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Survey shows 71% of families plan to drive to their destination

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nearly three in four American families plan to hit the road this holiday season instead of the skies.

• Cost, flexibility, and convenience are driving the trend toward car travel including a growing interest in hybrids and EVs.

• The least crowded travel days are Nov. 22 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 18 for Christmas, and Dec. 28 for New Years.

With airfare soaring and airport delays a likely hangover from the government shutdown, more Americans are opting for road trips over flights this holiday season.

A new survey by Extreme Terrain found that 71% of families plan to drive to their holiday destinations this year, revealing a major shift toward the open road as travelers seek flexibility and control over their schedules.

More than half of families (52%) will drive for Christmas, followed by 44% for Thanksgiving and 16% for New Years. For many, the appeal is simple: driving offers affordability, comfort, and fewer logistical headaches than flying. Families are looking to save money and skip the chaos, the study noted.

Minimizing stress

Holiday travel remains stressful no matter the mode nearly three in four Americans (72%) say traveling for the holidays causes them stress. New Years tops the list as the most stressful time to hit the road, followed closely by Thanksgiving (71%) and Christmas (69%).

To minimize headaches, the survey identified the least popular travel days when roads are likely to be quieter. The best days to start a trip are Saturday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving), Thursday, Dec. 18 (Christmas), and Sunday, Dec. 28 (New Years).

Many families plan to put in serious mileage. For Christmas, 28% expect to drive between two and four hours one way, while 15% will go more than eight hours. Similar patterns hold for Thanksgiving and New Years, showing Americans willingness to log long distances to celebrate with loved ones.

Theres also a growing green streak on the road. Over one in five families plan to drive a hybrid, while 6% plan to travel in an electric vehicle (EV). As EV infrastructure improves, experts expect this number to rise in the coming years.

Departures and destinations

Major metro areas are fueling the surge in car travel. Families will be leaving in large numbers from Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Dallas, while the top destinations include Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

The data suggest regional travel patterns, with many drivers sticking to routes within a few states of home a trend that reduces both costs and carbon footprints.

Cost is the leading factor influencing family travel decisions (65%), followed by time off work (47%), family traditions (37%), and comfort or convenience (35%). Kids schedules, weather, and even pet accommodations (13%) also play roles in deciding how and when families travel.

For many, the car represents freedom the ability to stop when needed, avoid long security lines, and travel on their own terms. And as the survey shows, more Americans are ready to make the road trip itself part of the holiday experience.

Delays and cancellations could continue for one to two weeks

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The government shutdown is over but it will take time for air travel to recover.

• Industry leaders say operational stability will require better crew availability, modernized technology, and clearer communication with travelers.

• Experts caution that even with improvements, aviation recovery will remain vulnerable to sudden weather events and peak-season demand.

President Trump has signed legislation reopening the federal government after the longest shutdown in history. Federal employees are returning to work, including air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since Oct. 1.

But a note of caution to travelers: After weeks of heavy delays and scattered cancellations due to staffing shortages, airlines across the U.S. are still working to restore smooth operations.

Whats already improving

Once agencies are funded, frontline aviation personnel like air-traffic controllers and checkpoint staff can resume full schedules, jump-start training, and restore staffing levels. Some major airlines and regulators are already seeing signs of lower absenteeism among controllers and fewer cancellations tied to staffing stress.

Because flights were still operating though at reduced efficiency during the shutdown, there isnt a complete system collapse to rebuild just a recovery of capacity and smoothing of the backlog.

What still needs to happen, and why it takes time

Even once pay and staffing are restored, airlines must re-table their schedules, reposition crews and aircraft, and manage backlog connections. Analysts estimate seven to14 days or morefor schedules to largely normalize.

The system already had underlying staffing and capacity constraints (especially in air-traffic control) that pre-dated this shutdown; those dont vanish with a funding bill.

The holiday travel surge at Thanksgiving and weather factors will test the systems resilience as it recovers, meaning disruptions may linger longer than in simpler scenarios.

Pre-existing issues

Even before the shutdown, airlines faced mounting challenges. While the causes vary by region and carrier, a familiar combination of weather challenges, staffing limitations, and aircraft bottlenecks has placed sustained pressure on the system.

Passengers have felt the effects at major hubs, where rolling delays have become a near-daily reality during peak travel periods. Aviation analysts say the issue is not one single breakdown but a series of interconnected vulnerabilities that leave airlines with little margin for error.

The shoppers who win Black Friday start here, not at midnight

• Expect familiar deals but tighter inventory; buy at 2530% off and use price adjustments; verify model numbers to avoid stripped-down doorbusters

• Prep now: make a gift list with budgets, track prices (CamelCamelCamel/Honey), set Karma alerts, and start early to spread costs and beat sellouts

• Stack savings: join store loyalty + PayPal cashback; use Fetch/Fetch Amex to turn receipts into gift cards; buy now (tech/small appliances) vs. wait (toys/apparel/decor; bedding in January; TVs late January)

Black Friday 2025 wont be a total curveball, but the smartest shoppers will definitely prep early. To that end, I had the chance to interview smart shopping expert, Andrea Woroch, about ways to prep now so you maximize your savings come Black Friday weekend. Heres your game plan to shop like a pro, before the doorbusters even drop.

Will Black Friday 2025 be different than years past?

Woroch explained that Black Friday should look pretty similar to what we have seen in recent years in terms of savings on popular small kitchen gadgets, big screen TVs, video gaming consoles and personal tech, including headphones, tablets and smart home devices.

She also told me that retailers secured much of their holiday inventory before tariffs kicked in, which will help hold prices down. The trade-off? Fewer units of the best stuff, so selection may feel tighter. Translation: plan ahead, track prices now, and be ready to buy when your target number hits.

With the help of Woroch, below is your full game plan for Black Friday 2025.

Start with a tight list (and a ceiling price for each item)

A written list is the fastest way to avoid overspending. Woroch recommends a dedicated gift-list app like Santas Bag so you can set a budget per person, jot gift ideas, and log what you actually paid.

This prevents duplicate gifts when you start shopping early, and it keeps you from turning just browsing into clear overspending.

Pro tip: Add a target price beside each item. Worochs rule of thumb is if you see a must-have item at 25%30% off or better, buy it. Youre unlikely to do much better, and price adjustments can cover you if it drops later. Check the retailers policy so you can request an adjustment without returning.

Do some price recon NOW before the ads hit

Start researching prices so you know what gifts cost now before sales drop, Woroch says. This will help you determine when a deal is worthwhile rather than wondering if you're getting a good price.

She recommends these tools that surface real price history, not just was/now marketing:

• CamelCamelCamel (or the Camelizer browser add-on) for Amazon price history.
• Honey browser extension for price history and coupon tests.
• Karma to set price drop alerts and get notified when a price drops.

If the price isnt at or near your target, set the alert and walk away. Let the tools do the work, and youll get a ping when its time to buy.

Shop earlier than you think

Black Friday now comes at you in waves, and smart shoppers start well before Thanksgiving. We are already seeing daily price drops, early holiday sales, and limited-time promos. Its time to start paying attention to these early deals if youre not already.

Woroch highly recommends starting your shopping early as it allows you to manage your cash flow as you can spread out purchases over a few paychecks over several weeks rather than trying to buy everything at once.

Why this matters in 2025: Even if prices are solid, selection could be thinner on high-demand items like popular toys, specific TV models, and hot headphones. Early birds will have way more options this year.

Stack rewards and cashback that you can spend in December

Rack up rewards for your holiday purchases, says Woroch, as they can easily fund your last-minute holiday purchases.

To that end, she recommends checking out the cash-back perks via the PayPal app. They offer a bunch of rotating retail cashback offers most shoppers miss.

Then join the loyalty programs for the stores you know youll shop at and score some cool perks. Perks include early access to deals, first-purchase coupons up to 25% off, along with the occasional free shipping/free returns perk.

Woroch summed it perfectly, All the cash back you earn can then go towards picking up a few last minute gifts on your list for less (or maybe even for free!).

Turn everyday spending into gift cardsnow

Woroch also emphasized that a lot smart shoppers have figured out how to turn daily purchases like groceries and gas into free rewards to boost your Black Friday budget.

She called out two smart ways to make it happen:

• Fetch app: Earn points bysnappingpictures of receiptsfrom any store. Turn those points into free gift cards forAmazon Target, Walmart and dozens more.
• Consider the Fetch American Express card to accelerate points (10 points for every $1 spent on groceries and $5 elsewhere else).

Woroch emphasized that you can easily end up with plenty of points towards free gift cards to supplement your holiday shopping.

Your buy-now vs. wait-later playbook

Heres Worochs quick guide on what to buy and what to skip this Black Friday.

Buy on/around Black Friday:

• Small kitchen appliances, personal tech, smart-home devices.
• Gaming consoles and bundles (but only if you need all items in the bundle).
• Select toys, beauty, and fashion (watch for retailer-wide events, even at brands that rarely discountIf a site-wide drops at Lululemon appears, thats notable, says Woroch).

The stuff thats often a better deal later:

• Toys, winter apparel, holiday decor: markdowns deepen closer to Christmas.
• Holiday decor, coats, boots: best to buy during post-Christmas clearance sales.
• Bedding & linens: shop January white sales instead.
• Big-screen TVs: late January (Super Bowl run-up) can rival or beat November, if you can wait and your model isnt time-sensitive.

Pro tip: Some doorbuster models are built specifically for the event and may skip features to hit a low price, Woroch warns. She recommends making sure you match model numbers, read specs and reviews, and never assume its the same unit thats sold year-round.

Add non-gift deals to your radar

Black Friday isnt just about cheap TVs and coffee makers. Woroch gave the great tip of also looking for savings from local businesses and service providers.

In particular, she said to look for Black Friday deals on things like fitness class packs, dental services, spa services and more.

She even scored a Hulu subscription for $1 per month on Black Friday. Its time to think outside the box and save this year.

A Beverly Hills doctor explains how to get real results without spending a fortune on the latest self-care fads

• A Beverly Hills physician shares five affordable alternatives to viral wellness trends from lemon water detoxes to DIY skincare.

• Dr. Kevin Hayavi explains that effective self-care doesnt require expensive products or high-tech gadgets.

• His biggest advice: focus on simple, consistent habits that fit your lifestyle and budget.

From detox drinks to sleep gadgets, wellness trends seem to get pricier with every scroll. But according to Dr. Kevin Hayavi, Medical Director and Managing Partner at Beverly Hills Physicians, effective self-care doesnt have to come with a luxury price tag.

In fact, many of the viral beauty and wellness habits flooding social media have affordable and sometimes even better alternatives hiding in your kitchen or daily routine.

Dr. Hayavi shared his top tips for making popular wellness trends work on a budget, from using lemon water as a natural detox to optimizing sleep without the latest tech. His message is simple: Social media has made self-care feel expensive, but the truth is, the most effective solutions are often the simplest.

Trends You Can Try on a Budget

While the trends online can seem endless, and cause a dent in your bank account, Dr. Hayavi is offering budget-friendly options for five of the most current viral trends:

1. Lemon Water Over Pricey Detox Drinks. Forget $10 detox bottles a squeeze of lemon does the same job. Mix half a lemon into warm water each morning for a refreshing start that boosts hydration, aids digestion, and adds a burst of vitamin C.

2. Boost Fiber Naturally No Supplements Needed. The fibremaxxing trend is all over TikTok, but you dont need powders or pills to get results. Beans, oats, chia seeds, and whole grains can do the trick for far less money.

3. DIY Gut-Health Drinks With Pantry Staples. Sea moss gels and gut tonics can cost $30 or more, but chia seeds offer the same digestive support for a fraction of the price. Stir a tablespoon into water or yogurt and let it soak for about 10 minutes.

4. Kitchen-Beauty Masks Instead of Fancy Skincare. Before you splurge on viral banana peel Botox, try homemade face masks using ingredients you already own. Honey hydrates, oatmeal soothes, and yogurt gently exfoliates all for pennies compared to store-bought products.

5. Sleep Better Without Expensive Gadgets. Sleepmaxxing doesnt have to mean buying pricey trackers or devices. Instead, dim your lights, cool your room, and stick to a regular bedtime. The payoff? Better rest, clearer skin, and improved focus all free.
   

A lot of wellness trends are actually rooted in very simple practices that have been around for a long time, Dr. Hayavi said. If the low-cost version feels good and makes a difference, you can decide later whether its worth investing in something more advanced. Wellness should never be about how much you spend.

Know when to follow a trend

With so much information available at our fingertips, how do you know which trends to follow and which ones to ignore? Dr. Hayavi says that being discerning is of the utmost importance.

Start by looking for consistency, he recommends. If a trend is based on long-standing research or traditional practices that have been used for generations, it is more likely to be legitimate. On the other hand, if something seems to appear overnight and is being pushed heavily by influencers or advertisers, that is usually a sign it may be more hype than substance.

I also recommend checking whether the claims are supported by reputable sources, such as peer-reviewed studies or guidance from licensed medical professionals. If the only evidence you can find is anecdotal videos on TikTok, approach it with caution. Wellness should make sense for your lifestyle and budget, so always ask yourself whether a trend is sustainable before trying it.

Consistency is key

If all else fails, Dr. Hayavi recommends going back to basics and being consistent with the wellness routines you incorporate.

I think its important to remember that wellness is personal, so it doesnt have to look like what you see online, he said. The most impactful habits are usually the most basic ones: staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and moving your body regularly. These dont go viral because theyre not flashy, but they are the foundation of long-term health.

Trends can be fun to explore, but they should always support your wellbeing rather than creating pressure or stress. Start with what feels manageable and build from there.

An AI shopping expert explains how to skip the hype, spot dupes, and save smarter this season

• Not every Black Friday deal is a steal: Experts warn that toys, gift cards, and fitness equipment are better bought later in the season.

• AI can help shoppers save smarter: Tools like Dupe.com compare millions of products instantly to spot genuine discounts and avoid impulse buys.

• Research pays off: Knowing what you want and what its really worth is the best way to protect your wallet this holiday season.

Black Friday may be the biggest shopping event of the year but that doesnt mean every doorbuster is worth your dollars. With prices fluctuating, political uncertainty affecting consumer confidence, and retailers rushing to clear inventory, many so-called discounts arent the steals they appear to be.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com a platform that uses AI to help shoppers find affordable, high-quality alternatives to viral products to learn more about this years sales season.

From overpriced gadgets to white-label items that mimic luxury brands, Ghoshal says understanding how to separate the hype from the honest deals can make or break your holiday budget.

Best and worst Black Friday buys

The deals can be overwhelming, and it can be hard for consumers to know what deals are actually steals. Ghoshal broke down the best and worst buys to expect this Black Friday.

Best Buys:

• TVs: Black Friday has always been the best time of year to upgrade your TV. Each year we see a new doorbuster deal that breaks records from previous years. You can never go wrong upgrading your set this season. With one caveat: make sure youre purchasing one from a trusted, reliable brand. Oftentimes, retailers will push solid prices on off-brand TVs that will likely die on us before the deal does.

• Other electronics & tech gadgets: Historically, these categories deliver strong discounts during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Make sure to look at Target, Walmart, Amazon and Best Buy for the most popular items and compare prices. Some will offer bundles and others will seduce you with gift card deals.

• Beauty products: Black Friday is a great time of year to stock up on your favorite beauty must-haves. We often see store or sitewide deals boasting up to 30-50% off brands that typically dont heavily discount. You can also expect to see more bundles of products or impressive gift with purchases that make for a nice stocking stuffer.

Worst Buys:

• Toys: While you will see solid deals on toys during Black Friday, the discounts will only get deeper as Christmas approaches. Unless youre concerned that the items on your childs wish list will go out of stock early, I suggest waiting closer to Christmas.

• Gift cards: Gift cards are another item that improves around December. We see more retailers offering promotions with gift card deals. For example, if you spend $50 in-store you may receive a $10 gift card. These are great stocking stuffers and certainly worth the wait.

• Fitness Equipment: Wait until the new year for deeper discounts on fitness equipment and gym memberships. January will see much more impressive deals on these items as we all make new years resolutions to undo what the holiday season did to our health (and wallets).

Utilizing AI for holiday shopping

With so many deals to sift through, using the latest AI tools can help you speed up the process and ensure that youre getting the best deal possible.

At this point everyone should be using AI to shop, Ghoshal said. AI is good at comparing millions of products in seconds. You can do product research in seconds, so you feel less of a need to impulse buy and can make more informed purchases with confidence.

AI and data can also help you prioritize: If you have many wants, an AI tool could help rank which purchases deliver the best value given your budget.

Ghoshals biggest piece of advice for holiday shopping: do your research!

The most important thing any consumer can do this holiday season is their research, he said. There are tools available to you to eliminate post-purchase regret and allow you to stay within your budget. Know what you want, what you want to spend, and stick to it.