Great break for retirees: IRS offer lets you cut Social Security arrears fast

Man with cash-filled briefcase and Offer in Compromise form in front of IRS logo, showing lower Social Security debt payments.

Millions who owe the Social Security Administration (SSA) can now clear their balance for a fraction of the original amount, thanks to the IRS “offer in compromise” program. The SSA has confirmed that struggling beneficiaries may settle old debts for as little as 80 percent of what they owe—and sometimes even less—if they prove full repayment … Read more

Say goodbye to cashback: the OnePay-powered Walmart card offers timing control instead

Smartphone displaying OnePay wallet QR code alongside blue OnePay-powered Walmart Mastercard in front of a Walmart storefront, symbolizing flexible payment timing

A three‑way deal between Walmart, OnePay and Synchrony is poised to reshape how millions of shoppers finance their carts. Next fall Walmart customers will be able to apply for a new suite of credit cards built inside the OnePay digital wallet. Instead of old‑school points or cash back, cardholders will choose when—and where—to start paying … Read more

The chain store that competes head-to-head with Walmart and Costco is coming: it is opening two new branches in this Los Angeles neighborhood

Customers browse bagged salads inside Trader Joe’s Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, with red carts and a service dog nearby.

The quirky grocer just planted a second branch across Riverside Drive from its 1973 original, aiming to ease crowding and turn up the heat on Walmart, Costco, and Aldi. A grocery chain opening two nearly identical stores a few yards apart sounds counter‑intuitive—yet Trader Joe’s believes the move will let loyal shoppers breeze through checkout instead … Read more

Say goodbye to iconic Disney World attractions: they are closing to make way for a new record-breaking area

Mickey Mouse waves beside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom as Disney World prepares to close attractions for the upcoming Piston Peak expansion.

Visitors to Magic Kingdom are facing reality after the closure of three beloved Frontierland attractions on July 7 so that Disney can carry out its largest expansion to date, a theme park inspired by national parks called Piston Peak. Frontierland’s Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat have delighted guests for five decades. Now … Read more

Say goodbye to these products: Costco is recalling them due to fire and injury risks

Costco Wholesale storefront where recalled items were sold nationwide, including power banks, appliances, tires and food products.

Nearly a dozen popular items sold through the warehouse giant must be pulled from use right away, officials warn. Costco has posted recall notices covering everything from pocket‑size electronics to rolling coolers, and shoppers nationwide should pay close attention. Which specific Costco products are now under an urgent safety recall Before you toss yesterday’s receipt, … Read more

Confirmed: a major US airline cancels hundreds of flights between July and September — here are the reasons why

Aerial view of airplanes parked at gates in major US airport affected by flight cancellations

Hundreds of Southwest Airlines flights axed from July through September. Vacation planners facing sticker shock will have one more obstacle this summer: fewer Southwest options. The carrier confirmed it will scrub 247 flights across its July‑to‑September schedule, trimming capacity particularly at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Southwest’s latest cutback follows a $149 million first‑quarter loss and a … Read more

Say goodbye to wasting money: Save hundreds of euros with this trick that leaves the bottom of your pool spotless in just one go

Budget pool-cleaning kit—hose, skimmer net and brush—used for the trick that leaves pool bottoms spotless and saves hundreds of euros.

No-drain hose‑and‑vac hack helps American backyards sparkle before the first cannonball of summer. Summertime is almost here, and nobody wants a dingy pool greeting the season. Luckily, you can keep yours picture‑perfect without coughing up four figures for a robot vacuum. The secret? A five‑minute hose‑to‑shop‑vac adaptation that pulls leaves, grit, and sand straight off … Read more

Good news for drivers: Buc-ee’s is expanding with new travel centers between 2025 and 2027

Buc-ee’s beaver logo sign above sprawling travel center, gas pumps and highway, illustrating the chain’s planned 2025-2027 expansion.

Texas chain lines up first stores in Ohio, Wisconsin and Arizona as construction crews race toward 2027. It has been a whirlwind summer for Buc‑ee’s. After cutting ribbons in Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia, the convenience giant now runs 54 stores across nine states—yet that number could top 70 within two years. Who stands to benefit from … Read more

Confirmed: Virginia green-lights mandatory speed limiters — reckless drivers face new tech instead of suspensions

Virginia highway with a 55 mph speed-limit sign, school bus, and cars—visualizing the state’s new mandate for speed-limiting devices on reckless drivers’ vehicles.

Virginia’s move could reshape how states tackle chronic speeding—will other legislatures follow suit? Reckless driving kills thousands each year, and traditional fines aren’t stopping repeat offenders. A newly signed Virginia law aims to change that by letting courts order speed‑limiting devices instead of suspending licenses or handing down jail time. How Virginia’s House Bill 2096 brings … Read more

Goodbye to criminal penalties in New York: a new law decriminalizes street vending without permits

Crowd lining up at The Halal Guys food cart in Midtown Manhattan, illustrating the NYC street vendors decriminalized by Law 47.

The City Council’s Law 47 wipes criminal records but promises tougher sidewalk inspections. In a major shift for the city’s 20,000‑plus sidewalk sellers, the New York City Council on June 30 approved Law 47, a measure that erases criminal penalties—fines up to $1,000 or even three months behind bars—for operating without a vendor license. So, what does that mean for … Read more

Goodbye to Los Ángeles businesses: they face closure and are deserted after recent crackdowns by ICE

Donald Trump next to California highway sign symbolizing ICE raids' impact on local businesses.

Heavy immigration enforcement has turned once‑bustling commercial strips into near‑silent streets, severely battering immigrant‑run businesses and their workers. Santee Alley—the bargain‑hunter’s hub of the downtown fashion district—should be shoulder‑to‑shoulder in July. Instead, metal shutters already rattle as vendors close early. Community leaders blame a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that have driven … Read more

A girl checks her boyfriend’s chats with ChatGPT and discovers a shocking conversation: a getaway plan

Laptop screen showing ChatGPT conversation as girlfriend scrolls, uncovering boyfriend's secret getaway breakup plan

A late‑night laptop peek turns private doubts into a viral lesson on digital trust. When a curious girlfriend opened her partner’s chat history, she expected the usual search queries. Instead, she found a months‑long conversation with ChatGPT detailing his growing dissatisfaction with their relationship—and step‑by‑step advice on how to leave her gently. Screenshots rocketed across … Read more

July 9 Social Security checks: how much money lands in retirees’ accounts this Wednesday?

Fan of U.S. dollar bills representing July 9, 2025 Social Security checks after a 2.5 percent COLA boost

Bigger checks, strict dates, and what every retiree should know before Wednesday arrives. If your birthday falls between July 1 and July 10, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is lining up your July payment for Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Thanks to this year’s 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA), the deposit will look a little healthier—yet there are caps and deadlines … Read more

Say goodbye to traditional stores: this is Walmart’s first “store of the future,” opening its doors in these locations — it brings sushi, smart technology, and speed to your weekly shopping

Exterior of Walmart’s first “store of the future” in Cypress, Texas, with blue sign and updated entrance

The retailer’s prototype promises quicker trips, expanded fresh‑food stations and app‑based services that could redefine how millions of Americans buy groceries. Walmart has flipped the switch on its inaugural “store of the future” in Cypress, Texas, betting that a mix of artificial intelligence, on‑site chefs and personalized services will lure shoppers back after years of … Read more

Official: Sysco to give $2,3 millions of dollars to those affected by data breach

Exterior of Sysco To Go storefront with parked cars, highlighting Sysco’s public presence amid its $2.3 million data-breach settlement.

Thousands of former and current employees—and even some loyal customers—could soon receive cash and credit‑monitoring services after the food‑distribution giant settled a class action tied to last year’s cyberattack. Sysco’s 2023 breach exposed personal data and sent recipients scrambling to guard against fraud. Now, under a settlement filed in federal court, the company has set … Read more

Retirement at 67? Social Security’s new age rewrites the rules

Senior man reviewing Social Security benefits on tablet with U.S. documents in background

The full retirement age edges higher again, reshaping timelines, benefit amounts, and the way millions of Americans map out their golden years. For workers born in 1959, the finish line just moved—full retirement age (FRA) climbs to 66 years and 10 months on Jan. 1, 2025. Anyone born in 1960 or later still faces the 67‑year mark, yet even that number … Read more

Say goodbye to technicians and repairs: the trick to knowing if your air conditioner needs refrigerant gas

Hand checking indoor split-AC panel before thermometer test to detect low refrigerant gas

A quick temperature check could spare you a steamy weekend and a hefty repair bill. When an air‑conditioner quits cooling, panic—and the urge to dial the nearest HVAC company—hits fast. But before you hand over your credit card, a pocket‑size thermometer can tell you in minutes whether the real culprit is low refrigerant or something … Read more

A buried treasure returns: Nazi loot worth $160 million appears after 50 years underground

Close-up of Nazi-era 2 Reichsmark gold coins from the Traveller Collection, a $160 million treasure buried for 50 years and now resurfacing for auction

An underground trove buried during World War II is back in the spotlight, promising record prices and a fresh chapter in numismatic lore. The reappearance of the Traveller Collection—the 15,000‑piece cache valued at more than $100 million USD—has coin experts buzzing. Buried for safety as Nazi forces advanced and now slated for auction, this glittering hoard blends gold … Read more

Confirmed: State announces up to $400 inflation checks, sent automatically to qualified New Yorkers

Statue of Liberty against U.S. flag with Social Security cards, symbolizing New York’s automatic $400 inflation refund checks.

New York will soon send “inflation refund” checks—worth $150 to $400—to taxpayers who filed a 2023 state return, giving households a timely boost without any extra paperwork. The payments, funded through the 2025‑2026 budget and overseen by the Department of Taxation and Finance, will arrive by mail starting this autumn. Officials estimate over eight million families, especially in … Read more