Car prices could rise by thousands of dollars because of tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada that went into effect this week.
The price for a battery-electric crossover vehicle could rise as much as $12,000, a full-size SUV by $9,040 and a pickup truck by $7,960, according to a report from consultancy Anderson Economic Group, which reviewed unnamed models fromfrom GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Kia, BMW, Audi and Tesla assembled in North America.
The increases are because of tariffs, which are essentially taxes paid by exporters,on imported cars, car parts, steel and aluminum that President Trump slapped on Canada and Mexico, which resulted in retaliatory tariffs from the countries.
That kind of cost increase will lead directly and I expect almost immediately to a decline in sales of the models that have the biggest trade impacts, said Patrick Anderson, chief executive officer of Anderson Economic Group, in an interview with Bloomberg.
Tariffs are also expected to result in production and employment cuts, Anderson Economic Group said.
Tariffs on the scale that President Trump has threatened would have a sharp negative effect on auto sales, the consultancy said.
U.S. auto sales could drop by half a million vehicles because of the tariffs even under a less severe situation, according to Dan Hearsch, leader of the Americas automotive practice at consultant AlixPartners, Bloomberg reports.
Some of those vehicles that cant be produced in the US just probably wont be made for a while, Hearsch said in an interview with Bloomberg.
And car insurance is another areagetting hit by tariffs.
Car insurance rates are expected to rise 60% faster, resulting in an average cost of $2,502 a year for full-coverage car insurance after tariffs by the end of 2025, instead of $2,435, which represents an 8% climb versus 5%, ConsumerAffairsreported in February.
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Use AI to set spending caps. Split your budget by category and add rules like no gifts over $40
Add hard-stop banking alerts. Turn on every-transaction notifications and a holiday spending cap
Shop on a schedule. Plan your buy windows and stick to 12 purchase days to avoid impulse spending
If your December routine often includes a weekly why did I even buy that? panic, youre not alone. Holiday overspending has a way of sneaking in through dozens of small purchases. But new data suggests that one group is actually getting better at dodging the overspend trap and it just might surprise you, its Gen Z.
TD Banks 2025 Merry Money Survey found that 88% of Gen Z respondents are considering ways to limit holiday overspending. And the modern twist is that more than half (51%) of Gen Z budgeters are using AI to help build that holiday budget.
So, what are the lessons we can take away from Gen Zers? The bottom line is you dont need to be born between 1997-2007 or an AI power user to copy what theyre doing.
The Gen Z holiday spending playbook you can steal
1.Use AI to plan the budget, not to shop smarter
AI is great for helping you plan and coming up with a shopping list full of gift ideas that are within your budget. Consider these prompts that Gen Z is taking full advantage of:
Make me a holiday budget for 12 people with a $600 cap, including stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and wrapping.
Then ask for a budget breakdown with what percent should go for gifts, food, travel, etc.
Example: If my holiday budget is $1,000, tell me what percent (and dollar amount) should go to gifts vs. food vs. travel vs. donations.
Then take the output and put it somewhere like your notes app, a spreadsheet, or your banking apps budgeting tool. The point is not the AI specifically, but getting an actual number you will follow.
Pro tip: If you want AI to actually help you savemoney, tell it your specific rules. Examples include: No gifts over $40. Two gifts max per kid. Include three backup gift ideas under $25.
2.Set hard stops with alerts
Lets face it, most budgets fail because they dont have enough 'tough love' built into them. To that end, its time to use some techy options that most banking and credit card apps have built into them.
Consider setting up these automatic tripwires:
Set a spending alert on your card for every purchase over, say, $50.
Set a monthly cap alert for your total holiday category.
Turn on notifications for every transaction for the month of December so you can better track your spending.
3.Time your shopping like Gen Z
The survey found young shoppers are intentionally planning around big deal days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
That doesnt mean you should buy everything on Black Friday next year. It means you should decide when youll buy each category:
Tech and appliances: you can often find deals before Black Friday and in the last week before Christmas.
Toys: buy them earlier than you think, starting in late October, keep in mind that the hot toys of the season tend to vanish come December.
Stocking stuffers: great deals can be found last-minute.
Pro tip: If youre the type who keeps browsing just to check, youre paying the scrolling tax. Consider having just two planned purchase days and stop shopping in between those days.
4.Copy the set aside money all year trick
The survey also reported that Gen Z is more likely to stash money earmarked for the holidays throughout the year.
While it may be a little too late for 2025, you can easily set this up for next December:
Open a separate savings bucket labeled Holiday.
Auto-transfer a small amount daily or weekly.
Even a few bucks a day will become a significant amount of money come next holiday season. Money you can use for gifts, travel, and decorations. Plus, youll completely avoid that January credit card bill moment of panic.
A wave of new federal recalls and safety warnings highlights continuing concerns about unsafe baby products, risky household items and defective gear of all kindsmany sold online through Amazon, Walmart and other major platforms. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this week announced this week's list of recalls and hazard advisories.
While no deaths have been reported, officials warn that several recalled products pose life-threatening risks, including electrocution, asphyxiation, entrapment, falls, drowning, burns and explosion hazards. Consumers are urged to stop using all affected items immediately.
JOKOSIS bed rail recall for entrapment hazard
About 12,000 JOKOSIS adult bed rails sold on Amazon have been recalled due to risk of entrapment and asphyxiation; customers should stop use immediately and request a refund.
Risk of entrapment and asphyxiation from improper design
About 12,000 bed rails affected, model HC0262
Consumers should stop use and request a refund
Thousands of JOKOSIS Bed Rails for adults have been recalled due to a serious risk of entrapment and suffocation. The recall affects model HC0262, which is black and features a zippered storage pouch. These products were sold on Amazon.com between August and November 2025. No injuries have been reported, but the design does not meet federal safety standards and lacks required hazard warning labels.
The hazard
When attached to a bed, the recalled bed rails can trap users within the rail or between the rail and mattress, posing a serious risk of entrapment and potential death by asphyxiation. Additionally, the rails are missing mandatory hazard warning labels.
What to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bed rails and contact JOKOSIS for a full refund.
Company contact
Email JOKOSIS at jokosisbedrailrecall@outlook.com.
About 13,400 Blue Wave above-ground pools are recalled after a design flaw creates a drowning hazard for children; owners should take immediate safety steps and request a free repair kit.
About 13,400 48-inch and taller pools recalled, multiple models
Owners should keep children away and request a free repair kit
More than 13,000 Blue Wave above-ground pools have been recalled due to a drowning hazard. The recalled pools, 48 inches and taller, include several models sold at major retailers and online from January 2021 to July 2025. The issue stems from a compression strap on the outside of the pool that can act as a foothold for children. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The pool's compression strap may create a foothold, allowing a child to climb into the pool unsupervised, posing a drowning risk.
What to do
Consumers should ensure children cannot access the pool until the repair is made. Contact Blue Wave for a free repair kit and, if needed, drain the pool until the repair is installed.
Company contact
Blue Wave toll-free at (800) 603-0475 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at recall@bluewaveproducts.com or visit www.bluewaveproducts.com/pages/recall.
Eighty SereneLife Home above-ground pools are recalled for a design flaw that could allow children unsupervised access, posing a drowning risk.
Compression strap creates foothold for children, posing drowning hazard
80 SereneLife 48-inch and taller pools affected, models SLPORND15 and SLPORND18
Owners should stop use and request a refund
SereneLife Home has recalled 80 above-ground pool units due to a drowning hazard. The issue concerns specific 48-inch and taller models sold online from December 2021 through May 2025. The compression strap design can give children a foothold, increasing the risk of unsupervised entry into the pool. No incidents have been reported.
The hazard
The strap around the pool legs may allow children to climb into the pool, raising the risk of drowning.
What to do
Stop using the recalled pools immediately and contact SereneLife Home for a full refund. Consumers must provide photographic evidence of destruction or disposal.
Company contact
SereneLife Home toll-free at 888-619-6770 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at recall@serenelifehome.com or visit https://serenelifehome.com/pages/recalls.
About 4,740 KKL Fabric 9-Drawer Dressers sold on Amazon are recalled for tip-over and entrapment risks; consumers should stop use and request a refund.
Unstable dresser poses serious tip-over and entrapment hazards
About 4,740 dressers recalled, various colors
Consumers should stop use and seek a refund
Thousands of KKL Fabric 9-Drawer Dressers have been recalled due to the risk they may tip over and trap children if not anchored to the wall. The dressers, available in black, brown and white, were sold on Amazon.com between September 2023 and November 2025. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
If not anchored, these dressers are unstable and violate the mandatory safety standard for clothing storage units, creating serious tip-over and entrapment risks.
What to do
Stop using the dresser immediately and contact the company for a refund.
Company contact
Email HK Brilliant at support-us@kkl-home.com, or visit https://kkl-home.com/ and click Recall for more information.
Feel The Beard serum recall for child poisoning hazard
About 840 bottles of Feel The Beard Minoxidil Beard Growth Oil are recalled due to lack of child-resistant packaging, posing a poisoning risk to young children.
Non-child-resistant packaging of minoxidil product poses poisoning risk
About 840 bottles of beard serum affected
Consumers should secure product and request a replacement
Feel The Beard has recalled approximately 840 bottles of its Minoxidil Beard Growth Oil for Men due to child-resistant packaging violations. The product contains minoxidil, which must be packaged to prevent accidental poisoning by children. Sold on Amazon.com from April to September 2025, no incidents have been reported.
The hazard
The beard serum contains minoxidil and is not in child-resistant packaging, creating a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children.
What to do
Immediately secure the bottles out of sight and reach of children. Contact Feel The Beard for instructions on safely destroying the bottle and obtaining a replacement.
Plantimex ointment recall for child poisoning risk
Tens of thousands of Mamisan Lidocaine Ointment jars from Plantimex are recalled due to lack of child-resistant packaging, posing a poisoning risk.
Ointment with lidocaine lacks required child-resistant packaging
About 50,330 jars affected, UPC 860006498115
Consumers should request free repair to address packaging issue
Plantimex has recalled about 50,330 jars of Mamisan Pain Relieving Topical Ointment because their packaging is not child-resistant. The ointment contains lidocaine, which is hazardous if ingested by children. The affected jars were sold nationwide at Walmart and Target stores and online from April 2024 to October 2025. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The ointments packaging does not meet child-resistant requirements, creating a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.
What to do
Consumers should contact Plantimex for a repair to address the packaging issue.
Company contact
Plantimex toll-free at 855-752-6869 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at customercare@plantimexusa.com with the subject RECALL, or visit http://plantimexusa.com/contact.php.
About 11,200 ANNQUAN power strips sold on Amazon are recalled due to fire risk from missing overcurrent protection; consumers should stop use and get a refund.
Missing overcurrent protection creates fire and burn risk
About 11,200 ANNQUAN power strips affected, models EX-D112-05 and EX-D106-25
Stop use and request a refund immediately
ANNQUAN power strips sold on Amazon.com from December 2023 through October 2025 have been recalled due to serious fire risks. The recalled models lack critical overcurrent protection, increasing the risk of fire if overloaded. Seven reports of fuses blowing have been received, but no injuries or fires.
The hazard
The power strips do not have supplementary overcurrent protection, making them susceptible to overheating and potential fire.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled power strips immediately and contact ANNQUAN for a refund.
Company contact
Call 401-998-3366 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email recall_annquan@163.com or visit https://annquanrecall.com/ for more information.
17 Stories Furniture dresser recall for tip-over hazard
About 2,800 17 Stories Furniture 18-Drawer Dressers are recalled for tip-over and entrapment risk; consumers should stop use and request a refund.
Unstable dresser risks tip-over and child entrapment
About 2,800 18-drawer dressers recalled, multiple models
Owners should stop using and request a refund
17 Stories Furniture has recalled approximately 2,800 of its 18-Drawer Dressers sold on Wayfair.com between September 2023 and November 2025. The dressers are unstable if not anchored to the wall, violating federal safety standards and posing a tip-over and entrapment hazard to children. No injuries have been reported.
The hazard
The dresser can tip over if not anchored, creating a risk of serious injury or death to children.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled dressers and contact 17 Stories Furniture for a refund.
Currey & Company chandelier recall for falling hazard
About 260 Currey & Company Electra Chandeliers are recalled due to improper ceiling connection, posing a risk of falling and injury.
Faulty ceiling connection can cause chandelier to fall
About 260 Electra and Electra Three Tier Chandeliers recalled
Consumers should contact the company for a free repair kit
Currey & Company has recalled about 260 Electra Chandelier and Electra Three Tier Chandelier light fixtures. The chandeliers, made of glass and iron, were sold from May 2024 to September 2025. The connection component to the ceiling is not threaded properly, creating a risk the fixture could fall. Two incidents of falling chandeliers have been reported, with one resulting in property damage.
The hazard
The chandelier can fall from the ceiling due to an improperly threaded connection, posing a risk of injury from impact.
What to do
Contact Currey & Company for a free in-home repair kit to replace the connection component. The company will cover installation costs.
TopHomer pool drain cover recall for drowning hazard
About 1,040 TopHomer pool drain covers are recalled for failing entrapment protection standards, increasing drowning risk for swimmers.
Pool drain covers do not meet safety standards, creating entrapment and drowning hazard
About 1,040 8-inch drain covers affected, model SP-1053-B
Consumers should stop use and request a refund
TopHomerUS has recalled about 1,040 of its 8-inch pool drain covers sold on Amazon.com from August 2024 to October 2025. The recalled covers do not comply with entrapment protection standards required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, creating a risk of drowning.
The hazard
The drain covers violate entrapment protection standards, posing entrapment and drowning hazards to swimmers and bathers.
What to do
Consumers should stop using the recalled drain covers immediately and contact TopHomerUS for a refund.
Company contact
Email Tophomer.recall@outlook.com or visit the TopHomerUS Amazon Seller Profile page.
Holiday gifting is becoming more stressful than joyful, as rising costs, social pressure, and fear of getting it wrong fuel widespread gift anxiety.
Uncertainty is a major driver of that stress, with many Americans worried theyll overspend or still end up giving an unwanted gift.
Setting realistic budgets and clear expectations can ease the pressure, helping shoppers focus on meaning over price and avoid post-holiday regret.
For many Americans, Christmas shopping doesnt start with excitement it starts with stress.
What should be a joyful tradition of giving has quietly turned into a high-pressure exercise filled with second-guessing, budget math, and the fear of disappointing the people we care about most.
Rising living costs have made holiday spending feel heavier than ever, while social media feeds packed with picture-perfect gifts and over-the-top celebrations raise the stakes even higher.
This growing sense of gift anxiety is changing how consumers approach Christmas and prompting many to look for ways to make gifting simpler, clearer, and less emotionally charged.
ConsumerAffairs interviewed Adam Zucker, VP of Marketing at MyRegistry.com, to learn how gift anxiety shows up during the holidays and practical ways shoppers can ease the stress and bring some joy back into Christmas giving.
Feeling the pressure
Zucker broke down what consumers can expect when it comes to gift anxiety this holiday season.
Gift anxiety will typically manifest during times when emotional expectations collide with financial reality, he explained. No one wants to appear thoughtless, cheap, or out of sync in the relationship with a friend or family member.
Uncertainty can worsen the feeling of gift anxiety, and with more than half of U.S. adults expecting to receive at least one unwanted gift over the festive period, this indicates that many are spending money while quietly worrying they will get it wrong. That fear of wasted money, combined with the inevitable social comparisons and economic pressures, is what's driving so much of todays gift anxiety.
How to fight the pressure
While pressure may be mounting, it doesnt have to take over this holiday season. Zucker recommends remembering the real reason behind giving gifts.
Its so vitally important to remember that gifting at any time of the year but especially during the holidays is not a financial exchange that needs to be balanced equally, he said. The pressure to match a gift often leads to overspending and financial regret.
Set a budget you are comfortable with and stick to it, no matter what. A meaningful gift given within your means is always a better idea than adding to your debt. When expectations are clear, through a wish list or registry, the anxiety around matching value will largely disappear.
Order groceries without leaving ChatGPT ask for recipes and build your shopping cart right in the chat.
Wide selection of stores available from Kroger and Safeway to regional favorites like Wegmans, Schnucks, and more.
Fast delivery right to your door orders can arrive in as little as about an hour thanks to DoorDashs logistics network.
Imagine the next time youre brainstorming dinner ideas with ChatGPT and boom youre a few clicks away from fresh ingredients arriving at your door.
Thats now a reality thanks to a new partnership between DoorDash and OpenAI that brings grocery shopping directly into the ChatGPT experience. Instead of flipping between apps or scribbling out a grocery list, you can handle everything from inspiration to checkout in one place.
AI is unlocking an entirely new search and discovery experience for consumers thats dynamic and personalized, Andy Fang, Co-founder at DoorDash, said in a news release.
We're thrilled to partner with OpenAI to create a seamless experience that allows users to quickly order ingredients for any recipe and check out directly on DoorDash. As we expand this experience to more shopping categories, our focus is on building AI tools that give people time back and make local shopping easier.
How it works
This new in-chat DoorDash app turns ChatGPT into a smart personal grocery assistant. You can ask for meal suggestions, like What should I make for taco Tuesday? Once you find something you love, ChatGPT and the DoorDash app turn those recipe ingredients into a ready-to-shop cart.
Its a big step beyond a simple recipe-finder now your chat can do something real for you. No more jumping between screens, no rewriting grocery lists, and no last-minute runs to the store when you forgot milk or cheese.
Heres the basics of getting started:
Enable the DoorDash app in ChatGPT. Go into your ChatGPT Settings, open Apps, pick DoorDash, and sign in to your account.
Ask for recipe ideas or meal plans. ChatGPT will tailor suggestions to your interests quick weeknight dinners, healthy lunches, holiday feasts, you name it.
Build your grocery list right in chat. Once you like a recipe, tell ChatGPT to shop it itll turn the ingredients into your DoorDash grocery cart.
Check out and relax. Review your cart in the DoorDash app and place the order for delivery.
Why It Matters for Everyday Shoppers
This update makes grocery shopping less of a chore and more of a conversation. Whether youre juggling a packed schedule, planning meals for your family, or trying to be more adventurous in the kitchen, this feature helps shave off time and mental effort.
DoorDash says this rollout will expand to all users in the coming weeks across iOS, Android, desktop, and mobile web, bringing this seamless shopping experience to many more homes.
Most dates are about quality, not safety. Sell by = store stock; best by = taste; use by = pay closer attention (esp. refrigerated). Infant formula is the exception
Use the 3 checks: stored right (time/temp)? smell/look off? package damaged? Bulging/leaking/badly dented cans = toss
Pantry staples that dont care (stored dry/sealed/pest-free): honey, salt, sugar, vinegar, dry pasta, white rice, dried beans, cornstarch, baking soda (weaker), canned goods (if can is OK)
If your fridge has a weekly expiration purge, its time to consider if you might be tossing money more than tossing any potential danger.
Most date labels on food are about peak quality, not necessarily food safety. And because theres no single, universal federal standard for date phrases across all foods, brands use a mix of sell by, best by, and use by that sounds scarier than it is. The USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service has even pushed for a simpler, clearer label: Best if Used By.
The one big exception I want to bring up: infant formula. That date matters.
Below is your cheat sheet to decode the labels the right way. Plus, youll learn the products where the date stamps basically dont apply when you store the items correctly.
The label decoder you actually need
Sell By date
The Sell By date is mainly used by the grocery store itself. The date helps employees manage inventory and rotate (or remove) older products when needed.
Dont consider it a trash it tomorrow date that you must follow. Instead, think of it more as a its time to consider the freshness and flavor if youve gone past the printed Sell By date.
Items where you tend to see the Sell By date:
Milk (and other refrigerated dairy like half-and-half)
Yogurt and sour cream
Packaged deli meats (and hot dogs)
Fresh bread and bakery items
Bagged salads and pre-cut produce
Best By / Best if Used By date
Think of this date as the manufacturer telling the consumer that this is when it tastes best.
After that date, the quality can deteriorate in terms of texture, flavor, and freshness. But it may still be fine to eat if it was handled safely.
The FDA explicitly supports Best if Used By as the standard quality phrase that will hopefully be universally adoptedsoon.
Items where you often see the Best By date include:
Cereal + granola
Chips, crackers, cookies
Peanut butter + nut butters
Canned foods
Pasta, rice, boxed mac & cheese
Use By date
Think of the Use By date as the last recommended date for best quality.
It still doesnt automatically mean unsafe, but its a stronger signal to pay attention to. In other words, consider how the product was stored and if there are any signs of spoilage.
Items where you tend to see the Use By date include:
Fresh meat and poultry
Pre-made deli / refrigerated grab-and-go foods
Refrigerated ready-to-bake dough
Eggs
Pro tip: Your fridge temperature matters more than the date stamp. FSIS recommends keeping your refrigerator at 40F or below. And for long-term freezing, keep your freezer at 0F or below.
The real question: Is it a safety or quality issue?
Think about it this way, the more perishable the item (fresh meat, deli stuff, ready-to-eat refrigerated foods), the more you should respect time and temperature. How old is the item and what temperature has it been stored at?
For many pantry staples and shelf-stable foods, the printed date basically serves as a we guarantee taste until this date proclamation.
Whenever you stumble across something in your kitchen or pantry that seems a little suspicious, run it through this quick 3-step check:
Was the product stored correctly and at the correct temperature?
Does it look or smell off or weird?
Is the package damaged or dented (especially cans and jars)?
Pro tip: The USDA says to never use food from cans that are leaking, bulging, or badly dented. The CDC also flags bulging/swollen containers, spurting liquid/foam, or bad odors as contamination warnings. When in doubt, throw it out without tasting it.
10 products where best by dates mostly dont apply
These are some foods where time is usually a quality issue (staleness, weaker flavor), and not necessarily a safety issue. This, of course, assumes they stay dry, sealed, and free of pests like weevils.
Honey - Honey can definitely crystallize and look kind of weird, but thats not spoilage. The solution is to warm the jar in hot water and it often returns to normal.
Salt - Salt doesnt go bad. If you find clumps, that usually mean humidity got in but it is still fine to use.
Sugar - Same story as salt. If you find that it hardens, its a storage issue, not a safety issue.
Distilled white vinegar The high acidity level keeps it stable. If it looks cloudy, thats typically about the quality of the vinegar, not about the danger for you.
Dry pasta - If it has been kept dry and there are no bugs or moisture, its usually fine past the date. You might find it a little less fresh in texture over time but thats about it.
White rice - White rice is a long-haul pantry staple when stored sealed and dry. (Brown rice is different as it has oils in it that can go rancid faster.)
Dried beans and lentils - They can get older and take longer to cook, but they dont suddenly turn unsafe because a date has passed.
Cornstarch - As long as it stays dry and uncontaminated, its generally stable.
Baking soda - It doesnt spoil in a dangerous way, it just loses strength. If youre baking something that needs lift, do the quick test (vinegar + baking soda = it should fizz).
Canned foods (with one big condition) - Canned goods can last a long time, but the condition of the can matters a lot. Specifically, make sure the can has no dents or bulges, if it does,toss it.
Pro tip: Try to get in the habit of writing the opened on date on stuff you open and dont finish like sauces, broth cartons, jars, and snacks. Otherwise, its often hard to remember when you openedit and you end up tossing stuff thats perfectly fine.
The bottom line - Use the USDA/FDA-backed FoodKeeper guidance for storage timelines and handling tips. They have a well-organized chart that tells you exactly how long stuff lasts, both at refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Checking it regularly will prevent 90% of the should I toss this? debates in your house.
