President Trump advocates for a one-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates, aiming to save Americans billions, but faces opposition from banks and industry groups who argue it could harm high-risk borrowers and reduce credit availability. Legislation supporting the cap is being considered, with some experts suggesting it could significantly lower interest costs for consumers.
Target is ending its longstanding price-match policy on July 28, which allowed customers to request price adjustments within 14 days of purchase if they found the same product cheaper elsewhere, a perk that many shoppers relied on for savings.
McDonald's is revamping its value menu with the introduction of McValue, set to launch on January 7, 2025, across U.S. locations and the McDonald's app. The menu will feature the $5 Meal Deal and a new Buy One, Add One for $1 offer, allowing customers to mix and match items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This initiative aims to attract budget-conscious diners amid a competitive landscape of value offerings from quick-service restaurants.
Cash discounts are becoming more common, with a 60% increase since 2015, though they still account for only 3% of cash payments. These discounts typically range from 2% to 4%, potentially exceeding credit card rewards. Businesses offer cash incentives to avoid credit card processing fees, which are 2% to 4% per transaction. While credit cards offer fraud protection and ease of tracking expenses, paying with cash or debit cards can save money, especially when surcharges are applied to credit card transactions.
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known for offering low prices, consumer analysts warn that these sales may not actually be the best deals of the year. According to surveys and analyses, a significant portion of items at major retailers offer no savings compared to their pre-Black Friday prices, and the majority of Black Friday deals are the same price or cheaper at other times during the year. However, certain items like fall clothing, televisions, and smartphones can still be found at rock-bottom prices. It may be wise to wait for further discounts on toys and consider purchasing exercise equipment, cosmetics, jewelry, and bedding in January. To snag the lowest prices, consumers can use price-tracking browser extensions, stack discounts, and earn cash back through cash-back sites and receipt-scanning apps.
