Consumer News: Consumers showing signs of stress amid economic worries

The retailer has simple holiday meals made smarter (and cheaper)

• Dollar General is offering recipe-centered holiday bundles that bundle staple ingredients and often throw in a free item.

• The promotions run from mid-October through late November, with rotating discounts across more than 15 food categories.

• Extra stacking offers: spending minimums unlock further savings, and many deals combine with each other (though some exclusions apply).

The holiday season is here, and with grocery prices staying stubbornly high, many folks are looking for ways to celebrate without overspending.

Thats where Dollar General steps in with some pretty clever deals. Their new approach centers on recipe-based bundles and rotating discounts that let shoppers snag classic holiday sides and desserts while stretching their dollars.

Starting October 19 and running through November 29, Dollar General is rolling out bundled offers around beloved dishes like sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie.

The idea is simple: buy key ingredients, and get another essential item free. On top of that, theyre not leaving the rest of the grocery aisle untouched over 15 branded food product categories are getting in on the action with price reductions and special offers.

At Dollar General, we know how important it is to make the holidays special without overspending, Allen Warch, vice president and division merchandise manager of food and fresh at DG, said in a news release. Were proud to offer meal solutions with meaningful savings to help our customers celebrate with confidence and ease.

Whats on the Deal Sheet (and How to Maximize It)

Heres a closer look at some of the bundles and extra offers worth keeping an eye on:

• Bundle deals with freebies
  Buy Bruces Yams Cut Sweet Potatoes + Clover Valley Light Brown Sugar Get Jet-Puffed Marshmallows free.
  Buy Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup + Frenchs Original Crispy Fried Onions Get Clover Valley Green Beans free.
  Buy Keebler Graham Ready Crust + Nestl Carnation Evaporated Milk Get Clover Valley Pumpkin free.
  

• Rotating discounts across food categories
  Dollar General is cycling deals on staples like baking supplies, gravies, cake mixes, candy chips, and canned goods. For example:
  Betty Crocker Frosting paired with a cake mix deal (Nov 23Dec 20)
  Match-and-mix offers like 2 for $4 on Heinz Gravy + Stove Top Stuffing (Nov 2Dec 20)
  Baking essentials like Hersheys cocoa and chocolate chips going on sale during NovemberDecember windows.
  

• Spend-and-save stacking offer
  From November 9 to December 25, theres an extra $5 off when you spend $15 on select holiday baking and food items. That discount stacks with many of the existing bundles and offers (but note: it doesnt combine with DGs $5-off-$25 coupon or other basket offers).

As America faces a shortage of primary care doctors, experts say seniors can still find great care if they know what to look for

• Choose carefully: Verify insurance coverage, seek community recommendations, and prioritize doctors who communicate clearly and treat you with respect.

• Watch for red flags: Be cautious of providers with limited appointment availability or poor communication about diagnoses and treatment plans.

• Be proactive: Prepare for appointments, ask questions, and build a relationship with your doctor early to improve long-term health outcomes.

Finding the right primary care provider can feel overwhelmingespecially as more Americans struggle to get appointments and the health care system faces a growing doctor shortage.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Dr. Greg Whisman, Chief Medical Officer at CareMore Health, says that now more than ever, older adults should feel empowered to take charge of their health by choosing a provider who looks beyond just medical charts.

Dr. Whisman shares how CareMore is reimagining primary care with a holistic, team-based approach that supports not only physical health, but also emotional and social well-beingand offers his top advice for seniors on finding the right doctor and asking the right questions.

Factors to consider in a primary care provider

Dr. Whisman shared some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your primary care provider.

Start by verifying that your insurance plan is accepted to avoid unexpected medical bills, he suggested. Next, seek community recommendations from friends and family and from platforms like Nextdoor or Facebook. Feedback on doctors with good bedside manner and effective patient communication can help you find a provider you trust and are confident in their treatment plans.

He also stressed the importance of a positive patient experience this begins the moment you enter the practice.

This includes a warm greeting, efficient check-in to avoid long waits, and a smooth, timely visit, Dr. Whisman said. During your appointment, providers should make eye contact, actively ask questions, and seek your consent for treatment plans, explaining their decisions clearly.

Lastly, Dr. Whisman recommends trusting and understanding your health care provider.

Its crucial that you understand your diagnosis and treatment plan, rather than feeling confused or talked down to. This knowledge empowers you to articulate your medical information if you need to go to the hospital, urgent care, or are on vacation. While providers are skilled at extracting this information, your clear understanding of what's happening and why is paramount.

The red flags

On the other hand, there are two major warning signs for consumers to look for when theyre on the hunt for a primary care provider: availability and effective communication.

• Availability: While in-demand doctors often have full schedules, it's crucial to inquire about their process for acute needs. A red flag would be if a practice cannot offer same-day or next-day appointments for urgent, non-escalating conditions.

• Effective Communication: Primary care doctors frequently diagnose new conditions. Therefore, their ability to clearly explain complex medical information to patients who lack a medical background is paramount. For individuals who aren't immersed in the world of primary care, it is vital to have a provider who can explain these health concerns in an understandable way. Finding a clinician who can distill complex information without being condescending, and with whom you can build rapport, is absolutely paramount for effective patient care.

Making the most of your time

Dr. Whisman also recommends that consumers take the time to prepare for their doctors appointments ahead of time. Doing so can help you make the most of your exam time and ensure all your questions and concerns are answered and addressed.

• Clearly identify your symptoms and be ready to explain how long they've been occurring, if you've experienced them before, and how they were previously treated.

• Consider what you hope to achieve during the visit and write down any questions you have, especially if a caregiver isn't able to attend but has concerns.

• Before leaving your appointment, ensure you have a clear "game plan" for your continued care. This includes knowing when your follow-up visit is scheduled and making sure you have enough medication refills to last until then.

• Think of your visit as a play with a beginning, middle, and end, which the beginning is your preparation, and the middle is the visit itself. The "epilogue" is when you're checking out.

Investing time to find the right doctor and establishing this relationship early, ideally before you're ill, can have significant benefits, Dr. Whisman said.

Even if it means waiting a few months for an initial appointment, it's a worthwhile endeavor. This proactive approach can prevent the escalation to chronic health conditions, mitigate unexpected medical costs, and ultimately extend your life. These are outcomes we all strive for, and effective primary care can help us achieve them.

Prices may shift, your savings dont have to

• More than just $1.25expect added $3$7 sections, quicker inventory resets, and a tighter focus on category winners
• If its over $1.25, compare the unit price. Some items will still be a dealbut value size doesnt automatically mean cheaper
• Buy crafts anddcor 46 weeks before the holiday, grab candy/plates/gift wrap the final week

Dollar Tree used its October 15th Investor Day to sketch a back-to-basics, smarter assortment plan after selling Family Dollar this summer.

The company said its short-term plans havent changed, sales at existing stores are up so far this quarter, and its willing to adjust prices as needed.

Translation for shoppers: expect more choice at multiple price points (not just $1.25), faster inventory resets, and a tighter focus on the categories where Dollar Tree does well. Namely seasonal decor, party supplies, cleaning products, snacks, and small household goods.

Whats changing and why you should care

Beyond the $1.25 pricing zone, youll see some $3$7 sections. While that seems expensive, some items will genuinely offer better size or quality at that price. But some will lose to grocery or warehouse unit prices. So be sure to check the math before you toss a $7 item in the cart.

Also, with Dollar Tree turning its focus to categories that are big winners, expect faster restocks when it comes to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas dcor. Along with quicker restocks, CEO Mike Creedon said theyre committed to a shopping experience that offers a true sense of discovery, with new seasonal dcor introduced throughout the season.

From an operational standpoint, with Family Dollar gone, stores should run smoother. Look for fewer out-of-stocks and a better seasonal flow. In years past, the Christmas dcor shelves had many out-of-stocks and frankly, were a bit of a mess. It will be interesting to see if that changes this year given their new focus.

How to maximize your savings at Dollar Tree

Run the unit-price test, especially on any product pricedabove $1.25. Divide price by ounces/sheets/count before you buy. Cleaning supplies, foil/parchment, and freezer bags often stay cheapest per uniteven in the $3$5 tierswhile big bottles of shampoo/body wash usually dont. Do the 10-second math on your phone.

Time seasonal buys: buy early for crafts, late for disposables. Grab dcor/teacher supplies 46 weeks before the holiday (they sell out). Scoop up candy, paper plates, and gift wrap the final week when stores clear space and markdowns hit.

Raid the party/event aisle first. Balloons, treat bags, tablecloths, gift wrap, and greeting cards almost always undercut big-box stores. Build a small stash now so youre not forced into pricier last-minute buys elsewhere.

Inspect before you leave (and keep the receipt handy). Quality varies more as price tiers expand. Be sure to check frames, mugs, storage bins, and glassware for chips and warping. Keep the receipt clipped to the bag for fast same-store returns if somethings off.

Texts demanding payment for tolls, tickets, etc., should be ignored. Go to the source to confirm.

• Investigators say scam toll and postal texts are part of a billion-dollar phishing operation run by criminal networks in China.

• Fraudsters use SIM farms, phishing sites and gig mules to load stolen card numbers into mobile wallets and buy gift cards, phones and other goods.

• Law enforcement warns the scheme is growing: one firm reported a single-day high of 330,000 toll-scam messages last month.

Criminal networks operating out of China have turned text-message phishing into a sophisticated, billion-dollar industry that preys on Americans momentary lapses of attention and then launders the proceeds through U.S.-based gig workers, investigators say.

The operation typically begins with a fake text: a past-due highway toll, a bogus U.S. Postal Service fee or an alleged unpaid traffic ticket from a city agency. Victims who click the link are taken to a phishing site that harvests names, credit-card numbers, and one-time passwords. Those credentials are then used to add stolen cards to mobile wallets in Asia a trick that, investigators say, eliminates the need for repeated authentication when the cards are used remotely.

Department of Homeland Security agents and cybersecurity researchers describe a multi-step supply chain behind the fraud. At the top are foreign servers and SIM farms rooms filled with networking devices and hundreds of SIM cards that allow a single operator to send the volume of texts normally generated by thousands of phones. The overseas gangs often manage those farms remotely, recruiting U.S.-based workers via apps such as WeChat to set up the hardware locally.

To monetize the stolen information, the gangs recruit hundreds of U.S.-based gig workers sometimes called mules who are paid tiny fees to buy gift cards or high-value goods and ship them overseas. Investigators say the workers typically earn roughly 12 cents for every $100 in gift cards they purchase for the fraudsters. On any given day, as many as 400 to 500 mules are active, according toestimates.

The fraud has real, measurable scale. Proofpoint, a mobile spam-filtering firm, recorded an all-time high of about 330,000 toll-scam messages in a single day last month and says the average monthly volume of those messages is roughly 3 times what it was in January 2024. Homeland Security officials say the criminal networks behind the toll and postage texts have siphoned off more than $1 billion over the past three years.

Experts warn the rise of mobile wallets has made the fraud particularly damaging. Having these cards put into digital wallets is so powerful because multi-factor authentication is never needed again, said a threat researcher. Once a card is trusted on a device, banks and merchants may not ask for additional verification when it is used.

Law enforcement officials say the response must be multi-pronged: take down phishing infrastructure, disrupt SIM-farm operations, and chase the payment chains into criminal marketplaces. They also urge tougher enforcement against the domestic networks that set up infrastructure and recruit local mules.

Prevention tips for readers

• Treat unexpected payment texts with suspicion dont click links.

• If you think a message might be legitimate, go directly to the services official website or app rather than following a text link.

• Never enter one-time passwords or full card details on a site reached from a suspicious message.

• Monitor your accounts and enable transaction alerts from your bank.

• Consider using a credit card rather than a debit card for online payments; review card protections with your issuer.

What to do if you think you were scammed

1. Contact your bank or card issuer immediately and report the fraud. Request a block and reissue of the card.

2. Change passwords for accounts that may have been compromised, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

3. Check your mobile-wallet settings and remove any unfamiliar devices or cards.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov and report the scam to local law enforcement.

5. If you purchased gift cards or shipped goods, keep receipts and tracking numbers for investigators.

The surge in scam texts has turned a century-old phishing technique into a cross-border industrial operation. Officials say curbing it will require cooperation among tech platforms, banks, law enforcement and the public and vigilance from anyone who receives an unexpected request to pay a bill by text.

Its not just out-of-control sports betting

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Millennials are leading sports spending, shelling out an average of $2,050 a year compared to Gen Zs $1,550, according to Ally Banks new report, The Cost of Fandom.

• For many Gen Zers, supporting their favorite teams means cutting back elsewhere from eating out less to saving less.

• Women are embracing social fandom, while men lean toward experiential fandom, highlighting gendered approaches to how fans spend.

Much has been written about the high cost of online sports betting, but thats not the only way sports fans lose money.

A new report from Ally Bank, The Cost of Fandom, finds that millennials lead all generations in annual spending on fan-related activities, averaging $2,050 per year. Gen Z trails behind at $1,550, but their commitment runs deep even if it means cutting back in other areas of life.

For many younger fans, supporting their favorite team isnt just about entertainment; its about identity and belonging. Nearly one in three millennials (33%) and Gen Zers (31%) say their sports spending makes them feel connected, underscoring how fandom functions as both community and culture.

Fandom transcends mere dollars and cents: its about identity, community, and being part of something bigger, said Lindsay Sacknoff, head of consumer banking at Ally. We believe theres no shame in spending even splurging on the things that bring you joy. At the same time, fandom should not come at the cost of your financial health.

How fans are overspending

According to Allys findings, the average sports fan spends around $1,600 annually to support their teams, while the most devoted fanatics spend closer to $2,200. The biggest budget-busters? Tickets (60%) and food and drink (54%), followed closely by team apparel (47%) and travel (36%).

Despite their enthusiasm, few fans have a firm sports budget. Nearly half of millennials (43%) admit they dont track how much they spend on fandom, and even Gen Z often seen as financially cautious isnt immune, with 37% saying they operate without a budget. Forty-three percent of Gen Zers say they overspend several months each year.

Different playbooks

Allys research also highlights a gender divide in how fans show their devotion. Women tend to favor social fandom, gathering at friends homes (52% vs. 46% of men) or hosting watch parties (31% vs. 26%). For them, the joy of fandom lies in connection and community.

Men, meanwhile, are more likely to travel long distances (31% vs. 25%) or splurge on VIP experiences. Their fandom leans experiential rooted in being there live, no matter the cost.

Momentum is building for womens sports, with nearly seven in ten fans saying their spending has increased or stayed steady in the past year. Only 24% of respondents said they hadnt spent any money on womens sports.

While the spending gap remains fans spend $950 on mens sports versus $500 on womens men are surprisingly leading the charge, outspending women on womens sports ($600 vs. $400 annually).

Younger fans are driving this change: 31% of Gen Z fans say being a womens sports supporter is important, and 40% see it as a way to promote equality and empowerment.

More and more fans are choosing to spend, save and give with intention, especially in support of womens sports where every dollar helps fuel representation and growth, said Jack Howard, Allys head of money wellness.

Spending with intention

At a time when many people are feeling squeezed financially, it may be prudent to look at spending on sports. Ally economists encouragefans to find balance between passion and practicality. Its Money Roots program offers free financial wellness workshops to help people align their money mindset with their values ensuring that the most stressful part of gameday is the score, not the bank balance.