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Throughout our Small Business Spotlight series, we’ve been featuring businesses nominated by our readers — but we also wanted to give a special shoutout to the businesses loved by our ConsumerTrack staff. Our employees live and work across the U.S., and we wanted to acknowledge the businesses from coast to coast that enrich our communities. By Gabrielle Olya Here’s a look at the restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores and more that get the ConsumerTrack staff stamp of approval....

Massachusetts announced a $500 million package of tax breaks around “a framework for structural changes to our tax code that will put money back into the pockets of lower-and middle-income residents of the Commonwealth,” House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and Ways and Means chairs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues announced in a tweet July 11. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Stimulus Update: These States Are Adding Child Tax Credit Stimulus – Is Yours One?...

According to AAA, the national average price for regular gasoline is $4.033 as of Aug. 9. That’s $0.156 cheaper than just a week ago and $0.663 less than last month. A full 23 states have average gas prices under $4 as of the same date. But just because gas prices are finally dipping from painful highs, that doesn’t mean you should stop trying to save money while you’re on the road....

Whether you’re waterproofing your basement, building a deck, remodeling a kitchen or anything in between, your choice of contractors will determine how much the project will cost and how well it will be done. By Andrew Lisa Prepare Yourself: How Much Cash To Have Stashed at Home at All TimesImportant To Know: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans If you’re looking for a top-notch professional who will do the job right, you can save money, speed up the timeline and avoid the most common pitfalls by following this list of do’s and don’ts....

In the spring of 2014, Fetty Wap created the platinum record “Trap Queen,” which took over college basement parties and club scenes across America. By Katherine Hoey See: These 39 Stars’ Surprising First JobsFind: 30 Celebrities Who Went From Rags to Riches The well-received single went on to become diamond-status certified by Recording Industry Association of America in 2020, meaning the record sold over 10 million records. Wap was born Willie Maxwell II....

Old debts really can come back to haunt you. Some homeowners are facing threats of foreclosure actions on their homes for “zombie debt,” or unpaid second mortgages (or loans involving the home as a collateral), that were taken out over a decade ago. AP News reported that the trusts and mortgage servicers taking current action often say the loans were defaulted on years ago. By Josephine Nesbit See: States Whose Economies Are Failing vs....

For kids, the chance to buy all those cool new school supplies before digging into classes each year can be rather exciting — there’s nothing like a new backpack bulging with shiny new pens, colorful binders, fresh paper and more. For parents, however, these supplies can come as a painful chunk out of the budget, particularly this year, as inflation has driven up the cost of so many essentials. By Jordan Rosenfeld Save More: Back-to-School Tips To Help You Cut CostsCheck Out: This Credit Score Mistake Could Be Costing Millions of Americans...

Cleaner office environments and social distancing measures aren’t the only changes occurring as people go back to work in the office in 2022. Recent research from Cake & Arrow showed that “a healthy work-life balance” is the most important thing to U.S. workers, followed by the company culture and people. By Dawn Allcot Compare: The Best (and Worst) US Cities for Work-Life BalanceDiscover: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job...

Rapid inflation is leading consumers to take steps they may not normally rely on to make ends meet. One such tactic is the use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services for items they need. Nearly 60% of consumers said inflation is driving them to use BNPL products, according to a new survey from Credit Karma. Additionally, 50% of survey respondents said their BNPL usage has increased in the past six months....

By John Csiszar Update: Some offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer available. View current credit card offerings from our partners at CardCritics here on the issuer’s website. Even if you’re not a points and miles enthusiast, it’s hard to overlook the massive bonuses that credit card companies offer for new card sign-ups. However, even those who regularly enjoy those bonuses may not be familiar with the fact that many credit cards also offer referral bonuses....

The federal government is no longer sending out stimulus money, but some states have stepped up to send residents a fourth stimulus check in 2022. Four states are currently preparing more stimulus payments — and while everyone may not be eligible, these payments stand to benefit 87 million residents in total, Marca reported. By Josephine Nesbit Stimulus Update: These 4 Groups Are Still Eligible in 2022Social Security Trend: Stimulus Money Allowed Seniors To Retire Early and Receive Full Benefits...

Homeowners who renovated their properties in 2021 spent a median of $18,000, with the top 10% of the projects costing $100,000 or more, according to the U.S. Houzz & Home 2022 Renovation Trends study. Before launching a home renovation project this year, however, it’s wise to know that whatever your budget is, you’ll probably wind up spending more. By Jami Farkas Cash App Borrow: How To Borrow Money on Cash AppFind: Unplug These Appliances That Hike Up Your Electricity Bill...

If you ask around, you’ll find that most people’s air travel experiences range anywhere from tolerable to a total nightmare. And, while there’s no way to guarantee that you’ll have a 100% pleasant experience on your next flight, there is a way to help make your air travel experience the best it can be. All it takes is the willingness to pay extra. By Cynthia Measom From early boarding to fees to flight insurance, here are the airline fees that experts deem worth paying....

Many people expect their wedding day to be the happiest day of their lives. But to make that happen, many have chosen to go all out, opting for all the bells and whistles. By Bob Haegele While the experience might be enjoyable in the moment, it can also lead to large amounts of debt that tie couples down for years or even decades. After all, the average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000, according to The Knot....

Many are predicting the worst-case scenario for the U.S. economy next year: a recession. Some, including Bloomberg economists Eliza Winger and Anna Wong, foresee a 100% risk of recession by October 2023, according to the economic and financial indicators used in their modeling. By David Nadelle Explore: 6 Risks You Face If You Retire in a RecessionLearn: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 While not all analysts are being as fatalistic, most have upped their odds of a recession within a year — or even half a year — as envisioned by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)....

Blackout Bingo Overview Blackout Bingo is part of the Skillz gaming platform and allows players to win cash and prizes for playing bingo against other users. You can achieve bingo in four different ways: with a horizontal line of 5 squares, a vertical line, a diagonal line or by daubing all four corners. By Dawn Allcot Overview Key Features How It Stands Out Comparable Options How To Apply Who It’s Best For...

If you like everything glamorous, glittery and bubbly, and if you’re a fan of extremely refined food, look no further — although be ready for a bit of sticker shock. For $30,000 you can reserve a private Dom Pérignon cruise on an 88′ San Lorenzo superyacht while enjoying sushi omakase by renowned 3-star Michelin chef Masayoshi Takayama. By Yaёl Bizouati-Kennedy Must See: ‘Forge’ Super Yacht Modeled in Shape of VolcanoDiscover: Space Travel is the New Vacation for the Super Wealthy...

There is a new variety of fraudsters who are selling bots on Telegram — bots designed to trick investors into divulging their two-factor authentication codes, leading to accounts being wiped out. Crypto investors are being targeted across the country, according to CNBC. This latest news comes against the backdrop of scams being, once again, indicated as the largest form of cryptocurrency-based crime by transaction volume. More than $7.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency has been taken from victims worldwide as of Dec....

A bunch of retailers reported earnings this week, including big names like Walmart, Target, TJX Cos., Lowe’s, Macy’s, Williams-Sonoma and Ross Stores, and there has already been plenty of cheery news. By Vance Cariaga Among the chains that have breezed past quarterly earnings expectations include Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Macy’s and TJX. Some even hiked their estimates for the current quarter. All have produced solid results despite supply-chain and labor problems, helped by an improving economy and pent-up consumer demand ahead of the holiday season after a long dry spell caused by the COVID-19 pandemic....

Modern-day American workers are a restless bunch always on the lookout for other opportunities, with more than half saying they would consider switching jobs even though they aren’t actively looking for one, according to a new survey by audit and tax advisory firm Grant Thornton. By Vance Cariaga See: 7 Financial Habits That Improve Your Daily LifeFind: 10 Dollar Store Items That Aren’t Even Worth the Buck The State of Work in America survey, which polled more than 5,000 full-time employees of U....