ConsumerAffairs News

6 HomeGoods insider tricks for finding the real bargains

Kyle James — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:24:17 +0000

From shopping backwards to knowing what those red and yellow tags mean, a few tricks can help you save

September 29, 2026

Shop backwards: Check clearance before browsing the rest of the store. You could find a marked-down version of something similar or even identical to what's selling for full price up front.
Know your colors: Red stickers indicate markdowns, while yellow tags are generally used for final-clearance merchandise during major clearance cycles.
Don't blindly wait for a sale: HomeGoods' inventory changes constantly, so waiting for another markdown can mean the chair, lamp, or rug you really want disappears.

HomeGoods is a dangerous place to walk into and say, "I'm just looking."

A $12 candle becomes a $39 lamp, which becomes a $129 chair you had absolutely no intention of buying.

That's partly because HomeGoods doesn't operate like a traditional retailer. Its buyers scoop-up merchandise when manufacturers overproduce or other retailers overbuy. Stores receive new merchandise several times a week, often hundreds of items at a time, and managers may not know what's arriving until the truck shows up.

I've spent years shopping HomeGoods and researching how the chain works, including talking with employees and frequent shoppers about how they find bargains without getting sucked into the treasure hunt.

Here are six strategies that can change the way you shop.

1. Ask when your HomeGoods gets deliveries

Forget the internet advice claiming Tuesday or Wednesday is universally the best day to shop at HomeGoods. There isn't one magic day.

HomeGoods says stores receive new merchandise several times a week. In my own research, I found the more useful strategy is simply asking employees when their particular store typically receives deliveries and when that merchandise usually reaches the sales floor.

That's particularly useful if you're hunting for furniture because employees told me larger pieces tend to get put out quickly.

Ask an employee, "What days do you usually get your biggest deliveries?" Then try shopping shortly after your store typically restocks.

2. Shop backwards

Most shoppers walk into HomeGoods and immediately start browsing whatever is displayed up front.

Try doing the opposite. Head to clearance aisles first, then work your way back toward the front of the store.

One shopper I talked to found a marble cutting board for $12 in clearance, while the same cutting board was priced at $24.99 elsewhere in the store.

Clearance merchandise can also get buried on lower shelves and back-wall endcaps, so don't just scan what's at eye level.

Give clearance a five-minute sweep before doing the rest of your shopping. That way you'll know what's already discounted before considering the full-price stuff.

Pro tip: Decode the four-digit date code. HomeGoods employees have told me that the four-digit number underneath the category on the price tag indicates the month and year the merchandise arrived. For example, 0524 would mean May 2024. That can give you a clue about how long something has been sitting in the store.

3. Learn what the red and yellow price tags mean

Here's one HomeGoods clearance trick that's actually useful: A red sticker indicates an item has been marked down, and you may see multiple markdown stickers on merchandise that has gone through more than one price reduction.

Then there's the elusive yellow tag. Yellow tags represent the final clearance markdown and usually appear during major clearance cycles around January and again during the summer, according to deal trackers and employees.

But don't fall for the social-media hype that a "yellow tag sale" means everything in HomeGoods suddenly gets deeply discounted. Thats just not how it works.

The smart move: Think red = clearance and yellow = probably the final markdown. If you really want something with a yellow sticker, waiting for another price cut probably isn't much of a strategy.

Dont rely on viral posts claiming you can decode the price tags at HomeGoods to determine exactly when its next markdown is coming. While employees have consistently described the four-digit code as the month and year an item arrived, claims online that other tag codes can predict exactly when the next markdown will happen are much shakier.

4. Don't wait for a markdown on something you really love

This sounds contradictory after telling you to hunt for clearance deals first, but it's one of the most important HomeGoods shopping rules.

Waiting only works if the merchandise sticks around, and a lot of the good deals simply dont.

Employees have told me that stores don't keep replenishment inventory sitting in the back, and because individual locations receive thousands of constantly-changing items, they have no way of tracking down how much of a certain product they have in-stock. That means the one chair you're considering may really be the only one of its kind in the entire building.

Its fine to gamble on another markdown when it's something you'd be perfectly willing to lose. But if it's unique, hard to replace, and already a good value, waiting another few weeks could cost you the item rather than save you money.

5. Find the flaw then ask about it

Before buying furniture, lamps, mirrors, or other dcor, inspect them from every angle. Look for scratches, chips, dents, missing hardware, and other damage.

If you find something, don't automatically put it back. Instead, show an employee the specific defect and politely ask whether the item qualifies for an additional markdown.

What you shouldn't do is rely on online claims that a damaged item automatically gets you 10% off, 20% off, or some other specific discount. HomeGoods doesn't publish a guaranteed damage-discount schedule.

Rather than asking, "Can you give me a discount?" try something like: "I noticed this chip on the corner. Does this qualify for a damage markdown?"

Pro tip: Ask for a markdown lookup. If an item looks like it's been sitting around forever but still has its original price, politely ask an employee whether they can do a markdown lookup. HomeGoods employees on Reddit say items can occasionally miss a markdown if they're in the wrong area when markdowns are done or are returned afterward.

6. Google Lens it before assuming it's a bargain

This might be my favorite HomeGoods trick because it takes about 30 seconds.

Lets say you find a lamp, mirror, or cookware item and are wondering if the price is a real deal. Heres what you do: photograph it and run the image through Google Lens or another reverse-image search.

It can quickly identify the item and show prices from other sellers, so you'll know if that $79.99 HomeGoods price is actually a bargain.

One shopper I interviewed found a lamp at HomeGoods for $59 and discovered the same lamp selling at a boutique for $180 using this hack.

But the trick works the other way, too. She considered an $80 mirror until an image search turned up a similar version online for $42. She left the HomeGoods mirror behind.

The smart move is to not let the "Compare At" price make the decision for you. A 30-second image search can tell you whether you've actually found a steal.

Hot, dry weather may make you cough more

Kristen Dalli — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:55:57 +0000

New research finds that very dry air can irritate the airways, while a salt-based aerosol may help

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

Extremely dry air can cause airway mucus to lose water and collapse onto tiny hair-like structures called cilia.
Researchers found that prolonged exposure to hot, dry conditions increased activity in genes linked to cough sensitivity.
A small clinical trial found that an alkaline magnesium salt aerosol reduced daily coughing compared with a placebo.

When the weather gets extremely hot and dry, staying hydrated may not be the only concern. New research from the University of North Carolina and collaborators suggests that very dry air can also affect the moisture lining the airways.

The airways are covered by a thin layer of mucus and tiny hair-like structures called cilia. Together, they help protect the respiratory system. But when the air is particularly dry, water can evaporate from this layer.

Researchers found that this can cause the mucus to thin and collapse onto the cilia, putting pressure on the cells underneath and making the airways more sensitive. The findings could help explain why extremely dry conditions may contribute to coughing and other respiratory symptoms.

How researchers studied the connection

The researchers used several approaches to investigate what happens to the airways in dry conditions.

First, they used mathematical modeling to examine how airway mucus responds to different levels of dryness and how various salt-based aerosols affect rehydration.

They also grew human bronchial airway cells in the laboratory and exposed them to either humid air or a hot, very dry environment. The dry-air condition was 35 degrees Celsius with 30% relative humidity. The researchers then examined changes in genes associated with cough sensitivity and the way airway cells respond to dehydration.

Finally, they conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 10 people with refractory chronic cough in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants inhaled either an alkaline aerosol containing magnesium salts or a saline placebo.

What the study found and what it means

After eight hours in the hot, dry laboratory environment, the airway cells showed increased activity in several genes associated with cough hypersensitivity. The researchers also found that the magnesium salt aerosol could reverse the airway mucus collapse for several hours.

In the human trial, researchers reported that the magnesium salt aerosol reduced daily cough bouts by 59% compared with placebo after two weeks of treatment. The researchers also reported that the benefit continued after treatment ended.

Hypertonic salts have long been used to treat cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition of dehydrated airways, researcher Brian Button, Ph.D. said in a news release.

This study gives evidence that new kinds of hypertonic salts, longer acting and rendered therapeutic by optimization of rehydration processes within mucus we are only beginning to discover, might provide prophylaxis and treatment options for a human population previously spared the damages of mucosal dehydration.

There is an important caveat, however: The human portion of the study was very small, with only 10 participants, and the researchers say additional work is needed to understand the potential treatment.

For consumers, the findings offer a closer look at one way extreme dryness may affect the respiratory system. They also point to the possibility that rehydrating airway mucus could eventually become part of strategies for managing cough sensitivity, particularly in very dry environments.

Holiday shopping is already here – what consumers should know

Kristen Dalli — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:54:17 +0000

An early start can make budgeting easier, but it can also give shoppers more opportunities to spend

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

Start with a total holiday budget that accounts for gifts, travel, food, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses.
Spreading purchases over several months doesn't necessarily mean spending less track your spending to make sure you stay within your overall limit.
Use the extra time to plan and compare prices, rather than letting sales, limited-edition products, or holiday pressure lead to impulse purchases.

It may feel a little early to start thinking about holiday gifts, but retailers are already getting shoppers into the holiday spirit. Advent calendars and other seasonal products are hitting shelves months before the holidays, giving consumers more time and more opportunities to spend.

Starting early isn't necessarily a bad thing. Spreading out purchases could make holiday expenses easier to manage, especially for shoppers who plan ahead. But a longer shopping season can also mean more chances to make impulse purchases, fall for limited-time offers, or simply spend more than intended.

With the holiday shopping season getting longer, Andy Smith, executive director of financial planning at Edelman Financial Engines, explains how consumers can take advantage of an early start without letting holiday spending get out of hand.

Use the time to budget

Smith explained that an earlier holiday shopping season can work in consumers favor if they treat the extra time as a planning window, rather than a longer spending window.

The longer shopping season offers more opportunities to compare prices and make thoughtful decisions, he said. Before making the first purchase of the season, consumers should determine what they can comfortably spend in total and then break up that amount across upcoming gifts, travel, entertainment, and other miscellaneous holiday expenses.

Without a predetermined spending limit, people are creating more opportunities to blow up their budget and knock their broader financial plan off-track.

Setting a realistic holiday spending limit

When it comes to creating your budget, Smith shared his best advice for consumers giving them plenty of time to start preparing for the added expense.

Start with your financial priorities, not your shopping lists. Look at essential expenses, debt payments and savings goals first, and then determine what you can allocate toward the holidays without disrupting those commitments.
Establish one total holiday spending number and account for more than just gifts. Travel, food, decorations, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses can all add up quickly and are easy to overlook when budgeting. Sometimes (most times!), its vital to remember that the money you spend on stuff is the same money youre spending to be with friends and family and, in the long run, one is probably a lot more important than the other.
Connect that budget to something worth caring about. This could be contributing toward retirement, building your emergency savings, or paying down debt. When consumers understand what theyre protecting, a spending limit can feel less like deprivation and more like a deliberate financial choice.

The benefits of spreading out purchases

Something important to keep in mind: Spreading purchases over several months doesn't automatically mean spending less. For some, the extra time can translate to extra spending.

[Spreading out purchases] can make the expenses feel more manageable because they aren't hitting bank accounts or credit cards all at once, but that can also make it harder to recognize how much has been spent in total, Smith said.

His advice: track all of your purchases.

If consumers decide theyre spending $1,000 on holiday expenses, for example, that number shouldn't change simply because they started shopping in October instead of December. The real benefit comes when combining the extended timeframe with a fixed overall budget.

Smith says the benefit of spreading out holiday purchases is having the extra time to compare prices, wait for the right opportunity, and avoid the pressure of last-minute purchases.

Avoiding pressure-filled purchases

The closer it gets to the holidays, its not uncommon to feel inundated with messages about sales, promotions, discounts, limited time items, holiday launches, and more. To avoid making impulse purchases or the pressure-filled feeling associated with many purchases, Smith advises consumers to slow down and use the extra time to their advantage.

Consumers are surrounded by sales, promotions, social pressure, and messages encouraging them to act quickly, he said. Rather than trying to make the perfect decision on every purchase, establish a few simple financial boundaries ahead of time youre planning for the time (and it will come!) where you find yourself starting to rationalize just one more purchase.

Ultimately, a good holiday budget isn't about spending as little as possible. It's about spending intentionally so you can enjoy the season without starting the new year having to undo the financial consequences. Know what you can spend, identify what matters most, and understand which longer-term goals you don't want holiday spending to compromise.

79% of young adults say staying healthy is straining their finances

Kristen Dalli — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:52:46 +0000

From healthier groceries to fitness and wellness treatments, preventive health spending is adding up for younger Americans

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

79% of young adults say the cost of staying healthy has left them financially stretched
21% have cut back on saving or investing to afford wellness expenses
Experts recommend separating evidence-based preventive care from elective wellness and longevity products

For many young adults, staying healthy can come with a surprisingly high price tag. Healthier groceries, gym memberships, supplements, and newer wellness treatments can all add to the monthly budget and new research suggests some people are making financial sacrifices to keep up.

A survey of 1,010 Americans ages 18 to 40 found that 79% say the cost of being healthy has left them financially stretched. That includes cutting back on saving or investing and, for some, paying out of pocket for more expensive preventive health and longevity options.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Kate Placzek, Ph.D., Medical Editor at Mesothelioma.com, who explained the impact health and wellness can have on consumers finances.

How the survey was conducted

Mesothelioma.com surveyed 1,010 Americans ages 18 to 40 in 2026 to learn more about how younger adults are spending money on preventive health and whether they view those expenses as an investment or a luxury.

The group had an average age of 31, with women making up 50% of respondents and men 49%. Gen Z accounted for 38% of the participants, while millennials made up 62%.

Key findings

The survey found that 85% of young adults have paid more for everyday products they believe will protect their future health, while 79% said the cost of staying healthy has left them financially stretched. That pressure is affecting other areas of their finances, too: 21% said they've cut back on saving or investing to pay for wellness expenses.

At the same time, many respondents said they're willing to spend more now to potentially avoid larger medical bills later. Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) said they'd rather pay for prevention now than risk higher treatment costs in the future, although just 22% believe preventive health spending actually saves them money. More than half (56%) spend $50 or less per month on preventive health, while 20% spend more than $100.

Is it an investment?

The survey found that 78% of respondents view health and wellness spending as an investment, yet only 22% believe it actually saves them money.

The word investment does not necessarily mean that someone expects a financial return, Dr. Placzek said. A person may view spending on their health as worthwhile because they believe it supports their well-being, reduces future health risks, or gives them a greater sense of control over their health.

It is also important to recognize that the survey groups together a wide range of products and services under the umbrella of prevention. Some are established forms of preventive care, while others are elective wellness or longevity services with varying levels of evidence. Their potential health value and cost-effectiveness cannot be assumed to be the same.

Making financially-smart decisions

For those looking to balance health goals without jeopardizing their health, Dr. Placzek has some advice.

From a health perspective, a useful first step is to separate recommended preventive medical care from elective wellness products and services, she said. Patients can discuss screening, medications, supplements, or other interventions with an appropriate healthcare professional to understand which options are supported by evidence and relevant to their individual health needs.

Health-related spending should also be evaluated based on the specific product or service rather than assuming that everything marketed as preventive, wellness, or longevity provides the same level of benefit.

Shopping at 7-Eleven or Circle K? Check the price before you pay

Kyle James — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:08:12 +0000

A new investigation found widespread pricing errors at the nation's two largest convenience-store chains

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

Prices didnt always match: Circle K failed 82% of government price-accuracy inspections in Columbus, Ohio, while 7-Eleven failed 79% in one New York county.
It's not just snacks: Consumers also complained about gas pumps charging more than prices displayed on roadside signs.
Protect yourself: Photograph sale signs or shelf tags, watch the register, and keep your receipt until you've checked the prices.

That $3.99 bag of snacks might not cost $3.99 when you get to the register.

A new The Guardian investigation found widespread price discrepancies at 7-Eleven and Circle K, the country's two largest convenience-store chains, with shoppers sometimes paying more at checkout than prices displayed on shelves, sale signs, and even gas-station marquees.

Government inspection records examined by The Guardian found Circle K failed 35% of price-accuracy inspections in Florida, 62% in North Carolina, and a whopping 82% in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025.

7-Eleven failed 47% of inspections in Colorado and Utah and 79% in Ontario County, New York.

And this isn't just a matter of a few pennies.

During one Arizona inspection this year, 12 of 25 products at a 7-Eleven rang up higher than their shelf prices. A $3.99 pack of gum rang up at $4.99.

The Guardian also reviewed 153 consumer complaints involving the two chains across 17 states. Roughly half involved food, drinks, and other merchandise, while the rest involved gasoline, including complaints that prices at the pump were higher than those advertised on roadside signs.

The problem may be bigger at convenience stores

Convenience stores had the highest price-inspection failure rate of any retail category examined in a 2024 National Council on Weights and Measures report cited by The Guardian.

Convenience stores failed 34% of inspections across 26 states, compared with 29% for dollar stores and 27% for auto-parts stores.

The problem can be particularly easy to miss at a convenience store. You're probably grabbing a drink, snacks, or a few gallons of gas and trying to get back on the road quickly. Youre not studying your receipt for a 40-cent discrepancy.

But those small amounts can add up.

7-Eleven told The Guardian that it takes pricing accuracy "very seriously" and has processes to correct discrepancies when they're identified. Circle K said it is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations and works to correct unintentional pricing errors.

5 ways to protect yourself

Take a quick photo of sale signs. If you're buying something because the shelf says two for $5 or because of another promotion, snap a picture before heading to the register. It gives you quick evidence to show an employee if the discount doesn't ring-up.
Watch the price as items are scanned. Don't wait until you're in the car to look at the receipt. If a $3.99 item rings up at $4.99, it's much easier and quicker to question it while you're still standing at the register.
Check the pump before you start fueling. Compare the per-gallon price displayed on the pump with the large roadside sign. One North Carolina Circle K advertised gas at $3.459 a gallon while the pump showed $3.799, according to an inspection described by The Guardian.
Don't assume a loyalty discount is automatic. Look for any fine print requiring a rewards account, phone number, app, or particular payment method. If none is disclosed but the advertised price doesn't appear, ask why before paying.
Report repeat problems. Keep the receipt and photograph the shelf tag, sale sign, or gas-price sign. If the store won't correct a discrepancy, look for your state or local weights-and-measures agency or consumer-protection office. Complaints matter because some jurisdictions inspect convenience stores primarily in response to consumer reports.

A 20-cent mistake may not seem worth arguing over. But if the same error is happening across hundreds or even thousands of transactions, those pennies don't stay pennies for long.

Truecaller launches free tool to check suspicious links and phone numbers

Mark Huffman — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:05:50 +0000

Scam Checker brings phone lookups, link checks, and reports from other users into one place

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

Truecaller has launched a free Scam Checker that examines suspicious phone numbers, web links, and scam descriptions.
The tool is available on Truecallers website worldwide without an account. Its Android app rollout has begun in India.
A safe result is one signal, not a reason to trust an unexpected call or message.

A text says you owe a toll. Another claims theres a problem with a delivery. Before clicking the link or calling the number, consumers now have another way to check whether the message resembles a known scam.

Truecaller, the company behind CallerID, has launched Scam Checker, a free tool that lets users search a phone number, examine a web link, or describe a suspicious encounter in their own words. It draws on Truecallers detection systems and scam reports submitted by its users to show relevant warnings and accounts of similar experiences.

Someone who receives a text about an unpaid toll could copy its web address into Scam Checker without opening the link. They could also search the senders number or look for reports describing the same demand. Truecaller says its link checker considers signals including community reports, known phishing databases, and information about the website.

The web version is available globally and does not require a Truecaller account. The company says Scam Checker is also launching in its Android app in India, with more markets and iOS support planned later. More detailed information about a searched phone number, such as an associated name, requires use of Truecallers existing service.

People often sense that something is wrong, but they need a quick way to check before responding, Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala said in the companys announcement.

Truecaller also plans to add screenshot uploads and expand the types of scams the tool can assess. Those features are not part of the announced launch.

What consumers should keep in mind

Scam Checker can help uncover a reported threat, but a result marked safe should not settle the question on its own. A new scam may not yet have been reported, and a callers apparent identity does not prove that the person contacting you is legitimate.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers not to click links in unexpected texts or use the contact information supplied in them.

If a message claims to be from a bank, delivery company, or toll agency, contact that organization through a phone number or website you already know is real. Scam texts can be reported using a phones report junk feature or forwarded to 7726 (SPAM).

Raw milk cheese recalled as E. coli outbreak sickens 13

Mark Huffman — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:50:11 +0000

More than half of those who became ill are children age 5 or younger

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has recalled all Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses amid a multistate E. coli outbreak.
Federal officials have reported 13 illnesses in nine states, including eight hospitalizations and three cases of a serious kidney complication. No deaths have been reported.
The cheeses were sold at retailers nationwide and online. Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers.

Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has recalled its Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses after health officials linked them to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 13 people in nine states.

Eight people have been hospitalized, and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication that can cause kidney failure, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No deaths have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says more than half of those who became ill are children age 5 or younger.

The recall covers all Graziers raw milk cheeses: medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeo jack, and Monterey jack. They were sold in eight-ounce and 16-ounce retail packages and supplied to food service customers and wholesalers in five-pound loaves. The FDA says the cheeses were sold at retailers nationwide and online.

Cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah. Of nine people interviewed about what they ate before becoming ill, all nine reported eating Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese. The FDA says its investigation is continuing to determine the source of contamination and whether other products are affected.

What consumers should do

Do not eat the recalled cheese. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Because cheese can be kept for a long time, the FDA advises checking freezers as well as refrigerators. If cheese was removed from its packaging and you cannot tell whether it is part of the recall, throw it away. Wash and sanitize containers, utensils and surfaces that may have touched it. Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the recalled products.

E. coli symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, and vomiting. Symptoms may begin a few days after eating contaminated food or as long as nine days later. The CDC advises calling a healthcare provider right away for bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, a fever above 102 degrees, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration.

The CDC recommends choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products, particularly for children under 5, who face a greater risk of severe foodborne illness.

Advocacy group warns that surveillance pricing may be too tempting for retailers to ignore

Mark Huffman — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:48:05 +0000

It urges consumers to remain alert to being gouged

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

An advocacy group says Walmarts patents and shopping technology raise concerns about personalized pricing.
Walmarts CEO says the company does not charge different prices based on a shoppers identity, history, or urgency, and promises it will not do so.
A patent describes ways prices could vary, but it does not establish that Walmart uses those methods.

As ConsumerAffairs reported this week, Walmarts CEO has issued a letter to customers, pledging not to use surveillance pricing as it transitions to digital shelf tags. But a consumer group claims thats an exercise in damage control.

In a September 25 statement, Groundwork Collaborative said Walmarts electronic shelf labels, AI shopping assistant, and patents warrant closer scrutiny. The groups president and CEO, Lindsay Owens, argues that the retailer has developed tools that could be used to vary prices according to customers behavior.

Technology patents questioned

According to the consumer group, the dispute centers partly on a Walmart patent granted in 2023. It describes a system for updating electronic shelf labels and gives an example in which a shopper with tuna in a cart could be offered a different price for mayonnaise.

It also discusses changing a price when supply is low and demand is high. Those examples show what the patent contemplates; they do not show that Walmart has put those pricing methods into use.

Groundwork also points to the performance of Sparky, Walmarts AI shopping assistant. At a September investor conference, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Dave Guggina said customers who engage with Sparky have an average order value 40% higher. He described the assistant as suggesting items that could help complete a meal or another shopping task. To be clear, the figure does not, by itself, indicate that Sparky changes the prices shoppers pay.

Other companies

In her recently published book Gouged, Owens makes clear that Groundwork is scrutinizing retailers other than Walmart. She argues that technology has made it easier for companies to test what individual customers will pay and to adjust prices with little visibility for shoppers.

The books published description points to added fees for event tickets, changing ride-share fares, and software that landlords use to set rents. Owens also raises concerns about driving data being shared with insurers and potentially affecting premiums.

One example comes from Owens research with Consumer Reports on Instacart. In tests conducted at the same stores at nearly the same time, shoppers were shown prices for identical grocery items that differed by as much as 23%. Instacart said the differences came from limited pricing tests run for retail partners, disputed describing them as surveillance pricing, and said it ended the tests in December 2025.

Owens also discusses RealPage, whose software recommends apartment rents to landlords. She argues that sharing pricing data through such systems can help keep rents high even when apartments are vacant.

The Justice Department brought an antitrust case against RealPage and reached a proposed settlement in 2025 that would restrict its use of competitors sensitive information and certain pricing features.

The settlement resolves the governments claims, but it should not be read as a court finding that every rent recommendation was unlawful.

Together, the examples illustrate Owens broader claim: as technology evolves, consumers may have difficulty judging whether a price reflects ordinary costs and competition when the decisions behind it are hidden in data and software.

FCC offers new guides to help block unwanted calls and texts

Mark Huffman — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:44:29 +0000

Consumers can pair instructions for their phone with those for their wireless provider

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

The FCC has released step-by-step guides to help consumers block and filter unwanted calls and texts.
The guides cover iPhones, Android phones, and services from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Many of the tools are free or included in phone plans, though availability depends on the device and service.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has published five new guides showing consumers how to turn on tools that block or filter unwanted calls and texts.

The guides are designed to help people find protections already available through their phones or wireless service. Two cover Apple and Google devices; the other three cover services offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The FCC recommends choosing the guide for your phone and the guide for your provider. An iPhone customer with T-Mobile service, for example, would use both of those instruction cards, then decide which features to enable.

Many of the features cost nothing extra or are included in a customers plan, the agency said.

All three carriers also offer free ways to report unwanted incoming calls and texts. Consumers should check what is included in their own plan before turning on a feature that may carry a charge.

Practical solutions

The guides give consumers a practical way to reduce interruptions, but the FCC does not promise that filtering will stop every unwanted call or text. Consumers can review the available settings and choose the protections that work best for them.

Combatting the scourge of illegal robocalls remains the FCCs top consumer protection priority, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. The agency said the guides are part of its broader effort to curb illegal robocalls and robotexts.

In 2025, consumers were inundated with approximately 52.5 billion automated calls. While roughly 57% were flagged as sales pitches or fraudulent, tracking metrics do not break out scams from general telemarketing. Consequently, exact national statistics on the proportion of unwanted communications tied to scams remain unavailable.

Recently, Carr released a Public Notice seeking comment on the creation of a new consumer tool, a Robocall Scorecard, aiming to empower consumers to make informed choices when it comes to their voice service provider. These new consumer resources mark the latest step in the Commissions broader effort to attack and stop illegal robocalls at every point in their life cycle.

Foreclosure filings rise 13% from a year ago as more homes are repossessed

Mark Huffman — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:42:37 +0000

The numbers suggest that an increasing number of homeowners are struggling

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 29, 2026

More than 40,000 U.S. properties had a foreclosure filing in August, up 13% from a year earlier.
Lenders began foreclosure proceedings on 25,894 properties, a 7% annual increase.
Completed foreclosures rose 42% from August 2025, though overall activity remains below pre-pandemic levels.

While the rate of foreclosures is nowhere near the level during the housing market crash nearly two decades ago, the rate is beginning to rise, albeit slowly.

South Carolina had the highest foreclosure rate in August, while Texas recorded the most completed foreclosures.

Foreclosure activity continued to climb in August, with 40,277 U.S. properties receiving a foreclosure filing, according to property data firm ATTOM. That was 13% more than in August 2025 and 1% more than in July.

Foreclosure is a process, with only the last stage resulting in a homeowner's loss of a house. However, filings and other steps in the process signal trouble for homeowners trying to pay their monthly mortgage.

The figures cover several stages of the process, including default notices, scheduled auctions, and lender repossessions. A filing therefore does not mean a homeowner has already lost the property.

Lenders started foreclosure proceedings on 25,894 properties in August, up 7% from a year earlier but down 3% from July. Florida recorded the most starts, at 3,189, followed by Texas with 3,126, and California with 2,565.

Completed foreclosures rose more sharply. Lenders repossessed 5,794 properties in August, a 42% increase from a year earlier and a 22% increase from July. Texas accounted for 1,835 of those repossessions, the most of any state.

Where foreclosure rates were highest

Nationwide, one in every 3,569 housing units had a foreclosure filing during the month. South Carolina had the highest rate, at one in every 1,547 housing units. Nevada, Florida, Texas, and Maryland followed. Among metropolitan areas with at least 200,000 residents, Columbia, South Carolina, had the highest rate.

The annual increases point to more homeowners reaching the foreclosure process, but ATTOM cautioned against reading the figures as a return to the levels seen in earlier housing downturns. The company said overall foreclosure activity remains below pre-pandemic norms.

What to do

Homeowners who are having trouble making mortgage payments should contact their mortgage servicer as soon as possible, even if they have not missed a payment. The phone number is on the monthly mortgage statement. Explain what caused the hardship, whether it is temporary or ongoing, and ask to apply for foreclosure prevention assistance. Waiting until a foreclosure notice arrives can limit the time available to work out a solution.

Depending on the loan and the homeowners circumstances, the servicer may offer a temporary payment pause or reduction, a plan to catch up on missed payments, or a loan modification. Some borrowers may qualify to move past-due amounts to the end of the loan. A pause does not erase missed payments, so homeowners should ask how and when those amounts will be repaid before agreeing to a plan.

Homeowners can also get free foreclosure prevention advice from a HUD-approved housing counselor. Counselors can help review the options, prepare an application, and communicate with the mortgage company. To find one, call 800-569-4287 or use HUDs housing counseling search.

Those whose hardship was connected to COVID-19 can also check whether their state or tribal Homeowner Assistance Fund program is still accepting applications. Funding is limited, and the program is scheduled to end in September 2026 or sooner if local funds run out.

Anyone who has received legal papers or a foreclosure sale date should seek help immediately and consider contacting legal aid. Homeowners should be wary of companies that demand an upfront fee, promise to stop foreclosure, or tell them to send mortgage payments somewhere other than their servicer.

6 things worth buying now instead of waiting for Black Friday

Kyle James — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:36:03 +0000

Black Friday isn't automatically the cheapest time to buy everything

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

End-of-season deals are happening now: Retailers are clearing grills, patio furniture, lawn equipment, and other summer merchandise.
Waiting has a downside: Prices could fall further, but the model, size, or color you want may disappear first.
Some things are worth waiting for Black Friday: Adobe's 2025 holiday data shows shoppers got some of the deepest discounts on electronics, toys, apparel, TVs, and computers.

If you're eyeing a new TV, waiting for Black Friday probably makes sense. But if it's a grill, lawn mower, or patio set, waiting could be a mistake.

That's because retailers are already clearing out some of the very products that aren't likely to be the stars of Black Friday. And while prices could fall further, the tradeoff is that the size, model, or color you want may disappear first.

Consumer Reports' September price tracking shows discounts across a number of outdoor and seasonal categories, including grills, lawn mowers, and outdoor power equipment.

Here are six purchases worth considering right now.

1. Grills

If your grill barely survived the summer, don't assume Black Friday is the best time to replace it.

Consumer Reports says prices are dropping on grills and other outdoor products as summer winds down. September is a transition month for retailers, when seasonal inventory starts getting cleared to make room for what's coming next.

And there's a second reason to shop now: better selection.

The longer you wait, the greater the chance the grill you actually want is gone. That means the lowest clearance price in November won't do you much good if all that's left is a model you don't want.

Current deals:

Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner: $199 at Home Depot, down from $279 $80 off (29%).
Blackstone Bronco griddle/smoker combo: $898 at Walmart, down from $998 $100 off (10%). That price was reconfirmed in a Sept. 21 update.
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 pellet grill: $536 at Walmart, down from $596 $60 off (about 10%). A grill-price tracker checked the price Sept. 25 and identified it as the current Pit Boss deal.

2. Patio furniture

This might be the strongest "buy now" category on the list.

Retailers have a powerful incentive to get bulky patio furniture out of stores and warehouses once summer ends.

And the markdowns are already showing up.

Amazon patio furniture was recently being advertised at discounts of as much as 80%, including an outdoor umbrella base marked down from $399 to $80 and outdoor furniture sets selling for hundreds less than their listed prices.

Don't get hypnotized by the percentage-off number, though. Retailers can discount products from inflated list prices, so always search the exact model before buying.

The smart move: If you find the patio set you actually want at a substantial discount, there's little reason to gamble on it still being available two months from now.

Current deals:

UDPatio 3-piece rocking bistro set Walmart: $148.99, down from $249.99 $101 off (40%), explicitly marked clearance.
JUSKYS 7-piece patio conversation set Home Depot: $383, down from $558 $175 off (31%). Home Depot's listing is current today.
Target Southport outdoor loveseat: $350, down from $500 $150 off (30%), explicitly marked clearance.
Walmart Mainstays Chelsea 4-piece deep-seating set: $447, down from $597 $150 off (25%), currently labeled Rollback.

3. Lawn mowers and outdoor power equipment

Your mower may have made it through another summer, but now can be a better time to replace it than next spring.

Consumer Reports lists lawn mowers among the products that commonly get discounted in September and says prices are also dropping on products such as string trimmers and pressure washers as summer winds down.

It makes sense as a lawn mower taking up floor space in September is quickly becoming old inventory. Next April, that same category is suddenly something shoppers need again.

Be sure to not just look at the price of the tool. For battery-powered equipment, check what replacement batteries cost and whether the battery works with other tools you own.

Don't stop your clearance hunt at the lawn mower aisle, as discounts can extend to pressure washers, string trimmers, and other outdoor equipment as retailers transition into fall.

These aren't necessarily products shoppers associate with Black Friday, which is exactly why the end-of-season window matters.

Pro tip: Always search the model number and check its price history before buying. A giant "40% OFF" sign doesn't tell you what the product actually sold for a month ago. Theres a good chance its a fake sale and waiting may make more sense.

Current deals:

Ryobi 40V HP self-propelled mower Home Depot: $449, down from $599 $150 off (25%)
Milwaukee M18 FUEL mower + trimmer bundle Home Depot: $1,399, down from $1,549 $150 off
Ryobi ONE+ HP leaf blower Home Depot: $199, down from $229 $30 off (13%)
Greenworks 60V self-propelled mower Walmart: $398 with battery and rapid charger

4. Window and portable air conditioners

Buying an air conditioner when summer is ending feels backward.

That's exactly the point.

Demand drops when temperatures cool. Compare that with shopping during next summer's first heat wave, when thousands of other consumers may suddenly be looking for the same thing.

This is one of those purchases where buying before you need it can work in your favor.

There's an important caveat: Don't buy the wrong-size unit simply because it's on clearance. An undersized AC may struggle to cool a room, while buying much more cooling capacity than you need can create its own problems.

The smart move: If you know an aging unit needs to be replaced before next summer, start checking clearance prices now instead of waiting until it's 100 degrees outside.

Current deals:

GE 12,000-BTU Smart Window AC GE Direct: $275.60, down from $499 $223.40 off (45%).
Vissani 8,000-BTU Smart Portable AC Home Depot: $250, down from $361.77 $111.77 off (31%).
LG 7,000-BTU Portable AC Home Depot: $319, down from $379 $60 off (16%)

5. Summer clothing, sandals, and swimwear

Here's where you have to separate "clothing" from "summer clothing."

Adobe found that apparel discounts peaked at 25.1% during the 2025 holiday season, giving shoppers a good reason to wait, especially on fall and winter clothing.

The takeaway is that there's no reason to rush out and buy jeans, sweaters, or other current-season clothing because you're afraid Black Friday won't have deals.

Summer merchandise is different, as retailers need the space currently occupied by shorts, sandals, swimsuits, and other warm-weather items. That can produce clearance prices that have little to do with the holiday shopping calendar.

The smart move: Shop now for summer basics you'll use next year, particularly if you find your size at a steep markdown. For current-season clothing, waiting for Black Friday makes more sense.

Current deals:

Old Navy: 40% off everything, plus clearance summer/swim items reaching 80%+ off.
Macys: Current womens clearance includes up to 65% off sandals and swimwear, with additional savings using its current promo code on eligible items.
Target: Large summer/vacation clearance selection is live now; Target is also advertising up to 40% off thousands of items during its Oct. 67 Circle Deal Days.
Abercrombie & Fitch: Clearance sale currently has select styles up to 75% off.

6. Trees, shrubs, and perennial plants

Here's the sleeper deal many consumers dont think about. As summer ends, your local garden centers and nurseries have an inventory problem too.

Penn State Extension says garden centers preparing for winter discount in-stock nursery products including perennials, shrubs, and trees, in part because keeping those plants alive through winter costs retailers time and money.

And unlike buying a grill you might store until spring, fall can actually be an excellent time to use what you buy.Cooler temperatures can help trees, shrubs, and perennials establish roots without the heat stress of summer. The exact planting window depends heavily on where you live, however, so shoppers in colder climates need to leave enough time before the ground freezes.

Clearance plants also require some detective work.Brown leaves don't necessarily mean a plant is dead, particularly as it enters dormancy. But diseased, severely root-bound or cold-sensitive plants aren't bargains just because they're 70% off.

The smart move: Check the roots, verify the plant is hardy for your climate, and ask whether clearance plants still qualify for the nursery's normal guarantee.

What should you wait until Black Friday to buy?

Here's where last year's numbers are particularly useful.

Adobe Analytics tracked more than one trillion visits to U.S. retail sites, 100 million products, and 18 product categories during its analysis of the 2025 holiday season.

The discounts consumers actually received peaked at:

30.9% on electronics
29.6% on toys
25.1% on apparel
24.3% on TVs
23.4% on computers
20.3% on sporting goods
20.2% on appliances
18.8% on furniture

These percentages aren't advertised estimates. Theyre exactly what Adobe says happened during the 2025 holiday shopping season. This gives shoppers a pretty compelling reason to wait on a TV or laptop, but not necessarily on a grill or lawn mower.

The holiday deal wars start in October

There's another reason you shouldn't automatically wait until Black Friday: The holiday sale wars are starting weeks earlier.

For example, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct. 6-7 with millions of deals across more than 35 categories. Target is holding its competing Circle Deal Days on the same dates, while Walmart's fall sale runs Oct. 5-11.

The better rule isn't simply "wait until Black Friday, instead, think about why the product is discounted.

If a retailer is trying to unload a grill, patio set, or lawn mower because its season is ending, now may be your opportunity. If it's a TV, laptop, or another product that historically sees deep holiday discounts, waiting will usually pay off.

In other words, don't shop by the calendar. Shop by the reason behind the sale.

Consumer product safety recall roundup for September 25, 2026

News Desk — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:03:06 +0000

Smart glasses, furniture, and power banks are part of this week's recall roundup

By News Desk of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Recall Roundup: Mattresses, smart glasses, foods and more

This roundup covers newly announced recalls and safety warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Food and Drug Administration, and USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Emerspring mattresses fail fire safety rules

Style Homeware is recalling queen-size Emerspring Mattresses sold on Amazon because they do not meet the federal flammability standard for mattresses.

Hazard: The mattresses violate the mandatory flammability standard, creating a fire risk that can lead to serious injury or death.
Scope: About 263 mattresses were sold on Amazon.com from January 2026 through May 2026 for $226.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the mattress right away and contact Style Homeware for a free fitted cover to bring it into compliance.

Style Homeware, Inc., of Monrovia, California, is recalling Emerspring Mattresses after regulators said the products fail a mandatory fire-safety rule. The recalled mattresses are 12 inches thick, sold in queen size, have a white top and white sides with green trim, and were sold compressed in a box. A sewn-in white label on one side includes Prototype ID: <EMERS-12> and the manufacture date 6/2025.

The hazard

The CPSC said the recalled mattresses do not comply with the mandatory flammability standard for mattresses. That means the product can pose a serious fire danger in the home, with a risk of severe injury or death if a fire occurs. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled mattress immediately. Style Homeware says it will provide a free fitted cover designed to bring the mattress into compliance with the federal flammability standard.

Company contact

Style Homeware email at EmerspringMattressRecall@outlook.com.

Source

INMO Air3 smart glasses can overheat

INMO International Technology Limited is recalling AIR3 smart glasses because the left temple can overheat during extended use and burn the wearer.

Hazard: The left temple can overheat, posing a burn hazard and a risk of serious injury or death.
Scope: About 1,643 were sold in the United States, plus about 120 in Canada, through Amazon.com, Inmoxr.com, and Kickstarter.com.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the glasses and contact INMO for a free repair and system update.

INMO International Technology Limited is recalling black AIR3 smart glasses used for AI translation, AI-assisted productivity, and media streaming. The model number AIR3 and the brand name INMO are printed on a label on the right temple. Regulators said the left temple can overheat during extended use, creating a serious burn risk to the face and ear.

The hazard

The overheating problem affects the left temple of the glasses, an area that rests directly against the wearers skin. The firm received 10 reports of the AIR3 glasses overheating, including reports of a burning sensation to the face and the left side of the ear. The CPSC said the condition poses a risk of serious injury or death from burns.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled smart glasses immediately and contact INMO for a free repair. The company said it will assist users in updating the system to version V3.16 online.

Company contact

INMO International toll free at 888-212-9620 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at support.usa@inmoxr.com or online at https://inmoxr.com/ pages/recall and click on Product Recalls at the top of the page for more information.

Source

Reclining chair battery packs can ignite

The Blue Cactus Company has recalled battery packs used with reclining chairs because the lithium-ion batteries can overheat, smoke, or catch fire.

Hazard: The lithium-ion battery can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.
Scope: About 51,000 battery packs were sold on Amazon.com from May 2023 through July 2026 for about $105.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the battery packs and request a replacement from The Blue Cactus Company.

The Blue Cactus Company 2500 mAh Battery Packs for Reclining Chairs are being recalled by manufacturer Go North Rocket 28 AB, of Sweden. The battery packs were sold for use with reclining chairs and, according to the CPSC, contain lithium-ion cells that can become dangerously hot. That makes this recall especially important for consumers who keep the batteries attached to upholstered furniture inside the home.

The hazard

The CPSC said the lithium-ion battery in the recalled packs can overheat, creating both fire and burn hazards. The agency said it is aware of four reports of the batteries overheating, smoking, or igniting. Even a small battery fire can spread quickly when it happens near cushions, fabric, or other combustible materials.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled battery packs immediately and contact The Blue Cactus Company for a replacement battery pack. Do not continue charging or using a battery pack that shows signs of overheating, smoke, swelling, or damage.

Company contact

The Blue Cactus Company by email at recall@thebluecactuscompany.com or online at https://www.thebluecactuscompany.com/ and click on Important Recall Information to learn more.

Source

Light-up toys pose deadly battery risk

ABC Trading is recalling childrens light-up toys because their button cell battery compartments can be easily opened, creating a potentially fatal ingestion hazard.

Hazard: Children can access button cell batteries, which can cause internal burns, severe injuries, or death if swallowed.
Scope: About 43,674 units were sold in ABC Trading stores in Los Angeles, other specialty stores nationwide, and online at abctradinginc.com from September 2016 through May 2026.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the toys immediately and contact ABC Trading for a refund after disposing of the product.

ABC Trading Inc., of Vernon, California, is recalling several low-cost light-up childrens toys, including a light-up tie, light-up headbands, and light-up glasses. The products were packaged in clear plastic bags with identifiers 6502, HD-10, or L-508, and labeled MADE IN CHINA, Importer: ABC TRADING, INC. The CPSC said the toys violate the mandatory toy safety standard because children can access the button cell batteries inside.

The hazard

Button cell and coin batteries are especially dangerous when swallowed. The CPSC said the battery compartments can be easily accessed by children, creating a deadly ingestion hazard. If swallowed, these batteries can cause serious internal chemical burns, severe injury, and death. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled light-up toys immediately and contact ABC Trading for a refund. The company said consumers will be asked to email a photograph showing the product being disposed of in the trash before the refund is processed.

Company contact

ABC Trading toll-free at 323-581-3688 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at recallabc@gmail.com or online at https://www.abctradinginc.com/recall-2 or www.abctradinginc.com and click Recall Information at the top of the page for more information.

Source

NEWDERY power banks linked to fires

NEWDERY is recalling model ZHX-PB22 power banks after reports that the lithium-ion batteries exploded or ignited, including one fire tied to major property damage.

Hazard: The power banks lithium-ion batteries can explode or catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards.
Scope: About 21,380 power banks were sold on Amazon.com from October 2023 to November 2024 for between $27 and $50.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the power banks immediately and contact NEWDERY for refund instructions and safe disposal steps.

Shenzhen Xinkewangda Electronics Co., Ltd., doing business as NEWDERY, is recalling black power banks with yellow cables and model number ZHX-PB22. The brand name NEWDERY is engraved on the front and the model number is printed on the back. The recall follows reports that the lithium-ion battery inside can explode or ignite.

The hazard

The CPSC said the recalled power banks can overheat to the point of explosion or fire, creating serious burn and fire hazards. NEWDERY received nine reports of the power banks exploding and igniting, including one serious fire that resulted in $2 million in property damage and one burn injury. Lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish and can reignite after appearing to go out.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled power banks immediately and contact NEWDERY for instructions on how to receive a full refund. To get the refund, consumers must submit a photo of the recalled power bank showing the model number, serial number, and the word recalled and the consumers last name written on the device in permanent marker, then confirm disposal in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Company contact

NEWDERY toll-free at 888-256-6673 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at support@newdery.com or online at https://www.newdery.com/pages/newdery-power-bank-recalls or go to www.newdery.com and click on Recall at the top of the page for more information.

Source

FOTING pressure washers pose electrocution danger

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using FOTING pressure washers immediately because the machines lack key electrical protections against shock and electrocution.

Hazard: The pressure washers lack a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter and have an inadequate power cord, creating serious shock and electrocution hazards.
Scope: The products were sold on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, TikTok.com, Temu.com, Wayfair.com, and eBay.com for between $85 and $266.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the pressure washers, cut the power cord, and dispose of the product.

The CPSC issued a safety warning for FOTING pressure washers sold online through several major marketplaces. According to the agency, the machines lack an integrated immersion protection device on or near the plug, also known as a Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter, and also do not have an adequate-length power cord. Those missing safeguards can expose users to a potentially deadly electrical shock.

The hazard

Pressure washers are used around water, making electrical protections especially important. The CPSC said these units do not have the required GFCI protection on or near the power plug and also lack an adequate-length power cord, creating a risk of serious injury or death from shock and electrocution. The agencys warning is a stop-use notice rather than a traditional recall announcement.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the pressure washers immediately. The CPSC urges owners to destroy the products by unplugging them, cutting the power cord, and disposing of them, and says consumers should not sell or give away the hazardous washers.

Company contact

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Ravioli recall over undeclared lobster

Deanos Pasta is recalling Pear and Pecorino Triangoli Ravioli because the product may contain undeclared lobster, a serious risk for people with shellfish allergies.

Hazard: The ravioli contains undeclared crustacean shellfish, specifically lobster, which can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Scope: The product was distributed in Massachusetts retail stores between Aug. 10, 2026, and Sept. 22, 2026, under lot numbers 090126126, 082526126, 081826126, and 073126126.
Immediate action: Consumers should not eat the ravioli and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Deanos Pasta has issued an allergy alert for Pear and Pecorino Triangoli Ravioli sold in Massachusetts. The recall was announced because the product may contain lobster that is not declared on the label. For people with a crustacean shellfish allergy, even a small amount can pose a serious health threat.

The hazard

The risk is tied to an undeclared allergen, not spoilage or contamination visible to shoppers. The FDA notice said people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Crustacean Shellfish (Lobster) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product. Consumers should check the listed lot numbers carefully before deciding whether a package is affected.

What to do

Consumers who purchased Deanos Pasta Pear and Pecorino Triangoli Ravioli should not consume it. The company is urging customers to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Deanos Pasta at (617) 623-0013.

Source

Organic apple sauce pulled for patulin

Wakefern Food Corp. is recalling Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce after tests found elevated levels of patulin, a mold-related substance that should not exceed food safety limits.

Hazard: The apple sauce may contain elevated levels of patulin, a substance produced by molds that grow on damaged or bruised apples.
Scope: The recall covers packages with UPC code 04119005677 and a best-by date of June 16, 2027, sold through several Wakefern supermarket banners.
Immediate action: Customers should not consume the apple sauce and can return it to the store for a refund or replacement.

Wakefern Food Corp. has voluntarily recalled Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce sold through ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market. The issue is elevated patulin in the product, according to the FDA. The recall affects packages marked with the listed UPC and best-by date.

The hazard

Patulin is a naturally occurring substance produced by molds that can grow on damaged or bruised apples. The FDA said food safety standards limit how much patulin is allowed in food because elevated exposure over time can raise health concerns. Because the amount detected in this product exceeds acceptable limits, the product should not be consumed.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled apple sauce should not eat it. Wakefern said consumers can return the product to the store for an immediate refund or replacement.

Company contact

Consumers: 1-800-ShopRite (1-800-746-7748) Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9-5. Media: Karen OShea (732) 906-5932.

Source

Niwali Tejocote products may contain toxin

Global Mix Inc. is recalling niwali Tejocote Capsules and niwali Tejocote Pieces because the products may contain yellow oleander, a highly toxic plant.

Hazard: The products may contain yellow oleander, which contains cardiac glycosides that can cause severe or fatal health effects.
Scope: The recall covers lots RM500925 and RM400925 distributed nationwide through ebay.com and Everymarket.com.
Immediate action: Consumers should stop using the products immediately and return them for a refund or contact the company to arrange one.

Global Mix Inc. has recalled niwali Tejocote Capsules and niwali Tejocote Pieces after finding that the products contain yellow oleander, listed in the notice as Thevetia peruviana. These products were sold nationwide online. Unlike many supplement recalls, this one involves a potentially poisonous plant ingredient rather than a labeling error.

The hazard

All parts of the yellow oleander plant are known to contain cardiac glycosides, which are highly toxic to humans and animals, the FDA said. Ingestion can cause severe or even fatal neurologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in heart rhythm, and arrhythmia. Because of that toxicity, consumers should treat this as an urgent stop-use recall.

What to do

Consumers who purchased niwali Tejocote Capsules or niwali Tejocote Pieces should stop using them immediately and should not consume any remaining product. The products should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund, or consumers can contact the company to arrange a refund.

Company contact

Global Mix Inc. Customer Service at (646) 419-5884 Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or by email at office@unitedlegalexperts.com.

Source

Bacon cheddar chips missing soy warning

Saratoga Potato Chips has issued an allergy alert for J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon and Cheddar Potato Chips because some packages do not disclose soy.

Hazard: The chips contain undeclared soy, which can cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction in sensitive consumers.
Scope: The recall covers 7.75-ounce packages with UPC 0-51933-31645-4 and best-by dates of DEC 11 26 or DEC 18 26 sold in Save A Lot stores in five states.
Immediate action: Consumers with soy allergies should not eat the chips and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Saratoga Potato Chips is recalling J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon and Cheddar Potato Chips sold in Save A Lot stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Maryland. The issue is undeclared soy in the product. For shoppers managing food allergies, a missing allergen warning can turn an ordinary snack into a medical emergency.

The hazard

The FDA said people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the chips. Consumers should check both the UPC and the listed best-by dates to determine whether a bag is covered by the recall. The notice identifies the issue as an allergen-labeling problem.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled chips are urged not to eat them if they have a soy allergy or sensitivity. The company said affected packages should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Consumers can call 1-260-969-0066.

Source

Gluten-free mixes may contain wheat

GF Blends is recalling two baking mixes because they may contain undeclared wheat gluten, posing a risk for people with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.

Hazard: The products may contain undeclared wheat gluten, which can cause adverse health effects or allergic reactions.
Scope: The recall includes Truly AIP All Purpose Flour and Bread Mix and EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Flat Bread Pizza Mix with listed lot codes sold online nationwide, including through Amazon.com.
Immediate action: Consumers should not use the products and should return them for a refund or discard them.

GF Blends has recalled Truly AIP All Purpose Flour and Bread Mix, along with EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Flat Bread Pizza Mix, because the products may contain undeclared wheat gluten. The products were distributed to retail and online customers nationwide through eatgangster.com, trulyaip.com, and Amazon.com. That is especially concerning because buyers may have chosen the products specifically to avoid gluten.

The hazard

The FDA said people who have celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance run the risk of adverse health effects or allergic reactions if they consume the recalled mixes. The affected lot numbers are 260225, 260610, 260417, 260617, 260327, and 260803. Because these are marketed as specialty products, consumers should double-check any package still in the pantry.

What to do

Consumers should not use the recalled products. GF Blends said the products should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or discarded, and the company is arranging replacement of all recalled products after notifying customers by email and phone.

Company contact

GF Blends at 509-375-0909 from Monday Friday, 8 am to 4 pm PT or recall@gfblends.com.

Source

Uninspected meats shipped with false USDA mark

Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling raw pork, beef, and goat products because they were produced without federal inspection and carried labels bearing a false USDA inspection mark.

Hazard: Meat produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants.
Scope: The products bear EST. 1363 and were shipped to a Georgia distributor for further distribution to retail and restaurant locations nationwide.
Immediate action: Consumers should not eat the products, and retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve them.

Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling raw pork, beef, and goat products after the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service said the items were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. The products also bore labels with a false USDA mark of inspection. That combination raises immediate concerns about both food safety and product misrepresentation.

The hazard

FSIS said food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that put consumer health and safety at risk. Because these products moved through a distributor in Georgia for further distribution to retail and restaurant locations nationwide, the agency is warning not only consumers but also businesses that may still have the meat in inventory.

What to do

Consumers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Retailers and restaurants are urged not to sell or serve them, and the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Company contact

Jennifer Joyner, Media Office Manager, Star Meat Delivery Inc. at 252-239-0610 or starmeatdelivery@gmail.com.

Source

Auto Safety Recall Derby - Week of September 28

News Desk — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:58:48 +0000

Land Rover, Forest River, and Ford are part of this week's auto recall roundup

By News Desk of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Weekly Auto Recall Roundup

Here are the latest vehicle and equipment recalls announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Reminder: Recall repairs are free. Contact your dealer as soon as possible if your vehicle is affected.

Forest River, Inc. NHTSA Recall ID 26V608000

Issue: Sleeper Sofa May Block Bunkroom Door

Make	Model	Model Years
FOREST RIVER	CEDAR CREEK	20252026

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC NHTSA Recall ID 26V607000

Issue: Powertrain Control Module May Cause a Loss of Drive Power

Make	Model	Model Years
LAND ROVER	RANGE ROVER SPORT	2026

Ford Motor Company NHTSA Recall ID 26V605000

Issue: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111

Make	Model	Model Years
FORD	RANGER	2026

Nova Bus (US) Inc. NHTSA Recall ID 26V604000

Issue: Parking Brake May Unintentionally Activate

Make	Model	Model Years
NOVA BUS	LFS	20242025

Forest River, Inc. NHTSA Recall ID 26V603000

Issue: Improperly Installed Engine Pre-Heat Pump

Make	Model	Model Years
DYNAMAX	GRAND SPORT GT	20262027

Check your vehicle for recalls

To find out whether your specific vehicle is included in a recall, you can check by VIN or license plate on NHTSA's recall lookup page: NHTSA.gov/recalls.

If your vehicle has an unrepaired recall, contact your local dealership to schedule a repair recall remedies are provided at no cost.

Higher teen BMI may be linked to faster aging

Kristen Dalli — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:57:34 +0000

New research suggests weight during adolescence may play a role in how quickly the body ages

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

A long-term study found a connection between higher BMI during adolescence and faster biological aging later in life.
Researchers followed thousands of people for decades and used genetic data and DNA-based measures to study the relationship.
The findings suggest that higher BMI during the teen years may contribute to faster biological aging, although the researchers say more work is needed.

Getting older on the calendar and aging biologically aren't necessarily the same thing. While chronological age simply counts the years someone has been alive, biological aging looks at how quickly the body appears to be aging based on changes happening at the cellular level.

A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests that having a higher body mass index (BMI) during adolescence may be associated with faster biological aging later in life.

The researchers were particularly interested in whether genetics and weight during the teenage years could help explain differences in how quickly people biologically age. The study doesn't mean that a person's BMI determines exactly how quickly they will age, but it adds to research looking at how weight earlier in life may be connected to health decades later.

Our findings suggest that genetic predisposition to high body mass index is associated with accelerated biological aging, Doctoral Researcher Anni Pitknen said in a news release. Part of this association may be explained by the fact that the inherited predisposition is reflected in higher adolescent BMI.

How did researchers study the connection?

The researchers used information from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, a long-running study that began in 1980. The participants included 3,596 people who were between ages 3 and 18 when the study began, and researchers followed them through 20182020.

For the analysis, researchers looked at BMI measurements taken during adolescence, including measurements at ages 9, 12, 15, and 18. They also examined participants' genetic predisposition to having a higher BMI using genetic information involving hundreds of variants associated with body weight.

To estimate biological aging, researchers analyzed DNA methylation from blood samples. They used two "epigenetic clocks" computer-based tools that estimate biological aging based on changes to DNA. The researchers also used a statistical technique called Mendelian randomization to examine whether genetically predicted BMI might have a causal relationship with biological aging.

What did the study find?

The researchers found that a higher BMI during adolescence was associated with faster biological aging in adulthood. Higher genetic predisposition to BMI was also associated with accelerated biological aging, and some of that relationship appeared to be explained by having a higher BMI during adolescence.

The evidence for a causal relationship was strongest when researchers used the DunedinPACE measure of biological aging. In that analysis, they estimated that a one-unit increase in genetically predicted adolescent BMI was associated with about 0.02 years of faster biological aging per calendar year. However, results were not consistent across all of the biological-aging measures used in the study.

The researchers also noted an important limitation: some of the association may be related to BMI in adulthood, since higher BMI during adolescence can continue into adult life. The study therefore doesn't establish that adolescent BMI alone determines how quickly someone ages.

For consumers, the findings add to evidence that health and weight patterns earlier in life can have long-term implications. But they don't mean an individual teenager's BMI can be used to predict exactly how they will age or what health problems they will develop.

The results of our study emphasize the importance of preventing overweight and obesity throughout the life course, Pitknen said.

California will now track PFAS pesticides on food

Kristen Dalli — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:56:11 +0000

New law will make pesticide use more visible to shoppers and families

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

California has passed a new law requiring the state to track and publicly disclose the use of PFAS pesticides on crops.
EWG says more than 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides are applied to California crops each year.
The new tracking system could give consumers, farmers, and regulators more information about where these chemicals are being used.

California is taking a new step toward tracking forever chemicals used on crops. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1603 into law on Sept. 28, requiring the state to monitor and publicly disclose the use of pesticides containing PFAS.

PFAS refers to a large group of chemicals known for being extremely persistent in the environment. Some PFAS have also been linked to health concerns, including cancer, immune system suppression, and reproductive and developmental harm, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

The organization says state agencies previously did not systematically track how much PFAS pesticide was being used on California crops. The new law is intended to change that.

Signing AB 1603 into law is a vital step toward ensuring Californias agricultural legacy is defined by health and innovation, Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank) said in a news release. Tracking and monitoring is the crucial first step. You cant fix what you cant see.

What the new law requires

AB 1603 establishes a class-based definition of PFAS pesticides and requires California's Department of Pesticide Regulation to systematically track their use and make that information available to the public.

That could provide a clearer picture of which crops are being treated, where the chemicals are being used, and in what quantities.

EWG says its research found that more than 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides are applied to California crops each year. Its testing also found PFAS pesticides on nine out of 10 California-grown samples of non-organic peaches, nectarines, and plums that were tested by the state. The organization also reported finding PFAS pesticides in local waterways and sediment.

The law is narrower than the original proposal, according to EWG, following lobbying from agricultural and chemical industry groups.

What this means for consumers

For shoppers, the biggest immediate change is more information rather than a ban. The new law does not prohibit PFAS pesticides from being used on California crops. Instead, it creates a system for tracking and disclosing their use.

EWG says the data could eventually help support decisions about pesticide restrictions, assistance for farmers transitioning away from PFAS pesticides, and additional monitoring of water.

California-grown fruits and vegetables are sold both in the state and throughout the country, so the information collected could be relevant to consumers beyond California as well.

For now, consumers who want to reduce pesticide exposure can continue following basic produce-safety practices, including washing fruits and vegetables before eating them. The new tracking requirements should also make it easier for the public to see where and how much PFAS pesticide is being used as that information becomes available.

Because of their chemical structures, all PFAS share the core characteristics of extreme environmental persistence and potential harm to immune and reproductive systems, said Varun Subramaniam, EWG science analyst. That raises serious concerns about the long-term health risks of using PFAS pesticides on food crops.

Thanks to Gov. Newsom, were finally telling it like it is, so farmers, regulators and the public alike can be aware of the extent of this hidden PFAS use. This kind of tracking and monitoring has to come first, before we can talk about what comes next.

71% of parents say everyday school-year costs are higher than last year

Kristen Dalli — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:54:46 +0000

Families are changing what they buy as food, snacks, school supplies, and other everyday expenses add up

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

71% of parents say they expect to spend more on everyday school-year essentials this year than last year.
64% have swapped at least one of their childs favorite brands for a cheaper store-brand alternative.
Parents are treating recurring grocery and household costs as part of the school-year budget, with some cutting back on items their kids regularly request.

The back-to-school rush may be over, but the costs of keeping kids fed, supplied, and ready for school dont stop once the first day arrives.

A new study from DOSS found that 71% of parents expect to spend more on everyday school-year essentials this year than they did last year, with many families changing what they buy to keep costs under control.

Eshaan Kaul, Head of Growth at DOSS, spoke with us about how these ongoing expenses are affecting family budgets and the trade-offs parents are making as the school year continues.

How the study was conducted

To better understand how rising prices are affecting families during the school year, DOSS surveyed 811 U.S. parents of K-12 children in 2026. The parents were all adults aged 18 or older, with an average age of 42, and represented a range of household income levels.

DOSS also surveyed 205 K-12 teachers to examine how higher costs are affecting classrooms. In addition to the survey responses, researchers analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pricing data, comparing June 2026 prices with those from June 2019.

The survey found that parents expect to spend a median of about $200 per month on everyday school-year consumables, and 71% said that amount is higher than what they spent last year.

Many families are also changing what they buy to manage those higher costs. Nearly two-thirds of parents (64%) said they have switched one of their child's favorite brands for a cheaper store-brand alternative this school year, while 45% said they have stopped buying a snack, drink, or lunch item their child regularly asks for because it became too expensive.

The pricing data showed why those changes may be necessary. DOSS found that a fixed basket of common lunchbox staples cost nearly 45% more in June 2026 than it did in June 2019, rising from $21.57 to $31.38. Orange juice saw the largest increase among the items examined, with prices rising 96% over that period.

The grocery bill

Kaul said that the grocery bill is likely the biggest hidden cost that many parents dont factor into their school spending.

Parents budget for an August shopping trip, and then treat lunch ingredients, snacks, and paper products as ordinary household spending when theyre really school expenses that recur every week of the school year, Kaul explained.

Our research also showed that a fixed assortment of common lunchbox items, which cost $21.57 in 2019, now costs $31.38, a rise of nearly 45%. These small, repeated purchases can accumulate over the course of the school year.

This is especially true when it comes to popular name brand versus store brand options. The rising costs of just about everything have changed how many parents are shopping at their local grocery stores.

The name brands got too expensive, full stop, Kaul said. Every food and paper item we priced has risen faster than overall inflation since 2019, and parents are responding the way youd expect: 64% have swapped at least one of their childs favorite brands for a store brand this year, and 45% have stopped buying a snack, drink, or lunch item their child regularly asks for.

The hardest category to give up is breakfast. When parents cut back, 26% say breakfast foods are the one thing they protect. That said, even breakfast isnt unaffected: 28% of parents have replaced Pop-Tarts with a cheaper alternative and 26% have replaced Eggo. This doesnt go unnoticed by kids. 36% of parents told us their child complained after a switch.

Change how you budget

For parents who may be struggling to keep up with back-to-school costs, Kaul has some advice.

Treat school-year consumables as a recurring monthly expense, not a one-time August cost, Kaul said. From there, decide what your household actually cares about and cut elsewhere.

Parents are already doing this instinctively: 26% keep their childrens favorite breakfast foods when they trim spending, and 64% have moved at least one favorite brand to a store-brand version. Giving these purchases their own line in the monthly budget makes the true cost of the school year visible, and its a lot easier to manage a number you can see.

Gen Z is leaning on credit cards as an emergency fund — 3 mistakes that can make it worse

Kyle James — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:53:18 +0000

For some young consumers, credit cards are increasingly filling the role that emergency savings normally would

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Credit cards are becoming an emergency cushion: Cynthia Chen, CEO and founder of Kikoff, says some younger consumers are using available credit to fill the role normally played by savings.
Three mistakes stand out: High credit utilization, making only minimum payments, and missing payments can all create problems.
Know when you'll pay it off: Chen says if you can't name the month you'll have a purchase paid off, that's a sign you're spending too much.

With the holidays approaching and credit cards about to get another workout, I wanted to know what younger consumers should be especially careful about as they open new cards at a rate faster than any other age group.

So I asked Cynthia Chen, CEO and founder of the credit-building platform Kikoff, what she's seeing among Gen Z consumers and which credit card mistakes concern her most.

One of her answers stood out.

For a lot of young consumers, a credit card isn't really functioning as a payment tool anymore. It's becoming a substitute for emergency savings they haven't been able to build, Chen told ConsumerAffairs.

Rising costs, entry-level wages, and juggling multiple bills can leave younger consumers with little room to absorb an unexpected expense.

Opening another credit card isn't automatically a mistake, either. Chen pointed out that additional available credit can actually lower your credit utilization, assuming you don't spend into the new limit.

But she says opening another card becomes a bad idea in three situations: when you're using it to cover a financial shortfall, when you're already carrying balances on other cards, or when you're within six to 12 months of applying for a mortgage or auto loan.

I also asked Chen about the biggest credit card mistakes she's seeing among Gen Z. Three stood out.

1. Running up your credit utilization

Credit utilization is the percentage of your available revolving credit you're currently using.

Chen says Gen Z cardholders average around 44% utilization, compared with 35.5% nationally. That's important because amounts owed account for 30% of a FICO score, making it the second-largest factor after payment history, according to Chen.

And simply opening another card isn't necessarily a solution. If the additional credit limit encourages you to spend more, you haven't fixed the underlying problem.

2. Paying only the minimum

This one can be deceptive because technically you're doing what the credit card company requires.

But Chen says making only the minimum payment can leave you treading water. Your account stays current, but the balance barely moves while interest continues accumulating.

That's particularly important heading into the holidays, when gifts, travel, and other seasonal expenses can easily get added to balances you're already carrying.

3. Missing a payment entirely

Chen's third warning is perhaps the simplest: Don't miss a payment.

Payment history accounts for 35% of a FICO score, Chen says, making it the single biggest factor.

Her advice is to put at least the minimum payment on autopay. That way, even if you forget the due date, you've got some protection against accidentally missing the payment altogether.

If you've already missed one, Chen recommends contacting the card issuer and asking for a goodwill adjustment, particularly if it's your first late payment.

A simple test before putting Christmas on a credit card

I also asked Chen what consumers should do if they don't have enough cash to cover their holiday spending and are considering putting it on a credit card.

Her advice was refreshingly simple.

Know your interest rate and have a repayment plan before you spend. And don't borrow more than you can realistically clear within two or three billing cycles.

Chen offered an especially useful test: If you can't name the exact month you'll have the purchase paid off, it's probably too big.

That's worth remembering when you're standing at the register in December. What might feel manageable during the holidays can quickly turn into months of catching up once the credit card bill shows up in January.

Walmart rules out personalized pricing as digital shelf labels spread

Mark Huffman — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:50:59 +0000

The retailer says its new technology will not be used to charge shoppers according to what it thinks they can afford

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Walmart says it will not use a shoppers income, purchase history, or perceived willingness to pay to set a personalized price.
The pledge also covers its AI shopping assistant and rules out changing prices based on the time of day.
Rival retailers may face more questions about how they use customer data, though Walmarts decision does not set a rule for the industry.

Walmart is drawing a line around how it uses customer information: It says it will not charge one shopper more than another because of who they are, what they have bought before, or how urgently they need an item.

We price the product, not the person, CEO John Furner wrote in a letter to customers. He said Walmart does not set different prices based on a shoppers identity or the time of day and will not do so in the future.

The statement comes as Walmart expands digital shelf labels, which replace paper price tags and can be updated electronically. Some shoppers have worried that the technology could make it easier to change prices rapidly. Furner said Walmart uses the labels to help shelf prices match checkout prices and to save employees the time spent replacing paper tags.

Walmart's pledge also puts it in line with laws in four states. Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York have passed or enacted state-level legislation addressing or banning surveillance or personalized pricing.

The pledge extends to Sparky, Walmarts AI shopping assistant. Furner said information customers share with the tool will not be used to raise their prices or hide less expensive products that meet their needs. He said employees will continue to oversee pricing and the company will test its technology against those commitments.

What changes for shoppers?

Walmarts promise does not mean prices will stay fixed. Furner said they can rise when merchandise or transportation costs increase and fall when the company can pass along savings. The distinction is that Walmart says it will not adjust a price for an individual shopper based on personal information or an estimate of what that person might pay.

That gives customers a clearer answer to a question raised by increasingly sophisticated shopping apps and pricing systems: Could sharing more information with a retailer cause them to be charged more? Walmart says the answer at its stores and shopping tools is no.

Shoppers should still compare prices among retailers and check that a shelf price matches the amount charged at checkout. Walmarts commitment addresses how it sets prices; it is not a guarantee that every item will be cheapest there.

Pressure on competitors

Walmarts announcement could put pressure on competing grocers and big-box chains to explain their own pricing practices, particularly as they adopt digital labels and AI shopping tools. That is a potential competitive effect, not an indication that those retailers are using personalized pricing.

The issue is also drawing federal attention. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed an enforcement policy statement warning that businesses could violate consumer protection law if they use personal data to set prices without clearly telling shoppers. The agency says it lacks authority to ban personalized pricing in every circumstance.

For competitors, Walmart has made price transparency part of its pitch to shoppers. Rivals may now have to decide whether to make equally explicit promises or explain why their approach differs.

The financial advantage of renting over buying is growing

Mark Huffman — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:48:32 +0000

Elevated home prices arent affordable at these interest rates

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

The typical U.S. renter pays $1,066 less each month than a new homeowner pays for a mortgage, taxes, and insurance, according to Zillow.
That works out to $12,792 a year, and Zillow estimates renters who invest the difference could earn another $322 during the first year.
Renting is currently cheaper than buying in all 50 of the nations largest metropolitan areas, with some of the biggest gaps occurring in expensive West Coast markets.

For years, Americans have been told that buying a home is one of the surest ways to build wealth. But with mortgage rates and home prices remaining elevated, renters may have a significant financial advantage at least in the short term.

A new Zillow analysis finds that the typical U.S. renter paid $1,948 a month in August, compared with $3,014 for the typical new home buyer's mortgage payment, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. That leaves renters with an average monthly advantage of $1,066, or $12,792 over a year.

Zillow's homeownership calculation assumes a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.67% with a 10% down payment on a typical home. It does not include some additional expenses homeowners may face, including maintenance and closing costs.

The gap between renting and buying has also been widening. Zillow said the typical monthly cost for a new buyer increased by $140 over the previous six months, while typical rent increased by just $32.

"The idea that renting is a consolation prize is outdated," Zillow Chief Economist Mischa Fisher said, arguing that renters who save and invest the difference between renting and buying can potentially improve their financial position.

What happens if renters invest the difference?

Of course, renters only receive the full financial benefit if they don't simply spend the money they save.

Zillow calculated what would happen if a renter invested the $1,066 monthly difference at a return equal to the 10-year Treasury yield, which it put at 4.68% as of August.

Under that scenario, the investment would generate an additional $322 during the first year. Assuming rents and homeownership costs remained unchanged, Zillow said the accumulated savings and investment returns could reach about $72,000 after five years.

That calculation is illustrative rather than a guarantee. Rents, home prices, mortgage rates, taxes, and investment returns can all change, and homeowners may benefit from rising property values and from building equity as they pay down their mortgages.

Biggest savings are in expensive markets

The rent-versus-buy gap varies considerably depending on where consumers live.

Zillow found renting costs less than buying in every one of the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. The biggest difference was in San Jose, Calif., where the typical renter pays $3,815 a month while Zillow estimates the monthly cost for a new buyer at $11,698.

That's a difference of $7,883 a month, or $94,596 a year. Zillow estimates investing those monthly savings at its assumed rate could generate another $2,381 during the first year.

Other large gaps were found in San Francisco, where renting saves an estimated $5,413 a month; Los Angeles, at $4,441; and San Diego, at $4,235.

But the advantage isn't limited to California. Zillow calculated monthly rent-versus-buy savings of $3,511 in Seattle, $2,829 in Boston, $2,629 in New York, and $2,200 in Washington, D.C.

Buying requires considerably more income

The analysis also illustrates how high home prices and mortgage rates have raised the income hurdle for would-be buyers.

Zillow estimates a household needs annual income of about $77,919 to afford the typical U.S. rental. A household purchasing a typical home with 10% down would need income of more than $120,500 to afford the mortgage payment, taxes, and insurance a difference of more than $42,000.

That doesn't necessarily mean renting will always be the better financial decision. Homeowners build equity and may benefit from appreciation, while renters can face annual rent increases and don't accumulate ownership in the property.

How long someone expects to remain in a home can also make a major difference. Zillow said its analysis generally favors renting for households expecting to stay in a home for five years or less.

For consumers deciding between the two, the comparison increasingly comes down to more than whether they can scrape together a down payment. With today's mortgage costs, the question is also what a renter could do with the money that isn't being spent on homeownership and whether that money will actually be saved and invested.

Nearly eight in 10 Americans take supplements, Pew survey finds

Mark Huffman — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:45:25 +0000

Vitamins and minerals lead the list, while older adults are the most likely to use supplements

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Nearly eight in 10 U.S. adults say they currently take at least one supplement for their health, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Vitamins and minerals are the most common, and supplement use is especially widespread among older adults.
Most people who take supplements consider them important to their health, though the survey did not test whether the products improve health.

Supplements have become a routine part of health care for many Americans. In a Pew Research Center survey, 78% of U.S. adults said they currently take at least one supplement for their health.

Vitamins and minerals were the clear favorites: 67% of adults said they take them. Protein supplements came next at 31%, followed by omega oils at 25% and herbal supplements at 19%. Another 35% reported taking a supplement outside those four categories, such as melatonin or probiotics. Respondents could report taking more than one type.

Supplement use rose with age. Among adults 65 and older, 85% said they take at least one, compared with 67% of adults under 30. The gap was particularly large for vitamins and minerals: 81% of older adults take them, versus 48% of the youngest adults surveyed.

Protein supplements followed the opposite pattern. They were used by 37% of adults ages 18 to 29 and 35% of those ages 30 to 49, compared with 23% of adults 65 and older. Women were also somewhat more likely than men to report taking any supplement, 82% versus 74%.

Many users see supplements as important

Pew also asked people who take each type of supplement how important they consider it to their health. Among vitamin and mineral users, 62% said those products were extremely or very important, while another 33% called them somewhat important. Among omega oil users, 63% rated the products extremely or very important. The corresponding figures were 51% for herbal supplement users and 44% for protein supplement users.

Those answers describe peoples views, not the medical benefits of the products. The National Institutes of Health says some supplements can help people get nutrients they need, but supplements cannot replace a varied diet. Their benefits differ by product and by a persons health needs.

There are safety considerations, too. Unlike medications, dietary supplements do not receive FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. Some can interact with prescription drugs. NIH advises consumers to tell their healthcare providers about every supplement they take, including the dose.

Pew surveyed 3,554 U.S. adults July 612, 2026. It defined supplements broadly to include products such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, protein powders, melatonin, and probiotics, while excluding prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Consumer sentiment sinks as Americans grow more worried about prices

Mark Huffman — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:43:33 +0000

Rising fuel costs and inflation concerns are putting additional pressure on household finances

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

The University of Michigans Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 48.1 in September, down 7% from August and 12.7% from a year ago.
Consumers expectations for the economy deteriorated sharply, with the Expectations Index falling 10.1% in a single month.
Inflation worries intensified, with consumers expecting prices to rise 4.6% over the next year, up from 4% in August.

American consumers became significantly more pessimistic about the economy in September as higher prices, rising fuel costs, and concerns about the future weighed on household finances.

The University of Michigans final September Surveys of Consumers showed its closely watched Index of Consumer Sentiment falling to 48.1, down from 51.7 in August and 55.1 in September 2025. That represents a 7% monthly decline and a 12.7% drop from a year earlier.

The final number was slightly better than the preliminary September reading of 47.8, but it still put consumer confidence at its lowest level in four months. Sentiment has fallen about 15% since January.

The biggest deterioration was in consumers' expectations for the future.

The university's Index of Consumer Expectations fell to 46.3, down from 51.5 in August, a 10.1% monthly decline. The Current Economic Conditions Index slipped more modestly, to 50.9 from 51.9.

Household finances are under pressure

Joanne Hsu, director of the Surveys of Consumers, said consumers' assessments of both their current finances and their expected finances over the coming year weakened by about 10% during September.

High prices remain a major concern.

About 55% of consumers said high prices were hurting their personal finances, compared with 53% in August and 44% a year earlier, according to additional survey findings. Mentions of gasoline prices also increased, with 31% of consumers bringing up fuel costs.

Consumers also appear increasingly concerned that the pressure won't disappear soon.

"Consumers do not believe that relief from high gas prices is on the horizon," Hsu said, adding that respondents generally expect gasoline prices to keep rising in both the short and long term.

Trade concerns also resurfaced. The share of consumers spontaneously mentioning tariffs rose from 24% in July to 35% in September. The survey found that worries about elevated fuel prices and renewed trade disputes contributed to a sharp deterioration in expectations for near-term business conditions.

Inflation expectations jump

One of the more significant findings for consumers and potentially for Federal Reserve policymakers was a sharp increase in expected inflation.

Consumers now expect prices to rise 4.6% over the next 12 months, up from 4% in August and the highest reading since June. That compares with 3.4% in February.

Long-term inflation expectations also edged higher. Consumers expect annual inflation of 3.4% over the longer term, up from 3.3%, where the measure had remained for three consecutive months.

Persistent inflation expectations matter because they can affect how consumers behave. Households expecting prices to continue climbing may accelerate some purchases, while cutting back elsewhere as necessities consume more of their budgets.

The survey found some evidence of that behavior. Buying conditions for durable goods actually improved slightly, in part because some consumers believed making purchases now could allow them to avoid even higher prices later.

Why consumer sentiment matters

The University of Michigan survey is closely followed because consumer spending represents a major part of U.S. economic activity. The survey asks households about personal finances, business conditions, and whether they believe it is a good time to make major purchases. About 1,000 interviews are conducted each month.

Weak sentiment doesn't necessarily mean consumers will immediately stop spending. But the university's research has historically found that widespread economic pessimism can lead households to postpone purchases and increase their financial reserves.

For consumers, September's survey suggests that the biggest issue remains purchasing power. Even when employment and income remain relatively stable, persistent increases in everyday expenses particularly food, fuel, housing, and other necessities can make households feel financially worse off.

Sempio recalls chicken stew imported without required inspection

Mark Huffman — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:40:52 +0000

The 4,600 pounds of chicken were imported from the Republic of Korea

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

September 28, 2026

Sempio Food Services is recalling about 4,600 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew imported from South Korea without required U.S. import reinspection.
The recall covers Sempio Korean Ginseng Chicken Stew in Classic and Rich varieties, with a best-by date of Sept. 29, 2027.
No illnesses or injuries have been reported, but consumers are being told not to eat the recalled products.

Sempio Food Services Inc. is recalling approximately 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew after federal inspectors determined the products entered the United States without required import reinspection.

The Cerritos, California-based company imported the products from the Republic of Korea, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The problem was discovered during routine FSIS surveillance.

The recall covers two varieties of Sempio Korean Ginseng Chicken Stew. Both come in 31.75-ounce, or 900-gram, pouches packed in cardboard boxes:

Sempio Korean Ginseng Chicken Stew Classic
Sempio Korean Ginseng Chicken Stew Rich

The products were produced March 30, 2026, and carry a best-by date of Sept. 29, 2027. They also bear Korean establishment number GIA15001 and shipping mark MK-2026-0422-01.

Sold in eight states

The recalled chicken stew was shipped to distributors and retailers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

FSIS said there have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury associated with the products. Anyone who believes they may have become ill or been injured after consuming the stew should contact a healthcare provider.

The recall stems from an inspection issue rather than the discovery of a specific contaminant. Imported meat and poultry products are subject to FSIS reinspection when they enter the United States to verify that the shipments meet U.S. food-safety requirements.

Check your pantry

Because the products have a best-by date more than a year away, FSIS said it is concerned that consumers may still have the chicken stew stored in their homes.

Consumers who find one of the recalled packages should not eat it. FSIS recommends throwing it away or returning it to the store where it was purchased. Retailers have also been instructed not to sell the affected products.

FSIS said it will conduct recall effectiveness checks to make sure the company has notified customers and that recalled products are no longer available to consumers. A retail distribution list may be posted by the agency when it becomes available.

Rabies exposures are rising: What consumers need to know

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:42:41 +0000

CDC reports an increase in rabies exposures and urges people to take animal encounters seriously

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 25, 2026

The CDC says rabies-related inquiries increased 17% from July through August 2026 compared with the same period last year.
People should avoid contact with wildlife, particularly animals that appear sick, injured, or are behaving unusually.
Anyone who may have been exposed should immediately wash the area and contact a healthcare or public health professional.

Rabies may not be something most people think about regularly, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding the public to take potential exposures seriously.

In a recent health advisory, the agency reported that several areas of the U.S. have seen increases in people being exposed to animals that are known to carry rabies or could potentially have the disease.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It can spread through bites, scratches, or contact with an infected animal's saliva. Once symptoms begin, rabies is nearly 100% fatal, but it can be prevented when appropriate treatment is given before symptoms develop.

The CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries from July through August 2026 than it did during the same period in 2025. At least eight state health departments also reported increases in rabies treatment, treatment errors, or both.

What the CDC is seeing

Rabies exposure does not automatically mean someone needs the full course of preventive treatment. Healthcare professionals and public health officials assess the animal involved, how the exposure happened, whether the animal showed signs consistent with rabies, and the severity of any wound.

When treatment is necessary, it is called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. For someone who has never previously been vaccinated against rabies, PEP includes rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin. People who have previously completed rabies vaccination generally receive two vaccine doses and do not receive the immune globulin.

The CDC says errors in determining who needs PEP or how it is administered can lead to unnecessary treatment, additional doses, potential side effects, and avoidable expenses. A typical course can cost between $11,000 and $14,000 per person.

How consumers can stay safe

The CDC recommends keeping your distance from wildlife and never approaching animals that appear sick, injured, or dead. This is particularly important if an animal is behaving unusually, such as wildlife that is active during the daytime when it is normally active at night.

Pet owners should keep their animals current on rabies vaccinations and keep them away from wildlife when possible.

If you are bitten or scratched by wildlife or an animal acting sick, immediately wash the wound with soap and water or water alone for 15 minutes. Then contact a healthcare provider or public health professional to discuss whether you may need rabies-related treatment. If possible, provide details about the animal and its behavior. If the animal belongs to someone else, ask for proof that its rabies vaccination is current.

Most importantly, don't try to handle an unfamiliar or potentially sick animal yourself. Contact local animal control or your health department for help.

Hot drinks may come with a cancer risk few coffee drinkers consider

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:39:23 +0000

A large U.K. study found that drink temperature may matter more than whats in your cup.

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 25, 2026

Drinking beverages at very hot temperatures was linked to a higher risk of one type of esophageal cancer.
People drinking six or more hot drinks a day also had a higher risk of that cancer.
Simply allowing your coffee or tea to cool before drinking it could potentially reduce some of that risk.

For many people, coffee and tea are everyday staples. But new research suggests that how hot those drinks are when you consume them could matter when it comes to esophageal cancer.

The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, looked specifically at two major types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). Researchers wanted to better understand whether drink temperature and the number of hot drinks people consumed each day were associated with either type.

Previous research has connected very hot beverages generally around 70C (158F) with esophageal cancer. However, less was known about temperatures more typical of Western countries.

How researchers studied it

Researchers combined information from two large U.K. studies: the Million Women Study and the U.K. Biobank. Together, the analysis included 977,282 adults.

Participants reported how they preferred their hot drinks: warm, hot, or very hot. They also reported how many cups of tea and coffee they typically drank each day. Researchers grouped consumption into fewer than six drinks per day or six or more.

The participants were then followed for years using health records to identify new cancer diagnoses. The researchers ultimately identified 2,348 cases of esophageal cancer, including 1,045 cases of SCC and 1,303 cases of AC. The average follow-up lasted 14.2 years in the Million Women Study and 11.1 years in the U.K. Biobank.

What the results mean for consumers

The researchers found that people who preferred their drinks very hot had about three times the risk of developing esophageal SCC compared with those who preferred warm drinks. The researchers did not find the same relationship between drink temperature and adenocarcinoma.

Frequency mattered, too. After accounting for drink temperature, people who consumed six or more hot drinks per day had a 71% higher risk of SCC than those who drank fewer than six.

Based on their analysis, the researchers estimated that 14% of SCC cases could potentially be avoided if people who currently drink beverages at very hot temperatures instead drank them at temperatures described in the study as hot.

The findings don't mean that drinking coffee or tea automatically causes cancer. Instead, they point to drink temperature and frequency as potentially modifiable factors associated with SCC risk.

For consumers, one simple takeaway from the research is that giving your coffee or tea a little more time to cool may be worth considering.

Dollar General is bringing back its $5-and-under toy shelf for the holidays

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:37:37 +0000

More than 170 seasonal toys, new LEGO sets, and other gifts are coming to stores this holiday season

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

September 25, 2026

Dollar General is offering more than 170 seasonal toys, with about half priced at $10 or less.
A new dedicated shelf will feature toys priced at $5 and under, including collectibles and games.
Shoppers can get 25% off qualifying toy purchases of $75 or more from Oct. 1 through Dec. 24.

Holiday shopping for kids can add up quickly, especially when there are multiple gifts to buy. Dollar General is looking to give shoppers more lower-priced options this season with an expanded assortment of holiday toys and gifts.

The retailer says it will carry more than 170 seasonal toys, with about half of the assortment priced at $10 or less and approximately 95% priced at $20 or less. It is also introducing a dedicated shelf for toys costing $5 or less.

The 2026 assortment includes toys tied to popular characters and trends, including Pokmon, Bluey, Disney's Stitch, Spider-Man, and The Grinch, as well as new Formula 1-themed products.

This holiday season, were focused on delivering what matters most to our customers: creating memorable moments for less because holiday toy shopping should be exciting, not stressful, Steve OBrien, Dollar Generals vice president and division merchandise manager, said in a news release.

Were helping families discover affordable gifts from brands they know and love and we are bringing back our printed toy guide to help create a little nostalgia with wish-list making with prices families can feel good about.

What's new this year?

There are plenty of smaller gift and stocking-stuffer options in the assortment. Dollar General says it will offer more than 40 giftable items priced at $1, including coloring and activity books, stickers, and novelty pens.

The retailer is also adding more than 20 new LEGO sets, ranging from $5 to $30, with themes including Frozen, Minecraft, Bluey, Spider-Man, Star Wars, and Botanicals.

Other options include:

Play-Doh products priced from $2.50 to $15
Melissa & Doug toys
Bluey toys and plushes
Pokmon products and collectibles
Mini Brands and WWE Ballers
New $2 Hasbro Classic Mini Games, including Connect Four, Yahtzee, Operation, and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

For shoppers looking beyond traditional toys, Dollar General says it carries more than 300 crafting items, with 85% priced below $5.

How shoppers can save even more

Starting Oct. 1 and running through Dec. 24, customers can receive 25% off qualifying toy purchases totaling $75 or more in a single transaction. The offer includes clearance toys, although some exclusions apply.

Shoppers can also purchase the holiday assortment online through myDG, with delivery available from participating stores. Dollar General says customers can receive a free delivery fee on one myDG Delivery order using their myDG account.

For families building holiday shopping lists, the combination of lower-priced toys, new products and a larger seasonal selection gives shoppers several price points to consider as they plan their gift purchases.