As you’re doing your holiday shopping, it may be tempting to sign up for a retail credit card to take $25 or $50 off a big purchase. Don’t do it. These cards typically come with higher-than-average interest rates and limitations on rewards earning and redemption. A survey by FinanceBuzz, a financial information website found the following: Continue reading

Last year, Credit Karma agreed to pay $3 million to settle charges that it deceived people by claiming – falsely – that they had been “pre-approved” or had “90% odds” of approval for credit cards or loans offered by banks and lenders that used Credit Karma to promote their financial products. Many people weren’t approved for credit. Continue reading

It’s a flurry of activity getting ready for the holidays. I’ve purchased my plane ticket to California, started my shopping, and am contemplating decorations. My daughters came for an early Christmas last year and the year before. I “decked the halls” with a living Christmas tree, got out the nice China and red table runner, and we cooked up a storm. Continue reading

Be sure to check out any DNA testing firms that you’re considering buying a test kit from. CRI Genetics made false claims on its websites and social media that its ancestry reports were more accurate and detailed than other DNA testing companies, such as Ancestry DNA and 23andMe, according to a joint lawsuit by two agencies. Continue reading

Google is going to begin deleting old Gmail and photos on Dec. 1. That’s tomorrow folks, so it’s time to take action. An inactive Google account is one hasn’t been used in two years. This policy applies to your personal Google account. This policy doesn’t apply to any Google account that was set up for you through your work, school, or other organization. Continue reading

Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Founded in 2012, it’s a global generosity movement that inspires people to give back. Every morning I get out of bed and check the news for the latest on what will help people in their financial and consumer lives. Since 2008, I’ve written more than 9,000 blog articles and offer a weekly newsletter, too. Continue reading

With an increase in the use of the internet for shopping, the lines between Black Friday and Cyber Monday are blurring. However, my biggest Black Friday shopping recommendation, compare prices, also applies to Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created. Continue reading

In recent years, Black Friday sales have changed. They’re starting earlier and many are now online. That means fewer people are crowding to the malls. However, some people still love the rush and the doorbusters. In my weekly newsletter, sign up here, https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork, I’ve been saying for weeks to compare prices. Continue reading

Best wishes on this national holiday for gratitude and giving thanks. I hope you’re able to join with family or friends to celebrate. Ninety-seven percent of Americans say they’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving, with 26 percent saying they’ll be hosting, according to WalletHub.com, a personal finance website. About 40 million Thanksgiving meals will include a turkey being served. Continue reading

As the holiday season approaches, Thanksgiving marks a day of giving thanks for American families. Despite recent inflation in the United States, the cost of Thanksgiving dinner is expected to be lower this year compared to 2022. The main reason is the falling of the average turkey prices in 2023 due to growth in production. Continue reading

It’s that time of year again already. Thanksgiving, the American day of giving thanks, is this week. Ninety-seven percent of Americans are planning to celebrate Thanksgiving. The average person’s spending over the five-day Thanksgiving period is estimated to be $325. The average cost of a 10-person Thanksgiving dinner will be about $64.05. Continue reading

Influencers are required to let consumers clearly know that they’re being paid for their content. After the WHO classified artificial sweeteners such as aspartame as a possible carcinogens, influencers – including some dietitians – began posting content criticizing action. Aspartame is used in products such as diet soda, yogurt, and chewing gum. Continue reading

World Against Toys Causing Harm announced its 51st annual nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” of the year. Although intended for fun and entertainment, many toys contain hidden hazards unnecessarily putting children at risk of harm. Making safe toys needs to be the top priority in the design, manufacture, and marketing of children’s playthings. Continue reading

It's amazing that as we’re all suffering from inflation so little is said about corporate price gouging and the role it’s playing in price increases. Fortunately, there’s a watchdog group that keeps researching inflation. Here’s the latest from Accountable.US: The increase in basic prices having risen at the smallest rate since September 2021. Continue reading

Junk fees – those hidden and bogus charges that have found their way into a wide variety of transactions – are on consumers’ minds. After receiving more than 12,000 comments about how these fees impact consumers and businesses, the FTC announced on Oct. 11, a proposed rule on deceptive fees. It's now looking for further feedback. Continue reading

It’s important to consumers to watch for announcements from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in addition to the agency’s recalls. The CPSC is warning consumers about the risk of fire from Toos Elite 60-volt electric scooters after two people died in a fire tied to the scooter’s lithium-ion battery. Continue reading

What are your plans for today? Visiting a national park? They’re free today. Attending a parade? Visiting a cemetery and putting flowers on the grave of a loved one? For Veterans Day, I’m remembering my family members who served in the military: Frank Gilliam, U.S. Army, World War II. He died in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. Continue reading

On Thursday, I wrote about recent tests by Consumer Reports on high levels of lead and cadmium found in some milk chocolate products. Earlier tests last year by the advocacy organization found that a number of Hershey’s dark chocolate bars had some of the highest levels of lead or cadmium of all brands it tested. Continue reading

Cocoa-containing foods – such as cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and milk chocolate bars – contain concerning levels of cadmium or lead in a third of the products tested, according to Consumer Reports. The organization is calling on the Hershey Co. to step up its efforts to reduce the levels of heavy metals from its chocolate products after its latest tests. Continue reading

In many states and cities, Tuesday, Nov. 7 is Election Day. The states with elections include Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota,... Continue reading

On Saturday, I wrote about One Health Day. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s a global campaign that recognizes the close connection between the health of people, animals, and the environment and the role this connection plays in the spread of diseases. Several times, I’ve written that people shouldn’t allow pets to sleep in bed with them. Continue reading

On Friday, I had a busy day and missed the announcement that it was One Health Day. It’s a global campaign that brings attention to the need for a coordinated approach to address shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. I’d never heard of One Health Day before, but it addresses health concerns I’ve written about over the years: Continue reading

Best Buy is recalling about 930,000 Insignia pressure cookers. Inaccurate volume markings inside the pot can cause overfilling, resulting in hot food and liquid erupting when the pressure cooker is opened, posing a burn risk to consumers. Best Buy has received 31 reports of the contents erupting, including 17 reports of burn injuries. Continue reading

Although Black Friday is a few weeks away, you can find lots of deals available so you can start comparing prices now. Like last year, the 2023 holiday sale season started early, with major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target offering big sitewide events in early October. A difference is this year prices will remain steady through Black Friday. Continue reading

Are you celebrating Halloween this year? More than 70 percent of Americans are going about it today and estimates are they’ll be spending an average of $108 per person. About a third will be hosting or attending a party, nearly half will carve a pumpkin, and more than half will be decorating their homes. Fifty percent plan to dress in costumes. Continue reading