Many kinds of Barbie dolls

Barbie dolls are spiking in value, thanks to new ‘Barbie’ movie

John Matarese  |  July 21, 2023

With a much-hyped movie on the way, certain collectible Barbie dolls, Ken dolls and accessories are selling for more right now.

Back-to-school shopping slows as families struggle with inflation

John Matarese  |  July 17, 2023

With prices up, families with kids are cutting back in other areas, including school supplies. Here's what you need to know.

Here’s why hotel booking sites all show the same price

John Matarese  |  July 16, 2023

You don't have to spend a fortune to go on vacation. Here's what you need to know about finding the best deals on hotels.

A mosquito lands.

Bug sprays: What actually works?

John Matarese  |  July 10, 2023

If mosquitoes are ruining your time spent outdoors this summer, here's what you need to know about how to banish them effectively.

Man holds Amazon boxes

How to tackle Amazon Prime Day to find the best deals

John Matarese  |  July 7, 2023

If you're hoping to take advantage of all the savings on Amazon Prime Day, it pays to have a plan. Here's what to know.

Summer fitness: Is it time to get back to the gym?

John Matarese  |  July 3, 2023

Ready to get back into the gym and start working out after taking a break? Here's what to know before you sign up for a membership.

Easy ways to save money on your Fourth of July barbecue

John Matarese  |  July 2, 2023

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a fun Fourth of July barbecue. You can make some easy swaps to save money.

Gig driver? Your auto insurance may not cover you

John Matarese  |  June 27, 2023

If you are using your personal vehicle to make a little extra cash, here's what you should know about car insurance.

Nearly $30,000 for a wedding? How to avoid sticker shock

John Matarese  |  June 27, 2023

The average cost of a wedding is now nearly $30,000, but it is still possible to save money and have your dream event.

Why you should never keep all your money in one bank

John Matarese  |  June 26, 2023

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…

Family walks in airport terminal with suitcases

Luggage trackers: Do they work and are they safe?

John Matarese  |  June 21, 2023

Are you considering buying a luggage tracker for your summer travels? Here's what you need to know about them.

Kitchen faucet with water barely coming out

Sewer and water bills rising sharply: What can you do?

John Matarese  |  June 20, 2023

Struggling with higher water and sewer bills? Here are some steps you can take to help lower those bills every month.

A mosquito lands.

Mosquito control: What’s worth spending money on, what’s not

John Matarese  |  June 19, 2023

Hundreds of products and services claim to keep mosquitoes away from your home. But what actually works, and what's a waste of money?

Couple shops for washing machine

How to prevent appliance breakdowns in the summer

John Matarese  |  June 15, 2023

Hot water and summer activities can wreak havoc on household appliances like washers, dishwashers and refrigerators.

Hands of auto mechanic repairing car

How to protect yourself from unauthorized repairs at auto shops

John Matarese  |  June 14, 2023

If you need to take your vehicle into the shop for a repair, here's what to know to avoid getting a surprise bill.

Virus Outbreak - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift ticket trouble: Some re-sellers backing out at the last minute

John Matarese  |  June 13, 2023

Want to go see Taylor Swift in concert? Be extra careful when dealing with ticket re-sellers—or you could end up sitting at home.

Great Father’s Day tool gifts for Dad

John Matarese  |  June 12, 2023

Visit your local hardware store for Father's Day gift ideas, like tools, grills, smokers, accessories and more.

Parking lot full of cars

New report lists the most and least recalled vehicles

John Matarese  |  June 6, 2023

Some vehicles have much lower recall rates than others. If you're in the market for a new or used car, here's what to consider.

Small child looks out airplane window

Here come summer flight delays: How to avoid and handle the headache

John Matarese  |  June 5, 2023

Summer travel could come with some challenges, especially if you will be flying. Here's how to handle delays and other issues.

People wait in line at airport customs

Are TSA PreCheck or CLEAR worth the cost?

John Matarese  |  June 1, 2023

As the busy summer travel season heats up, airports are going to get crowded. Consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to save time.

Goodbye gas: Electric lawnmowers are rapidly taking over

John Matarese  |  May 31, 2023

Electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers are starting to replace gas models. Here's what you need to know.

Pet tracking devices: Worth buying or waste of money?

John Matarese  |  May 23, 2023

Don't want to lose your dog if he runs off? Here's what you need to know about the new pet tracking devices on the market.

Memorial Day sales: What to buy, what to wait on

John Matarese  |  May 22, 2023

Hoping to get some good deals over Memorial Day weekend 2023? Here's what to know as you hunt for the best savings.

How AI can clone your voice and use it in phishing scams

John Matarese  |  May 15, 2023

Artificial intelligence is making it easier than ever for scammers to impersonate you, using only a few seconds of your voice.

Stumped for Mother’s Day? Surprise her with a wellness gift

John Matarese  |  May 12, 2023

For Mother's Day 2023, treat your mom to a spa or wellness gift, like a massage, a manicure and pedicure or an at-home day of relaxation.

How to save money on Mother’s Day plants and flowers

John Matarese  |  May 8, 2023

Mother's Day is May 14, 2023. Here's how you can save money on flowers for all the moms in your life this year.

Family outside home for rent

Renter beware: Application fees can now cost hundreds of dollars

John Matarese  |  May 5, 2023

Application fees for apartment rentals are getting more and more pricey, and many are nonrefundable. Here's what you need to know.

Grocery delivery can save time, but it leaves some shoppers frustrated

John Matarese  |  May 2, 2023

Grocery delivery can help you save time, but it can also cause a few headaches. Missing items, extra charges and bad produce are all issues.

Family walks up to home for sale

Home selling mistakes that can cost you thousands of dollars

John Matarese  |  May 1, 2023

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,…

This new company offers luxury apartments and cheap rent—if you’re willing to move often

John Matarese  |  April 27, 2023

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…

4 things you can do with your old cell phones and devices

John Matarese  |  April 25, 2023

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…

Parking lot full of cars

These vehicles are the most-targeted by catalytic converter thieves

John Matarese  |  April 24, 2023

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…

People at concert

How to avoid a sports or concert ticket scam

John Matarese  |  April 18, 2023

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…

Tax form 1040 for US income taxes

Should you file for a tax extension or rush to file by April 18?

John Matarese  |  April 17, 2023

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…

How to find discounts during the spring ‘deal drought’

John Matarese  |  April 10, 2023

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…

Fashionable clothes on hangers in boutique store

How to buy designer clothes at discount prices

John Matarese  |  April 7, 2023

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…

Roof inspector checks roof

Warning signs your roof is not ready for spring storms

John Matarese  |  April 4, 2023

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…

Return warehouses sell new merchandise at deep discount

John Matarese  |  April 3, 2023

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…

Small child looks out airplane window

Should you fly or drive for your summer travels this year?

John Matarese  |  March 30, 2023

The cost of gas for your car is down this year, yet travel experts expect both flying and driving to be more expensive this summer.

Backup Sump Pump

Why drain backup insurance is a good idea

John Matarese  |  March 29, 2023

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…

How to avoid a getting scammed after a storm

John Matarese  |  March 28, 2023

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…

Breakfast cereal prices are rising

John Matarese  |  March 22, 2023

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…

Woman holds smartphone showing Facebook

Will you soon have to pay to use Facebook? Meta Verified, explained

John Matarese  |  March 21, 2023

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…

Home for sale sign in front of house

How to compete with all-cash offers when buying a home

John Matarese  |  March 20, 2023

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…

A free fix should finally end Hyundai and Kia thefts

John Matarese  |  March 19, 2023

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…

Woman sleeps comfortably in bed

Time change ruining your sleep? Simple ways to fall asleep faster

John Matarese  |  March 18, 2023

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…

Data breach? Here’s what you should do immediately

John Matarese  |  March 7, 2023

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…

Woman puts tip in jar

Tipping fatigue: Are requests for tips getting out of control?

John Matarese  |  March 6, 2023

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:…

How to save money on car insurance

John Matarese  |  February 28, 2023

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…

Flip phones are back—but are they worth it?

John Matarese  |  February 27, 2023

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…

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