Latest news with #MelanieMusson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
4 Ways To Use Your Car for Passive Income in the Next Year
Looking for ways to make extra money? Look no further than the car you're driving. According to experts, the car you have can become a moneymaker if you know the right ways to put it to work. Read More: Find Out: GOBankingRates spoke with two auto experts to find out how to make your car work for you and how much money you can expect to earn. Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with highly recommends using Turo to rent out your car. Provided your car has less than 100,000 miles on it and is worth less than $200,000, according to Turo's eligibility guidelines, you can make money by renting out your car to people who are looking to drive around your city for a bit. 'Depending on your vehicle, you could make $100 a day or even more,' Musson said. Turo's website also had a figure that households renting out one car can pocket an extra $10,000 a year. You can get even more if you have more cars to rent out. Discover Next: People are always going to need rides and want food delivered, which is good news for people looking for another income stream. Auto expert and general manager at Find By Plate, Ruth Calkins, said drivers can use their cars to drive for ridesharing or deliver food. Earning potential, Calkins said, really depends on the specific app. 'Car owners [are] able to earn as high as $10-$25 per hour, although different platforms may have different rates.' Making money off your car can be as easy as affixing an ad to the door. 'With wraps and magnetic graphics, you can turn your car into an advertisement,' Musson said. Calkins agreed with Musson, saying if drivers know where to go, they can earn up to $500 a month advertising. 'Things like how much they drive, the routes they take, and the areas they frequent, because at the end of the day, the point of advertising isn't just to get messages across, but also to ensure that these messages get across to the right audience, and make enough of an impression.' Did you know that companies want to study your vehicle? Musson said that looking for studies concerning driving or drivers could earn you some extra money. 'Some research groups actually will pay you to allow them to monitor your driving habits and where you go. You could earn $100 a month through this avenue.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on 4 Ways To Use Your Car for Passive Income in the Next Year Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 New Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for the Upper Class
Is it time to upgrade your SUV? Whether you've received a promotion at work, need a larger vehicle or simply want that new car feel, choosing the right luxury SUV can be difficult. After all, you want to be sure your hard-earned money is being put to good use. Trending Now: For You: Below, we'll cover new luxury SUVs that are a good investment for the upper class. The Lincoln Corsair is a mid-size SUV with all the bells and whistles you could want. The upgrade opportunities are endless, from a hybrid option and hands-free driving modes to fog lamps and a 14-speaker Revel stereo system. The 2025 Lincoln Corsair starts at $40,980, according to Car and Driver. However, pricing can get up to $48,135, depending on the upgrades and features you choose. Check Out: 'The Corsair is one of the most reliable luxury SUVs on the market,' said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with 'When you spend the money on a luxury car, you should be able to depend on it for problem-free service for years. The Corsair is fun to drive thanks to the powerful engine. It's loaded with safety features and cargo space.' The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is the ultimate luxury SUV. This vehicle is based on the Benz GLS class but has high-end features. The interior of the Maybach GLS 600 is top-of-the-line, featuring premium Nappa leather and Manufaktur Signature paints. In addition, the GLS has different upgrade features, like an optional third row, driver-assistance features and lane-centering features. Pricing for the 2025 Maybach GLS 600 starts at $179,600 and can reach as high as $205,200, according to Car and Driver. 'It's powerful and refined and full of luxury niceties — massage seats and real wood trim included,' said Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. 'If you desire full-size size and top-of-the-line amenities, this SUV delivers. And also retains value better than you might suspect.' The 2025 Lexus GX is the perfect vehicle for adventurers. With off-road capabilities, a high towing capacity and a twin-turbo V-6 engine, the Lexus GX can take you places you never imagined. Pairing these high-end features with luxury finishes, like a customizable interior, and the Lexus GX might be your new luxury SUV purchase. The 2025 Lexus GX base model starts at $65,285, according to Car and Driver. 'If you're looking for a luxury SUV that is rugged enough to take you off-road for an adventure, it's hard to find a better option than the GX,' Musson said. 'With the Overtrail trim package, your off-roading adventure may feel as smooth as a drive down the paved road. The towing capacity will enable you to bring a trailer so you can pack all your gear, or even a small camper.' Like the Maybach GLS 600, the BMW XM is another luxury SUV to consider. The BMW XM has an EV option, plush furnishings and a sleek exterior. BMW's Driving Assistance Professional Package comes in all XM models, allowing for hands-free driving and eye-activated lane change features. If you want an exclusive XM, the XM Kith is being offered in limited numbers as part of a collaboration with Kith, a New York fashion brand. The BMW XM price starts at $161,675 and can reach $200,175, according to Car and Driver. 'Daring choice, but if you're after performance and uniqueness, this is it,' Black said. 'Plug-in hybrid boasting over 700 horsepower and looks that command attention. It's not for the general populace, not really, but that's sort of the idea. Affluent shoppers who desire a little uniqueness will love it.' The 2025 Range Rover Autobiography combines luxury with practicality. The V-8 engine comes with a plug-in option and a hybrid powertrain. The Autobiography has a 1600-watt stereo system with headrest-mounted speakers and active noise cancellation. This model also gives you an optional third row for traveling with a large family. Base pricing starts at $109,725 and can reach $210,825, depending on your trim and add-on options, according to Car and Driver. More From GOBankingRates 10 Cars That Outlast the Average Vehicle Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On This article originally appeared on 5 New Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for the Upper Class Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sam's Club Phases Out Traditional Checkout—What It Means for You
Sam's Club is rolling out a major shift that will reshape the way customers shop at its 600 U.S. locations. The retail giant is eliminating traditional checkout lanes and going all-in on its Scan & Go system, which lets customers scan items with the Sam's Club app and pay as they shop. It's a bold move that promises convenience but also comes with some significant changes to the shopping experience and your wallet. For shoppers tired of waiting in long lines, this shift is a welcome upgrade. Scan & Go means you can breeze through the store, scanning as you go and paying via the app, bypassing the need for cashiers or self-checkout stations. New QR codes will make it easy to purchase larger items and arrange delivery on the spot. But financial experts caution that convenience can come at a cost. 'The more convenient an experience, the more people spend,' Melanie Musson, a finance expert at Clearsurance, told GoBankingRates. That said, savvy shoppers might find Scan & Go to be a useful budgeting tool. By scanning each item, you can track your spending in real-time and adjust your purchases if you approach your limit. It's a practical way to keep impulse buys in check. Beyond groceries, the Scan & Go system extends to the Sam's Club Cafe and fuel stations, where QR codes allow for quick orders and payments. This creates a seamless shopping and fueling experience, speeding up your there's a potential downside: job losses. With AI scanners now verifying purchases at the exit, traditional cashier roles could be at risk. Sam's Club hasn't specified how many employees might be affected, but some locations, like Grapevine, Texas, have already introduced member specialists to help customers navigate the new technology. Whether you see it as a tech-savvy upgrade or a move away from human interaction, one thing is clear. Sam's Club is ushering in a new era of shopping. Sam's Club Phases Out Traditional Checkout—What It Means for You first appeared on Men's Journal on May 30, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Ways Retailers Are Preying on Your Tariff Anxieties and Making You Spend More
Americans have gone on a money-spending spree this spring — and not because they feel rich. Quite the opposite, with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index falling nearly 30% since January. Already, 72% of consumers have changed their shopping habits per a Collage study, with many stockpiling goods and even 'doom spending.' And retailers have played an active role in stoking those tariff anxieties — below are some examples of how. Trending Now: For You: The most obvious way that retailers have spurred more spending is simply saying 'Price hikes are coming.' Quynh Mai, founder of retailer PR agency Qulture, explained how effective the strategy has been. 'Retailers from Walmart to Amazon have already warned their customers about rising prices and the media has been showing pictures of empty shelves. Customers, who remember scrambling for toilet paper, get the subliminal message and are pre-shopping before prices skyrocket, especially on high-ticket items like iPhones.' Read Next: A sneakier tactic involves retailers hiking prices now, before tariffs have hit their wholesale costs and then announcing discounts and sales. 'For example, say a flooring company paid $1.50 a square foot and they normally sell for $2.50 a square foot,' explained Melanie Musson, finance expert with 'Then they increase pricing to $3.50 a square foot and offer you a 10% 'pre-tariff discount,' you're going to pay over $3 a square foot. The buyer feels like they got a deal, but they didn't.' Retailers have banged the tariff drum on earnings calls, loudly and repeatedly. In fact, FactSet reported that 91% of the S&P 500 companies who have reported first quarter earnings mentioned tariffs. They beat out artificial intelligence (AI) as the new corporate buzzword. By doing so, retailers lay the groundwork for future earnings misses while simultaneously fueling inflation fears and doom spending. Mai, who works with fashion retail brands, said many have grown aggressive in how they message tariff risks. 'Many brands, afraid of the future of their businesses, are pushing outrageous sales and speaking publicly about possibly closing their businesses, prompting a hoarding mentality amongst their customers.' Will tariffs send consumer prices through the roof? Maybe. In the meantime, retailers are doing some stockpiling of their own: profits. More From GOBankingRates 8 Dollar Tree Items Retirees Need To Buy Ahead of Summer 2025 How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 This article originally appeared on 4 Ways Retailers Are Preying on Your Tariff Anxieties and Making You Spend More Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Ways Retailers Are Preying on Your Tariff Anxieties and Making You Spend More
Americans have gone on a money-spending spree this spring — and not because they feel rich. Quite the opposite, with the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index falling nearly 30% since January. Already, 72% of consumers have changed their shopping habits per a Collage study, with many stockpiling goods and even 'doom spending.' And retailers have played an active role in stoking those tariff anxieties — below are some examples of how. Trending Now: For You: The most obvious way that retailers have spurred more spending is simply saying 'Price hikes are coming.' Quynh Mai, founder of retailer PR agency Qulture, explained how effective the strategy has been. 'Retailers from Walmart to Amazon have already warned their customers about rising prices and the media has been showing pictures of empty shelves. Customers, who remember scrambling for toilet paper, get the subliminal message and are pre-shopping before prices skyrocket, especially on high-ticket items like iPhones.' Read Next: A sneakier tactic involves retailers hiking prices now, before tariffs have hit their wholesale costs and then announcing discounts and sales. 'For example, say a flooring company paid $1.50 a square foot and they normally sell for $2.50 a square foot,' explained Melanie Musson, finance expert with 'Then they increase pricing to $3.50 a square foot and offer you a 10% 'pre-tariff discount,' you're going to pay over $3 a square foot. The buyer feels like they got a deal, but they didn't.' Retailers have banged the tariff drum on earnings calls, loudly and repeatedly. In fact, FactSet reported that 91% of the S&P 500 companies who have reported first quarter earnings mentioned tariffs. They beat out artificial intelligence (AI) as the new corporate buzzword. By doing so, retailers lay the groundwork for future earnings misses while simultaneously fueling inflation fears and doom spending. Mai, who works with fashion retail brands, said many have grown aggressive in how they message tariff risks. 'Many brands, afraid of the future of their businesses, are pushing outrageous sales and speaking publicly about possibly closing their businesses, prompting a hoarding mentality amongst their customers.' Will tariffs send consumer prices through the roof? Maybe. In the meantime, retailers are doing some stockpiling of their own: profits. More From GOBankingRates 8 Dollar Tree Items Retirees Need To Buy Ahead of Summer 2025 How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 This article originally appeared on 4 Ways Retailers Are Preying on Your Tariff Anxieties and Making You Spend More Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
