Money Talks

In addition to answering your phone calls and emails, we've got money saving tips for 2020 from AARP https://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-2020/99-ways-to-save.html

• Amazon Prime Day is officially delayed, but not cancelled, due to the pandemic. A new date for the typical mid-July sales event has not been announced.
• Mississippi's sales-tax-free weekend is coming up Friday, July 31 to Saturday, Aug. 1. Sales tax will not be due on articles of clothing, footwear or school supplies if the sales price of a single item is less than $100.
• Sport clothing, shoes and accessories are still subject to the 7% tax rate and do not qualify during the holiday.
• Layaway items do not qualify for the tax break.
• The tax holiday only qualifies for in-store purchases. Mail, internet and telephone sales are still subject to sales tax.
• In 2019, the legislature amended the tax holiday to include school supplies in the tax holiday. Electronics such as laptops or tablets are not listed as eligible school supplies. There is a long list of what does qualify as a school supply. https://www.dor.ms.gov/Business/Documents/2020%20Sales%20Tax%20Holiday.pdf

The parent company of Ann Taylor, Justice, Lane Bryant, and Catherines clothing stores have recently filed for bankruptcy. Also finling from: Lucky's Market, Organic grocer Earth Fare, Pier 1, Modell's Sporting Goods, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Stage Stores, which owns Goody's, Palais Royal, Bealls, Peebles, and Gordmans, JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, GNC, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, Brooks Brothers, The parent company of New York & Co., and The Paper Store.  Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank will close up to 500 stores. You might find a bargain by shopping at one of them. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-filed-bankruptcy-liquidation-closing-stores-2020-2#cec-entertainment-the-parent-company-of-chuck-e-cheese-filed-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection-on-june-25-its-finances-had-been-in-freefall-since-the-coronavirus-pandemic-hit-18

Use a stores loyalty program to save - Wendy's Rewards has added to its app https://www.wendys.com/rewards

Tips:

• Downsize your cart.when shopping
• Let your online shopping car sit.
• Pay for subscriptions up front.
• Have a "no spend month" or "no spend day"
• Buy don't rent a router
• Get free mulch / wood chips from your city or local tree care companies

Various phone calls touched on other topics.