Americans Reported $15.9 Billion Lost To Fraud In 2025, And Imposter Scams Have Been The Most Reported Type Every Year Since 2020, So Know The Signs

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A smartphone beside open laptops on a desk.

Fifteen point nine billion dollars. That is how much Americans reported losing to fraud in 2025, according to testimony the Federal Trade Commission gave Congress this spring. It is a number so large it is hard to picture, so picture this instead: it is the sum of a whole lot of ordinary people at kitchen … Read more

Selling Online Without Getting A 1099 K Form Does Not Mean You Owe No Tax, Because The $20,000 And 200 Transaction Rule Only Decides What Platforms Report

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A tax withholding form on a desk beside a smartphone calculator.

Here is a mistake that could cost an online seller dearly: believing that because no tax form showed up in the mailbox, there is nothing to report. It is a common idea, and it is not how taxes work. Let us start with what the Internal Revenue Service announced. In a release dated October 23, … Read more

Halloween 2026 Spending Is Forecast At $13.5 Billion With $1.5 Billion Going To Kids Costumes That Will Soon Be Clutter, So Plan Before You Buy

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Two carved jack-o-lanterns glow in the dark.

Every October, the same scene plays out in living rooms across the country. A child falls in love with a costume, it goes in the cart, and a few weeks later it is crumpled in a bin or stuffed in the back of a closet. This year, the numbers behind that tradition are bigger than … Read more

Mercari Offers Free Shipping On Orders Of $50 Or More Through January 4, But The Fine Print Caps Weight At Five Pounds And Single Items Must Use Best Rate

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A stack of brown gift boxes is ready for the holidays.

Holiday selling season is almost here, and Mercari just handed resellers a reason to pay attention. The online marketplace is offering free shipping on bigger orders for the next few months, but as with most deals, the details decide who really benefits. According to a report published October 19, 2026 by Value Added Resource, Mercari … Read more

Overloading The Washer, Using Too Much Detergent And Ignoring Care Labels Quietly Ruin Your Clothes And Cost You Money, So Fix These Laundry Habits

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A washer and dryer stand side by side in a bright laundry room.

Laundry is one of those chores most of us do on autopilot. Toss everything in, pour some soap, push start. But those small habits, repeated week after week, can quietly wear out your clothes long before their time. A faded shirt, a stretched sweater or a towel that never feels soft again may not be … Read more

Coupon And Loyalty App Deals Push You To Buy Things You Never Needed, So Only Use Them On Items Already On Your List Or You Are Just Stockpiling Clutter

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A wide aisle stretches through a brightly lit warehouse store.

You open the grocery app and there it is: a bright banner promising a deal on something you have never bought in your life. Fifty cents off, buy one get one, a digital coupon that expires tonight. Your thumb moves before your brain does, and a few days later you are staring at a pantry … Read more

Etsy Is Testing A Cap That Limits What Some US Buyers Pay For Shipping To $7.99 While Etsy Covers The Difference, And Sellers Still Get The Full Amount

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A roll of yellow packing tape rests on a blue surface.

Shipping costs can make or break an online purchase. Everyone has stared at a cart, loved the price of an item, and then groaned at the shipping charge. Etsy is now testing something that speaks directly to that frustration, and the details are worth understanding whether you buy or sell. According to a report published … Read more

Estate Sale Companies Can Take A Big Cut, And Tossing Items Before Checking Their Value Costs Families, So Get More Than One Opinion And Read The Contract

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Colorful secondhand chairs fill a crowded vintage furniture shop.

When a family faces a houseful of belongings, an estate sale company can sound like the perfect answer. They show up, price everything, hold the sale and hand you a check. For many families that is a real relief. But the arrangement is not free, and it is not always as simple as it sounds. … Read more

Cleaning Out A Parent’s Home Too Fast Causes Family Fights And Lost Money, So Go Slow, Sort By Category And Set Papers Aside Before Any Dumpster Arrives

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A white wooden cabinet and table fill a quiet vintage room.

Few jobs in life are as emotional as cleaning out a parent’s home. Every drawer holds a memory, every closet holds a decision, and every sibling has a different idea of what should happen next. Add a deadline, a rented dumpster and a lot of tired people, and it is no wonder this job so … Read more

Ebay Makes Its Balance Program Mandatory On November 4 And Resets Automatic Payouts To On Demand, So Sellers Must Switch Bank Deposits Back On By Hand

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A laptop sits on a desk beside a white coffee mug.

If you sell on eBay and count on your money showing up in your bank account on a regular schedule, circle November 4 on your calendar. That is the day a quiet but important change takes effect, and it could leave your payouts sitting in limbo if you do not act. According to a report … Read more