Image by Big Lots In a current state of the world filled with store closures, downsizing, and bankruptcies, it’s rare to hear the words reopening and expansion. But Big Lots is defying the trend—and in a big way. The national discount retailer announced that it will reopen 60 previously shuttered locations across multiple states, breathing new life into communities that have missed the brand’s unique blend of affordability and variety. For loyal customers who rely on Big Lots for low-cost home goods, furniture, seasonal décor, and groceries, the news comes as a welcome surprise. But beyond the store shelves, the…

One thing that unites the world is the mobile phone. When you travel internationally, everywhere you go, people have their phones. Most hotels and many restaurants have Wi-Fi. Still, it’s much easier if you have mobile data when you’re out and about. You can call an Uber, look for restaurants nearby, or find walking directions to attractions or public transit stations. U.S. Carriers Are Expensive Mobile data is expensive in the U.S. According to a website, the United States ranked #219 among 237 countries in the world for the cost of mobile data (from the least expensive to the most…

Image by John Cameron It’s a phrase we’ve all heard and probably used: “Five-second rule!” It’s shouted in kitchens, classrooms, and offices everywhere, usually right before someone pops a piece of food off the floor and into their mouth with a grin. But is this popular belief just a harmless joke or actually a health hazard hiding in plain sight? As it turns out, the 5-second rule isn’t just unscientific. It can be downright risky. If you’ve ever debated whether a dropped cookie is “still good,” you might want to reconsider. Germs and bacteria don’t carry a stopwatch, and they…

Image by Ronnie George Selling a home is often an emotional and complex journey. From preparing for showings to negotiating offers, the process demands time, energy, and sometimes a lot of patience. But what happens when you realize that selling your home might not be the right move, at least not right now? Delisting a home before it sells is more common than you might think. Whether it’s due to changes in personal circumstances or shifts in the market, homeowners pull their listings for a variety of reasons. If you’re contemplating whether to stay the course or step back, here…

Image by Vitaly Taranov In today’s world, financial education is more accessible than ever before. Free resources, online courses, podcasts, and social media advice are only a click away. Yet, despite the wealth of available information, a surprising number of people continue to make excuses for not understanding basic personal finance. Why is financial illiteracy still so common, and why do so many people resist taking control of their financial futures? Let’s dive into the reasons behind this persistent issue and why it’s time to stop making excuses. Fear of Facing the Truth One of the biggest barriers to financial…

Image by Anthony Fomin Social Security is supposed to offer retirees a sense of financial security after decades of hard work. Yet, for many, it falls painfully short of providing the comfortable retirement they had imagined. While low payouts and rising living costs play a role, there’s another critical factor at work: the decisions retirees make about their benefits. Many retirees are unknowingly making mistakes that reduce their Social Security income or stretch it too thin. These mistakes can lead to unnecessary financial hardship. If you’re approaching retirement or already collecting benefits, here are five common missteps you’ll want to…

Image by Christian Joudrey For homeowners and prospective buyers, property taxes play a pivotal role in determining the overall cost of owning a home. While these taxes fund essential public services, they can also be a significant financial burden. Fortunately, some states offer more favorable property tax rates, providing relief to residents. Based on the latest data, here are the six states with the lowest effective property tax rates in 2025. 1. Hawaii – 0.27% Hawaii has the lowest effective property tax rate in the country at just 0.27%. While home prices in Hawaii are among the highest in the…

I love participating in loyalty and reward programs. They’re almost always free, gets you free “stuff,” and there’s really no downside. The only risk is that you overspend, which I’m not prone to do. And if you don’t participate, you invisibly subsidizing the folks who do. It’s like not using a rewards credit card, you still pay a premium but you don’t get any rewards. What gets especially challenging is when you start hoarding points. This happens a lot with travel rewards because you want to wait until there are transfer bonuses you can take advantage of, less so with…

Crowdfunding has transformed the way people fund creative projects, new businesses, and bold ideas. With a compelling pitch and a little internet magic, some campaigns have raised millions almost overnight. But while many backers eagerly threw their support (and money) behind these ventures, not every story had a happy ending. In fact, some of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns ended up delivering nothing but frustration, lawsuits, and dashed hopes. Here’s a closer look at five crowdfunding campaigns that raised eye-popping amounts of money—only to completely fall apart. The Coolest Cooler When the Coolest Cooler launched on Kickstarter, it promised the…

Image Source: 123rf.com No one wants to admit that they are jealous of someone else’s money. However, nearly three in five Americans have felt envious of someone else’s financial situation, according to a NerdWallet survey. Especially when it comes to family and money, jealousy can tear a family apart. If you’re the family member who has the money, you probably face a host of challenges with your family. Some of it may be ugly and strain your relationship. Here’s the real truth about your family’s jealousy. Money Envy The truth about money envy is that it’s fairly common. Financial therapists may tell you…