Consumer News: New app alerts you when there’s a recall

The war has interrupted the shipment of oil from the Middle East

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. drivers are now paying about $3.70 per gallon on average, up sharply since the start of the Iran war in late February.

• Gas prices have climbed roughly 70 cents nationwide since the conflict began, according to industry and government data.

• The surge is tied to oil prices above $100 per barrel and fears that fighting could disrupt a key global shipping route for crude.

On February 28, the national average price of regular gasoline was just below $3 a gallon. After 16 days of fighting against Iran, the average price has surged to $3.70 a gallon, a 23% rise.

It has not only been a sudden shock to motorists, but it has also raised concerns about inflation and the broader economy.

In short, fuel prices are surging because of supply concerns. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that tankers loaded with Mideast oil must move through. That oil is being bottled up in the Persian Gulf, unable to reach refineries around the world.

As a result, gasoline prices have climbed quickly as oil markets reacted to the war. Early in the conflict, U.S. drivers were paying roughly $2.98 to $3.00 per gallon, but the national average soon crossed $3.50 and continued rising.

In some areas, the increases have been even steeper.

• California averages have climbed above $5 per gallon.

• Some stations in Los Angeles have charged more than $8 per gallon during supply shocks.

Overall, gasoline prices nationwide have risen about 70 cents since the war began, according to industry data.

Oil supply fears driving the surge

The main driver of higher fuel costs is the surge in crude oil prices. Brent crude recently climbed above $100 per barrel, the first time since the early stages of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Energy analysts say the conflict threatens global oil supply in several ways. Fighting and attacks around the Persian Gulf have disrupted shipping and energy infrastructure, while the Strait of Hormuzthrough which about 20% of the worlds oil normally flowshas faced blockades and military threats.

When crude oil prices rise, gasoline usually follows because refined fuels are produced directly from crude. Economists warn that if the conflict continues, higher energy costs could ripple through transportation, food and consumer goods prices.

For example, the price of diesel fuel, used by large trucks, has risen even faster than the price of gas. Those higher transportation costs will soon show up in the prices of everything from groceries to smartphones.

Relief may take time

Federal officials say prices could remain elevated for weeks while markets stabilize. The U.S. and its allies are planning to release large amounts of oil from strategic reserves to ease shortages, though analysts say that may only provide temporary relief.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has cautioned that there are no guarantees gasoline prices will fall quickly, citing ongoing instability in the Middle East and uncertainty around oil shipments.

Hyundai said the issue involves the vehicles second- and third-row power seats

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Hyundai has halted sales of certain Palisade SUVs and issued a recall after a child died in an incident involving the vehicle.

• About 60,000 SUVs are affected, primarily 2026 Palisades in Limited and Calligraphy trims.

• The problem involves power-folding seats that may fail to detect a person or object, potentially creating a safety hazard.

Hyundai has stopped selling certain versions of its popular Palisade SUV and launched a recall of roughly 60,000 vehicles after a tragic incident in which a child died.

The automaker said it is aware of a fatal incident involving a Palisade but noted that the case remains under investigation and that full details have not yet been released. Hyundai said it extends its deepest sympathies to the childs family.

The recall affects 2026 Hyundai Palisade SUVs in Limited and Calligraphy trims, according to the company.

Potential seat-detection problem

Hyundai said the issue involves the vehicles second- and third-row power seats, which in some cases may not properly detect contact with an occupant or object while the seats are moving or folding.

The potential problem can occur during several seat functions, including:

• Power-folding operations in the rear rows

• The second-row one-touch tilt-and-slide feature used to access the third row

If the system fails to detect resistance, the seats could continue moving even if somethingor someoneis in the way.

Stop-sale order and recall

As a precaution, Hyundai has ordered a stop-sale for affected vehicles, meaning dealers cannot sell them until a fix is developed.

The company said it is working on a permanent repair that will be provided free of charge to owners once available. In the meantime, Hyundai plans to release an over-the-air software update by the end of March designed to improve the systems response when the seats encounter an object or person.

Hyundai also said it may provide loaner or rental vehicles to affected customers until a final solution is ready.

Advice for current owners

Until repairs are available, Hyundai is urging drivers to use extra caution when operating power seat functions, especially in the second and third rows.

Owners should ensure that no person, child, or object is in the seat or folding area before activating the seat controls.

The Palisade is one of Hyundais best-selling SUVs in the U.S., making the recall particularly significant for families who rely on the three-row vehicle. Investigators are still examining the fatal incident that prompted the action.

Smart shoppers are delaying purchases and saving hundreds

• The 48-Hour Rule means waiting two days before buying any non-essential item, giving the impulse time to fadebefore you spend.

• Many shoppers simply leave the item in their online cart and revisit it later. Often, the urge to buy disappears entirely.

• If you still want it after 48 hours, use the time to compare prices or find coupons, which can still lead to savings.

Impulse spending has become one of the biggest budget killers for consumers. With one-click checkouts, mobile shopping apps, and targeted ads following shoppers around the internet, it has never been easier to buy something instantly.

That convenience is great, until you take a close look at your monthly credit card statement.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to control spending is something called the 48-Hour Rule. The concept is simple: when you feel the urge to buy something that isnt essential, wait 48 hours before completing the purchase.

For many shoppers, the urge to buy fades once the emotional rush of seeing a product or deal wears off.

And if the purchase still feels worth it two days later, chances are its something you actually want and not just a momentary impulse.

Heres how to start using the strategy effectively.

Step 1: Identify what qualifies as a '48-hour purchase'

The one major disclaimer with the rule is that it works best for your non-essential purchases, not everyday necessities that you need to live.

With that said, those non-essentials include things like:

• Clothing
• Electronics
• Kitchen gadgets
• Home dcor
• Hobby purchases
• Online deals or limited-time offers

Stuff like groceries, medication, and basic household supplies obviously dont need a waiting period.

But most online purchases absolutely can have a 48-hour waiting period added to them.

Pro tip: Set a dollar amount in your head that works for you. For me personally, if the item costs more than $30, it automatically triggers the 48-hour waiting period.

Step 2: Use the 'shopping cart parking lot'

Instead of abandoning the purchase completely, place the item in your online shopping cart and leave it there to collect some dust.

This accomplishes two important things:

1. First, it removes the feeling that youre denying yourself the item entirely.
2. Second, it gives you time to think about whether you really want it.

Theres an excellent chance that when you come back a day or two later, the product will suddenly feel much less exciting.

In some cases, you wont even remember why you wanted it in the first place.

And occasionally, something even better happens. Turns out many retailers will actually send you a discount code for the items sitting in your cart.

Pro tip: One-click checkout can be killer if youre trying to limit your impulse purchases. Consider removing your saved credit cards from shopping apps. Force yourself to have to manually enter your card details as it can often create just enough friction to make you rethink the purchase.

Step 3: Write down the purchase

This part sounds kind of silly and unnecessary, but believe me, its incredibly powerful.

When you feel the urge to buy something, quickly jot down:

• The item
• The price
• Where you saw it

You can keep the list in your phone notes, or a spreadsheet, or a kitchen napkin it doesnt matter, just be sure to write it down.

This is a psychological exercise. When you see multiple impulse purchases written down in one place, it creates awareness of how quickly those small purchases add up.

For example:

• $29 sweater
• $19 kitchen gadget
• $45 headphones
• $35 workout gear

Thats $128 of extra spending in a single week, and its all stuff youll likely forget about days later.

Step 4: Revisit the purchase after 48 hours

This when the rubber meets the road. After two days, come back to the item and ask yourself three simple questions:

1. Do I still want this?
2. Would I buy it if it werent on sale?
3. Will I still be happy I bought this in a month?

If the answer is NO to any one of these questions, thats usually a great sign that the purchase was purely impulsive.

I think youll find that about half of your impulse purchases will disappear after you institute a waiting period.

Step 5: Use the waiting time to find a better price

Even when you decide that you still want the item after 48 hours, the delay creates a slick little opportunity for you to save some money.

Instead of buying it immediately, use the time to do the following:

• Check price-tracking tools
• Look for coupons
• Compare retailers
• Wait for a sale

Keep in mind that many products go on sale/promotion every few weeks.

This is especially true for electronics, clothing, and home goods, which notoriously rotate through monthly sales cycles.

So, by waiting just a couple of days, or maybe a week, shoppers often find a significantly lower price.

Why the 48-Hour Rule works

The strategy works because it separates emotional spending from intentional spending.

Retailers design shopping environments to encourage quick decisions. Things like limited-time offers, countdown timers, and only three left in stock messages all create a sense of urgency.

But most of those tactics rely on consumers acting immediately. When you pause the decision, youll notice that the pressure to buy disappears.

The bottom line is that suddenly the purchase becomes a logical decision, not an emotional one.

Four smart ways to make the rule even more effective

Once you start using the strategy, you can add a few additional tricks that make it even more powerful.

1. Turn off deal alerts that trigger impulse spending. Retail apps make a living off of pushing notifications in front of your eyeballs about flash sales and limited-time deals. Those alerts are designed to create urgency in your brain. Disabling these notifications removes a major trigger for many shoppers.

2. Shop with a monthly fun budget."I fully recognize that completely banning impulse purchases usually backfires and isnt sustainable for some of us. Instead, give yourself a small monthly spending allowance for non-essentials. Whenyour fun-money is gone, the shopping stops.

3. Keep a 30-day wish-list."If you still want something after 48 hours but dont need it immediately, try moving it to a 30-day wish-list instead of buying it. Many people discover they forget about half the items on that list.

4. Track how much the rule saves you.When you initially track the things you DONT buy, and see the savings pile up, it motivates you to keep going. So, whenever you skip a purchase, record the price you would have paid in a money saved list. Check out the list every month, as its not unusual to see hundreds or even thousands of dollars in avoided spending.

Between 2% and 3% of those on board were reported sick

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 150 passengers and crew members fell ill during a recent Princess Cruises voyage after a norovirus outbreak aboard the Star Princess, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• The illness affected 104 passengers and 49 crew members during a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed Fort Lauderdale on March 7.

• Cruise officials responded by isolating sick individuals and increasing sanitation measures while the CDC launched an investigation.

More than 150 people became ill during a recent Caribbean cruise aboard a Princess Cruises ship, prompting an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak occurred on the Star Princess during a seven-night voyage from March 7 to March 14, according to the CDCs Vessel Sanitation Program, which monitors gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that call at U.S. ports. A total of 153 people 104 passengers and 49 crew members reported symptoms during the trip.

The ship was carrying 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members at the time of the outbreak, meaning roughly 23% of those onboard reported illness.

Health officials said the predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea, which are typical signs of norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illness and spreads easily in close quarters.

Outbreak reported mid-voyage

The outbreak was first reported to the CDC on March 11, several days after the ship departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Under federal guidelines, cruise lines must notify the CDC when at least 2% of passengers or crew report gastrointestinal illness, a threshold that was surpassed during the sailing.

Princess Cruises said it implemented a series of containment measures once cases began to rise. According to the CDC, the ships crew:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures

• Isolated sick passengers and crew members

• Collected stool samples from ill individuals for testing

• Consulted with CDC officials on sanitation protocols

After the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on March 14, it underwent additional deep cleaning before departing on its next voyage, officials said.

CDC investigating

The CDC is conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to determine how the illness spread and to help prevent further transmission.

Norovirus outbreaks are occasionally reported on cruise ships because the virus can spread rapidly in crowded environments and can survive on surfaces such as railings and door handles if sanitation practices are not strict.

While the number of cases reported during a cruise reflects the total number of people who became sick at any point during the voyage, the CDC notes that they were not necessarily ill at the same time.