Consumer News: Americans are cutting back just to get by — and the financial stress is piling up

A Georgia Techled team will examine how recommendation algorithms shape young users behavior.

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week, defending his company against claims that social media harms children.

• A 20-year-old plaintiff alleges Instagram and other platforms are intentionally designed to addict young users.

• A new Georgia Tech study aims to examine whether TikToks recommendation algorithm contributes to unhealthy patterns among adolescents.

As legal battles intensify over whether social media platforms are engineered to hook young users, new academic research is seeking to shed light on how recommendation algorithms shape teen behavior and mental health.

Munmun De Choudhury, a professor in Georgia Techs School of Interactive Computing, is leading a multi-institutional team that will audit TikToks recommendation algorithm using data from more than 10,000 adolescent users. The four-year project is supported by a $1.7 million grant from the Huo Family Foundation.

Big trial in the background

The study comes amid growing scrutiny of social media companies. In Los Angeles County Superior Court last week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the witness stand to defend his company against allegations that platforms like Instagram are designed to foster addiction among young users. Critics argue that algorithm-driven feeds play a central role in keeping teens scrolling for hours at a time.

De Choudhurys team hopes to better understand what young people are actually exposed to when using TikTok and how those exposures may affect their well-being.

We hope to learn the different types of negative exposures that young people experience when using TikTok, De Choudhury said. This can help us characterize what theyre watching and build computational methods to understand the consumption behaviors of these participants and how theyre affected by the algorithm.

The project is a collaboration with Amy Orben, a professor at the University of Cambridge, and Homa Hosseinmardi, an assistant professor at UCLA.

Major hurdle

One major hurdle for researchers has been limited access to social media data. Platforms have tightened restrictions on their application programming interfaces (APIs), making it difficult for outside researchers to study user behavior at scale.

We cant do the type of studies we did 10 years ago with X (formerly Twitter) because the API is much more restrictive, De Choudhury said. There are limited ways to programmatically access peoples data now.

Instead, the team is relying on data voluntarily shared by young participants. Orben collected TikTok archives from more than 10,000 adolescents in the United Kingdom who consented to provide their personal data in compliance with the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Unlike many prior social media studies that focus on what users post publicly, this research includes watch histories offering a rare window into passive consumption.

We dont understand passive social media consumption very well, so we hope to close that gap and learn what that looks like, De Choudhury said. Is what theyre consuming directly related to what theyre posting? How does passive consumption affect young peoples mental health?

Researchers believe the findings could eventually inform design changes aimed at reducing harmful effects. Adolescence is a particularly important period, De Choudhury noted, because early signs of mental health conditions often emerge during these years.

In all, there are four new tax deductions covered in the instructions

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The IRS has released a new Schedule 1-A for tax year 2025 tied to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, offering deductions for tips, overtime pay, car loan interest and seniors.

• Eligible workers can deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips and up to $12,500 in overtime pay ($25,000 for joint filers), subject to income limits.

• Seniors born before Jan. 2, 1961, may qualify for an enhanced deduction of up to $6,000 per person, with larger benefits for married couples filing jointly.

The federal tax-filing deadline is just weeks away and the Internal Revenue Service has unveiled a new tax form designed to help millions of Americans take advantage of expanded deductions authorized under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

For tax year 2025, taxpayers will use a newly created Schedule 1-A, along with updated instructions included in the Form 1040 instruction booklet, to claim deductions for qualified tips, overtime compensation, car loan interest and an enhanced deduction for seniors.

The agency said the new schedule consolidates these benefits into a single form, allowing eligible taxpayers to reduce their taxable income whether they take the standard deduction or itemize.

Deduction for tips

Under Part II of the new instructions, workers who customarily and regularly receive tips may deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips. The deduction begins to phase out when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000, or $300,000 for married couples filing jointly.

To qualify, tips must be properly reported to employers and reflected on tax documents. Married taxpayers must file a joint return to claim the deduction.

The IRS included worksheets and examples to help workers calculate their eligible tipped income. The instructions also define what constitutes qualified tips and provide guidance on which occupations typically meet the criteria.

Overtime pay deduction

Part III details how certain employees can deduct overtime compensation required under Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Qualified overtime is defined as compensation paid above a workers regular rate of pay in accordance with federal law.

Eligible taxpayers may deduct up to $12,500 in overtime pay, or up to $25,000 for married couples filing jointly. As with the tip deduction, the benefit phases out once modified adjusted gross income surpasses $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. Married couples must file jointly to qualify.

The IRS provided worksheets and examples illustrating how to calculate the allowable amount.

Car loan interest

Part IV introduces a deduction for qualified passenger vehicle loan interest. Taxpayers may claim the deduction regardless of whether they itemize.

The instructions define key terms, including qualified passenger vehicle loan interest, applicable passenger vehicle, final assembly in the United States, and personal use. An example in the guidance illustrates how to determine whether a loan meets the criteria.

Enhanced deduction for seniors

Part V outlines an enhanced deduction for older taxpayers. To qualify, an individual or both spouses, if filing jointly must have been born before Jan. 2, 1961, and must have a valid Social Security number. Married couples must file jointly to claim the benefit.

The maximum enhanced deduction is $6,000 per eligible person. Couples filing jointly can claim up to $12,000 if both spouses meet the age and Social Security requirements.

The deduction is reduced when modified adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 for single filers or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Push for e-filing

The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to file electronically and opt for direct deposit to receive refunds more quickly and securely. Electronic filing reduces errors, the agency said, because tax software performs calculations, flags common mistakes and prompts filers to provide missing information.

The new Schedule 1-A and related instructions are now available with the 2025 Form 1040 materials, marking one of the most significant updates to individual tax filings in recent years.

Midwest and Gulf Coast states are feeling the most impact

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. gasoline prices have jumped more than 20 cents per gallon since the conflict with Iran began, pushing the national average to about $3.19 a gallon, according to AAA.

• Drivers in West Coast states are paying the most, with California averaging nearly $4.74 per gallon about $1.50 above the national average.

• Southern and Midwestern states still have the lowest prices, but many have seen some of the fastest daily increases as oil markets react to the war.

Gasoline prices across the United States are climbing quickly after the outbreak of war involving Iran, as fears of disruptions to global oil supplies ripple through energy markets.

AAA reports the national average price for regular gasoline reached about $3.19 per gallon on March 4, up sharply from roughly $3.00 just days earlier.

The spike follows escalating military strikes and retaliatory attacks in the Middle East, raising concerns that tanker traffic or oil production could be disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane that carries roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil supply.

Oil prices jumped more than 5% after the fighting intensified, pushing U.S. crude toward $75 a barrel and driving wholesale gasoline prices higher.

Because gasoline prices are tied to global crude markets, analysts say geopolitical shocks can quickly show up at the pump even though the United States produces much of its own oil.

Some states feeling the surge faster

While prices have increased nationwide, the impact varies widely by region.

West Coast states continue to have the highest gasoline prices due to higher taxes, stricter fuel blends and supply constraints. The latest AAA data show:

• California: $4.736 per gallon

• Washington: $4.409

• Hawaii: $4.418

• Oregon: $3.990

• Nevada: $3.829

Meanwhile, several Midwestern states where prices often react quickly to wholesale changes are also seeing noticeable jumps.

Average prices include:

• Illinois: $3.318

• Michigan: $3.243

• Indiana: $3.145

• Ohio: $3.095

• Wisconsin: $2.936

Southern states still cheapest for now

Drivers in the South continue to pay the lowest prices in the country, though increases have accelerated in recent days.

AAA lists several of the lowest statewide averages as:

• Mississippi: $2.739

• Oklahoma: $2.735

• Texas: $2.817

• Arkansas: $2.836

• Louisiana: $2.835

Even in these states, prices are rising quickly. In Texas, gasoline jumped about 12 cents in a single day as crude oil markets reacted to the conflict.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast prices

In the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions heavily dependent on refined fuel shipments prices are hovering close to the national average.

Examples include:

• Virginia: $3.032

• Maryland: $3.115

• Pennsylvania: $3.297

• New Jersey: $3.083

• New York: $3.105

• Massachusetts: $3.047

• Connecticut: $3.043

AAA says crude oil accounts for 5060% of the price of gasoline, meaning any shock to global supply can quickly translate into higher pump prices.

What drivers can expect next

Energy analysts warn that prices could rise further if the conflict continues or if shipping through the Persian Gulf is disrupted.

Some forecasts suggest crude oil could approach $100 per barrel if the war escalates, which would likely push gasoline prices significantly higher nationwide.

Seasonal factors may also add pressure. Gas prices typically rise in spring as refineries transition to summer fuel blends and travel demand increases.

For now, experts say the biggest factor affecting what drivers pay will be the course of the conflict itself.

The silent budget killers hiding on your statement

• Small fees = big annual hit: Paper statements, phone insurance, bank minimums, and subscriptions can quietly cost you $800+ a year.

• Most are easy to kill: Go paperless, drop device insurance, meet direct deposit rules, or switch to a no-fee account.

• Use simple scripts: Ask for a courtesy credit or retention offer, then stay quiet reps often waive fees to keep you.

Most consumers dont realize how many small, recurring fees are quietly baked into their monthly expenses.

Just a few dollars here, a $12 charge there. Throw in a service add-on you barely remember approving.

Individually, they feel fairly harmless. Collectively, they can cost you $800 to $1,500 per year, without improving your lifestyle one bit.

Heres how to hunt them down and eliminate them fast.

1. Paper statement fees

Many banks, credit cards, utilities, and even insurance companies now charge $2$5 per month to mail you a paper statement.

It sounds minor. But at $4 per month, thats nearly $50 per year for something you likely throw away after 30 seconds.

Companies justify it as processing or print and mail costs. Translation: they really want you to go paperless.

What to do:

Log into each account and switch to paperless billing. If you like having records, you can download PDFs quarterly and print them out, or opt to store them in a cloud folder.

What to say:

Ive switched to paperless billing. Id also like a courtesy credit for recent paper statement fees.

Most reps are happy to credit you back one or two months immediately. It never hurts to ask; you literally have nothing to lose and a few bucks to gain.

Pro tip: Ask for a courtesy credit, not necessarily a refund. When calling about a fee, use that phrase instead of refund. It signals youre not accusing them of anything, just asking for some flexibility.

Ive found that the wording alone can dramatically increase your odds of getting the charge reversed.

2. Cell phone insurance

Carrier insurance plans from companies like Verizon and AT&T often cost $11$18 per line per month.

For a family of four, that number can easily hit $60+ monthly, which equates to $720 a year.

Now ask yourself this:

• How often do you actually break phones?
• Whats the deductible of the plan?
• Is the phone already older and worth less than the deductible?

Also, be aware that many premium credit cards already include cell phone protection if you pay your bill with that card. While your coverage limits can vary, keep in mind that its often enough to replace the need for carrier insurance.

What to do:

Pull out your paperwork and review your credit card benefits guide. Then compare the deductible and coverage limits against what your carrier is currently charging you.

A call script that works:

Please remove the device protection plan from all lines effective immediately.

You dont owe them any explanation, and they may come back with a cheaper monthly insurance plan or a lower deductible in an effort to keep you paying. At that point, you can decide if its worth keeping.

3. Bank account minimum balance fees

Some traditional banks are still charging $10$15 per month if you fall below a minimum balance or dont meet certain activity requirements.

Thats $120$180 per year just to keep your own money in an account.

If you find yourself hit by these fees often, there are actually some hidden ways to avoid it:

• Direct deposit thresholds Some banks will waive monthly fees if you have your paycheck set for direct deposit, often it only needs to be in the $500-$1,000 range to qualify.
• Student or loyalty exemptions Many banks automatically waive fees for students, young adults, seniors, military members, or long-time customers. However, they arent automatic, you have to ask about them.
• Moving to a different account tier Switching to a more basic checking account from a premium account can also eliminate monthly fees at some banks.

What to do:

You just have to pick up the phone and call and ask what options exist at your bank.

Script:

Im trying to avoid monthly service fees. Is there a no-fee checking option you can move me into?

If the answer is no, thats your cue to compare online banks that advertise zero monthly fees and it might be time to switch.

4. Credit card annual fees

Credit card annual fees can range anywhere from $95 to $550 or more.

Im not here to bash them and call all of them automatically bad, but they must earn their keep and provide enough value.

If youre not using your airport lounge access, bonus travel credits, or elevated rewards categories, theres a chance you may be overpaying for the prestige of the card.

Before canceling the card, always call and ask for a retention offer.

Script:

Im evaluating whether this card still makes sense for me due to the annual fee. Are there any retention offers or statement credits available?

Theres a good chance you may get:

• Bonus points
• Partial fee credits
• Or an offer to downgrade to a no-fee version

Make it a habit to never cancel a card, or a service, before calling and asking what they can do to help you out. And dont be afraid to throw in the Im strongly considering cancelling card.

Pro tip: Before canceling a credit card or subscription, mention youre considering closing the account, and then pause.

Dont say a word. Silence often prompts reps to check for retention offers, loyalty discounts, or fee waivers you didnt even know existed.

Let them do the talking and remember that the onus is always on them to keep you from leaving. Silence is leverage.

5. Subscription 'creep'

From free trials quietly converting into paid plans, to streaming services that seem to get more expensive every six months, the creep is real. Companies slowly raise prices because they know most customers wont ever notice, and if they do, theyll just shrug their shoulders and keep paying.

While taken individually, the $9.99/month doesnt feel painful, but when you stack five of them, the numbers get hefty really quick. Especially if you rarely use two or three of them.

What to do:

Scan your last two credit card statements for recurring charges. If you dont immediately recognize one, then investigate a little further.

Also, its smart to use your phones built-in subscription manager to see whats active and what youve cancelled recently.

Script to use if calling:

Id like to cancel and request a refund for the most recent billing cycle. Some companies will actually prorate or refund you if you catch it early in the billing cycle.

FAA investigates the latest in a series of airline emergencies in 2026

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• United Airlines Flight 2127 was forced to turn back to Los Angeles International Airport after an engine fire was reported shortly after takeoff Monday.

• More than 250 passengers and crew were evacuated safely via slides and stairs on the tarmac; no serious injuries were reported.

• The FAA has launched an investigation, amid a spate of airline emergencies this year including other in-flight technical issues and emergency diversions.

A United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Newark, New Jersey, made an emergency return to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday after fire warnings were reported in one of its engines, airline and aviation officials said.

United Flight 2127 departed LAX around 10:43 a.m. local time but turned back roughly 40 minutes into its journey when the cockpit crew detected indications of an engine fire, according to Federal Aviation Administration advisories.

The aircraft touched down safely at LAX at about 11:19 a.m., and more than 250 passengers and crew were quickly evacuated on inflatable slides and airstairs on the taxiway. Fire crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department surrounded the plane and worked to contain the blaze near the left engine; authorities reported no serious injuries.

United Airlines arranged to transport customers to their final destinations and praised the flight crew for their swift, calm handling of the unfolding emergency. The FAA has opened an investigation into the engine issue.

The incident briefly disrupted operations at one of the nations busiest airports, with a temporary ground stop imposed as emergency responders cleared the scene.

So far, ayear marked by in-flight incidents

It's only early March, but this emergency comes amid a series of airline incidents so far in 2026 that have tested operational and safety systems across carriers:

• In mid-February, United Airlines Flight UA1125 declared an emergency and diverted back to Denver shortly after departing for Boise due to a technical issue, prompting questions about in-flight system reliability and airline safety practices.

• Earlier in January, JetBlue Flight B61058 from Aruba to New York diverted to Fort Lauderdale after an engine failure shortly after takeoff; all passengers and crew aboard that Airbus A321neo were reported safe after the emergency landing.

• Globally, a Qatar Airways Boeing 787 flight made a precautionary emergency return to Lagos in mid-January after a critical oxygen system malfunction was detected, underscoring challenges with aircraft systems that can emerge unexpectedly.

Aviation safety experts note that while such events remain rare relative to the number of flights conducted daily, recent months have seen a notable cluster of engine- and systems-related emergencies that highlight the importance of rigorous maintenance, crew training, and rapid response protocols.