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Practical tips and expert insight on staying safe in frigid temperatures

• Extreme cold can be dangerous, not just uncomfortable, increasing the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, falls, overexertion, and even carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Simple habits make a big difference, including dressing in layers, staying hydrated, eating nutrient-dense foods, getting enough sleep, and avoiding overexertion outdoors.

• Some people face higher risks in winter, including children, older adults, and those with chronic or respiratory conditions, making extra precautions especially important.

When frost coats our streets, its easy to think of cold weather as just a nuisance something that makes you want another cup of coffee or an extra blanket. But extreme cold isnt just uncomfortable; it can pose serious health risks that affect your whole body.

From frostbite on exposed skin to hypothermia a dangerous drop in core body temperature cold weather can quickly turn from brisk to life-threatening if youre unprepared. And its not just about shivering. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures has been linked to a range of medical dangers, especially for older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Asefeh Faraz Covelli, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, an associate professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at The George Washington University School of Nursing, to break down what happens to your body in the cold and more importantly, what you can do to stay safe when winter truly bites.

The biggest health risks

Dr. Faraz Covelli shared the biggest health risks during extreme cold weather:

• Hypothermia

• Frostbite

• Falls due to icy conditions

• Overexertion from shoveling snow

• Carbon monoxide poisoning and fires resulting from improper heating methods

Tips for improving health and wellness in the winter months

With spring still over a month away, the temperatures arent likely to increase much anytime soon. Dr. Faraz Covelli shared her top tips for beating the freezing temperature and how to prioritize your health and wellness.

• Dress in layers: Effective cold-weather layering includes several layers of loose, lightweight clothing (such as wool, fleece, or polypropylene) for insulation, with a waterproof outer layer. Hats, gloves or mittens, scarves, and waterproof boots are also important.

• Eat and drink for health: Stay hydrated. Limit caffeine and alcohol as these beverages are dehydrating, and eat nutrient-dense foods. Boost immunity by prioritizing foods high in vitamin C and D (citrus fruits, fish, and zinc).

• Get quality sleep: At least seven to eight hours each night is recommended.

• Maintain a workout routine indoors:Regular indoor workouts can helpboost immunity.

• Avoid overexertion if you're outdoors: If you're walking outdoors or shoveling snow,take frequent breaks.

When it comes to things to avoid, Dr. Faraz Covelli says that not all trends are backed by science including taking products like Emergen-C or other high-dose vitamin C supplements.

The evidence is mixed on the efficacy of high doses of vitamin C in shortening the duration and severity of colds in some individuals, she said. While it won't hurt, it may not necessarily help.

High-risk groups

In the cold winter months, certain groups are more susceptible to getting sick or dealing with other winter weather-related health concerns.

Children, elderly, immunocompromised populations, and those with chronic diseases such as asthma are more susceptible to health concerns during colder months, Dr. Faraz Covelli said. These groups should take additional precautions by making sure their vaccines are up to date, masking in crowded, indoor environments, and avoiding close contact with others who are ill.

For all consumers, Dr. Faraz Covelli has a simple message: take the necessary precautions to stay healthy this winter.

Stay healthy and avoid illness by frequently washing hands, sanitizing surfaces, and getting the flu vaccine if you have not done so already, she recommended.

Shoppers favorite items could be nearly 15% cheaper than usual

• PepsiCo is lowering suggested retail prices on popular snacks by up to nearly 15%.

• Price cuts apply to favorites like Lays, Doritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos starting this week.

• The decision aims to ease consumer price pain and make Super Bowl snacking more affordable.

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, snack fans across the country are getting some welcome news: PepsiCo is dropping the suggested retail prices on many of its most popular chips and snacks.

From Lays classic potato chips to Doritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos, these crowd-pleasing brands are getting a price reset and in many stores youll see savings of up to nearly 15% on shelves right now.

For many shoppers, the snack aisle has felt like a battleground in recent years. After widespread price hikes following the pandemic, consumers have been feeling the pinch, often shying away from big-name snacks or switching to cheaper store brands.

Weve spent the past year listening closely to consumers, and theyve told us theyre feeling the strain, Rachel Ferdinando, CEO, PepsiCo Foods U.S., said in a news release.

Lowering the suggested retail price reflects our commitment to help reduce the pressure where we can. Because people shouldnt have to choose between great taste and staying within their budget.

Getting the new pricing

The new pricing will start rolling out across the United States this week just in time for one of the biggest snacking occasions of the year.

While PepsiCo sets suggested retail prices, retailers ultimately decide what goes on the shelf, so your actual savings may vary and could even be greater at some stores. Importantly, the chips themselves arent changing in size or flavor its simply a more budget-friendly tag paired with the same products you know and love.

PepsiCo is framing this shift as part of a broader strategy to make its brands more accessible.

What you need to know before shopping

• Act now for game-day deals: The lower prices are hitting shelves ahead of Super Bowl weekend so if youre stocking up for watch parties, you might want to shop sooner rather than later to catch the best savings.

• Store pricing may vary: PepsiCo sets suggested prices, but individual retailers (like grocery chains or big-box stores) decide the final tag. Some places might offer even steeper discounts.

• Same snacks, smarter spending: Theres no change to portion sizes or taste just friendlier pricing. That means you can enjoy your favorite chips without feeling like youre paying more for less.

Reducing prices on many consumers favorite snacks is an important action, Ferdinando said. Well continue taking steps that keep our most loved brands within reach, while maintaining the same quality and same taste that consumers love.

Lowering prices is one step an important one in our commitment to deliver for consumers and strengthen our brands for the future. Well continue listening, learning, and taking action to keep our consumers at the center of everything we do.

Why Amazon is betting on physical stores again

• Amazon is going big in physical retail. This new Illinois store blends groceries, essentials, and a built-in fulfillment center for faster pickup and fewer crowded aisles.

• Your Prime perks could go in-store. Expect app-based deals and personalized discounts as Amazon uses your shopping data to compete with Walmart, Costco, and Target.

• Hybrid shopping is the future. Browse in person, order digitally, and get curbside fast this format could change how you buy everyday items.

Amazon is going big. Like, really big.

The company just got approval to build what would be its largest retail store ever in the Chicago suburb of Orland Park, Illinois.

It will be a massive space (229,000 sq. ft.) that blends a grocery store, general merchandise, and a mini fulfillment center under one roof.

The store will be half supermarket, half Amazon warehouse, with digital ordering layered throughout.

After years of small store experiments with Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, both of which they recently announced theyll be closing, this signals a big shift.

Amazon wants a serious piece of the in-person shopping pie long dominated by Walmart, Costco, and Target. Heres what this news means for shoppers.

What this store will actually be

This isnt going to be just another big grocery store or Walmart Supercenter replica.

About half the building will look like a traditional big-box retailer with:

• Groceries
• Household basics like paper towels and diapers
• Prepared food made on site

The other half will function as a fulfillment hub where employees assemble online and pickup orders separately from in-store shoppers. So its safe to assume that most things not on the sales floor will be available for quick pickup from the attached warehouse.

For us shoppers, this means fewer aisle-clogging online pickers and much faster curbside pickup.

What this means for your future shopping

1. Prices could get more competitive in-store

Amazon already uses aggressive online pricing. If it wants to pull shoppers away from Walmart and Target, expect sharp promo pricing on everyday essentials, especially items Prime members buy often.

Smart move: Watch for grand-opening loss leaders and digital coupons tied to your Prime account.

2. Your Prime data will follow you into the store

Based on your buying history, Amazon knows exactly what you buy online and at what price point you pull the trigger.

Its safe to assume this data will make its way into these physical mega-stores.

This will affect the following:

• What products get stocked locally and at what price
• What personalized deals they show you
• Personalized app-based discounts when you walk in

Smart move: Get used to the idea of checking the Amazon app before shopping. You may see location-based offers or digital coupons that dont appear on shelf tags.

3. Hybrid shopping will become the norm

See a sweater you like but want a different size or color? Youll be able to order it at a kiosk and grab it before checkout.

Plus, another perk for many shoppers is that heavy items, like pet food, can be brought directly to your car to save your back.

Smart move: Use the store as a showroom. Compare items in person, then check the Amazon app to see if a different version is cheaper online.

4. Faster pickup is a big part of the plan

Separate entrances and back-of-house fulfillment means that Amazon is designing this store for serious curbside volume.

Smart move: If you hate wandering giant stores, this could become one of the fastest grocery pickup options around. Especially during peak holiday seasons when youd rather stay out of the store altogether.

5. Prime perks will probably go physical

Amazons biggest weapon is their Prime membership, and this where they make a good chunk of their revenue.

So, dont be surprised if Prime members get perks like:

• Extra in-store discounts
• Exclusive Prime deals
• Faster pickup windows

Smart move: If you already have Prime, stores like the one they will be building in Illinois could add substantial grocery and household savings.

If you dont have Prime, its safe to assume Amazon will dangle some strong in-store perks to entice you to join.

Why this is a big deal

More than 80% of retail shopping still happens in good ol brick and mortar stores.

While Amazon dominates online, companies like Costco and Walmart win because shoppers still like buying groceries and household goods in person.

This new format is Amazon basically admitting:

We need to meet customers where they actually shop.

If this Illinois location performs well, expect more of these giant hybrid stores to pop-up across the country.

The tax agency said the accounts will reduce fraud

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The IRS is urging taxpayers to create an Individual Online Account to securely access their tax information and reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud.

• The online account gives taxpayers 24/7 access to refunds, transcripts, payments, notices, and other key tax services, similar to online banking.

• In early 2025, the IRS expanded the service to let users view and download common tax documents such as W-2s and 1099s for recent tax years.

Among all federal agencies, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was among the first to fully embrace the internet.

Now, the tax agency is encouraging all taxpayers to set up an IRS Individual Online Account, a secure digital portal designed to make managing tax matters easier while strengthening protections against identity theft and fraud.

Available to anyone who can verify their identity, the Individual Online Account allows taxpayers to handle many routine tax tasks without waiting on the phone or mailing paperwork. The IRS is also asking tax professionals to support the effort by encouraging clients to create accounts and by using their own Tax Pro Accounts to carry out authorized actions on clients behalf.

Similar to online banking

With functionality similar to online banking, the IRS Individual Online Account lets taxpayers view important tax return details, including adjusted gross income, check the status of refunds and amended returns, and access account transcripts such as wage and income records.

Users can also request and retrieve an identity protection PIN, approve power of attorney or tax information authorization requests, and manage communication preferences, including language settings and alternative media.

The account also serves as a central hub for IRS communications and payments. Taxpayers can receive and review more than 200 types of IRS digital notices, make or cancel payments, set up or modify payment plans, and monitor their outstanding balances. Tax documents can also be accessed directly through the account, reducing the need to store paper copies.

In early 2025, the IRS expanded the Individual Online Account to include access to certain information return documents filed with the agency. Taxpayers can now view and download forms such as the W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement), 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement), and several common 1099 forms, including those for non-employee compensation, interest income, dividends, and miscellaneous income.

These information return documents are submitted to the IRS by employers, financial institutions, government agencies, and other payers, and they provide critical data taxpayers need to accurately file their returns. The documents are currently available for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 and can be found under the Records and Status tab within the IRS Individual Online Account.

The IRS says expanding digital access is part of its broader effort to improve customer service, increase transparency, and give taxpayers more control over their tax information in a secure online environment.

But prices vary depending on whether your party is in Boston or Seattle

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The cost of popular Super Bowl snacks are likely going to cost you a little more this year than in years past.

• Recent data found that where you are in the country could impact the final cost of your Super Bowl party.

• Consumers who shop smart can make the most of their money when hosting the Super Bowl this year.

As fans gear up for Super Bowl parties, the cost of filling the snack table is sending a mixed message: some staples are cheaper than a year ago, others are pricier, and where you shop still matters a lot.

New pricing data from Datasembly, which tracks grocery prices nationwide, shows modest overall inflation for a typical Super Bowl spread but notable regional differences in Seattle, Boston, and Santa Clara.

Across a basket of popular game-day items from tortilla chips and salsa to frozen pizza, wings, and beer prices this year rose about 1.5% overall, to roughly $80.49, compared with $79.27 last year. That relatively small bump masks bigger swings at the item level.

Snack chips and dippables offered some relief. Tortilla chips fell more than 5% nationally, while tater tots dropped more than 8%, with especially steep declines in Seattle. Chunky salsa also edged lower overall. Those decreases helped offset higher prices for items like burgers, queso, and soda.

Proteins and prepared foods were a mixed bag. Beef chuck burgers (a six-count pack) climbed more than 3% year over year, while frozen buffalo wings dipped about 2.6% nationally though shoppers in Seattle saw prices jump more than 8% for wings, according to Datasembly. Frozen Supreme pizza posted a modest increase overall, with little variation across the three cities.

Drinks and dips leaned higher. Mini-can six-packs of cola rose more than 9% nationally, and French onion dip increased more than 7%. Beer prices were mostly flat, with slight increases in Boston and declines in Seattle and Santa Clara.

Regional trends

Regional trends underscore how local markets shape the Super Bowl bill. Seattle shoppers generally saw lower prices for snacks and chili but higher costs for wings. Boston posted notable declines for chips and salsa, while Santa Clara tended to run hotter on prepared foods and chili.

Bottom line: hosting a Super Bowl party this year wont break the bank, but smart shopping and knowing which items have cooled or heated up can still make a noticeable difference. Datasemblys data suggests that mixing brands, watching weekly specials, and tailoring menus to local price trends remain the best ways to keep kickoff costs in check.