Holiday returns used to be annoying. In 2025, they can be expensive

• Free returns arent always free anymore: lots of retailers now deduct mail-in return fees, so your best move is in-store returns

• Fraud detection is getting smarter: retailers are using AI + image checks to flag sketchy returns, so make a quick paper trail to protect yourself

• Deadlines can be sneaky (especially electronics): holiday windows look generous, but Apple items, activatable devices, phones, and certain electronics often have shorter return periods

The National Retail Federation says consumers are expected to return a whopping $849.9 billion worth of merchandise in 2025. With numbers like that, theres a good chance youll be standing in a returns line somewhere in the next couple weeks.

With that said, I want you to be aware that your post-Christmas return this year just might look a little different. Stores are tossing in mail-in return fees, using AI to look for return fraud, and making some return exceptions that are often buried on their website.

Heres your playbook to keep your returns smooth, fast, and as close to a full refund as possible.

Change #1: Free returns often depends on how you return

How you choose to return something you bought onlinecan easily shrink your refund.

Many retailers, including Macys ($9.99), JCPenney ($8), J.Crew ($7.50), and Nordstrom Rack ($9.95) are now charging you to send back packages via the mail.

Smart workaround: when you see a mail-in fee, always try to switch to afree option.

• Return in-store (even if you bought it online). In-store returns arealmost always allowed and they're typicallyfree.
• Use a retailers label-free / box-free drop-off option, if available.
• If the retailer offers multiple return methods at checkout, be sure to choose the one that wont cost you part of your refund.

Pro tip: If you bought something early and its wrong/broken/missing pieces, returning before December 25th is about the smartest thing you can do as youll avoid the post-Christmas returns blitz.

Change #2: stores are upping their fraud detection game

Retailers have a return problem. Theyre fighting hard against fraudulent returns and decoy returns (when someone sends back the wrong item or an empty box), and the tools they use to fight this are getting very sophisticated.

Specifically, Reuters reports that UPS-owned Happy Returns is testing an AI tool called Return Vision that flags suspicious returns by comparing returned items to purchase images and other signals theyre keeping close to the vest.

This doesnt mean normal shoppers are going to be getting in trouble. But it does meanyou should consider a few things to keep your returns as drama-free as possible.

Build a 20-second paper trail:

• Always snap 2 photos of your return: one of the items condition, and one of the actual product in the box (or on the returns counter).
• Be sure to keep the drop-off receipt or confirmation email.
• Use the same email/account used to purchase when starting the return to avoid any confusion.

A small amount of work ahead of time is going to help you immensely if you have any issues.

Make smart Amazon returns...they're watching

I had an Amazon rep tell me recently that they're keeping a closer eye on your returns this holiday.

Specifically, be warned that they're tracking returns where you tell them the reason for the return is Amazon's fault. This includes selecting these options: inaccurate website description, product damaged, wrong item sent, and didn't approve purchase.

Many shoppers are falsely using these options as their default reasons for the return in order to not get hit by a return shipping fee. Amazon is taking notice and if you use theseexcuses too often, you could get your account flagged.

Also, it's safe to assume they're using AI tools to help them determine those who fraudulentlyselect these return reasons.

To avoid potentially getting your account flagged, always look for the free returnoptions atWhole Foods, Staples, Kohl's, UPS Store, and even at many Amazon Hub lockers. By selecting one of these options,itdoesn't matter who's at fault, your return is typicallyfree.

Know the return deadlines that matter the most

Many stores have an extended holiday returnwindowthat gives gift receivers until mid to late January to make their return.

But there are a few exceptions to this that you need to be aware of this year so you dont get stuck with something you dont want.

• Target: For their holiday returns window, electronics and entertainment items (excluding Apple/Beats) purchased Nov. 1Dec. 24, 2025 have returns starting Dec. 26 and must be returned by Jan. 24, 2026. ButApple/Beats and prepaid/unlocked phones must be returned by Jan. 8, 2026.
• Amazon: Most items purchased Nov. 1Dec. 31, 2025 can be returned through Jan. 31, 2026. ButApple-branded products have a shorter window, through Jan. 15, 2026.
• Walmart: Most items purchased Oct. 1Dec. 31, 2025 are returnable until Jan. 31, 2026. But there are exceptions: major appliances (2 days), wireless phones (14 days), and consumer electronics (30 days).
• Best Buy: Their policy gives shoppers through Jan. 15, 2026 for most returns. But holiday dcor only gets 15 days from date of purchase, and any device they consider activatable only gets 14 days.
• Apple Store: Anything bought between Nov. 12-Dec. 25, 2025 is returnable through Jan. 8, 2026. Exceptall carrier-financed iPhones with both T-Mobile andVerizon, those fall under Apples standard 14-day return policy.

Pro tip: If it plugs in, pairs with your phone, or has an Apple logo anywhere on it, always check the return deadline first. These products usually come with a return window thats worse than the stores regular return policy.

Total savings for seniors may hit $15 billion

• Out-of-pocket costs for the first 10 Medicare-negotiated prescription drugs will fall by more than 50% on average starting Jan. 1, 2026

• Nearly 9 million Medicare seniors use the drugs, which treat conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders

• Total savings for Medicare Part D enrollees are expected to reach $1.5 billion in 2026, according to federal estimates

Out-of-pocket costs for some of the most commonly used prescription drugs among Medicare seniors are set to fall dramatically in 2026, according to a new report released Tuesday by AARP.

The analysis finds that people enrolled in stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will see their out-of-pocket costs for the first 10 Medicare-negotiated drugs drop by an average of more than 50% when negotiated prices take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The medications are used by nearly 9 million Medicare beneficiaries and are prescribed to treat serious and chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

The price reductions stem from Medicares new drug price negotiation authority, created under the 2022 prescription drug law that AARP strongly supported. The program allows Medicare to negotiate prices directly with drug manufacturers for select high-cost medications, a shift that advocates say is long overdue.

Major savings for seniors

AARP officials say the savings will make a meaningful difference for older Americans who have struggled with rising drug prices and difficult choices between medication and other basic needs.

Medicare prescription drug negotiation is on track to deliver billions in savings for Americas seniors starting in January, making lifesaving medication more affordable, said Nancy LeaMond, AARPs executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. But beware: big drug companies are spending millions to delay negotiation and keep prices sky highwhile lining their own pockets.

LeaMond said AARP will continue to oppose efforts to weaken or delay the negotiation program, emphasizing the organizations role as an advocate for older Americans and their families.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the negotiated prices are expected to save Medicare Part D enrollees about $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone.

Improved access and coverage

The AARP report analyzed stand-alone Part D plan data from five states with high Medicare enrollment and found that lower negotiated prices are translating into measurable, real-world savings.

Among the key findings:

• Seven of the 10 negotiated drugs are expected to cost enrollees less than $100 per month in 2026

• All stand-alone Part D plans reviewed in the study will cover all 10 drugs next year, an increase compared with current coverage levels

Leigh Purvis, AARPs prescription drug policy principal and the reports author, said the changes could improve access for seniors who previously struggled to afford these medications.

Our report shows that Medicare beneficiaries should see substantially lower monthly costs for these medicines in 2026, Purvis said. This will improve access for seniors who were previously facing high out-of-pocket costs and confirms that Medicare drug price negotiation is providing real benefits for people in the Medicare program.

Industry opposition continues

While consumer advocates have praised the negotiation program, pharmaceutical companies have mounted legal challenges and lobbying efforts aimed at delaying or blocking its implementation. Drugmakers argue the policy could harm innovation, a claim AARP and other advocates dispute.

Supporters counter that high drug prices have already limited access for many patients and that negotiated pricing helps ensure Medicare beneficiaries can obtain needed treatments without financial hardship.

What comes next

The negotiated prices for the first 10 drugs are scheduled to take effect at the start of 2026, with additional medications expected to be added to the program in future years.

The full AARP report is available online, along with additional information about the organizations efforts to lower prescription drug prices and expand affordability for older Americans.

Florida rental markets cooling, Midwest stays warm

• U.S. single-family rents rose 0.9% year over year in October 2025, down sharply from a 2.8% increase a year earlier

• Forty of the 50 largest metros posted slower annual rent growth, with 18 seeing outright declines

• Florida markets continue to cool, while Midwest metros show greater resilience

Single-family rent growth slowed significantly in October as the national market continued a multiyear cooling trend, according to new data from Cotality.

The companys latest Single-Family Rent Index, based on October 2025 data, shows rents rising 0.9% year over year less than one-third of the increase recorded during the same period last year. While rents are still climbing nationally, the pace of growth has eased across most major metropolitan areas.

Forty of the largest 50 metros posted lower annual rent growth compared to October 2024, said Molly Boesel, senior principal economist at Cotality. Eighteen metros saw outright year-over-year declines in the Single-Family Rent Index, with half of those declines occurring in Florida.

Rent growth moderates but remains elevated

Despite the slowdown, Cotality said rent levels remain well above pre-pandemic norms. Annual rent growth peaked in March 2022, and while increases have decelerated for more than three years, the national index in October was still about 9% higher than the 2022 average.

Boesel described the trend as a normalization rather than a reversal, noting that affordability pressures and regional market differences continue to influence rent performance.

Florida cools as Midwest holds steady

Regional differences are becoming more pronounced as the market adjusts. Several Florida metros, including Cape Coral and North Port, posted two consecutive years of annual rent declines, signaling a correction after rapid growth earlier in the decade.

In contrast, Midwest markets such as Chicago and Detroit continue to show comparatively strong rent growth, reflecting steadier demand and more balanced supply conditions.

High-end rentals outpace lower-end growth

Rent growth slowed across price segments, though lower-end properties saw a sharper deceleration.

High-end single-family rents rose 1.4% year over year in October, down from a 3.3% increase in October 2024. Low-end rents increased just 0.4%, compared with a 2.7% gain a year earlier.

Cotality said the divergence suggests affordability challenges are weighing more heavily on budget-conscious renters, while demand for higher-priced rentals remains more resilient, even as growth moderates.

Detached rentals trail attached properties

Rent growth also varied by property type. Detached single-family rentals posted a 0.8% annual increase in October, while rents for attached rentals rose 1% year over year.

Chicago leads large metros as Dallas declines

Among the nations 10 largest metropolitan areas, Chicago recorded the highest rent growth at 4.6% in October. Washington, D.C., and Detroit followed at 2.4% each, with Philadelphia (2.2%) and Los Angeles (0.6%) rounding out the top five.

Dallas continued to post the weakest performance among major metros, with rents declining 1.3% year over year.

Cotality said its next Single-Family Rent Index report, featuring November 2025 data, will be released on January 15. More housing market insights are available on the companys Cotality Insights blog.

The company says it's not spying on you and the Copilot icon is just a shortcut

• LG will add an option to delete the Microsoft Copilot shortcut from smart TV home screens in a future update

• The company clarified that Copilot isn't actually installed as an app but appears as a web browser shortcut

• Users complained when the Copilot tile appeared on their TVs without permission after recent software updates

If you own an LG smart TV, you might have noticed a Microsoft Copilot tile suddenly appearing on your home screen. You're not alone in being annoyed by this uninvited addition to your TV interface.

What's happening with LG smart TVs

Recently, LG TV users discovered that Microsoft Copilot shortcuts were appearing on their webOS home screens after software updates. Many assumed this meant LG had installed Copilot as a permanent app on their TVs.

The backlash was swift and loud. Users complained they couldn't remove the unwanted tile from their TV's main interface.

LG has now responded to clarify what's actually happening. According to Chris De Maria, Director of Public Relations at LG Electronics North America, Copilot isn't installed as a native app at all.

The real story behind the Copilot appearance

Here's what LG says is actually going on with your TV:

• Copilot appears as a shortcut icon, not a full application

• Clicking the icon opens Microsoft's Copilot website through your TV's web browser

• It doesn't run as an embedded service within your TV's operating system

• Microphone features are disabled by default and only work if you give explicit permission

Think of it like having a bookmark to Microsoft's website rather than having the actual Copilot software installed on your TV.

How to protect your TV experience

While you wait for LG's promised update that will let you remove the Copilot tile, here's what you can do:

1. Check your LG TV's software update settings and pause automatic updates if you prefer manual control

2. Review your TV's privacy settings to ensure microphone permissions are disabled for web browsing

3. Consider using external streaming devices instead of your TV's built-in smart features for better control

4. Contact LG customer support to voice your concerns about unwanted shortcuts appearing on your home screen

5. Monitor for the upcoming webOS update that will include the tile removal option

Why this matters for all smart TV owners

This situation highlights a growing trend where TV manufacturers add features and shortcuts without clearly asking for your permission first. While LG's implementation is less invasive than initially thought, the principle remains concerning.

Other smart TV brands may follow similar practices, so stay vigilant about what appears on your home screen after updates.

The bottom line: LG listened to user complaints and will fix this issue, but the incident serves as a reminder to regularly review your smart TV's settings and features. You should have control over what appears on your own TV's interface, and it's encouraging that LG agreed to make the Copilot shortcut removable in future updates.

Give a gift card, but with clear effort baked in

• The hack: do a gift card + inexpensiveuseful thing + a short note so it looks planned, not rushed

• 3 rules: pick a useful item (no filler), use a small box (not an envelope), add a 12 sentence note

• It stops last-minute overspending, and you keep 8090% of the budget on the gift card

Last-minute gift ideas are some of the hardest to come up with, and you often end up spending more on the person thanyou planned just to cross them off your list. If youre like me, you start grabbing random junk that looks fine just to get it done. Then to make matters worse, you spend $15 on a gift bag and card to complete the drill.

Enough of that silliness. Heres alast-minute gift idea fix that works every single time, even when youre down to the wire.

The hack: make a gift card look like a real present

The problem with giving only a gift card is it doesnt show much effort. But if you can combine the boring gift card with one highly practical (yet inexpensive) item youre onto something.

Then you just have to pull it all together with a clever hand-written note. Believe me, it will reflect effort on your part, which is the overall goal for any procrastinator.

To clear things up, think of it like this:

• First, the gift card acts as the real gift.
• Second, think of the add-on item as your I actually thought about you part of the package.
• Lastly, the hand-written note you include is what pulls it all together and makes the whole thing feel personal.

This combo also has a sneaky bonus thats not to be underestimated. It stops you from wandering the aisles until you talk yourself into overspending on something youre not even sure theyll like.

Here are the 3 rules (so it doesnt look like you gave up)

Before we get into the ideas, follow these three simple rules:

Rule #1: The tiny item should be useful, not filler.

Skip the boring candle or scarf that will just be added to the pile. Try to think of something you know theyll get a kick out of and actually use.

Rule #2: Put the gift card in a box, NOT an envelope.

A small box will make it feel like a present. Theres something about ripping open a present that elevates it. Especially if you put a nice ribbon or bow on it. Sometimes its all about the presentation and thats true here.

Rule #3: Add a 12 sentence note. Always.

Dont write an entire paragraph that theyll end up awkwardly skimming. Just write a clever and clear purpose to the gift, it makes all the difference. It basically turns a I didnt know what to get you gift into a I know exactly what you like present.

10 last-minute gift card combos that are thoughtful

1. Coffee shop gift card + reusable cup (or a holiday mug)

Lets be honest here, this is the safest gift on earth. Almost everyone drinks something warm.

Make it feel premium:Consider a note like, Your next 5 lattes are on me.

Budget tip: The mug can come from a dollar spot or discount aisle at Ross or TJ Maxx. That way you can keep more money in the gift card which will be more appreciated.

2. Streaming gift card + popcorn + candy

Grab a gift card for Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ and create an instant movie night kit. Its fun and it totally looks like a planned gift.

Make it feel premium: Add a clever note: One weekend. Zero responsibilities.

3. Target/Walmart gift card + batteries

This sounds boring until you realize its the most young parent approved gift move of all time.

Make it feel premium: Attach the batteries with a note: For the toys youre about to assemble at 11 p.m.

4. Amazon gift card + charging cable (USB-C or Lightning)

This idea is useful, universally needed, and youll never order the wrong size.

Make it feel premium: Say something clever like, For the thing youll order at 2 a.m. when you cant sleep.

5. Gas station gift card + car air freshener + microfiber cloth

Its practical as we all need to gas up. It will also be weirdly appreciated as the air freshener and cloth are things we are usually hesitant to spend money on. Its also super-fast to assemble.

Make it feel premium: Say something like, A little less pain at the pump.

6. Grocery store gift card + fancy chocolate or snacks

This is the perfect last-minute gift for a young adult when you dont know what they want. But youre 100% certain they eat and the cost of groceries is ridiculous right now.

Make it feel premium: Come up with something like, Dinners on you, groceries are on me.

7. Bookstore gift card + bookmark + nice pen

If you still have a Barnes & Noble in your town, this gift idea will read as a very thoughtful, not last-minute, gift.

Make it feel premium: Heres a fun idea, Because doomscrolling needs a rival.

8. Ulta/Sephora/CVS gift card + travel-size hand cream

Make a fun self-care vibe gift that requires zero guessing on shade, favorite color, or skin tone.

Make it feel premium: Try this, Spend it on you, not on errands.

9. Pet store gift card + chew toy or treats

For friends and family who own pets, this gift idea is basically guaranteed joy.

Make it feel premium: Include a note like, For your pets next unnecessary but completely adorable purchase.

10. Home improvement store gift card + mini tape measure

This is the perfect dad or uncle gift. Id even call it a cheat code, especially for the dude who seems to already own everything. Not only is it highly useful and funny, but it comes with zero clutter.

Make it feel premium: Add a note saying, For the next DIY project you swear will be quick.

Make it even cheaper with one smart trick

If you want this tip to stay frugal, flip your spending priorities:

• Spend 8090% of your budget on the card.
• Spend 1020% on the tiny item + packaging.

Most people end up doing the exact opposite. They buy a $30 gift and toss in a $10 gift card as an afterthought. Thats how you end up basically giving clutter in the form of a gift.

Lets say your budget is $50, heres a strong version to consider:

• $40 gift card
• $5$8 small item
• $2$5 packaging

It looks like a gift set, but you didnt pay gift-set prices and you know it will be used and appreciated.

The it still feels personal upgrade worth considering

If you want this to feel really custom without any extra effort, make the note specific to the persons current reality.

Here are some fun examples to think about:

• New parent: For your next we survived today Walmart run.
• Stressed friend: This is for a coffee and 10 minutes of peace.
• Teen: Buy something fun and dont overthink it.
• Host/hostess: Thank you for feeding us like were family that wont leave.

Think of it this way, the card gives flexibility, and the note gives meaning. The bottom-line is to have fun with it and let your creativity flow, if you do that, your last-minute gift will surely be a hit.