How to get free access to museums
Most museum visits come with a hefty price tag. But what if you could explore world-class art, science, and history collections for free? From family days out to solo afternoons of quiet inspiration, cultural experiences don’t have to break the bank. In fact, many communities make it surprisingly easy to access their best museums and cultural centers without spending a dime. Whether you’re a student, a parent looking for weekend adventures, or someone who simply loves learning, there are ways to open the doors to creativity and history without opening your wallet. The trick is knowing where to look.
All the Smithsonian museums in the area are free to enter (though some are timed entry so you just have to reserve a free pass) and we periodically take advantage of them. And they’re truly free, it isn’t a coy “suggested donation” game, you simply walk in and enjoy. That’s not the case for many other museums. But if you’d like to get more culture in your life, there are several programs, often associated with libraries, that can get you free access.
~Jim Wang, WalletHacks
In this article, Jim Wang of WalletHacks highlights the many ways people can enjoy museum visits at no cost through public programs and partnerships. Across the country, libraries are teaming up with local cultural institutions to offer “Culture Pass” or “Museum Pass” systems that function like checking out a book. You can use your library card to simply reserve a pass and enjoy free entry. National initiatives like Museums for All give free or discounted access to families receiving food assistance, while Blue Star Museums opens doors to active-duty military members and their families each summer. Even credit card holders can benefit, with programs like Bank of America’s Museums on Us offering complimentary admission on select weekends. For frequent museum-goers, joining reciprocal membership networks unlocks hundreds of venues nationwide. (I can speak from my own experience that if you have a young family, children’s museums reciprocal memberships pay for themselves very quickly!)
Why Are Greeting Cards So Expensive? 7 Secrets of the Card Aisle
Ever picked up a greeting card, turned it over, and wondered how a folded piece of paper could possibly cost seven bucks? You’re not alone. Greeting cards are one of those small expenses we buy without thinking too hard. While they’re often grabbed in a last-minute dash to a party or celebration, it doesn’t make the high price tag more palatable. The irony is that these bits of paper aren’t really about the cardstock at all; they’re about emotion, obligation, and that sneaky cultural script that tells us love or gratitude just hits harder when it’s Hallmark-certified. The card aisle might look innocent, but it’s a masterclass in consumer psychology and one of retail’s quietest gold mines.
When you buy a greeting card, you are not just buying a piece of paper; you are buying a pre-packaged emotional sentiment. The card companies are masters of this. They are selling you the perfect words for a difficult situation or a happy occasion.
~ Shay Huntley Grocery Coupon Guide
As Shay Huntley’s article reveals, the reason you’re paying premium prices for what amounts to a mass-produced sentiment comes down to an industry that has perfected both emotional and economic manipulation. The real costs of cards: printing, paper, and shipping add up to pennies for most cards. What you’re actually paying for is the illusion of emotional labor outsourced to professional copywriters, plus the markup needed to cover unsold stock, retailer slotting fees, and the general decline of snail mail. Unfortunately we are also faced with the so-called “Hallmark Holiday” phenomenon, which manufactures reasons to buy yet another card and forcing us to choose between slapping down some money or feeling guilty.. It’s capitalism at its most charmingly devious turning our desire to be thoughtful into a multibillion-dollar business model. So the next time you find yourself cringing at the checkout, remember: you’re not just buying a card. You’re buying a tiny piece of emotional theater and paying handsomely for the privilege.
Holiday hiring is thinner this year – here’s how to still get hired and land shifts
Are you looking for a seasonal job this holiday season? You might be in for an unpleasant surprise. While the season usually brings a flood of “Now Hiring!” signs and extra shifts, 2025 is shaping up differently. Retailers are cautious, shoppers are pulling back, and the hiring buzz that usually kicks off in early fall feels oddly muted. Unfortunately it’s a double whammy. More people looking for seasonal work, but there are fewer openings to go around. Still, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. It just means that this year, getting hired for those extra holiday paychecks takes a bit more strategy, speed, and flexibility than in years past.
This year’s holiday job market is thinner, but not empty. Keep alerts on for late postings, lean into fulfillment and delivery roles, and signal you’ll work peak shifts. With cautious sales forecasts and fewer planned hires, preparedness is your edge. You can still land the hours.
~Katy Willis, Wealthy Single Mommy
According to Katy Willis’s piece, this year’s thinner job market boils down to three big shifts: leaner sales forecasts, cautious employers, and higher competition. Retailers are posting fewer positions because consumer spending is expected to dip, and many companies are choosing to stretch their existing staff instead of bringing in large seasonal crews. Even major players like Amazon and the USPS are hiring fewer workers than in previous years, waiting until closer to peak weeks to post new openings. That delay, paired with a surge in applicants (up roughly 27% over last year) means jobs go fast and competition is fierce. But all hope isn’t lost. The article’s key takeaway? Stay nimble. Focus on roles in fulfillment, delivery, and checkout support, which tend to expand as holiday chaos peaks and set your availability as wide as possible, especially for nights, weekends, and the week after Christmas.