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Survey shows 71% of families plan to drive to their destination

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nearly three in four American families plan to hit the road this holiday season instead of the skies.

• Cost, flexibility, and convenience are driving the trend toward car travel including a growing interest in hybrids and EVs.

• The least crowded travel days are Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 18 for Christmas, and Dec. 28 for New Years.

With airfare soaring and airport delays a likely hangover from the government shutdown, more Americans are opting for road trips over flights this holiday season.

A new survey by Extreme Terrain found that 71% of families plan to drive to their holiday destinations this year, revealing a major shift toward the open road as travelers seek flexibility and control over their schedules.

More than half of families (52%) will drive for Christmas, followed by 44% for Thanksgiving and 16% for New Years. For many, the appeal is simple: driving offers affordability, comfort, and fewer logistical headaches than flying. Families are looking to save money and skip the chaos, the study noted.

Minimizing stress

Holiday travel remains stressful no matter the mode nearly three in four Americans (72%) say traveling for the holidays causes them stress. New Years tops the list as the most stressful time to hit the road, followed closely by Thanksgiving (71%) and Christmas (69%).

To minimize headaches, the survey identified the least popular travel days when roads are likely to be quieter. The best days to start a trip are Saturday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving), Thursday, Dec. 18 (Christmas), and Sunday, Dec. 28 (New Years).

Many families plan to put in serious mileage. For Christmas, 28% expect to drive between two and four hours one way, while 15% will go more than eight hours. Similar patterns hold for Thanksgiving and New Years, showing Americans willingness to log long distances to celebrate with loved ones.

Theres also a growing green streak on the road. Over one in five families plan to drive a hybrid, while 6% plan to travel in an electric vehicle (EV). As EV infrastructure improves, experts expect this number to rise in the coming years.

Departures and destinations

Major metro areas are fueling the surge in car travel. Families will be leaving in large numbers from Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas, while the top destinations include Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

The data suggest regional travel patterns, with many drivers sticking to routes within a few states of home a trend that reduces both costs and carbon footprints.

Cost is the leading factor influencing family travel decisions (65%), followed by time off work (47%), family traditions (37%), and comfort or convenience (35%). Kids schedules, weather, and even pet accommodations (13%) also play roles in deciding how and when families travel.

For many, the car represents freedom the ability to stop when needed, avoid long security lines, and travel on their own terms. And as the survey shows, more Americans are ready to make the road trip itself part of the holiday experience.

With more than 130 billion coins in circulation, there shouldnt be a shortage right away

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. Mint has officially ceased production of the one-cent coin, ending more than 160 years of penny manufacturing.

• Rising costs and declining consumer use drove the historic decision, marking the most significant change to U.S. coinage in decades.

• Americans are now encouraged to redeem, donate, or recycle their pennies, as the coins will remain legal tender indefinitely.

The last penny, bearing the profile of the 16th U.S. president, was struck this week at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. No more pennies will be produced, posing a quandary for both consumers and businesses.

Earlier this year, President Trump ordered an end to penny production, noting that it cost more than a penny to produce one. Thats been the case for several years.

With each coin costing more than two cents to mint and distribute, lawmakers and Treasury analysts argued that the copper-plated coin no longer made economic sense.

Meanwhile, digital payments, tap-to-pay systems, and point-of-sale rounding practices in other countries demonstrated that daily commerce could function smoothly without the smallest denomination coin. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand eliminated their own pennies long ago with minimal friction, examples cited heavily in recent congressional hearings.

The U.S. Mint will continue to distribute existing penny inventory until supplies naturally diminish, but no new coins will enter circulation.

Will prices go up?

Economists say consumers shouldnt expect noticeable price increases. Retailers may choose to:

• Adopt cash roundingrounding totals to the nearest nickel when paying with cash only

• Keep exact prices for electronic payments, which already allow precise transactions.

Studies from other nations show that rounding has little to no inflationary effect.

Different businesses may have different policies. McDonalds told CBS News that in some locations where pennies are unavailable, when a customer pays cash, the total will be rounded up or down to the nearest nickel.

For example, if the total comes to $10.22, the customer will be charged $10.20. However, if the total is $10.23, the customer will be charged $10.25.

So, what do you do with the pennies in a jar on a shelf in the closet? Its estimated that there are more than 130 billion pennies currently in circulation. If some of them are yours, here are some options:

1. Spend them

Pennies will remain legal for all purchases. While some businesses may choose not to accept large quantities, most will still honor them.

2. Redeem them at banks

Banks will continue to accept rolled pennies indefinitely. Many financial institutions already allow customers to deposit unrolled coins through lobby coin machines.

3. Donate pennies to charity

Nonprofits often welcome coin donations, and some have already launched Last Penny campaigns to capitalize on the moment. Schools and youth groups may do the same.

4. Trade them in at coin kiosks

Coin-sorting machines in supermarkets typically accept pennies, though a small processing fee may apply unless you redeem for store credit.

5. Keep a few

While modern pennies wont yield retirement money, early copper issues or uncirculated rolls could see increased collector attention over time.

A symbolic farewell

The end of penny production is both economic and emotional. For generations, the small coin has carried sentimental value, from childhood piggy banks to the tradition of pennies for luck.

But as the countrys payment habits evolve, the beloved one-cent coin is moving closer to history

Consumers now have ample time to clear out their change jars, support charities, and perhaps preserve a penny or two as a keepsake of an era thats finally come to a close.

Survey shows 71% of families plan to drive to their destination

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nearly three in four American families plan to hit the road this holiday season instead of the skies.

• Cost, flexibility, and convenience are driving the trend toward car travel including a growing interest in hybrids and EVs.

• The least crowded travel days are Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 18 for Christmas, and Dec. 28 for New Years.

With airfare soaring and airport delays a likely hangover from the government shutdown, more Americans are opting for road trips over flights this holiday season.

A new survey by Extreme Terrain found that 71% of families plan to drive to their holiday destinations this year, revealing a major shift toward the open road as travelers seek flexibility and control over their schedules.

More than half of families (52%) will drive for Christmas, followed by 44% for Thanksgiving and 16% for New Years. For many, the appeal is simple: driving offers affordability, comfort, and fewer logistical headaches than flying. Families are looking to save money and skip the chaos, the study noted.

Minimizing stress

Holiday travel remains stressful no matter the mode nearly three in four Americans (72%) say traveling for the holidays causes them stress. New Years tops the list as the most stressful time to hit the road, followed closely by Thanksgiving (71%) and Christmas (69%).

To minimize headaches, the survey identified the least popular travel days when roads are likely to be quieter. The best days to start a trip are Saturday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving), Thursday, Dec. 18 (Christmas), and Sunday, Dec. 28 (New Years).

Many families plan to put in serious mileage. For Christmas, 28% expect to drive between two and four hours one way, while 15% will go more than eight hours. Similar patterns hold for Thanksgiving and New Years, showing Americans willingness to log long distances to celebrate with loved ones.

Theres also a growing green streak on the road. Over one in five families plan to drive a hybrid, while 6% plan to travel in an electric vehicle (EV). As EV infrastructure improves, experts expect this number to rise in the coming years.

Departures and destinations

Major metro areas are fueling the surge in car travel. Families will be leaving in large numbers from Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas, while the top destinations include Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

The data suggest regional travel patterns, with many drivers sticking to routes within a few states of home a trend that reduces both costs and carbon footprints.

Cost is the leading factor influencing family travel decisions (65%), followed by time off work (47%), family traditions (37%), and comfort or convenience (35%). Kids schedules, weather, and even pet accommodations (13%) also play roles in deciding how and when families travel.

For many, the car represents freedom the ability to stop when needed, avoid long security lines, and travel on their own terms. And as the survey shows, more Americans are ready to make the road trip itself part of the holiday experience.

Delays and cancellations could continue for one to two weeks

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The government shutdown is over but it will take time for air travel to recover.

• Industry leaders say operational stability will require better crew availability, modernized technology, and clearer communication with travelers.

• Experts caution that even with improvements, aviation recovery will remain vulnerable to sudden weather events and peak-season demand.

President Trump has signed legislation reopening the federal government after the longest shutdown in history. Federal employees are returning to work, including air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since Oct. 1.

But a note of caution to travelers: After weeks of heavy delays and scattered cancellations due to staffing shortages, airlines across the U.S. are still working to restore smooth operations.

Whats already improving

Once agencies are funded, frontline aviation personnel like air-traffic controllers and checkpoint staff can resume full schedules, jump-start training, and restore staffing levels. Some major airlines and regulators are already seeing signs of lower absenteeism among controllers and fewer cancellations tied to staffing stress.

Because flights were still operating though at reduced efficiency during the shutdown, there isnt a complete system collapse to rebuild just a recovery of capacity and smoothing of the backlog.

What still needs to happen, and why it takes time

Even once pay and staffing are restored, airlines must re-table their schedules, reposition crews and aircraft, and manage backlog connections. Analysts estimate seven to14 days or morefor schedules to largely normalize.

The system already had underlying staffing and capacity constraints (especially in air-traffic control) that pre-dated this shutdown; those dont vanish with a funding bill.

The holiday travel surge at Thanksgiving and weather factors will test the systems resilience as it recovers, meaning disruptions may linger longer than in simpler scenarios.

Pre-existing issues

Even before the shutdown, airlines faced mounting challenges. While the causes vary by region and carrier, a familiar combination of weather challenges, staffing limitations, and aircraft bottlenecks has placed sustained pressure on the system.

Passengers have felt the effects at major hubs, where rolling delays have become a near-daily reality during peak travel periods. Aviation analysts say the issue is not one single breakdown but a series of interconnected vulnerabilities that leave airlines with little margin for error.

The shoppers who win Black Friday start here, not at midnight

• Expect familiar deals but tighter inventory; buy at 2530% off and use price adjustments; verify model numbers to avoid stripped-down doorbusters

• Prep now: make a gift list with budgets, track prices (CamelCamelCamel/Honey), set Karma alerts, and start early to spread costs and beat sellouts

• Stack savings: join store loyalty + PayPal cashback; use Fetch/Fetch Amex to turn receipts into gift cards; buy now (tech/small appliances) vs. wait (toys/apparel/decor; bedding in January; TVs late January)

Black Friday 2025 wont be a total curveball, but the smartest shoppers will definitely prep early. To that end, I had the chance to interview smart shopping expert, Andrea Woroch, about ways to prep now so you maximize your savings come Black Friday weekend. Heres your game plan to shop like a pro, before the doorbusters even drop.

Will Black Friday 2025 be different than years past?

Woroch explained that Black Friday should look pretty similar to what we have seen in recent years in terms of savings on popular small kitchen gadgets, big screen TVs, video gaming consoles and personal tech, including headphones, tablets and smart home devices.

She also told me that retailers secured much of their holiday inventory before tariffs kicked in, which will help hold prices down. The trade-off? Fewer units of the best stuff, so selection may feel tighter. Translation: plan ahead, track prices now, and be ready to buy when your target number hits.

With the help of Woroch, below is your full game plan for Black Friday 2025.

Start with a tight list (and a ceiling price for each item)

A written list is the fastest way to avoid overspending. Woroch recommends a dedicated gift-list app like Santas Bag so you can set a budget per person, jot gift ideas, and log what you actually paid.

This prevents duplicate gifts when you start shopping early, and it keeps you from turning just browsing into clear overspending.

Pro tip: Add a target price beside each item. Worochs rule of thumb is if you see a must-have item at 25%30% off or better, buy it. Youre unlikely to do much better, and price adjustments can cover you if it drops later. Check the retailers policy so you can request an adjustment without returning.

Do some price recon NOW before the ads hit

Start researching prices so you know what gifts cost now before sales drop, Woroch says. This will help you determine when a deal is worthwhile rather than wondering if you're getting a good price.

She recommends these tools that surface real price history, not just was/now marketing:

• CamelCamelCamel (or the Camelizer browser add-on) for Amazon price history.
• Honey browser extension for price history and coupon tests.
• Karma to set price drop alerts and get notified when a price drops.

If the price isnt at or near your target, set the alert and walk away. Let the tools do the work, and youll get a ping when its time to buy.

Shop earlier than you think

Black Friday now comes at you in waves, and smart shoppers start well before Thanksgiving. We are already seeing daily price drops, early holiday sales, and limited-time promos. Its time to start paying attention to these early deals if youre not already.

Woroch highly recommends starting your shopping early as it allows you to manage your cash flow as you can spread out purchases over a few paychecks over several weeks rather than trying to buy everything at once.

Why this matters in 2025: Even if prices are solid, selection could be thinner on high-demand items like popular toys, specific TV models, and hot headphones. Early birds will have way more options this year.

Stack rewards and cashback that you can spend in December

Rack up rewards for your holiday purchases, says Woroch, as they can easily fund your last-minute holiday purchases.

To that end, she recommends checking out the cash-back perks via the PayPal app. They offer a bunch of rotating retail cashback offers most shoppers miss.

Then join the loyalty programs for the stores you know youll shop at and score some cool perks. Perks include early access to deals, first-purchase coupons up to 25% off, along with the occasional free shipping/free returns perk.

Woroch summed it perfectly, All the cash back you earn can then go towards picking up a few last minute gifts on your list for less (or maybe even for free!).

Turn everyday spending into gift cardsnow

Woroch also emphasized that a lot smart shoppers have figured out how to turn daily purchases like groceries and gas into free rewards to boost your Black Friday budget.

She called out two smart ways to make it happen:

• Fetch app: Earn points bysnappingpictures of receiptsfrom any store. Turn those points into free gift cards forAmazon Target, Walmart and dozens more.
• Consider the Fetch American Express card to accelerate points (10 points for every $1 spent on groceries and $5 elsewhere else).

Woroch emphasized that you can easily end up with plenty of points towards free gift cards to supplement your holiday shopping.

Your buy-now vs. wait-later playbook

Heres Worochs quick guide on what to buy and what to skip this Black Friday.

Buy on/around Black Friday:

• Small kitchen appliances, personal tech, smart-home devices.
• Gaming consoles and bundles (but only if you need all items in the bundle).
• Select toys, beauty, and fashion (watch for retailer-wide events, even at brands that rarely discountIf a site-wide drops at Lululemon appears, thats notable, says Woroch).

The stuff thats often a better deal later:

• Toys, winter apparel, holiday decor: markdowns deepen closer to Christmas.
• Holiday decor, coats, boots: best to buy during post-Christmas clearance sales.
• Bedding & linens: shop January white sales instead.
• Big-screen TVs: late January (Super Bowl run-up) can rival or beat November, if you can wait and your model isnt time-sensitive.

Pro tip: Some doorbuster models are built specifically for the event and may skip features to hit a low price, Woroch warns. She recommends making sure you match model numbers, read specs and reviews, and never assume its the same unit thats sold year-round.

Add non-gift deals to your radar

Black Friday isnt just about cheap TVs and coffee makers. Woroch gave the great tip of also looking for savings from local businesses and service providers.

In particular, she said to look for Black Friday deals on things like fitness class packs, dental services, spa services and more.

She even scored a Hulu subscription for $1 per month on Black Friday. Its time to think outside the box and save this year.