shopping

A Longtime Coming (MM #4961)

Long before Walmart was the biggest of the big box stores, Kmart was the king. But even if your fond memories include waiting for another blue light special, it started disappearing from most towns nearly a decade ago. The last Kmart in the Nashville area closed its doors six years ago. And this week, news…

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Too Early (MM #4925)

Is it too early for stores to start putting out their Christmas decorations? My wife and I went to Walmart the other night, and they already had five or six aisles filled with holiday decorations. For some, it’s never too early to start putting them together. Others think stores should at least wait until after…

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Cash Back (MM #4915)

Every time we turn around, someone seems to have their hand in our pockets. Businesses continue to find creative ways to separate you from your money. Some will say they’re still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. And while this may be true for small businesses, many companies are making record profits. But it’s still not…

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Saving Receipts (MM #4848)

I admit I’m obsessed with saving receipts. It’s something I’ve done for decades. If I can get a receipt, I’ll take it. It gets placed in my bill box. At the end of each year, I put that box away in storage. I even get receipts for the simplest things. Over the weekend, my wife…

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Annoying People (MM #4806)

Yesterday was a frustrating day. No matter where I was going or what I did, I ran into annoying people. And I mean that both figuratively and literally. On the highway, everyone was in a hurry, except for the people who were on the road to get in the way. We had to do some…

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Record Stores (MM #4728)

As I was scrolling through Spotify looking for music to play, I realized just how much I missed the record stores. While I do have everything I want to listen to available all the time online, the joy of searching isn’t the same. There was something magical about the record store. The big box stores…

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Skip Scanning (MM #4674)

The retail world struggles to figure out how to keep the store experience alive; with so many people moving to online shopping, retailers need to develop new ways to remain profitable. As discussed in previous episodes, self-checkout has been one-way stores have cut costs. But it’s increasingly becoming an issue. In recent months, a new…

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Buying Gift Cards (MM #4658)

Buying gift cards could be a simple solution if you’re out doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. Sure, you could put more thought into the choice, but if you’re like me, you’re tired of fighting the crowds. Experts warn us that criminals have recently increased their focus on gift card theft. But they’re not stealing the…

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Avoid Shopping (MM #4629)

I’ve always loved to shop, but today is a day that I avoid shopping if I can. Sure, you can get great deals on Black Friday, but is it worth the hassle? These days, the day after Thanksgiving isn’t as unique in the retail world. Online shopping has changed how and when we purchase things….

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Changes At The Checkout (MM #4621)

In recent years, there has been much discussion about retailers converting from cashiers to self-checkout. However, this change has frustrated many customers and reduced job opportunities at some stores. But there may be changes at the checkout that reverse these recent trends. Many big box stores and grocers are going back to cashiers. This reversal…

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