Trey LaRocca

What Retail Stores Are Open on Christmas Day 2020?

December 25, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Sometimes things don’t work out the way we planned. For those of you that need to do a little shopping on Christmas day, it is good to know what stores will actually let you in. while many stores close their doors on the holiday, there are some big-box retailers that will let you in if you need something in a pinch.

his list won’t cover local retailers, and it will definitely be a good idea to double-check before going, we want to give you a little bit of direction. so, below are some national retailers that are open on Christmas Day for whatever you need.

Are Target and Walmart Open?

No, the two most common go-to’s in a pinch are not open on Christmas Day. Sorry– but they will be open the day after if you still need something then.

This goes for some other major retailers as well. Costco, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Costco/Sam’s Club will all be closed on Christmas Day. This really does limit your options, but we have some ideas for you.

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Where Will I Go?

You may be in luck if you’re okay shopping at drug stores on Christmas. Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS are open (with hours that vary by location) and tend to offer some level of grocery/retail items for you to purchase. As long as you don’t need anything too specific, these stores should have something for you and are open for at least part of the holiday.

If you’re really struggling to find a place nearby, or are just looking for something small and quick, 7-Eleven stores are usually open 24 hours-per-day all year. while some may have reduced holiday hours, you should have a safe bet going there.

Why I’m Going Out Now More Than Ever

December 23, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

I know, it sounds bad. Trust me, though, I have a good reason.

In March, when this whole pandemic started, my girlfriend caught COVID-19. She is a nurse, so she was exposed early on. Since we live together, I caught it not long after. It was pretty easy for both of us, as we are young and relatively healthy. One of the benefits of getting the disease right off the bat is that we had immunity early on. This meant that we didn’t have to worry very much about being out and about.

Local Ordinances Have Been Soft

In Orange County, CA, COVID regulations have been more lax than the rest of the state. Bars and restaurants have more opportunity to stay open, and for the most part, our local law enforcement doesn’t really enforce many of the hardcore lockdown measures our governor has tried to create. This has worked out well for us, as it means we can take full advantage of our COVID immunity.

One thing I want to make extremely clear: we don’t just go out because we want to.

The Duty to Spend

I could not be more serious when I say that if you have immunity to COVID, whether through getting the disease or getting the vaccine, your local businesses need you. This is only my opinion, but my girlfriend and I have been doing everything we can to patronize local bars, eateries, and grocery stores since we have extra cash.

If you don’t have a lot of extra money, this isn’t aimed toward you. It is important to make sure you and your family are as financially secure as possible.

If you’re lucky enough to still have an income and some money to spend, now would be the time to use it. every dollar that we have to blow goes straight to a small local business. It has been a joy and a privilege to be able to help keep our local spots afloat, and I don’t think that part of this pandemic gets proper coverage.

Once Vaccinated, Spend What You Can

This may be an unpopular opinion, but the only way your favorite local businesses can stay alive is if they are visited in force once people are immune to the disease. Hope is on the way, and you can pay that hope forward by using any newfound security from the virus to benefit the places you love to eat and shop at.

I know this topic can get political, and I am by no means trying to tell others how to live their life. I just wanted to get my thought process out there, because not enough people are saying this. The vaccine can mean a serious turnaround from this pandemic. It can only mean that if people use it as a reason to lift up those around them. So, once you are immune, go crazy if you have the means to. This is the one time you have an excuse to go a little overboard for the sake of your fellow man!

What Are The Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2020?

December 16, 2020 By Trey LaRocca 1 Comment

There has always been a rush to get packages shipped on time around Christmas. Now, with the Christmas holiday only about a week away, many people are wondering when the last day to buy your items and have them shipped in time for Christmas. So, if you are planning on doing the holiday’s shopping online, here are a few important dates to keep in mind.

Free Shipping Day

Monday, Dec. 14 is “Free Shipping Day.” Right next to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, “Free Shipping Day” is a popular shopping day for the Christmas season. This is a “holiday” in itself. It is a day where retailers don’t require minimums for free shipping, meaning you can buy something for $1 and still get it shipped free. The best part is, most places guarantee a Christmas Eve delivery as well, which means your package will arrive just on time for the holiday.

Amazon

Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the deadline for free shipping for Amazon orders for non-Prime members. Prime members can receive free two-hour delivery on Christmas Eve. Deliveries will be made as late as 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. Amazon has given an entirely new meaning to the term “last-minute shopping.”

United States Postal Service

The date for sending items through standard post has already passed, however, there are a few other options for shipping items through USPS. Here are the deadlines to make sure your packages arrive on time:

Friday, Dec. 18 is the deadline for shipping first class mail. “First Class Mail” is considered to be small envelopes like Christmas cards and packages weighing up to 13 ounces.
Saturday, Dec. 19 is the last day to send flat rate boxes. According to USPS, the packages (depending on where they are headed) can arrive between one and three business days.
Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the last day for guaranteed overnight shipping through USPS.

FedEx

If you want your package to arrive by Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 15 is the last recommended day to ship your packages for standard delivery.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 is the last day for two-day shipping with FedEx if you want the package to arrive by Dec. 25.
If you’re a last-minute kind of person, Wednesday, Dec. 23 is the last day to send your packages overnight through FedEx for Christmas Eve delivery.

UPS

Monday, Dec. 21 is the last day to ship your packages through UPS three-day pickup and delivery service if you want the box to arrive by Christmas.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 is the last day for two-day pickup and delivery service through UPS if you want the package to arrive by Dec. 25.
And, if you are a procrastinator, you can ship your package through UPS on Dec. 23 for overnight delivery.

If you don’t think you’ll be able to make it to these places in time to send off your packages, there are a few things you can do to be sure your recipient still gets something to let them know you’re thinking of them during Christmastime. Most retailers now offer gift cards that people can receive via email. You can also hire someone through Postmates to be sure your package gets to your recipient on time.

Christmastime is the busiest time of year for postal workers, UPS and FedEx workers. Be sure to get your packages in by the dates above to ensure delivery before Christmas.

What to Do With Found Money?

December 12, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

So, you find yourself walking down into the store, and you find a crisp twenty on the ground in front of you. Many questions pop up in your head. Should I give it to someone? How do I find out who dropped it? Am I a bad person if I keep it? Could I get in trouble? Knowing what to do with found money can be tough, because it can seem a little rude to just pick it up and pocket it. So, what do you do?

Finding Out Who Dropped it Isn’t Easy

If you didn’t see anyone drop it, then you probably shouldn’t search for who did. There are a lot of opportunistic people out there, and they may just say “yes” because a free twenty doesn’t seem like a bad deal. So, it becomes really difficult to track the person down, but you can still do it if you don’t mind it ending up with someone who didn’t drop it. Keep an eye and ear out for somebody looking for lost cash, and if you’re going into the store, be especially watchful near the registers where they would go to pay.

Pocketing it Right Away Is an Option

If you do find money that isn’t yours, at least make a good faith effort to check if anyone is looking for it. You never know what that cash could mean to somebody, and they may have needed it for whatever they were buying in the store.

Although it can be tempting just take the money because nobody was in possession of it when you saw it, just mind the area you’re in. If you’re in a public space with a lot of people, hold onto it and see if you catch anybody searching for money they were supposed to have. If you don’t, then keep it. Now, if you’re in a place where nobody is around, then you’re probably in the clear to keep it. Odds are, the owner of the cash isn’t going to make it back to it before another person finds it. You did find it first, after all.

Pay it Forward

If you find an inconsequential amount of money lying around, and you don’t need it, you can always pay that luck forward! Use it to cover someone else’s lunch, whether it is a stranger or a friend. Maybe hold onto it until you see somebody struggling to pay for groceries, and you help them out. Much of the time, helping others feels much better than getting something for yourself. It is always nice to take your own luck, and pass it on to another person in hopes to spread the love. Especially in times like these, a little help from a stranger can really make somebody’s day.

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Finding a Rental Home During a Pandemic Sucks

December 10, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

One of the most inconvenient circumstances I have found myself in this year has definitely been my rental home hunt. As my girlfriend and I have become a little more established, our home needs have grown. She and I both need a room to use as our dedicated home office, and I need a garage so I can work on my car. One of the more frustrating things we didn’t expect about this exciting new adventure is the process of finding a privately-owned townhome or condo.

Vacant Properties Go Fast

When apartment hunting, things are so easy. If the apartment you want isn’t ready yet, you can just check out a comparable one. If somebody jumps on yours, there are usually a few like it that you can check out as alternatives. Apartment management companies usually know what will and won’t be available when you get there, and the application process is pretty streamlined. The main benefit is that you can plan a month or so out, get your deposit down, and not have to worry about not having a place to live when your current lease ends.

With privately-owned townhomes or condos, though, you’re usually dealing with already-vacant properties. This means that the owner is trying to get somebody in as soon as possible. That way, they can ensure they don’t lose out on a month of rent. For me and my girlfriend, this has meant getting turned down five or six times because our moveout date at the end of the month was too far out. So it becomes a gamble to wait and just hope we can find something decent by the time we have to move. It is entirely possible that the place we move into hasn’t even been posted on Zillow yet!

Pandemic Economics Don’t Help

Just the same as so many others, I was laid off from my day job due to COVID. While I have no income issues (thankfully), this makes applying for new places hard. Both me and my girlfriend have excellent credit, but like so many others, income is hard to prove without paystubs.

We have found a decent workaround, which is really just being honest about the situation and offering alternatives. I have sent bank statements, as well as my previous year’s tax returns to prove the income I used to make! Yet another annoying part of trying to rent in a time like this.

Touring Issues and Sight-Unseen Renters

The most predictable issue on this list is how difficult setting up a tour can be. Many owners want an application before even allowing a tour. Obviously, this leaves me hesitant to pay a $30 application fee for a place I might not even like. While it may seem like everyone would agree with me, that is where a final issue emerges.

There are evidently many people who have no problem signing an application, and even a lease, without even seeing the property. I found this out when I requested a tour to a place that had been posted “0 Days Ago” and they kindly let me know they already had a tenant sign papers.

Oh, what a lovely time we live in.

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What Happens to Your Mortgage When Your House Burns Down?

December 9, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

The West Coast of the United States has seen one of its worst fire seasons on record. Amidst an already financially devastating pandemic, people’s homes and livelihoods have burned to the ground. This is an absolutely tragic outcome, and everyone should be prepared for disasters like these. Getting a preparation plan in place ensures that you can minimize unnecessary stress in an unimaginably difficult time. The first step is to know exactly what is going to happen to your debts when these disasters strike. So, what happens to your mortgage when your house burns down?

Rebuilding With Insurance

The first thing you will need to do is get in touch with your insurance company. Your insurance claim is going to be your primary source of restorative funds, and it is how you can most easily obtain funds for living expenses and repairs. With most mortgages, the homeowner is obligated to have homeowner’s insurance.

Getting your insurer to pay for all damages may come with some roadblocks, as your insurance provider may try to argue with you over the extent of disaster-related damage. Consider hiring a lawyer and a public appraiser in order to assist you in that part of the process.

The most probable situation in which you will find yourself is with an insurance claim given to your mortgage provider. They will set up a disbursement schedule based on a construction or repair plan, ensuring that the funds are used properly. There can also be a good deal of headbutting here, and the appraiser/lawyer tag-team should help here as well.

Insurance can also cover your belongings that were lost in the fire, as well as a hotel stay/rental costs if your home is left uninhabitable during construction. This will help you fill in the gaps left by the disaster, and assist you in continuing to pay your mortgage.

Total Loss

In the event of a total loss, you are still on the hook for your mortgage. So, if your claim is able to cover the mortgage, you’re in the clear. If you are upside-down on your home, though, you may end up having to make payments on the home even if it isn’t there. This is obviously not the most ideal circumstance, but sometimes you have no other choice.

Will Lenders Assist Me?

For the most part, yes. Lenders make more money if you are able to make your payments. So, if you need forbearance, deferment, or some other form of assistance, they may offer that help to you. You will have to be fully transparent and cooperative with them, and ensure that you have gotten everything you can from your insurance provider.

Peace of Mind

The best way to maintain your sanity in a disaster is to come into it with a plan. Make sure you have an advantageous insurance plan, that you’ve read your lender’s policies on disaster assistance, and that you have an emergency fund. These vital steps will keep you from wondering what happens to your mortgage when your house burns down.

Do you have a plan for a disaster? Have you recently had to rebuild after a fire or other severe weather? Let us know in the comments below?