ConsumerAffairs News

Consumer product safety recall roundup for June 5, 2026

News Desk — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:29:28 +0000

Bike helmets, baby bottles, and cameras are part of this week's recall roundup

June 5, 2026

Recall Roundup: Consumer products, food and medicine alerts

This roundup covers recent recalls and safety warnings from the CPSC, FDA, and FSIS.

Gudook bike helmets can fail in crashes

The CPSC says recalled Gudook bicycle helmets do not meet mandatory federal safety requirements and may not protect riders in a crash.

The hazard is serious: the helmets failed impact attenuation and certification requirements, creating a risk of head injury or death.
About 520 helmets were sold on Amazon.com from May 2025 through February 2026 for about $23.
Consumers should stop using the helmet immediately, destroy it by cutting the straps and request a full refund from Gudook Outdoor Sports.

Dongguanshizhouhedianzishangwuyouxiangongsi, doing business as Gudook Outdoor Sports, is recalling Gudook-branded bicycle helmets, model KY-055, sold in blue with white in size medium. The helmets have red padding, black straps, a black-and-red buckle and a black fit-adjusting knob at the back. Only helmets with batch number 202503 and a manufacture date of March 2025 are included.

The hazard

The CPSC said the recalled helmets violate the mandatory safety standard for bicycle helmets because they do not comply with impact attenuation and certification requirements. In practical terms, that means the helmet can fail to protect a rider during a crash, posing a serious risk of head injury or death. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the helmet immediately and contact Gudook Outdoor Sports for a full refund. The company is asking buyers to destroy the helmet by cutting the straps and then email a photo of the destroyed helmet, with the batch number visible, to lexi_kuyou@163.com before disposing of it.

Company contact

Gudook Outdoor Sports can be reached by email at lexi_kuyou@163.com.

Source

Boon baby bottles can peel and choke

TOMY is recalling certain Boon NURSH 8-ounce reusable baby bottles because pieces of the outer shell can come loose and pose a choking hazard.

The hard plastic outer shell can bubble or partially peel, creating loose film-like plastic pieces that young children could choke on.
About 40,000 bottle 3-packs were sold at Walmart stores and Walmart.com from November 2025 through May 2026 for about $20.
Consumers should stop using the recalled bottles immediately and contact TOMY for a refund in store credit or a replacement set in a different color.

TOMY International is recalling Boon NURSH 8 oz Reusable Baby Bottles 3-Pack in pink tie dye. The recalled set contains three bottles with a hard outer plastic shell around a soft silicone pouch, and the Boon logo appears on the shell. The package is marked with item number B11654 and UPC 669028116546.

The hazard

According to the CPSC, the bottles' hard plastic outer shell can bubble or partially peel off, leaving loose pieces of film-like plastic. Those pieces can pose a choking hazard to young children. The company said it had received 135 reports of bubbling or peeling, though no injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled baby bottles right away. TOMY is offering either a $22 booninc.com store credit or a replacement set of three bottles in a different color. Buyers should contact the company to start the remedy process.

Company contact

TOMY can be reached toll-free at 866-725-4407 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, by email at cs@tomy.com, or online at https://recall.tomy.com/nursh and https://us.tomy.com under Product Recalls.

Source

Wyze cameras can overheat, explode and burn

Wyze Labs is recalling Solar Cam Pan security cameras because incorrect assembly instructions can cause consumers to puncture the lithium-ion battery during installation.

The hazard is tied to the lithium-ion battery, which can rapidly overheat if its metal casing is punctured, creating fire and burn risks.
About 321,360 cameras were sold in the United States, with 13 overheating reports, six fires or explosions and six minor burn injuries reported.
Consumers should stop using the camera immediately, check whether their device is affected and request a replacement, refund or gift card.

Wyze Labs is recalling its lithium-ion battery-operated Wyze Solar Cam Pan outdoor security cameras, model WYZESCPWH. The white wire-free cameras have motorized pan-and-tilt functionality and an integrated solar panel, and were sold through Home Depot, Micro Center and several online sellers including Wyze, Amazon, Best Buy and Temu.

The hazard

The recall centers on incorrect assembly instructions. The CPSC said those instructions can lead consumers to use the wrong screw and accidentally puncture the battery's metal casing while installing the solar panel on top of the camera. A punctured lithium-ion battery can rapidly overheat, catch fire or explode. Wyze said it received 13 reports of overheating and six reports of cameras exploding and catching fire, including six reports of minor burns.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled camera immediately and visit Wyze's recall page to determine whether their device is affected. All consumers who used the long, flat-head screw to install the solar panel should participate in the recall. Wyze is offering a free replacement camera with solar panel accessory, a full refund or a gift card for the original purchase price. Consumers will need to attest that they disposed of the camera in accordance with local and state rules.

Company contact

Wyze Labs can be reached toll-free at 888-832-7226 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, by email at recall@wyze.com, or online at http://www.wyze.com/SCPrecall and https://www.wyze.com under Recalls.

Source

Crenlux drain covers pose drowning danger

The CPSC says recalled Crenlux pool drain covers do not meet federal entrapment protection rules and can create a deadly hazard in pools and spas.

The recalled covers violate the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and pose entrapment and drowning hazards.
About 200 white plastic drain covers were sold on Amazon.com from June 2025 through March 2026 for about $20.
Pool owners and operators should stop using pools with the recalled covers immediately and contact Eicong for a refund.

Guangzhou Yikang Cultural Communication Co., doing business as Eicong, is recalling Crenlux-branded pool drain covers sold on Amazon. The white plastic covers measure about 8 inches in diameter and weigh about 12.7 ounces, and Crenlux is printed on the packaging.

The hazard

The CPSC said the recalled covers violate entrapment protection standards under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. Noncompliant drain covers can trap swimmers or bathers against the drain, creating a risk of drowning or other catastrophic injury. No incidents or injuries were reported.

What to do

Pool owners, pool operators and consumers should stop using pools fitted with the recalled drain covers immediately and contact Eicong for a full refund. The company is asking consumers to destroy the cover by writing Recalled on it with a permanent marker and send a photo of the marked cover to Crenlux_recall@outlook.com.

Company contact

Eicong can be reached by email at Crenlux_recall@outlook.com.

Source

Tiny Land tent poles can irritate children

Tiny Land is recalling children's play tents because fiberglass poles can shed fibers that irritate skin and eyes.

The recalled tents use fiberglass poles that can shed fibers, creating a risk of skin and eye irritation.
About 7,500 tents were sold on Amazon.com and Tinylandus.com from November 2025 through March 2026 for between $54 and $70.
Consumers should stop using the tents, disassemble them and request a free repair kit with plastic replacement poles.

Tiny Land Inc. is recalling cream-colored children's play tents that include three windows, a closable fabric door, 34 poles, star-shaped lights and a quilted play mat. The label stitched inside the tent shows the Tiny Land logo and SKU TLTGTT003BG-XYF1506251.

The hazard

The fiberglass poles in the recalled tents can shed fibers during use. Those fibers can irritate children's skin and eyes and can also make cleanup difficult once they spread into the surrounding area. Tiny Land said it received eight reports of fiber shedding, resulting in skin or eye irritation.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the tents immediately, disassemble them and place the poles somewhere children cannot access. Tiny Land is offering a free repair kit that includes four plastic replacement poles with shipping included. The company says consumers should wear gloves and dispose of the fiberglass poles in line with state and local waste rules.

Company contact

Tiny Land can be reached toll-free at 833-556-5252 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at customer_care@tinylandus.com, or online at https://www.tinylandus.com/pages/recalls and www.tinylandus.com under Recall.

Source

Little Grape Land pillows pose suffocation risk

Little Grape Land is recalling nursing pillows because the products violate federal safety standards and can obstruct an infant's breathing.

The nursing pillows can obstruct an infant's breathing, posing a serious risk of suffocation.
About 1,430 pillows were sold on Amazon.com from August 2025 through April 2026 for between $28 and $30.
Consumers should stop using the pillows immediately, destroy them as instructed and request a full refund.

XJ Evermore LLC, doing business as Little Grape Land US, is recalling U-shaped nursing pillows sold in several patterns, including rose floral, alligator, bear, butterfly, cactus, construction truck and woodland animal prints. The pillows have no markings or labels on the product itself.

The hazard

The CPSC said the nursing pillows, which were advertised for infant feeding and tummy time, violate the mandatory standards for nursing pillows and infant support cushions. The design can obstruct an infant's breathing, creating a serious risk of suffocation and death. No incidents or injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled nursing pillows immediately and contact Little Grape Land for a full refund. The company is asking consumers to cut the pillow in half and email a photo of the destroyed pillow to recall@evermorepartner.com before discarding it.

Company contact

Little Grape Land can be reached by email at recall@evermorepartner.com, or online at https://littlegrapeland.com/recall and https://littlegrapeland.com/ under Recall.

Source

Broqixin drain covers pose drowning danger

The CPSC says recalled Broqixin pool drain covers fail federal entrapment standards and can put swimmers and bathers at risk.

The recalled drain covers violate the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and pose entrapment and drowning hazards.
About 370 covers were sold on Amazon.com from January 2026 through April 2026 for about $16.
Consumers should stop using pools with these covers immediately, remove the cover and contact Broqixin for a refund.

Weifang Dingshengxin Electric Technology Co., doing business as Broqixin, is recalling Broqixin-branded white plastic pool drain covers sold with two screws. The covers measure about 7.36 inches in diameter and weigh about 3.84 ounces, and Model 11064W is printed on the packaging.

The hazard

The CPSC said the covers do not comply with the entrapment protection standards required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. A noncompliant cover can create a deadly suction entrapment hazard for swimmers and bathers, especially children. No incidents or injuries were reported.

What to do

Pool owners, pool operators and consumers should stop using pools with the recalled covers immediately and contact Broqixin for a full refund. The company is asking consumers to remove the drain cover, write Recalled on it in permanent marker and email a photo of the marked cover to broqixinrecall@outlook.com. The CPSC also advised consumers to make sure all pools and spas have VGBA-compliant covers and to teach children to stay away from drains.

Company contact

Broqixin can be reached by email at broqixinrecall@outlook.com.

Source

Residential elevator switches can leave doors unlocked

SUNS International is recalling certain residential elevator interlock switches because they can stick and allow an exterior door to remain unlocked.

The affected interlock switches can become stuck in a retracted position, creating a fall and crushing hazard that can cause death or serious injury.
About 7,000 switches were sold through SUNS International and authorized residential elevator dealers nationwide for about $200.
Consumers should stop using any residential elevator with the affected switch and arrange for free professional replacement.

SUNS International is recalling all SS6291 Solenoid Interlock switches used in residential elevators produced from Aug. 20, 2024, through Nov. 6, 2025, with date codes 2431 through 2543. The switch measures about 10 inches by 2 inches, weighs about 2 pounds, and has SUNS, the model number and date code printed on a label on the side.

The hazard

According to the CPSC, the interlock switch can become stuck in a retracted position. If that happens, the exterior elevator door can stay unlocked even when the elevator cab is not behind it, creating a severe fall and crushing hazard. SUNS said it had received one report of a switch becoming stuck, though no injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using any residential elevator that contains the recalled SUNS switch immediately. They should contact SUNS or their elevator installer to schedule free professional installation of a replacement interlock switch. This is not a do-it-yourself repair.

Company contact

SUNS International can be reached toll-free at 978-349-2329 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at recall@suns-usa.com, or online at www.suns-usa.com under Recall.

Source

Vornado heaters can overheat and catch fire

Vornado is recalling SRTH small room tower heaters after reports of overheating, fire and one smoke inhalation injury.

The heater's fan blade can detach from the motor shaft, causing overheating, melting and possible ignition.
About 255,000 heaters were sold nationwide from August 2013 through May 2026, and the company has received 32 overheating reports.
Consumers should stop using the recalled heater immediately and contact Vornado for a full refund.

Vornado Air is recalling SRTH small room tower heaters sold in black and white. The heaters measure about 12.5 inches high by 6 inches in diameter, have low and high heat settings plus a fan-only mode, and are marked TYPE SRTH on the silver rating label on the bottom.

The hazard

The CPSC said the fan blade can detach from the motor shaft. When that happens, the fan can slow or stop, causing the heater to overheat and melt the enclosure and internal parts. If the thermal cutoff or fuse does not activate in time, the melted parts can ignite and break through the enclosure. Vornado said it had received 32 reports of overheating from fan displacement, including eight reports of fire and one report of smoke inhalation.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled heaters immediately and contact Vornado for instructions on how to submit photos of the heater and proof of destruction. After completing that process, consumers can receive a full refund.

Company contact

Vornado can be reached toll-free at 844-205-7978 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at recalls.vornado.com under SRTH Small Room Tower Heater Recall and at www.vornado.com under Product Recalls.

Source

Heated insoles can explode even when off

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using COOWALK and COOWALI heated insoles because their lithium-ion batteries can ignite even when the insoles are turned off.

The internal lithium-ion battery can explode and ignite, posing serious burn and fire hazards.
The insoles were sold on Amazon.com and GearTrade.com from August 2022 through May 2026.
Consumers should stop using the insoles immediately and dispose of them under local hazardous-waste rules.

The CPSC issued a warning covering COOWALK and COOWALI heated insoles sold in black or red. The insoles contain a lithium-ion battery in the heel area, are operated by remote control, and have either COOWALK or COOWALI printed on the sole.

The hazard

According to the agency, the internal lithium-ion battery can explode and ignite, even when the insoles are switched off. That creates a risk of serious burn injury and fire. The warning did not list incident totals, but the agency urged consumers to act immediately because lithium-ion battery failures can escalate quickly.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the heated insoles right away and dispose of them immediately in accordance with local hazardous-waste disposal procedures. They should not throw lithium-ion battery products in regular household trash unless local rules specifically permit that.

Company contact

The CPSC warning did not list a manufacturer contact. Consumers can report product defects or injuries related to the insoles at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Crib bumpers violate ban and suffocate infants

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using Hongmingzheng crib bumpers because padded bumpers are banned and can obstruct an infant's breathing.

The padded crib bumpers can block an infant's breathing, creating a risk of suffocation and death.
The product was sold on Amazon.com from April 2026 through May 2026 for about $26.
Consumers should stop using the crib bumpers immediately, dispose of them and never resell or give them away.

The CPSC warning covers Hongmingzheng crib bumpers, described as blue padded bumpers with six sets of tie strings. A label attached to the product says Product model: JP0128.

The hazard

The agency said crib bumpers can obstruct an infant's breathing and pose a risk of serious injury or death from suffocation. Padded crib bumpers are banned under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, and the CPSC said consumers should treat the product as unsafe for infant sleep environments.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the crib bumpers immediately and dispose of them. The CPSC also warned consumers not to sell or give away the product, because passing it along could expose another child to the same suffocation hazard.

Company contact

No company contact information was provided in the CPSC warning.

Source

Dried herring may carry botulism risk

Prime Food Processing is warning consumers about uneviscerated dried herring fish that may harbor C. botulinum spores.

The fish was not adequately eviscerated, which can allow C. botulinum spores to grow and cause botulism poisoning.
The affected product is Item AF4110, lot code 26020, expiration 06.12.28, distributed to Asian grocery stores in 17 states.
Consumers should not eat the fish and should return the uneaten product and packaging to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Prime Food Processing LLC issued a safety warning involving Dried Herring Fish sold as Item AF4110. The concern involves uneviscerated fish, a well-known botulism risk because internal organs can create conditions that allow toxin-producing bacteria to develop if the product is not properly handled.

The hazard

The FDA said the product was not adequately eviscerated and may harbor C. botulinum spores. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to botulism outbreaks. Symptoms can include dizziness, blurred or double vision, trouble speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. The recalled product was distributed to Asian grocery stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the affected dried herring should not eat it. They should return the uneaten fish and its packaging to the place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone who believes they may have symptoms of botulism should seek immediate medical attention.

Company contact

Prime Food Processing LLC can be reached at 718-963-2323, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Source

Gas-X softgels recalled over coolant contamination

Haleon is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels after a packaging-machine leak raised the possibility of chemical contamination.

The softgels may have been contaminated with a diluted propylene glycol-based coolant, which could cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The recall covers Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels 125 mg in 120-count and 72-count packages from lots TL8K, YH9X, YH9Y and X78N.
Consumers should stop taking the product immediately and contact Haleon to arrange a return and reimbursement.

Haleon issued a voluntary nationwide recall of Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels 125 mg in 120-count and 72-count packages. The company said the issue stems from a machine leakage during the packaging process, which may have introduced a diluted propylene glycol-based coolant into some products distributed on or about April 13, 2026.

The hazard

The FDA notice said the potential contamination could cause adverse events including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea if ingested. The recall applies to lot numbers TL8K, YH9X, YH9Y and X78N. Even though the notice did not list injuries, consumers are being urged to stop using the product because it is intended for ingestion and contamination may not be visible.

What to do

Consumers should stop taking the recalled softgels immediately and contact Haleon Consumer Relations to arrange for return of the product and reimbursement. If you feel ill after taking the product, contact a health care provider.

Company contact

Haleon Consumer Relations can be reached at 1-800-245-1040 or by email at mystory.us@haleon.com.

Source

Moringa capsules may be contaminated with Salmonella

Total Nutrition has expanded its recall of TNVitamins and Doctor's Pride moringa capsules because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness and can be especially dangerous for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The affected capsules were sold nationwide online through Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Target and the companies' websites.
Consumers should stop using the affected capsules, dispose of them immediately and request a refund through the recall form.

Total Nutrition Inc. said it is expanding its recall of TNVitamins Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Moringa 10,000 mg capsules and Doctor's Pride Complete Green Superfood Ultra Potent Moringa 10,000 mg capsules. Newly added lots include TNVitamins lot 2748 with expiration 07/2027 and Doctor's Pride lot 2748 with expiration 07/2027, along with previously recalled lots 2507199, 2512-304 and 2793 where applicable.

The hazard

Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In more severe cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and lead to illnesses such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis. The expanded recall affects products distributed nationally through online platforms and company websites, broadening the number of consumers who should check their bottles.

What to do

Customers who purchased the affected capsules should dispose of them immediately and should not eat, sell or serve the product. Total Nutrition said consumers can request a refund by completing the recall form at https://tnvitamins.com/recall.

Company contact

Total Nutrition Inc. can be reached by email at Customerservice@tnvitamins.com.

Source

Motor City cheese bread faces Salmonella recall

Champion Foods is recalling some batches of Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled bread may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in vulnerable consumers.
The affected single packs and 2-packs were sold nationwide at retailers including Costco, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Publix and Meijer.
Consumers should check the UPC and sell-by date, avoid eating affected products and contact Champion Foods for more information.

Champion Foods is recalling certain Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread Single Packs and 2 Packs. The affected products carry UPC 8 70375 00511 1 for the single pack and UPC 8 70375 00509 8 for the 2-pack, with multiple sell-by dates ranging from early February through late April 2027.

The hazard

The FDA notice said the bread is being recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in rare cases can lead to more severe illnesses if it enters the bloodstream. The recalled lots were distributed and sold nationwide at a long list of retailers, including Costco, Walmart, Giant Landover, Grocery Outlet, Jewel, Kroger, Schnucks, Target, Meijer and Publix.

What to do

Consumers should check the package UPC and sell-by date against the recall list and should not eat affected products. Set the product aside and contact Champion Foods LLC for more information about the recall and next steps.

Company contact

Consumers can contact Champion Foods LLC at info@motorcitypizzacompany.com. Media inquiries can be sent to media@championfoods.com.

Source

Dexcom G7 sensors may be unsafe to use

Dexcom says some scrapped Dexcom G7 sensors were stolen, diverted into commerce and may create infection or device-failure risks.

One affected lot may not be properly sterilized, increasing skin infection risk, while another lot has an elevated failure rate that can lead to missing sensor readings.
The issue involves Dexcom G7 lots 1725204004 and 1725069002 sold through third-party channels supplied by Pharmsource, LLC.
Users should not use sensors from the affected lots and should call Dexcom for replacements.

Dexcom announced that sensors identified internally as scrap were diverted and sold by a third party instead of being destroyed. The company said the affected product involves Dexcom G7 sensors from lot 1725204004 and lot 1725069002, which may have reached some independent pharmacies and durable medical equipment distributors in the United States through Pharmsource, LLC, an unauthorized distributor.

The hazard

According to the company announcement posted by the FDA, lot 1725204004 includes sensors that were not properly sterilized and therefore carry an increased risk of skin infection. Lot 1725069002 includes sensors from a lot with an elevated internal testing failure rate, raising the chance that no sensor readings will be available. For people relying on continuous glucose monitoring, either problem can interfere with safe diabetes management.

What to do

Users who have Dexcom G7 sensors from lots 1725204004 or 1725069002 should not use them. Consumers should call Dexcom Customer Support in the United States to request replacements and should check any remaining boxes or packaging carefully for the lot numbers before use.

Company contact

Dexcom Customer Support can be reached at 1-844-478-1600. Media contact is James McIntosh at 959-716-6698 or james.mcintosh@dexcom.com.

Source

Soup dumplings recalled for undeclared peanut

Synear Foods USA is recalling frozen pork and crab soup dumplings because they may contain peanut that is not declared on the label.

The products are misbranded and contain undeclared peanut, a potentially life-threatening allergen for sensitive consumers.
The Class I recall affects products with several best-by dates shipped to retail locations in California, New Jersey and Washington, and exported to Canada.
Consumers should not eat the dumplings and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Synear Foods USA, LLC is recalling frozen pork and crab soup dumpling products because of misbranding and undeclared allergens. The FSIS said the affected packages bear establishment number EST. 45942 and include best-by dates 15 OCT 2026, 10 NOV 2026, 23 DEC 2026, 26 JAN 2027 or 23 FEB 2027, along with alternate date formats 2026 OC 15 or 2027 JA 26.

The hazard

The issue is undeclared peanut, one of the major food allergens. For consumers with a peanut allergy, even a small amount can trigger a severe or life-threatening reaction. FSIS classified the recall as High - Class I, its most serious category. The agency said there had been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions tied to the products at the time of the notice.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled dumplings should not consume them. FSIS said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Anyone with a peanut allergy who believes they may have eaten the product and feels ill should seek medical care promptly.

Company contact

Judy Zhu, CEO of Synear Foods USA, LLC, can be reached at 818-341-3588 ext. 101 or by email at judyz@synearfoodsusa.com.

Source

Walmart’s new delivery feature brings Subway sandwiches to your door

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:24:41 +0000

Shoppers can place their order directly through the Walmart app or website

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

Walmart customers in select locations can now order Subway meals directly through the Walmart app and website.
Subway orders can be delivered on their own or alongside groceries and other Walmart purchases.
Walmart plans to expand the service to approximately 1,400 Subway locations inside Walmart stores by the end of the summer.

As shoppers increasingly look for ways to simplify their errands, Walmart is adding a new option that combines meals and everyday essentials in a single delivery.

The retailer announced that customers in select locations can now order freshly made Subway meals through the Walmart app or Walmart.com and have them delivered in as little as 30 minutes.

The move marks Walmarts first expansion of its Express Delivery service into restaurant food, allowing customers to add a prepared meal to their shopping experience without making a separate stop.

The future of retail is about bringing more of customers everyday needs into a single, seamless experience, Tracy Poulliot, EVP eCommerce and Marketing, Walmart U.S., said in a news release.

Bringing Subway delivery into the Walmart app is another way were using our proximity to customers and scale to make everyday decisions simpler and everyday life a little easier.

How it works

The new offering is launching this month in select Walmart stores across Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Customers can place an order for a Subway meal by itself or combine it with groceries, household items, and other eligible products through Walmarts Express Delivery service.

According to Walmart, the goal is to make it easier for customers to get more of what they need in a single order. Subway was selected as the first restaurant partner because it is Walmarts largest in-store restaurant tenant, with locations inside many Walmart stores across the country.

Walmart plans to expand the delivery option to roughly 1,400 Subway locations by the end of the summer.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, the biggest change is convenience.

Rather than placing separate orders through multiple apps, customers in participating areas can order a sandwich and other household necessities through a single Walmart transaction.

Whether someone needs lunch delivered quickly or wants to add a meal to a grocery order, the new feature creates another option within Walmarts existing delivery network.

Subway has always been focused on making freshly made, quality meals accessible to customers wherever they are," said Damien Harmon, President of Subway North America. The integration of Subway delivery into the Walmart app and Walmart.com is a natural evolution of our 20-year relationship built on a shared commitment to value, freshness and everyday convenience."

Target’s upcoming Circle Deal Days puts back-to-school deals front and center

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:16:48 +0000

Targets seasonal shopping event offers discounts across key categories

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

Target Circle Deal Days runs June 2326, with early access on June 22 for Target Circle 360 members.
The sale includes discounts of up to 45% on thousands of products across categories such as apparel, home goods, beauty, school supplies, and outdoor items.
Additional perks include limited-time membership offers, daily flash deals, and a free Starbucks treat for Target Circle members on June 23.

As families begin thinking about both summer activities and the upcoming school year, Target is rolling out a major shopping event aimed at helping shoppers stretch their budgets.

The retailer recently announced its 2026 Target Circle Deal Days promotion, a four-day sale exclusively for members of its free Target Circle loyalty program.

The event is scheduled to run from June 23 through June 26, while paid Target Circle 360 members will be able to start shopping a day early on June 22. According to the company, the promotion is designed to offer savings on a wide range of seasonal products, including summer essentials, back-to-school supplies, college dorm necessities, and everyday household items.

"Busy families are looking for ways to save money as they balance summer plans with back-to-school and college prep, and we're meeting that need without compromising on the style and fun we know they love about Target," Sarah Travis, executive vice president and chief digital and revenue officer, Target, said in a news release.

"We're obsessed with the details from quality products and the latest trends to exceptional value and joyful experiences because that's what makes Target a true destination for families as they celebrate summer, get ready for the school year ahead, and prepare for what's next, whether that's in the classroom, the dorm room, or anywhere in between."

What shoppers can expect during the sale

Target says members will find discounts of up to 45% on thousands of items throughout the event. Some of the largest advertised savings include up to 45% off select kitchen appliances and floor-care products, as well as 40% off certain school and college essentials, womens apparel, beauty products, and outdoor gear.

Featured brands include names such as JanSport, Keurig, Bissell, Ninja, and Crocs, alongside Target-owned brands including A New Day, Threshold, Pillowfort, and Sun Squad.

The retailer will also introduce daily Deal of the Day offers that change throughout the event.

Several limited-time promotions are available for new members as well. Shoppers who join Target Circle between June 14 and June 22 can receive 15% off their first purchase, while eligible customers who open a Target Circle Card during the promotional period may earn $100 in Target Circle Rewards.

In addition, Target Circle members can receive a free hot or iced brewed coffee or a Bullseye cookie at participating Starbucks locations inside Target stores on June 23.

What this means for consumers

For shoppers planning summer purchases or preparing for the next school year, the timing of the sale offers an opportunity to buy seasonal items before peak back-to-school shopping ramps up.

Because the sale is tied to Target Circle membership, consumers may also want to review the additional membership offers and perks available during the promotional period. Whether shopping in stores, online, or through pickup and delivery options, customers will have several ways to access the advertised savings.

Additionally, the sale coincides with Amazons recently-announced Prime Day, which moved from July to the end of June. It could be beneficial to compare pricing across the retailers to see where the best deals are.

Target recalls Up & Up baby wipes after testing finds potential contamination

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:17:00 +0000

Parents are urged to stop using certain Up & Up wipes immediately

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

Target has voluntarily recalled select Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing detected potentially harmful bacteria.
The recall affects specific Fragrance Free and Fresh Cucumber Scented baby wipes sold nationwide and online.
Consumers should stop using the affected products and return them to Target for a full refund.

Parents who regularly stock up on Target's Up & Up baby wipes may want to check their cabinets.

The retailer announced a voluntary recall of certain Up & Up Fragrance Free and Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes after customer complaints about discoloration led to further testing.

According to Target, testing conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in samples of the affected products.

The recalled wipes were sold in Target stores across the country as well as through Target's website. While the recall is being conducted as a precaution, the company noted that the bacteria found in the products could potentially cause serious infections, particularly among newborns, infants, young children, and people with weakened immune systems.

Which products are affected?

The recall includes multiple package sizes of both Up & Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes. Target provided UPC codes and manufacturing information to help consumers identify whether their wipes are included:

Product	Item Number	UPC Code	Manufacturing Codes	Expiration Dates
Up&Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes- 20 Count	007-07-0092	85239265956	November 07, 2025 (071125X/XX) to May 05, 2026 (050526X/XXX)	May 10, 2028 (100528) through November 5, 2028 (051128)
Up&Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes- 3 Pack - 216 Count	007-07-0146	85239265963
Up&Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes- 72 Count	007-07-0157	85239265949
Up&Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes- 8 Pack - 800 Count	007-07-0226	85239266137
Up&Up Fragrance Free Baby Wipes- 12 Pack - 1200 Count	007-07-9025	85239266090
Up&Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes- 3 Pack - 216 Count	007-07-0265	85239265994	December 29, 2025 (291225X/XX) to December 30, 2025 (301225X/XX)	June 29, 2028 (290628) through June 30, 2028 (300628)
Up&Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes - 8 Pack - 800 Count	007-07-0266	85239265987
Up&Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes 72 Count	007-07-0267	85239265970

The company said the recall was prompted by customer reports of product discoloration. In addition, Target and the wipes' manufacturer have received reports involving symptoms such as skin irritation, eye irritation, and infections that may be associated with use of the products. The company emphasized that these reports are still under investigation.

Target stated that the wipes were manufactured by a supplier and that it is continuing to work with the manufacturer while investigating the issue. The recall is being carried out with the knowledge of the FDA.

What consumers need to know

Anyone who has the recalled wipes should stop using them immediately. Target is advising customers to return affected products to any Target store, where they can receive a full refund. Consumers who have questions can also contact Target Guest Relations for additional information.

For parents and caregivers, the most important step is checking package labels, UPC codes, and manufacturing information against the recall notice. If a product matches the recalled items, it should no longer be used. Target says it is continuing to investigate the matter and coordinate with the manufacturer as more information becomes available.

Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and July 4th send tens of thousands to the ER

Kyle James — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:26:55 +0000

Why hospitals brace for these holidays every summer

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

July 4th is America's busiest ER day: More than 45,000 people visit emergency rooms, with fireworks accidents driving many of the injuries.
Juneteenth and Memorial Day also see injury spikes: Grilling, travel, boating, swimming, and outdoor celebrations lead to thousands of additional ER visits.
Many accidents are preventable: Experts recommend using fireworks safely, supervising children around water, and avoiding alcohol while driving or boating.

For many Americans, summer holidays are all about backyard barbecues, road trips, fireworks, and celebrating with family and friends.

But according to a new study from an injury law firm, they're also among the most dangerous days of the year for injuries serious enough to send people to the emergency room.

The research examined six years of emergency room data across 15 major holidays and found that Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day all produce significant spikes in ER visits compared to a typical day.

In fact, July 4th is now the single busiest day of the year for emergency rooms nationwide.

July 4th tops the list for ER visits

According to the study, emergency rooms see an average of 45,340 visits on Independence Day, roughly 21% more than a typical day.

While many of those injuries are relatively minor, about 12.5% of patients end up being admitted to the hospital.

Fireworks play a major role in the surge.

"July 4th is when we see the worst injuries," said a personal injury attorney with Good Guys Injury Law. "Most of the consultation requests are from firework accidents that often result in severe burns and sometimes even lost fingers."

The attorney noted that defective fireworks, improper storage, and user error frequently contribute to serious injuries.

Memorial Day marks the start of injury season

Somewhat surprisingly, especially since Memorial Day isn't about fireworks, the last Monday of May isnt far behind.

The holiday generates nearly 45,000 ER visits, about 20% above normal levels for an average Monday.

Experts say the unofficial start of summer often brings a perfect storm of risk factors:

Increased road travel
Boating accidents
Swimming-related injuries
Grilling mishaps
Alcohol consumption

The study also found that roughly one in eightMemorial Day ER patients ultimately require hospitalization.

Juneteenth injuries continue to rise

The report also found that Juneteenth (June 19th) has entered the ranks of one of the more dangerous U.S. holidays in terms ofinjuries.

Hospitals in the U.S. now see approximately 40,000 ER visits on Juneteenth, about 7% above the daily average. This holiday now falls behind only July 4thand Memorial Day in terms of ER visits.

Researchers noted that food-preparation injuries, including knife cuts and kitchen accidents, account for many of the visits. Of the 40,000 ER patients, about 12% of them required hospitalization.

How to avoid becoming a holiday statistic

While accidents can't always be prevented, safety experts say a few simple precautions can dramatically reduce your risk.

Fireworks:Leave large fireworks to professional displays whenever possible. If you use consumer fireworks, always follow all instructions carefully, never relight a malfunctioning firework, keep water nearby, and be sure to supervise children at all times.
Grilling:Many Memorial Day injuries happen around backyard grills. Before firing up the barbecue be sure to keep grills away from structures, clean grease buildup beforehand, keep children at a safe distance, and never leave a lit grill unattended.
Swimming and boating:Water-related accidents definitely spike during summer holiday weekends. Experts recommend wearing life jackets, supervising children continuously, avoiding alcohol while boating, and know your local water conditions.
Road trips:Holiday travel also often means crowded highways. Before leaving home, always check tire pressure, avoid distracted driving, plan your rest stops, and try to allow some extra travel time.

Where today's job seekers have the best chance of getting hired

Mark Huffman — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:21:49 +0000

The May Employment Report offers a clear roadmap

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, more than double economists expectations, while unemployment held steady at 4.3%.
Leisure and hospitality, healthcare, and government were the biggest sources of new jobs, making them the strongest targets for job seekers.
Financial activities, information, and parts of retail continued to shed jobs, signaling a tougher market for white-collar applicants.

The labor market delivered a pleasant surprise for job seekers in May.

Employers added 172,000 jobs during the month, far exceeding forecasts of roughly 80,000 new positions. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, suggesting that hiring remains healthy despite concerns about inflation, interest rates, and global uncertainty.

Revisions to March and April payroll figures added another 93,000 jobs, indicating the labor market has been stronger than previously thought.

For workers looking for a new job, the report offers a clear roadmap: some industries are hiring aggressively, while others continue to pull back.

Best sectors for job seekers

Leisure and hospitality

If you're looking for the fastest path to employment, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and tourism-related businesses are leading the way.

Leisure and hospitality added roughly 70,000 jobs in May, making it the strongest-performing sector by a wide margin. Employers appear to be ramping up staffing ahead of the summer travel season.

Best opportunities:

Restaurant and food-service workers
Hotel staff
Event and entertainment employees
Tourism and recreation workers

Healthcare

Healthcare continues to be one of the most reliable sources of job growth in the U.S. economy.

The sector added between 35,000 and 47,000 jobs in May, depending on the data series cited, continuing a multiyear hiring trend fueled by an aging population and persistent demand for medical services.

Best opportunities:

Registered nurses
Medical assistants
Home health aides
Therapists
Administrative support staff

Government

Local government hiring surged in May, adding approximately 55,000 jobs. Schools, public services, and municipal agencies accounted for much of the increase.

Best opportunities:

Education support roles
Public administration
Municipal services
Public safety support positions

Construction

Construction posted another month of gains, extending a positive streak despite higher borrowing costs. While growth was more modest than in hospitality or healthcare, the sector continues to add workers.

Best opportunities:

Skilled trades
Project management
Equipment operators
Construction laborers

Sectors where hiring is slowing

Financial activities

Banks, insurance companies, and other financial firms cut jobs in May. Financial activities lost roughly 22,000 positions, making it one of the weakest sectors in the report.

Job seekers in finance may face longer searches and increased competition for openings.

Information

Technology, media, and communications companies continued to struggle.

The information sector lost jobs in May and was also identified by ADP as one of the few major industries not adding workers. Analysts note that many white-collar employers remain cautious about expanding payrolls.

Retail

Retail employment declined in May, suggesting consumer-facing stores remain cautious despite a generally healthy economy.

Workers seeking retail positions may find more seasonal openings this summer, but the sector is not generating jobs at the pace seen in hospitality or health care.

What it means for job seekers

The May report marks the third consecutive month of stronger-than-expected hiring and provides evidence that the labor market has regained momentum after a sluggish period earlier this year.

For job seekers, the message is straightforward:

Focus your search on hospitality, healthcare, government, and construction.
Be prepared for greater competition in finance, technology, and media-related fields.
Workers willing to switch industries may find significantly faster hiring in service-sector and healthcare occupations.
Employers are still hiring, but opportunities are increasingly concentrated in a handful of sectors rather than spread evenly across the economy.

The labor market remains healthy overall, but where you look for work may matter more than ever.

Supreme Court backs FCC enforcement authority in a defeat for Verizon and AT&T

Mark Huffman — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:44:48 +0000

The case could eventually strengthen consumers privacy

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can continue using its existing enforcement process to impose penalties on telecommunications companies, rejecting a challenge from Verizon and AT&T.
The 8-1 decision preserves a key regulatory tool used by the FCC to enforce data privacy and consumer protection rules.
The ruling stems from a dispute over nearly $100 million in FCC penalties tied to the companies' handling of customer location data.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Federal Communications Commissions authority to use its administrative enforcement process against telecommunications companies, dealing a setback to Verizon and AT&T in a closely watched regulatory case.

In an 8-1 decision, the Court rejected arguments from the two telecom giants that the FCCs penalty process violated their constitutional right to have disputes decided by a jury. The ruling preserves one of the agencys primary tools for enforcing federal telecommunications and data privacy laws.

For most consumers, the ruling is unlikely to have an immediate, visible impact. However, it could have important long-term consequences for privacy and consumer protection.

The case involved allegations that wireless carriers improperly shared or failed to safeguard customers' location data. By preserving the FCC's enforcement authority, the ruling makes it less likely that companies can avoid penalties through procedural challenges before regulators even reach the merits of a case.

Use of location data

The case in question arose from FCC investigations into the companies handling of customer location information. Regulators concluded that Verizon and AT&T failed to adequately protect sensitive location data and proposed penalties totaling roughly $100 million.

The carriers argued that the FCCs in-house enforcement process deprived them of due process because the agency could impose substantial penalties before the companies had an opportunity to present their case before a jury.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the FCCs forfeiture orders do not themselves create an immediate legal obligation to pay. Instead, companies retain the ability to challenge the penalties in court before any final collection action occurs. As a result, the Court concluded that the process does not violate the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

Victory for federal agencies

The decision marks a significant victory for the federal government and the FCC, which argued that administrative enforcement proceedings are essential to policing violations of telecommunications regulations. The Trump administration defended the agencys authority during the litigation.

The ruling comes at a time when the Supreme Court has scrutinized, andin some cases, limited the powers of federal agencies. However, the Court's decision suggests that certain long-standing enforcement mechanisms remain on solid constitutional footing.

Mortgage rates edged lower this week, offering modest relief

Mark Huffman — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:39:35 +0000

The average rate declined from its recent nine-month high

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.48% this week from 6.53%, according to Freddie Mac, marking a modest improvement for homebuyers.
Rates remain below the 6.85% average recorded a year ago, while the average 15-year fixed mortgage declined to 5.79% from 5.87%.
Economists say affordability is improving slightly as wage growth continues to outpace home-price growth, though mortgage rates remain elevated by historical standards.

Despite the spike in bond yields, mortgage rates eased this week, providing a small boost to prospective homebuyers as the spring housing market enters its final stretch.

Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.48% from 6.53% a week earlier. The average remains well below the 6.85% level recorded at the same time last year.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, a popular refinancing option, also declined, dropping to 5.79% from 5.87% the previous week.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 6.48% this week, Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in the company's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey. With mortgage rates in the mid-6% range and income growth outpacing home price growth, housing affordability is marginally improving.

Down from a nine-month high

The decline comes after mortgage rates recently climbed to their highest level in roughly nine months. While the latest drop is unlikely to dramatically alter housing demand, it could encourage some buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for borrowing costs to ease.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including inflation expectations, Federal Reserve policy, and movements in the bond market. In particular, lenders closely track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note when setting mortgage rates. Recent economic uncertainty and concerns about inflation have kept long-term borrowing costs elevated even as rates remain below year-ago levels.

Housing market activity continues to reflect the challenge posed by higher financing costs. Existing-home sales have remained sluggish, and mortgage application activity has softened in recent weeks as many buyers and homeowners wait for lower rates.

Improving market conditions

Some market conditions are improving for buyers. Housing inventory has increased in many markets, giving shoppers more choices than they had during the pandemic-era housing boom. Some analysts also note that home-price growth has slowed, helping offset the impact of mortgage rates that remain above 6%.

Despite this week's decline, economists generally expect mortgage rates to remain in the mid-6% range for the foreseeable future. Freddie Mac's survey shows rates have fluctuated between roughly 6% and 6.5% for much of 2026, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about inflation and economic growth.

For consumers, the latest decline offers incremental relief rather than a turning point. But even small movements in mortgage rates can affect affordability, particularly for first-time buyers facing elevated home prices and borrowing costs.

Searching for your airline’s customer service number online can be costly

Mark Huffman — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:42:47 +0000

Scammers increasingly post fake numbers to intercept calls

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

Scammers are exploiting airline travelers by creating fake customer service numbers that appear prominently in online search results.
Passengers seeking flight status updates, rebooking help, or cancellation information are being tricked into calling fraudulent numbers, and in some cases, surrendering personal and financial information.
Consumer advocates warn travelers to obtain airline contact information directly from airline websites, mobile apps, or boarding documents rather than relying on search results.

As flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes continue to disrupt travel plans, some airline passengers are encountering a new threat: scammers posing as airline customer service representatives through fake phone numbers that appear in online search results.

Consumer protection experts say the scheme often begins when a traveler searches online for an airline's customer service number after receiving a notification that a flight has been delayed or canceled. Fraudsters use deceptive websites, online advertisements, and manipulated search listings to place fake contact information where frustrated passengers are likely to find it.

The scam preys on travelers who are under pressure to quickly confirm a flight's status, rebook a canceled itinerary, or secure a refund. Believing they are speaking with an airline representative, victims may provide booking confirmation numbers, credit card details, passport information, or other personal data.

According to consumer complaints and reports from cybersecurity researchers, scammers often answer calls professionally, using airline names and industry terminology to establish credibility. Some falsely claim that a ticket must be reissued immediately or that additional fees are required to secure a seat on a replacement flight.

Red flags

Victims may be asked to make payments through gift cards, peer-to-peer payment services, wire transfers, or other methods that are difficult to reverse a huge red flag. In some cases, callers are instructed to download remote-access software, giving scammers access to personal computers and sensitive information.

The problem is not limited to a single carrier. Fraudulent numbers have been reported in connection with major domestic and international airlines, particularly during periods of widespread travel disruptions when demand for customer support surges.

Search engines have taken steps to remove deceptive listings and advertisements, but cybersecurity experts say scammers frequently create new websites and phone numbers, making enforcement difficult.

Airlines typically advise passengers to use official channels for flight information and customer support, including the airline's mobile app, official website, boarding pass, or confirmation email. Many carriers also provide real-time flight status updates through their apps, reducing the need to search online for assistance.

Always use the airlines app

Recently, an Iowa family vacationing in Mexico fell victim when the airlines app didnt work properly. A family member Googled the airlines customer service number but ended up talking to a scammer, who demanded $7,000 to rectify an issue.

Consumer advocates recommend that travelers be wary of any representative who requests unusual payment methods, pressures them into making immediate decisions, or asks for sensitive information that is not necessary to verify a reservation.

As summer travel ramps up, experts say vigilance remains the best defense. A simple search for a customer service number can seem harmless, but in the wrong hands, it can become the starting point for identity theft, financial fraud, and a ruined trip.

Travelers who believe they have been targeted by such a scam should immediately contact their financial institutions, notify the airline involved, and report the incident to federal and state consumer protection authorities.

Home sellers are pulling their homes off the market in record numbers

Mark Huffman — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:37:37 +0000

Buyers are balking at listing prices that inflated during the pandemic

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 5, 2026

Nearly 6% of U.S. home listings were pulled off the market in April, tying the highest level since the start of the pandemic.
Sellers are increasingly delisting homes rather than accepting lower offers in a market where buyers have gained leverage.
Florida and Texas metros led the nation in delistings as high mortgage rates and affordability challenges continued to dampen demand.

Home listings quickly disappeared in April, but not because the properties sold. It was because they didnt sell.

A new report from real estate brokerage Redfin found that more homeowners are taking their properties off the market rather than lowering their asking prices, a sign of growing tension in a housing market that has shifted increasingly in favor of buyers.

According to the report, 5.8% of all U.S. home listings were delisted in April, tying December 2025 for the highest share since March 2020, when the housing market briefly froze at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trend reflects a growing disconnect between sellers' price expectations and what buyers are willing or able to pay. Elevated mortgage rates and persistently high home prices have sidelined many would-be buyers, leaving homes on the market longer and forcing sellers to choose between cutting prices or waiting for better conditions.

Sellers are still getting used to the post-pandemic normal, said Patricia Ammann, a Redfin Premier agent in Arlington, Va.

Prices arent soaring like they were five years ago.High gas prices and the rising cost of living overall are trickling down to the housing market, making buyers much less likely to bid prices up. Buyers know they have negotiating power, often offering under the asking price and completing inspections, but some sellers just wont budge.

Some homeowners cant lower their price because they bought during the pandemic when prices soared well ahead of the rate of inflation.

Some homes are back on the market

The report also found that 2.5% of homes currently on the market are relistings that had previously been withdrawn, the highest share on record. That suggests many sellers are testing the market, pulling listings when demand disappoints, and returning later in hopes of more favorable conditions.

The increase in delistings comes as the national housing market continues to favor buyers. Inventory has risen in many parts of the country, giving shoppers more options and reducing the urgency that characterized the pandemic-era housing boom. At the same time, buyers have become more price-sensitive, often negotiating discounts or walking away from deals altogether.

Florida and Texas markets have the biggest disconnect

Florida and Texas have been among the markets most affected by the shift. Previous Redfin analyses have shown Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Austin, and San Antonio among the metros with the largest imbalance between sellers and buyers, creating particularly challenging conditions for homeowners hoping to sell quickly and at premium prices.

The rise in delistings may also help explain why housing inventory growth has begun to slow in some markets. As more sellers withdraw listings, fewer homes remain available for sale, potentially limiting future inventory gains even as buyer demand remains subdued.

Despite the pullback, housing analysts say affordability remains the market's central challenge. Mortgage rates remain well above pandemic lows, and home prices, while softening in some regions, are still historically high by many measures.

How to save money at IKEA: The playbook for furnishing your home without blowing your budget

Kyle James — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:30:28 +0000

The IKEA savings tricks most shoppers completely miss

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

Join IKEA Family and hit the As-Is section: The free membership unlocks exclusive discounts, while the As-Is area often has furniture marked down 20%70%.
Watch for yellow tags: Yellow price tags often signal clearance, member pricing, or discontinued items that may not be restocked.
Shop smarter, not bigger: Skip most decorative accessories, use room displays for ideas, and compare prices before furnishing an entire room in one trip.

IKEA has a reputation for being affordable and compared to many traditional furniture stores, that's certainly true.

But what most shoppers don't realize is that there are actually two ways to shop at IKEA.

The first is the way most people do it. They wander through the showroom, fall in love with a few room displays, grab a cart, eat some Swedish meatballs, and spend far more than they planned.

The second way is how savvy IKEA shoppers approach the store. They know where the clearance deals are hidden, how to use IKEA Family benefits, when markdowns happen, and which products offer the best value for the money.

The difference can easily be hundreds of dollars on a single shopping trip. Here's how to do it.

Join IKEA Family before you buy anything

If you're shopping at IKEA without joining IKEA Family, you're leaving money on the table. The program is completely free and unlocks a bunch of great perks. I highly recommend you take a couple minutes and sign-up.

Members receive the following:

Special member pricing
Exclusive discounts
Free coffee or tea at many locations
Product protection benefits
Occasional coupons and offers
Discounts on select services

Also, many items throughout the store have separate IKEA Family prices attached to them that can be significantly lower than the regular shelf price.

Pro tip: Before visiting IKEA, always be sure to log into your account and check current member offers. The reason is because some discounts never appear on the regular sales floor.

Head straight to the As-Is section

Veteran IKEA shoppers already know the As-Is section of the store is where the best deals live, and youll typically find it by the checkout area and store exit.

The As-Is section (sometimes called Circular Hub) is where returned items, discontinued merchandise, floor models, opened boxes, and slightly damaged products end up.

Discounts often range from 20% all the way up to 70% off. Personally, I've seen bookshelves with tiny scratches discounted by $100 or more simply because the box was opened. The best deals are usually on large furniture items like a sofa, dining set, and bookshelf.

The key is to shop this area when you first enterIKEA. This is because if you find what you came for, your entire shopping trip changes and youll save a ton of money.

The key is to make sure all the hardware and assembly pieces are included. If you notice some hardware is missing, ask an employee as they often have replacement parts available for free.

Pro tip: Look beyond any small cosmetic flaws and look for structural damage. Pass on anything structural that you dont want to spend the time fixing. But a small dent on the back of a cabinet, or a torn box, will often results in a huge discount for damage nobody will ever see.

Don't buy everything in one trip

This might be the least IKEA thing you'll ever hear, but resist the urge to furnish an entire room in one visit.

Many IKEA products cycle through promotions, member discounts, and clearance markdowns throughout the year. So, if you aren't in a rush, save your favorites to your online shopping list and monitor prices for a few weeks.

Patience can often save you 10% to 30%. This is especially true for larger purchases like dining tables, dressers, storage systems, and home office furniture.

Learn the yellow tag system

Not all IKEA price tags are created equal. In particular, savvy shoppers pay close attention to the yellow tags.

Yellow tags often indicate the following:

Temporary markdowns
Member pricing
Clearance merchandise
End-of-line products

When you see a yellow tag combined with a low inventory notice, that's often a sign that a product may not be restocked. In those situations, waiting can sometimes mean missing the deal entirely.

This is one of the few times where impulse buying at IKEA can actually save you money.

Use IKEA for the expensive stuff and skip the accessories

Dont make the common mistake of spending hours comparing sofa prices at IKEA and then casually toss 15 small decorative items into your cart.

If you do this, youll notice that often the accessories end up costing as much as the furniture.

Its a fact that IKEA's furniture often provides tremendous value. But dont throw away that value by also buying a bunch of over-priced decorative accessories.

Here are the items worth buying:

Shelving systems
Storage solutions
Bookcases
Dressers
Desks
Basic furniture

Conversely, the items worth price-checking elsewhere include candles, decorative baskets, artificial plants, throw pillows, and seasonal dcor. Those impulse purchases are where budgets quietly fall apart if youre not paying attention.

Always look up your closest IKEA before you go

Before you head to your closest IKEA, be sure to look up your store details on their website. By doing so, youll find out about any discount days that are specific to your IKEA.

For example, my closest store is in Sacramento, and by looking up that location, I discovered that I need to plan my trip on a Wednesday. Thats the day where they offer IKEA Family members an extra 10% off when shopping the As-Is department, as well as 5% off all Shop & Go purchases.

Every location is slightly different and not every store has discount days, but you never know until you check.

Use Lowes kitchen design consultation

Lowes offers a free in-store or virtual kitchen consultation where a designer will help you create a detailed kitchen layout, including cabinet sizes, measurements, and countertop dimensions.

You can then take that plan and price out comparable IKEA products, potentially saving thousands of dollars compared to buying everything directly through Lowe's.

Even if you have no intention of buying cabinets from Lowe's, their free design service can save you hours of measuring and planning while giving you a professional blueprint to use at IKEA.

Use IKEA's room displays as a shopping hack

Most shoppers see the various room displays as inspiration only, but frugal shoppers see them as research.

In particular, pay attention to how IKEA combines storage products, lighting, furniture, and the clever small-space solutions.

By paying close attention, you'll often discover cheaper ways to solve a problem than the solution you originally planned.

For example, a $40 shelving system might accomplish the same thing as a $200 piece of furniture. That's not just saving money, that's shopping smarter.

Pro tip: Im a big fan of taking photos of the room displays you like, rather than buying stuff in the displays immediately. Then review your pics at home, in peace and quiet, and decide then what you actually need after the excitement wears off.

Smoke isn’t just smoke: What researchers found in air after neighborhood fires

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:28:07 +0000

New study suggests urban fire smoke may contain more harmful chemicals than expected

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

Researchers found that smoke from fires burning through neighborhoods contained elevated levels of toxic metals, chemical compounds, and other pollutants.
Standard air-quality measurements suggested pollution levels were acceptable, but the composition of the particles told a different story.
The findings highlight the importance of understanding what is burningnot just how much smoke is in the air.

When wildfires sweep through forests, the smoke they produce is largely made up of burned vegetation. But what happens when fires move through neighborhoods filled with homes, cars, electronics, and other manufactured materials?

A new study from researchers at Rutgers University examined air and ash samples collected during the 2025 Los Angeles fires and found that smoke from these so-called wildland-urban interface fires may contain a much more complex mix of pollutants than traditional wildfire smoke. The research suggests that commonly used air-quality measurements may not tell the whole story when communities burn

The findings come at a time when more people are living in areas where developed neighborhoods and wildfire-prone land meet, increasing the likelihood of these types of fires.

I do not want the message to be simply scary, lead study author Jos Guillermo Cedeo Laurent said in a news release The point is that if we want to understand the risks, we need to know the composition of the particles, not just the amount.

In a wildland-urban interface fire that burns both urban and wild areas, you are not only burning trees. You are burning cars, batteries, wiring, metals, plastics and building materials.

The study

The research team collected air and ash samples near the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, during January 2025.

They analyzed the material for a range of contaminants, including metals, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and PFAS, often called forever chemicals.

The findings

One of the most notable findings was that traditional air-quality readings appeared relatively normal. Average levels of fine particulate matter remained below the federal 24-hour standard. However, the particles themselves contained unusually high concentrations of potentially harmful substances.

Researchers found elevated levels of toxic metals in ultrafine particles tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. These metals were roughly 30 times higher than typical Los Angeles levels.

The study also detected PAHs at about 10 times normal concentrations and found benzene-related compounds at levels nearly five to 13 times higher than typical urban background measurements. Ash samples also contained metals, PAHs, and PFAS.

What this means for consumers

The study does not determine how these pollutants affect human health, and the researchers caution that their analysis was limited to one location over a short period. Still, the findings suggest that relying solely on standard air-quality measurements may underestimate the potential hazards associated with neighborhood fires.

For consumers, the key takeaway is that the source of smoke matters. Smoke produced by burning homes, vehicles, batteries, wiring, plastics, and building materials may carry a different mix of pollutants than smoke from vegetation alone.

These fires leave a chemical legacy, Cedeo Laurent said. To protect communities, we need monitoring and cleanup strategies that reflect what burned, not just how much smoke was measured."

Could AI be making it harder to think for yourself? New study raises questions

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:25:29 +0000

Researchers found short-term gains from AI use, but independent performance suffered afterward

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

A new study found that AI assistance improved performance in the moment but reduced problem-solving ability once the tool was removed.
Researchers observed the effect after just 10 to 15 minutes of AI-assisted work on math and reading tasks.
The findings suggest that how people use AI may matter, with hints and clarification appearing less problematic than asking for direct answers.

Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of everyday life. People use AI tools to write emails, answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and even help with school or work assignments. While these tools can save time and make difficult tasks feel easier, new research suggests there may be a downside to relying on them too heavily.

Researchers from several universities, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Oxford, MIT, and UCLA, wanted to understand what happens when people use AI for reasoning-intensive tasks and then have to continue without it.

Their findings suggest that AI can boost performance in the short term, but that benefit may come at a cost when users are later asked to work independently.

The study

The study focused on two abilities that are important for learning and problem-solving: persistence, or the willingness to keep working through a challenge, and independent performance, meaning how well someone can complete a task without assistance.

The research involved more than 1,200 participants across a series of randomized experiments.

In one experiment, participants solved fraction-based math problems. Some completed the work on their own, while others were given access to an AI assistant for about 10 minutes before the assistance was unexpectedly removed.

The results

Not surprisingly, the AI-assisted group performed better while the tool was available. However, once the AI was taken away, their performance dropped noticeably.

Researchers found that participants who had relied on AI solved fewer problems correctly and were more likely to skip questions altogether than those who never had access to AI in the first place. Similar patterns appeared in reading-comprehension tasks.

The researchers also discovered an important distinction. Participants who used AI mainly to obtain direct answers experienced the largest declines. Those who used the tool more as a tutor asking for hints, explanations, or clarification did not show the same level of impairment.

What this means for consumers

The findings do not suggest that AI is inherently harmful or that people should avoid using it. Instead, the study highlights the importance of how these tools are used. According to the researchers, AI may be most beneficial when it supports learning rather than replaces the thinking process altogether.

For consumers, the takeaway may be simple: use AI as a guide rather than a substitute. Asking for explanations, examples, or feedback could help reinforce understanding, while relying on AI to provide complete solutions may make it harder to develop and maintain problem-solving skills over time.

The researchers note that their experiments measured short-term effects, not years of AI use. Still, because the changes appeared after only a brief interaction with AI, they say more research is needed to understand what frequent, long-term reliance on these tools could mean for learning, persistence, and independent thinking.

Pet ownership is getting pricier — but most Americans say it's worth every penny

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:23:41 +0000

As costs for food, supplies, and veterinary care climb, pet parents continue to prioritize their furry companions

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

The cost of pet ownership continues to rise, with the lifetime cost of a medium-sized dog now exceeding $39,000 and the average cat costing more than $32,000.
Despite higher prices for veterinary care, food, and supplies, most pet parents consider their pets' needs essential and are willing to make personal financial sacrifices to cover those costs.
Experts say pet owners can help manage expenses by adopting instead of buying, considering an adult pet, choosing breeds with lower long-term costs, and taking advantage of rewards programs, coupons, and bulk purchases.

From higher veterinary bills to rising prices on food and supplies, owning a pet is becoming more expensive for many Americans.

Rover recently released its 2026 Cost of Pet Parenthood Report, which found that the lifetime cost of caring for a medium-sized dog now tops $39,000, while cat owners can expect to spend more than $32,000 over their pet's lifetime.

Yet despite growing financial pressures, pet parents say the rewards far outweigh the costs.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Philip Tedeschi, a human-animal connection expert with Rover, who described the powerful bond between people and their pets. While many households are adjusting budgets and looking for ways to save on pet-related expenses, most continue to view food, veterinary care, and other pet needs as essential spending.

The report offers a closer look at how Americans are balancing rising costs with their deep commitment to the animals they consider part of the family.

Pet care costs are increasing

Tedeschi broke down the primary factors that are causing increased pet care costs:

Increased veterinary fees: Have continued to rise beyond the national inflation rate.
Tariffs: Have pushed prices on everything from pet food to gear and accessories higher.
More advanced vet care: The veterinary industry is seeing rapid innovation, including improved diagnostics, advanced imaging, specialized surgeries, and chronic disease management that more closely mirrors human healthcare. While these advances improve quality and length of life for pets, they also raise operating costs for clinics and pet parents.
Inflation: Rising costs affect rent, utilities, wages, fuel, and insurance all of which impact veterinary clinics, manufacturers, and retailers magnifying price increases when layered on top of rising medical complexity and global trade costs.

Pet owners making trade offs to care for their pets

Despite these rising costs, many pet parents arent looking to cut back on their pets needs. Rovers study found that more than half (56%) of pet parents say pet food, supplies, and veterinary care would be the last thing they cut back on.

To make ends meet, half of pet owners in the survey said theyre cutting back on dining out, four out of ten are reducing unnecessary shopping, and more than a quarter are delaying a large purchase, like a new car. Another quarter of pet parents have delayed personal financial goals, like savings and debt repayment.

The decisions about financial prioritization tell another compelling story about the importance of these relationships, Tedeschi said. Our pets offer love and support, which can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness. Research has shown that these relationships also can reduce stress and anxiety dramatically improving mood and a sense of wellbeing and stability.

Our pets are also an integrated part of our wellness strategies, including improved levels of cardiovascular health and of a routine form physical activity and social support.

Strategies to save

Pet costs are high, but there are always ways to save or decrease spending. Tedeschi offered some of the best tips for pet owners to consider:

Costs vary significantly based on breed, size, and health conditions. Smaller dogs are generally less expensive over time.
The age of the dog you bring home makes a massive difference. Puppies need a lot of shots and checkups, and they are more likely to get into mischief, such as swallowing a sock or a toy, in their first year. Adult dogs typically only need annual check-ups as part of their preventative care routine.
Where and how you get your dog is another huge price difference. Adding a specific breed to your family, instead of adopting, can be exponentially higher, and adoption fees often include many of the up-front costs, such as the spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, and the first round of vaccinations.
Change how you shop. Pet parents are increasingly using rewards programs, buying in bulk, using coupons, and switching regular pet products to more affordable alternatives.

Cheap summer fun for kids who can't stop saying 'I'm bored'

Kyle James — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:13:54 +0000

Before you pay for camp, try these budget-friendly ideas

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

Skip the pricey camps: Parents spend nearly $900 per child on summer activities, but many of the best memories are made for free.
Use local freebies: Libraries, outdoor movies, free concerts, and kids' workshops can keep children busy all summer long.
Let kids be bored sometimes: Bike rides, sprinklers, scavenger hunts, and backyard camping often beat expensive entertainment.

Summer can get expensive really fast. Between costly camps, sports, amusement parks, and other organized activities, a recent survey found that parents spend nearly $900 per child during the summer months.

But before you spend hundreds of dollars trying to keep your kids entertained, experts say some of the best summer memories can be made for little or no money at all.

Here are some of the best free and low-cost summer activities families should consider.

Start with your local library

If there's one place parents shouldn't overlook this summer, it's the public library.

Many libraries offer free summer reading programs complete with prizes, special events, guest performers, science demonstrations, and other family-friendly activities.

A library card can also unlock benefits many families don't realize exist, including free streaming services, digital books, audiobooks, museum passes, and educational resources.

On a hot summer afternoon, it can be one of the cheapest forms of entertainment available.

Look for free community events

Many cities and towns offer free summer programming that often flies under the radar.

These can include:

Outdoor movies in the park
Free concerts
Community festivals
Museum free-admission days
National Park fee-free days
Discount movie programs for kids

Checkyour city's parks and recreation websiteor Facebook page, and see what you can add to your summer calendar without spending much money.

Pro tip: Create a "boredom jar." Fill a jar with free activity ideas like scavenger hunts, bike rides, water balloon games, and library trips so kids can choose their own adventure when boredom strikes.

Bring back the backyard classics

Not every summer activity needs a big ticket price.

Some of the most memorable summer activities are also some of the cheapest especially since you can repeat the ones your kids love every week or two:

Sprinklers and water play
Sidewalk chalk
Scavenger hunts
Homemade obstacle courses
Bug hunts and nature walks
Backyard camping

These activities cost little but can keep kids occupied for literally hours on end.

Turn the kitchen into an activity

Cooking can be both entertainment and educational for kids this summer.

Parents can encourage children to make their own lunches, help bake cookies or treats, create homemade popsicles, or even plan a family dinner.

The cost is quite minimal, but the life skills can last for years.

Take a simple day trip

A memorable family outing doesn't require expensive airfare or hotel reservations.

Many families can create a mini-adventure by packing sandwiches and visiting a nearby state park, hiking trail, small town they've never explored, or a local beach or river.

Oftentimes the biggest expense is simply a tank of gas, which while not cheap these days, sure beats airfare or a hotel.

Don't overlook free kids programs

Several national retailers and organizations offer free or low-cost activities throughout the summer.

Popular examples include:

Many families are surprised to discover how many community programs are available once they start looking.

It's OK for kids to be bored

Perhaps the most important lesson for parents is that every hour of summer doesn't need to be scheduled.

Child development experts have long noted that unstructured play encourages creativity, problem-solving, and independent play.

While it's tempting to fill every day with organized activities, some of the best childhood memories often come from the simplest experiences. A sprinkler, a bike ride, a library card, and a little imagination may go a lot further than many parents realize.

Social Security insolvency is coming, and every state will be affected

Mark Huffman — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:27:08 +0000

Without action, average benefits will decline by $500 by 2032

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

A projected Social Security insolvency in 2032 would trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut under current law, reducing monthly retirement benefits by an average of about $500 nationwide.
Every state would be affected, with estimated average monthly benefit reductions ranging from $459 to $556.
Retirees in Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Maryland would face the largest average monthly cuts.

No state would escape the effects of a looming Social Security funding crisis, according to a new report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB). The report warns that millions of retirees could face substantial benefit reductions if lawmakers fail to address the program's finances before its trust fund is exhausted.

The report, No State Spared: Mapping the Impact of Social Security's Insolvency, examines how a projected insolvency of the Social Security retirement trust fund in 2032 would affect beneficiaries across the country. Under current law, benefits would have to be reduced by an estimated 24% to align payments with incoming payroll tax revenue.

CRFB estimates that the average monthly benefit cut would total about $500 nationwide. The organization notes that amount exceeds what the average retired household spends on groceries in a month.

Why where you live matters

The projected reductions would vary by state, largely reflecting differences in benefit levels. According to the report, average monthly cuts would range from $459 to $556. Connecticut retirees would experience the largest average reduction at $556 per month, followed closely by New Jersey ($554), New Hampshire ($553), Delaware ($549), and Maryland ($541).

Other states facing some of the largest average cuts include Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Michigan,and Utah, each with estimated reductions exceeding $520 per month.

Social Security currently provides retirement benefits to roughly 63 million Americans and serves as a primary source of income for many older households. The report argues that the program's financial challenges are no longer a distant concern, noting that less than seven years remain before projected insolvency.

Call to action

The CRFB, a nonpartisan fiscal policy organization, is urging Congress and the White House to act sooner rather than later. The group warns that delaying reforms could leave policymakers with fewer options and increase the likelihood of abrupt benefit reductions for current and future retirees.

The report includes state-by-state estimates and interactive maps designed to illustrate how insolvency could affect beneficiaries and local economies nationwide. Its central conclusion is that the consequences would not be limited to a handful of states or regions.

No state would be spared from the potentially devastating effects of insolvency, the report concludes, adding that policymakers should enact changes as quickly as possible to avoid across-the-board benefit cuts.

Ford recalls nearly 420,000 SUVs over seat belt defect

Mark Huffman — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:25:02 +0000

2018 to 2022 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators are affected

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 SUVs because defective seat belt retractors may increase the risk of injury.
The recall affects certain 2018-2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
Ford says dealers will inspect and replace affected seat belt retractors free of charge.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 420,000 SUVs because a defect in the front seat belt system could increase the risk of injury during a crash.

The recall covers approximately 342,283 Ford Expedition and 77,684 Lincoln Navigator vehicles from model years 2018 through 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The affected vehicles are equipped with seat belt pretensioners that may inadvertently lock the driver's or front passenger's seat belt while the engine is running.

NHTSA said the malfunction can prevent the seat belt from extending or retracting properly. Although the primary locking function of the belt remains operational, a seat belt that cannot move freely may fail to restrain occupants as intended during a crash. In some cases, the defect may also cause rapid seat belt retraction that could injure occupants.

What happens next

Ford will instruct dealers to inspect the seat belt retractors and replace them as necessary at no cost to owners. The automaker plans to begin mailing owner notification letters on June 8, with a second notification expected once replacement parts become available, which Ford anticipates will occur in August.

The recall expands and replaces two previous Ford recalls with NHTSA campaign numbers 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles that were previously inspected or repaired under those recalls will still require the updated repair.

Ford has reported one injury potentially related to the defect, along with two warranty claims and two field reports. No fatalities have been reported.

Owners can contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 26S34. Vehicle owners can also check whether their SUV is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at NHTSA's recall website.

US gasoline stockpiles are falling at a record rate

Mark Huffman — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:25:34 +0000

Federal data show inventories are 5% below their five-year average

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

U.S. gasoline inventories have been running below seasonal norms, raising concerns as the summer driving season gets underway.
Lower supplies do not automatically mean higher prices, but they leave the market more vulnerable to refinery outages, storms, or unexpected demand spikes.
Consumers could see greater price volatility at the pump in the weeks ahead, especially in regions that already face tight fuel supplies.

U.S. gasoline supplies have been shrinking in recent months, a trend that energy analysts say bears watching, as Americans head into the peak summer travel season.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline inventories have spent much of the spring below their five-year average, reflecting a combination of strong demand and tighter supplies. In late May, gasoline stocks had fallen for 15 consecutive weeks and stood roughly 6% below seasonal norms before posting a modest rebound in the latest weekly report.

Even after that increase, inventories remained about 5% below the five-year average for this time of year.

The decline has attracted attention because gasoline inventories serve as a cushion against supply disruptions. When stockpiles are low, markets have less flexibility to absorb unexpected events such as refinery outages, hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, or spikes in consumer demand.

Record rates of declines

Recent reports have focused on the pace of inventory declines. A Forbes analysis described the drop in U.S. gasoline inventories as occurring at a record pace, raising concerns about refinery capacity and fuel availability during the busy summer driving season.

Gasoline supplies are closely linked to oil supplies, which have also been rapidly declining during the Iran War. ExxonMobil senior vice president Neil Chapman recently warned about global oil inventories, suggesting oil prices could top $150 a barrel before the end of the summer.

Were approaching unheard-of inventory levels, Chapman said at a conference hosted by Bernstein, and reported by the New York Post. You can debate whether thats going to hit those really low levels in two weeks or three weeks. Once you get to that point, then youll see the price shoot up.

Consumers should brace for volatility

For consumers, the most immediate impact could be increased volatility at the pump. Gasoline prices are determined by several factors, including crude oil prices, refinery operations, taxes, and distribution costs. While crude oil prices have recently fluctuated amid global geopolitical developments, tight gasoline inventories can amplify price increases when markets face supply pressures.

Regional differences are also likely. Areas that rely heavily on imported fuel or have limited refining capacity, such as parts of the West Coast and Northeast, can experience larger price swings when supplies tighten.

Still, there are reasons consumers should not panic. U.S. refineries are operating at high utilization rates, and the latest EIA data showed a 3.4 million-barrel increase in gasoline inventories after weeks of declines. That suggests refiners are responding to seasonal demand and may be able to rebuild stockpiles if operations remain stable.

The key question for motorists is whether refiners can keep pace with summer demand. If inventories continue to recover, gasoline prices could remain relatively stable. If stockpiles resume their decline, however, drivers may face higher prices and greater uncertainty at the pump as the summer travel season reaches its peak.

Paying cash? You’re subsidizing the rewards that credit card users get

Mark Huffman — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:23:08 +0000

Harvard study finds cash and debit card users pay $30 billion more than credit card users

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

A new Harvard study estimates that credit card interchange fees transfer about $30 billion annually from cash and debit card users to credit card users.
Researchers found the payment system creates a regressive wealth transfer, with lower- and middle-income households effectively subsidizing rewards earned by higher-income consumers.
The study concludes that consumer sorting and lower fees negotiated by large merchants reduce the size of the transfer but do not eliminate it.

Paying with cash or a debit card will definitely prevent you from running up an unmanageable credit card bill. Theres nothing wrong with that.

However, a new study from researchers at Harvard University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Georgia State University concludes that America's payment system redistributes roughly $30 billion annually from cash and debit card users to consumers who use rewards credit cards.

The study, "Who Pays for Payments?", examined payment data from approximately one million U.S. merchants and found that interchange fees the charges merchants pay when customers use credit cards are largely passed through to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.

Because merchants generally do not charge different prices based on payment method, all shoppers help cover the cost of those fees. If you pay with cash or a credit card, you dont get any kind of break. However, shopping with a cashback credit card gives that consumer a slightly lower price.

"All consumers pay higher retail prices, but the users of high-interchange-fee credit cards capture most of the rewards," the authors wrote.

The researchers estimate that the resulting cross-subsidy transfers about $9.2 billion annually from households earning less than $150,000 per year to higher-income households, who are more likely to use rewards credit cards and premium cards with richer benefits.

Loss of purchasing power

According to the study, cash users effectively lose about 96 basis points of purchasing power because of interchange fees, while users of regulated debit cards lose about 47 basis points. By contrast, users of basic and premium rewards credit cards gain approximately 54 basis points in purchasing power through rewards funded by merchant fees.

The researchers compared the impact to a hidden tax. They estimate that interchange fees have an effect similar to increasing sales taxes for cash users by about 16% and for regulated debit card users by about 8%, while effectively reducing sales taxes for credit card users.

However, the study challenges the conventional view that every cash or debit user is equally subsidizing every rewards cardholder. Researchers found that consumers often shop at different types of merchants depending on their preferred payment method. High-income consumers who use premium credit cards tend to shop at merchants frequented by similar customers, reducing the amount of cross-subsidization.

In addition, large merchants such as grocery chains and major retailers often negotiate lower interchange rates or receive sector-specific discounts. Because these merchants are also where shoppers using different payment methods are most likely to overlap, the lower fees reduce the amount of redistribution that occurs.

The study estimates that consumer sorting reduces the annual transfer by about $8.6 billion, while merchant fee discounts provide an additional $1.7 billion benefit to cash and debit users. Together, those factors cut the size of the transfer by roughly 25%, though they do not eliminate it.

Synear Foods recalls 71,603 pounds of soup dumplings

Mark Huffman — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:20:40 +0000

The product contains an undeclared peanut allergen

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

June 4, 2026

Synear Foods USA is recalling about 71,603 pounds of frozen pork and crab soup dumplings because the products contain undeclared peanut, a major food allergen.
The recalled dumplings were distributed to retailers in California, New Jersey, and Washington and were also exported to Canada.
Federal officials say no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported, but consumers are urged not to eat the products and to discard them or return them for a refund.

Synear Foods USA is recalling approximately 71,603 pounds of frozen pork and crab soup dumpling products because they contain peanuts,a known allergen that is not listed on the product label. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on its website.

The company is recalling frozen, not-ready-to-eat pork and crab soup dumplings produced between Oct. 15, 2025, and Feb. 23, 2026. The recall was classified as a Class I recall, the agency's highest-risk category, indicating a reasonable probability that use of the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death in people with peanut allergies.

According to FSIS, the problem was discovered during a routine allergen verification task. Inspectors determined that the products were made with peanut oil, but peanuts were not declared on the finished product labels. The company later determined that a formulation change had led to the labeling error.

The recalled products

The recalled products include 13.23-ounce bags of Synear Supreme Soup Dumpling Pork & Crab bearing best-by dates ranging from Oct. 15, 2026, through Feb. 23, 2027, as well as 375-gram bilingual packages labeled Supreme Soup Dumpling Pork & Crab with best-by dates of Oct. 15, 2026, and Jan. 26, 2027. The products bear establishment number EST. 45942 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

FSIS said the products were shipped to retail locations in California, New Jersey, and Washington and were also exported to Canada.

No confirmed reports of adverse reactions related to consumption of the products have been received. However, consumers with peanut allergies are advised not to consume the dumplings.

FSIS said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Synear Foods USA, while anyone concerned about an illness or allergic reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

How smart shoppers use ChatGPT to find coupons and other hidden discounts

Kyle James — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:30:04 +0000

The new couponing hack: Let ChatGPT do the work

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

June 3, 2026

Ask smarter questions: Have ChatGPT look for coupon codes, cashback offers, rewards, free shipping deals, and other discounts all at once.
Skip the coupon-site rabbit hole: ChatGPT can quickly identify the most promising savings opportunities without opening a dozen browser tabs.
Build a savings plan: Use ChatGPT to compare discounts, find the best deal, and even determine the best time to buy.

If you've ever searched for a coupon code online, you already know the drill. You click on a coupon site that promises "27 active promo codes." You copy one. It doesn't work. You try another. Still nothing. Five minutes later you're staring at a checkout page, wondering why you wasted your time.

The good news is that ChatGPT can dramatically speed up the process.

No, ChatGPT can't magically create secret coupon codes that don't exist. But it can help you find likely working discounts, identify the best places to look, uncover overlooked savings opportunities, and even help test different savings strategies before you buy.

Here's how savvy shoppers are starting to use AI to save money.

Start by asking the right questions

The biggest mistake people make is being too vague when coming up with their prompts.

Instead of asking: "Are there any coupon codes for Macys?"

Try asking ChatGPT: "Find the best current ways to save money at Macys, including coupon codes, student discounts, cashback offers, free shipping promotions, and loyalty rewards."

That broader question often uncovers savings opportunities that are actually worth more than a simple promo code.

For example, many retailers offer:

Student discounts
Military discounts
Teacher discounts
First-time customer offers
Email signup coupons
App-exclusive discounts
Cashback opportunities

ChatGPT will tell you exactly whats available and often those savings will beat a coupon code.

Pro tip: Ask ChatGPT, "What's the best stackable discount strategy for this retailer?" Many stores allow shoppers to combine multiple promotions and coupons. So instead of digging through the boiler plate on the stores site to find the rules, just ask ChatGPT and itll tell you the best strategy to maximize your savings.

Let ChatGPT do the research

One of the biggest advantages of ChatGPT is that it can quickly summarize information from multiple sources.

Try prompts like:

"Find current coupon codes for Kohl's."
"What's the best discount available at Home Depot right now?"
"Are there any hidden discounts for Target shoppers I should know about?"
"What's the best way to save money at Ulta this week?"

Instead of opening ten browser tabs yourself, ChatGPT can often narrow down the most promising options.

That doesn't guarantee a code will work, but it can eliminate a lot of the junk.

Ask ChatGPT to compare coupon codes

Suppose you find several offers for a particular retailer. Perhaps like the following:

15% off
$20 off $100
Free shipping
10% cashback

Have ChatGPT help you figure out which one actually saves you the most.

Instead of guessing or pulling out your calculator, ask ChatGPT to quickly compare different offers based on your cart total.

For example, say something like: "My cart total is at $135. Which discount will save me more: 15% off or $20 off $100?"

The answerisn't always obvious. Especially when you factor in taxes, shipping costs, and any minimum purchase requirements that enter into the equation.

Pro tip: Paste your actual cart contents into ChatGPT and ask: "What's the cheapest way to buy these items?" Sometimes the answer involves splitting orders or buying a "filler item"so youll qualify for a higher discount threshold.

Use ChatGPT to uncover hidden discounts

It's worth mentioning this again: many retailers offer discounts that don't necessarily show up on your typical coupon sites. But ChatGPT will uncover them for you!

So get creative and askChatGPT stuff like: "Does Costco offer any discounts that most shoppers overlook?"

Or: "What savings programs does Lowe's offer besides coupon codes?"

By doing so, youll discover things like price matching policies, rebate programs, membership discounts, cashback portals, employee discounts, and loyalty rewards.

Keep in mind that these hidden discounts can often provide bigger savings than a standard promo code can.

Have ChatGPT build a savings plan

This is where things get interesting and how you can really take your discount savings to the next level.

Instead of asking for a single coupon code, ask ChatGPT: "How would a professional couponer buy this item at Kohls?" Then add,"I want to buy a Ninja air fryer from Kohl's."

ChatGPT will suggest things you probably never considered like:

Waiting for a Kohl's Cash event
Using a percentage-off coupon
Earning rewards
Shopping through a cashback portal
Timing the purchase around a sale

Suddenly you're saving far more money at Kohls than the typical shopper.

Pro tip: Timing matters, too. For example, ask ChatGPT for the best time to buy. Take a prompt like this: "Should I buy this at Kohl's today or wait for a better promotion?" The answer herecan help you avoid pulling the trigger before an upcoming Kohl's Cash event, Friends & Family sale, or major clearance markdown.

Watch out for expired coupon codes

The one limitation that ChatGPT currently has is the inability to control a retailers coupon systems.

In other words, even when a coupon code appears valid, retailers can:

Expire it early
Limit it to certain products
Restrict it by region
Limit it to first-time customers

That's why every coupon should still be tested at checkout before you click the buy button.

Think of ChatGPT as more of a shortcut to finding promising discounts and coupons, not a guarantee.

The smartest coupon prompt you can use

If you're in a hurry, try this: "Help me save the most money possible at [RETAILER NAME]. Include coupon codes, loyalty rewards, cashback opportunities, student or military discounts, free shipping offers, and any stacking opportunities."

That single prompt often reveals multiple ways to save that many shoppers never discover.

The bottom line

Couponing used to mean countless Google searches, digging through a bunch of shady coupon websites, then hoping something might actually workwhen you typeit into the coupon code box.

Today, ChatGPT can act like your personal shopping assistant that helps you identify discounts, compare offers, explain store policies, and uncover savings opportunities you might otherwise miss.

The surprising part of fasting that may help extend lifespan

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:42:54 +0000

New research suggests refeeding could matter more than the fast

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 3, 2026

A new study found that the benefits of fasting may depend heavily on what happens when eating resumes.
Researchers discovered that shutting down fat-burning processes after a fast appeared to be important for lifespan extension in laboratory worms.
The findings could help scientists better understand the biology of aging, though the research has not yet been proven in humans.

Fasting has long been studied for its potential effects on health and longevity. Scientists have known for years that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can extend lifespan in a variety of organisms, but exactly why that happens has remained something of a mystery.

Now, researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center say they may have uncovered an important piece of the puzzle.

Their findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that the life-extending benefits associated with fasting may not come from the fasting period alone. Instead, a critical factor could be how the body responds when food becomes available again after a fast.

Our discoveries shift the focus toward a neglected side of the metabolic coin the refeeding phase. Our data suggest that the health-promoting effects of intermittent fasting are not merely a product of the fast itself, but are dependent on how the metabolic machinery recalibrates during the subsequent transition back to a fed state, study leader Peter Douglas, Ph.D., said in a news release.

The study

The study was conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny roundworm frequently used in aging research because many of its biological pathways are similar to those found in other animals.

While the results don't directly translate to humans, they provide new clues about the cellular processes that may influence aging.

During fasting, the body shifts from using readily available glucose for energy to breaking down stored fat. The researchers focused on a protein called NHR-49, which helps activate this fat-burning process when nutrients are scarce.

The results

Initially, scientists expected that this fat-burning activity would be responsible for the lifespan benefits linked to fasting. However, experiments revealed something unexpected.

Even when the worms lacked NHR-49, fasting still increased lifespan and helped older worms maintain more youthful movement.

The more significant finding emerged after the fasting period ended. Researchers discovered that when worms were refed, a separate biological mechanism switched off NHR-49 and slowed fat breakdown. When scientists interfered with this shutdown process and kept fat-burning pathways active after refeeding, the lifespan benefits of fasting disappeared.

In other words, the ability to transition efficiently from a fasting state back to a fed state appeared to be crucial.

What this means for consumers

The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that metabolic flexibility the body's ability to adapt to changing nutrient conditions may play an important role in healthy aging. Rather than focusing solely on what happens during fasting, scientists may need to pay closer attention to the biological changes that occur when eating resumes.

It's important to note that this study was conducted in laboratory worms, not people. The researchers say much more work is needed before these discoveries could lead to recommendations for human health or aging.

Still, the research offers an intriguing new perspective. If future studies confirm similar mechanisms in humans, scientists may eventually be able to develop treatments that mimic some of fasting's benefits without requiring people to follow strict fasting regimens.

For now, the study highlights just how important the body's recovery and rebuilding phase may be after periods without food.

Structured lifestyle programs may help older adults stay healthier as they age

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:41:04 +0000

New research suggests coaching and accountability could make healthy habits more effective

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 3, 2026

A two-year clinical trial found that structured lifestyle programs improved measures of frailty in older adults.
Participants who received coaching, goal-setting support, and regular check-ins saw greater benefits than those following a self-guided approach.
Researchers say combining healthy eating, exercise, social engagement, and cognitive activities may help support healthier aging.

Many people know that eating well and staying active are important parts of healthy aging. But new research suggests that how those habits are implemented may matter just as much as the habits themselves.

A study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that older adults who participated in a structured lifestyle program experienced greater improvements in a key measure of aging compared with those who followed a more independent approach.

"These findings suggest that adopting accessible healthy behaviors may help slow important aspects of aging, researcher Mark A. Espeland, Ph.D., said in a news release.

The study

The findings come from the U.S. POINTER trial, a large clinical study designed to examine whether lifestyle changes can help protect brain health in older adults who are at increased risk for cognitive decline.

In this latest analysis, researchers looked at another important marker of aging: frailty, which reflects the accumulation of health-related challenges that can increase the risk of chronic disease, disability, and other age-related problems.

The study included more than 2,100 adults between the ages of 60 and 79 who were considered at increased risk for accelerated cognitive decline. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups and followed for two years.

One group took part in a structured program that included coaching, goal setting, regular monitoring, and support for adopting healthier behaviors. The program focused on several areas at once, including physical activity, healthy eating, social engagement, cognitively stimulating activities, and monitoring of health risk factors. The second group received guidance as well, but followed a more self-directed approach.

What the study found

Both groups showed improvements over the course of the study. However, participants in the structured program experienced significantly greater reductions in frailty scores.

Researchers found that these benefits were consistent across a variety of participant characteristics, including age, sex, body weight, and diabetes status.

The study does not suggest that any single habit can slow aging on its own. Instead, the findings point to the potential value of a comprehensive approach that combines multiple healthy behaviors and provides ongoing support to help people stick with them.

This shows the benefits of taking a structured approach to a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Espeland said. We know exercising and eating right is going to improve our health, but making efforts to participate in programs that offer guidance and accountability could be especially effective at keeping us healthy as we age.

Researchers also noted that improvements in frailty did not fully explain the cognitive benefits observed in the broader trial, indicating that healthy aging is likely influenced by multiple interconnected factors.

The results also add to growing evidence that targeting multiple areas of health at once, rather than focusing on a single behavior may be the key to maintaining independence and quality of life later in life, Dr. Espeland added.

New study suggests airborne viruses can travel between apartments

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:38:49 +0000

Researchers traced a COVID-19 outbreak to a shared ventilation system in a multifamily building

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

June 3, 2026

A new study suggests airborne viruses can move between some apartments through shared bathroom ventilation systems.
Researchers investigated a COVID-19 outbreak in a Spanish apartment building and found ventilation ducts were the most likely transmission route.
The findings highlight the importance of building ventilation and indoor air quality in multifamily housing.

A study published in PLOS One examined a COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a seven-story apartment building in Santander, Spain, during the early months of the pandemic. Researchers found evidence suggesting the virus likely spread between apartments through a shared bathroom ventilation system rather than through direct contact between residents.

The findings add to growing research showing that airborne viruses can move through connected indoor spaces. While the study focused on one specific building design, it offers new insight into how ventilation systems may influence the spread of infectious diseases in multifamily housing.

We tend to think that if we shut the door in our apartment, we are safe and cant get infected. But our study shows that, depending on the ventilation system in place, that may not be the case, senior author Shelly Miller said in a news release.

The study

The outbreak occurred in June 2020 when 15 residents living in four vertically stacked apartments became infected with COVID-19.

To understand how the virus spread, researchers analyzed epidemiological data, genetically sequenced virus samples, measured airflow and air pressure within the building, and used computer simulations to model the movement of airborne particles.

The building used a shared vertical bathroom ventilation shaft, a design common in many older buildings in Spain. Unlike modern systems that rely on mechanical fans, these ducts use natural airflow to move air upward and out of the building.

The findings

Researchers discovered that weather conditions could sometimes reverse airflow within the shaft, pushing air back into apartments. They also found that running a kitchen exhaust hood could increase air movement between units.

In one experiment, elevated carbon dioxide levels were detected inside a vacant apartment, suggesting that air from occupied units was entering the space.

Based on the combined evidence, the researchers concluded that the shared bathroom ventilation duct system was the most likely pathway for transmission during the outbreak.

What this means for consumers

The study does not suggest that all apartment buildings pose the same risk. In fact, the researchers note that the ventilation design examined is uncommon in newer buildings and is relatively rare in the United States today.

Still, the findings underscore the importance of ventilation and indoor air quality in multifamily housing. According to the researchers, connected air spaces can sometimes allow contaminants to move farther than people might expect.

While this is a special building design more common in Spain, it illustrates a broader concern that even if you are far from the source, if your air is connected, you can still get sick, said Miller. This can happen in a multifamily apartment building through the ducts, in a hotel between the hallway and rooms off the hallway, in office buildings between offices, or on a cruise ship.

The authors say building designers, managers, and policymakers should pay closer attention to ventilation systems, particularly in older buildings. They also point to measures such as properly designed exhaust fans with backflow prevention features as potential ways to reduce risk.

For renters and homeowners, the study serves as a reminder that healthy indoor air depends not only on what happens inside a single apartment, but also on how an entire building is designed and ventilated.

Why Kidoodle.TV provides a safer streaming options for kids

Kyle James — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:08:21 +0000

The service just might be what many parents are looking for

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

June 3, 2026

Human-reviewed content: Every video is screened by human moderators before it reaches kids, helping reduce the surprises that can come with algorithm-driven recommendations.
Built for families: Parents get age-based filters, screen-time controls, and custom child profiles to create a safer viewing experience.
Budget-friendly option: The service is free with ads or $4.99 per month without ads, with access to more than 40,000 kid-friendly episodes.

Between monitoring YouTube videos, managing screen time, and worrying about what an algorithm might recommend next, many parents feel that keeping their kids safe online is a never-ending job.

On the heels of my article on YouTube-style' kids content invading streaming apps, I wanted to share a solution that can actually help parents in the fight.

Enter the safe streaming service called Kidoodle.TV.The company believes the problem isn't that parents aren't doing enough. It's that many online platforms place too much of the responsibility on parents in the first place.

What exactly is Kidoodle.TV?

Launched back in 2014, Kidoodle.TV is a streaming service designed specifically for children and families.

Unlike your traditional video-sharing platforms that rely heavily on algorithms to recommend content, Kidoodle.TV says every piece of content on their platform is reviewed by human moderators before it becomes available to viewers.

The company's goal is to create a streaming environment where parents don't have to constantly worry about what video might appear next.

That approach has helped the platform stand out, as many parents grow increasingly frustrated with content recommendations, autoplay features, and the challenge of monitoring what children watch online.

Cost breakdown of Kidoodle.TV

If you dont mind watching some ads, the streaming service is completely free. If you want ad-free, youll pay $4.99/month for the premium version.

Here is whats included in both plans:

40,00050,000+ episodes of kid-friendly content
Human-vetted content rather than open-user uploads
Individual child profiles
Age-based content filters
Screen-time controls and bedtime settings
Access on phones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and web browsers
Available on more than 1,000 devices in over 160 countries

Why parents are taking notice

One of the biggest concerns parents have with mainstream platforms is unpredictability.

A child may start watching an age-appropriate video, only to be served recommendations that parents find questionable, overly commercialized, or simply not aligned with their family's values.

Kidoodle.TV says its human-review process is designed to reduce that risk.

Instead of relying solely on automated systems, content is screened before it reaches the platform. The result is a curated library focused on children's entertainment, educational programming, music, games, and family-friendly content.

For many parents, that can provide a level of reassurance that is difficult to find on larger platforms.

Features built with families in mind

Beyond content moderation, Kidoodle.TV includes several tools designed specifically for parents.

These features include:

Custom viewing profiles
Age-based content controls
Screen-time management settings
Parental controls
No public comment sections
Child-focused programming libraries

The service allows parents to tailor the viewing experience to the age and maturity level of each child rather than relying on one-size-fits-all settings.

A different approach to screen time

Kidoodle.TV isn't positioning itself as a way to eliminate screen time. Instead, the company argues that parents should have access to platforms that make screen time safer and easier to manage.

That distinction matters because many families aren't trying to remove technology from their children's lives. They're trying to find age-appropriate ways to use it.