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!
Our perspectives on money are shaped by numerous factors, including where we live. In a country of over 331 million people, there are bound to be unique financial situations. A recent NerdWallet survey conducted by YouGov in June 2026 examined how finances across five of the most populous states differ. We asked about everything from…
We’re not seeing much movement from mortgage rates today. The average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage remained at 6.61% APR, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. This is unchanged from yesterday and 14 basis points lower than a week ago. (See our chart below for more specifics.) A basis point is…
JetBlue is opening the second location in its nascent airport lounge network, JetBlue BlueHouse, at Boston Logan International Airport. Scheduled to open Aug. 27, 2026, the Boston location joins the BlueHouse that opened in December 2025 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. JetBlue’s top customers get complimentary access to these lounges. Those…
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don’t cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site….
Introduction: In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide on the essential documents you must prepare when applying for a personal loan. Whether you are planning to consolidate debt, fund a major purchase, or cover unexpected expenses, a personal loan can be a valuable financial tool. However, the loan application process requires specific documentation…
When fuel prices jump, news coverage often features photos of gas station signs in pricey parts of the country. But drivers in states with high gas prices don’t necessarily fare the worst when you check the receipts. What you spend overall — not the rate per gallon — is what matters. Why gas prices fall…
