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…
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…
Grocery shopping has never been a favorite pastime of mine. It’s time-consuming and I usually try to keep to a strict budget. Over the past few months, I noticed our grocery bills were going up and I thought I was…
In 1880, a hobbyist photographer named George Eastman began manufacturing dry plates commercially. He formed the Eastman Dry Plate Company a year later with the goal of making photography as convenient as the pencil. By 1900, the company was known…
Lord & Taylor announced the closing of 19 stores around the U.S. after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 2. Le Tote, which purchased Lord & Taylor in November 2019, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in the…
Ascena Retail Group, the parent company to Loft, Ann Taylor, Justice, Lane Bryant, Cacique and Catherine’s, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July and will be closing a total of 1,600 stores, including about 600 of its more than 800…
On July 30, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to restructure the majority of the restaurant chain’s long-term debt . Like so many other restaurants and retail stores, CPK has taken a hit…
A variety of onions across the United States are currently under recall due to possible salmonella contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration, and they’ve been sold in every state. Following a joint investigation by the FDA, the Centers…
If you have ground beef in your refrigerator or freezer, you are going to want to check to see if it’s part of a new recall. The United States Department of Agriculture announced a Class I recall of 38,406 pounds…
TikTok has been in the news a lot lately, and not because of the latest viral dance craze on the popular social media platform. After TikTok came under fire last week from President Donald Trump, who said he’d considered banning…
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses are struggling to stay afloat. The restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard, and even the fast-food sector has struggled with faltering sales. The latest manifestation of the virus’s destruction: Dunkin’,…
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…
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…
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, more employers are adapting to allow their staff to work remotely. Google plans to let its employees work at home until at least July 2021. The majority of the company’s 200,000 staffers around the world…
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…
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…
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.Johns Hopkins…
It goes without saying that this school year will look different for students, teachers and parents. Some school districts around the country have decided to begin the year online, while others are putting precautions in place to safely send the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Bed Bath & Beyond is looking to close around 200 stores over the next two years after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the retailer hard, resulting in a 49% loss of sales. The company announced the closures in its first-quarter investor-relations…
Grabbing a quick cup of coffee and a donut from Dunkin’ might be a little more challenging for people soon and it has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunkin’ recently announced the company will close 450 locations around…
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.For the…
The novel coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered our way of life and has also had a huge impact on the economy. A new study conducted by Goldman Sachs suggests that a national mask mandate in the United States could help…
Costco half-sheet cakes have been wildly popular for decades. It’s easy to see why, when you factor in the generous size, affordable price (under $20) and delicious taste of the bakery confections. Sadly, though, the warehouse chain has announced it…
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.…
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…
If it seems as though many familiar brands’ ads are no longer popping up on your Facebook feed, you may be right. Several major brands are answering the call of the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League and other civil rights groups…
While businesses are beginning to reopen in many areas of the country, there’s no doubt this summer will still be drastically different from summers of yore. You’ll probably be spending more time at home with your family this year, which…
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…
If a cozy villa in an Italian mountainside village seems like a pipe dream, you might want to reconsider. One community in Italy has homes available for about $1. And, by the way, this little village has allegedly remained free…
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.With summer…
Target announced that as of July 5, it will permanently raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour for team members at stores throughout the United States. In its announcement on June 17, the big-box retailer announced additional benefits it’s…
Children’s clothing company The Children’s Place announced it will close 300 stores as a result of changes in consumer needs. In the company’s quarterly financial report, The Children’s Place announced operating losses of $173.1 million in the three months that…
While it’s too early to say just how schools will look this fall, teachers have to assume classes will resume in some capacity. That means it’s time for teachers to start doing their usual summer prep work, like making a…
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…
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…
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 widespread…
If you have a knack for helping others solve problems but would rather not work in a call center or retail setting, a virtual customer service job might be ideal. A company called OneSupport Technology Advisors has supported remote employees…
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…
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…
Retail stores and restaurants are starting to re-open after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as state officials ease restrictions on gatherings, some consumers are eager to enjoy a meal, haircut or shopping trip outside the confines of…
Tuesday Morning is the latest retail company to feel the negative impact of prolonged closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Following similar announcements from JCPenney and Pier 1 Imports earlier this month, the discount home goods seller has also filed…
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 small…
NBA legend Magic Johnson announced his insurance company will provide $100 million for loans for minority and women business owners who are struggling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The former Los Angeles Lakers superstar made the announcement during…
Regardless of what your exact experience has been during the COVID-19 pandemic, it goes without saying that all of our lives have been disrupted. Perhaps you’ve been lucky and your only issues have been keeping your kids occupied or your…
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…