Consumer News: A laser-powered AI machine could replace herbicides in farming

The smart way to build a budget-friendly garden from scratch

• Gardening can save money, but startup costs add up fast. Having a simple plan and a few high-use crops keep it affordable.

• The biggest savings come from buying smarter. Try to use cheaper plant sources, mix seeds with starter plants, and skip pricey upgrades early on.

• To keep costs low, start small. Focus on soil, water, and basics, so your garden produces more without extra spending.

Every spring, many households take a serious look at starting a garden, not just as a hobby, but as a way to offset rising grocery costs.

On paper, it does make a lot of sense. Produce prices are still elevated, and the idea of stepping outside to grab fresh produce feels like an easy win.

But heres where things go sideways. The upfront costs on things like plants, soil, containers, and tools, can add up quickly. And without a plan, its very easy to spend more setting up your garden than youll save in your first season.

If your goal is to actually save money (not just spend it differently), heres how to approach it.

Start with a plan (this is where the real savings begin)

Most overspending happens before you ever put a plant in the ground.

A few extra plants here, something new to try there, and suddenly your setup is bigger (and more expensive) than you planned.

So instead, start by thinking about your grocery habits:

• What do you buy every single week?
• What produce do you actually finish (not throw away)?
• What items feel expensive at the store?

Then build your garden around those answers.

Focus on:

• Four to six reliable, high-use crops like tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and green onions.
• Items that are easy to grow in your climate.
• Crops that produce continuously (not one-time harvests).

This is where gardening shifts from ahobby to a money-saver. Youre not just growing food; youre actually replacing purchases you already make.

Pro tip: Overcrowding is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Too many plants competing for space leads to less actual produce and wasted money.

Look beyond garden centers (this is where most people overpay)

Garden centers are designed for convenience, and they are priced accordingly especially early in the growing season.

At the same time, theres an entire market of gardeners who:

• Start too many seedlings
• Thin out their plants
• Sell extras cheaply or give them away

So be sure to check these cheaper sources first:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Nextdoor and local groups
• Community garden boards
• Friends and neighbors

From a consumer standpoint, this is one of the easiest ways to cut startup costs without sacrificing quality.

Pro tip: Smaller starter plants (think six-packs) often perform just as well as larger ones after you plant them and theyre always a lot cheaper per plant.

Use seeds and starter plants the smart way

Seeds are often marketed as the cheapest option (and they are), but they also require more time, attention, and consistency. Thats where a lot of beginners run into trouble.

If seeds fail, you end up buying starter plants anyway, which increases your total cost.

A more balanced approach is to use starter plants for:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Zucchini

Then use seeds for:

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Beans
• Herbs

This reduces your risk while still capturing meaningful savings.

Why this matters:Fast-growing crops from seeds can be replanted multiple times, which stretches your investment across the entire season.

Hold off on raised beds (theyre expensive)

Raised beds are often the first upgrade people consider, yet they'reone of the biggest reasons gardening gets expensive fast.

By the time you factor in materials, soil, and setup, you can easily spend hundreds before growing anything.

From a cost-saving perspective, it rarely makes sense to start here.

Lower-cost alternatives:

• In-ground planting (if soil conditions allow)
• Grow bags (affordable and flexible)
• Repurposed containers (bins, buckets, planters)

The reality is thatplant success is driven by sunlight, drainage, and soil quality, not the structure you grow them in.

Pro tip: Starting "simple"gives you a lot more flexibility. You can always upgrade later once you know gardening is something youll stick with.

Invest strategically in soil (this impacts everything)

If theres one category that directly affects your results, its the quality of the soil.

Poor soil leads to:

• Slower growth
• Lower yields
• More plant loss

Which ultimately means less value from your investment.

That said, you dont need to rely entirely on expensive bags of soil and mulch.

Ways to reduce costs:

• Mix the soil you have with compost to improve quality and stretch volume.
• Buy in bulk when possible remember, you're going to need a pickup truck for this!
• Check for municipal compost programs in your area.

Why this matters:Soil improvements carry over from year to year, so its smart to make this a long-term investment, as itll pay off when your produce flourishes every year.

Manage water use (this is an ongoing expense)

Water is one of the few gardening costs that continues throughout the season and itis often overlooked. During hotter months, usage can increase significantly.

Here are some simple ways to reduce water costs:

• Water early or late to reduce evaporation
• Use mulch to retain moisture
• Group plants with similar watering needs

Common mistake:Overwatering. Its one of the most frequent issues for beginners, and it can lead to plant damage,while also increasing your water bill.

Pro tip: Soil should be moist, but not soaked. Checking the dampness of the soil before watering can prevent both waste and plant stress.

Keep tools simple (dont overspend upfront)

Tool purchases are another area where costs can escalate quickly, often without adding much value early on.

Most home gardens can be maintained with a small set of tools.

Start with the basics:

• Hand trowel
• Pruners
• Gloves

Everything else can be added later if you think you need it.

Pro tip: Secondhand tools are widely available at garage sales and thrift stores and are often in excellent condition, making them an easy way to save.

Lastly, start small (this reduces risk and cost)

Larger gardens require a lot more work and money across the board. Youll need more soil, more water, and of course, more time.

From a financial perspective, starting small limits all of those risks.

A better approach:

• Begin with a manageable space
• Focus on a few crops
• Expand gradually as you gain experience

This allows you to refine your approach before committing more money.

Data shows how common household items lead to injuries

• Household cleaning products continue to send thousands of young children to emergency rooms.

• Toddlers ages 12 face the highest risk due to normal developmental behavior.

• Detergent packets and spray bottles are among the leading sources of injury.

Regular cleaning products are a staple in nearly every home but new research suggests they can also pose a serious risk to young children.

A recent study from Nationwide Childrens Hospital found that these products remain a leading cause of injury among kids under age 5, with an estimated 240,800 emergency department visits in the U.S. between 2007 and 2022. That breaks down to roughly one injury every 35 minutes.

While these products are designed for everyday use, they often contain chemicals that can be harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or even splashed into the eyes. Young children are especially vulnerable because they tend to explore their environment by touching and tasting objects and dont yet understand the dangers.

How researchers studied the issue

To better understand the scope of the problem, researchers analyzed 16 years of national data on injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments involving household cleaning products.

The study focused specifically on children ages 5 and younger and examined trends over time, including the types of products involved, how injuries occurred, and which age groups were most affected.

The analysis also looked at how newer products like single-use detergent packets introduced in 2012 have changed injury patterns. Researchers compared these newer risks with more traditional sources, such as cleaning solutions stored in spray bottles or other containers, to see how product design and packaging may influence injury rates.

What the study found

The findings highlight a few key problem areas. Detergent packets were responsible for about 33% of injuries, making them a leading source of harm despite safety improvements over time.

Spray bottles were another major contributor, accounting for 28% of injuries. These incidents often involved chemicals getting into childrens eyes, sometimes causing burns, irritation, or infections.

Across all product types, ingestion was the most common way children were injured, and poisoning was the most frequent diagnosis. About 7% of cases required hospitalization, indicating that some exposures were severe.

The study also found that children ages 1 to 2 were at the highest risk likely because they are mobile, curious, and more likely to put objects in their mouths but lack the ability to recognize danger.

This heightened vulnerability is likely due to developmental factors, researcher Rebecca McAdams, MPH, said in a news release. Young children explore their world by putting things in their mouth, but they cant read labels or recognize the potential danger of these products.

Overall, products like bleach and detergents were most often involved in these incidents, underscoring how everyday cleaning supplies can pose unexpected risks when left within reach.

Safety tips

To help keep young ones safe around the house, Nationwide Childrens Hospital has some tips for parents to keep in mind:

• Store cleaning products safely. Store household cleaning products and detergents up, away, and out of sight of young children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Close containers and put all cleaning supplies and any chemicals away immediately after every use.

• Stay original. Keep all household cleaning products and detergents in their original containers. When buying products, look for child-resistant containers for an extra layer of protection.

• Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222). Call immediately if you think your child has come into contact with a household cleaning product or other dangerous product. You do not need to wait for symptoms to develop to call.

Many consumers know theyre flushing the wrong things so why are they still doing it?

• Many Americans are flushing the wrong things and they know it. Half admit to sending clog-causing items down the toilet, leading to frequent (and avoidable) problems.

• Flushable doesnt mean safe for your plumbing. Wipes, hair, and paper products dont break down like toilet paper and are a major cause of blockages.

• Those small habits can get expensive fast. Nearly a third of households have needed a plumber for a clog, with the average visit costing around $265.

What you flush might not seem like a big deal at the moment but it can come back to haunt your wallet.

Clogged toilets are one of the most common household headaches, and according to new data from SupplyHouse, many Americans are making the problem worse on purpose. Whether its tossing in flushable wipes, hair, or even food scraps, everyday habits are quietly putting plumbing systems under stress.

In fact, a surprising number of people admit they know better and do it anyway. The result? More clogs, more plumber visits, and more unexpected expenses.

To understand whats really going on behind the bathroom door (and why its costing so much), ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jay Yglesias, Product Support Team Lead at SupplyHouse, about the biggest misconceptions, the most common mistakes, and how consumers can avoid turning a quick flush into a costly fix.

Know what NOT to flush

Yglesias shared the top things that consumers want to avoid flushing at all costs. He said that the most common offenders are materials that don't dissolve in water.

Some things to avoid include:

• "Flushable" wipes

• Hair

• Paper towels

• Any kind of hygiene products

Wipes are at the top spot, accounting for nearly 28% of all blockages, followed by hair with a similar percentage (27%), he said. What makes these items so dangerous is that they preserve their consistency in water and get tangled with the pipes' walls, causing a buildup. If combined with grease or other food waste, these elements will form a net, catching all items that pass through.

What does flushable mean?

Many wipes or hygiene products come with a flushable tag. However, according to Yglesias, you may not want to throw them down your pipes.

The flushable term can be extremely deceiving and is one of the most misleading labels in plumbing, he said. This type of labeling suggests that these products break down safely in home or municipal plumbing systems, which is not true.

A bit more than a third of consumers acknowledge that such labeling is misleading, pointing to a disconnect here. Toilet paper is created with the purpose of breaking down quickly, while other items, such as wipes, are meant to remain intact, which explains why these items stick around to cause expensive problems down the road.

Preventive care

SupplyHouses data found that the average plumber visit will run consumers about $265. To avoid breaking the bank, there are some preventative measures to take around the house.

Yglesias shared some of his best tips:

• Only flush toilet paper avoiding any other type of material

• Avoid pouring grease down any drain

• Install a drain strainer to catch things like hair

• Deal with any smaller issues related to water flow (like a slow drain) immediately before they turn into serious problems

One of Yglesia' s biggest pieces of money-saving advice: keep up with routine maintenance.

I's smart to be intentional about maintenance this is what will save you, he said. To avoid long-term damage, do small things like check for slow leaks, insulate exposed pipes, and pay attention to water pressure. When you address these problems earlier rather than waiting for total failure, you'll be able to cut costs significantly.

Costco adds a healthier option to its classic meal

• Costco is making its first real change in decades to its iconic $1.50 hot dog combo, one of the most well-known deals in retail.

• Shoppers now have the option to swap the traditional soda for a Kirkland Signature bottled water at no additional cost.

• The update reflects shifting consumer habits, but the core value of the deal and its $1.50 price remains unchanged.

For decades, Costcos $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has been one of the most untouchable deals in retail. Prices have gone up everywhere, from groceries to gas, but that combo has stayed exactly the same.

Now, for the first time in more than 40 years, Costco is making a small but noticeable change.

Shoppers can now choose a 16.9-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature water instead of a fountain soda. The price stays the same, and the original soda option (with free refills) isnt going anywhere.

On the surface, its a minor tweak. But its also a signal of how consumer habits are shifting and how to make smarter choices when youre at Costco.

Whats actually changing (and whats not)

The core deal remains untouched:

• $1.50 still gets you a hot dog + drink.
• Soda with free refills is still available.
• No price increase (and leadership says its staying that way).

The only difference:

• You now have a healthier, more convenient drink option.

That may not sound like much, but for regular Costco shoppers, it removes a common friction pointespecially for people trying to cut back on soda.

Why this matters for shoppers

This change isnt really about the hot dog, its more about changing consumer behavior.

More shoppers are:

• Cutting back on sugary drinks
• Looking for simpler, cleaner options
• Trying to avoid waste (grabbing a soda cup they wont use)

And Costco is adjusting without touching the price.

This translates into you getting more flexibility without losing value.

How to actually use this change to your advantage

If youre grabbing a quick meal at Costco, this is one of the easiest ways to make a healthier choice without spending more.

Heres how to play it:

• Choose water if you wouldnt drink the soda:A lot of people grab the combo and skip the drink. Now youre getting something youll actually use.
• Stick with soda if you want max value:Free refills still make soda the better pure value play if youre staying in-store.
• Use it as a budget meal strategy:The combo is still one of the cheapest prepared meals anywhere, especially when compared to other fast food spots.

The bigger takeaway

I realize this change is small, but it highlights something bigger.

Costco rarely touches its core value items like the hot dog meal or rotisserie chicken, but when it does, its usually to:

• Improve overall flexibility
• Match changing customer habits
• Keep shoppers loyal without raising prices

And right now, with food prices still so darn high, that matters.

Will other states take the same action?

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Maryland has become the first state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores

• The new law targets the use of personal data to set individualized prices

• Supporters say it protects consumers, while retailers warn of unintended consequences

Maryland is breaking new ground in consumer protection, becoming the first state in the nation to prohibit so-called surveillance pricing in grocery stores a practice that uses shoppers personal data to charge some consumers higher prices than others.

Gov. Wes Moore signed the legislation into law this week, marking a significant shift in how retailers can use customer information. The measure bans grocery stores from adjusting prices based on data such as a shoppers purchase history, location, income level or online behavior.

Supporters say the move is designed to ensure transparency and fairness at a time when digital tools are increasingly shaping the shopping experience.

What is surveillance pricing?

Surveillance pricing refers to the use of algorithms and consumer data to set different prices for different shoppers, even for the same item. While retailers have long used loyalty programs and coupons to offer discounts, critics argue that newer technologies could allow companies to quietly charge higher prices to certain customers based on what they are willing or able to pay.

Maryland lawmakers said the practice raises concerns about privacy and potential discrimination.

"People deserve to know what price is on the shelf, and the price on the shelf is exactly the price they are going to pay at the checkout," Moore said at the signing ceremony.

"People deserve to know that the price that they pay is not different (from) the customer who walked in just before them, or different from the customer who walked in right after them. People deserve to know that their data will not be used against them to charge them more."

What the law does

The new law prohibits grocery retailers from using personal data to determine individualized pricing in-store or online. It does not ban traditional sales, coupons or loyalty rewards programs, as long as those discounts are applied uniformly and transparently.

Retailers are still allowed to collect customer data, but they cannot use it to set different base prices for identical products.

Violations could result in fines and enforcement actions by the states consumer protection office.

Industry concerns

Retail groups have raised concerns about how the law could affect innovation and pricing strategies. Some argue that data-driven pricing can help stores manage inventory, reduce waste and offer targeted discounts to shoppers.

They also warn that broadly restricting data use could limit personalized deals that many consumers value.

Consumer advocates say the risks outweigh the benefits, especially if shoppers are unaware that prices may vary based on their personal profiles.

A potential model for other states

Marylands law comes as policymakers across the country take a closer look at how companies use consumer data. While dynamic pricing is common in industries like travel and ride-sharing, its expansion into everyday essentials like groceries has drawn increased scrutiny.

Advocates say other states may follow Marylands lead if concerns about fairness and transparency continue to grow.