Watch out eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace: There’s a new kid getting a lot of interest. More and more buyers and sellers are turning to Mercari, with its lower fees and ease of selling. If you are looking to buy or sell used household items, clothing, jewelry, or crafts, Mercari has seen its popularity soar …
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It appears that the lumber bubble has finally burst. Lumber prices are finally coming back down to earth, following a spring that saw prices double — and then double again. Lumber futures fell more than 40% in June as consumer demand dried up for $50 and $60 sheets of plywood. Last year, those sheets of …
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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.Restaurant chain IHOP is celebrating its 63rd anniversary this year by offering up a deal on pancakes …
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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.Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos tacos are returning to Taco Bell menus across the country, and the fast-food …
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According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34 million Americans live with diabetes. On average, the cost of medical expenses for people with diagnosed diabetes is approximately 2.3 times higher than for people without diabetes, much of that due to the cost of insulin. On June 29, Walmart announced the launch of the first …
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Are you planning to travel this summer? If that plan involves a rental car, you may want to double or even triple-check that rental. That’s because there is a worsening rental car shortage that nearly canceled one family’s trip. Angie McIntosh and her family arrived safely at their vacation condo on Florida’s panhandle, but they …
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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.Windows is rolling out its latest operating system, and the good news is that if you already …
Along with a reputation for being the most successful investor of the 20th century, Warren Buffett is also known for being a generous philanthropist. In 2006, he committed to gradually give all of his Berkshire Hathaway stock to philanthropic foundations via the Giving Pledge. On June 23, Buffett announced that he has made a new …
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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.According to a survey by Brides, 66% of engaged couples had to postpone their wedding due to …
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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.Movie theaters all over the country are throwing open their doors following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. In …
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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.McDonald’s has been quietly testing a new rewards program in markets around the U.S. for the past …
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Just as grilling season kicks into high gear with summer on the way, beef prices are shooting up again. If you’re planning to buy steaks, prepare yourself to pay more. Allison Homan, the owner of Lehr’s Prime Market in Milford, Ohio, is trying not to pass every supplier hike onto her customers. “We are doing …
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The chip shortage impacting new vehicles is causing used car prices to soar across the country, as well. Tom Seyfried, the owner of Genesis Auto Brokers in Brentwood, Tenn., said during the pandemic factories closed so they didn’t need chips. As people return to work, the demand for them is back. “Even if they’re making …
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Planning a summer trip? With demand surging, hotels are raising rates. CNBC reports that average hotel rates in Cancun are now $205 a night, up from $45 a year ago when few people were traveling. One of the few areas where rates are still low is New York City, as many tourists have yet to …
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If you’ve been to a grocery store lately, filled up your gas tank or tried to buy lumber for a project, you’re well aware that a lot of things are more expensive since the calendar flipped from 2020 to 2021. Even toilet paper, one of the hottest commodities people were panic buying a year ago, …
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It’s not just home prices that are rising to wild levels in 2021. Rents are following them up, and some tenants say higher rates may force them to move. Barbara Hill-Kelley is among the many tenants hit with rent hikes this year. She opened her door the other day to find a note posted that …
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Many of us have spent the last of those $1,400 stimulus checks that arrived earlier this spring. So, will there be a fourth stimulus soon? Or was that all there is? Just like a morning cup of coffee, Americans are getting used to those “stimmy checks,” as they are now fondly called. Individuals earning less …
A new feature from Amazon is raising privacy concerns. That’s because it wants to share your Wi-Fi signal with your neighbors, and some homeowners are saying that’s one step too far. Amazon is coming into our homes more every day, like it or not. Remember the controversy two years ago over Amazon Key, where an …
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.Amazon Prime Day began in 2015 as an annual birthday celebration for the company. In the years …
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.June 4 is National Doughnut Day, and while the best way to celebrate is obviously by enjoying …
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The housing market is so hot that desperate buyers are now dropping contingencies and inspections in the hopes of submitting a winning bid. When 10 people are making offers on the same home, buying it “as is” can make an offer more competitive. But one couple learned why that can be a bad idea, and …
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There is good news this spring for people who lost their jobs during the pandemic or are just looking for an opportunity to advance. Many companies are hiring and are offering all sorts of bonuses and incentives, as business rebounds in 2021. Morgan Baylor, like many other restaurant workers, found herself filing for unemployment last …
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Ever park illegally? That usually means a ticket or a tow, but some lot owners are now switching to the “sticker of shame.” Joe Frankenhoff received one and is furious. He has a picture on his phone of a large fluorescent sticker that had been slapped on the window of his truck. “This green sticker …
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Do you have any old toys or dolls in your basement or closets that you haven’t checked in years? You may want to dust them off, because the toys of our youth are becoming super collectibles during this COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not just houses, lumber, used cars and groceries taking a big jump this year. …
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Some call it the most dangerous bank scam ever: A text or phone call from your bank stating your account has been locked for fraud. That’s scary enough. But if you fall for this slick scam, it’s even scarier. Michelle Hoeting got a text message on her phone the other day and immediately started to …
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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.Memorial Day is quickly approaching and if you’re looking to get some work done around your house, …
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Buffalo wings are as American as a cold beer when watching football, but suddenly these delicacies — usually served with celery and ranch or blue cheese dressing — are in short supply. Many restaurants that sell wings are now struggling with higher prices and short supplies. Restaurant owner Jason Esterkamp said the same labor shortage …
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If you’ve purchased any bowls, plates or mugs from Ikea within the last two years, they may be involved in a recall. Ikea is voluntarily recalling Heroisk and Talrika bowls, plates and mugs made from PLA (polylactic acid or polylactide) material. The material that makes up the bowls, plates and mugs can become brittle and …
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.Summer will be here before you know it, and Dairy Queen is celebrating the upcoming season by …
To anyone planning a home improvement project, an addition or thinking about building a new home: Buyer beware. The price of lumber is hitting all-time highs. Larry Parker just experienced it. He walked into Lowe’s the other day to buy a sheet of OSB plywood for a home project he was doing at his home. …
Parents who might feel they can’t catch a break since the COVID-19 pandemic will have something to look forward to on July 15. That’s the date the IRS sends the first of six monthly payments from the 2021 Child Tax Credit to qualifying families. The new credit is part of the American Rescue Plan, which …
Are you thinking of buying some new furniture for your home, perhaps with your recent tax refund or stimulus check? The COVID pandemic has caused a nationwide kitchen appliance shortage, but it turns out the furniture shortage may be even worse. Melissa Taylor showed us via Zoom her couch damaged by a water leak last …
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It’s getting harder every week to find new pickup trucks. Ford has just announced it built only half its normal amount of F-150 pickups in March due to parts shortages. And dealers are getting calls from people all over the region if they advertise that a new loaded F Series truck has just shown up …
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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.Amid a national labor shortage, Amazon is looking for 75,000 new employees throughout the country and is …
Thinking of buying or selling a home in 2021? In normal times, when you’re shopping for a home, you take your time, look at several homes, visit Sunday open houses, and decide what fits your needs. But these are not normal times. Young parents Jonathan and Tiffany Moore have been outbid on three houses this …
In a bid to attract more employees, Chipotle is raising its average hourly wage to $15 per hour. The fast-casual Mexican chain plans to hire 20,000 workers and open 200 new locations this year. Chipotle will also offer a $200 referral bonus for crew members and $750 for apprentices or general managers. Starting pay ranges …
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In March 2020, Crocs gave away more than 860,000 (valued at $40 million) pairs of shoes to healthcare workers who showed up to provide care in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic. A little more than a year into the pandemic, the shoe company has decided to recognize and reward frontline personnel once more by …
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Most of the time, falling asleep on the job is not exactly the way to become employee of the month. If you’re working for the website Eachnight, however, falling asleep is not only a welcome part of the job, but it’s actually required. The website, which creates guides and offers advice on how to get …
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If you’ve purchased Hershey’s chocolate shell topping recently, you may want to check your cupboard. The company is voluntarily recalling 7.25-ounce bottles of Chocolate Shell Topping due to a mistake that resulted in almonds being included in the product. The recall comes after Hershey learned that 1,700 bottles of the plain Chocolate Shell Topping were …
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At-home fitness company Peloton recalled two of its exercise equipment products on May 5, reversing an earlier decision to ignore safety concerns from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Back on April 17, the CPSC issued an “urgent warning” press release warning consumers about the danger of the popular Peloton Tread+ treadmill “after multiple incidents …
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.It’s no secret that healthcare workers have been giving their all throughout the coronavirus pandemic. According to …
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You probably remember your dad telling you to always buy a used car, because they are so much cheaper than new. That’s not always the case anymore in this topsy-turvy pandemic year. “We’ve all heard this: ‘Hey, you lose 20-30% of the car’s value when you drive it off the lot,'” said Karl Brauer of …
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It’s “help wanted” — everywhere. As the economy rebounds, businesses from restaurants to retailers to theme parks are finding it hard to find people to work right now. Meggan Jones, who recently found a medical job after seven months out of work, said she was stunned by how many open positions she found job hunting …
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In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant industry is experiencing a staff shortage. To incentivize new workers, a Tampa, Florida-area McDonald’s location is offering people $50 just to come in for an interview. Blake Casper owns that location and about 60 others in the area and says that a unique combination of increased …
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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.After a summer of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, many of us are looking forward to family vacations …
Continue reading "Sea World is offering free admission for active and retired military families"
If you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccine or scheduled an appointment to get it soon, be on the lookout for scammers seeking to target you afterward. Jack and Renee Grady were thrilled to get their second vaccine shot a few weeks ago. They got an email from Pfizer the same evening. “It said ‘Pfizer Study’ on …
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What do toilet paper and lumber to build your home have in common? Wood. And prices of everything that uses wood are heading up sharply. If you think toilet paper is a bit pricey now, ever since last year’s shortage, it’s about to go up again. Kimberly Clark has just announced it will be hiking …
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The federal government is spending billions of dollars on the COVID-19 vaccines, which, in return, means the shot is supposed to be free for those who get it. So why are some people being charged? That’s what some are wondering after they received bills for their shots. Tim and Vickie Gobin were excited to receive …
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Nearly a year after Ascena Retail Group closed 600 of their 800 Justice stores, Walmart is now carrying the tween clothing brand. While there has been no formal announcement, browsing Walmart’s website shows a variety of Justice-brand items. The majority of items appear to be online-only, but some are eligible for free store pickup. While …
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Sure, you can send a text or DM someone on social media to let them know you are thinking of them. But there is nothing quite as meaningful as receiving an old-fashioned greeting card in your mailbox. As part of its Cards Do More campaign, Hallmark is giving away one million greeting cards, three cards …