That’s what happened to Arizona mother Jennifer DeStefano, who recently testified about her experience to the Senate. And unfortunately, her story is all too common. As artificial intelligence (AI) technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, criminals are frequently using it to impersonate the voices of our friends and loved ones to trick us into sending them money. In fact, imposter scams like these have stolen up to $2.6 billion from Americans in the past year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The good news? You can beat scammers at their own game. We spoke with cybersecurity experts to learn how these AI scam calls work, why they’re so hard to spot, how to avoid them, what to do if you become a target, the future of AI scams and more.

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What is the new AI scam?

A clever scammer with a good AI program doesn’t need much more than a few-second recording of a loved one’s voice to be able to clone the person’s voice and apply their own script. From there, they can play the audio over the phone to convince their victims that someone they love is in a desperate situation and needs money immediately.

These aren’t your typical four-word phone scams or Google Voice scams. They’re even more advanced.

In one of the most common examples, parents or grandparents receive a call from their children or grandchildren claiming they need money for ransom or bail, like the AI kidnapping scam DeStefano encountered. “We have seen parents targeted and extorted for money out of fear that their child is in danger,” says Nico Dekens, director of intelligence and collection innovation at ShadowDragon.

Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, says that the center also receives reports of AI scam calls that convince victims their relative needs money to pay for damages from a car accident or other incident. Other scams include using a manager or executive’s voice in a voicemail instructing someone to pay a fake invoice, as well as calls that sound like law enforcement or government officials demanding the targeted individual share sensitive information over the phone.

How does this AI scam work?

It may take a few steps to pull together an AI scam, but the tech speeds up the process to such an extent that these cons are worryingly easy to produce compared with voice scams of the past. In a nutshell, this fraud follows the steps below.

Step 1: Collect the recording

To carry out an AI scam call, criminals first must find a five- to ten-second audio recording of a loved one’s voice, such as a clip from YouTube or a post on Facebook or Instagram. Then they feed it to an artificial intelligence tool that learns the person’s voice patterns, pitch and toneand, crucially, simulates their voice.

These tools are widely available and cheap or even free to use, which makes them even more dangerous, according to experts. For example, generative AI models like ChatGPT or Microsoft’s VALL-E need to listen to only three seconds of an audio “training” clip of someone speaking to create a replica of their voice. “As you can imagine, this gives a new superpower to scammers, and they started to take advantage of that,” says Aleksander Madry, a researcher at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

Step 2: Feed the AI a script

Once the AI software learns the person’s voice, con artists can tell it to create an audio file of that cloned voice saying anything they want. Their next step is to call you and play the AI-generated clip (also called a deepfake). The calls might use a local area code to convince you to answer the phone, but don’t be fooled. Remember, the bad guys are capable of spoofing their phone numbers. Many phone-based fraud scams originate from countries with large call-center operations, like India, the Philippines or even Russia, according to Velasquez.

Step 3: Set the trap

The scammer will tell you that your loved one is in danger and that you must send money immediately in an untraceable way, such as with cash, via a wire transfer or using gift cards. Although this is a telltale sign of wire fraud or a gift card scam, most victims will panic and agree to send the money. “The nature of these scams plays off of fear, so in the moment of panic these scams create for their victims, it is also emotional and challenging to take the extra moment to consider that it might not be real,” Dekens says.

Scammers are also relying on the element of surprise, according to Karim Hijazi, the managing director of SCP & CO, a private investment firm focused on emerging technology platforms. “The scammers rely on an adequate level of surprise in order to catch the called target off guard,” he says. “Presently, this tactic is not well known, so most people are easily tricked into believing they are indeed speaking to their loved one, boss, co-worker or law enforcement professional.”

How has AI made scams easier to runand harder to spot?

Imposter scams have been around for years, but artificial intelligence has made them more sophisticated and convincing. “AI did not change much in terms of why people do scamsit just provided a new avenue to execute them,” Madry says. “Be it blackmail, scam or misinformation or disinformation, all now can be much cheaper to execute and more persuasive.”

While AI has been around for decades for both criminal and everyday usethink: AI password cracking and AI assistants like Alexa and Siriit was expensive and required a massive amount of computing power to run. As a result, shady characters needed a lot of time and expertise with specialized software to impersonate someone’s voice using AI.

“Now, all of this is available for anyone who just spends some time watching tutorials on YouTube or reading how-to docs and is willing to tinker a bit with the AI systems they can download from the internet,” says Madry.

On top of that, Velasquez notes that previous imposter phone scams used to blame a poor connection or bad accident to explain why their voice sounded different. But today’s technology “has become so good that it is almost impossible for the human ear to be able to tell that the voice on the other end of the phone is not the person it purports to be,” says Alex Hamerstone, a director with the security-consulting firm TrustedSec.

How can you avoid AI scams?

They may be quicker to create than past imposter scams, but AI scam calls are still labor-intensive for criminals, so your odds of being targeted are low, according to Velasquez. Most con artists want to use attacks that they can automate and repeat over and over again, and “you can’t do that with voice clones because it requires the victim to know and recognize a voice, not just some random voice,” she says.

The problem is that these attacks will continue to increase as the technology improves, making it easier to locate targets and clone voices. And there’s another reason now is the best time for criminals to run these cons: “As these kinds of capabilities are new to our society, we have not yet developed the right instincts and precautions to not fully trust what is being said via phone, [especially] if we are convinced that this is a voice of a person we trust,” Madry says.

That’s why it’s important to take proper precautions to boost your online security and avoid being targeted in the first place. Here are a few suggestions from the experts:

Make your social media accounts private

Before sharing audio and video clips of yourself on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or other social media accounts, Velasquez recommends limiting your privacy settings (including who can see your posts) to people you know and trust. Users who keep their posts open to everyone should review and remove audio and video recordings of themselves and loved ones from social media platforms to thwart scammers who may seek to capture their voices, she says.

Use multifactor authentication

Setting up multifactor authentication for your online accounts can also make it more difficult for fraudsters to access them. This system requires you to enter a combination of credentials that verifies your identitysuch as a single-use, time-sensitive code you receive on your phone via textin addition to a username and password to log in to your account.

If you use biometric tools for verification, opt for ones that use your face or fingerprint rather than your voice to avoid providing criminals with the resources to create a deepfake.

Assign a secret phrase

Hijazi suggests coming up with a secret phrase or password that you can exchange with your loved one ahead of time. That way, if you receive a call alleging that they have been kidnapped or need money right away, you can authenticate that you are indeed speaking to the real person. “This does take some advance planning, but it’s a free and effective proactive measure,” he says.

Erase your digital footprint

Last, you can avoid being targeted by these scams to begin with by disappearing from the internet, as best as anyone is able to these days. Scammers often rely on the trail of breadcrumbs you leave about yourself online, from your pet’s name to your high school mascot, to learn about your life and build a scam around it.

“There are vast amounts of information freely and publicly available about almost every one of us,” Hamerstone says. “It is very simple to find out people’s family members, associations and employers, and these are all things that a scammer can use to create a convincing scam.”

The solution is simple, according to Hamerstone. “Limiting the amount of information we share about ourselves publicly is one of the few ways that we can lower the risk of these types of scams,” he says.

Online tools like DeleteMe can automatically remove your name, address and other personal details from data brokers, which will make it more difficult for scammers to target you. Google is even working on a new Results About You tool that’ll alert you when your personal info appears in its search results and will make it easy to request their removal.

What should you do if you receive an AI scam call?

Received a suspicious phone call? If you are on the phone with a loved one who is demanding money, don’t panic. “It can be scary and disturbing to hear a loved one in distress, but the most important thing to remember is not to overreact,” Velasquez says.

Instead, experts recommend taking these steps before agreeing to send money to someone over the phone:

1. Call your loved one directly using a trusted phone number.
2. If you can’t reach them, try to contact them through a family member, friend or colleague.
3. Ask the caller to verify a detail that only they would know, such as the secret phrase mentioned above.
4. Alert law enforcement. They can help you verify whether the call you received is legitimate or a scam, Dekens says.
5. Listen for any audio abnormalities, such as unusual voice modulation or synthetic-sounding voices, to identify a scammer. “Deepfake audio can lack natural intonation or exhibit glitches, like sounding angry or sad,” Dekens says. Hijazi also points out that this technology is not “conversational” yet and will likely fail to keep up if you keep asking questions.
6. If you determine that the call is a scam, write down or screenshot the phone number that called you.
7. Block the number on your phone and place them on your do-not-call list to avoid receiving a call from them again.
8. Dekens suggests putting the scam caller on speaker on your phone and recording the audio with a secondary phone. “It is a good way to preserve evidence,” he says.
9. Report the call to your mobile phone carrier so the company can take appropriate action.

While AI scams are becoming more common, today’s AI technology isn’t always a bad thing. These funny AI mistakes and future robots that use AI show the positive (and silly) side of these tools.

About the experts

• Nico Dekens is the director of intelligence and collection innovation at ShadowDragon. He has more than 20 years of experience as an intelligence analyst with Dutch law enforcement.
• Eva Velasquez is the president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center and the former vice president of operations for the San Diego Better Business Bureau.
• Aleksander Madry, PhD, is a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and researcher at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He’s currently on leave and working as a researcher with OpenAI.
• Karim Hijazi is the managing director of SCP & CO, a private investment firm focused on emerging technology platforms.
• Alex Hamerstone is the advisory solutions director for TrustedSec, a cybersecurity company.

Sources:

• Federal Trade Commission: “New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing Nearly $8.8 Billion to Scams in 2022”
• U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary: “Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law: Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights”

Online Scams to Be Aware Of

How to Spot a Fake Instagram Account

Bank Scams to Watch Out For

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Off-brand items you’ll love just as much

With the rising cost of living, high grocery-store markups and inflation, shoppers are searching for new ways to save money. Yes, you could learnhow to couponor start abudget grocery listand you should do both of those things. But if youre always buying name-brand products instead of giving off-brand items a try, youre throwing away money, according to money experts.

Not only are off-brand items cheaper than their name-brand counterparts, but theyre often just as good. Aside from random generic items, Target has its own brand called Up&Up, Walmart has Great Value, and even Costco has Kirkland. According to the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), these store brands meet the same requirements and standards as the name-brand ones. And consumers are taking notice. The PLMA also reports that sales of store brands rose last year by 11.3%, about double the growth of branded products, which grew by just 6.1%.

When you save on these kinds of off-brand items, you have more money to spend on other products. “I like to keep my monthly grocery bill within budget, says chef and blogger Nosheen Babar, so I buy generic brands where I feel the quality is not compromised and save my extra dollars for things like meat and toiletries, where I am particular about the product.

So whats worth it and whats not? These are the 10 things money experts often buy generic to save big.

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Why do some device batteries seem to die quickly?

Theres a simple explanation for why this happens, as it turns out. (The dead battery, that is; not your bad luck.) “The life of a lithium-ion battery is generally 500 cycles (about a year and a half). A battery cycle is measured by one full charge of 0 to 100. So, the more full cycles your phone goes through, the sooner you have to change it,” saysLiz Hamilton, Director, People and Customers at Mobile Klinik, a mobile phone repair business. We can thank chemical reactionswhich create atomic buildup while the device chargesfor batteries limited lifetimes.

How can you make your device’s battery last longer?

So, whats a techie (or just the average smartphone owner) to do? To make your battery last as long as possible, though, theres a highly recommended method for charging your devices. And you can try it right now!

Hamilton says that you should only be partially charging your phone to slow down the depletion of your batteries life cycle. She says the sweet spot to keep your battery charged is at 25-85%. Find out why your phone is charging slowly.

“Lithium-ion batteries can be stressed at the extremes. One of the biggest contenders for destroying your phone’s battery health is letting the phone charge past 100 percent,” says Hamilton. “Many people have this habit and don’t realize the damage it causes to their battery.”

So, the trick: Don’t let your phone’s battery drain completely to zero, and when charging it, only let it reach about 85 percent and then unplug.If you do fillyour battery completely, don’t leave the device plugged in; doing so constantly cancause your electronics to age faster in the long run.

Hamilton also recommends turning down your screen’s brightness, disabling features that you don’t use such as location, certain apps, and notifications and using low power mode to extend the life of your battery.

Of course,these are just suggestions; you’re in no danger if you keepyour phone charging overnight. But following the guidelines could make your battery last muchlonger, which ultimately saves you money down the road. To save even more money, use these tech tricks to save data and lower your cell phone bill.

Sources:

• Liz Hamilton, Director, People and Customers at Mobile Klinik

Phone Battery Myths

Reconsider Charging a Phone in the Car

Reasons Your Phone Is So Slow

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Rising grocery prices can put anyone’s budgeteven a financial expert’sunder stress. Sharita M. Humphrey, Houston-based Certified Financial Educator and founder of Sharita M. Humphrey Consulting, knew it was time to take action when higher grocery bills threatened to stall her big financial goals.

Setting goals

As a financial educator, Humphrey has dedicated her life to helping women and small business owners reach their goals. But as much as she loves helping others conquer the financial stresses in their lives, there’s another area that this working mom is even more passionate abouther family.

Love for family has inspired Humphrey to shoot for the stars in many ways. Her most audacious goal is to retire early. “Financial and time freedom are important to me,” Humphrey says, “because I have a goal to retire by December 2029.”

If left unchecked, inflation could threaten to derail, or at least slow down, Humphrey’s financial goals. So this mom and business owner decided to take some actions to offset the damage that a higher grocery bill was doing to her budget. Feeling inspired? This isn’tthe onlywomen-owned business we love; there are many more pioneers with inspiring tales.

Saving money on groceries

These smart strategies helped Humphrey save $4,800 on groceries in one year.

Change #1: Buying in bulk

Monthly savings: $250

If you’re careful with your shopping choices, buying in bulk could save you both money and time. This savings potential is why wholesale warehouse clubs are so popular.

Humphrey decided to put this theory to the test and started buying staples, snack items, detergents and more in bulk at her local Sam’s Club and Costco stores. The adjustment to her shopping habits saved her around $250 per month. Plus, buying strategically in bulk eliminated the need for multiple trips to the grocery store, saving Humphrey valuable time and gas money too.

Change #2: Embracing technology

Monthly savings: $50

Another adjustment that Humphrey made to save money on groceries was the decision to use technology to her advantage. By using two grocery shopping apps, she made some big changes in her food budget. (One can also try using budget apps to keep a their spending in check.)

The Flipp app made it easy for the Houston-based mom to plan meals according to her local grocery deals. Fetch Rewards helped Humphrey earn gift-card bonuses on food purchases that she needed to make anyway. Using these two convenient tools on her mobile phone helped Humphrey rack up a monthly savings of at least $50 (often more). By the way, these are the things money experts tend to buy cheap.

Change #3: Shopping from the pantry

Monthly savings: $100

The final change Humphrey made to her grocery-buying habits was shopping from her own pantry first. This decision saved her around $100 per month. “I would use all or most of the items in my pantry before going to the grocery store.” The working mom watched YouTube videos for inspiration on making new meals from pantry ingredients.

Making the most of the savings

These changes helped Humphrey offset the negative impact inflation was having on her grocery budget. But the newfound grocery shopping habits helped her wind up with extra savings, as well. So Humphrey had the enjoyable task of figuring out how to use the extra money.

“I’ve committed to spending only a small percentage of the extra savings,” she says. “I treat myself to a monthly facial, an item on my shopping wish list, and a weekend road trip once a quarter.”

Starting your own savings plan

If you’re interested in cutting your food budget like Humphrey did, consider making these grocery shopping changes, as well. The financial coach also suggests doing a spending audit. “I would encourage you to review your bank statements for the last 30 to 60 days to see how much you’re eating out,” she says. “Reducing dining-out purchases can help put money back into your monthly grocery budget.” Humphrey also recommends using cash to avoid overspending on food purchases and planning meals around deals at your local grocery stores.

Next, check out the grocery store with the best reputation.

Sources:

• Sharita M. Humphrey, Certified Financial Educator and founder of Sharita M. Humphrey Consulting

How I Saved $13,000 in One Year

Small Changes Saved Me $5,000

Budget Cuts Helped Me Pay Off $71,000

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Score these freebies on your birthday

Birthdays are a time for celebration. In addition to receiving heartfelt happy birthday messages and birthday gifts from your nearest and dearest, there’s another way to make your special day even better: by scoring freebies on your birthday. Yes, you read that rightthere are tons of companies willing to celebrate your birthday with an extra-special treat. And since we would never arrive to the party empty-handed, we’ve compiled a list of all the things you can score for free on your big day.

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to save money this year, then taking advantage of birthday freebies is a great pace to start. But first, it’s important to note that in order to claim any of the freebies on our list, you’ll have to join the company’s loyalty or rewards programs. You can do this by downloading their app or visiting their website. As an added bonus, many of these programs will also give you a free gift just for signing up, which means you’ll get to celebrate another trip around the sun with two special treats! So go on and treat yourself this year with the best birthday freebies of 2023.

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Retirement tips you can’t afford to miss

Whether you want to retire early, get out of debt or start saving money more strategically, a CFP can help you. Then you can consider what you want to do in your golden years, including possibly moving to one of the best states to retire inor even thebest countries. That’s the fun part!

To help you get started, here are some of the top retirement mistakes I see people makingand what you should do instead. This information can make all the difference between stress and stability, and no one should be without it.

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It’s OKwe’ve got you! We asked etiquette experts, nail techs and salon owners to share exactly when, who and how much to tip at nail salons. Once you’re up to speed, make sure you know the proper tipping etiquette in other situations, like how much to tip your hairdresser,movers and hotel housekeeping.

Should you tip your nail tech?

Nail technicians are a part of the beauty service industry, and in the United States, it’s customary to tip service workers. They rely on tips to make a good portion of their income, so you should always plan to tip the person giving you a manicure or pedicure, according to Sharon Schweitzer, an international tipping etiquette expert. It’s good etiquette to tip at the end of each appointment, and if you have a long-standing relationship with a particular nail technician, consider offering a bonus tip at the holidays, Schweitzer adds. This tip also applies to dining etiquetteat a restaurant.

How much should you tip at the nail salon?

Fifteen to 20% of the total bill is the industry standard for how much to tip a nail tech, but this can vary between countries, regions and salons, says Sharon-Frances Moore, president of Shances, a New Yorkbased etiquette company. Not only that, but tipping amounts have changed drastically over the past two years. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, to help ease the financial strain of workers, there was an increase of people over-tipping for services in industries across the board,” says Moore. “We are now seeing an adjustment back to standard tipping, which for a nail technician, [regardless] of the service, is around 15 to 20%.”

For instance, how much do you tip for a $50 pedicure? Depending on your satisfaction, $7.50 is a standard tip, $10 is a good tip, and if your nail tech really went the extra mile, $13 is a great tip.

Jemma Wilson, a certified nail technician and the founder of Almond Nails, agrees, saying that tipping 15% of the total bill is the norm, but there are some placeslike resort towns or luxury spaswhere it may be higher. If you’re unsure, check out the salon’s website or give them a quick call before heading in.

Other tipping considerations at a nail salon

To avoid making etiquette mistakes, our experts offer some additional tips for tipping at nail salons:

• Try not to tip less than $5. If you’re only getting a nail polish color swap for $20, consider rounding up the tip to $5.

• If you’re using a coupon, discount voucher or gift card, base your tip on the normal price for the service.

• At the holidays, give your regular nail tech a tip that is roughly the same amount as your typical salon visit. Put the cash in an envelope with a nice note.

• If you’re a happy customer, in addition to giving your nail tech cash, consider leaving a glowing review online. This can be as meaningful and helpful to a salon as monetary tips.

Should you tip more for certain services?

Not all nail services require the same amount of work. For example, how much do you tip a nail tech for acrylics? And how much do you tip for gel nails? Those services are a lot more involved than a regular manicure. Here are a few times when you should consider tipping 25% or more, according to our experts:

• If your nails are in particularly rough shape.

• If you get any extras, like hand-drawn nail art or a longer hand massage.

• If you’re getting a full set of acrylic nails, gel nails, dip nails or other “nails” built from scratch (though tip fill-ins and touch-ups can be tipped the regular rate).

• If you ask them to replicate a complicated design you found online, like specialty fall nails, winter nailsor spring nails.

How much should you tip for a pedicure?

Toes are no different than fingers when it comes to nail care. That means you should follow the same etiquette for how much to tip for a pedicure15 to 20%says Wilson. If you’re on a tight budget, check out these simple steps for the perfect DIY pedicure at home.

Should you tip with cash?

Whenever possible, pay in cash, handing it directly to your nail tech. This ensures that the full tip goes to the person who did the work for you, and it avoids delayed payouts by salon owners, says Moore. Should you tip the owner of a nail salon? This isn’t necessary unless the owner is the person doing the work. If you want to help the salon owner, leave a glowing review online and refer other customers to the salon.

Should you tip if you don’t like your nails?

If you’re unsatisfied with your nails for any reason, step one is to discuss it with your nail tech and give them the option to fix it, says Wilson. Once the issue is fixed to your satisfaction, pay your standard tip or even a little bit more, since they went the extra mile, she suggests. If you’re afraid to say something in the salon, you should still tip but at the lesser end of the scale, like 10%.

“With all this being said, tipping is optional,” Wilson notes, “and if a customer is really unhappy or had a really bad experience, they can forgo tipping altogether.”

You can also escalate the problem to the manager or salon owner. Follow these etiquette tips for getting the best customer service.

Sources:

• Sharon Schweitzer, international etiquette expert and founder of Access to Culture
• Sharon-Frances Moore, president of Shances, a New Yorkbased business etiquette and coaching company
• Jemma Wilson, certified nail technician and founder of Almond Nails

Guide to Tipping Around the World

Etiquette Rules to Always Practice

Here's How to Tip Your Mail Carrier

The post Here’s How Much to Tip at the Nail Salon appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Whether you want healthier habits, an updated wardrobe, orderly finances or professional-organizer-approved decluttering advice, we’ve got the fall-reset tips for you. At home, we’ll be chipping away at our fall home-maintenance checklist, prepping our pantries, meal planning, cooking from our fall food list and storing seasonal produce properly. We’ll be adjusting our routines, tuning up our mental and physical health and setting career goalsall changes that can lead to happier, healthier and more successful lives down the road.

And it all starts on Labor Day. Use the three-day weekend as an opportunity to take stock of where you are in the yearand where you hope to be. With these expert-approved reset ideas, your finances will be in shape, your skin will be glowing, your house will be winterized and your kids will never be late to school. What do you want to achieve this fall? Let’s get it done.

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Build new routines

Set up a homework HQ for a year of academic success

Whether it’s adding a box of back-to-school supplies near the kitchen table or upcycling a piece of furniture into a desk for their bedroom, make sure your children have a quiet, well-stocked homework HQ. This not only serves as a visual reminder of the summer-to-school transition, but it also gives them the routine and structure they crave, says Fran Walfish, PsyD, a Beverly Hills family psychotherapist and author of The Self-Aware Parent.

The key to a smooth back-to-school transition is to include your kids in the shopping and preparing, she says. Let them help gather supplies around the house, pick out new items at the store, set up the designated homework spot and stock it with everything they’ll need for their assignments. “Letting them be a part of the process will help them feel more calm and prepared,” says Walfish. And bonus: Until school starts, it’s the perfect space to read their favorite YA novels or children’s books.

Create a lunch station for on-the-go ease

Reduce morning chaos and get everyone out the door on time with a lunch-making station for grab-and-go healthy school lunches. Keep the lunchboxes in a visible spot. Have a shelf in your pantry dedicated to lunch staples, such as crackers, tuna fish, chips, nuts and applesauce cups. Then dedicate a drawer or shelf in your fridge to perishable staplesthink peanut butter, jam, hard-boiled eggs, lunch meat, cheese sticks, fresh fruit and veggies and salads. Take time each Sunday night to restock the shelves and prep any food.

Make a family calendar to stay on schedule

A family schedule is the key to keeping your sanity this fall, says Walfish. It is a visual reminder and time-management tool that keeps everyone connected and on the same pagesomething that’s especially important if you have multiple children with different schedules and activities. Either go digital with synced phone calendars, old-school with paper calendars or use a large dry-erase board in a familiar spot. Spend 30 minutes each week reviewing the next week’s calendar together so there are no surprises, she says. If you have young children, allow them to help with stickers, colored markers or by drawing pictures. Even if they don’t totally understand, it’s important to let them be a part of the processit makes them feel part of the group and teaches planning skills.

Enforce regular bedtimes for more restful sleep

Schedules are just as vital for adults as they are for kids, so use this time to get yours back on track. Implement a regular bedtime routine at least 10 days before school starts, says Walfish. “This will help your child’s body get into the groove of winding down and waking up earlier, so when school begins, their body, energy and focus will be prepared for school’s physical and mental expectations and demands,” she says. Tempted to sleep in on weekends? Think again. Having a regular bedtime will help you condition your body to sleep longer and deeperbecause getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Organize carpools to save time, energy and stress

The first day of school is not the time to figure out which of your neighbors has kids in the same school or what you’ll do if the bus is canceled. Take some time now to coordinate with other families in your area for rides to and from school and other activities this fall. Not only does this save you time and gas money, but it’s also better for the environment and will help your family forge lasting friendships. Plus, it’s a great excuse to meet your neighbors!

Set up a no-phone zone for a better headspace

Chances are you’ve gotten pretty loose with your tech time over the summer, staying up late to watch movies or scrolling during casual dinners. But when vacation ends or school resumes, you’ll want more discipline and structure with your digital devices, says Nicole Dreiske, author and executive director of the International Children’s Media Center. This is the perfect time for a digital detox: Draw up a family tech agreement, spell out rules for social media, video games and Netflix binges, and set aside tech-free family time.

Prep your pantry

Eat what’s in season for sustainable savings

Everyone loves a summer farmers market (hello, peach season!), but your local growers have plenty of great things to offer as the weather cools down too, says Kristamarie Collman, MD, a family medicine physician. “Take advantage of seasonal produce, such as butternut squash, pumpkin and other root vegetables,” she says. Not only are these foods nutritious, but eating local, in-season foods is also more affordable and better for the environment.

Preserve produce for delicious fruits and vegetables all winter

Summer is peak produce season, but all those ripe tomatoes, juicy pears and plump berries will soon die off. Eliminate food waste with these produce storage tips. And for longer-lasting options, take advantage of cheap produce prices and lock in the flavor and nutrients by freezing or canning your favorites, says Dr. Collman. If that sounds like too much work, know it can be as simple as dumping strawberries into a freezer bag and storing them. Feeling a little more advanced? Puree some fruit and make freezer jam or try canning peaches and beans.

Make your own pumpkin spice mix for fall vibes

It’s almost pumpkin spice season! Lattes, muffins, chocolates, doughnuts, coffee and other tasty foods will be spiked with the seasonal spice. Skip the pricey store-bought blends and make your own. It’s easy and cheap. Simply buy cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves in bulk and mix them together. Package the mix into little bags and tie with a ribbon to give out as a festive gift to friends.

Come up with a menu for quick at-home meals

Meal planning is one of the top tips Dr. Collman gives for frugal and nutritious meals. The main reason people avoid meal planning is because it feels overwhelming to figure out that many meals in advance. One simple way to start? Theme nights for dinner. For instance, meatless Monday, taco Tuesday, waffle Wednesday, sandwich Thursday and (air) fryer Friday. Another idea: Create a menu of 10 or so meals you’re confident making and keep most supplies on hand. For extra savings, Dr. Collman suggests looking at what’s on sale or on clearance at the store and then planning your meals around those foods.

Transition your home

Clear out summer clutter and create a calm space

When you think of clutter clearing, spring cleaning usually comes to mind. But it’s good to do this twice a yearand the changing of the seasons is the ideal time to get it done, says Rachel Rosenthal, a professional organizer. A post-summer purge is a great way to clean your closet, organize essentials and donate anything you won’t need the next year.

Overwhelmed? Use this trick: Look at each of your items and consider whether or not you’ve used it or worn it since the end of last summer. “If the answer is no, then it’s time to get rid of it,” says Rosenthal. This tough love will make way for closet organizing systems and more seasonal items that need space, such as winter coats, ski pants or a new holiday dress.

Pull out the warm bedding for cozier nights

Soon sweat-soaked summer nights will be replaced by chilly fall eveningsand that means flannel sheets, down comforters and snuggly throws. The end of summer is the perfect time to unpack your heavier linens and check for signs of moth holes, mold or mildew, says Rosenthal. Do a big load of laundry (properly) and get rid of any odors from their long season in storage by adding a cup of vinegar and baking soda. And while you’re in the laundry room, stock up on the best laundry detergents.

Transition your wardrobe from summer to fall

Plunging fall temps are probably not the time for plunging necklines. Get ready for the seasonal clothing rotation by boxing up your summer gear and diving into sweater season. Pulling out your cold-weather clothing early will help you identify what you have and pinpoint gaps in your wardrobe, allowing you time to buy what you need before you need it. Streamline your closet (have you considered a capsule wardrobe?) and preplan your outfits to save time and stress in the mornings. This way, you won’t be scrambling to find something that works for that first cold snap. And don’t forget to pull out the winter boots, hats, gloves and scarves and get those organized in an appropriate closet.

Prep summer gear for winter storage

There’s nothing worse than breaking out the grill on the first fine day of spring only to discover last year’s food residue still stuck to it, or opening that patio umbrella to discover it’s disintegrated with mold. So take the time this fall to properly clean your grill (that includes sealing the propane tank and using a vacuum to suck out all the ashes and grime), wipe down patio furniture covers, pack up outdoor summer decor and properly store garden tools.

Blow out your sprinklers to avoid burst pipes

For cold-weather folks, it only takes one burst pipe (and a giant plumbing bill) to understand how important it is to blow out your sprinklers before fall, says Trevor Chapman, a home expert and spokesperson for Farmer’s Insurance. It’s just one of those things homeowners need to do once a year. You can rent a machine from a local hardware store or hire someone to do it. Make sure you turn off your outdoor water supply and empty any hoses and spigots while you’re at it.

Organize your garage to prep for winter

Bicycles and pool toys to the back; sleds and snow blowers to the front! Most of us have limited garage space, so maximize the room with these garage storage tips. Get summer equipment up and out of the way while moving winter equipment to a more handy location. And because there are certain things that shouldn’t be stored in a garage during the winter, be sure to remove those.

Update your emergency plans to stay safe

September is National Preparedness Month, and while no one likes to think about the worst-case scenario, you only have to watch the news to know those can happen. Now is the time to create family emergency plans for events such as house fires, power outages or snowstorms. Pack all the essentials you’ll need in case of an emergency, says Julie Bowman, a certified emergency preparedness specialist and first responder. Not sure where to start? How about a fire extinguisher, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, battery-powered flashlights and extra batteries. Learn how to use Alexa in emergencies, and check out these lists of emergency essentials for your home, car, work and school.

Ready your car for winter

Make an emergency car kit for peace of mind

Car troubles? Getting stranded in the summer is annoying, but depending on where you live, getting stranded in the winter could be fatal, says Bowman. Create an emergency kit for your car that might include jumper cables, a blanket, a foldable shovel, an ice scraper, a bag of kitty litter or sand, a spare coat, flares and extra snacks. If you have little ones, keep extra diapers, wipes, formula and warm clothing for them as well.

Winterize your car to be ready on the road

In addition to carrying emergency gear, you’ll want to prepare your car for winter and make sure it can handle the added stress of winter driving conditions, says Bowman. Fall is the time to refill your windshield wiper fluid, get your radiator checked, test your battery, check your headlights and have any alignment issues fixed.

Make an appointment to get your tires changed

If you live in a place with ice, snow or heavy rain in the winter, getting snow or studded tires will make a big difference in how your car handles. (Just make sure you know the best time to buy new tires.) “You’ll feel safer and more secure with more traction on the road,” says Bowman. If you can’t afford to change out your tires seasonally (or if you rarely get snow), consider purchasing a bag of tire chains and keep them in your trunk.

Prioritize mental health and self-care

Book vacation days now so you actually use your PTO

Americans have some of the unhealthiest work habitsand one of the top sins is not taking their vacation days. The end of summer may feel too early to be thinking about your holiday plans, but a little planning now will make sure you get the time off you want, when you want it, and give you something to look forward to, says clinical psychologist Nancy Irwin, PsyD. Talk to your manager about how they handle holiday time-off requests and if they have any rules. Then get your request in as soon as it’s allowed. This will save you a lot of grief and frustration later on.

Print family photos for a serotonin boost

Half the fun of the long summer break is getting to relive the sunny memories as the days get shorter. To keep it fresh in your mind and feel happier, create a visual reminder of your magical summer moments, says Irwin. Don’t just let those pictures languish on Instagram or Facebook. Make a wall of framed photos, a printed photo book, an electronic photo collage on your computer, a scrapbook or simply pin printed photos onto a cork board.

Make a fall bucket list to celebrate the season

Combat the dreaded end of summer by giving yourself something to look forward to. “Create a dream board filled with pictures of places you want to go, new skills to learn or things you want to do to celebrate fall,” says Janine Knighton, creative director at PuttingAPinInIt.com. Scenic drives to spot the best fall foliage in America, apple picking, visits to local bookstores, a sumptuous Thanksgiving family feastcreate a bucket list with whatever says “fall” to you. Then hang it somewhere you can see daily.

Sign up for classes to invest in your learning

As the kids start school again, it’s possible to feel lonely. Connect with others and sign up for a class or two. You can further your formal education at the local community college or develop a hobby with painting, music or woodworking lessons. It’s important to find productive ways to stay busy, as feeling distant and alone can be a major trigger for alcohol or other addictions, Knighton says.

Launch a gratitude campaign to stay centered

The holiday season can trigger a tide of emotions. Whether this is your first holiday without your mother or your first Halloween since a divorce, fall and winter events have a way of bringing up big feelings. Instead of avoiding them (a long-term mistake), identify what you might deal with and make a plan for how to handle each situation. This can mitigate stress in a healthy way, says Irwin. Another pro tip? Practice gratitude. Studies show that people who practice gratitude (whether that’s in their morning routine or through gratitude journaling) actually live longer.

Schedule therapy sessions and stay ahead of stress

Fall resets are a great time to check in on your mental health and schedule some ways to take care of yourself, Irwin says. This can include getting a massage or a facial. It could be scheduling therapy sessions, finding a life coach or talking to your doctor about antidepressants. Finding more balance and happiness in your life is a non-negotiable for mental wellness.

Tune up your physical health

Schedule vaccine appointments before cold and flu season

“Without a doubt, the most important health tip to get ready for fall is to get your flu shot and other necessary vaccines or boosters,” says Pat Carroll, RN, author of What Nurses Know and Doctors Don’t Have Time to Tell You. Book your appointments now to beat the fall rush and give it plenty of time to strengthen your immune system. While doctors’ offices typically don’t have the shots available until October, you can head to walk-in centers and pharmacy mini-clinics as early as August. And no, you can’t get the flu from the flu shot or nasal mist.

Check your insurance plans and deductibles

Have you met your insurance deductible? Fall is the time to check (and make sure you’re taking advantage of these money-saving health insurance tricks). If you have, that can make your healthcare far more affordable. Schedule procedures, surgeries, checkups and tests now so you can fit them in before the end of the year when your deductible resets, says Carroll.

Fall is also when most companies will ask if you’d like to update your health insurance. And if your insurance is provided under the Affordable Care Act, you need to make any changes before December 15. Get prepared by analyzing how you spent your money on healthcare over the past year. Was it on prescriptions? Specialist visits? Lab tests or imaging? “Once you know your pattern of using services, you can pick the best plan option available to you,” Carroll says.

Schedule indoor workouts to stay fit

Biking, swimming, hikingthe options for summer workouts feel limitless. But don’t let your exercise routine slide just because cold temps are around the corner, says Irwin. Scout out indoor options, such as spin, rock climbing, yoga or weight-lifting classes. If you prefer to stay outdoors, now is the time to dig out your skis and snowshoes. The trick is to actually schedule that class or exercise plan on your calendar to make sure you go, regardless of the weather, she says.

Avoid the winter blues by addressing issues early

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects up to 20% of the population in the United States each yearand it starts showing symptoms in the fall, says Irwin. While it stinks that you get it, the upside is that because it is predictable, you can prepare for it. Put a plan in place by buying a light box, trying out supplements and talking to your doctor about medication. Make sure to note any early changes in mood and sleep patterns so these symptoms can be addressed quickly rather than letting them progress throughout the fall and winter months, she adds.

Exfoliate your skin to keep it clear

Cooler temps mean drier skin. Keep your skin smooth and healthy with a weekly scrub using an exfoliation brush, says celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross. Exfoliation can be incredibly beneficial, but you’ll want to consider your skin typefor instance, it’s not recommended for those with rosacea. And don’t forget to spread some of the love to your (dry, itchy) scalp as well, using a scalp massage brush in the shower and anti-dandruff shampoo if you’re “snowing” flakes.

Stock up on cold-weather skin care to stay moisturized

You’ll not only want to make sure you’re applying your skin-care routine in the right order, you’ll also want to ensure you’re using the right products for the season. Summer is all about light, protective lotions, while winter requires creamier, more penetrating balms. So what to do about the in-between weather of fall? Your summer skincare may be too drying for what your skin needs now, says Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, author and founder of Schique Skincare. Look for slightly heavier face moisturizers that target dryness and lock in moisture. For cleansers, “a good rule of thumb is to use a non-drying sulfate-free cleanser in the morning and a lightweight lotion-based cleanser at night, depending on skin type,” she says.

Prepare for allergy season

You may feel like you’ve just escaped the pollen-induced snot-fest of spring, but ragweed allergy season is right around the corner, come fall, says Carolyn Dean, MD, author of The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women’s Health. Now is the time to talk to your doctor about your particular sensitivities and what you can do to treat them. Stock up on tissues and allergy medicine, much of which is over-the-counter these days. Or you can try a more natural route by drinking plenty of water and supplementing with magnesium citrate, she says.

Drink more water to stay hydrated

You’re constantly being reminded to stay hydrated in the summer, but fall and winter can be just as dry, if not worse, Dr. Schaffer says. That means drink up! Even if you’re not sweating in the sun, your body still needs plenty of fluids to be happy and healthy.

Get your finances in shape

Spend FSA money so you don’t lose cash

Carroll recommends taking a look at your health spending account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)or set one up if you aren’t already taking advantage of this tax break. Both an HSA and FSA allow you set aside pre-tax money in an account to pay for health expenses (including glasses or contacts!). But while the HSA rolls over to the next year, your FSA dollars must be used during the plan year. During fall, tally up how much money you’ve used in your account and plan how you’ll spend the rest before the new year, says Carroll. And don’t forget to submit any reimbursement receipts for costs you’ve covered.

Donate to charity before the end of the year

Helping others is one of the simplest ways to feel happier. And while the benefits of volunteering are endless, both personally and for those you’re helping, they also come with some real financial perks. So not only will donating to a charity improve your mood as we go into the “season of giving,” it may also be eligible for a tax write-off, says certified financial planner Tim Jensen.

Set a holiday budget to avoid hefty bills

The time to set a holiday budget is now, before the holiday shopping madness even begins, says Jensen. Figure out how much you can afford to spend on gifts, parties, holiday clothing or traveland plan to stick to it. You can use budgeting apps to help! If you’re in a relationship, talk with your partner to make sure you’re on the same page, and keep a copy of your budget handy.

Audit bills to save money

Take this fall reset time to look into your spending. You may be paying hundreds of dollars more than you realize for services you rarely or never use. This is especially true if you use auto-pay services for bills or subscriptions (here’s which bills to never put on auto-pay). When you don’t even see the charge, it’s easy to forget it exists, says Jensen. Fall is the perfect time to comb through your bank account and household bills, then cancel subscriptions, unnecessary apps or membershipsespecially any holdovers from the summer.

Reevaluate your career goals to stay on track

Have you had “The Talk” with yourself recently? Fall tends to be the home stretch for work-related goals and accomplishments before annual end-of-year performance reviews. Have you developed good habits working from home? Are you career cushioning? Take the time during your fall reset to review goals and accomplishments and make sure you’re still on track, says Nicole Coustier, business coach and CEO of Aurelian Coaching. This way, you’ll know what you need to prioritize in order to finish the year on a high noteand land that bonus, she says.

Refresh your LinkedIn profile to invite new opportunities

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? If the answer is . (silence) … then now is the time to get on that, says Coustier. Even if you’re not actively looking for new employment opportunities, it’s still a great way to make connections in your field and stay current on what’s happening.

Consider a second career for some extra cash

Retirement doesn’t always go according to plan (especially if you never made a retirement plan), and one way to offset some costs while staying productive is to consider a second career, says Jensen. Whether that’s working a few hours as a consultant in your field or branching out into something totally new, you can earn a little extra cash, stay mentally sharp, keep physically active and (hopefully) have some fun.

Go on a practice interview to prepare for the real deal

Whether you’re changing careers or just looking for a new position, interviewing can be really nerve-wracking, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. And when you’re anxious, it’s hard to present yourself in the best light, says Coustier. Read up on tips from a hiring manager and things a job interviewer notices about you. Then practice with a friend or loved one. Another option: Consider hiring a career counselor who can walk you through the interview process and give you tips.

About the experts

• Fran Walfish, PsyD, is a parenting expert and leading child, couple and family psychotherapist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California. She is the author of The Self-Aware Parent.
• Nicole Dreiske has 40 years of experience in developing advanced educational strategies. She is an acknowledged pioneer of screen-based educational programs and the founder and executive director of the International Children’s Media Center.
• Kristamarie Collman, MD, is a family medicine physician specializing in preventative health, nutrition and weight management. She is the author of Glow Up Your Life!
• Rachel Rosenthal is an organizing expert and founder of professional organizing firm Rachel and Company.
• Trevor Chapman is a home expert and spokesperson for Farmer’s Insurance.
• Julie Bowman is a certified emergency preparedness specialist and first responder.
• Nancy Irwin, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist. She is also a diplomat for the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.
• Janine Knighton is the creative director at PuttingAPinInIt.com
• Pat Carroll, RN, is an award-winning writer and author of What Nurses Know and Doctors Don’t Have Time to Tell You. She has also maintained a part-time clinical practice as a trauma nurse, while teaching nurses, respiratory therapists, radiologic technology clinical educators and aspiring health profession teachers.
• Joshua Ross is a celebrity aesthetician and the founder of SkinLab in Los Angeles.
• Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, is a board-certified medical doctor, bestselling author of Irresistible You and founder of Schique Skincare.
• Carolyn Dean, MD, is an expert innutritional therapy. She is the author of more than 50 books, includingThe Magnesium Miracle andThe Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women’s Health.
• Tim Jensen is a certified financial planner.
• Nicole Coustier is a business coach and CEO of Aurelian Coaching with more than 25 years of experience in government, tech, consulting and patient advocacy.

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The post 42 Ways to Reset Your Life This Fall—and Set Yourself Up for Success All Year Long appeared first on Reader's Digest.

The best Amazon Prime Day alternative sales

Popular retailers

• Nordstrom: The brand’s upcoming Anniversary Sale is one of the most anticipated Prime Day alternatives of the year, and this year it takes place from July 11 to August 6 for Cardmembers and July 17 to August 6 for everyone else. Stop by the site and save today.
• Target: The sizzling savings event is in full swing! Shop the sale before it ends and save on almost every category.
• Walmart: Walmart+ Week is July 11-13, and the retailer has slashed prices across the site. Secure the best deals on everything from robot vacuums to carpet stain removers.
• Wayfair: As usual, Wayfair’s contribution to summertime appliance sales is epic. Their Fourth of July clearance boasts deals among dozens of categories on-site.

Beauty and skincare

• PMD Beauty: Save 20% across the site with code GLOW20 and get the Wave tool for 30% off. See our review of the microdermabrasion tool for more information on this magical exfoliator.
• Sephora: The beauty retailer is offering up to 50% off select items, including popular finds like Fenty foundation and Tarte concealer.
• SolaWave: Save a staggering 40% on the TikTok-famous 4-in-1 skincare wand and serum that softens signs of aging.
• Ulta: Shop Ulta’s sale offerings for exclusive discounts on brands like Olaplex and Redken.

Clothing and accessories

• Allbirds: Save a whopping 40% on the best shoes for walking. Not convinced? Read our glowing review.
• Aurate: Striking, upscale jewelry is 30% off during Aurate’s Fourth of July sale.
• Bare Necessities: Pick up a new bikini or stock up on undergarments during the Fourth of July sale.
• Columbia: Now is the perfect time to save on winter coats and summertime activewear when you shop at Columbia. Everything is 25% off!
• Cozy Earth: Our editors’ favorite cooling pajamas and sheets are up to 35% offit’s one of our favorite Amazon Prime Day alternative sales. From July 11-12, save 35% off sitewide with code PRIMEDAY.
• Eddie Bauer: Save a whopping 50% on sale items, plus 50% markdowns on clearance.
• Everlane: Dressy and casual finds alike are up to 60% off at Everlane!
• Girlfriend: Get 25% offeverything on the site.
• Hanna Andersson: The Big Hanna sale is in full swing, which means limited-time savings on pajamas for the whole family.
• Honeylove: The popular shapewear brand is offering a “buy one item, take 20% off the rest of your order” promo. Plus, shop the discount section to find incredible deals, like $45 off the beloved Boldness body suit.
• Lane Bryant: We love saving money at Lane Bryant, and this plus-size clothing store is offering a staggering 40% off new arrivals and 50% off clearance. That includes the internet-breaking Livi legging!
• L.L. Bean: Save up to 50% on all sale items. Now is the time to stock up on bug-proof shirts.
• Skims: Skims is having an epic Last Chance sale full of items that won’t be coming back! Now’s your chance to stock up on your favorites before they’re gone forever.
• Summersalt: The warm weather clothing brand’s second-ever warehouse sale has swimsuits and clothing for up to 60% off!
• Zappos: The retailer known for shoes is also offering big savings on brand-name clothing and accessories that are perfect for summer.

Electronics

• LG: The electronics brand is offering tons of deals, including savings on kitchen appliances, laundry care, TV and home theater systems and computers.
• Samsung: Samsung always has incredible deals running on their top-of-the-line appliances and electronics, but a rare savings of up to $400 on The Frame TV is so tempting.

Home and Kitchen

• Arhaus: Enjoy incredible savings on furniture and outdoor decor when you shop Arhaus’ Summer Sale.
• Bissell: Now is the time to pick up a new vacuum or carpet cleanermost of Bissell’s catalog is on deep discount!
• Calpak: Through July 7, take up to 60% off luxury travel sets when you shop the Travel More sale.Psstthat means the bestselling Starter Bundle is available at a savings of $245!
• Citizenry: Limited-edition furniture designs are 35% off. But hurryonce they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
• Dyson: Dyson deals are rare and always worth shopping. Save up to $200 on select vacuums and air purifiers, plus $100 off the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer.
• Electrolux: Save up to 50% on vacuums and get a free filter. Plus, score up to $550 off laundry through July 12.
• Lowe’s: The appliance retailer is offering incredible dealsup to 35% offon select grills through July 5.
• Monos: Save up to 20% off sitewide when you shop luxury travel gear at Monos. Use discount code JULY to secure the savings.
• Outer: Stock up on summertime outdoor furniture while it’s all 30% off at Outer.
• Rifle Paper Co.: Everything is 20% off with code SUMMER20.
• Rugs USA: Snag 30% off everything on the site with code FIREWORKS.
• Sleep Number: Sleep Number is offering savings of up to 50% on smart beds, bed frames, pillows and sheet sets among tons of other savings. The savings extend to bestsellers like the TrueTemp blanket.
• Solo Stove: Snag the smokeless, portable fire pit of your dreams during Solo Stove’s Fourth of July sale and save up to 50%!
• West Elm: The retailer’s Fourth of July sale is well worth shopping with up to 60% off select finds.

Mattresses and Bedding

• Avocado: Save up to 20% on organic mattresses, adjustable foundations, furniture and bedding. This includes the popular Avocado Green mattress that we covered in a review.
• Bed Jet: Bed Jet cooling systems eliminate overheating, promoting sweat-free sleep. Take advantage of a rare 30% off sale and save on this bed cooling system.
• Brooklinen: Score 20% off during the bedding brand’s biggest Summer Sale ever.
• Brooklyn Bedding: Use code JULY25 to get 25% off everything sitewide. Score incredible savings on the Brooklyn Chill mattress.
• Burrow: Upgrade your couch to the internet-famous Nomad sectional or pick up a few accent furniture pieces and enjoy up to 50% off select finds!
• Casper: Casper is currently offering a generous 35% offeverythingon the site.
• Dreamcloud: Score a mattress for 40% during Dreamcloud’s Fourth of July sale. This is their biggest sale ever, so don’t miss it!
• Eight Sleep: Get $100 off the bestselling Pod Sleep cover and enjoy sweat-free snoozes.
• Helix: Score a new mattress (like the editor-reviewed Midnight Luxe) and enjoy 25% off sitewide plus two free pillows!
• Luna: Use code July20 for 20% off cooling blankets and weighted covers.
• Molecule: Enjoy up to 30% off mattresses during the Fourth of July sale.
• Nectar: The mattress brand’s Fourth of July sale is already in full swing! Save a staggering 33% on everythingincluding the popular memory foam mattress.
• Riley Home: The bedding and pajama retailer just dropped dozens of deals into their Last Chance section. Get their popular hooded waffle robe for 30% off before it’s gone for good!
• Tempur-Pedic: Save $500 on select Tempur-Breeze mattresses during their Fourth of July sale.

Pet care

• Chewy: Save on pet food, toys and furniture when you shop Chewy’s current deals section.
• Diggs: Pet crates, leashes and other pet supplies are up to 25% off.
• Fable Pets: Save 20% across the site using code JULY20.
• Pet Honesty: First-time customers on Pethonesty.com can receive 20% off their first order.
• Wild One: The aesthetic brand slashes prices on bestsellers, including their popular odor-free collars.

Top deals from the Prime Day alternatives

The post The Best Amazon Prime Day Alternative Sales appeared first on Reader's Digest.

How to spot fake social media ads

The majority of people who fall for fake ads on social media don’t report them, but even still, the numbers are staggering. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that in 2021, “more than 95,000 people reported about $770 million in losses to fraud initiated on social media platforms.” If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it isan eighteenfold increase since 2018.

“Even legitimate ads are cloned and repurposed for malicious purposes, and as an end user, you have no way of knowing whether the ad is legitimate without clicking on it,” says Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech. Tip: Don’t click on it! “Attackers can cloak their domains, so you can’t know in advance where an ad will take you.”

Although older adults are often the victims of scams, 18- to 39-year-olds lost the most money to scams originating from fake ads on social media in 2021, and if the past is an indicator of the future, that number will continue to grow. Because online scams and Facebook Marketplace scams are so prevalentand it can be hard to recognize the signs an app can’t be trustedit’s wise to learn how to identify a scammer. Below, we break down red flags you should be aware of so you can protect yourself from Instagram scams, Facebook scams and fake social media ads.

The post 9 Red Flags You’re About to Click on a Fake Social Media Ad appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Have long legs and a limited travel budget? Don’t despair! I have the secret to finding the most available legroom on a plane, without having to cough up a ton of extra cash for a special seat. The trick? An easily downloadable addition to the popular Google Flights website, which I always recommend when buying a plane ticket and tracking flight prices to get the best fare possible. This hidden gem is called Legrooms for Google Flights, and it’s about to change your lifeor at least your life when you’re on a flight.

This is one of my favorite travel booking tips, and even better, it’s free! With it, you can easily choose the best airplane seats so that you can be comfortable on a planeand still stay well within your budget. Here’s how it works.

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What is Legrooms for Google Flights?

Legrooms for Google Flights is a free Chrome plug-in (also known as an extension) that works in tandem with Google Flights. It adds information to your Google Flights results regarding the amount of available legroom on every flight you’re looking at. And it is precise: It will show you the specific number of inches of legroom space available in coach on each flight based on the airline and aircraft.

This information is presented as an extra column of information after the standard Google Flight details. For example, a regular Google Flights search will list the name of the airline, departure and arrival times, length of the flight, number of stops, carbon emissions, price and the type of aircraft (which allows you to check the plane model). The Legrooms extension adds one more column that details the exact number of inches of leg space available.

There’s no additional cost, and the information can help you choose the roomiest seat available without having to pay extra for an upgraded “extra legroom” seat on your airline. However, note that for classes of service beyond coach, you won’t find as much, or sometimes any, information. You also can’t set parameters to search based on legroom measurements. However, since I have a son who has been more than 6 feet tall since middle school, being able to find seats with the space to stretch our legs without having to pay for more room makes this free tool a winner.

How to set up Legrooms for Google Flights

I am not a tech-savvy person, and I was able to set this up in under two minutes. (Yes, I timed it!) Here’s my easy install technique.

1. First, open the Chrome browser. (This will not work on Safari or other internet browsers.)
2. Type “Legrooms for Google Flights” in your search bar. (I also tried this with the words legroom, legroom extensions and Google Flights in a variety of combinations, and all variations worked.) Searching for this term will bring you to the Chrome web store, where you’ll find the “Legrooms for Google Flights” option with a graphic of two airplane seats in green and yellow. (You can also go directly to the Chrome web store and search there.)
3. Click on the bar to the right that says “Add to Chrome.”
4. Choose “Add extension” when the pop-up box appears. Note: There is no charge to add this extension, and you should not see an option to add payment.
5. Next, open Google Flights and put in your itinerary (where you’re flying from, where you want to go and your dates of travel).
6. Click on the puzzle-piece extension icon on the top right of your toolbar.
7. Choose the “Legrooms for Google Flights” extension as an option. You will now see a new column appear on the far right of your flight results, after the type of aircraft. This new column has the heading “Enhanced by Legroom for Google Flights.”
8. Click the drop-down arrow on the right to see the exact number of inches for the seats available, as well as whether that’s above or below average.

Once you’ve installed this extension, you will not need to add it againthis information should appear on every flight search from now on. If you ever have an issue, though, click on the little puzzle-piece icon to jump-start it again.

How can you see legroom on Google Flights?

As described above, the new column of information has the heading “Enhanced by Legroom for Google Flights” and will appear after the type of aircraft in Google Flights search results. What you’ll see are simply inch measurements, which are the exact number of inches every seat on the flight has in economy.

For example, on a sample Newark to Miami flight itinerary, I can see that Spirit airlines has 28 inches of legroom, JetBlue has 32 inches and Delta offers 31 inches. I can also compare and see that all are nonstop flights. However, the Spirit itinerary costs $113, JetBlue $130 and Delta $172.

Tips for a more comfortable flight

If you’re like me, you have to weigh comfort versus cost for every flight. Sure, it’s easy to have a comfortable trip in the front of the plane if you can afford to fly business or first class on every flight. However, if you, like me, are not in this position, there are some ways to make the back of the plane feel less restricting and to make coach feel like first class.

• Choose the right seat. Not all coach seats are created equal. After comparing Legrooms for Google Flights, check SeatGuru, a free website, for the exact seat map of your plane. Both less desirable and better seats are denoted here. Avoid any seats that don’t have a window (it happens!), aren’t able to recline or have an entertainment system or other hardware that cuts into legroom.
• Look for seats that may have extra space for free. For example, see if there’s a misaligned seat that doesn’t have another one directly in front of it. These are rare, but they do exist.
• Sit in the bulkhead seats, if possible. Bulkhead seats are located in the first row of each section, and some airlines will allow you to sit there for no additional cost. If this is an option, take it, since you won’t have anyone recline their seat into you, and you will have extra leg space. Just be aware that most of these extra-roomy seats incur an additional fee.
• Put technology to work for you. If you’re unable to book the type of seat you wante.g., window or aisleuse ExpertFlyer’s Seat Alert. Simply enter your flight information and the type of seat you’re looking for, and the site will alert you, for free, if your desired option becomes available.
• Bring everything you may need to be comfortable. Translation: Don’t count on the airlines to provide any amenities. My list of carry-on essentials always includes headphones, a blow-up neck pillow (the size of a pack of tissues when deflated) and an oversize scarf to use as a blanket. Plus, snacks. I never fly without snacks. For overnight flights, I include an eye mask too.
• If all else fails, budget for extra space. I’ll pay a premium to get extra seat and leg space if I’ve gotten a good deal on my ticket or if I’m flying a far distance where the extra cost amortizes on the lengthy flight. (For example, an eight-hour overseas trip versus a flight of less than three hours domestically.) You can also balance out the cost by saving on other parts of your trip, so make sure you know the best time to book a hotel,affordable accommodation options at your destination and these other budget-travel tips.

Budget Airlines That Get Great Reviews

The Busiest Airports in the World

Airplane Trivia You Never Knew

The post This Little-Known Travel Hack Will Help You Get More Legroom on Your Flight—for Free appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Samsung Galaxy watch 4

Sleep tracking, workouts and heart health are all easy to monitor with the Samsung Galaxy watch 4. Right now it’s a whopping 64% off thanks to Walmart Prime Day deals! This robust smartwatch offers a customized sleep score, ECG monitoring and automatic workout tracking that make staying on top of your health a cinch.

In a meeting? There’s no need to pull out your phone to check the time or text messages. This watch receives an alert when there’s an incoming message or call and offers hands-free answering.

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While these handy toolslike the Editor-loved Little Green Machineoffer incredible results, the performance comes at a price. Most of the brand’s bestselling appliances ring up at over $100, with some going as high as $300! That’s why we’re always on the hunt for Bissell deals. Imagine our shock when we discovered the Bissell CrossWave sale on their websitewe almost hit the ceiling!

What is the Bissell CrossWave?

The Bissell CrossWave is the brand’s consistently bestselling hard floor vacuum mop. This cordless multi-surface vacuum not only sucks up both dry and wet messes with ease, but it also vacuums and mopsat the same time. There’s no need to switch cleaning heads, eithera multi-surface brush roll tackles both functions flawlessly.

In case you need another reason to shop the Bissell CrossWave sale, the CrossWave boasts two tanks: one for dirty water, and one that’s clean. Separation of the water tanks is key to avoiding washing clean floors with dirty wateryuck. There’s no need to stock up on pet stain removers, either. Each Bissell CrossWave purchased through the brand’s site arrives with two bottles of hard floor sanitizing formula.

Like most Bissell vacuums, the CrossWave is also an effective vacuum for pet hair. A self-cleaning cycle flushes water through the machine, freshening the brush roll and flushing debris and pet hair into the dirty tank. This keeps the machine from dragging dirt and pet fur throughout the home.

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How to use it

Using the Bissell CrossWave is simple. Just charge up the included lithium-ion batterysimilar to the one used in the Bissell Pet Hair Eraserand power up the vacuum. Choose from low mode or high mode depending on the state of the floors. During both modes the brush roll spins while the vacuum sucks up both wet and dry messes. The cleaning solution automatically dispenses for easy mopping as it runs.

Product features

• Cordless
• Lightweight
• Vacuums and mops simultaneously
• Automatically dispenses sanitizing solution
• Picks up both wet and dry messes
• Silent operation
• Self-cleaning brush roll
• Two tanks
• Two different cleaning modes

What reviewers are saying

With so many baked-in features, it’s easy to see why shoppers love the CrossWave.

“I love our new Crosswave,” writes purchaser Jennifer. “I had originally ordered the larger more expensive one, but it was so heavy and didn’t get under my cabinets. This one is amazing! It is self-propelled, able to get under cabinets and cleans just as well as the more expensive model. I would recommend this to anyone with tile, laminate, etc!”

Who sells the Bissell CrossWave on sale?

Currently, the best sale price for the Bissell CrossWave is $220. It’s available for purchase on the Bissell website in the brand’s sale section. When hunting down the best sale, scope out the listing on Walmart and Amazonboth retailers often offer big savings. Don’t settle for separate appliances when this all-in-one picks up solid debris and liquid spills with ease.

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The best Amazon swimsuits under $40

V-neck two-piece bikini

Locating the best Amazon swimsuits is entirely subjective, but our criteria calls for highly-rated and size-inclusive picks. Thisv-neck two-piece bikini checks both of those boxes and looks gorgeous doing it. Available in sizes up to 4X, this high-waisted swimsuit includes slight tummy control compression and adjustable straps for longer torsos. It’s also reminiscent of the newly released Skims line thanks to the modern, sleek style.

It comes in a whole range of color options, from coral floral to flat black. Plus, removable cups make it easy to wash without worry.

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The post Amazon Just Dropped So Many Flattering Swimsuits and Cover-Ups That Are Under $40 appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Browsing the brand’s We Made Too Much section is our secret to scoring the best finds. They frequently list specials on bestsellers. Our favorite lululemon Align leggings are available there for a special price. Pick up a few pairs during this limited-time window before your favorite color sells out!

What are the lululemon Align leggings?

Who else hates when you try on a pair of buttery-soft leggings that feature a flattering fit but fail the squat test? It happens to the best of us, especially with so many legging options available at stores like Amazon. lululemon Align leggings use a proprietary Nulu fabrica blend of nylon, elastane and Lycrathat effortlessly moves with the body while staying opaque.

These butt-lifting leggings went viral on TikTok a few months back, and they remain one of lululemon’s bestselling items. Shoppers style them with sports bras for yoga and hoodies for coffee runs. These stylish pants provide breathable comfort that just can’t be beat, regardless of the occasion.

Plus, the Align leggings come with a hidden waistband pocket for cards or keys. We love a legging with pockets! Not only are they functional, but they also look amazing on any body type. Check out the Align leggings on an athletic build by watching the viral TikTok from @antheapilates below.

@antheapilates

Do your a favour and go try these on. You wont regret it! #pilatesinstructor #lululemon #lululemonalignleggings #lululemoncheck

CUFF IT – Beyonc

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Legging features

• Weightless feel
• Buttery-soft brushed fabric
• Moisture-wicking
• Four-way stretch
• Flattering high-waist fit
• Slight compression
• Machine-washable
• Different length options
• Available in sizes 0-20

Where to Buy the lululemon Align Legging

Today, you can secure a pair of Align leggings in lululemon’s We Made Too Much section for $60! Snag some of the best women’s activewear at special prices before your size sells out.

Traditionally, items from the We Made Too Much section are final sale. However, members can enjoy in-store exchanges on sale items. lululemon Membership is easy and free to join with in-store exchanges or store credit on sale items. Other benefits include free hemming and early access to product drops.

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The post lululemon Is Running a Special on Our Favorite Leggings appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Fine lines paired with dullness and an uneven skin tone make my complexion a source of anxiety. Sure, I moisturize and use pimple patches to prevent picking, but that doesn’t improve my large pores or overall skin texture. When I first heard about at-home exfoliation treatments, I assumed they were hard to useor worse, painful. That is until I tried the Personal Microderm Elite Pro.

What is the Personal Microderm Elite Pro?

The Personal Microderm Elite Pro is a skincare device that uses a combination of physical exfoliation disks and suction to buff away the top layer of skin. Each kit arrives with the tool, a charging dock, a charging cord and a convenient storage case filled with a variety of face caps and disks. The Personal Microderm Elite Pro is completely cordless, so users have the freedom to exfoliate anywhere it’sincredibly travel-friendly.

Inside the case are 10 starting disks. These exfoliation disks are easy to insert and swap out and come in a variety of different abrasions. Two different caps accommodate two varying disk sizes. Larger disks are for use on the body, such as arms and feet, whereas the smaller disks are ideal for targeting the face. There’s a cap that works without any disks. It has a smaller opening and uses suction to target blackheads and clogged pores. This is ideal for use on the nose and cheeks where there’s often excess sebum buildup.

It’s easy to customize treatments by experimenting with different disks and treatment levels using the plus and minus buttons on the device. Three different treatment levels offer personalized treatments for nearly any skin type, including sensitive skin. Before the first treatment, PMD Beauty recommends using the included “training” disks to learn how to properly glide the tool along the skin. This training disk doesn’t offer strong abrasion, so it’s perfect for when you’re learning how to use the tool.

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How do you use the Personal Microderm Elite Pro?

There’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using this microdermabrasion tool. Setting it up is easyjust unscrew the cap, push one of the disks down onto the exposed pin, then put the cap back on. Press the power button to turn the tool on, then use the plus and minus buttons to select your desired intensity.

PMD Beauty’s website offers a handy video and graphic on their site that outlines how to pass the tool over the skin. Focus on long, sweeping upward lines. Pull the skin taunt with one hand, then use the other hand to glide the tool along the skin in sweeping, lifting motions. I practiced with the training disks several times before graduating to actual exfoliation.

How often should you use the PMD Elite Pro?

PMD Beauty recommends using the tool no more than once per week. In between treatments, it’s important to give your skin a break so that it’s able to properly heal after exfoliating.

Personal Microderm Elite Pro review

Learning to use it

Upon arrival, I set up the tool and charged it until the three green lights on the front lit up. This took about 45 minutes. With one charge, I’ve been able to use the tool for a full month’s worth of treatments. Not bad! After charging, I popped in a practice disk and set about practicing the upward, sweeping motion PMD advises for treatments.

Using my free hand, I focused on pulling my skin taunt so the tool was able to glide over my face without stopping on one spot for too long. This proved to be the hardest part for me to master. There were several instances of the tool getting “stuck” on one part of my face. If the real disks had been in, I definitely would’ve over-exfoliated. However, after a few rounds with the practice disk, I got the hang of it.

Despite the practice disk not offering intense exfoliation properties, I still noticed smoother skin immediately after use. I think this is due to the suction itselfPMD mentions on its site that “suction increases circulation and triggers the skins natural healing process which boosts collagen and elastin leaving skin firm, fresh and radiant.” I found this to be the case.

Using the exfoliation disks

Once I felt satisfied with my ability to use the tool, I switched to the exfoliating disk. I was slightly nervous, as I assumed some pain would be involved. The disks resemble little rounds of sandpaper. However, I experienced zero pain during my first treatment, and the sensitive skin disks create little redness. I washed my face to eliminate any products that could affect the treatment and started making the sweeping motions that I practiced. The only sensation was a slightly bizarre feeling that stems from the intense suction of the tool.

After my first treatment, I noticed little flakes of dry skin sitting on top of my skin. I washed off the flakes and moisturized as usual. The result? While my pores were still noticeable and my fine lines were still there, my skin was the softest it’s everbeenno exaggeration. My moisturizer melted right into my skin, absorbed quickly and left me with a gorgeous glow.

The blackhead tool

One thing that surprised me was how much I love the blackhead cap. As a tween in the mid-2000s, I used a similar tool that claimed to “suck out” blackheadsunsurprisingly, it was mostly a gimmick. I don’t have a lot of blackheads as an adult. However, the larger pores on my nose and cheeks typically get “filled” with sebum, presenting a stronger appearance.

A pass with the blackhead tool emptied my pores, giving my skin a smoother appearance. I credit this to the powerful suction of the tool. It blows that $10 plastic wand from my childhood right out of the water! I really didn’t expect such a dramatic difference. The blackhead cap has become an integral part of my morning skincare routine before my moisturizer and makeup application. Because it doesn’t actually exfoliate, it’s safe for daily use.

Pros

• Softens skin
• Evens complexion
• Minimizes uneven texture
• Wireless operation
• Practice disks included
• Several different disks and settings
• Doesn’t feel uncomfortable

Cons

• Pricey
• Slightly noisy
• Learning curve
• Slight redness directly after treatment
• Difficult to use on and around the nose
• Takes several treatments to notice the results

Final Verdict

While the results are subtle since I’ve only used the Personal Microderm Elite Pro for about a monththat’s five treatmentsI’ve noticed a definite difference in my skin. Overall, my skin is way smoother to the touch. Even my husband noticed, saying that my face “feels like a baby.” On my forehead, the deeper lines are already a lot less noticeable. This is especially apparent in the vertical lines that run above my eyebrows. I know it’s the Microderm tool that made a difference since I cut out the use of liquid exfoliants in my routine.

My pores are still visiblenothing can change geneticsbut I’ve noticed that the Personal Microderm Elite Pro has made a huge difference in the “orange” texture on my cheeks. Old acne scars are softer, and buffing away dead skin makes my favorite foundation apply so much smoother. Probably my favorite effect of the treatment is that my skin absorbs so much more product, which makes moisturizers, treatments and toners far more effective.

I’m happy to report that even when using the more intense disks, my sensitive skin doesn’t respond negatively to any of the treatments aside from a little redness directly afterward. Luckily, the redness dissipates after about 10-15 minutes. I perform the treatment at night, so I don’t worry too much about that.

Note, it’s important to be consistent with sunscreen application when using any exfoliation treatment because new skin is far more vulnerable to sun damage. I use a dedicated facial sunscreen every day before applying my usual makeup routine. Those who are on medications that alter the skin, such as Accutane, should check with their dermatologist before using exfoliation treatments.

Where to buy the Personal Microderm Elite Pro

The Personal Microderm Elite Pro is a bit pricey at $299 for the starter set, but spa exfoliations can cost upwards of $300 for a single treatment, so the price is fair. Each disk lasts three to four treatments, and sets of six cost $20. Plus, PMD is running a summer sale, so you can snag the starter set while it’s on sale for 25% off. Banish uneven texture, say goodbye to dull skin for good and debut your summer-ready glow.

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The post Our Editor Loves This Miracle Skin Tool That Improves Texture in Just One Use appeared first on Reader's Digest.

What is the pasta crisis in Italy?

Italian pasta prices rose 17.5% in March and 16.5% in April, according to Italy’s Ministry of Business. That’s about double the rise of Italy’s consumer price index figures, which increased just over 8% this spring.

The reason cited for the rise is that most of the pasta being sold right now was made when the raw material costs were higher, due to supply chain issues, rising energy costs and the war in Ukraine. The pasta on the shelves today was produced months ago with durum wheat purchased at the quotations of [an] even earlier period, with the energy costs of the wartime peak, said Unione Italiana Food, an association representing Italys food producers, in a statement.

For now, with wheat and energy prices declining, the Italian government is taking a wait-and-see approach, with the hope that prices will decline as the year goes on.

Will the crisis affect American consumers?

Possibly, but not nearly to the extent that the pasta crisis affects Italians. First of all, pasta is a much more important food staple in Italy, with the average Italian consuming about 50 pounds worth of pasta per year. Still, prices of spaghetti and macaroni in the United States saw record highs in February of $1.486 per pound.

Sources:

• CNBC, Pasta prices have surged, prompting crisis meetings in Italy and calls for a strike
• Reuters, Angry Italians hold “pasta strike” over price hike
• Axios, Pasta prices are up in U.S. but not like Italy crisis

Italian Phrases Everyone Should Know

How to Salt Pasta Water the Right Way

Don't Do This When Cooking Pasta

The post There’s a Pasta Crisis In Italy—Will Prices Be Affected in the U.S.? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Shark robot vacuum

This Shark robot vacuum was our top pick for the best robot vacuum in our guide to the best vacuums for pet hairand right now it’s 45% off during the Amazon Memorial Day sale. Our Shopping Writer used the vacuum nearly every day for two years, and it still operates just as it did the first time. The vacuum empties itself, has a self-cleaning brush roll and uses phone or voice commands to operate. It’s like having a live-in maid!

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Cotton Pillowcases

There are tons of Amazon bedding finds on the Amazon coupon page, including these cotton pillowcases. Safe for the washing machine and oh-so-soft, these pillowcases are also a steal at a savings of $14bringing the total price to only $6 for a set of two! The deep-pocket design fits even the fluffiest pillows, and shoppers love the silky feel of the cotton-blend material.

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The post Amazon’s Secret Coupon Page Has Major Deals in Almost Every Category appeared first on Reader's Digest.

“When people think of passive income, they [often] think of real estate or investing,” says Niki Puls, a Nebraska-based passive-income mentor who earns $30,000 a month working just five hours a week. “But it’s definitely possible for stay-at-home moms and people who don’t have a lot of time.” Puls is now teaching others how to make money fast with tons of uniqueside hustles that can become passive-income streams over time. That extra money, of course, can go toward your expenses, bulk up your savings account and even help you retire early.

According to the most recent U.S. Census data, about 20% of Americans earn passive income, with those households bringing in about $4,200 per year through these streams, though some earn much more. All signs point to that number growing, and the sky is the limit when you have the knowledge about where to start. In fact, its one of the secrets that millionaires knowand you will soon too.

GetReader’s DigestsRead Up newsletterfor more money tips, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

What is passive income, exactly?

There’s not a single passive income definition, but the idea is basically that it’s the kind of work that runs itself. “Passive income is income that takes little effort to generate compared to active income, and it’s money you earn outside of a traditional employer or contractor,” says Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma.

One way to think of passive income is to assess whether that money stream could still come in even if you weren’t around to oversee it. For example, Steve Davis, CEO of Total Wealth Academy, once owned 4,000 rental units that were generating passive income for him. Davis never had a key to any of those properties, and he never saw them in person; he simply owned them and let others manage them while he cashed in. That’s a true passive-income stream, and real estate isn’t the only way to do it.

Is passive income the same as a side hustle?

No. A side hustle is more like a second jobone you can do in addition to your full-time work. Side hustles are a way to generate more income “on the side” to supplement your full-time job. They aren’t usually lucrative enough to replace your full-time work, but some people manage to turn their side hustles into full-blown careers, if that’s the goal.

Passive income is similar to a side hustle in that the income it generates supplements your full-time work, but the key difference is how much time and attention you need to spend on passive-income streams in order to keep them working. Ideally, passive-income streams operate in the background, with minimal effort once you’ve done the work to set them up. With passive income, you can literally make money in your sleep, whereas side hustles require hands-on work on a regular basis.

What are the benefits of passive income?

Earning passive income helps you bring in more money while working less or while working a full-time job. For many people, it frees up time and helps them to become financially independent with income that doesn’t rely on holding a job for a company that might have layoffs or pay cuts at any time. As a result, they end up happier at home.

Puls was working a regular 9-to-5 job when she decided she wanted to spend more time at home with her family. Her first foray into passive income was an e-book centered around intentional living, teaching other moms how to slow down and prioritize their families. She spent hours writing the book and designing it for free using Canva, then began selling it for $35 a pop. Soon, she was making about $5,000 a month in book sales. Then she expanded into other books, courses, templates and social media, and she now works about five hours a week while earning $30,000 a month. “Before passive income, I would only see [my family] for a few hours a day,” she says.

Davis points out that passive income also gives his clients a sense of stability, since having multiple income streams can protect them from job loss or a turn in the market. One thing the pandemic taught many Americans is how problematic putting all your eggs in one income basket can be. At the height of the pandemic in May 2020, 49.8 million Americans reported not being able to work or working fewer hours. And while the situation is much better today, as of April 2023, 5.7 million Americans are currently without work.

Even if you aren’t facing job loss, generating passive income can help you save toward other purchases. Think: new cars, vacations and even college expenses for your kids. “If you’re able to budget for all your normal expenses with your primary salary,” Alev says, “anything additional you earn can go straight into savings for your goal.”

How much money can you make through passive income?

There really is no cap when it comes to passive income. Puls didn’t expect to make a ton of money when she first got started, but soon she had outpaced her salary. The bottom line: You could make a few extra dollars a month, a few thousand or a few million. It really boils down to what you’re doing and how successful you are at it.

For example, blogging and affiliate marketing can bring in great money, but real estate can generate a lot more, Davis says. And the best part about passive income is that it requires so little ongoing work that you can easily set up multiple passive-income streams to increase your earning potential.

“And for those who are lucky enough to get their source of passive income working like a well-oiled machine,” Alev says, “it’s money you’re earning with minimal effort.”

What are some good passive-income ideas?

Now you know the answer to the question: What is passive income? The next logical question, of course, is: How can I make this kind of money for myself? For some types of passive-income ventures, you need money to make money. But there are plenty of options where this isn’t necessary. Just keep in mind that there is a ramp-up period, and you may have to learn to walk, so to speak, before you can run.

1. Real estate

For this passive-income stream, you’ll need an upfront investment for the property, and this can range anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. From there, many investors will find tenants and pay a company to manage the property. If you own real estate but act as a superintendent, the money you earn would be considered active income. When you pay a company to manage the property for you, chances are you’ll be checking in on your properties on a weekly or monthly basis and dealing only with major problems, such as repairs or missed rent payments, if your staff cannot handle them.

2. Blogging

Blogging offers tons of ways to make passive income, and it starts with a website that you create content for. From there, you can get sponsorships and earn money through affiliate marketing. “I earn affiliate income by placing referral links on my blog to products that I recommend,” explains Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, the founder of Making Sense of Cents. “If someone purchases the product through my link, I then earn a commission from the company. For example, I may link to a book from Amazon on my blog.”

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to do a lot of work upfront before you can start cashing in. You have to build a site, YouTube channel or other platform, and grow your audience. “The income from affiliate marketing can vary greatly,” says Adrian Tamminga, the co-founder and business manager at Iron Embers. “It depends on factors like the size and engagement level of your audience, the products you promote and the commission rate. Some people make a few hundred dollars a month, while others make thousands or even tens of thousands.”

3. Downloadable digital products

The internet has made it possible for anyone to sell a product online to a buyer without ever physically exchanging goods. Downloadable digital products can include everything from digital templates for journaling and meal-prep lists to downloadable art, templates for wedding invitations or custom party decorations. You’ll find loads of these on Etsy, though that’s just one venue for selling these items.

“You create the product, and then you can sell it an unlimited amount of times because customers are either printing or downloading the product to their computer,” says Schroeder-Gardner. “You don’t have to ship a thing.”

4. Create an online course

Both Puls and Schroeder-Gardner have had success in this arena. Once you set up the course, customers can pay to access it and take that digital course on their own time. Just be aware that you’ll have to do a significant amount of work upfront before you start counting your Benjamins.

“Creating a course is not the easiest of these passive-income ideas, but it can be a great way to earn an income around the clock,” Schroeder-Gardner writes on her site. “Most of the work is done in the very beginning, and then there is some maintenance along the way to keep the course updated, help students and so on.”

5. Dividend stocks

With a regular growth stock, you can’t make money until you sell. With dividend stocks, you’ll get payments through regular distributions the company pays to its shareholders, without having to sell the stock. “In plain English, when you buy dividend stocks, you’re buying a small piece of a company,” says Tamminga. “As the company makes a profit, it shares a portion of that profit with its shareholders, which is you. These payments are called dividends.”

To get started, you’ll need a brokerage account, which you can set up with an online broker who will place trades for you. You can also invest in these stocks on your own, if you don’t want to pay a financial planner to help you. “You can definitely do it yourself,” Tamminga says, “but it’s essential to do your research and understand the company and the industry you’re investing in.”

6. E-books

Self-publishing an e-book is another long-term way to reap the benefits of sales. Even better? Unlike writing a full-blown novel, e-books can be short pamphlets explaining a skill set you’re already well versed in. Plus, Alev points out, “you don’t need any physical inventory, and you don’t need to worry about shipping costs.”

Aside from actually writing the book, however, you’ll also need to do some maintenance to advertise the book.

7. Car rentals

Platforms such as Getaround and Turo let you rent your vehicle anywhere from a few days to a few months. According to Turo, their car owners make about $10,516 a year on average renting a single vehicle on the side. One thing to note: Turo hosts, as they’re called, do have to purchase a third-party liability insurance plan to allow renters to use their vehicles.

8. High-yield savings

Are you building up your nest egg? Good … but it would be even better if you moved your funds to an account that will do a little more work for you. “Certain banks and financial services companies will pay you just for having cash there,” says Wes Moss, managing partner and chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors. This is one of the secrets of people who are great at saving money.

How does this translate into real-world math? If you put $1,000 into a regular savings account, you might grow it an additional 10 cents after a year. A high-yield savings account might go up $5. This is one of those passive-income streams that works best with larger chunks of money if you have it.

And here’s another bonus, according to Tamminga: “While the earnings from a high-yield savings account might not seem as substantial as other passive-income sources, they offer a lower risk level and provide a secure way to grow your savings.”

9. Renting your space

“Through homesharing, you can earn an average of $10,000 a year to put toward living expenses, mortgage payments, retirement savings or that upcoming vacation,” says Amy Ford, VP of Silvernest. “That’s about the same as you’d make with a part-time job.” This might entail getting a roommate or renting short-term to vacationers or to professionals traveling for business through Airbnb.

Ford also suggests renting out your unused garage space as storage for people looking to stow their vehicles or boats. You can offer these services through sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, but if you want to be a little more official about it, try a platform such as Stow It, where users report making $4,000 a year on otherwise unused garage space.

10. Buying vending machines

This one is pretty specific, but buying vending machines and spending a couple hours a month to restock them and claim your earnings is another simple way to sell products with minimal effort. You can earn a few thousand a month depending on how many vending machines you purchase.

How much work does passive income requirereally?

The most common myth around passive income is that it requires no work. But experts warn there is certainly upfront work, as well as a certain amount of maintenance required to oversee this kind of income stream. “As with anything in life, if it were too easy, everyone would be doing it,” Alev says. “Getting a business startedeven if it’s passive incometakes some time and often money, so be prepared to invest in your business at first in order to get it to a good place.”

Puls spends about five hours a week maintaining her social media, answering customer questions, sending email campaigns and updating her website. But when she got started, she was spending a lot more time on the side, in addition to working her full-time job, to get things going.

Schroeder-Gardner agrees. “One common misconception about passive income is that there is no work involved. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes you need to do work and spend time in order to build and maintain the passive-income stream,” she says. “Plus, some passive-income streams are more passive than others. For example, typically dividend paying stocks are less work than being a landlord with rental property.”

How is passive income taxed?

Like all types of income, passive income is taxed. The difference is you’ll likely have to report those earnings yourself in order to pay the taxes on them each year.

Be sure to consult a CPA, especially when you’re getting started, to avoid any mistakes when reporting your income. You might find that at a certain point you’re earning enough money through passive income to be paying quarterly taxes, for instance, and you’ll want to stay on top of that.

“Your source of passive income should be by the book and follow any relevant tax laws,” Alev says. “Make sure to save for any estimated taxes so that you’re not surprised when it comes time to make payments.”

Mistakes to avoid when launching a passive-income plan

• Don’t underestimate the workload. “The internet makes it seem like it’s some magical thing where you don’t have to do anything, it just flows,” Moss says. “But the reality here is just a varied amount of either lots of upfront work, or at least a little bit of ongoing maintenance.”
• Follow the rules. While there might be a learning curve to generating passive income, you shouldn’t try to get the hang of the tax side of things as you go. Instead, consult with a tax accountant at the outset.
• Change your mindset. An abundance mindset is key, but Davis also says you must believe the idea that multiple income streams are best. You don’t want to wait until you’re unhappy with your job or you get fired. Instead, change your mindset now from “I should have another income stream” to “I must have another income stream,” and you’ll be in a much better position in the long run.

Sources:

• Niki Puls, 30-year-old mom living in Nebraska and working as a passive-income mentor
• Chamber of Commerce: “Cities Whose Residents Make the Most Passive Income”
• Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma
• Steve Davis, CEO of Total Wealth Academy
• Adrian Tamminga, co-founder and business manager at Iron Embers
• Amy Ford, VP of Silvernest
• Wes Moss, managing partner and chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors
• Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, founder of Making Sense of Cents

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The post What Is Passive Income—and How Can You Earn This Easy Money Now? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

What is Woot?

Woot is basically a shopping site that offers daily deals, short-term sales and special shopping events. Tonally, their website is tongue-in-cheek and pretty silly, featuring a grinning monkey mascot and special items for purchase like “Bags of Crap.” These “Bags of Crap” are mystery boxes containing up to three items, which could include something wonderful like a laptop or something totally useless like a single shoe. They also come with their own list of “Holy Crap Commandments,” such as “Thou shalt not be all upset when you find out what’s in this box and how you didn’t even need it in the first place.”

@caseyyisfetchh WOOT, there it is #amazonprime #woot #deals original sound – caseyyisfetchh

How is Woot different from Amazon?

This sense of humor and lottery-like approach to shopping is key to understanding Woot. While Amazon is great for finding something specific, Woot offers a more spontaneousif sometimes ridiculousshopping experience. The most notable distinction between Woot and Amazon is that when a deal expires on Woot, that discount item is removed from the website.

Woot also features bizarre and delightful sale opportunities like “Woot-Off!s” in which orange lights flash on the homepage and a new product is launched immediately after a deal is sold out. In a Woot-Off!, users have no idea how many of these items are up for grabs, so they must determine if they want the item badly enough to purchase immediately.

Lastly, Woot has full forums available for items, so users can chat with each other about items, as opposed to just reading Amazon reviews. This means that Woot has the feel of a lifestyle site as well as a shopping site, unlike Amazon’s more straightforward shopping model.

What kinds of purchases is Woot best for?

Because of Woot’s chaotic business model, it’s not always the best for more specific purchases. In short, you cannot go onto Woot expecting to find a particular item. Instead, it’s as if you’re scrolling through a digital outlet store, scanning for great deals on items you didn’t know you necessarily wanted.

It’s also worth noting that shopping on Woot is all about timing. There are instances in which an item may actually be cheaper on Amazon, so be sure to check both sites before committing to a seductive-sounding deal on Woot.

How do I sign up for Woot?

In order to shop on Woot, you need to be an Amazon Prime member. So, sign up for Amazon Prime before trying to access Woot. The good news here is that Woot does offer free, next-day shipping, thanks to the Amazon Prime connection.

Once you’ve signed up for Prime, just visit Woot.com and sign into your account. From there, you can browse to your heart’s content and even sign up for their daily deals emails so you can be the first to know about new items. Happy shopping!

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The post What Is Woot, Amazon’s Discount Site? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Golden Corral, for instance, saw its sales grow by 14% from 2020 to 2023 at its nearly 400 locations. “It was just overwhelming that people wanted the buffet back,” Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary told Nation’s Restaurant News. “That gave us the courage and enthusiasm to start growing and make this the absolute best buffet the United States has to offer.”

Why are all-you-can-eat restaurants coming back?

The decline of all-you-can-eat buffets during the pandemic seems obvious. Understandably, people had fears over sanitary measures, with food laid out for crowds of people to grab. People avoided buffets in 2020 and 2021. But analysts say the return of all-you-can-eat dining has more to do with people’s wallets than concerns over hygiene.

Everyone knows that food prices keep rising. Restaurant prices have risen almost 9% over the past year. As inflation hits even fast-food restaurants, more households are cutting back on eating out. But all-you-can-eat buffets still seem to represent a good value to families. At Golden Corral, for instance, meal prices range between $10 and $16. Customers can fill their plates with a wide range of foods such as fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast and salads.

Will buffet restaurants continue to grow?

There is no sign of things slowing up. Combined visits to the country’s three biggest buffet chainsGolden Corral, Cicis and Pizza Ranchwere up 125% this spring, according to industry observer Placer.ai. Golden Corral is definitely banking on the trend of all-you-can-eat dining to continue, with plans to add 200-250 more locations across the United States

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Sources:

• Nation’s Restaurant News:“Golden Corral is proving why the buffet isnt dead in a post-pandemic world”
• Placer.ai:“Buffet Restaurants: Filling Up on Foot Traffic”
• The Street:“As Food Prices Climb, Americans Are Flocking to This Restaurant”

The post Are All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants Like Golden Corral Making a Comeback? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Our top picks

Cozy Earth pajamas

If you’re aReader’s Digest frequent reader, you’ve almost certainly heard us gush about Cozy Earth. We even have a review of their bestselling sleepwear (spoilerwe never want to take it off!). Using code READERSDIGEST, shoppers can score exclusive Mother’s Day deals, like 30% off almost everything on the site. This includes our top pick for mom, the sleek and sweat-free cooling viscose from bamboo pajamas.

She’ll love staying cool on warm nights, and you’ll love seeing her smile when she opens the package. It’s a win-win.

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The post The 37 Best Mother’s Day Sales and Deals of 2023 appeared first on Reader's Digest.

The best deals hidden in Amazon’s secret home section

Comforter set

Fans of farmhouse styles like The Pioneer Woman’s clothing line will eat up this gorgeous comforter set. Each three-piece comforter set comes with a comforter and two shams adorned with eye-catching handcrafted ruched flowers. Heavily brushed poly fabric mimics butter-soft cotton, and the overstuffed interior lends to the luxe feel. Secure it at 69% off when you shop these Amazon home deals.

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The post There’s a Secret Amazon Section Stuffed with Home Deals—Save Up to 70% on Tempur-Pedic and Rubbermaid appeared first on Reader's Digest.

What is a travel steamer?

Ironing your clothing makes any outfit look polished and intentional, but bulky boards and heavy irons aren’t exactly travel-friendly. That’s why shoppers can’t get enough of the Urpower travel steamer. Not only is it compact enough to fit right in your carry-on, but steam is a safe alternative for delicate fabrics like silk. Packing a portable clothing steamer is the smart way to prevent wardrobe-related travel emergencies.

How do you use the Urpower travel steamer?

Using the Urpower travel steamer is simplejust pop your blouse, pants or dress on a hanger (or use this genius garment rack duffle bag). Then, fill the reservoir with water and plug in the unit. Flip the rocking power button to start heating up your steamer. Once heated, a 130-milliliter water tank provides seven to 10 minutes of continuous steaming power.

We love the addition of thoughtful details and safety features, including a velvet carrying case and heat-resistant mitten. It also automatically shuts off when the water level reaches below the minimum fill line. Plug it into a transformer when steaming abroad.

What reviewers are saying

The Urpower travel steamer is one of the best travel steamers available on Amazon, with over 10,000 positive reviews. Daria, our Senior Shopping Editor, doesn’t go anywhere without packing this travel accessory. She notes that it “takes under two minutes to heat up,” so freshly steamed clothes are ready in under 10 minutes.

“My best friend got married this past weekend,” noted Daria. “I perfectly steamed seven bridesmaid dresses and the bride’s dress in under 90 minutes. Not a wrinkle in sight. I usually dread removing wrinkles from clothingironing is my least favorite chore. The Urpower travel steamer made wedding prep a breeze. I recommend it to everyone.”

Verified Amazon reviewer Sheesh writes, “I bought this almost a year ago for some traveling that I was going to be doing (interviewing across the US). I knew the hotels would only have an iron and I really like the way a steamer eliminates wrinkles, so I purchased this one following a friend’s recommendation. Let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it! It fit in my carry-on and worked beautifully every time.

I would suggest reading the instructions about how to angle the tip because water can leak out if you hold it at an odd angle. But after the first time it happened, I learned and haven’t made the same mistake again. I only used bottled water (free from hotels, win-win!), and I could always get a blouse and some slacks done with one pour. I loved it so much that my partner bought one for his travels, and we always make sure one is packed when we go away on trips. Highly, highly recommend!”

Where to buy the Urpower travel steamer

Pick up the best portable steamer for yourself or as a travel gift for the jet setter in your life while the Urpower steamer is on sale. It normally retails for $40, but add it to your cart today for a staggering 38% discount. Plus, save an extra $3 with a limited-time bonus coupon. Your clothes (and wallet) will thank you.

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The post This Amazon Steamer Changed My Life—I’ll Never Pack for a Trip Without It appeared first on Reader's Digest.

In an effort to better understandand thus combatAmerican food waste, OnePoll and HelloFresh partnered to conduct a survey on food waste habits in American homes. This new research offers important insight into how Americans consume, store and waste their groceries, including why we don’t eat our leftovers and which foods are most likely to be wasted. This information can help Americans consume their food more intentionally and cut down on their individual waste.

Why HelloFresh conducted the survey on food waste

“With inflation contributing to record high food costs, wasting groceries each week hurts both the environment and consumers’ wallets,” said Jeffrey Yorzyk, senior director of sustainability at HelloFresh. Many consumers related to these concerns, with 60% saying they’d like to cut down on food waste to support their budget and 52% saying they’d like to be less wasteful for the environment.

The largest causes of food waste

According to the survey, there are a few main food waste culprits. One reason that food ends up in the trash is that buyers simply don’t feel like eating it. In the study, 38% reported throwing perfectly good food away for this reason. Additionally, 19% of respondents admitted that they overestimated the amount of food they needed while shopping.

Finally, about a quarter of respondents reported making more food than necessary when they cook and, of that quarter, 83% said this was in order to have leftovers. However, those leftovers often go uneaten, contributing to food waste at large.

How leftovers contribute to food waste

In the words of Yorzyk, “Families cook with the best intention of using their leftovers, but our research shows that they are generally not consuming all of those leftovers.” Here are the top three reasons why, according to respondents:

1. Respondents forgot about leftovers as soon as they were out of sight (32%)
2. Respondents got bored with eating the leftovers before finishing them (24%)
3. Other household members did not want to eat the leftovers (23%)

Which foods are most likely to be wasted

Twenty-three percent of respondents also mentioned that ingredients come packaged in larger quantities than they can use before the food goes bad. Respondents identified ten foods they found most difficult to use up. Those ten foodsas well as the percentages of respondents who voted them most difficultare:

1. Lettuce (27%)
2. Bananas (23%)
3. Milk (21%)
4. Apples (21%)
5. Bread (21%)
6. Avocado (17%)
7. Deli items, such as meat, cheese, and prepared foods (16%)
8. Eggs (16%)
9. Meat (15%)
10. Carrots (14%)

How you can reduce food waste

With all of this key data in mind, there are a number of ways you can actively work to reduce your food waste. To start, follow these tips:

Shop smart

Be as intentional as possible when you are grocery shopping. Buy smaller quantities and really evaluate whether or not you want to eat something before tossing it in your cart. To help prevent impulse purchases, make a meal plan before you shop.

Consider “ugly” produce

Many fruits and vegetables are wasted simply because they may have an extra bump or two. As long as the produce is unblemished and firm, such “ugly” produce items are perfectly fine to eat! Sometimes, they’re even discounted, too.

Store ingredients properly

Twenty-two percent of respondents admitted that they are not confident that they know how to properly store their ingredients to maximize freshness. Start by placing your ingredients in the right placesvegetables in the crisper drawer, butter in the butter dish, etc. Then, be sure all packages are fully sealed to ensure air can’t speed up the rotting process. To best accomplish this, be sure to purchase reliable containers, plastic wrap, etc. to keep your food in.

Divide and conquer

If you must buy a large quantity of an ingredient, divide that ingredient up to store it properly. For example, if you have a large loaf of bread and know you can only eat half of it in a week, store the other half in the freezer and thaw it only once you’ve finished the first half.

Keep your leftovers in sight

Store leftovers at the front of your fridge, so that they are the first things you see when you open the door. This visibility alone will help you finish them before cooking any more food.

Start a compost

Unfortunately, sometimes you will need to throw out food, such as a rotten strawberry or two in your basket, a moldy slice of bread, or just inedible eggshells. For those instances, use a compost bin. Instead of being wasted, those food scraps can turn into fertilizer to help grow the next generation of produce.

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Sources:

• SWNS Digital: Nearly 1 in 3 forget about leftovers once they’re out of sight
• USDA: Food Waste FAQs

The post These Are the Top 10 Most Wasted Foods appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Why are food prices rising?

Extreme weather throughout the country is one of the biggest reasons for the continued rise in food prices.

California may be hit the hardest, with wet, cold weather delaying a good deal of the spring planting. Berries, tomatoes and leafy greens suffered from California’s extreme flooding. That could mean serious consequences since the state produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits, nuts and salad greens such as lettuce, spinach and kale.

California’s Salinas Valleythe nation’s salad bowl, growing more than 60% of its lettucefaced floods. This affected planting, but it also forced farmers to wait for the flood waters to subside, to make sure the lettuce was safe from bacteria.

In February, the Monterrey County agricultural commissioner’s office released a statement estimating that agricultural damage in the county totaled more than $336 million. More than 15,000 acres of crops such as romaine lettuce, strawberries, wine grapes, celery, carrots, broccoli and garlic have been damaged.

California’s almond industrywhich supplies 80% of the world’s almondsalso finds itself in a crisis. That’s because almonds rely heavily on bees, and bees don’t fly in rain or high winds, preventing them from pollinating crops. Last month, almost prices soared more than 33%.

Where else is extreme weather affecting food prices?

Kansas, the nation’s leading wheat producer, is experiencing the lowest winter wheat crop health it has seen in 20 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Extreme weather like an El Nio system will affect crops in Kansas even further, driving up grocery prices for goods like wheat, corn and soybean, as well as meat.

This follows a serious drought situation in the southern plains states, with exceptional drought persisting across much of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

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Sources:

• County of Monterey: Agricultural Commissioners Office Releases Initial Survey Results of Storm Impacts on Monterey County Agriculture.
• USDA: Kansas Wheat History
• Drought.gov: Southern Plains Drought Status Update

The post Food Prices Continue to Climb at Grocery Stores—Here’s Why appeared first on Reader's Digest.

So how does one avoid a quick change scam, and how do you identify that you’re a victim of the crime before it’s too late?

What is the quick change scam?

A quick change scam happens when a person comes into a store to buy something seemingly small and inexpensive, but purchases that product with a large bill. Because the bill is large, the buyer will confuse the cashier with several cash exchanges, resulting in the scammer making off with more money than they initially entered the store with.

According to Crime Stoppers, quick change scammers look to particularly target inexperienced cashiers so they can have the upper hand. In some cases, the scammer will confuse the cashier with these quick exchanges, essentially reporting to the cashier how much they owe, while another suspect could be on the line distracting the cashier as this exchange occurs.

Currently, the Department of Justice is investigating a series of quick-change scams happening in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin over the past month, particularly in Oshkosh, Neenah and Appleton. While there are only a small number of quick change scam cases being investigated, it’s still important to be aware of what’s going on, and how to avoid it if you’re a storefront business owner.

How to avoid the quick change scam

If you have a storefront business or manage a grocery store, you can try to avoid quick change scams by setting a particular limit on the types of bills customers can use. When a cashier is handed a bill higher than $20, then the cashier automatically will hand back the large bill and say we don’t accept it.

Be sure to also warn your cashiers and clerks about these quick change scams and have them stay focused and keep their eyes peeled for peculiar moments such as these. If a customer is trying to rush them through the process, let the cashiers know it’s okay to slow down and take a minute to make sure they are being handed the proper change.

For anyone working in this situation who isn’t sure how to identify a scammer, be sure to talk to a supervisor or alert the authorities if a particular situation seems off to you.

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Sources:

• Crime Stoppers: Quick Change Scam
• WHBY: “Quick change scam targets Fox Valley grocery stores”

The post What’s the Quick Change Scam and How Do I Protect Myself From It? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

What is the Amazon belt bag?

The Amazon belt bag is a travel-friendly bag attached to a nylon belt strap. Fully adjustable, tighten the strap to fit snugly at the waist or across the body for a more modern look. Because it’s small, hundreds of shoppers sling it over their swimsuits for beach days or use it as an additional carry-on at the airport.

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Why is the Amazon belt bag trending?

In many ways, the Amazon belt bag is the best value on the internet. It’s crafted from durable and water-resistant nylon that’s easily cleaned and doesn’t rip or pillperfect for hiking or traveling. The Amazon bag fits virtually any size phone, including the massive Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Another key area where the Amazon bag excels is the range of colors. It offers a whopping 35 shades for an unlimited number of potential outfit pairings. Pop it on over leggings with pockets during a run, or spend a few more dollars on a few spring-ready Amazon fashion finds.

A secure back zippered pocket is the perfect place to stow lip gloss, keys and change. Inside, mesh dividers and several small pockets offer places for cards, pens and hand sanitizer.

The best Amazon user reviews

Over 8,000 Amazon reviewers praise the bag for being the perfect size for running errands hands-free. A verified purchaser praises the bag’s performance on a recent trip. They write, “I took this bag on a trip and it was perfect for keeping my essentials on me during the plane ride as well as when I was out and about. It doesn’t get in the way of activities, is easy to access and comfortable!”

Kyler G says, “I use this daily for work or running errands. This bag is so secure and stays put so I really appreciate that I dont have to constantly adjust the strap. It holds the same amount and is easy to clean if it gets dirty. Definitely will be buying more colors in this bag.”

Where to buy the Amazon bag

The belt bag is on Amazon for a modest $17 thanks to a generous 20% markdown. Some colors sell out fast, so it’s worth scooping up your favorites before they’re gone. Snag one ahead of springor, for the price, grab two and gift one to the jetsetter in your life.

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The post More Than 10,000 Amazon Shoppers Bought This $17 Belt Bag in the Past Month appeared first on Reader's Digest.

Wayfair’s Way Day begins on April 26, 2023, and shoppers are already scoping out the best pet products ahead of the two-day shopping event. For this Pet Editor, the pressure is on to spoil my fur babies with the best bargains before they sell out. Wayfair’s massive sale has tons of markdowns topping out at 80% off.

What is the Kimmel cat condo?

Archie and Oscar’s Kimmel kitty condo is a whopping 58 inches tall and includes four levels. Unlike other cat trees, each of the levels has a dedicated purpose. It’s easy to navigate between tiers thanks to a clever circle cutout system. A nonskid base ensures felines can jump from their favorite window perch onto the tree without sliding or shifting, and the tip-resistant design makes it safe for even chunky cats.

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Why I love it

This three-in-one cat condo includes everything your kitty needs: a cat tower for lounging and playingperch, cave and scratch post included; an elevated bowl stand for food and water; and a hidden litter box enclosure area. (For multiple-pet households, its worth mentioning that the latter two are out of Fidos reach!)

There is a lot to love about the Kimmel cat condo. It’s available in two neutral colors that match any home decor style. In addition, a clever multi-purpose bottom holds pet supplies, litter boxes or additional lounging space. This is ideal for apartments with limited room. Removable, washable cushions and a veneered surface make this piece easy to clean. Because there’s no upholstery, pet hair removers aren’t necessary.

What reviewers say

Finding a low-cost cat tree that holds up to the zoomies is no easy feat. Luckily, reviewers applaud the sturdiness and ease of setup that the Kimmel cat tree offers.

Verified buyer Linda writes, “I marveled at how easy this was to build and how well made it is. There was even an extra screw in each bag, and the instructions were easy to follow, and there was a surprise on the last page, directions on making the shipping box into a cat house! All the parts lined up perfectly. This was designed with quality in mind.”

Where can I buy the Kimmel cat condo?

The Kimmel cat condo is available on Wayfair’s site for $150. During the Way Day sale, snag it for 5% off. This leaves a bigger budget for the best cat-proof couches. Hurry, thoughthis condo won’t stay in stock for long, especially since it’s a bestseller.

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Stop hunting for the best products and dealsget our expert scoop on secret sales and discounts, gift ideas for everyone and cant-miss products. Sign up for the Stuff We Love newsletter.

The post Our Pet Editor Says This Is the Condo Your Cat Deserves—Get It on Sale During Way Day appeared first on Reader's Digest.