After a long pandemic pause from the gym, this might be the summer to get back into it. Many gyms and fitness studios are offering great deals during the hot weather. But some things have changed, and you need to know what to expect. Jeff Bovard showed us all the equipment that awaits if people …
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Being a party host these days is expensive. Despite inflation leveling off this year, if you’re throwing a Fourth of July bash, you may want to know about a few simple swaps that could help you save money. JP Homan is the beef purchasing manager at Lehr’s Prime Meats, a very busy shop on the …
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Many workers these days are using their own cars to make extra money by driving passengers around or delivering food. But have you checked with your auto insurance company? Some gig drivers find out the hard way, after an accident or other incident, that their car is not covered while working. Rosie Achenbach and her …
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Anyone close to tying the knot knows that endless details go into a wedding, and none are more important than the budget. That’s especially important now that the cost of the average wedding in 2023 is nearly $30,000. But savvy brides and grooms are finding ways to cut those costs and stay within their budget. …
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Imagine losing your wallet, your credit cards and your checkbook — all at the same time. It turns out that more and more people are losing access to their money after their bank froze their accounts. Levi Yisrael is a home rehabber who does a lot of banking to keep his business running. So imagine …
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One of the big travel fears is losing a piece of luggage on the way to their destination. As a result, many people these days are using small trackers, like the Apple Air Tag, to keep a watchful eye on their luggage. But do they help? And are they safe? Summer Hull with The Points …
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Have you noticed your water and sewer bills getting higher and higher lately? People in some areas are seeing double-digit increases, and are looking for any ways they can lower those bills. William Turner watches every drop of water he uses these days. That’s because, he says, “we got a letter back in March warning …
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Hundreds of products and services claim to keep mosquitoes away from your home. But what actually works? While some simple solutions, like sprays and candles, may have some effect, if the problem is bad, you may want to turn to a professional like Debbie Meyer. She offers hope to desperate homeowners like Luke Stokebrand. “We …
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Hot weather, summer sports and grilling out are all signs of summer. Unfortunately, they are also things that put more stress on our appliances. Luckily, you can do some simple things to keep your appliances from breaking down during the hottest days of the year. Reese Dorsey manages an appliance shop, The Appliance Loft. He …
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If you suspect there’s something wrong with your car, you typically take it to the shop and get a quote for a repair. If you’re lucky, your car will be fixed and soon you’ll be on your way again. But what if the final bill is much more than the initial estimate? That’s what happened …
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Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is the most talked-about tour in the country this year, but even those who think they have tickets find it’s not always a done deal. Ticket buyers should be aware of reports of re-sellers backing out of online ticket sales, leaving some buyers empty-handed. A mom and her little girl are …
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If you weren’t sure, Father’s Day is coming up fast: Sunday, June 18. But if you are stumped on what to get Dad this year and don’t want to buy a boring shirt, you may want to check out your local hardware store to find some great ideas. Nate Templeton manages an Ace Hardware store, …
It’s safe to say that most drivers will deal with a recall at some point. While the repair is free, it is often frustrating to leave your car for a day and maybe (or maybe not) get a loaner car. But if you want to avoid the hassle, there are specific brands and vehicles with …
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As busy as the summer travel season is expected to be this year, delays and cancellations will be inevitable, especially when uncontrollables like summer thunderstorms roll in. But a few simple steps could get you to your destination faster if you arrive at the airport prepared. Riley Laipple is a frequent traveler who’s had her …
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This year is expected to be the busiest summer travel season since before the pandemic, which could mean long lines, especially at airport security. As a result, more and more travelers are considering signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, two programs that can help speed you through airport check-in. Riann Beckham is a frequent …
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It’s not just cars going electric at a blinding pace. More and more lawnmowers, trimmers and leaf blowers are switching to electric power, making it the hottest trend in lawn care. Dirk Marder has owned Pleasant Valley Outdoor Power, an outdoor power equipment store ,for two decades. He has never seen a trend like this …
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Worried about your cat or dog wandering off and getting lost? Worry no more. You might have seen small devices on the market that help you track your keys, luggage or wallet. Now you can do the same thing with your pet. John Worman and his dog, Hank, are going camping and Worman doesn’t want …
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If you need something for yourself or your home, you likely already know how tough it has been to find significant savings recently during what has been termed a “deal drought.” But that is finally changing with Memorial Day just around the corner. Mark Schlotterbeck manages an outdoor furniture store, the midwestern chain Watson’s. He …
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If you think you have a good grasp of what a phishing email looks like or what a scam call sounds like, don’t be so sure. Technology is making mimicking what a person sounds like much easier. As a result, the so-called “grandparent scam” is getting more sophisticated with help from AI, or artificial intelligence. …
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If you’re still deciding what to give Mom for Mother’s Day, consider giving her a moment to relax, whether it be inside or outside the home. It could be a spa day with a massage or a trip to the salon for a manicure and pedicure. The good news is that it doesn’t have to …
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Flowers are among the most popular gifts for moms on Mother’s Day, if not the most popular gift. Each year, though, they seem to get more expensive. But there are ways to save, without looking cheap. Over the coming days, millions of other shoppers will buy everything from flower bouquets to hanging baskets to more …
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If you’re apartment hunting these days, you’ll likely pay apartment application fees. While those fees used to be $20 to $50, some renters are now being asked to pay hundreds of dollars without guaranteeing they will get the apartment. McKenzie and Erick Willett have finally found a new apartment. But they are bitter after losing …
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If it’s time you want to save, then grocery delivery could be right for you. No more wandering the aisles for an hour, then waiting in line for checkout. Just order on your phone, and everything shows up at your front door a few hours later. But there can be drawbacks to having your groceries …
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We hear a lot of advice for new buyers entering the housing market. But first-time sellers are just as likely to make costly mistakes that can trim thousands of dollars off your selling price. Victoria and Charles Bruffey are downsizing, and preparing their home for a sale this spring. They keep hearing this is a …
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Renting a quality home or apartment these days is not cheap, especially if you like to live near a city. Rents went up sharply in the past two years in most areas. Now, one new model is giving people access to affordable living spaces — if you are willing to bounce from place to place. …
As you’re doing some spring cleaning, you may stumble upon an outdated laptop at the bottom of the closet or some old phones stashed in a junk drawer. But instead of tossing them in the trash, there are much better options for those old devices — and some could even get you some money. Friends …
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It’s something many drivers never think about until it’s stolen: the catalytic converter on their cars. But it contains precious metals that are getting more and more expensive. Thieves are getting big paydays by stealing them. A new report shows thieves might target specific vehicles and lists which are targeted the most. Larry Groves is …
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Whether you’re attending a sporting event, like a baseball game, or a concert, there are countless ways to find tickets online. But with all those options, you must be especially careful to avoid a ticketing scam. Karen Meyer plans to take her family to a baseball game this summer. But she knows too many people …
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If you have yet to file your federal tax return, you may be wondering if you should rush to get it done or ask for more time. That part is easy. But, one of the more common misconceptions around tax time concerns extensions. An extension will indeed give you until October to finish filing, but …
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If you’re hoping to score big discounts while shopping this month, good luck. April brings what experts call a “spring deal drought,” with few really big sales. Between President’s Day and Memorial Day are 14 long weeks of waiting for the next big shopping weekend. Shopper Ann Felty says this month’s sales feel like everyday …
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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.There’s a lot to love about designer bags and clothing — except for the price. That is …
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A strong spring or summer storm can lead to expensive and unexpected roof repairs. So now that winter is in the rearview mirror, this is a great time to get out and look over your roof to make sure it’s ready when those big storms inevitably roll through. Roofer Joel Poulin of Ray St Clair …
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At a time when inflation is pushing some prices higher and higher, we are all looking to save money on items for our homes or gifts for other people. One new trend is return and overstock warehouses. Some savvy shoppers are saving money thereby buying returned items that are too expensive for stores to restock. …
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Many of us are planning our summer trips right now and deciding how we’re going to get to our destination. One of the first things you have to decide when traveling is whether you will fly or drive. Unfortunately, both will be more expensive this year. Travelers heading out on spring break are well aware …
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Spring can bring heavy downpours. If you find water on your lower level after one of those storms, you might assume your homeowners’ insurance policy would cover that. But not in the case of a sewer or drain backup, as one family found out the hard way. Keith Vearil wants to share his story, as …
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Spring brings extra sunshine and warmer weather, but also a higher risk of tornadoes, rain, wind and flooding in much of the country. Those severe weather events often lead to roof damage, downed trees and flooding. All those events tend to bring in scammers. So if you find yourself dealing with weather damage this spring, …
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With the cost of airfares and hotels sky-high this year, many people wonder if this might be the summer to hit the road with a camper or RV. Millie Weaver and her son Owen were checking out RVs, thinking this might be the year they finally buy one. “Do you want mom to buy it?” …
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We are all familiar with soaring egg prices in the past year. But there’s another grocery aisle that is now making breakfast more expensive: the cereal aisle. Shopper Kate Swearengin has cut back on the amount of breakfast cereal she buys these days. “It’s expensive,” she said. “If you have several children, and the kids …
If you’re stumped by recent messages claiming you may soon have to pay for Facebook, you are not alone. Rumors like this have circulated for a decade. But, in recent weeks, Meta’s plans for a new paid subscription service make it appear you may soon be asked to give over a credit card number. So …
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Hopeful home buyers entering the housing market this year are getting hit by headwinds on all sides: near-record high home prices, along with brutal mortgage rates that are double what they were two years ago. But there’s another trend making things tough for buyers: competing with “all cash” offers from investors and well-heeled buyers ready …
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There is good news for owners of tens of thousands of Hyundai vehicles and Kias as the cars continue to be at a high risk of theft. A free solution is now on its way that the manufacturers say should stop the viral challenge that has led to thefts nationwide. That comes as a relief …
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As the clocks spring forward, many people will lose sleep due to the adjustment. If you’re worried about getting enough shut-eye, there are simple adjustments you can make. Sure, a new mattress or pillows can be great for improving your sleep quality but a new bed will easily cost over $1,000. Some other purchases could …
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The number of victims impacted by data breaches has skyrocketed into the hundreds of millions, even though the latest data shows slightly fewer data breaches occurred last year compared to 2021. And it is continuing in 2023: in January, T-Mobile announced a data breach impacting 37 million accounts. The US Marshals Service, meantime, just reported …
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As more businesses adopt new high-tech payment methods, the more you’re asked to pay up. The result: whether you’re paying for a service in person or on your phone, you’re much more likely these days to encounter three little words: “add a tip.” But a growing number of consumers wonder if these 15% to 25% …
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Even though the inflation rate is finally starting to come down, that’s not the case for your auto insurance. That’s because of higher medical costs if you’re in an accident, along with the rising cost of car parts and auto repair in general. At Boruske Brothers Collision Center, they are hammering out dents and replacing …
If you are in the market for a new smartphone, you have another option these days: new folding phones. Remember those flip phones from the 90s and early 2000s? Samsung is now out with foldable and “flip”-style phones that combine nostalgia with some impressive new technology. But these devices aren’t without a few kinks, with …
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With used car prices out of reach for many buyers, many people are looking for cheaper cars offered on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and other sites. The problem, though, is that you may have no way of knowing where that car really came from, or what issues you may discover after buying it. In Luciano Ciambelli’s …
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With prices as high as they are on so many things this year, no one wants to throw away money on unnecessary fees. But have you ever gotten money from an ATM and wondered why you have to pay money just to get your money? Out-of-network ATM charges are just one of many bank fees …
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Tuesday is Valentine’s day, and if you haven’t ordered flowers yet, it is going to be very expensive. But the good news is that there are many last-minute gifts that show your love without breaking the bank. A classic that almost everyone loves: chocolate. Tracy Oenbrink is a chocolate shop manager at Aglamesis Brothers Gourmet …
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Flowers are a go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, but if you wait too long this year, the prices might just break your heart. A dozen roses can cost $50, $60 or $70 at many florists these days as inflation takes its toll. When factoring in delivery costs, roses can now cost over $100. But other …
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