GYM/ALEX VOG/SHUTTERSTOCK


THE DOWNLOAD MONEY MATTERS


PENNY-WISE The penny may be on its last roll since


Only about 44% of members go to the gym at least twice a week, and 67% never use their memberships at all.


you the size of your lot, number of rooms in your house, and any special features it has. It’s important to look over the tax card because if you find discrepancies, you can speak with your tax assessor about getting a reevaluation. Next, check with your tax assessor


to see if you qualify for exemptions. There are typically exemptions available for seniors, veterans, and agricultural properties. Total savings: It depends on your


current tax rate, but if you appeal annually, you could save a few hundred dollars per year.


4


CREDIT REPORTS The savings amount associated with this particular


tip is a minor one, but it’s a good example of being smart about every purchase you make by doing a little research ahead of time. The three major credit reporting companies can charge up to $14.50 per credit report you request from them, although Americans are also entitled to receive one free credit report annually from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion if they ask for one. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were having financial problems,


the credit bureaus decided to allow consumers to get one free report per week. That program is now permanent,


meaning there’s never a reason to pay for a credit report. Total savings: $14.50 per report.


for gym memberships, according to the Health & Fitness Association, with an average cost of $55 per month. But only about 44% of members go


5


to the gym at least twice a week, and 67% never use their memberships at all, according to RunRepeat. If you’re not getting to the health


club on a regular basis, you need to be real with yourself and save that hard-earned cash by canceling your membership. Doing so doesn’t mean giving up on your goals, either. The key is figuring out what activity you’re more likely to stick with over the long haul. For instance, you can try acquiring


some equipment and exercising at home. Keep in mind, you don’t need to pay full price either; consider Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or local garage and yard sales, for lightly used equipment. You can purchase a preowned


Peloton bike on Facebook Marketplace for around $300. Even with the $40 monthly Peloton fee for unlimited spin, yoga, Pilates, weight, meditation, and barre classes, you can save significantly over the cost of a gym membership. Total savings: About $55 per month.


GYM MEMBERSHIP In the United States, about 65 million people are shelling out


President Donald Trump announced a plan to stop minting the copper coin. It’s part of an effort to cut government waste, as pennies cost about 3.7 cents each to produce. If phased out, keep pre- 1982 pennies for possible copper value and watch for unique pennies like the rare 1943 steel penny or 1955 doubled die, which could appreciate.


AIRLINE FEES Congress is questioning budget


airlines Frontier and Spirit about using customers’ ZIP codes when pricing plane tickets. A bipartisan group of senators wants explanations for charging different seat fees based on personal information, suggesting residents in wealthier neighborhoods pay more. Senators are urging airlines to stop collecting personal data before displaying ticket prices.


LEMON LIST If you’re in the market for a new


vehicle, you may think that new is the way to go. But before you sign the buyer agreement, check out the Consumer Reports lemon list — cars predicted to be the least reliable based on data collected from 300,000 owners. In ranked order, counting down to least reliable, they are: 12. Volkswagen ID.4 11. Genesis G70 10. Ford F-150 9. Jeep Wrangler 8. Nissan Frontier 7. Jeep Grand Cherokee 6. Jeep Grand Cherokee L 5. Ford Escape Hybrid 4. Rivian R1T 3. Chevrolet Colorado 2. GMC Canyon 1. Ford F-150 Hybrid


VIRTUAL SHOPLIFTING Digital shoplifting is rising, according


to Socure, a digital identity verification service. How does digital theft work? Online shoppers falsely claim packages weren’t delivered or dispute legitimate credit card charges. Interestingly, 46% of respondents view digital theft as “consumer advocacy” — a way to stick it to big corporations.


MAY 2025 | NEWSMAX MAXLIFE 75


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100