Every dollar counts: Next time you need to return an Amazon order, think twice about where you do it. If you go to a UPS Store when Whole Foods, Kohl’s or Amazon Fresh is the same distance or closer, you’ll have to pay a $1 fee.
Secret to trying a laptop out at home
Here’s a tech-savvy tip most people overlook: Just like returning clothes that don’t fit, you can often return a laptop if it’s not the right fit for you. The key is understanding the seller’s return policy. I’ll break it down so you don’t end up with an expensive doorstop.
Know the basics
Here’s what to look for in a return policy that lets you take a “try before you buy” approach:
- Return period: These range from 15 days to 90 days.
- Shipping and restocking fees: Some sellers hit you with return shipping or restocking fees of up to 25% of a laptop’s original price.
- Surprises: You may have to keep every bit of the original packaging, or the clock on your return windows could start the second you hit “Buy,” not when it’s delivered.
So, where’s the best place to buy?
- The best: Costco and Walmart both have a 90-day return window with very little in the way of fine print or picky policies.
- The worst: Best Buy’s return policy is only 15 days. You get 60 days if you pay up to $180 for a My Best Buy annual membership. Don’t shop here.
What about Amazon? The return window is 30 days for laptops that didn’t start when they arrived, were delivered in a damaged condition or are still in an unopened box. If you open the box or it works, you’ll pay a 15% restocking fee. Pro tip: If you’re a good Amazon customer, hop into a chat with their customer service team and ask them to reverse the charge. This worked for me!
I asked my IT genius, John, to pick his favorite Windows and Mac laptops. He shops for the tech we use here in the studios, so you’re in fabulous hands.
Windows of opportunity
💰 HP 17 Business Laptop ($486): Powered by an i3 processor that gets the job done for browsing, banking and school or work. The 17.3-inch screen is also big without being bulky.
💰💰 Dell Inspiron ($616, 5% off): For about $100 more, you get a touchscreen and a slightly more powerful i5 processor. It can handle heavier-duty stuff, like casual gaming and programming.
💰💰💰 HP Envy ($1,129): All the bells and whistles, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. Zoom-zoom!
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
The cartel’s latest target? Your retirement
What do Mexican gangs, murder and retirees have in common? They’re all part of one massive vishing operation. That’s right, Mexican drug cartels are targeting older people with timeshares — and walking away with millions.
Amazon's secret profit center
Streaming costs are spiraling, but Amazon’s secret fees are the real eye-opener. What started as a simple $79 Prime membership has ballooned into a $22 billion profit machine — without most people even realizing it.
☕ Yum, a $25 latte: You can now order delivery directly through the Starbucks app. Brace yourself for fees: A $1.99 delivery charge, a $2 small-order fee if you spend under $10, a 15% service charge and sometimes an extra $4.99 for wages. Oh, and don’t forget to tip!
Free money? Yes, please! Claim these class-action lawsuits today
I don’t mean to start with something sad, but whenever I talk about class-action lawsuits, it reminds me of the day my father died back in 1997. He and my mom were about to go on a cruise in a few days when suddenly, his allergies kicked in. So, he took an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy pill that interacted with his heart medication. He suffered a fatal heart attack because of that.
Holiday helper: How to return the stuff you don't want
Well, it looks like Aunt Sue bought you yet another ugly sweater for Christmas. Hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Some of us tuck unwanted things away in a closet, and some return them. If that’s you, check the fine print. Many retailers are doing away with free shipping on returns. I did some digging to help during this busy season.
Just say no: An Uber or Lyft driver might ask you to pay in cash so they can take home more money. They make as little as $9 an hour (paywall link) through the app, but a cash payment means no safety features like the emergency button, and you’ll get hit with cancellation fees.
A new credit card fee: Several credit card companies, including Citibank and Synchrony Bank, are charging a $1.99 monthly fee for paper statements. Printing and mailing costs financial institutions $600 million, so they want us to pay for it. Call your card company and ask them to email you the “Schumer box.” It’s an easy-to-read table of all their fees.
30% of shoppers
Say return fees are more annoying than jury duty and the DMV. I agree — I was just charged a 20% restocking fee when I tried to return a few sweaters. Check the policy before you buy, and just know many retailers will waive those fees if you go to a physical location.
Not a mice idea: Logitech is toying with the idea of a “forever mouse” you’ll never have to replace — just update. The rumor mill says it’ll cost around $200, plus a subscription fee. Over time, you’ll probably spend more on things like swappable switches, replaceable shells and wheels, and detachable cables as they break.
Slap on the wrist: Verizon, AT&T and T‑Mobile will pay $10.22 million to a group of states to settle claims of false advertising. Their ads promised unlimited data plans and free phones, but guess what? Restrictions applied, conditions had to be met, and hidden fees lurked in the fine print. Check your bills.
For dating apps, it's either your privacy or true love
Mozilla says that most dating apps (80%) sell or share your intimate information. What exactly are you giving away? Plus, Google teases fees for ‘search,’ an Airbnb shocker, and Boston Dynamics puts hair on its bots.
Can’t peel yourself off the couch? Amazon Prime members, get a year of Grubhub+ for free and skip the food delivery fees. Go to amazon.com/grubhub, hit Activate Grubhub+, and sign in or make an account. After your first year, it’s $10 a month, so set a reminder to cancel.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Elons just wanna have funds: Musk says the only way to fight bots on X is to charge for posts. New users might have to pay a “small fee” to post the first three months their X account is active. This comes one month before Tesla’s stockholders vote to bring back Musk’s $56 billion compensation package. I’ll take the job for $5.6 billion.
Buy now, pay later isn’t as simple as you think
You see them on about every shopping site now. Think of “BNPL” (buy now, pay later) as a short-term financing plan. With a few clicks, you request a limited loan agreement to pay for items over time.
Even Apple is getting in on the action. With Apple Pay Later, buy that $1,000 iPhone today and pay it off over four payments. PayPal has one, too, along with services like Afterpay, Affirm and Klarna.
Is social media really starting to charge fees for privacy? Check the facts
Rumors have been swirling for years that Facebook will start charging. Before, it was fiction. Now? Well, it’s looking more like fact.
You can thank the latest European Union (EU) privacy regulations — and I mean that. These new regulations do a lot to protect the sensitive data of consumers like you and me.
The true cost of cash advance apps
Need money to pay bills in a pinch? Many rely on cash advance apps to make it to their next check. While these services offer a helping hand, you could wind up in a jam if you’re not careful.
A recent study took a deep dive into 15 of today’s most popular cash advance apps. The scoop? An advance might cost more than you bargained (or budgeted) for.
20+ companies canceling free returns
I thought this stat was interesting: The National Retail Federation reports for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $165 million in merchandise returns. You know what this means: Say goodbye to free shipping and free returns when buying stuff online.