Consumer News: Gas prices are falling into the end-of-the-year holidays

As therapy stays out of reach for many, social media and therapy speak is reshaping how we talk about our feelings

• TikTok has become the top source for mental health terminology, as cost keeps many Americans from accessing traditional therapy.

• Therapy speak can help people express emotions but experts warn its often oversimplified or misused online, potentially delaying real care.

• Mental health content on social media can be a starting point, not a substitute, with licensed professionals still key for accurate guidance and support.

Mental health language has officially gone mainstream, and for millions of Americans, social media is becoming the go-to place to learn how to name and explain their emotions.

That shift isnt happening just because its trendy. A new survey from behavioral health providers BreakThrough by BasePoint found that cost is now the biggest barrier keeping people from therapy, with more than half of Americans saying it prevents them from getting professional help.

As a result, many are turning to alternatives like friends, social media, and even AI chatbots for emotional support despite lingering doubts about how accurate or helpful that advice really is. TikTok, in particular, has emerged as the top source for mental health terminology, influencing how people describe everything from stress to trauma.

But is learning therapy speak online actually helping people understand themselves better or is it oversimplifying complex mental health issues? And wheres the line between useful self-awareness and misinformation?

To unpack what this trend means for consumers, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Monica Clayborn, LPC, Vice President of Quality and Outcomes, about why mental health language is everywhere right now and how to use it in ways that support, rather than replace, real care.

The risks

According to Clayborn, the biggest risk in using platforms like TikTok for mental health education is mistaking exposure to mental health content for actual care.

Social media and AI chatbots arent properly equipped to handle real crises, diagnose conditions, or offer treatment, she said. When 73% of adults find online mental health content/speak to be performative or inaccurate, thats a huge red flag for buying in on surface-level advice, or even misinformation that can delay or derail proper care.

Are there concerns?

With many consumers replacing mental health care with social media, Clayborn says there is certainly a cause for concern here.

It would be strange NOT to be concerned, she said. Sure, social media apps are now the top exposure point for mental health language, even for AI chatbot users, but theres a growing gap between terminology and actual understanding.

Knowing the words isnt the same as knowing what they mean, and when to apply them in real life. You have these terms like boundaries or gaslighting that are frequently used out of context, and its taking serious concepts and turning them into trendy buzzwords that can water down their real meaning or foster toxic dynamics. When these words lose their impact, its hard to take what they really are seriously.

Helpful vs. hurtful

If you find yourself down a mental health TikTok rabbit hole, Clayborn suggests being a vigilant online user. She recommends that consumers always verify the source before taking any next steps with the information they get from videos.

Licensed professionals should always be your starting point, she explained. Pay attention and look for disclaimers and citations, and be wary of content that sells you on instant solutions or uses overly simplified language.

If the advice makes you feel empowered or grounded, thats a good sign. If it causes anxiety, guilt, or a sense of urgency, I wouldnt call it helpful; Id call it manipulative.

The cost barrier

With over half of survey respondents saying that cost prevents them from accessing mental health care, Clayborn wants consumers to know that there are other places to turn before TikTok.

Community clinics, peer support groups, and university training programs are all better options if youre looking to save money and still receive care, she said. For more day-to-day support, apps with CBT-based exercises or chat features can be pretty helpful, but they should supplement, not replace, professional care.

The hidden math behind combo meals and default orders

• Fast-food menus are built to steer you toward high-margin defaults, like combo meals, signature items, and smaller portions that feel cheaper but cost more per bite.

• Chains rely on speed, habit, and muscle memory, knowing most customers wont stop to customize orders or compare portion math.

• These ordering hacks take advantage of pricing gaps and loose portion controls, letting you cut your bill or get noticeably more food without changing where you eat.

A fast-food combo meal that once cost $6 will now run you $12 or more. But heres the thing to remember, fast-food pricing isnt always airtight. There are some gaps. And if you know how menus are built, you can shave real money off your order without eating less.

Here are some repeatable ordering strategies that exploit how fast-food menus are structured. Hacks that will either save you money,get you more food,or even score you a fresher meal.

1. Rebuild Taco Bells Burrito Supreme for less

When did Taco Bell start charging $6.49 for a Burrito Supreme? I can remember eating three in a sitting when I was a teenager and Id still be hungry. That would cost me close to $20 today.

A much cheaper route is to order a Bean Burrito and then add seasoned beef, sour cream, and tomatoes and you get essentially the same taste for only $4.74.

Your specific savings depends on how your local Taco Bell prices base items versus add-ons, but youre still going to save money every time.

Estimated savings: ~$1.75 per burrito

Why it works: Add-ons are priced lower than regular menu item builds.

2. Ask for half and half at Chipotle

Instead of choosing one protein, ask for half chicken and half steak. Or any two proteins that sound good together.

Many employees will often give a fairly generous scoop of each, often more than just half ascoop.

The result is typically more meat than a single protein order.

Its hard to quantify the savings with this hack but you definitely end up with more food for your money.

Why it works: Portioning isnt perfectly controlled.

Pro tip: Did you know that Chipotle employees will also give you a free scoop of extrarice or beans if you ask? Works best when ordering the burrito bowl as they have more room to add extra compared to trying to keep all the burrito contents wrapped in a single tortilla.

3. Want a real egg? Stick with the Egg McMuffin

Not all McDonalds breakfast sandwiches are equal. The Egg McMuffinis the only onemade with a freshly cracked USDA Grade A egg.

Other breakfast items use folded egg products, even though prices are similar. The folded eggs are liquid eggs that are pre-cooked and flash frozen by their suppliers.

This hack wont save you cash, but it improves value and overall quality at the same price point.

Estimated savings:Quality upgrade, not dollars.

Why it works:Ingredient costs dont always align with menu pricing.

4. Always choose the 20-piece McNuggets

At most locations, a 20-piece McNuggets costs only $8compared to $6 for the 10 piece.

Thats double the food for a measly extra 2 bucks.

So, if youre ordering nuggets for more than one person, or maybe planning leftovers, theres no financial reason to choose the 10-piece.

Estimated savings: Youll save $4 by buying the 20-piece, compared to buying two 10-pieces at $6 each.

5. Order a Big Mac-Style McDouble

Sticking with Mickey Ds, are you craving a Big Mac right now? Try this hack and save some money.

Instead of dropping $7.39 for a Big Mac, order a McDouble for $3.89 then customize it with lettuce, pickles, and Big Mac sauce for NO extra charge.

Sure, you wont get the extra middle bun, but did we ever actually need the middle bun?

Estimated savings: The result is a very similar sandwich (slightly smaller) for $3.50 less.

Why it works: Signature items always carry a premium pricing.

6. Want hot fries? Ask for no salt

Ordering fries with no salt often forces the kitchen to make a fresh batch. Doesnt matter the fast-food joint, this pretty much holds true everywhere.

Youll get hot fries instead of whatevers been sitting under the heat lamp, then you can salt them yourself if you want.

This doesnt lower the price, but it ensures you always got hot and fresh French fries.

7. Starbucks free refill rule (the right way to use it)

Did you know that if youre a Starbuck Rewards member you can get free refills on certain drinks?

As long as youre sipping inside a Starbucks location, you can score a free refill at any time before you leave.

Here are the refill drinks:

• Hot brewed coffee
• Iced coffee
• Hot tea
• Iced tea

The best part is that it doesnt matter what your original drink was. So even if your first drink was something expensive, like a $6 latte, you can get a free iced coffee refill before you leave.

Pro tip: It still amazes me how many people order a cold drink at Starbucks and are perfectly okay with the barista filling the cup 3/4^th full of ice. Instead, ask for Light Ice and get way more drink for the money.

8. At Panera, the bowl beats the cup

At Panera, the soup bowl gives you about 50% more soup than the cup for only $1$2 more.

When you break it down by cost per ounce, the bowl delivers noticeably more food for your money. So, if soup is going to be your main meal, the bowl is always the way to go.

Estimated savings: $1$2 in added value per order.

Why it works: The cup price anchors your expectations, making the bowls small upcharge feel bigger than it is.

9. Order the value drink at Burger King when dining in

At Burger King, the Value fountain drink comes in at $1.69 compared to $2.79 for the small size.

The value size gives you an adequate12 ounces, compared to 16 ounces for the small size. But, if youre eating inside at Burger King, it qualifies for free refills.

Most people default to a medium or large out of habit, but its a waste of money. Order the Value size and drink as much as you want for only $1.69.

While this example talks about BK specifically, it's smart to order the smallest drink when dining-in at any fast-food jointthat offersfree refills.

Estimated savings:$1.10 per visit

Why it works:Drink pricing is inflated to pad the margins on the combo meals.

An experts break down where the real savings are (and arent)

• MLK Day weekend is becoming a bigger shopping moment, with more Americans planning to shop and spending holding steady compared to last year.

• The best deals are on winter clearance and select home items, while big-ticket tech and appliances are usually better buys later in the season.

• Shopping smarter matters more than shopping fast checking prices, stacking savings, and skipping overhyped sales can make a real difference.

After the holiday spending rush, January is usually when shoppers hit pause but Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend is quickly becoming an exception.

Observed this year on Jan. 19, the three-day weekend is shaping up to be the first meaningful shopping moment of the year, especially for consumers eager to reset their budgets and stretch their dollars a little further.

New survey data from RetailMeNot shows that more Americans than ever plan to shop MLK Day weekend sales, with nearly half saying theyll take advantage of the deals and spending holding steady compared to last year.

That growing interest signals a shift: MLK Day weekend may not rival Black Friday, but its becoming a go-to opportunity for smart, value-driven shopping. To help consumers make the most of it, ConsumerAffairs spoke with RetailMeNots Retail Insights Expert Stephanie Carls who shared where the best deals tend to be and where it pays to wait.

Dos and donts of the holiday weekend

Just because there are sales this weekend, doesnt mean you want to jump on all of them. Carls shared the dos and donts of navigating MLK Weekend sales.

• Do:

  • Focus on seasonal clearance. January is when retailers clear winter inventory to make room for spring, and thats where the biggest markdowns usually show up.

  • Stack savings. Sales plus promo codes plus cash back is where the true win is!

  • Check prices before you buy. A quick comparison helps you know whats actually a deal.

• Dont:

  • Dont assume every MLK Sale is worth shopping.

  • Dont feel rushed into a big-ticket purchase. Youre likely to see better prices on tech and appliances in just a few weeks.

Best buys for the weekend

If youre hitting the mall or your favorite stores website this weekend, some deals are better than others.

The best deals tend to be on winter apparel coats, sweaters, boots plus home categories like bedding and bath, Carls said. These are the items retailers are trying to move quickly before spring resets hit the shelves.

Electronics, TVs, and major appliances are better to hold off on if you can. Bigger markdowns usually land closer to the Super Bowl or Presidents Day.

Real deals vs. inflated discounts

How do you tell whats a good deal for the holiday weekend and whats just marketed as a good deal to get shoppers to act fast?

Start by looking at the price, not the percent off, Carls explained. Just because something says 40% off doesnt mean its a good deal. Especially if the original price was padded!

Use a tool like CamelCamelCamel to check the price history (Amazon products), or do a quick search to see if other retailers are offering something similar.

As many as 13 million members are covered in the settlement

• Kaiser Permanente has agreed to pay $46 million to settle claims that patient data was improperly shared through its website and mobile apps.

• The settlement covers as many as 13 million members across eight states and Washington, D.C.

• Eligible members could receive payments of roughly $20 to $40 if they file a valid claim by March 12, 2026.

Healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente has reached a $46 million settlement in a data privacy lawsuit alleging that patient information was improperly disclosed through tracking technology embedded in its websites and mobile applications.

The case consolidates multiple lawsuits that were merged into a class action in December 2024. A federal court granted preliminary approval of the settlement in December 2025, according to information posted on the settlement website.

Kaiser Permanente has denied wrongdoing but said it agreed to the settlement to avoid continued litigation.

Kaiser Permanente denies any claims that it misused patient data, the settlement site states, adding that the company agreed to the deal to end the burden, expense, and uncertainty of further litigation.

Lawsuits allege patient data was shared with major tech companies

The lawsuits allege Kaiser Permanente used third-party tracking code on authenticated pages of its websites and mobile apps, allowing data to be shared with companies including Google, Meta, Microsoft and X.

According to the complaints, the shared information may have included IP addresses, names, search activity, medical histories and internal communicationsdata that plaintiffs argue should have remained private under health privacy laws.

Millions of members across multiple states may be eligible

The settlement applies to approximately 13 million Kaiser Permanente members who accessed authenticated pages of the companys website or mobile apps between November 2017 and May 2024.

Eligible members must live in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington or Washington, D.C.

Anyone who accessed logged-in portions of Kaisers digital platforms during that time period may qualify for compensation.

Payments are expected to range from $20 to $40 per member

Members who submit valid claims could receive payments estimated between $20 and $40, depending on how many people file claims and how much remains in the settlement fund after legal fees and expenses.

If you are a settlement class member and wish to be eligible for a payment from the settlement, you must submit a valid claim form by March 12, 2026, Kaiser said in a statement included on the settlement website.

Payments will be calculated on a pro rata basis, meaning individual amounts may change depending on overall participation.

How affected members can file a claim

Eligible members are expected to receive an email from Kaiser Permanente containing a settlement class member ID, which is required to complete the claim process.

Claims can be filed online by visiting the settlement website, selecting the menu option and completing the digital claim form. Members must submit their claims by the March 12, 2026 deadline to receive compensation.

New data shows Americans are dialing back extremes and choosing moderation that actually lasts

• January is less about extremes and more about balance: Americans are choosing moderation like drinking less instead of nothing over all-or-nothing detoxes.

• Health comes first, but money matters too: Most people say well-being is their top motivation, with saving money close behind, especially when it comes to cutting back on alcohol.

• Small changes are sticking: Micro-challenges like Dry or Damp January are becoming gateways to long-term habits, not just one-month resets.

For years, January has been synonymous with all-or-nothing health resets no alcohol, no carbs, no fun. But new data suggests that mindset is finally shifting. Instead of extreme detoxes, more Americans are easing into the new year with realistic, flexible changes they believe they can stick with long after January ends.

According to new survey data from Attest, nearly 1,900 U.S. consumers are redefining what starting fresh looks like in 2026. Challenges like Dry January and Veganuary are still popular, but theyre no longer about rigid rules.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Attests Senior Research Manager Joyce Adams, to learn why many people are shifting away from quick wins and short-term discipline towards long-term health and well-being.

Making sustainable change

According to Adams, the data shows that consumers are more interested in sustainable, long-term change, as opposed to quick fixes that end up deteriorating before the end of January.

"Consumers are ready to reduce their alcohol consumption, but what that looks like is changing, she said. While there used to be an all or nothing mentality to dry January, consumers are recognizing that sustainable change may require intermediate steps, like reduction versus quitting cold-turkey.

"Interestingly, a damp January is as popular as going fully dry, with 24% of Americans moderating their alcohol consumption. Of respondents who planned to not go completely dry, their goals reflected moderating drinking (mindful drinking) and drinking less alcohol overall ('damp January')."

Whats changing behavior?

The data found that nearly 64% of Americans are looking to prioritize health and well-being, and that is the primary motivator behind setting different kinds of goals this January.

However, the second biggest reason especially where goals around alcohol are concerned is saving money. Nearly 45% of respondents said they want to save more money this year.

"When you combine higher wellness interest with economic pressure, its easy to understand why consumers are turning to challenges that help them reset both their health and their wallets, Adams said.

Micro-challenges

For those who are looking to make changes in the new year, Adams suggests a micro-challenge.

"Microchallenges are resonating because they feel achievable, she said. Instead of committing to a major lifestyle overhaul, consumers can focus on one small shift at a time and these small shifts add up. Our data shows that the majority (55%) of Dry January participants see it as a jumping off point for long-term moderation and/or abstinence.

Overall, Adams believes that this shift says a lot about where consumers are today, and what we can expect for the rest of the year.

People are under financial pressure, but theyre also more focused than ever on wellbeing, she said. Microchallenges give them a way to take control of both without the intimidation of big, dramatic lifestyle changes.

"At a broader level, this shift toward moderation shows that consumers are embracing balance over extremes. Thats a noticeable cultural shift, and its going to impact how people approach health, money, and habits all year long.