Holidays

Are Banks Open on Memorial Day 2020?

May 22, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

May 25th, 2020 is Memorial Day. This is a federal holiday. Therefore, certain institutions and services will be closed. Are banks open on Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a Bank Holiday

Memorial Day is one of the ten dates of the year that Americans consider a bank holiday. As the name suggests, banks are typically closed on bank holidays. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago lists Memorial Day as a bank holiday alongside these other nine bank holidays:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Many stores are open during bank holidays. For example, Walmart, Target, and Costco will all be open for Memorial Day 2020. However, banks and other federal businesses such as post offices, are generally closed.

Most, But Not All, Banks Close for Memorial Day

Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday and also a bank holiday, it’s no surprise that banks will be closed for Memorial Day 2020. If you need to do in-store banking, then you’ll want to get that taken care of before Memorial Day. Alternatively, you can wait until Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 when banks re-open with their normal hours.

Three Banks That Might Be Open on Memorial Day

That said, Banks.org says that there are three exceptions to the rule that banks are closed on Memorial Day. PNC Bank and SunTrust Bank both have in-supermarket branches that will be open on Memorial Day. Regular banks are closed but the smaller branches inside of stores may be open. Additionally, the site says that while US Bank is probably going to be closed, some of their locations will stay open for a short half-day on Memorial Day 2020. If you absolutely need to go to the bank on Memorial Day, call these three banking options to see if one is open near you.

Credit Unions Also Close for Memorial Day

Credit unions differ from banks. Nevertheless, they do typically follow the same bank holidays. Therefore, you can expect that your local credit union will be closed on Memorial Day 2020.

For that matter, the stock market is also closed for Memorial Day. If you have to deal with financial things, don’t count on doing so on Memorial Day.

Banking Services That You Can Access on Memorial Day

These days, you can often do your banking without actually going in to a physical bank. That simplifies things for people who have to deal with certain transactions on Memorial Day. Even though the bank is closed, you can still go to the ATM, for example. You can deposit or withdraw cash and complete other ATM-based activities. Similarly, online and mobile banking don’t shut down for bank holidays. Therefore, you can pay bills and do other online banking on Memorial Day. Just remember that if you’re transferring money, the transfer might not go through immediately during a bank holiday such as Memorial Day.

Is Target Closed on Memorial Day 2020?

May 20, 2020 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Every holiday, people wonder if their favorite stores are going to be open. For example, they want to know if Target will be open so that they can pick up last minute Memorial Day supplies. Usually, the answer for Target is yes. But, considering the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, is that still true this year? Is Target closed on Memorial Day 2020?

Target Is Usually Open on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday. Therefore, certain things are always closed on Memorial Day. For example, schools and post offices don’t typically stay open on holidays like Memorial Day. But shopping stores are different. In fact, big stores like Target love to stay open on federal holidays.

After all, since many employees of those other places are off of work for the day, it means that there are more people potentially out shopping. Memorial Day and other similar holidays are huge shopping days. Stores, including Target, do usually stay open. Historically, Target has always been open on Memorial Day.

Will Target Be Open or Closed on Memorial Day 2020?

So, why would this year be any different? Well, even if you know that your local Target store is typically open on Memorial Day, you might wonder if COVID-19 restrictions have changed things this year. After all, some businesses aren’t open at all right now. In many states, there are big limitations on stores. So, is Target closed for Memorial Day 2020 even though it’s usually open for the holiday?

No, Target is not closed for Memorial Day 2020.

Target is open for Memorial Day 2020.

Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 25, 2020, could potentially be a great shopping day for people who need to pick up summer items.

Is There a Memorial Day Sale at Target?

Stores like Target often have big Memorial Day sales. After all, this holiday is basically considered the start of summer. Many people typically celebrate by having big summer bashes including barbecues and picnics in the park. While that would be a great way to spend Memorial Day 2020, a lot of us aren’t going to have that option.

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are still under shelter-in-place restrictions. We are allowed out and about and can enjoy the parks. However, groups have to stay small and practice social distancing. So there is some opportunity to enjoy Memorial Day in the park but it won’t be the big to-do that it may have been for you in years past. Nevertheless, you might still wish to pick up some Memorial Day supplies.

Or you might have a new type of celebration in mind. For example, if you have kids at home, this can be the perfect day to start making summer crafts together. Or you might just want to make a summer-inspired meal. Since many Target stores have groceries in them (which is one of the reasons that it’s considered an essential business and thus is allowed to stay open during coronavirus restrictions), you can certainly do that at your local Target store.

With that in mind, you might want to know if there will be a 2020 Memorial Day Sale at Target. Yes and no. Target has a Memorial Day sale on Home items including up to 40% off of some furniture. However, the Target Memorial Day Sale is online only.

How Target Has Responded to Coronavirus

Target, like all other businesses, has had to adapt their stores in order to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. While some people find this annoying, the purpose is to keep staff and customers safe. Target has made some great efforts in this area. In fact, they contributed their largest-ever single relief donation of $10 million in response to the coronavirus crisis.

But what are they doing specifically in the stores that you should be aware of if you plan to shop there on Memorial Day 202o? Target’s coronavirus response includes:

Target Store Hours: Memorial Day 2020

Target doesn’t typically change their store hours for the Memorial Day Holiday. Therefore, you can expect store hours to remain the same as they have been in recent weeks. However, remember that this may differ from store hours prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

Target responded to COVID-19 restrictions with two big changes to their hours:

All stores must close by 9 pm. Stores that previously closed before that time still close at their normal hours. Stores that closed later all close at 9 pm now.
The first opening hour on every Wednesday is for high-risk shoppers, including the elderly, only. This allows them to shop safely.

Of course, the Wednesday at-risk shopping hours don’t impact Memorial Day shoppers. After all, Memorial Day is always on a Monday.

The shortened store hours allow Target employees to re-stock the shelves and improve cleanliness, sanitization, and safety throughout the stores.

Other Coronavirus Measures at Target

Other than the hours, here are some of the things that you can expect to see at Target if you shop there on Memorial Day 2020:

Staff are wearing masks and gloves and following all CDC guidelines for hygiene
Customers are encouraged (and in some states required) to wear face masks
A staff member is assigned to each store entrance to keep carts and baskets sanitized
Checkout lanes are rotated to reduce traffic at each one and are cleaned between each customer
Plastic partitions have been installed at checkouts and in other areas of the store such as the pharmacy
Overhead audio messaging as well as monitoring by staff members helps remind customers to practice social distancing
Customers can no longer bring their own bags into the store for shopping

Customers can also take advantage of the option to order contactless Drive Up pickup. So, if you want to get some things from Target for Memorial Day, but you don’t want to risk shopping in store, then consider that option.

Are Other Target Services Open on Memorial Day 2020?

Like Walmart and other big stores, Target has multiple services within the shop. For example, you can go to the pharmacy, grab a coffee at Starbucks, and check out the electronics section. However, things are different with COVID-19 restrictions. The Starbucks stores are closed right now. Fitting rooms are also closed, so although you can buy clothes, you can’t try them on in store. You can always call to check with your local store to find out what is and isn’t available there for Memorial Day 2020.

If you’re wondering whether or not Target is open for Memorial Day, then you might have questions about some other stores and services as well. Here are some links to help you find all of the Memorial Day store information you need:

Is the Post Office Open on Easter 2020?

April 8, 2020 By Tamila McDonald 3 Comments

Not long ago, the post office was completely closed on Sundays. Now, that isn’t the case. Thanks to a deal with Amazon, many United States Postal Service (USPS) locations deliver Amazon packages on Sundays. For many, this leads to a degree of confusion. If USPS is hitting the road on Sundays for deliveries, does that mean the post office is open on Easter? What about on other Sundays? If you aren’t sure whether USPS is operating on Easter, here’s what you need to know.

Is the Post Office Open on Easter?

No, the post office isn’t open on Easter. In fact, USPS locations usually aren’t open to customers on any Sunday, even if they support Sunday deliveries. While you can get to unlocked, self-service areas within a post office building, you can’t get help from an employee on Sundays.

But, since self-service options may be available, you can still get some mail moving on Easter Sunday. You might be able to get postage from machines, for example. Then, you can place outgoing items in the appropriate drop boxes. While they won’t get sorted until Monday, it still lets you complete an important step.

If you need assistance from an employee, you’ll need to head to the post office on another day. Here’s a look at how the post office operates near the Easter holiday:

Good Friday, April 10 – Post offices follow regular business hours
Easter Saturday, April 11 – Post offices with Saturday hours will follow their usual schedule
Easter Monday, April 13 – Post offices follow regular business hours

Will There Be Easter Sunday Deliveries?

For regular mail, don’t expect to see any delivered on Easter. Even in areas with Sunday delivery, that only applies to specific packages and not regular mail.

If you’re wondering whether you might see a USPS package delivery on Easter Sunday, the answer is a resounding maybe. Easter isn’t technically a federal holiday. Since most government agencies shut down on holidays, making Easter an official holiday wouldn’t usually be necessary. Most people would have the day off anyway.

However, since USPS offers Sunday deliveries, it’s possible you could get a package on Easter. This is, albeit, a bit rare. Usually, you have to be in an area with a lot of parcel traffic for this to possibly occur. Many people aren’t in a zone where that would be the case. While it can happen, it’s best not to count on it. If you need something by Easter, order with enough time for it to arrive before Sunday.

Are FedEx or UPS Open on Easter?

By and large, no, neither FedEx nor UPS are open on Easter. UPS usually doesn’t operate on Sundays, aside from specialty services like UPS Express Critical (which is available on Easter).

As for FedEx, the company did start offering residential delivery every day of the week, beginning in January 2020, including no additional costs for Sunday deliveries. However, the company does recognize the Easter holiday, and only offers FedEx Custom Critical deliveries and FedEx Trade Networks services on Easter, as a result.

Post Office Holidays 2020

The USPS holiday schedule is based on the one set by the government. Here is a list of the 2020 official federal holidays:

New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 20
President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Monday, February 17
Memorial Day – Monday, May 25
Independence Day (Observed) – Friday, July 3
Labor Day – Monday, September 7
Columbus Day – Monday, October 12
Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26
Christmas Day – Friday, December 25

Are Post Office Locations Open on Sundays?

Even if your region gets Sunday deliveries, post office employees don’t assist customers on that day. Operations are limited to specific kinds of package deliveries, so you cannot get assistance from the customer service counter.

Post Office Hours of Operation

Most post office locations follow similar hours of operation. Typically, Monday through Friday, they open at 8:00 am or 8:30 am and close at 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm. There are some locations that have longer hours, but they are fairly rare.

Saturday hours are a bit hit and miss. Not every location opens on Saturdays, so you’ll want to check at your post office in advance if you might need assistance from an employee. You can get details about each post office’s hours of operation on the USPS website.

Do you wish the post office was open on Easter? How about open on Sundays in general? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Getting Your Finances Back On Track After The Holidays

January 27, 2020 By James Hendrickson Leave a Comment

Are you feeling the “holiday hangover”?

We’ve packed up our decorations, taken down the lights, and started making checklists for spring cleaning. And for many Americans, there’s one other post-seasonal chore to take care of: budgeting.

Between gifts and garlands, dinners out and decorations, it’s easy to overspend during the holidays. CNBC reported that 78% of Americans spend more than planned between Thanksgiving and Christmas, often in the form of credit card payments. When the new year rolls in, we’ve got a lot to catch up on.

Holiday debt is stressful, but not insurmountable. With careful planning, you can get back on top of your finances – and avoid falling into the same trap next year. Here’s how:

Tally Your Receipts. Crunching numbers – especially debt payments – isn’t something we look forward to. Don’t be discouraged. Sizing up your finances now will save you money and heartache in the long run.Start by writing down all your holiday charges. Beside each, list the minimum payment, interest rate and due date. Pay your most expensive debts – those with the highest interest rates – first. Credit card debt, which can charge 20% interest or more, will usually take priority.
Build a Budget. How much are you spending on groceries each month? What about utilities? Insurance? How much is left over, and where does it go? What percentage of your income goes to savings? To debt payments? When?A budget can help you answer these questions and more. List your expenses and schedule debt payments, starting with holiday expenses. Make it your goal to wipe out all your holiday debts by April, and you’ll have a clean slate for the rest of the year.
Track Your Spending. People who track of their spending do a better job managing it. Consider using a pen and paper, an app or a spreadsheet to write down how much you spend every day. You’ll think more critically about what you are shelling out, how you spend it and when you spend it.Tracking your spending allows you to pinpoint your spending habits. A lot of times people make small expenditures on entertainment, dining, or personal care without realizing the long term cost. If you track your expenses on a daily basis for 30 days, you’ll better understand where your money is going. You will also develop a better mindset around managing your finances including when you spend your money and how you should organize your finances to prevent unnecessary costs.
Cut Costs. Whittle down nonessential spending – think restaurants, coffee, monthly subscriptions – and then look for ways to save on essentials. Little changes like cooking at home, watching for sales and turning down the AC, or turning off the lights when you’re not at home can save plenty in the long term. Digital banking apps offer 24/7 account access to help you keep track of your finances. For example, regional banks like Axiom Bank’s online checking generally offer hassle free registration and have a full set of online budgeting tools.
Think Ahead. Don’t make the same mistakes twice: Start planning for next year’s holidays now. Set a spending limit, shop sales for gifts, and set aside a little money each month for travel expenses, holiday meals or expensive presents.

For more on this, here is a great interview with CFP Bobbi Rebell, on how to raise money to pay off your holiday debt.

Axiom Bank N.A., a nationally chartered community bank headquartered in Central Florida, provides retail banking services, including checking, deposit, and money market accounts. It also offers commercial banking services, treasury management services and commercial loans for real estate and business purposes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This article was made possible by Axiom Bank. Savingadvice.com only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For more great articles on managing your money, read these:

38 Ways To Make Money On The Side

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Need To Save Money? Don’t Adjust The Thermostat at Night

Is Sam’s Club Open On Labor Day 2019?

August 20, 2019 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Labor Day is very early in the month this year so make sure that you’re prepared. It’s always the first Monday of September, and this month that means it’s on the 2nd. Labor Day is a popular day for shopping, but many stores opt to close for the long weekend. Is Sam’s Club open on Labor Day 2019?

Is Sam’s Club Open on Labor Day 2019?

If the question that you came here to get answered is “Is Sam’s Club Open on Labor Day 2019?” then the answer that you’re looking for is YES. Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Labor Day this year, just like they are every year. Sam’s Club is a store that prides itself on customer satisfaction. Customers aren’t going to be very satisfied with stores that close frequently. Therefore, Sam’s Club stays open on most holidays including Labor Day.

Is Sam’s Club Open Regular Hours on Labor Day 2019?

Sam’s Club regularly opens at 10 am Sunday-Friday and at 9 am on Saturdays. The store regularly closes at 8:30 pm Monday-Saturday and at 6 pm on Sundays. Therefore, Monday store hours are usually 10 am – 8:30 pm.

However, on Labor Day 2019, Sam’s Club changes their hours slightly. The store will open at 7 am and will close at 6 pm.

Are All Sam’s Club’s Open the Same Hours on Labor Day 2019?

Almost all Sam’s Club stores will follow these hours. However, it’s important to make sure that you double-check your own store location. Occasionally, local stores will use different hourse than those provided here. Therefore, you should call your local Sam’s Club in advance to check what time they open and close on Labor Day. They will be open on Labor Day, but their hours may differ in some instances.

Also, if you are a Plus member, then make sure to ask about special hours. The store generally opens early for Plus members. For example, Mondays from 7-10 am are usually for Plus members only. If you’re planning to do some early morning Labor Day shopping then ask your location if all members are allowed during those hours.

Sam’s Club Labor Day Sale

Labor Day is a great sales weekend. If you’re looking to get some good prices on Sam’s Club items on September 2, 2019, then you’re in luck. In fact, their Labor Day sale isn’t just on Labor Day. It’s not even just on Labor Day weekend. They celebrate the holiday with Labor Day deals that run from 8/22/19 – 9/10/19. That’s almost three weeks of affordable shopping available to you at Sam’s Club. The sales prices are good both online and in the store.

5 Big Ticket Items at Sam’s Club Labor Day Sale 2019

There are five key areas of the store that are going to have huge deals this year:

Appliances
Furniture
Mattresses
Outdoor Living
Tech

Therefore, if you’ve been needing to update these pricey parts of your home, then Labor Day is a great time to do so. Here are just a few examples of Labor Day sales prices:

Dining table sets starting at $499
Huge discounts on Serta and Beautyrest mattresses
New electric range easy-clean ovens for under $700
65″ VIZIO Smart TV for under $700

All appliances on sale include a two-year warranty. Children’s stacking chairs, industrial bookshelves, outdoor grills, and outdoor spas are just a few of the other items available at the Sam’s Club Labor Day 2019 sale. Many prices are member-only prices and you’ll have to sign in on the website to see the exact deals or simply visit your local store.

Big Discounts on Items for the Holidays

In addition to big-ticket items for your home, you’ll also find some great deals on less expensive items. Many of these Labor Day sales items will be perfect to gift to others when Christmas comes around. They even have some great discounts on gift cards for Krispy Kreme, Steak ‘n Shake, Macaroni Grill, and other restaurants. For example, pay $37.50 for $50 worth of Krispy Kreme gift cards during this Sam’s Club Labor Day sale.

What Holidays Does Sam’s Club Close For?

Sam’s Club typically only closes for four holidays out of the year:

New Year’s Day
Easter
Thanksgiving
Christmas Day

Therefore, Sam’s Club is open on Labor Day. The next holiday on the calendar that you can expect it to be closed is Thanksgiving. However, it’ll be open immediately after for Black Friday, during which the store will have extended hours. In fact, Sam’s Club offers extended hours several times throughout the year. Rather than closing early, they like to stay open as much as possible to meet all customers’ shopping needs.

Read More:

Is Monday a Holiday?

May 25, 2019 By Amanda Blankenship Leave a Comment

Holidays seem to come out of nowhere. It seems like it was just Halloween and then here comes Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and then MLK Day. Oftentimes, these holidays fall on random days of the week. However, some holidays fall on the same day every year, usually a Monday. This may leave some people wondering, “Is Monday a Holiday?”

Is Monday a Holiday?

If you’re wondering whether or not Monday is a holiday, it would be a good idea to know what holidays typically fall on the first day of the week. Here’s a list of Monday holidays.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: MLK Day falls on the third Monday in January each year.
Presidents Day: Every year, Presidents Day falls on the third Monday in February.
Easter Monday: Depending on when Easter falls, Easter Monday is always the day after.
Memorial Day: Memorial Day is the last Monday in May.
Labor Day: Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September every year.
Columbus Day: This holiday falls on the second Monday in October.

While the holidays listed above always fall on Monday, some holidays fall on other days of the week or a specific date each year. These can be a bit more tricky to stay on top of.

Holidays That Fall On Different Days Every Year

Below is a full list of holidays that don’t necessarily fall on a Monday (but they can).

New Year’s Day: New Year’s Day falls on January 1 every year. This can be any day of the week.
Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day always falls on February 14.
Easter: Easter always falls on a Sunday but can range in date from March to late April, depending on the vernal equinox.
Independence Day: July 4th is the date for Independence Day every year. The day of the week will vary from year-to-year.
Halloween: Halloween is on October 31 every year.
Veterans Day: Veterans Day is observed on November 11. However, if this day falls on a weekend, many banks and government offices will be closed the day before or the day after.
Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The date varies.
Christmas Eve: The day of the week for Christmas Eve varies from year-to-year but always falls on the 24th of December.
Christmas Day: Christmas is observed on December 25 every year.
New Year’s Eve: New Year’s Eve is celebrated on December 31 each year. The day of the week will vary.

Staying on top of the holidays and store schedules can be overwhelming. However, knowing the answer to the question, “Is Monday a holiday?” can make things a bit easier. Make note of the holidays above on your calendar!

Readers, how do you stay on top of these floating holidays?