Money
Credit-card debt hits $1.25 trillion as families slip into ‘survival debt’
Brands shrinking sizes, expanding value packs to hang onto customers
James R. Hood
James R. Hood, an editor and consumer-affairs journalist with more than five decades of experience, has held senior editorial leadership roles at The Associated Press, United Press International, Zapnews and ConsumerAffairs.
Money
Foreclosures at highest level in six years, mortgage rates stuck at 6.53%, Realtors bailing out
Metros in Florida and Texas saw the largest increases in foreclosure rates
Travel
Scammers hijack real hotel bookings in global travel fraud scheme, researchers warn
Cybercriminals are using stolen hotel reservation details to send highly convincing phishing messages that appear to come from real hotels and booking sites
Health
Vermont becomes first state to ban paraquat weedkiller tied to Parkinson’s disease
The chemical remains legal nationwide despite being banned in more than 70 countries
AI/Privacy
Erin Brockovich launches nationwide AI data center map, asks residents to report local impacts
The project highlights concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, noise, e-waste and rising utility costs
Consumer Protection
The Trump Era has successfully protected consumers from consumer protectors
The CFPB and other pro-consumer agencies have been defanged and it's open season on the rest of us
Cars
Used-car prices dip as gas costs surge, signaling strain on household budgets
Analysts say consumers are delaying vehicle purchases, trading down to cheaper models, or shifting toward used EVs to offset fuel costs
Strait jitters return as new U.S.-Iran strikes collide with inflation report, Salesforce stumble, Costco verdict and a softening used-car market
By Perplexity American consumers woke up Thursday to a fresh round of headlines that promise to keep wallets pinched and policymakers on edge. Overnight, the United States carried out a second limited strike in southern Iran while Tehran claimed it had hit a U.S. air base near the Strait
Cars
U.S. consumers showing signs of SUV fatigue, as life begins to stir in long-neglected sedans
Price, fuel costs, and generational tastes are all playing a role
Cars
What's a safe car for teen drivers? Here's an authoritative, no-hype, no-ads list
Consumer Reports and insurers have 45 suggestions for used and new cars that offer good crash protection and are suitable for teen drivers.
Money
Robinhood lets AI agents trade stocks and make purchases for consumers
Consumer advocates warn the technology could create new fraud, error and overspending risks
Money
Big-box retailers chase the tariff refund pot
Spring housing market anemic, gas prices could hit $5 nationwide