Consumer News: ZOA Energy agrees to $3 million class action settlement

The smart habits that keep you from paying full price

• Buy prices, not products. Decide what a good deal is before you shop, so you stop paying full price just because youre out of something

• Let the math do the work. Unit price beats family size, buy 2, and most sale signs if you check it every time

• Shop on the stores schedule, not yours. Clearance, markdown racks, and post-holiday windows are where the real savings live

If you want to spend less in 2026, its time to focus on having a system that makes it harder to overpay. Because lets face it, stores are really good at getting you to open your wallets wide. From the lighting they use, to the layout, to the limited time tags its all designed to get you to buy one more thing.

These four tips work at grocery stores, big box stores, drugstores, and most online retailers. The best part is that none of them require extreme couponing. You just need a few small habits that you can stack on top of each other.

1. Stop buying items. Start buying prices.

The biggest money leak isnt what you buy. Its the price you pay for the same stuff over and over because you never set a buy price.

Do this once: pick the 15 things you buy all the time (coffee, cereal, chicken, diapers, detergent, trash bags, toothpaste, etc.). For each one, write down the price you consider a good deal and thats your buy price moving forward.

Then shop like this:

• If its at or below your buy price, buy it (and buy enough for a few weeks).
• If its above your buy price, you either switch brands, switch sizes, or skip it.

Retail-specific examples (easy wins):

• Grocery: if your predetermined buy price for ground beef is $4/lb, you stop guessing every week if its a good deal or not.
• Target/Walmart: theyre famous for rotating their deals on toiletries and cleaning items constantly. So, if you know your stock-up price, you stop paying full price just because you ran out.
• Drugstores: if you must shop regularly at CVS or Walgreens, buy only when theres a promo (spend X, get X rewards) that drops the price below your buy price.

Pro tip: Take one photo per aisle of shelf price tags (coffee, cereal, paper goods, etc.) on a normal trip. That becomes your quick whats normal vs. whats a deal reference the next time youre tempted by a sign screaming SALE.

2. Use unit price like a weapon

Stores love to sell bigger packages of things because shoppers tend to assume that big = cheaper. Sometimes its true but sometimes its a clear trap.

The move: before you buy, always compare the unit price (per ounce, per pound, per count). The vast majority of stores now put it on the shelf tag. If they dont, do quick math:

Price ounces (or count) = thats your real comparison number to pay attention to.

The grocery store traps youll avoid immediately:

• Party size chips that are barely cheaper per ounce
• Buy 2 deals where one larger size was cheaper anyway
• Meat multi-packs that look like savings until you notice higher $/lb

Where this works in real life:

• Toilet paper/paper towels: the only number that matters is cost per sheet (or per 100 sheets).
• Laundry detergent: compare cost per load, not bottle size.
• Diapers/wipes: cost per diaper or wipe. Brands change count constantly so its time to pay attention.

Think of it this way, if the bigger size isnt at least 10% cheaper per unit, youre not really stocking up, youre just storing a bunch of stuff at not a great price.

3. Shop in markdown windows, not whenever you feel like it

Store markdowns arent random. Many stores follow routines and you dont need insider info to benefit. Instead, you just need to stop shopping like every day is the same.

Try this:

• Pick two shopping days per week.
• One is your fresh day, think produce, dairy, and meat.
• One is your markdown day (clearance, managers specials, short-dated stuff).

Grocery-specific wins:

• Look for managers special meat (freeze it if you wont use it right away).
• Hit the bakery/produce markdown racks first, not last as the good deals tend to go fast.
• If youre flexible, buy whats on markdown and build your meals around it.

General retail version:

• Keep in mind that clearance deals usually gets better after a holiday and near the end of a season.
• If youre shopping for clothes, youll usually do better when stores are transitioning (winter spring, summer fall).
• For big retailers, clearance is often strongest when they need floor space for the next season.

Pro tip: At any store, dont be afraid to ask: When do you mark this department down? Dont say when is the next sale? as employees dont always have that information. But be polite and employees will typically share their markdown schedule. They might say usually mornings or usually mid-week or it depends but check early in the morning. All info you can use to plan your next trip.

4. Treat free shipping and pickup convenience like the upcharge it is

Convenience is the most expensive line item that most shoppers gloss over. You pay for it in the form of delivery fees, marked-up prices, and small impulse buys.

The fix is simple:

• Try using store-pickup for your main grocery order as youll have fewer impulse purchases.
• Then do one in-store trip for produce or to look for store-specific markdowns.
• Avoid those tiny online orders that often trigger shipping fees.

Easy rules:

• If youre opting for delivery, be sure to bundle your order. One bigger order easily beats three small ones in potential shipping costs.
• If a store marks up delivery prices (fairly common), reserve delivery for stuff youd buy anyway, not your cravings and impulse buys.
• If you keep getting talked into spend $35 to avoid a fee, thats the store training you to overspend.

Retail version that works everywhere:

• Put items in your cart, close the tab, come back later. If you still want it 24 hours later, fine then buy it. Most of the time you wont.
• When you do buy online, check if pickup is cheaper as some retailers quietly price things differently.

If you bought beef between 2014 and 2019, you may be eligible for part of an $87.5 million cash settlement tied to alleged price-fixing

Multiple meatpacking companies are accused of coordinating to inflate beef prices nationwide
Two major settlements are awaiting court approval in federal court
Consumers must file claims by June 30, 2026, to receive compensation

Consumers who purchased certain beef products between August 2014 and December 2019 could be eligible for compensation under a proposed antitrust settlement involving some of the nations largest meat producers.

The settlement stems from a federal class action lawsuit alleging that several meat manufacturers entered into a non-compete agreement that allowed them to raise beef prices by reducing competition. According to court filings and a website dedicated to the litigation, the companies allegedly agreed not to compete for market share, harming consumers who bought beef during the five-year period.

Companies named in the lawsuit include JBS USA Food Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland, Cargill, Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation, National Beef Packing Company, Tyson Foods and Tyson Fresh Meats.

Settlement amounts and court timeline

Under the proposed agreements, Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. have agreed to pay a combined $55 million, while Cargill has agreed to a separate $32.5 million settlement. Together, the settlements total $87.5 million.

A judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota is scheduled to hold a fairness hearing at 11 a.m. Central Time on May 12, 2026, to determine whether the settlements should receive final approval.

Even if approved, consumers should not expect immediate payments. Attorneys for the plaintiffs note that distributions can only occur after approval and once any appeals are resolved, a process that can take time, according to USA Today.

Tyson Foods has faced similar allegations in other cases. In October 2025, the company agreed to pay $85 million to resolve a separate consumer class action accusing it of conspiring with competitors to inflate pork prices, according to Reuters.

Which beef products are covered

The lawsuit applies to certain fresh or frozen beef products made from chuck, loin, rib or round primal cuts. Consumers qualify if they indirectly purchased these products, meaning they bought them from grocery stores or other retailers rather than directly from producers.

Several categories of beef are excluded from the settlement, including:

• Premium products:USDA Prime, organic, 100% grass-fed, Wagyu and American-style Kobe beef
• Specialty products:No Antibiotics Ever (NAE), antibiotic-free, kosher, halal and certified humane
• Processed products:Ground, marinated, seasoned, flavored, breaded or fully cooked beef

The settlement administrators have created a searchable online database that allows consumers to look up specific beef cuts to determine whether they are included.

What options consumers have

Consumers affected by the alleged price-fixing have several choices, each with different legal consequences.

Those who want to receive a cash payment must submit a claim form by June 30, 2026. By doing so, they give up the right to sue Cargill and Tyson separately over the same claims.

Consumers who wish to opt out of the lawsuit entirely must submit a written exclusion request by March 30, 2026. Opting out preserves the right to sue the companies individually but eliminates eligibility for settlement payments.

Consumers may also object to the settlements by submitting a written objection by March 30, 2026. Objecting allows class members to tell the court why they believe the settlements are unfair, though objectors are still bound by the final outcome.

Those who take no action will not receive a payment and will also give up their right to sue Cargill and Tyson over the alleged conduct.

How to file a claim or get more information

Claim forms can be submitted online through the settlement website or downloaded and mailed. Mailed forms must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2026, and sent to:

Consumer Indirect Beef Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 3605
Portland, OR 97208-3605

Consumers seeking additional information can visitwww.overchargedforbeef.com, call1-877-283-8711, or write to the settlement administrator at the address above.

From the control tower to the clinic: High-paying careers you can start in just two years

• You dont need a bachelors to earn a great salary: Several jobs with top pay only require a two-year degree.

• Specialized fields and health care dominate: Aviation and medical tech lead the pack.

• Job growth matters: Many high-paying roles also have solid future demand.

Thinking about skipping a four-year degree but still want a well-paying career?

In 2026, associate degrees are poised to continue to unlock solid earning opportunitiesin fields from aviation to health care and engineering. With the right training and certifications, you can start working sooner and still bring home a paycheck that beats many bachelors-level jobs.

Resume Genius put together a list of 10 of the highest-paying jobs for associate degree-holders in 2026.

"Associate degrees are looking better and better going into 2026, as uncertainty about the job market and wage stagnation have been pushing young job seekers away from four-year degrees and into other careers, including blue collar work," Nathan Soto, Career Expert at Resume Genius, said in a news release.

"These two-year degrees strike a balance between affordability and payoff, with six of the ten jobs on our list earning more than $80K a year."

How the jobs were picked

To create this list, excerpts at Resume Genius looked at roles that specifically list an associate degree as the minimum education requirement, have strong or stable job growth forecasts, and offer median salaries well above the national average.

Most of the data comes from up-to-date labor reports and salary research from Resume Genius and other occupational sources.

The list

Heres a look at the top 10 list:

1. Air Traffic Controller Nearly six-figure median pay managing aircraft and communication systems.

   1. Median salary: $144,580

2. Radiation Therapist Helps deliver targeted cancer treatments with competitive wages.

   1. Median salary: $101,990

3. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Works with radioactive materials for diagnostics and therapy.

   1. Median salary: $97,020

4. Dental Hygienist A classic health care role with excellent pay and strong demand.

   1. Median salary: $94,260

5. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Uses imaging tech to assist in diagnoses.

   1. Median salary: $89,340

6. Respiratory Therapist Specializes in breathing care for patients of all ages.

   1. Median salary: $80,450

7. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist/Technician Supports aircraft and spacecraft tech.

   1. Median salary: $79,830

8. Aircraft & Avionics Equipment Technician Keeps aircraft systems safe and functional.

   1. Median salary: $79,140

9. Radiologic and MRI Technologist Performs imaging that helps diagnose injuries and diseases.

   1. Median salary: $78,980

10. Electrical Engineering Technician Works with electrical systems across industries.

    1. Median salary: $77,180

These jobs not only show you dont need a bachelors degree to earn big, but many also offer job stability and growth opportunities right through the next decade.

The wellness hiding behind GLP-1 drugs and Oura Rings

• As interest in GLP-1s and wellness tech like the Oura Ring surges in the new year, fraudsters are using fake ads and lookalike websites to exploit consumers motivation to get healthy.

• Many of these schemes use AI-generated ads, stolen doctor identities, and websites that closely mimic trusted brands and medical organizations.

• Experts warn that consumers should double-check URLs, avoid ads making urgent or celebrity-backed health claims, and only purchase prescriptions and wellness products through official or authorized channels.

Every January, millions of Americans plan to hit reset. We promise ourselves well eat better, lose weight, sleep more, and finally invest in our health.

This surge in motivation has created a booming market for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, supplements, and sleek health tech like the Oura Ring.

Unfortunately, its also created the perfect opportunity for scammers. As consumers search for quick fixes and trusted products, fraudsters are flooding the internet with convincing fakes designed to look legitimate at first glance.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with BrandShield CEO and founder Yoav Keren, who explained that the same scam networks that pushed counterfeit GLP-1 drugs earlier this year complete with fake doctors, AI-generated ads, and polished websites are now expanding into the broader wellness space.

BrandShields latest investigation uncovered more than 10,000 suspicious domain registrations impersonating the Oura Ring in just a few months, with hundreds more appearing as the new year approached. Its a reminder that when it comes to New Year, New You, not everything promising better health is what it seems and knowing what to watch for can save consumers from wasting money, risking their health, or both.

Understanding how the work

Keren broke down exactly how these operate.

Our investigation uncovered a multi-layered scam operation that follows a consistent playbook, he said. It typically starts with a professional-looking social media ad (often on Facebook) that appears to come from a legitimate health care provider or medical organization. These ads frequently use AI-generated images, stolen headshots from real doctors, and real medical credentials to build credibility.

When someone clicks the ad, it leads users to social media profiles impersonating real doctors or respected organizations like the American Diabetes Association or Mayo Clinic. From there, consumers are redirected to scam websites filled with fake endorsements, fabricated compliance seals, and AI-generated before-and-after images.

Keren explained that most of these dont sell counterfeit versions of real GLP-1s. Instead, they promote entirely fictitious brands that claim to offer GLP-1 alternatives.

Similarly, scammers have followed a playbook for Oura Ring-related . Keren explained that scammers create fake websites that are designed to look nearly identical to legitimate brand websites, often using slight spelling variations, cloned product pages, and checkout flows that appear authentic.

Behind the scenes, these sites are frequently tied to the same shell companies, reused email formats, and virtual office addresses, allowing scammers to rapidly shut down and relaunch storefronts to avoid enforcement, he said.

Avoiding scammers

If youre looking to get or stay healthy in the new year, Keren shared some of the best ways to ensure that anything you buy or click on is legitimate.

Consumers should verify that they are purchasing through the official brand's website or authorized retailers, Keren said. For GLP-1 drugs, patients need a prescription, so legitimate access should always involve licensed health care providers and regulated pharmacies.

Its also important to carefully check website URLs for small spelling changes, confirm that ads link directly to official brand domains, and avoid clicking through ads that rely heavily on celebrity doctors or urgent medical claims.

Vigilance is key

As fake websites and ads look more and more real, vigilance is key to ensuring the information youre accessing is coming from a real, legitimate source.

These are not just about financial fraud, Keren said. Especially when health products are involved, the risks extend to consumer safety and well-being.

As AI tools make it easier to create convincing fake ads and websites, consumers and brands alike will need to be more vigilant. Awareness and verification are becoming just as important as enforcement.