From shopping backwards to knowing what those red and yellow tags mean, a few tricks can help you save

• Shop backwards: Check clearance before browsing the rest of the store. You could find a marked-down version of something similar or even identical to what's selling for full price up front.

• Know your colors: Red stickers indicate markdowns, while yellow tags are generally used for final-clearance merchandise during major clearance cycles.

• Don't blindly wait for a sale: HomeGoods' inventory changes constantly, so waiting for another markdown can mean the chair, lamp, or rug you really want disappears.

HomeGoods is a dangerous place to walk into and say, "I'm just looking."

A $12 candle becomes a $39 lamp, which becomes a $129 chair you had absolutely no intention of buying.

That's partly because HomeGoods doesn't operate like a traditional retailer. Its buyers scoop-up merchandise when manufacturers overproduce or other retailers overbuy. Stores receive new merchandise several times a week, often hundreds of items at a time, and managers may not know what's arriving until the truck shows up.

I've spent years shopping HomeGoods and researching how the chain works, including talking with employees and frequent shoppers about how they find bargains without getting sucked into the treasure hunt.

Here are six strategies that can change the way you shop.

1. Ask when your HomeGoods gets deliveries

Forget the internet advice claiming Tuesday or Wednesday is universally the best day to shop at HomeGoods. There isn't one magic day.

HomeGoods says stores receive new merchandise several times a week. In my own research, I found the more useful strategy is simply asking employees when their particular store typically receives deliveries and when that merchandise usually reaches the sales floor.

That's particularly useful if you're hunting for furniture because employees told me larger pieces tend to get put out quickly.

Ask an employee, "What days do you usually get your biggest deliveries?" Then try shopping shortly after your store typically restocks.

2. Shop backwards

Most shoppers walk into HomeGoods and immediately start browsing whatever is displayed up front.

Try doing the opposite. Head to clearance aisles first, then work your way back toward the front of the store.

One shopper I talked to found a marble cutting board for $12 in clearance, while the same cutting board was priced at $24.99 elsewhere in the store.

Clearance merchandise can also get buried on lower shelves and back-wall endcaps, so don't just scan what's at eye level.

Give clearance a five-minute sweep before doing the rest of your shopping. That way you'll know what's already discounted before considering the full-price stuff.

Pro tip: Decode the four-digit date code. HomeGoods employees have told me that the four-digit number underneath the category on the price tag indicates the month and year the merchandise arrived. For example, 0524 would mean May 2024. That can give you a clue about how long something has been sitting in the store.

3. Learn what the red and yellow price tags mean

Here's one HomeGoods clearance trick that's actually useful: A red sticker indicates an item has been marked down, and you may see multiple markdown stickers on merchandise that has gone through more than one price reduction.

Then there's the elusive yellow tag. Yellow tags represent the final clearance markdown and usually appear during major clearance cycles around January and again during the summer, according to deal trackers and employees.

But don't fall for the social-media hype that a "yellow tag sale" means everything in HomeGoods suddenly gets deeply discounted. Thats just not how it works.

The smart move: Think red = clearance and yellow = probably the final markdown. If you really want something with a yellow sticker, waiting for another price cut probably isn't much of a strategy.

Dont rely on viral posts claiming you can decode the price tags at HomeGoods to determine exactly when its next markdown is coming. While employees have consistently described the four-digit code as the month and year an item arrived, claims online that other tag codes can predict exactly when the next markdown will happen are much shakier.

4. Don't wait for a markdown on something you really love

This sounds contradictory after telling you to hunt for clearance deals first, but it's one of the most important HomeGoods shopping rules.

Waiting only works if the merchandise sticks around, and a lot of the good deals simply dont.

Employees have told me that stores don't keep replenishment inventory sitting in the back, and because individual locations receive thousands of constantly-changing items, they have no way of tracking down how much of a certain product they have in-stock. That means the one chair you're considering may really be the only one of its kind in the entire building.

Its fine to gamble on another markdown when it's something you'd be perfectly willing to lose. But if it's unique, hard to replace, and already a good value, waiting another few weeks could cost you the item rather than save you money.

5. Find the flaw then ask about it

Before buying furniture, lamps, mirrors, or other dcor, inspect them from every angle. Look for scratches, chips, dents, missing hardware, and other damage.

If you find something, don't automatically put it back. Instead, show an employee the specific defect and politely ask whether the item qualifies for an additional markdown.

What you shouldn't do is rely on online claims that a damaged item automatically gets you 10% off, 20% off, or some other specific discount. HomeGoods doesn't publish a guaranteed damage-discount schedule.

Rather than asking, "Can you give me a discount?" try something like: "I noticed this chip on the corner. Does this qualify for a damage markdown?"

Pro tip: Ask for a markdown lookup. If an item looks like it's been sitting around forever but still has its original price, politely ask an employee whether they can do a markdown lookup. HomeGoods employees on Reddit say items can occasionally miss a markdown if they're in the wrong area when markdowns are done or are returned afterward.

6. Google Lens it before assuming it's a bargain

This might be my favorite HomeGoods trick because it takes about 30 seconds.

Lets say you find a lamp, mirror, or cookware item and are wondering if the price is a real deal. Heres what you do: photograph it and run the image through Google Lens or another reverse-image search.

It can quickly identify the item and show prices from other sellers, so you'll know if that $79.99 HomeGoods price is actually a bargain.

One shopper I interviewed found a lamp at HomeGoods for $59 and discovered the same lamp selling at a boutique for $180 using this hack.

But the trick works the other way, too. She considered an $80 mirror until an image search turned up a similar version online for $42. She left the HomeGoods mirror behind.

The smart move is to not let the "Compare At" price make the decision for you. A 30-second image search can tell you whether you've actually found a steal.

From healthier groceries to fitness and wellness treatments, preventive health spending is adding up for younger Americans

• 79% of young adults say the cost of staying healthy has left them financially stretched

• 21% have cut back on saving or investing to afford wellness expenses

• Experts recommend separating evidence-based preventive care from elective wellness and longevity products

For many young adults, staying healthy can come with a surprisingly high price tag. Healthier groceries, gym memberships, supplements, and newer wellness treatments can all add to the monthly budget and new research suggests some people are making financial sacrifices to keep up.

A survey of 1,010 Americans ages 18 to 40 found that 79% say the cost of being healthy has left them financially stretched. That includes cutting back on saving or investing and, for some, paying out of pocket for more expensive preventive health and longevity options.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Kate Placzek, Ph.D., Medical Editor at Mesothelioma.com, who explained the impact health and wellness can have on consumers finances.

How the survey was conducted

Mesothelioma.com surveyed 1,010 Americans ages 18 to 40 in 2026 to learn more about how younger adults are spending money on preventive health and whether they view those expenses as an investment or a luxury.

The group had an average age of 31, with women making up 50% of respondents and men 49%. Gen Z accounted for 38% of the participants, while millennials made up 62%.

Key findings

The survey found that 85% of young adults have paid more for everyday products they believe will protect their future health, while 79% said the cost of staying healthy has left them financially stretched. That pressure is affecting other areas of their finances, too: 21% said they've cut back on saving or investing to pay for wellness expenses.

At the same time, many respondents said they're willing to spend more now to potentially avoid larger medical bills later. Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) said they'd rather pay for prevention now than risk higher treatment costs in the future, although just 22% believe preventive health spending actually saves them money. More than half (56%) spend $50 or less per month on preventive health, while 20% spend more than $100.

Is it an investment?

The survey found that 78% of respondents view health and wellness spending as an investment, yet only 22% believe it actually saves them money.

The word investment does not necessarily mean that someone expects a financial return, Dr. Placzek said. A person may view spending on their health as worthwhile because they believe it supports their well-being, reduces future health risks, or gives them a greater sense of control over their health.

It is also important to recognize that the survey groups together a wide range of products and services under the umbrella of prevention. Some are established forms of preventive care, while others are elective wellness or longevity services with varying levels of evidence. Their potential health value and cost-effectiveness cannot be assumed to be the same.

Making financially-smart decisions

For those looking to balance health goals without jeopardizing their health, Dr. Placzek has some advice.

From a health perspective, a useful first step is to separate recommended preventive medical care from elective wellness products and services, she said. Patients can discuss screening, medications, supplements, or other interventions with an appropriate healthcare professional to understand which options are supported by evidence and relevant to their individual health needs.

Health-related spending should also be evaluated based on the specific product or service rather than assuming that everything marketed as preventive, wellness, or longevity provides the same level of benefit.

A new investigation found widespread pricing errors at the nation's two largest convenience-store chains

• Prices didnt always match: Circle K failed 82% of government price-accuracy inspections in Columbus, Ohio, while 7-Eleven failed 79% in one New York county.

• It's not just snacks: Consumers also complained about gas pumps charging more than prices displayed on roadside signs.

• Protect yourself: Photograph sale signs or shelf tags, watch the register, and keep your receipt until you've checked the prices.

That $3.99 bag of snacks might not cost $3.99 when you get to the register.

A new The Guardian investigation found widespread price discrepancies at 7-Eleven and Circle K, the country's two largest convenience-store chains, with shoppers sometimes paying more at checkout than prices displayed on shelves, sale signs, and even gas-station marquees.

Government inspection records examined by The Guardian found Circle K failed 35% of price-accuracy inspections in Florida, 62% in North Carolina, and a whopping 82% in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025.

7-Eleven failed 47% of inspections in Colorado and Utah and 79% in Ontario County, New York.

And this isn't just a matter of a few pennies.

During one Arizona inspection this year, 12 of 25 products at a 7-Eleven rang up higher than their shelf prices. A $3.99 pack of gum rang up at $4.99.

The Guardian also reviewed 153 consumer complaints involving the two chains across 17 states. Roughly half involved food, drinks, and other merchandise, while the rest involved gasoline, including complaints that prices at the pump were higher than those advertised on roadside signs.

The problem may be bigger at convenience stores

Convenience stores had the highest price-inspection failure rate of any retail category examined in a 2024 National Council on Weights and Measures report cited by The Guardian.

Convenience stores failed 34% of inspections across 26 states, compared with 29% for dollar stores and 27% for auto-parts stores.

The problem can be particularly easy to miss at a convenience store. You're probably grabbing a drink, snacks, or a few gallons of gas and trying to get back on the road quickly. Youre not studying your receipt for a 40-cent discrepancy.

But those small amounts can add up.

7-Eleven told The Guardian that it takes pricing accuracy "very seriously" and has processes to correct discrepancies when they're identified. Circle K said it is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations and works to correct unintentional pricing errors.

5 ways to protect yourself

1. Take a quick photo of sale signs. If you're buying something because the shelf says two for $5 or because of another promotion, snap a picture before heading to the register. It gives you quick evidence to show an employee if the discount doesn't ring-up.

2. Watch the price as items are scanned. Don't wait until you're in the car to look at the receipt. If a $3.99 item rings up at $4.99, it's much easier and quicker to question it while you're still standing at the register.

3. Check the pump before you start fueling. Compare the per-gallon price displayed on the pump with the large roadside sign. One North Carolina Circle K advertised gas at $3.459 a gallon while the pump showed $3.799, according to an inspection described by The Guardian.

4. Don't assume a loyalty discount is automatic. Look for any fine print requiring a rewards account, phone number, app, or particular payment method. If none is disclosed but the advertised price doesn't appear, ask why before paying.

5. Report repeat problems. Keep the receipt and photograph the shelf tag, sale sign, or gas-price sign. If the store won't correct a discrepancy, look for your state or local weights-and-measures agency or consumer-protection office. Complaints matter because some jurisdictions inspect convenience stores primarily in response to consumer reports.

A 20-cent mistake may not seem worth arguing over. But if the same error is happening across hundreds or even thousands of transactions, those pennies don't stay pennies for long.

An early start can make budgeting easier, but it can also give shoppers more opportunities to spend

• Start with a total holiday budget that accounts for gifts, travel, food, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses.

• Spreading purchases over several months doesn't necessarily mean spending less track your spending to make sure you stay within your overall limit.

• Use the extra time to plan and compare prices, rather than letting sales, limited-edition products, or holiday pressure lead to impulse purchases.

It may feel a little early to start thinking about holiday gifts, but retailers are already getting shoppers into the holiday spirit. Advent calendars and other seasonal products are hitting shelves months before the holidays, giving consumers more time and more opportunities to spend.

Starting early isn't necessarily a bad thing. Spreading out purchases could make holiday expenses easier to manage, especially for shoppers who plan ahead. But a longer shopping season can also mean more chances to make impulse purchases, fall for limited-time offers, or simply spend more than intended.

With the holiday shopping season getting longer, Andy Smith, executive director of financial planning at Edelman Financial Engines, explains how consumers can take advantage of an early start without letting holiday spending get out of hand.

Use the time to budget

Smith explained that an earlier holiday shopping season can work in consumers favor if they treat the extra time as a planning window, rather than a longer spending window.

The longer shopping season offers more opportunities to compare prices and make thoughtful decisions, he said. Before making the first purchase of the season, consumers should determine what they can comfortably spend in total and then break up that amount across upcoming gifts, travel, entertainment, and other miscellaneous holiday expenses.

Without a predetermined spending limit, people are creating more opportunities to blow up their budget and knock their broader financial plan off-track.

Setting a realistic holiday spending limit

When it comes to creating your budget, Smith shared his best advice for consumers giving them plenty of time to start preparing for the added expense.

• Start with your financial priorities, not your shopping lists. Look at essential expenses, debt payments and savings goals first, and then determine what you can allocate toward the holidays without disrupting those commitments.

• Establish one total holiday spending number and account for more than just gifts. Travel, food, decorations, entertainment, and other seasonal expenses can all add up quickly and are easy to overlook when budgeting. Sometimes (most times!), its vital to remember that the money you spend on stuff is the same money youre spending to be with friends and family and, in the long run, one is probably a lot more important than the other.

• Connect that budget to something worth caring about. This could be contributing toward retirement, building your emergency savings, or paying down debt. When consumers understand what theyre protecting, a spending limit can feel less like deprivation and more like a deliberate financial choice.

The benefits of spreading out purchases

Something important to keep in mind: Spreading purchases over several months doesn't automatically mean spending less. For some, the extra time can translate to extra spending.

[Spreading out purchases] can make the expenses feel more manageable because they aren't hitting bank accounts or credit cards all at once, but that can also make it harder to recognize how much has been spent in total, Smith said.

His advice: track all of your purchases.

If consumers decide theyre spending $1,000 on holiday expenses, for example, that number shouldn't change simply because they started shopping in October instead of December. The real benefit comes when combining the extended timeframe with a fixed overall budget.

Smith says the benefit of spreading out holiday purchases is having the extra time to compare prices, wait for the right opportunity, and avoid the pressure of last-minute purchases.

Avoiding pressure-filled purchases

The closer it gets to the holidays, its not uncommon to feel inundated with messages about sales, promotions, discounts, limited time items, holiday launches, and more. To avoid making impulse purchases or the pressure-filled feeling associated with many purchases, Smith advises consumers to slow down and use the extra time to their advantage.

Consumers are surrounded by sales, promotions, social pressure, and messages encouraging them to act quickly, he said. Rather than trying to make the perfect decision on every purchase, establish a few simple financial boundaries ahead of time youre planning for the time (and it will come!) where you find yourself starting to rationalize just one more purchase.

Ultimately, a good holiday budget isn't about spending as little as possible. It's about spending intentionally so you can enjoy the season without starting the new year having to undo the financial consequences. Know what you can spend, identify what matters most, and understand which longer-term goals you don't want holiday spending to compromise.

New research finds that very dry air can irritate the airways, while a salt-based aerosol may help

• Extremely dry air can cause airway mucus to lose water and collapse onto tiny hair-like structures called cilia.

• Researchers found that prolonged exposure to hot, dry conditions increased activity in genes linked to cough sensitivity.

• A small clinical trial found that an alkaline magnesium salt aerosol reduced daily coughing compared with a placebo.

When the weather gets extremely hot and dry, staying hydrated may not be the only concern. New research from the University of North Carolina and collaborators suggests that very dry air can also affect the moisture lining the airways.

The airways are covered by a thin layer of mucus and tiny hair-like structures called cilia. Together, they help protect the respiratory system. But when the air is particularly dry, water can evaporate from this layer.

Researchers found that this can cause the mucus to thin and collapse onto the cilia, putting pressure on the cells underneath and making the airways more sensitive. The findings could help explain why extremely dry conditions may contribute to coughing and other respiratory symptoms.

How researchers studied the connection

The researchers used several approaches to investigate what happens to the airways in dry conditions.

First, they used mathematical modeling to examine how airway mucus responds to different levels of dryness and how various salt-based aerosols affect rehydration.

They also grew human bronchial airway cells in the laboratory and exposed them to either humid air or a hot, very dry environment. The dry-air condition was 35 degrees Celsius with 30% relative humidity. The researchers then examined changes in genes associated with cough sensitivity and the way airway cells respond to dehydration.

Finally, they conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 10 people with refractory chronic cough in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants inhaled either an alkaline aerosol containing magnesium salts or a saline placebo.

What the study found and what it means

After eight hours in the hot, dry laboratory environment, the airway cells showed increased activity in several genes associated with cough hypersensitivity. The researchers also found that the magnesium salt aerosol could reverse the airway mucus collapse for several hours.

In the human trial, researchers reported that the magnesium salt aerosol reduced daily cough bouts by 59% compared with placebo after two weeks of treatment. The researchers also reported that the benefit continued after treatment ended.

Hypertonic salts have long been used to treat cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition of dehydrated airways, researcher Brian Button, Ph.D. said in a news release.

This study gives evidence that new kinds of hypertonic salts, longer acting and rendered therapeutic by optimization of rehydration processes within mucus we are only beginning to discover, might provide prophylaxis and treatment options for a human population previously spared the damages of mucosal dehydration.

There is an important caveat, however: The human portion of the study was very small, with only 10 participants, and the researchers say additional work is needed to understand the potential treatment.

For consumers, the findings offer a closer look at one way extreme dryness may affect the respiratory system. They also point to the possibility that rehydrating airway mucus could eventually become part of strategies for managing cough sensitivity, particularly in very dry environments.