Consumer News: Millions of eye drops recalled nationwide

Housing, utilities, food and transportation consume large portions of household budgets

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Electricity prices have risen about 37% in five years, while rents, restaurant meals and gasoline are up roughly 27% to 29%.

• Housing creates the greatest strain because consumers face higher prices, elevated mortgage rates, rising rents, insurance and utility costs at the same time.

• Overall consumer prices are about 22% higher than in July 2021, meaning slower inflation has not reversed the increase in the cost of living.

Affordability has become one of consumers biggest concerns, creeping into the political debate, but not all price increases hurt equally.

Some products may post large percentage increases without significantly disrupting a household budget. Housing, food, utilities and transportation are different: They are expensive, recurring and difficult to avoid.

An analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data from July 2021 through July 2026 shows that overall consumer prices increased approximately 22% during the five-year period. Several essential expenses rose even faster.

The biggest increase was in electric bills, which are up 37% over five years. Restaurant meals and rent are both up 29% while gas prices have risen 27%.

The calculations compare the unadjusted Consumer Price Indexes for July 2021 and July 2026. Individual households may have experienced much larger or smaller increases depending on where they live and what they buy.

Housing delivers the biggest blow

Housing is arguably the center of the affordability crisis because consumers have been hit by several rising costs at once.

The BLS shelter index, which includes rent and the estimated rental value of owner-occupied homes, increased nearly 28% over five years. The rent index alone rose about 29%.

Homebuyers face an additional hurdle. The median existing-home sales price reached $434,100 in July, according to the National Association of Realtors. That was up 2% from a year earlier and roughly 21% above the median price reported in July 2021.

But home prices tell only part of the story. Mortgage rates have more than doubled from their 2021 levels. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage carried an average rate below 3% during much of the summer of 2021, compared with rates above 6% now.

For example, principal and interest on a $300,000, 30-year mortgage would be approximately $1,244 a month at 2.87%. At 6.5%, the payment would be about $1,896a difference of more than $650 a month before taxes and insurance.

Existing homeowners with low fixed mortgage rates are largely protected from that increase, but renters, first-time buyers and people who need to relocate are not. Homeowners in many areas have also faced rising insurance premiums, property taxes, maintenance expenses and utility bills.

Electricity is one of the fastest-rising necessities

Electricity posted one of the largest five-year increases among major recurring expenses, rising about 37%.

Unlike gasoline, electricity is difficult for consumers to avoid. Households may reduce usage, but they generally cannot stop heating, cooling or powering their homes.

The pressure is especially serious for retirees and lower-income households, which may spend a larger share of their income on utilities. High summer temperatures can also make cutting air-conditioning use unsafe for older adults and people with certain health conditions.

Electricity prices were still rising in July 2026, increasing 4.2% from a year earlier, the BLS reported.

Food prices went upand stayed up

Grocery prices increased approximately 26% over the five-year period. Restaurant prices rose even more, climbing about 29%.

Food inflation has moderated from the rapid increases seen earlier in the decade, but that does not mean prices have returned to previous levels. It means they are generally rising more slowly from an already elevated base.

That distinction helps explain why consumers may remain frustrated even when inflation reports improve. A grocery basket that rose from $100 to approximately $126 does not become cheaper simply because its latest annual increase is smaller.

Consumers can trade down to store brands, shop sales or eat out less often, but there is a limit to how much food spending can be reduced.

Transportation remains expensive

Gasoline prices were roughly 27% higher in July 2026 than five years earlier, though fuel is among the most volatile expenses and can move sharply in either direction.

The cost of driving also includes vehicle prices, financing, repairs and insurance. Even where new- and used-vehicle price inflation has eased, consumers financing a purchase face interest rates that are considerably higher than those available in 2021.

That creates the same problem seen in housing: The sticker price may stabilize while the monthly payment remains unaffordable.

Why consumers still feel squeezed

The affordability problem is not simply that inflation remains above the Federal Reserves target. It is the cumulative effect of five years of price increases.

In July, consumer prices were 3.4% higher than a year earlier. But compared with July 2021, the overall cost of the governments consumer basket was about 22% higher.

Consumers do not experience that increase evenly. A household that owns its home outright and drives little may be relatively insulated. A renter with children, a long commute and high utility bills may face much greater pressure.

That is why housing, utilities, food and transportation are causing the most pain. They combine substantial price increases with something consumers cannot easily change: the need to keep a roof overhead, the lights on, food on the table and a reliable way to get to work.

More homes and slower price growth are improving buyers options

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.66%, nearly unchanged from the previous week.

• Buyers are benefiting from more listings and slower price growth, but borrowing costs remain a major affordability hurdle.

• Mortgage applicants should compare several lenders because even a small rate reduction can produce significant long-term savings.

Mortgage rates barely moved this week, giving potential home buyers a measure of stability but no meaningful improvement in affordability.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.66% as of Aug. 27, according to Freddie Macs latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That was up slightly from 6.65% the previous week and 6.56% one year ago.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 5.98%, from 5.95% a week earlier. A year ago, it averaged 5.69%.

Mortgage rates changed little this week, Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said. He noted that consumer spending and household incomes remain resilient, while an increase in homes for sale and slower price growth in many markets are giving buyers more choices.

For potential buyers, the latest report presents a mixed picture. Rates remain high enough to keep monthly payments elevated, but a more balanced housing market may give buyers greater negotiating power.

What 6.66% means for payments

At a 6.66% interest rate, the monthly principal-and-interest payment on a $300,000, 30-year mortgage would be approximately $1,927. That does not include property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance or homeowners association fees.

On a $400,000 mortgage, the principal-and-interest payment would be about $2,570 a month.

The weekly increase from 6.65% to 6.66% would make little difference to an individual borrower.

The larger problem is that rates have remained around the mid-6% range, keeping payments substantially higher than they were when mortgage rates were closer to 3% or 4%.

A $300,000 mortgage at 4%, for example, carries a principal-and-interest payment of approximately $1,432. At 6.66%, the payment is nearly $500 higher.

Buyers may have more leverage

While borrowing costs remain challenging, market conditions are showing signs of becoming more favorable to buyers. More listings mean shoppers may face less competition, while slower price growth could reduce the pressure to make an immediate offer.

In markets where homes are sitting longer, buyers may also be able to negotiate a lower price, ask the seller to pay closing costs or request a mortgage-rate buydown. A seller-funded buydown can reduce the borrowers interest rate temporarily or permanently, depending on how it is structured.

However, buyers should avoid assuming that mortgage rates will fall sharply in the near future. Rates can move quickly in response to inflation reports, employment data, Federal Reserve policy expectations and changes in Treasury yields.

Shopping around matters

Freddie Macs survey reflects conventional, conforming purchase loans offered to borrowers with excellent credit who make a 20% down payment. Individual borrowers may receive higher or lower quotes based on their credit score, debt, down payment, location and loan type.

Potential buyers should obtain estimates from at least three lenders and compare the annual percentage rate, fees and discount pointsnot just the advertised interest rate. Even a quarter-point difference can save thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage.

Buyers who find an affordable home and expect to remain there for several years may decide that waiting for lower rates is too uncertain. If rates decline later, refinancing could be an option, although it comes with closing costs and is not guaranteed to produce savings.

74% of U.S. households still make cable or satellite payments, a new report finds

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. households with cable or satellite service pay a median of $125 a month, or $1,500 a year.

• That is only $4 less than the median monthly electric bill, according to an analysis of actual bill payments.

• Costs vary widely by location, with median annual bills exceeding $2,400 in some cities.

Americans may be watching less traditional television, but many are still paying a hefty price for it.

U.S. households with cable or satellite service pay a median of $125 a month, according to the 2026 doxoINSIGHTS U.S. Cable & Satellite Report. That works out to $1,500 a yearand is only $4 less than the median household electric bill of $129 a month.

The report estimates that 74% of U.S. households pay a cable or satellite bill, creating a market worth approximately $172 billion annually.

This is one of those bills that quietly became a big one, Steve Shivers, co-founder and CEO of doxo, said in announcing the findings. He noted that television expenses can increase a few dollars at a time until they rival the cost of an essential service such as electricity.

The report is based on aggregated bill-payment data from more than 10 million consumers.

Doxo said its data cover more than 120,000 billers and 97% of U.S. ZIP codes.

Bills remain high despite cord-cutting

The size of the typical bill is notable because traditional pay-TV providers have continued to lose subscribers.

DISH and Sling ended the second quarter with a combined 6.4 million subscribers after losing 241,000 customers, according to figures cited in the report. Comcast lost 280,000 video customers, reducing its total to 10.7 million, while Charter lost 21,000 and finished the quarter with 12.5 million.

But those declines have not necessarily translated into lower bills for the households that remain. Cable and satellite packages may include equipment rentals, regional sports fees, broadcast television charges and other costs beyond the advertised base price.

Some bills may also include bundled internet, telephone or premium services, depending on how the provider categorizes and collects the payment. Consumers comparing their bills with the reports $125 median should examine which services are included.

Where consumers pay the most

Vermont had the highest median annual cable and satellite bill among the states, at $1,980. It was followed closely by South Carolina at $1,962.

The five most expensive states were:

• Vermont: $1,980 a year

• South Carolina: $1,962

• Delaware: $1,912

• Nebraska: $1,910

• Rhode Island: $1,800

Costs were even higher in some large cities. Louisville, Kentucky, topped the list with a median annual bill of $2,439, equivalent to more than $200 a month.

Kansas City, Missouri, followed at $2,270, while Miami households paid a median of $2,244. Denver and Omaha rounded out the five most expensive large cities, with annual bills of $2,137 and $2,134, respectively.

How to lower the bill

Unlike electricity, cable and satellite service is generally an optional expense, giving consumers more room to cut costs.

Households can begin by reviewing their bills for equipment, channels or premium services they no longer use. Calling the provider to request a lower rate may also produce promotional pricing, although consumers should ask when the discount expires.

Other options include switching to a smaller channel package, returning extra cable boxes or eliminating traditional television service in favor of an antenna or selected streaming platforms.

However, streaming is not automatically cheaper. Subscribing to several services can quickly recreate a cable-size bill, especially after recent price increases. Consumers should compare the total monthly costincluding internet servicebefore cutting the cord.

The report suggests that cable may deserve the same level of scrutiny consumers give insurance, wireless service and other recurring bills. At $1,500 a year, even a modest reduction could produce meaningful savings in a household budget.

A new study finds some states may be far better positioned to turn AI disruption into new jobs

• AIs impact may depend on where you live: Virginia, Colorado, and Utah rank among the states best positioned for new opportunities.

• High AI adoption doesnt guarantee jobs: Some states have strong adoption but fewer opportunities for workers.

• Check your job market now: Find the skills employers want and start building them before you need them.

The debate over artificial intelligence and jobs usually centers on one scary question, Is AI going to replace me?

But there may be another question worth asking: If it does change my job, are there new opportunities where I live?

A new analysis from IP address provider Floxy suggests the answer varies considerably across the country. The company examined all 50 states using measures including AI adoption, digital job openings, technology employment, STEM graduates, and data center and AI jobs.

Virginia came out on top, followed by Colorado, Utah, Georgia, and Massachusetts.

The findings don't mean workers in those states are protected from AI-related job losses. Instead, they suggest some states may have stronger job markets and infrastructure for absorbing workers as AI changes the economy.

Here is how Floxy ranked the top 10 states where AI has created the most opportunities, rather than replacing jobs:

1. Virginia: More than 27% of businesses use AI, while a large tech workforce and strong STEM pipeline helped Virginia earn the studys top overall ranking.

2. Colorado: Colorado has the highest AI adoption rate of the top 10 at 30.1%, backed by a sizable tech workforce and strong demand for digital workers.

3. Utah: Utah combines fast-growing AI adoption with 228.3 data center and AI jobs per 100,000 residents and a strong concentration of tech workers.

4. Georgia: Nearly one-quarter of businesses use AI, while Georgia also has strong digital job demand and more than 211 data center and AI jobs per 100,000 residents.

5. Massachusetts: A deep technology workforce and strong STEM talent help Massachusetts score well even though it has fewer data center and AI jobs per capita than the leaders.

6. California: California pairs 24% AI adoption with the second-highest tech employment share among these 10 states, at 9.8% of its workforce.

7. Washington: Washington stands out for future opportunity, with 289.8 data center and AI jobs per 100,000 residents and 12.2% of its workforce employed in tech.

8. Arizona: AI adoption is relatively modest at 20.5%, but Arizona has the highest share of digital job openings among the top 10 at 7.3%.

9. Delaware: More than 26% of businesses use AI, but Delaware's much lower opportunity score suggests its job market may be less prepared to capitalize on that adoption.

10. Nevada: Nevada has the second-highest AI adoption rate among the top 10 at 27.4%, but relatively low tech employment and STEM graduation rates hold down its opportunity score.

Virginia may be particularly well positioned

More than 27% of Virginia businesses are already using AI, according to the study, helping make the state one of the country's stronger markets for AI adoption. Technology workers also account for 8.8% of its workforce.

That combination earned Virginia an AI Exposure Index score of 83.6 and an AI Opportunity score of 59.9, putting it in what researchers call the high exposure, high opportunity category.

Colorado, Utah, Georgia, Massachusetts, and California also landed in this category. In plain English, AI is already making significant inroads, but there's also an economy capable of creating jobs around it.

Washington offers an interesting surprise

One of the most interesting states in the analysis is Washington. Its AI Exposure score was only 48.1, but its Opportunity Index reached 91.4. Easily the highest among the 10 states highlighted in the report.

Why? Because Washington had 289.8 data center and AI jobs per 100,000 residents, 12.2% of its workforce employed in technology, and a 7% STEM graduate rate.

Arizona also fell into the study's low exposure, high opportunity category. That suggests workers shouldn't necessarily judge their state's AI prospects simply by how many companies are currently adopting the technology.

Don't confuse AI adoption with job security

Here's an important caveat to this study.

Two states highlighted in the top 10 Delaware and Nevada actually landed in the high exposure, low opportunity category. Delaware, for example, had a relatively high 26.3% AI adoption rate but an Opportunity Index score of just 18.6.

The takeaway here is that widespread AI adoption doesn't automatically mean widespread AI employment.

Floxy CTO Aimen Hallou argues that the bigger issue is whether workers have somewhere to go when their existing jobs change. The geography of opportunity matters more than the number of jobs lost, Hallou said. And that geography is not evenly distributed.

What workers can actually do with this information

Moving to Virginia because you're worried about ChatGPT taking your job probably isn't the takeaway here. Instead, look at what's happening in your own local job market before you need another job.

Search job boards for positions requiring AI or digital skills within 25 or 50 miles of your home. Pay attention to which skills repeatedly appear in listings. Then look for inexpensive ways to acquire one or two of them.

You don't necessarily need to become an AI engineer. Depending on your occupation, that could mean learning how to use AI tools within accounting, marketing, customer service, healthcare, or another field you already understand.

Pro tip: Search job listings for the position you'd like to have two years from now, not just the job you qualify for today. Write down the five skills employers repeatedly request that you don't currently have. Then its smart to consider that your personalized re-training list.

Fake websites, too-good-to-be-true deals, and phishing links can turn back-to-school shopping into a costly headache

• Scammers use fake websites, social media ads, and urgent limited-time deals to catch shoppers off guard during the busy back-to-school season.

• Always check the websites core domain before clicking or entering payment information, especially when deals are shared through group chats or community forums.

• If a deal seems too good to be true, take a step back, verify it directly with the retailer, and use a credit card and strong account protections when shopping online.

Back-to-school shopping can be expensive enough without accidentally handing your money or personal information to a scammer. As parents and students hunt for deals on everything from school supplies to electronics, scammers are finding plenty of ways to make their fake offers look legitimate.

Fake retail websites, phony social media ads, and suspicious links shared in parent groups can be difficult to spot at a glance especially when a deal looks too good to pass up. And with more shoppers turning to online marketplaces, there are even more opportunities to encounter a scam.

ConsumerAffairs spoke withProfessor James Juarez, PhD, chair of the Department of Cybersecurity and Technology at National University, who shared what shoppers should watch for and how they can protect themselves while checking items off their back-to-school lists.

Urgency is a tried and true tactic

Back-to-school season is stressful for parents and kids alike, and for parents trying to check everything off their list, its the prime opportunity for scammers to strike.

"Scammers are aware this is one of the biggest shopping moments of the year for families, Dr. Juarez said. They target this stress and sense of urgency by highlighting extremely discounted items and flash sales. If a discount feels too good to be true on a social media ad or a fake website that is mimicking large retailers like Walmart, Target, etc., thats an immediate red flag.

Fake pages often push cant-miss deals, flash sales, or limited time offers to pressure quick purchases. Any parent in a time crunch or needs something last minute before the first day of school, is more vulnerable to falling for these .

Spotting

Many parents are members of community groups or forums, where local parents share deals, sales, etc. However, not everything you see in these spaces is safe even if they seem to be.

When deals are shared in group chats or community forums, the most critical marker to evaluate is the destination URL, Dr. Juarez said. Scammers frequently mask malicious links to mimic well-known retailers like Target, Walmart, or Amazon.

I recommend inspecting the core domain. If an offer claims to be a Target backpack promotion, the root domain must actually be target.com. Look out for deceptive techniques like typo-squatting (targ3t.com or target-deals-online.com) or subdomains intended to mislead (target.com.deals-promo.net).

However, Dr. Juarez says that consumers don't need to panic if they see lengthy strings of tracking tags, promo codes, or UTM parameters following the standard root domain.

The rule of thumb is simple, Dr. Juarez said. Verify that the primary host domain strictly belongs to the legitimate retailer before entering payment details or bypass the shared link altogether and navigate directly to the retailer's official website or app to search for the deal.

Follow good digital hygiene

For parents raising kids in the digital age, cybersecurity is more important than ever. To help ensure the back-to-school season goes as smoothly as possible, Dr. Juarez shared his best cybersecurity tips.

• Apply the "Too-Good-To-Be-True" Reality Check. If a deal promises a 90% discount on high-demand tech or trending supplies, treat it with immediate skepticism. High-pressure discounts are designed to override critical thinking. Teach students to pause, verify the offer independently on the retailer's primary website, and resist impulse clicking on social ads or unsolicited messages.

• Inspect Links Before Clicking or Transacting. Make checking the actual URL second nature. Train students to hover over links to inspect the destination address, especially on deals circulating on Discord, TikTok, or group chats. If a link purports to come from major sellers like Amazon, Costco, or Walmart but directs to an unfamiliar domain, close the window immediately.

• Standardize Safe Payment & Account Protections. Never use debit cards, direct bank transfers, or gift cards for online shopping. Credit cards provide vital federal fraud protections and chargeback mechanisms if a transaction turns out to be fraudulent. Pair this with strong, unique passwords for every shopping account and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that even if credentials are exposed, student and parent accounts remain secure.