Consumers are advised to dispose of them immediately

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Recall Notice: Costco recalled Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene due to a risk of unopened bottles shattering, even when not in use.

• Consumer Guidance: Customers are told not to return bottles but to safely dispose of them by wrapping in paper towels, sealing in a plastic bag, and placing in the trash.

• Refund and Support: Affected buyers can get a full refund by showing Costcos recall letter in-store, and questions can be directed to importer Ethica Wines at (786) 810-7132.

Costco has issued a recall for one of its products that it says is so dangerous it should not be returned to the store. Instead, it should be disposed of immediately.

Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene, an in-house private label wine is very popular with Costco members for its quality and price. But the company has notified Costco members that there is a serious problem.

There is a risk of unopened bottles shattering, even when not in use, the company said.

The bottles were sold between April 25 and August 26 this year in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

If you have an unopened bottle, do not open it, the company advised. Dispose of the bottle immediately do not return it by wrapping the unopened bottle in paper towels and placing it in a plastic bag before placing it in the garbage to avoid risk from shattering glass.

Customers who received the letter from Costco are entitled to a full refund by showing the letter at a Costco store.

Costco said consumers who have questions may contract Ethica Wines, an importer Costco works with to make Kirkland brand wine, at (786) 810-7132 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm EDT.

If the Fed announces a cut on Wednesday, some borrowing costs would fall

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A Federal Reserve rate cut lowers borrowing costs across the economy, influencing credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans.
  

• The Fed decides whether to cut rates based on inflation, employment trends, and overall economic stability.
  

• Consumers may not see immediate relief, but over time lower rates ripple through to household budgets and business investment.
  

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee began a two-day meeting in Washington on Tuesday, where it is widely expected to announce the first cut in 2025 of the federal funds interest rate.

President Trump has pushed for a big cut, but policymakers have not tipped their hand. No matter what the committee decides, it will have an effect on consumers.

When the Fed cuts the federal funds interest rate, the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans, it sets off a chain reaction across the U.S. financial system. While consumers dont borrow at this specific rate, the decision influences nearly every type of borrowing cost, from mortgages and auto loans to credit cards and student loans.

Credit card rates, which are tied closely to banks prime lending rates, often fall soon after a Fed rate cut. This can provide modest relief for households carrying balances.

Mortgage rates, especially those for adjustable-rate loans, tend to follow suit, though fixed-rate mortgages are influenced by broader bond market trends as well.

Auto loans, personal loans, and home equity lines of credit also generally become cheaper when the Fed eases borrowing costs, potentially making large purchases or refinancing more attractive.

Savers could earn less

Savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs), however, move in the opposite direction. Consumers who rely on interest income may see their returns shrink as banks lower deposit rates to reflect cheaper borrowing conditions.

The Fed does not take rate cuts lightly. The central banks dual mandate is to promote maximum employment and stable prices. When inflation runs above its 2% target, policymakers are reluctant to cut rates because easier borrowing could fuel further price pressures.

Conversely, when unemployment rises, economic growth slows, or financial markets show signs of strain, the Fed may reduce rates to stimulate borrowing, investment, and consumer spending.

Other factors include global economic conditions, geopolitical risks, and credit market stability. For instance, if international tensions or financial shocks threaten U.S. growth, the Fed may cut rates as a precaution to keep money flowing through the economy.

Timing and consumer expectations

Rate cuts dont translate instantly into lower monthly bills. Credit card APRs may fall within a billing cycle or two, while mortgage and auto loan impacts can take weeks to filter through.

Still, the broader signal that borrowing is becoming cheaper encourages both consumers and businesses to spend and invest, which is exactly what the Fed aims to achieve during periods of slowing growth.

While consumers wont feel the effects overnight, a Fed rate cut gradually reduces the cost of borrowing across the economy, offering relief to indebted households and support for continued economic expansion.

It's the highest average increase in more than a decade

• J.D. Power study finds 47% of homeowners saw premium increases in past year, highest in over a decade

• High-value customers most likely to leave insurers after repeated price hikes

• Clear communication and options can ease dissatisfaction, study shows

Premium hikes drive customer defection

Almost half of U.S. homeowners insurance customers (47%) experienced a premium increase in the past year, the highest rate of insurer-initiated hikes in more than 10 years, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study released Wednesday.

The trend is hitting the most profitable segment of the market especially hard. Among high-value customersthose with multiple policies and higher premiums49% reported a rate increase. These customers are significantly more likely to switch insurers after repeated hikes, threatening long-term revenue streams for carriers.

In a year marked by inflation, severe weather and tightening reinsurance markets, home insurance premiums have risen sharply in many parts of the country, said Craig Martin, executive director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. While these increases often reflect real cost pressures, theyre also eroding trust and driving customers to shop for alternatives.

Trust and loyalty eroding

The study found that 43% of customers who had a rate increase and do not plan to renew cited the price hike as their reason for switching. Trust levels also decline among those facing insurer-initiated increases, with customers reporting that carriers become harder to work with.

For high-value customers unlikely to renew, 45% cited repeated rate increases as the main driver of defection. Among low-value customers, the figure was just 30%.

Communication makes a difference

Insurers can mitigate the negative effects of premium hikes by proactively explaining the reasons behind increases and offering options to reduce costs, the study found. When customers fully understood the rationale and had choices, overall satisfaction averaged 721 out of 1,000higher than customers who had no increase at all.

Amica ranked highest in the homeowners insurance segment with a score of 705, followed by Chubb (677) and Erie Insurance (676). In the renters insurance category, Amica also ranked first (711), ahead of Erie Insurance (705) and CSAA Insurance Group (689).

The 2025 study was based on responses from 14,511 homeowners and renters gathered between July 2024 and May 2025.

The decision could be overturned by the full court which can review a three-judge panel's ruling

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

A federal appeals court hasvacateda U.S. District Court decision that halted mass firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In a 2-1decision, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit remanded the case for further proceedings. The panel stayed its decision to allow for a petition for re-hearing by the full court, holding that the firings cannot proceed until one week after the results of the petition, which could result in further delay and potentially reverse the decision.

Todays decision is a deeply disturbing development in the ongoing campaign to shutter the CFPB, which has defended people from unscrupulous practices by credit reporting companies, Wall Street banks, and big corporations, saidLauren Saunders, director of federal advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center.

The CFPB was created after millions of people lost their jobs and homes in the Great Recession and has helped return $21 billion to 200 million consumers harmed by companies that violated the law, saidSaunders.People need the CFPB to prevent financial companies from running roughshod over families, Veterans, and older adults.

In her dissent, Judge Pillard wrote: Congress created the CFPB, assigned it important missions and powers, and subjected its decisions to the strong presumption of judicial review that applies as a matter of course to the final actions of federal agencies. It is untenable to hold that same Congress meant the agencys continued existence to be a matter of unilateral and unexplained presidential edict.

The courts decision is the latest development in alawsuit filed in Januaryby the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), NCLC, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Virginia Poverty Law Center, CFPB Employee Association, and Pastor Eva Steege, against the CFPB and CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought, to challenge the unlawful dismantling of the CFPB. (Ms. Steege, 83, had reached out to the CFPB to help her receive loan forgiveness to pay down her student loan debt. She passed away in April, and her husband, Ted Steege, replaced her as plaintiff in the case.)

The retailer is also preparing consumers for holiday shopping with gifts starting at $5

• Target is rolling out 20,000 new holiday items this season thats roughly double last years number.

• Thousands of gifts starting at just $5, with many items under $20.

• The big sale kicks off October 511, 2025, featuring deals on gifts, fall styles, and essentials. VIP access starts Oct. 4 for Target Circle 360 members.

Targets upping its holiday game in 2025 with a massive new assortment.

There are 20,000 new items many of them exclusive to Target spanning holiday dcor, fashion, toys, beauty, and more.

On top of that, prices are designed to hit a sweet spot for gift-givers on a budget: thousands of items begin at just $5 and most stay under $20. Even beauty products will have some deals starting as low as $3.

Theyre also expanding faster delivery, to make it easier to get purchases when you need them.

"With our unmatched combination of great products and great prices, Target is making it possible for everyone to celebrate the holidays on a budget," Rick Gomez, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Target, said in a news release.

Target Circle Week: Your key savings window

Circle Week is Targets weeklong shopping event thats timed like an early holiday kickoff. Heres what to mark on your calendar and how to make the most of it:

During Circle Week, expect big markdowns on fall staples, holiday gifts, and everyday essentials youll use anyhow. As always with Target, many of the deals are exclusive or early-bird.

Big holiday deals youll want to snag

Here are some of the most exciting items and categories shoppers should keep an eye on many with exclusive drops and great price points:

• Pop Culture & Exclusive Collections. Target is partnering again with hit franchises like Stranger Things and Wicked: For Good. Expect exclusive items across many categories: apparel, home dcor, toys, collectibles, drinkware, themed fashion.

• Beauty Gifts Starting Very Low. Around 60% of Targets beauty gifting assortment will be exclusive to Target, and some beauty items will start as low as $3. Think lip charms, fragrance sets, grooming kits small gift items with high style value.

• Home & Decor Under Budget. From faux-fur blankets and cozy, cashmere-like sweaters to seasonal ornaments, pillows, festive tableware, etc. Many dcor items will follow that same trend: exclusive designs, holiday-themed pieces, and price tags that stay comfortably under $20.

• Toys & Tech for Less. Expect lots of holiday toy drops, including both classics (LEGO, Barbie, Paw Patrol) and trendier items. Tech and wellness gifts (think small gadgets, personal care) will be more affordable and accessible.

• Food & Gifting Extras. Target is offering expanded assortments of treats festive foods, ready-to-bake items, snacks, and sweet gifts for hosting. These are great add-ons or smaller gifts, especially for neighbors, co-workers, etc.

• Deal of the Day & Weekly Deals After Nov. 1. If you miss something during Circle Week, dont worry starting November 1, Target is planning hundreds of weekly deals, including its Deal of the Day feature that includes savings up to 50% off on select items.