medical facilities allowed to do that? What we learned may surprise you. Takes daughter with…

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