Consumer News: The threat of a port strike looms for Jan. 15

Free meals, fee waivers, and food-bank boosts from DoorDash during the SNAP funding cliff

• DoorDash is delivering one million free meals nationwide through its food-bank network.

• The company is waiving delivery and service fees on grocery orders for eligible SNAP (EBT) recipients at partner stores.

• Additional aid: DoorDash is also donating fresh and shelf-stable food and essentials from its DashMart locations to food banks.

With the looming threat of a funding interruption for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) potentially affecting more than 40 million Americans DoorDash is mobilizing an emergency response to address the immediate hunger risks.

Families, working households, seniors, and children could all face increased food insecurity if the programs benefits pause. Recognizing that gap, DoorDash has stepped up with a suite of consumer-facing and food-bank-facing actions aimed at helping people stretch their resources until the federal program is restored.

No one should go hungry in America period, Max Rettig, Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy at DoorDash, said in a news release.

Millions of families are worried right now about how theyll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and were stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap. We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing simply isnt an option.

The specifics of the effort

Heres a breakdown of what DoorDash is doing:

• One million free meals via food-bank partners. Through its initiative called Project DASH, DoorDash is supporting over 300 food-bank and pantry partners across the country by waiving merchant/delivery fees and enabling distributions. This effort is estimated to equal about one million meals in November.

• Fee-free grocery orders for SNAP recipients. If you use your SNAP/EBT card and have it linked in your DoorDash account, then at participating grocery stores (including names like Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Ahold Delhaize brands, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans) youll get your delivery fee and service fee waived on one eligible order between November 1 and November 30.

• Food and essentials donations from DashMart. DoorDash will also donate fresh produce, shelf-stable items and household essentials from its DashMart fulfillment locations to food banks in communities that are likely to be impacted by any shortfall of SNAP benefits.

For consumers, this means if you receive SNAP benefits and shop through DoorDash at one of the designated grocery partners, you can take advantage of waived fees this coming November.

How to claim the deal

1. Make sure your DoorDash account is set up and your eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/EBT card is added under Account Payment Program Cards.

2. Between November 130, shop at one of the participating grocery partners (look for names like Sprouts, Dollar General, Hy-Vee, Wegmans, Giant Eagle, etc.) and place a grocery order through DoorDash.

3. At checkout, select your SNAP/EBT card for the grocery portion. Because of the special deal, the delivery fee and service fees on that eligible order will be waived. (If your cart includes items that are not SNAP-eligible, youll need a backup payment method for those & any tip.)

4. Tip: Make sure your order meets any minimum subtotal required by the grocery partner to qualify for the fee waiver. Double-check the Offers or Promotions tab in the app for any additional details.

The breakthrough approval is set to be available in November

• A brand-new drug has been approved that tackles moderate to severe hot flashes without using hormones.

• Called elinzanetant (brand name Lynkuet), it works by targeting neurokinin 1 and neurokinin 3 receptors in the brain.

• The approval is backed by robust clinical trial data and gives women a fresh treatment alternative for menopause-related vasomotor symptoms.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lynkuet (elinzanetant), manufactured by Bayer, for women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) due to menopause.

This news is important because for many women, hormone therapy either isnt an option or isnt the ideal choice. With this new approval, theres a scientifically-backed, non-hormonal option stepping into the spotlight.

For more than a century, Bayer has been dedicated to pioneering advances in womens health, and this FDA approval represents a bold step forward our first hormone-free treatment for alleviating vasomotor symptoms of menopause, Christine Roth, Executive Vice President, Global Product Strategy and Commercialization said in a news release.

There is a need for more individualized approaches to menopause care, and Lynkuet addresses a significant gap in treatment options. The approval in the U.S. reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering science-driven solutions that meet womens evolving health care needs and empower them to take charge of their health at every stage of life.

What you need to know about Lynkuet

Lynkuet works differently from older hormone-based treatments.

Instead of supplementing estrogen or progestin, elinzanetant blocks two receptors in the brain neurokinin 1 (NK1) and neurokinin 3 (NK3). These receptors are part of the system that regulates body temperature, and when menopause disrupts that system, it can lead to those infamous hot flashes.

Grounded in science

The approval is grounded in three Phase III clinical trials (OASIS 1, OASIS 2, and OASIS 3) that together enrolled over 1,400 women. In the first two studies, women who took elinzanetant saw meaningful reductions in both the frequency and severity of hot flashes both during the day and at night. Study 3 extended the data up to 52 weeks to assess longer-term safety.

These three studies investigated the safety and efficacy of elinzanetant for the treatment of moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause, JoAnn Pinkerton, M.D., Professor and Director of Midlife Health at UVA Health and Lead Investigator on the OASIS 2 trial said in the news release.

Hot flashes, particularly when severe, can have an impact on womens daily lives and this approval provides health care providers with a new treatment option that can be used first-line for moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause.

What this means for you

Starting in November 2025, Lynkuet is expected to become available in the U.S.

If youve been holding off hormone therapy or finding your current options lacking, this could offer a fresh route to get your sleep back, reduce those disruptive night sweats, and reclaim more comfortable days and nights.

Of course as with any treatment its important to talk with your health care provider to see whether this new medication is a good fit for you, especially since individual health situations vary. But the bottom line: menopause relief just got a little more flexible and for many women, that flexibility may make all the difference.

Its important that women know they have choices for treating moderate to severe hot flashes due to menopause, and todays approval further expands a womans options for treating these symptoms, Claire Gill, President and Founder of the National Menopause Foundation, said in the news release.

Simple moves to stretch every gift card dollar

• Know the rules, then use them fast: Balances last 5 years; inactivity fees after 12 months; some states cash out small leftovers (e.g., CA
• Buy low, sell smart: Warehouse clubs = easy 20% off; sell via eBay for max value or Raise/CardCash for quick cash
• Add cards to your phone, photo front/back + receipt, set 30/60-day reminders, spend risky retailers quickly, and zero outprepaid balances by buying an Amazon e-gift for the exact amount

Americans buy billions of dollars worth of gift cards every year and then a shocking amount sits unused in walletsand junk drawers. A whopping $244 per person on average according to a Bankrate survey.

It's time tofix that. Heres a no-nonsense gift card playbook including tips to make them easier to use, howto buy cards at a discount, where to sell the duds, and how to keep from losing them.

First, the gift card rules worth knowing

Expiration:By federal law, the money on most gift cards cant expire for at least five years. If there's a date on the card and it expires, youre entitled to a free replacement from the store or brand with your remaining balance.

Fees: Dormancy/inactivity fees generally cant hit until 12 months of no use and even then, only once per month and only if they've warned you about this ahead of time.

Small leftover balances: Some states let you cash out smallerbalances. For example, California requires cash back on most store cards under $10. Ask at the customer service desk if this is an option in your state.

What this means for you:My general rule of thumb is to use cards sooner rather than later and thereby avoid store closures, policy changes, and plain old forgetfulness.

The best places to buy gift cards below face value

• Warehouse clubs: Costco, Sams Club, and BJs regularly sell popular restaurant and entertainment cards at 5%25% off. I often buy gift cards at Costco as you can buy a 4-pack of $25 gift cards for only $79.99, an easy 20% savings. Its nice to get the savings up front. If you already have a membership, this is the easiest win.

Reputable online marketplaces:

• Raise - The savings is not as good as a warehouse club, typically in the 3% -15% range. They offer a 90-day money back buyer guarantee which covers you if you buy an inactive card, get an inaccurate balance, or if the wrong card gets mailed to you.
• CardCash - They are similar to Raise, but they only offer a 45-day guarantee on their gift cards. But unlike Raise, they offer they ability to trade an unwanted card for other brands, sometimes giving you a better return than cashing out.

Pro tip: If you dont like fine print, stick to the warehouse clubs when buying gift cards. If youre comfortable following a couple of steps, marketplaces have the potential to save you more, just be sure to spend the balance right away.

The best places to sell unwanted gift cards

Have a card you wont use? Cashing out is better than letting it gather dust.

These fouroptions are worth a strong look:

• eBay Selling gift cards on eBay has the highest upside if the store or brand is hot and you run an auction or "Buy It Now" at market price. But keep in mind that category restrictions and selling fees do apply.
• GiftCash.com A very straightforward option: you enter the brand and balance and get back an instant cash offer. If you accept the offer, they'll pay you via ACH or PayPalafter verifying the card.
• Raise - You can list and set your price (youll pay a fee when it sells). Good for popular brands than move quickly.
• CardCash Theyll give you a quick quote for cash or trade which is handy. Expect less than face value, but its simple process and fast.

Reality check: You wont get dollar-for-dollar cash back when selling at the above spots. Popular stores fetch more and niche brands fetch less. Still, 7590% is common enough that it beats losing the whole thing.

Dont lose them: 5 tips that actually work

1. Add it to your phone right away.Many store and Apple Account cards can be redeemed/managed right in Wallet; follow the on-screen Redeem steps and itll live on your phone until you need it.

2. Photograph everything. Front, back, and the receipt. If a balance ever goes missing, you'll be able to use those photos asevidence with the issuer or marketplace.

3.Set a use-it reminder. Tell your phone to remind you in 30 days and again in 60 days. If you havent used the gift cardby then, plan a shopping trip or sell it.

4. Register the card if the brand allows it. Registration can help if the card is lost or if theres suspicious activity. (Not every brand offers this, but check.)

5. Spend store-specific cards quickly if you see bad news. If a retailer is rumored to be closing or restructuring, dont wait, use it SAP. Whether gift cards get honored can depend on a courts decision so spend it quickly.

Use-it-soon strategies (so the value doesnt vanish)

Attach the card to a real errand. For example, if you have a restaurant card in your wallet, put a lunch on the calendar this week. Have a Home Depot or Lowes gift card? Buy the air filters and light bulbs youre going to need anyway.

Keep track of your balance and split it smartly. For example, tell the cashier, Please put $X on this gift card and the rest on my credit card. That zeros out the card so youre not stuck with $2.17 forever.

Know your states cash-out rule. In some places you can ask for cash back on small leftovers (e.g., under $10 in California, under $5 in Oregon and Washington). Its worth a quick ask at customer service.

Smart way to use a remaining balance on a prepaid card

Chances are theres a mostly-spent prepaid Visa/Mastercard cash card in your wallet and youre not sure what to do with the leftovers.

Turn it into cash to spend on Amazon, right down to the last cent.

Heres what you do, find the exact remaining balance, then buy an Amazon gift card for that amount and add it to your account. Then you can toss the prepaid card knowing youve accounted for every cent.

Here are the exact steps:

1. On Amazon, buy an e-gift card for yourself - Go to Gift Cards eGift Card (or Reload your balance), choose Custom amount, and enter the exact card balance. Set delivery to your own email.
2. Register a billing ZIP (important) - On the cards website, add your name, address, and ZIP. Amazon runs an address match and unregistered cards often decline.
3. Buy the gift card with the prepaid card only - At checkout, add the prepaid card (as a new credit card) and make sure no other card is selected when paying.
4. Redeem instantly - Open the email youll get from Amazon, click Apply to your balance, and youve consolidated that odd leftover into your Amazon Gift Card balance.

Pro tip: Avoid trying to split an Amazon order across multiple credit cards. Amazon doesnt support split tender (gift card + credit card).

How to give a gift card the right way

I have two simple rules when it comes to gifting a gift card along with a couple of niceties:

1. Give a brand they already use. Grocery, gas, pharmacy, Target, Amazoncards that disappear into everyday spending get used fastest (and are less likely to be lost).
2. Avoid activation-fee traps when possible. Those general-purpose Visa/Mastercard gift cards sometimes charge purchase fees. If you want flexibility, consider a major merchant instead.

What if something goes wrong?

Did your balance disappear on a secondhand card? File a claim with the store or brand and include any evidence you might have like screenshots or receipts showing your previous balance.

Did the retailer suddenly stop accepting cards? If you just bought the gift card on a credit card and the retailer stopped honoring cards (e.g., due to a closure or bankruptcy), ask your card issuer for a chargeback for goods/services not provided.

Deals start Oct. 31 with a big push in electronics, kitchen electrics, home security

• Deals start Oct 31 with multiple windows (includingonline-only Thanksgiving & Cyber Monday), so plan and set alerts instead of chasing one-day doorbusters
• Membership hack: Groupon promo = $40 shop card with Gold Star or $60 with Executive (new or 18+ months lapsed). Execs 2% pays off around $3,250/yr spend
• Big pushes in TVs, audio/headphones, gaming, kitchen electrics (blenders, coffee, mixers), and smart-home/security. Expect rivals to price-matchcompare specs/bundles across retailers

Costco released its 2025 Black Friday ad days ahead of rivals with deals starting October 31st. Expect big pushes on TVs, small appliances, headphones, and a handful of marquee brands.

Also, if youre on the fence about joining Costco, I found a Groupon deal that effectively knocks $40 off a Gold Star membership or $60 off an Executive membership. More on that below.

What changed (and why it matters)

Costco put out its full ad out early, including dates for warehouse vs. online deals. The benefit to the early release is it lets shoppers plan (and compare) before the typical mid-November promo barrage.

Expect multiple waves of deals including Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday online-only discounts. This favors planners who watch for the exact start times rather than camping for a single doorbuster.

The previewed deals lean hard on mainstream gifts (audio, gaming, kitchen electrics, blenders, security cams) a sign Costco is targeting safe, high-volume need/gift buys rather than expensive splurges.

Dates to know

• Oct. 31 - Nov. 16: First wave of Holiday deals
• Nov. 17 - Dec. 1: Second wave of Holiday deals
• Nov. 27: Online-only Thanksgiving Day deals
• Nov. 28 - Dec. 1: Third wave of Black Friday deals
• Dec. 1: Online-only Cyber Monday deals

On the fence about a membership? Heres a deal that might sway you

Groupons new-member deal gets you a free $40 Costco Shop card when you buy a $65 Gold Star membership. Or a $60 Shop card when you buy the $130 Executive membership. Both deals are good until December 21, 2025.

Works for both new members as well those returning after at least 18 months away.

Besides getting to shop one hour earlier than Gold Star members, the Executive membership gets you a 2% Executive rebate on most of your purchases. If youre likely to spend approximately $3,250/year at Costco, the 2% rebate can recoup the upgrade cost; otherwise stick with the Gold Star.

What this likely signals for Black Friday 2025

With Costco publishing early and breaking up the dates, expect rolling drops (and re-stocks) rather than one-shot doorbusters. That keeps shoppers checking back and lowers FOMO if you miss an early window.

The ad highlights tell a familiar story: PS5 bundle, soundbars, headphones, smart-home cams, Dyson/Vitamix/Ninja. Translation: broad, giftable, products that are easy to compare at other retailers, so expect competitive matching from Amazon/Target/Walmart during the same windows.

Because dates and start times are public, expect the best items to vanish quickly at each drop. If a model you want is in the ad, add it to your online cart the night and be ready. For in-warehouse, most locations will open at 9 a.m. on Black Friday.

Heres are a few of the highlights

Kirkland AA or AAA Batteries Starting October 31^st, these will be at their lowest price of the year. 48 count for $13.99, down from $15.99.

PS5 Bundle (Online Only) - Starting November 21^st, save $120 on a PS5 with 2 controllers. Down to $479.99 from $599.99.

Kirkland Signature Jeans (Online Only) Starting November 27^th, you can save $4 on these jeans bringing the price down to $12.99.

Dyson Ball Animal 3+ Upright Vacuum Starting November 21st, you can save $90 on this vacuum bringing the price down to $299.99.

Kirkland Signature Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts (3 pack) Starting November 28^th, save $5 per package bringing the price below $2.50/pound. Most grocery stores hover close to $4/pound making this a fill your freezer deal.

Ninja Pro Blender with Auto IQ Starting November 28^th, save $20 on this blender bringing it down to $59.99.

ASUS Vivobook 15.6 Touchscreen Laptop Thanksgiving Day deal (online only) get this laptop for just $399.99, down from $699.99.

Ford leads again: Five new recalls of more than a dozen models

Ford tops the recall leaderboard with five separate safety actions ranging from brake and camera failures to missing pedestrian alerts as Tesla, Forest River, and others join the list of manufacturers issuing notices to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Three key takeaways

• Ford leads again: Five new recalls affecting more than a dozen models, including hybrids, SUVs, and older sedans.

• Tesla flags battery and lighting issues on 20252026 Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles.

• Forest River, Thor, and Winnebago announce RV and trailer recalls tied to tire labeling, propane hoses, and fire hazards.

This Weeks Recall Leaderboard

Notable Recalls

Braun Industries (25V677)
Cruise control may not turn off on ambulance models (20232026), violating FMVSS 105/124.

Ford (25V688, 25V691, 25V693, 25V695)
Covers a wide range from failed lighting on 202425 Lincoln Corsair to reduced brake performance on 2020 Escapes and missing pedestrian warning sounds on hybrids.

Tesla (25V690, 25V699)

• Model 3 and Y: Possible battery connection failure may cause loss of drive power.

• Cybertruck: Front parking lights may be too bright, violating federal lighting standards.

International Motors (25V702703)
Transmission may fail to engage reverse gear in 2026 MV and IC Bus CESB models.

Thor Motor Coach (25V709)
Propane hose may contact generator exhaust a potential fire hazard in 202526 motorhomes.

Forest River (25V707708, 25V714)
Multiple recalls for label inaccuracies and an exterior griddle fire risk on 2026 Wildwood and Salem units.

Total new recalls this week: 15
Manufacturers affected: 12
Common causes: Labeling errors, lighting faults, and potential fire hazards.