Jennifer Luna

Before the internet decided to kill everything fun, America’s strip malls were basically cathedrals of consumerism. You didn’t just shop. You experienced. The fluorescent hum of a store that sold exactly one weird thing was practically a spiritual event. Nostalgia, it turns out, isn’t just sentimentality. It’s your brain correctly identifying that some things were … Read more17 Stores from the 70s That Disappeared

Idaho’s most isolated towns make “the middle of nowhere” look crowded. These are places where Amazon delivery is science fiction and your mail carrier deserves hazard pay. Some require snowmobiles for winter access, others need boats year-round, and a few apparently just said “roads are optional.”  Population numbers here look like typos until you realize … Read more21 Most Isolated Towns in Idaho

While coastal states brag about their scenery, Iowa quietly maintains 16 scenic byways that cost nothing to enjoy. No entrance fees, no reservations required, no fighting for parking spots with tour buses. You’ll actually have to tell people Iowa has stunning landscapes because they won’t believe you otherwise. Smart road trippers have already figured out … Read moreTop 16 Road Trips Iowa

Texas RV parks fall into two categories: retirement havens and chaos zones. The difference isn’t always obvious from their websites. You’re better off trusting word-of-mouth recommendations from fellow retirees than flashy marketing brochures. **The best parks don’t need to advertise** – they stay full through referrals alone. 1. Miller Creek RV Park, Texas Nestled in … Read moreTop 12 RV Parks in Texas

Thrift shopping used to mean finding a gently used sweater for three bucks and feeling like a genius all week. Now it means dodging resellers with barcode scanners, navigating stores that smell like a basement married a gym locker, and wondering why a chipped mug costs more than it did new. Colorado’s thrift scene has … Read more20 Worst Thrift Stores in Colorado

You know things are getting serious when your bargain hunt in Oregon requires a safety helmet and a calculator. Some dollar stores here are less “treasure hunt” and more “obstacle course with mystery pricing.” You expect aisles of deals. You get aisles of stacked boxes that look like a physics experiment. At a certain age, … Read more20 Worst Dollar Stores in Oregon

There comes a point in life when your knees should not hurt more than the customer service at your local big box store. By 50, you have survived dial-up internet, orange shag carpet, and New Coke. You should not have to survive checkout lines that move slower than dial-up. Some chains in Alabama seem to … Read more17 Worst Retail Chains in Alabama

Retail used to be about friendly clerks and free gift wrap; now it is about survival and self-checkout. You used to chat about grandkids while someone bagged your items. Now you argue with a blinking machine that thinks your bread is “an unexpected item in the bagging area.” You are better off negotiating a car … Read more17 Most Disappointing Retail Chains in Arkansas

California shoppers have mastered the art of dodging retail disasters like they dodge potholes on the 405. Some stores make you wonder if bankruptcy is contagious. Between safety violations that would make OSHA inspectors weep and customer service so bad it feels personal, the Golden State has become a graveyard for retail chains. These 17 … Read more17 Most Disappointing Retail Chains in California

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness clearly never went mall shopping in Texas with comfortable shoes. The Lone Star State treats shopping like a competitive sport. These malls come equipped with hotels because you’ll need somewhere to sleep between shopping marathons. Some locations offer valet parking, concierge services, and art collections worth millions. Your fitness … Read more15 Best Malls in Texas