The company claimed it could improve credit scores

• Personal Tradelines charged upfront fees for unauthorized user schemes that violated Colorado law

• Company made false claims about improving credit scores through "sharing" others' credit history

• Settlement forces company to stop operating in Colorado and pay $20,000 in penalties

If you've been promised a quick credit score boost by being added as an "authorized user" on someone else's credit card, you need to know about a deceptive practice that just cost one company big time.

What happened in Colorado

On December 4, 2024, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced a settlement with PersonalTConsulting LLP, which operated as Personal Tradelines, for running an illegal credit repair scheme.

The Denver-based company was marketing "piggybacking" services to consumers desperate to improve their credit scores. Here's how the scam worked: They charged people upfront fees to add them as authorized users on credit card accounts belonging to strangers with better credit.

The company falsely advertised this as "one of the best methods for potentially improving your credit score" and claimed consumers could "share the credit history" of another person's account. But there was a catch consumers were explicitly prohibited from actually using these accounts or contacting the account owners.

The red flags you should watch for

Personal Tradelines violated multiple consumer protection laws by charging advance fees, making misleading claims about results, and failing to provide required legal disclosures, Weiser said.

While this specific case happened in Colorado, similar credit repair operate nationwide. Here's what to watch out for:

The company promised unrealistic results and charged money upfront before delivering any services. They also failed to explain the risks and limitations of their approach.

How to protect yourself from credit repair

1. Never pay upfront fees for credit repair services legitimate companies work on a pay-as-you-go basis

2. Be suspicious of any company promising to add you as an authorized user on strangers' accounts

3. Avoid services that claim you can "share" someone else's credit history

4. Research any credit repair company through your state attorney general's office before paying

5. Remember that anything a credit repair company can do legally, you can do yourself for free

6. Report suspected credit repair to your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission

What this means for consumers nationwide

While Personal Tradelines specifically violated Colorado's Credit Services Organization Act, similar laws exist in most states to protect consumers from predatory credit repair practices.

The "piggybacking" practice itself isn't necessarily illegal, but charging upfront fees and making false promises about results violates consumer protection laws across the country.

If you've been harmed by a credit repair company, you can file complaints with both your state attorney general's office and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The bottom line: Credit repair prey on people's desperation to improve their financial situation. This Colorado settlement should serve as a warning if a company demands upfront payment for vague promises about boosting your credit score, walk away. Legitimate credit improvement takes time and doesn't require paying strangers to add you to their accounts.

A new report reveals how stress, loneliness, and emotional baggage shape the way we celebrate

• 45% of Americans say their urge to drink or use substances increases during the holidays, with 41% pre-gaming before gatherings just to cope.

• Nearly three-quarters report feeling lonely or emotionally triggered this time of year, especially by past losses and family pressures.

• Experts say stacked stressorsfrom money worries to social expectationsdrive people to self-medicate, but simple boundaries and more meaningful connection can make the season feel lighter.

The holidays may be wrapped in twinkling lights and good intentions, but for many Americans, the season feels a lot heavier than it looks on social media.

A new report from the Freeman Recovery Center shows just how tough this time of year can be.

In a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, 45% of people say their urge to drink or use substances spikes during the holidays, and more than 4 in 10 admit they pre-game with alcohol before family gatherings just to take the edge off.

Researchers also found that nearly three-quarters of Americans feel isolated or lonely during the holidays, and many say the season brings up painful memories of loss. Add in tight budgets, complicated family dynamics, and the pressure to be merry, and its no wonder so many people turn to substances to cope.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed the Freeman Recovery Center Communications Team to learn more about the impact the holidays can have on substance use.

How emotions lead to substance use

Experts at the Freeman Recovery Center explained that the holidays are full of different emotional triggers that can complicate the holidays and affect our behaviors.

Our new research shows that 73% of Americans say the season riles up feelings related to past loss, and nearly half feel emotionally worn out after gatherings, they explained. This emotional strain can be the catalyst for folks to reach for substances, not to enhance the holiday experience, but as a means to handle the weight of it all.

What really sets this season apart is how all of these stressors stack together. You have high expectations of the perfect gifts, travel fatigue, and the frequent reminders of whos no longer with us; especially if youre looking through old holiday photos. When all of this hits in a short timeframe, even the strongest person can feel overwhelmed.

Avoiding alcohol as a coping mechanism

One of the key findings from the survey was that 41% of Americans pre-game their holiday gatherings with alcohol.

For those who may be struggling and turn to alcohol, the experts shared some coping mechanisms to try this holiday season:

• Try showing up later to cut down on your time spent there, or give yourself a time limit that feels safe.

• Create a code word(s) with someone you trust, so if its time to exit, you can do so. Our research found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans already use code words or signals at holiday events to cut down on stress, which is proof that even a small boundary can go a long way.

• Put something in your hand to feel grounded. It can be tea, sparkling water, or just something non-alcoholic. This offers up identical social rituals without the crash, and it can help you stay in the moment versus numbing yourself down.

Feeling more connected

Loneliness was another common theme that came up during the study results. Despite family or friend gatherings, many Americans feel lonely during the holidays which is another reason for the spike in substance use.

The Freeman Recovery Center team shared how we can all strive for more meaningful connection this holiday season.

Loneliness during the holidays is not always about being physically alone; it often involves feeling emotionally overlooked or forgotten, they explained.

Small changes in how we connect can do wonders. You might invite someone who is spending the day alone or arrange a one-on-one conversation instead of relying on small talk or surface-level chitchat. Families can also prioritize shared experiences rather than these idyllic moments, such as cooking together or taking a walk. Real connections usually happen in simple moments, not in grand gestures. Not everything needs to be internet ready.

The power of conversation

The findings from the survey highlight that many Americans are all feeling the same way around this time of year. The best thing to do? Talk about it!

Our research really nails just how common these struggles are, yet most people shy away from talking about them, the Freeman Recovery Center team said.

The holidays put an unfortunate amount of emotional pressure on everyone, even those who seem fine. The more we normalize asking for help, setting boundaries, or choosing not to drink, the less individuals will feel the need for substances just to feel okay. The season should not be something people merely endure. With support, it can actually feel lighter and more manageable for everyone.

A fresh-fruit habit may support insulin sensitivity without adding weight

• Eating two cups of fresh mango every day improved insulin sensitivity in adults with overweight or obesity.

• Study participants had better beta-cell function and stable body weight suggesting mango didnt raise diabetes risk despite its sweetness.

• The research focused on people with chronic low-grade inflammation, a group more likely to have trouble managing blood sugar.

When we think about sugar and blood sugar control, its easy to focus on cutting out sugary foods.

But what if one of the sweetest foods fruit could actually help your body handle sugar better? Thats the idea behind new research that looked at whether eating fresh mango daily could improve how well your body manages sugar.

Turns out, the naturally sweet, juicy fruit might be more than just a tasty treat. For a group of adults with overweight or obesity many of whom had chronic low-grade inflammation adding two cups of fresh mango to their daily routine seemed to support healthier blood sugar control.

The study

The researchers studied a group of 48 adults aged 2060 who met certain criteria: they had a BMI at or above 25 kg/m, signs of low-grade inflammation, and elevated fasting blood sugar (but not diabetes).

For four weeks, one group of participants ate two cups of fresh mango every day. The other group ate a calorie-matched control food in this case, Italian ices (a sweet frozen treat). Participants kept their usual diets and lifestyle otherwise.

Researchers measured blood sugar related markers: how much insulin the body produced in response to glucose, how sensitive the body was to insulin, and how efficiently the bodys insulin-producing beta cells worked. Body weight and inflammation markers were also tracked.

The results and what theymean

After just one month, people eating mango daily showed improved insulin sensitivity compared with those on the control diet. Their beta-cell function meaning the pancreass ability to produce insulin when needed was also better. Importantly, their body weight didnt increase despite the added natural sugars.

In contrast, in the control group (who ate Italian ice), body weight slightly increased over the same period. Markers of inflammation and cholesterol levels didnt differ significantly between groups.

Whats interesting is that even though mango is sweet, eating it as a whole fruit didnt seem to cause the kind of blood-sugar problems people often fear. The fiber, vitamins, and natural plant compounds in mango might help modulate how your body processes the sugars making mango a potentially smart choice when eaten as part of a balanced diet.

Because this study focused on a small group and was relatively short (four weeks), it doesnt prove mango is a cure for blood sugar issues. But it does suggest that replacing some sugary snacks with fresh fruit like mango might be a tasty, simple step toward better metabolic health.

"The growing body of research identifies mango's promising role in supporting metabolic health," researcher Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, MS, Director of the Center for Nutrition Research, Illinois Institute of Technology said in a news release.

"Findings suggest that mango can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet, helping to regulate blood glucose and support weight management benefits that many people may not always associate with fruit. As we continue to explore mango's unique nutrient and phytonutrient profile, we're uncovering even more ways it can contribute to overall well-being."

Tips for enjoying mango in a balanced way

• Pair mango with protein or healthy fatssuch as yogurt, nuts, or lean meatsto help slow digestion and support steadier blood sugar levels.

• Stick to reasonable portions. Starting with about a half cup to one cup works well for most people, depending on individual needs.

• Choose whole mango over juice or dried versions. Whole fruit contains fiber, which helps your body handle natural sugars more gradually.

• Use mango as a nutritious swap for sugary snacks. Adding it to smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt can offer sweetness along with vitamins and fiber.

• Incorporate mango into savory dishes like salads, grain bowls, or salsas for a balanced mix of flavors and nutrients.

Price cuts hit meat, produce, and Kroger store brands

• Kroger is lowering its sales forecast but cutting prices on 3,500 items as shoppers pull back and rivals slash prices too

• Youll see the biggest drops in fresh produce and meat, pantry staples, and Krogers Simple Truth and Private Selection store brands

• To save the most, hunt for new lower price tags, choose store brands, stack paper + digital coupons, and use curbside instead of delivery apps when you can

Kroger is cutting its sales forecast and dropping prices on 3,500 grocery items. Heres what that news actually means for you when youre standing in the grocery aisle.

What Kroger just told Wall Street

Krogers latest earnings report was a mixed message:

• Profits beat expectations, thanks to cost-cutting moves like plant closures and layoffs.
• But sales were weaker than hoped, and the company lowered its full-year sales forecast because shoppers are getting pickier and pulling back.

A big part of that pullback is happening among low-income households, especially those relying on SNAP (food stamps). SNAP benefits briefly lapsed during the November federal shutdown, and cuts to the program have already squeezed budgets.

About 6% of Krogers total sales come from SNAP transactions, so it makes sense that any disruption in SNAP shows up pretty quickly in their numbers.

At the same time, Walmart and Target have also announced price cuts rolling out this month, forcing Kroger to prove it can hang with them. The result is that Kroger is now leaning harder into price cuts, simpler promotions, and cheaper store brands in an attempt to keep shoppers in their aisles.

3,500 price cuts: where shoppers will actually see them

Kroger says it has lowered prices on more than 3,500 grocery items so this year. That number is up from about 2,000 that they announced earlier in 2025.

Heres where youre most likely to notice:

• Fresh produce and meat Fresh fruit, veggies, and meats are specifically being targeted for price cuts. This is good news for shoppers, especially as meat prices continue to climb nationwide.
• Everyday staples These are the products that typically live in the center aisles. Items like canned goods, pantry basics, and private-label alternatives that are easy to price compare with the name-brand sitting right next to them on the shelf.
• Store brands Krogers Simple Truth and Private Selection labels are a huge business (over $32 billion in sales last year), and theyre using these to undercut name brands and build some store loyalty in the process.

What this news means for your grocery bill

Heres how to turn Krogers new strategy into your new personal savings strategy:

Start the hunt for the new permanent price cuts

Get in the habit of looking for items with yellow or special new lower price shelf tags at Kroger. Especially look for them in fresh produce, meat, and where they stock their store-brand staples.

Those shelf tags represent your permanent price cuts, not just temporary sales, and will often beat Walmart or Target, especially after you factor in any available coupons.

Lean into Krogers store brands when you can

Kroger says their store brand sales are growing faster than national brands, with their Simple Truth and Private Selection leading the way.

If your normal routine is to reach for the name brand, consider swapping out a few Kroger private-label items and give them a try and potentially save money by doing a permanent swap. Stuff like cheeses, canned beans, pasta sauce, and many snacks compare very favorably in terms of quality and taste to the more expensive national brand.

Stack paper coupons with digital when possible

With paper coupons back in every store plus digital offers in the app, you can often stack the following:

• A base storewide price cut.
• Followed by a paper manufacturer coupon.
• Then add a digital or loyalty promo if available.

By stacking offers at Kroger, you can often undercut Walmart or Target pricing.

If you use SNAP, prioritize weekly sales

Because SNAP-linked spending is such a big part of Krogers business, theyre highly motivated to keep this group from trading down to dollar stores or Walmart.

So, if you use SNAP, be sure to watch your local Kroger ad for the following:

• Weekly deals on fresh meat and produce. Stock up on meats when theyre on sale and freeze if possible.
• Look for bulk packs of store brand staples and save quite a bit on the unit price.
• Make deals like 4 for $X, or Buy 5, Save $X, your best friends as theyll stretch your SNAP benefits even further.

Be picky with delivery apps

Since Kroger is relying more on Instacart, DoorDash, and others, always compare:

• The in-app price vs. the price in Krogers own app.
• Service fees/tip vs. curbsidepickup - Use full-service delivery when its bundled with a good promo or subscription you already have. Otherwise, curbside pickup usually keeps more of those 3,500 price cuts intact.