The Daily Money: Online shopping binges are fading; dog food recall; mask mandates at stores
Good morning, it's Nathan wishing you a happy summer Friday!
💉 A few months ago, I wrote about a then-nascent trend of companies offering incentives – like donuts or free beer – to customers to get a COVID vaccination.
At the time, I asked a few experts whether the government should just pay people to get vaccinated. At least one ethicist said he'd be all for it, though he predicted it might generate some opposition.
We're about to see if it works. President Biden on Thursday endorsed states and localities using federal money to pay newly vaccinated people $100 each.
On to our ...
💡 INSIGHT OF THE DAY: If you binge-shopped online during the pandemic, you weren't alone. But those binges are starting to fade. Amazon on Thursday reported revenue in the range of $106 billion to $112 billion for the third quarter, less than the $119 billion analysts had expected. The reason? People are spreading out their spending a little more since they're out and about. A little more on travel and dining, a little less on shopping.
📰 And here are more stories you won't want to miss:
1. Walmart and Sam's Club employees are required to wear masks again in COVID hotspots. Customers? Not yet.
2. Got any dog food from the brands Triumph, Evolve, Wild Harvest, Nurture Farms, Pure Being and Elm? They might be subject to a new recall.
3. This couple's kids want them to hand over their inheritance early. Is that appropriate?
4. These five tips will help you keep your phone safe from hackers, scammers and nosy advertisers.
For example, you can turn on a setting that will erase your data after 10 failed passcode attempts.
Warning: This option is not recommended for anyone with little kids around who might start fumbling with your phone!
--@NathanBomey