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When Brand Loyalty Costs You More 08/12/2015 08:00pm • Glance at your wallet or smartphone, and you'll likely find a few cards and apps to your favorite stores. These tools represent your loyalty to these establishments and reward you with perks such as points, discounts and special pricing. It pays to be loyal, after all.Or does it? Recently, accusatio 5 Apps to Make Back-to-School Shopping Easy on Any Budget 08/12/2015 10:30am • Back-to-school shopping is more expensive than ever. Parents anticipate spending an average $1,239 this back-to-school season, up 24 percent since 2011, according to the latest American Express survey. If you already missed out on tax-free week savings at your favorite stores, there are still some w Online grocery retailer merges discount member model with natural, organic products 08/12/2015 01:59am • WASHINGTON — If Costco and Whole Foods got together and produced an offspring, the baby’s name would be Thrive. At least that’s how Jeramiah McElwee explains the model behind the new online grocery concept. Thrive Market is an online store that sells natural and organic nonperishable foods, How to Save on Wedding Gifts 08/11/2015 09:33am • It's that time of year again. Does it seem like all of your friends are taking the plunge and saying "I do"? Well, it's wedding season! And though it can be a fun and joyous time (I mean, who doesn't love free booze, buffets and the chicken dance?), it can also be a very expensive time if you're try 8 Ways to Get Your Spending Back on Track 08/10/2015 08:00pm • Whether you track every penny you spend or can't remember your last purchase, there are always ways to improve your spending habits. Being more in control of when and how you spend can help cut overall costs, which means more money can go toward savings and other goals. The strategies below are des D.C.'s first cat café becomes hotspot for animal adoptions 08/10/2015 02:38am • WASHINGTON — One of the most difficult reservations to snag this summer isn’t for a seat at a new celebrity-chef concept or even for a rooftop table at the city’s best restaurant. It’s for 55 minutes of uninterrupted time to relax with a cup of coffee and play with 25 cats. Weekend availa Va. police establish safe zones for online buyers, sellers to meet 08/07/2015 08:05am • WASHINGTON -- Online shopping in three Virginia areas just got a bit safer. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Fredericksburg Police Department and Stafford County Sheriff's Office have established safe zones for online buyers and sellers to meet in-person -- without fear -- at the followi 7 Strategies for Cutting Back-to-School Costs 08/03/2015 08:00pm • The back to school season is upon us, and for those of us with kids, that means there are some expensive trips to the store coming up. As we fill up our carts with new clothes and fresh school supplies, let's be smart and use a few good strategies to make sure those expenses don't pile too high. 15 Stocks to Capitalize on Baby Boomer Trends 08/03/2015 08:00pm • Roughly 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, and this trend is expected to continue for the next 14 years. The aging of America is a major demographic driver and impacts consumer spending trends -- and in turn, stocks and financial markets. Baby boomers represented 26 percent of the U.S. populati How to Kill Time Without Blowing Your Budget 07/30/2015 08:00pm • Two weeks ago, I had a full-fledged computer meltdown. My laptop started operating at speeds circa 1996 and deteriorated quickly from there. An appointment at the Genius Bar realized my worst freelancer fear: I'd have to part with my computer for the next three to seven days while the Mac Geniuses The Best Back-to-School Sales of 2015 07/30/2015 08:00pm • Parents of schoolchildren know that August marks a busy shopping month: There are backpacks, ballpoint pens, binders and book bags to buy.But you don't have to let back-to-school shopping blow your budget. From office essentials to trendy clothes, we've handpicked the best school supply sales you sh How to Waste Less Food and Money 07/30/2015 11:30am • Do you ever find you're throwing away uneaten or rotten food every week? You're not alone; the government estimates food waste adds up to over $900 per household each year. Not only is it bad for the environment and wasteful, especially considering that many people around the world go hungry, but 5 Ways to Get Back on Track After Vacation 07/29/2015 08:00pm • Welcome back! The good news: You just had an amazing vacation. The bad news: You are back to the real world -- and faced with the reality that you ate and drank way too much while you were gone, even though you said you wouldn't. Now, it's time to get back on track. But how to do that when your mind How to Ease the Pain of Rising Health Insurance Rates 07/29/2015 08:00pm • As a consumer, it can be frustrating to watch health insurance rates continue to rise. The good news? By making smart decisions before next year's open enrollment period even begins, it's possible to ease the impact on your wallet. The numbers for 2016 are eye-popping: In some states, insurers are 7 Tips for Finding an Apartment in Washington, D.C. 07/29/2015 01:00pm • The District of Columbia is part of one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country, and you know what that means: Finding an apartment there is no walk in the National Mall. If you're getting ready to move to D.C., or if you're just hoping to find a new place to live in the city you already ca