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Consumer Daily Reports

Bigger down payments aren't necessarily better

By Dieter Holger of ConsumerAffairs
February 25, 2025

Homebuyers have been putting a bit more down recently.

The typical U.S homebuyer put 16.3% down when buying a home in December, up from 15% at the end of 2023,according to a report on the 40 most-populous metropolitan areasfromreal-estate-website Redfin.

Still, the end-of-2024 levels are downfrombetween nearly 18% and 20% from May throughAugust of that year.

Consumer News: Typical down payment was 16% at end of 2024, report says

In dollar terms, Redfin said that equals $63,188, up 7.5% from a year earlier andthe biggest increase in five months.

The increase in money put down is largely because home prices have increased, Redfin said:The median home pricerose to around $428,000 in December, a spike of 6.3% from a year prior.

Consumer News: Typical down payment was 16% at end of 2024, report says

A bigger down payment can lower mortgage payments and help in a bidding war, but "bigger isn't always better," saidSheharyar Bokhari, senior economist at Redfin, in the report.

Housing markets in much of the country have started tilting in buyers favor, allowing buyers to set the terms they want," Bokhair said."That means house hunters dont necessarily need to break the bank for a huge down payment if it makes more financial sense to save some money for things like future home renovations or other investments.

Earlier in February, Redfin said thehousing market has shifted to a buyer's market for the first time in six years.

What about all-cash home purchases?

The popularity of all-cash home purchases, which became more frequent when interest rates rose, hasalso fallen.

Nearly 31% of homes were bought entirely with cash at the end of 2024,up from September's low of nearly 29%, butdown from nearly 34% in 2023, Redfin said.

More people were paying all cash for homes in 2023 because that is when mortgage rates peaked at a two-decade high of nearly 8%, Redfin said.

Since then, mortgage rates have come down to the 6% to 7% range.

How are down payments different in parts of the U.S.?

Wealthier, more desirable areas tend to see larger down payments.

Down-payment percentageswere the highest in San Francisco (26.4%), followed by other California metros San Joseand Anaheim (both at 25%).

They were the lowest in Virginia Beach (3%), Detroit (6.5%) and Baltimore (8.5%).

The share going to down payments fell in eightof the 40 most-populous metropolitan areas, Redfin said,including the biggest declines in Portland, Oregon (-4.6 pointsto 15.4%), Orlando, Fl. (-3 points to 15%) and Jacksonville, Fl. (-2.1 points to 10%).

They rose the most in Charlotte, North Carolina(4.1 pointsto 14.1%), Minneapolis (1.4 pointsto 11.4%) and San Francisco (1.4 pointsto 26.4%).

Below is a table on down payment trends among 40 of the most-populous U.S. metropolitan areas in Dec. 2024.

Consumer News: Typical down payment was 16% at end of 2024, report says

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Posted: 2025-02-25 22:23:18

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Consumer News: Mushrooms recalled over listeria concerns

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:07:07 +0000

Two separate food companies have issued alerts

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
July 14, 2025
  • Two separate mushroom recalls announced in the U.S. and Canada due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

  • Products sold in New York, Michigan, and Ohio include sliced and whole mushroom varieties from LLK Trading Inc. and Wiet Peeters Farm Products Ltd.

  • No illnesses reported to date; consumers urged to return affected products for a full refund.


A pair of mushroom recalls have been announced by food safety officials in the United States and Canada after routine inspections revealed potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium known to cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations.

New Jersey-based LLK TRADING INC. has issued a voluntary recall of its 200g packages of Needle Mushrooms after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected Listeria monocytogenes during routine testing. The mushrooms were distributed to Bally Produce Corp. in Maspeth, New York, and were sold through Datang Supermarket Inc.

The product, packaged in a clear plastic top with a blue opaque bottom, has not been linked to any reported illnesses so far. However, LLK Trading has halted all sales of the product while it cooperates with the FDA to investigate the contamination source.

Consumers in possession of the recalled mushrooms are advised not to consume the product and instead return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, LLK Trading can be reached Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST at (908) 290-3061.

Peeters Mushroom Farm Products Recalled in Canada and U.S.

Second recall

In a parallel incident, Wiet Peeters Farm Products Limited, based in Charing Cross, Ontario, has recalled three mushroom products that were distributed in Michigan and Ohio. The recall affects:

  • Aunt Mids Fresh Sliced Mushrooms (227g, UPC 0 33383 676005)

  • Peeters Mushroom Farm Cremini Sliced Mushrooms (227g, UPC 0 68414 96960 3)

  • Peeters Mushroom Farm Thick Slice Mushroom (10lb cardboard box)

The Listeria contamination was first identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in a sample of the 227g sliced mushrooms. As a precaution, all products processed on the same production line have been pulled from shelves.

Like the LLK recall, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the Canadian products. Customers are instructed to return the mushrooms to their point of purchase for a full refund. Wiet Peeters Farm Products can be contacted Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST at (519) 351-1945 or toll-free at 1-800-364-1305.


Read More ...


Consumer News: CDC reports rise in prediabetes among children aged 12 to 17

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:07:06 +0000

Nearly 20% of adolescents are at risk of type 2 diabetes

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs
July 14, 2025
  • Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. teens aged 1217 has prediabetes, according to the CDC's latest analysis.

  • The data underscores a significant silent epidemic, with most affected adolescents unaware of their condition.

  • Health experts urge increased screenings, especially for at-risk groups, and better public awareness.


A new analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a troubling trend: nearly 1 in 5 American adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 is living with prediabetes.

The findings are based on data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample that combines interviews, physical exams, and laboratory testing.

Prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes, is considered a major warning sign. In the CDC analysis, prediabetes was diagnosed using two key indicators: a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level between 100 and 125 mg/dL, or a hemoglobin A1c level between 5.7% and 6.4%. Adolescents already diagnosed with diabetes were excluded from the analysis.

What makes the situation more alarming is that prediabetes typically occurs without symptoms, especially in younger populations. That means many adolescents and their families may be unaware of the metabolic changes occurring, despite the long-term health risks they pose, including progression to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and kidney complications.

Behind the numbers

The CDC used updated FPG calibration methods to ensure accuracy across multiple NHANES data collection cycles. Older prediabetes estimatessuch as the 2020 study by Andes et al.used a different adjustment method, making this new analysis a more refined look at how widespread the issue has become.

To confirm diabetes status, researchers relied on both interview responses and lab results. Adolescents were classified as diabetic if they either answered yes to having been diagnosed by a healthcare provider or had lab-confirmed results with FPG 126 mg/dL or A1c 6.5%.

Physicians say the findings underscore the urgent need for earlier interventions, particularly as lifestyle factors like sedentary behavior, poor diet, and obesity continue to climb among youth populations. The CDC and other public health organizations have long recommended increased screening for children with risk factors such as obesity, family history of diabetes, or signs of insulin resistance.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Federal court blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 16:07:07 +0000

The court certified a nationwide class of all children born in the United States

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
July 12, 2025

In brief:

  • New Hampshire federal court halts Trump executive order targeting birthright citizenship

  • Nationwide class certified to protect all children born on U.S. soil

  • Civil rights groups hail ruling as crucial defense of the 14th Amendment


A federal court in New Hampshire Fridayblocked President Trumps controversial executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship, delivering a significant victory to civil rights groups who argued the policy violates the U.S. Constitution.

The ruling, issued from the bench, also certified a nationwide class protecting the citizenship rights of all children born in the United States. Trump administrationattorneys called the action an attempted "end run" around the Supreme Court, although Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested the action a few weeks ago.

The case, Barbara v. Donald J. Trump, emerged amid legal battles following the Supreme Courts recent decision in Trump v. CASA, which opened the door for potential partial enforcement of the executive order.

The lawsuit, filed on June 27, was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and several allied organizations. The groups represent a proposed class of babies who would have been subject to the executive orders restrictions.

This ruling is a huge victory and will help protect the citizenship of all children born in the United States, as the Constitution intended, said Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, who argued the case in court.

Devon Chaffee, executive director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, praised the decision as once again affirming that President Trumps executive order to restrict birthright citizenship is a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution. Chaffee underscored that the Constitution ensures no politician can decide who is worthy of citizenship among those born in the country.

Seven-day delay granted

The ruling includes a seven-day delay to allow the federal government time to seek emergency relief from the First Circuit Court of Appeals. However, even if an appeal is pursued, the injunction is set to go into effect well before July 27 the date on which partial implementation of the executive order might otherwise have begun.

Morenike Fajana, senior counsel at the Legal Defense Fund, called the decision a powerful affirmation of the 14th Amendment and the enduring principle that citizenship in the United States is a right by birth, not a privilege granted by politics.

Civil rights advocates hailed the ruling as a critical safeguard against what they describe as an unprecedented attack on constitutional principles. Parents have lived in fear and uncertainty, said Aarti Kohli, executive director of the Asian Law Caucus. This courts injunction protecting birthright citizenship for all affected children is a major victory for families across this country.

A growing judicial consensus

The decision underscores a growing judicial consensus rejecting attempts to narrow the Constitutions promise of birthright citizenship, with Molly Curren Rowles of the ACLU of Maine emphasizing that the United States has always been a nation of immigrants.

Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, concluded that birthright citizenship makes our country strong and vibrant, describing the executive order as simply un-American.

Class actions ride again

Class actions have come to be associated with consumer issues defective products, stock manipulation, etc. but they were initially designed as a way for citizens to collectively contest government actions.

The Supreme Court itself explicitly opened the way to class actions against the federal government when Justice Coney Barrett suggested that litigants in Trump vs. CASAcould use the class action as a way around the Trump administration's blocking of nationwide injunctions.

Its among several exceptions or workarounds that Trump adversaries are poised to seize on after the justices sharply limited judges ability to issue nationwide injunctions.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Dollar General announces back-to-school sale

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

Over 70 items will be priced $1 or less

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025

  • Dollar Generals back-to-school sale is running through September 6.

  • There are opportunities for parents and teachers to save on all back-to-school essentials.

  • Both Dollar General and national brands will be part of the ongoing sale.


Dollar General is sharing the details of its back-to-school sale.

One of the biggest headlines out of the sale: over 70 back-to-school items will be priced at $1 or less.

"Dollar General stands ready to deliver on our commitment of everyday value to help families as they shop for back-to-school items, Steve OBrien, Dollar Generals vice president, division merchandise manager, said in a news release.

Whether youre a parent stocking up on supplies, a teacher preparing their classroom or a student getting ready for dorm living, we offer the essentials you need at prices that will help support a confident start to the school year.

Details of the sale

The back-to-school sale is running now through September 6, at Dollar Generals over 20,000 locations.

Heres what shoppers can expect from the ongoing sale:

  • 70+ back-to-school and stationery items priced at $1 or less, including essentials like folders, notebooks, and composition books

  • A selection of Crayola variety coloring packs for $2 and under

  • Fashionable and functional backpacks for just $5 each, available in several colors, patterns, and designs

  • Crayola crayons, Elmers glue sticks, notebooks, binders, and $1 deals on folders, pencils, and more

  • Dollar General is offering $5 off $25 every Saturday, with extra opportunities for $5 off $25 on planned weekdays in July.

  • Deals on lunchbox favorites:

    • Sales promotions on fruity snacks including Gushers, Fruit by the Foot, and Fruit Rollups two for $5 and select Dole products three for $6.

    • Special offers on family-favorite PB&J fixings, like Welchs Jelly & Peter Pan Peanut Butter, two for $5.

    • Crunchy treats including Cheez-Its three for $6 and Keebler items two for $6.

Savings for teachers

In addition to parents saving on supplies and back-to-school essentials, Dollar General is also offering deals for teachers.

Heres a look at how teachers can save ahead of the new school year:

  • The Dollar General Teacher Social Media Sweepstakes will award 20 educators with a $250 Dollar General gift card. The sweepstakes runs July 15 August 30 on Dollar Generals Instagram.

  • Verified teachers can receive 30% off select stationary through September 6.

To save even more, consumers can sign up for the Dollar General rewards program to get exclusive coupons and more opportunities to save.


Read More ...


Consumer News: FCC axes Net Neutrality rules, which weren't in effect anyway

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

The move is denounced as "political theater"

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025
  • FCC removes Net Neutrality rules from its books, even though they were not in effect.
  • A federal appeals court, in a suit brought by telecom companies, had held the rules were improper.
  • The argument has gone back and forth since the Obama administration.

Net Neutrality is not a topic that brings crowds of demonstrators surging into the streets but it has important implications in a world that is driven largely by online communications.

The Obamaadministration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) constructed a framework of rules and regulations intended to ensure that everyone had equal access to broadband. That made telecommunications companies responsible for providing service on just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms to users across the nation.

Those rules were repealed during Donald Trump's first term in office earlier this year and reinstated during President Biden's term. But earlier this year, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in a suit brought by major telecom companies that the ruleshad been wrongfully adopted and that broadband providers cannot be treated as utilities.

Telecoms aren't utilities?

The court determined thatbroadband is an "information service" not a "telecommunications service," meaning the FCC lacks the authority to impose net neutrality regulations under the Communications Act.

Today, theFederal Communications Commission issued an order announcing its decision to remove the agencys Net Neutrality rules. The agency neglected to provide advance notice or give the public an opportunity to comment.

The consumer group Free Press called the FCC's action "little more than political grandstanding."


"Its true that the rules in question were first stayed by the 6th Circuit and then struck down by that appellate court in a poorly reasoned opinion. So todays bookkeeping maneuver changes very little in reality," said Matt Wood, the group's vice president of policy and general counsel.

Rules protecting Net Neutrality have broad bipartisan public support; the issue generated record numbers of public comments during prior agency proceedings on these essential open-internet safeguards, Wood said.


"Theres no need to delete currently inoperative rules, much less to announce it in a summer Friday order. The only reason to do that is to score points with broadband monopolies and their lobbyists, whove fought against essential and popular safeguards for the past two decades straight," Wood said. "It also shows subservience to Elon Musks incredibly destructive government-by-chainsaw attitude which seems to have outlived Musk himself in some corners of the Trump administration."


Read More ...


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