I recently praised Apple for putting out a $599 MacBook laptop. One of the richest companies in the world was doing the average Joe a solid by offering a sleek and capable machine for a good price. But, even Apple isn’t immune to the AI-driven memory chip shortage. At the end of June, the company raised prices on many of its products. The same base MacBook Neo is now $699, for example.
Apple’s actions illustrate the broader problem with consumer tech inflation, and it probably won’t get better for a while.
Sales tax holidays are a laptop savings hack
But what if you could offset some of that extra $100 on a MacBook Neo, or save on another PC? One way to do it is to buy during your state’s sales tax holiday (if it offers one and includes computers). Tax-free weekends typically occur in July or August, in conjunction with back-to-school season, and can save you money.
Tennessee’s tax-free weekend, for example, is July 31 through August 2. Computers priced up to $1,500 are eligible. Laptops are also fair game for savings during Florida’s extended tax-free season, which runs July 20 to August 20.
These dedicated savings days are a great time to grab new outfits for the kids and round out school supply lists, too. If your state doesn’t participate, can you drive to one that does? Retail road trip!
If you’re here looking for lower mortgage interest rates, today is definitely not your day. The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage jumped to 6.40% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is 12 basis points higher than yesterday and 15 basis points higher than a week ago. (See our…
Sponsored content from our partners at American Express ® Delta is a beloved airline that consistently ranks top for customer satisfaction. Casual and frequent flyers alike consistently favor Delta Air Lines because of its industry-leading operational reliability, superior customer service, and premium travel amenities. There’s a lot to be excited about with Delta this summer….
Gregory Karp writes for NerdWallet. Email: articles@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @spendingsmart. Sara Rathner writes for NerdWallet. Email: srathner@nerdwallet.com. The article 10 of the Most Overhyped Credit Card Features originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Introduction: In this article, I’ll explore the importance of comparing different lenders before choosing a personal loan. Selecting the right lender is crucial for your financial well-being when borrowing money. With many lenders available, conducting thorough research and comparison is essential to make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and goals. Comparing…
When you fly within Europe, most major airlines don’t give you a lie-flat seat — or even a bigger recliner — in business class. That’s because the flights are short, usually one to four hours, so carriers don’t bother. Instead, business class on a quick European hop is often just a regular economy seat with…
Pump prices started rising soon after the U.S. began airstrikes in Iran this year. But the price per gallon is just one component of a more important number — the total amount spent on gas. To calculate the impact rising gas prices have on household budgets, the other variable needed is the amount of gas…
