The tariff fight hiding in your Costco cart

• Costco is suing the federal government to protect its ability to get refunds on Trump-era tariffs it paid on imported products

• Those tariffs are already baked into prices, showing up as higher costs, fewer promos, and more Kirkland and non-tariff-country options

• If Costco wins, you wont see instant price drops, but it gives them more room to hold prices down and avoid future hikes

Costco just filed a lawsuit that most club members will never read, but the outcome could shape what you pay for a lot of stuff in your cart over the next few years.

The warehouse club is suing the federal government to protect its ability to get refunds on Trump-era tariffs it already paid on imported goods. Those tariffs, imposed using emergency powers, are now being challenged at the Supreme Court.

Heres the simple version:

• Costco has been paying extra fees (tariffs) on many imported items.
• A big Supreme Court case may decide those fees were illegal.
• Costco doesnt want to miss its chance to get that money back if possible.

If Costco wins, it wont mean instant rollbacks on every price tag, but it definitely will give them more wiggle room to keep prices low for their members.

How tariffs show up in your cart (even if you never see the word)

Tariffs are basically extra taxes on imported products. When they go up, someone has to eat that cost:

• Sometimes shoppers eat the costs in the form of higher prices.
• Sometimes Costco eats the costs in the form of smaller profit margins.
• Most of the time its actually a mix of both.

Costco leans heavily on imports (produce, appliances, coffee, cooking oils) and has admitted tariffs raised some of their costs.

To soften the blow, the warehouse club has been doing the following:

• Shifting more products into Kirkland Signature, where it controls the price and margins.
• Sourcing more from countries that arent hit by the tariffs.
• Quietly raising prices, or reducing the number of promos, in certain categories.

So even if youve never thought about tariffs, theyre already baked into the price of things like small appliances, some packaged foods, toys, clothing, and seasonal goods.

If Costco gets tariff refunds, will their prices drop?

Short answer: dont expect a Tariff Rebate Sale banner.

Costco is asking the court for a full refund of duties it has already paid under these contested tariffs. Analysts say companies across the board could be chasing as much as $90 billion in refunds if the Supreme Court says the tariffs went too far.

You probably wont see a line item that says tariff refund. But over the next couple of years, refund money makes it easier for Costco to hold prices steady instead of hiking them up every time their costs change.

Use Costcos strengths while the legal fight drags on

While courts and politicians argue, shoppers can still tap into Costcos strengths:

• Executive membership math: If youre spending enough to make the 2% reward pay for the upgrade, youre essentially getting a built-in discount on everything, tariffs or not.
• Price checks vs. Amazon and Walmart: Tariff pressure can hit all retailers, but Costcos bulk model often keeps it cheapest on per-unit pricing. Check per-ounce or per-count, not just sticker price.
• Returns on big-ticket imports: If youre on the fence about a pricey imported appliance or gadget thats gotten more expensive because of tariffs, Costcos liberal return policy is there to help. If it underperforms or you regret the splurge, their return policy makes it much easier to bring it back than at most other stores.

How to future-proof your Costco spending

No matter how the Supreme Court ends up ruling, the tariff situation this year proved that policy can change the prices you pay quickly.

With that said, its smart to consider building a little tariff protection into how you shop these days:

• Stock up smart and dont panic buy. If you see a sharp increase on a staple you use constantly, buy a bit more than usual. But be sure to stick to items that actually store, (or freeze) well.
• Make Kirkland your default, brand names your splurge. Assume Kirkland is where Costco will pass along cost relief first if tariffs get rolled back or refunds come through.
• Watch news about tariffs like you watch gas prices. Big shifts can hint that electronics, holiday goods, or certain foods may get more expensive down the road.

Low prices looked good but mandatory fees weren't disclosed

• Nation's largest apartment manager deceived renters by advertising low prices then adding mandatory fees

• $23 million will go directly to consumers who were overcharged by hidden fee practices

• New court order requires upfront disclosure of all monthly costs before taking any payments

If you've been apartment hunting lately, you've likely encountered this frustrating scenario: You see an attractive rental price online, only to discover at lease signing that mandatory fees push your monthly cost hundreds of dollars higher.

Now federal regulators are cracking down on this deceptive practice in a major way.

What's happening with Greystar's settlement

On December 2, 2025, Greystar the nation's largest multi-family rental property manager agreed to pay $24 million to settle charges that it misled consumers about true rental costs.

The Federal Trade Commission and Colorado alleged that Greystar displayed deceptively low rental prices that excluded fixed, mandatory monthly fees. Instead of showing the total amount renters would actually pay each month, the company buried additional costs in the fine print.

"Greystar misled consumers by advertising low rent prices and then adding mandatory fees at the end of the sales process," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The settlement requires Greystar to pay $23 million directly to harmed consumers, plus $1 million to Colorado.

New transparency requirements take effect

Under the court order, Greystar must now:

• Display total monthly leasing prices prominently when advertising partial pricing

• Clearly disclose all fees, their amounts, purposes, and whether they're mandatory before taking any payment

• Stop misrepresenting rental costs and property services

This means no more surprise fees appearing after you've already invested time in the application process.

How to protect yourself from rental fee tricks

While this settlement addresses one major player, many rental companies still use similar tactics. Here's how to avoid getting trapped:

1. Ask for the total monthly cost upfront, including all mandatory fees, before viewing any property

2. Request a written breakdown of every fee you'll pay monthly, annually, and at move-in

3. Don't pay application fees until you've seen the complete cost structure

4. Screenshot or save advertised prices in case you need to dispute charges later

5. Report deceptive rental advertising to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Red flags to watch for

Be especially wary when rental listings show prices that seem too good to be true for the area. Common hidden fees include:

• Amenity fees for pools, gyms, or common areas

• Utility administration fees

• Trash and recycling charges

• Pet fees beyond deposits

• Parking fees not mentioned in base rent

The bottom line: This $24 million settlement sends a clear message that rental companies can't bait-and-switch consumers with hidden fees. While Greystar now faces strict transparency requirements, you still need to be your own advocate when apartment hunting. Always demand complete pricing upfront, and don't hand over any money until you know exactly what you'll pay each month.

Hundreds of injuries and several deaths linked to inaccurate glucose readings, officials say

• A newly issued alert links certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and 3 Plus glucose-monitoring sensors to at least seven deaths and hundreds of serious injuries.

• The problem stems from sensors giving falsely low glucose readings which can lead to dangerous treatment decisions like skipping insulin or overconsuming carbs.

• If you use these monitors, you should check the sensor serial number now and stop using it entirely if its part of the affected batch.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with manufacturer Abbott Diabetes Care, have sounded the alarm over certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors.

According to the FDA, certain sensors from these continuous glucose monitor (CGM) models have been shown to deliver incorrect low glucose readings.

If undetected, incorrect low glucose readings over an extended period may lead to wrong treatment decisions for people living with diabetes, such as excessive carbohydrate intake or skipping or delaying insulin doses, the FDA explained. These decisions may pose serious health risks, including potential injury or death, or other less serious complications.

As of mid-November 2025, Abbott has reported 736 serious injuries globally, and seven deaths possibly linked to these sensor problems. The FDA has classified the issue as a potentially high-risk one.

What consumers should do next

To fix the situation, Abbott sent letters to all customers on November 24, 2025, asking anyone using or storing the suspect sensors to immediately discontinue use and throw them away. The company is also offering free replacements for affected units.

Users are urged to check their sensor serial numbers www.freestylecheck.com and select Confirm Sensor Serial Number. The FDA has also shared some of the specifics of the affected products, which include:

• FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor

  • Model Numbers: 72081-01, 72080-01

  • Unique Device Identifiers (UDI-DI): 00357599818005, 00357599819002

• FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor

  • Model Numbers: 78768-01, 78769-01

  • Unique Device Identifiers (UDI-DI): 00357599844011, 00357599843014

Importantly, if you use a FreeStyle Libre 3 system: the problem affects only the sensor units. The reader and app are not impacted.

Customers in the U.S. with adverse reactions, quality problems, or questions about this recall should contact Abbott Diabetes Care at 1-833-815-4273 or https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/support/contact-us.html

Ultra-fast deliveries for essentials are being tested in Seattle and Philadelphia

• Amazon launched a new service called Amazon Now that delivers groceries and everyday staples in about 30 minutes or less.

• The service is only available in parts of Seattle, WA and Philadelphia, PA so far and only for a selection of essential items.

• Shipping isn't free: prices start at $3.99 for Prime members, $13.99 for non-Prime shoppers, plus a small-basket fee if your order is under $15.

Amazon recently rolled out a pilot program called Amazon Now, offering ultra-fast home delivery of household essentials and groceries in select neighborhoods of Seattle and Philadelphia.

According to Amazon, customers in those eligible zones can receive items in roughly 30 minutes after placing an order.

The specifics

Heres the catch: this isnt a blanket offering for all residents of those cities. Amazon has placed small, specialized fulfillment centers close to dense urban areas to make the 30-minute promise possible. If you live outside those zones, the standard delivery options still apply.

As for what you can order Amazon gives you a fairly broad but specific selection: everyday items like milk, eggs, fresh produce, diapers, pet treats, over-the-counter medicines, paper goods, cosmetics, snacks, electronics and more.

To use it, you just open the Amazon app or website and look for a 30-Minute Delivery option but that tab will only show up if Amazon Now is available in your neighborhood at that time.

The price and trade-offs

The convenience does come with extra cost.

For Prime subscribers, the fee starts at $3.99 which might not seem too bad for urgent items. For non-Prime users, its $13.99 per order. And theres a small-basket surcharge of $1.99 if your order total is under $15.

That means Amazon Now is best suited for quick, small purchases rather than full-on grocery hauls. Think grabbing eggs, toothpaste, pet food or a snack not restocking your entire fridge.