The Daily Money: Trader Joe's tote goes viral

Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

Today, we'll feature two stories about consumerism run rampant.

First: A humble iteration of the reusable supermarket bag, the Trader Joe's canvas mini tote, is fetching up to $500 online, Jonathan Limehouse reports, evidently as a result of spiraling social media hype.

The viral totes are being sold on eBay, Facebook and other e-commerce marketplaces for the same prices as designer handbags. Fans are waiting in long lines before doors open at Trader Joe's stores.

What is their appeal? Read the story.

Rewards card brings penalties in the end

In unrelated but similarly baffling news, a 45-year-old Nebraska woman is facing a criminal charge for allegedly using a loophole to steal over 7,000 gallons of gas.

The woman is accused of improperly using her rewards card from Pump and Pantry in Lincoln, Nebraska, at least 510 times over six months, KOLN-TV reports.

There's normally nothing wrong with using a rewards card, but police say the Lincoln woman figured out a way to beat the system.

How did she do it? Read the story.

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About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer news from USA TODAY. We break down financial news and provide the TLDR version: how decisions by the Federal Reserve, government and companies impact you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.