💵 Tuesday Money Check: Chattanooga Gas Slips Under $3.70, a Good Week to Check Your Receipt, and Holiday Sales Start Nov. 1

Or: A Few Cents Off the Pump, a Second Look at the Register Tape, a Sale Calendar for the Fridge, and Money That Might Already Be Yours

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Tuesday is the day you sit down with the seed catalog: Monday’s chores are done, and now you can plan a little.

Here’s what’s on the table for your wallet: Chattanooga gas dipped to about $3.69 and the Tennessee average to about $3.79; the Federal Trade Commission and 20 states, including Tennessee, filed a lawsuit Monday saying Dollar General charged shoppers more at the register than the shelf price (the company says it will fight it), which makes this a good week to check your receipt anywhere you shop; big stores just posted their holiday sale dates, starting with Target’s Deal of the Day on Sun., Nov. 1 and Walmart’s Early Black Friday on Nov. 12; and a reminder that Tennessee’s unclaimed property search is free. Plus the money dates for the fridge.

Gas prices are Chattanooga-area and statewide. The lawsuit was filed by federal and state officials, and Tennessee is one of the states. The store sales are national chains. Unclaimed property is a Tennessee state program. We’ll say which is which as we go.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• At the pump (Tue., Oct. 27): Chattanooga regular about $3.69, Tennessee about $3.79, national about $4.27.
• At the register: Glance at your receipt before you leave any store. If the price is wrong, ask politely at the counter.
• Holiday sales: Target’s daily deals start Sun., Nov. 1, with an Early Black Friday sale Nov. 5–7. Walmart’s Early Black Friday runs Nov. 12–15.
• Missing money: Search your name free at ClaimItTN.gov. Never pay anyone to “release” your money.
• This week: Social Security Wed., Oct. 28; Fed decision Wednesday; SSI Fri., Oct. 30; clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1.

⛽ Tuesday Pump Check: Chattanooga Slips Under $3.70

AAA’s Tuesday, Oct. 27, reading puts Chattanooga (TN only) regular at about $3.69 a gallon, down about 3 cents from Monday. That’s still about 6 cents above a week ago, but about 23 cents below a month ago. Cleveland is about $3.72. Statewide, Tennessee averages about $3.79, down about 3 cents from a week ago and about 25 cents from a month ago. The national average is about $4.27. Chattanooga diesel is about $5.70.

In its Monday report, AAA said Tennessee is now the seventh least expensive state for gas, and suggested combining errands, comparing prices before filling up and keeping your vehicle maintained.

What it means for you: A 15-gallon fill-up at the Chattanooga average runs about $55, roughly $17.50 more than a year ago, when regular was about $2.52. Prices are going down slowly, like a slow leak in a bicycle tire: you don’t see it hour to hour, but it shows over a week. No need to chase it. Fill up when you need to, and check a gas app before you go.

👉 Read more (AAA Tennessee gas prices) · AAA Tennessee weekly report (Oct. 26)

🧾 A Good Week to Look at Your Receipt Before You Leave the Store

On Monday, Oct. 26, the Federal Trade Commission and 20 states, including Tennessee, sued Dollar General in federal court in Middle Tennessee. The lawsuit says the chain often charged customers more at the register than the prices on shelves, price tags and ads, and that it got “tens of thousands” of complaints about it, CNBC reports.

These are claims in a lawsuit, not a court ruling. In a filing with federal regulators, Dollar General, which is based in Goodlettsville, Tenn., said it believes the government’s money demands “materially overstate any alleged consumer harm” and that it intends to vigorously defend itself. The case is just starting, and there is no refund program or claim form right now, so be wary of anyone who says otherwise.

What it means for you: You don’t need to change where you shop. But wrong prices can happen at any store, the way a scale at the feed store can drift a little off. The fix is simple: watch the screen as items ring up, look over your receipt before you walk out, and if something rang up higher than the tag, ask nicely at the counter. Snapping a phone picture of a sale tag makes it easy. If a problem doesn’t get fixed, you can file a free complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, part of the state Attorney General’s office (1-800-342-8385).

👉 Read more (CNBC: FTC and 20 states sue Dollar General) · Dollar General’s response (SEC filing) · Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs

🛍️ The Holiday Sale Calendar Is Out: Circle Nov. 1, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12

Two of the biggest national chains posted their holiday sale dates this week. Target says its Deal of the Day returns Sunday, Nov. 1, with a new featured deal every day through Dec. 24, and an Early Black Friday Sale Nov. 5–7, according to TODAY. Walmart announced three events: Early Black Friday Nov. 12–15, Black Friday Deals Nov. 23–29 and Cyber Monday Deals Nov. 30–Dec. 2, USA TODAY reports. Walmart says in-store deals start at 6 a.m. local time, and Walmart+ members get early access to some online deals.

If your holiday budget feels smaller this year, you’re in good company. In a Gartner survey of about 1,000 U.S. shoppers released Monday, nearly 60% said they have less to spend on the holidays than last year, and two-thirds plan to shop for fewer people.

What it means for you: Black Friday isn’t one day anymore. It’s more like a long pumpkin patch season, so there’s no need to stand in line at dawn. Write your gift list first, then watch for those items during the sale weeks. If a deal isn’t on your list, it isn’t a deal for you.

👉 Read more (TODAY: Target’s sale dates) · USA TODAY: Walmart’s sale dates · Gartner holiday survey

🔎 Money That Might Already Be Yours: Tennessee’s Free Unclaimed Property Search

When a business can’t find you to return money, like a utility deposit, an uncashed paycheck, an overpayment refund or an old bank account, it turns the money over to the Tennessee Department of Treasury. The state holds it with no time limit until the owner or heirs claim it. The Treasury reported in March that businesses had turned over another $248.6 million since July 2025, and that it returned a record $125 million in fiscal year 2025. About 70% of claims are paid within two weeks.

The Treasury says searching and claiming are free, and no one needs to pay to “unlock,” “release” or “process” your money. Treasurer David Lillard encourages Tennesseans to search their names every year, even if they’ve checked before, because new money is turned over every year.

What it means for you: This is like checking the pockets of your winter coat when you pull it out of the closet. Sometimes there’s a five-dollar bill in there. It takes about five minutes at ClaimItTN.gov. Search your own name, your maiden name, and the names of parents who have passed. If a letter or caller asks you to pay a fee first, don’t. Go to ClaimItTN.gov yourself.

👉 Read more (Tennessee Treasury: Find Your Missing Money) · Treasury report on $248.6 million

📅 Put These on the Fridge: Money Dates This Week and Next

• Wednesday, Oct. 28: Social Security deposits for birthdays on the 21st–31st. The Federal Reserve announces its rate decision at 1 p.m. Central. EIA’s weekly propane prices come out in the afternoon.
• Thursday, Oct. 29: Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rates.
• Friday, Oct. 30: SSI’s November payment arrives early because Nov. 1 is a Sunday. It’s November’s money, not extra.
• Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween. Set your clocks back before bed.
• Sunday, Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. HealthCare.gov open enrollment begins. Target’s Deal of the Day starts.
• Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 5–7: Target’s Early Black Friday Sale.
• Thursday–Sunday, Nov. 12–15: Walmart’s Early Black Friday Deals.
• Monday, Dec. 7: Last day of Medicare open enrollment.

What it means for you: Most of this week’s dates take care of themselves. The ones you act on are Saturday night (clocks) and whatever sale day is on your list.

👉 Read more (Social Security 2026 payment schedule) · Federal Reserve meeting calendar · EIA Heating Oil and Propane Update

✅ Your Wallet Checklist for This Week

• ✅ Fill up when you need to. Chattanooga is averaging about $3.69, so check a gas app first.
• ✅ At any store, watch the screen at checkout and read your receipt before you leave.
• ✅ Price rang up wrong? Ask politely at the counter. A phone photo of the shelf tag helps.
• ✅ Write your holiday gift list before Nov. 1, then shop the sale days for things on it.
• ✅ Take five minutes at ClaimItTN.gov: search your name, your maiden name and late family members.
• ✅ Never pay a fee to claim unclaimed money or to get a “refund” from a lawsuit.
• ✅ On Medicare? You have until Dec. 7 to compare plans. Free help: TN SHIP, 1-877-801-0044.

Practical rule: Trust the tag, but read the tape. Ten seconds with your receipt can save more than ten minutes of driving for cheaper gas.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Money Glossary

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The federal agency that enforces rules against unfair or misleading business practices.
• Lawsuit vs. ruling: A lawsuit is one side’s claims. A ruling is what a judge decides after both sides are heard.
• Shelf price: The price posted on the shelf, tag or ad. The register price should match it.
• Early Black Friday: Sales stores hold before Thanksgiving week. Black Friday itself is Friday, Nov. 27, this year.
• Unclaimed property: Money or valuables a business couldn’t return to the owner, held by the state until claimed.
• ClaimItTN.gov: The Tennessee Treasury’s free website to search for and claim unclaimed property.
• Third-party finder: A company that offers to claim unclaimed money for you, for a fee. You can do it yourself for free.
• AAA average: The daily average price AAA reports for regular gas in a state or metro area. Individual stations can be higher or lower.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stop shopping at Dollar General?

That’s your call, and this lawsuit doesn’t require you to do anything. The claims haven’t been proven, and the company says it will fight them. Wherever you shop, the same habit protects you: check the receipt.

Can I get money back from the Dollar General lawsuit?

Not right now. The case was just filed, and there is no settlement, refund program or claim form. If one is ever set up, it will be announced publicly. Be careful with anyone who calls or texts offering a “refund” for a fee.

What do I do if a price rings up wrong?

Politely show the cashier or manager the shelf tag or ad. Most stores will fix it on the spot. If a problem keeps happening and isn’t fixed, you can file a free complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, part of the state Attorney General’s office (1-800-342-8385).

Do I have to shop on Black Friday to get the best deals?

No. Stores now spread their sales over several weeks, starting Nov. 1 at Target and Nov. 12 at Walmart. Shopping from a list on whatever day suits you works fine.

Is ClaimItTN.gov really free?

Yes. The Tennessee Treasury says there’s no fee and no deadline to search or claim your money. A real state notice will never ask you to pay to “release” funds.

Can I claim money for a parent who has passed away?

Often, yes. The Treasury says money is held for owners or their legal heirs. ClaimItTN.gov explains what paperwork you’ll need, and you can call the Treasury at (866) 370-9429 with questions.

📎 Other Resources

• AAA Tennessee gas prices
• AAA: Tennessee gas prices drop 3 cents (Oct. 26)
• CNBC: FTC and 20 states sue Dollar General
• Dollar General SEC filing on the lawsuit (Oct. 26)
• Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs
• TODAY: Target’s Early Black Friday and Deal of the Day dates
• USA TODAY: Walmart’s holiday sale dates
• Gartner: 2026 holiday shopping survey
• Tennessee Treasury: Find Your Missing Money (ClaimItTN.gov)
• Tennessee Treasury: $248.6 million in new unclaimed property
• Social Security 2026 payment schedule
• Federal Reserve meeting calendar
• EIA Heating Oil and Propane Update
• TN SHIP free Medicare counseling

🌿 Keep Learning, Keep Calm

This week’s money news is about small habits, not big worries: a few cents off the pump, a second look at the receipt, a sale calendar to plan around, and maybe a little money waiting with your name on it. None of it needs a rush. Pick one thing from the checklist today, put the dates on the fridge, and have a calm week.

For more calm, practical Valley news, read Dunlap.Today, and share this with a neighbor who might have a few dollars waiting at ClaimItTN.gov.