Consumer News: Those fake traffic ticket are so realistic that some victims show up in court

Food costs are now shoppers' biggest holiday money worry

• Groceries beat gifts for holiday stress: 44% of shoppers say food, beverages, and hosting supplies are a source of financial stress this holiday season, compared with 43% who cited gifts.

• Nearly half feel financially insecure: 45% of consumers surveyed described their household finances as insecure heading into the holidays.

• Shoppers are hunting for deals: 40% say looking for promotions is their response to price pressure, ahead of cutting back on gifts or switching to cheaper brands.

Forget finding the perfect Christmas gift. For many Americans, just feeding everyone may be the bigger holiday money worry this year.

A new Ibotta survey of 1,002 U.S. consumers found 44% are stressed about the cost of food, beverages, and hosting supplies this holiday season.

That's slightly higher than the 43% stressed about gifts and other seasonal purchases. Travel ranked further down the list, with 29% concerned about gas and 17% worried about airfare.

The findings are particularly interesting when compared with Ibotta's holiday research from a year ago.

In 2025, fewer than 1% of shoppers surveyed said they planned to cut back on food purchases for the holidays. At the time, Ibotta described food as a "strong, stable category" for holiday spending, with 66% expecting to buy food or beverages.

This year's survey doesn't mean food stress jumped from less than 1% to 44%. The surveys asked different questions, and Ibotta told ConsumerAffairs that the specific question comparing holiday stressors wasn't asked in previous years.

But the contrast shows just how important grocery costs have become as families plan for Christmas and other year-end celebrations.

Nearly half say they're under financial strain

The grocery concern comes against a broader backdrop of financial pressure.

Ibotta found 45% of shoppers describe their household finances as insecure heading into the holidays, while 72% say saving money is important this season.

And shoppers appear reluctant to simply buy less.

When asked how they're responding to price pressure, 40% said they're looking for deals and promotions. That's more than the 30% cutting down on gifts, 28% switching to cheaper brands, and 24% moving to private-label products.

Some shoppers are also starting earlier.

Thirty percent expect to begin holiday shopping earlier than they did last year, and 44% of early shoppers say they're doing so to spread spending over a longer period or find better deals. Another 39% are starting earlier to catch early sales.

That's another interesting contrast with 2025, when 86% of consumers said they expected to do the majority of their holiday shopping in November or December.

Black Friday isn't just for Christmas presents anymore

One of the more surprising findings is what's ending up in shoppers' carts during big holiday sales.

More than half still plan to buy gifts during major deal events, but about a third are also using them to stock their pantries.

Twenty-eight percent plan to buy holiday food, beverages, and entertaining supplies during October Prime Day, rising to 31% during Black Friday and Cyber Week.

Chocolate and candy see the biggest holiday bump, with 50% saying they buy more during the season. Snacks and nonalcoholic beverages follow at 46%, while 39% buy more dairy and 36% stock up on bread and bakery products.

For shoppers, the main takeaway is that your holiday shopping list this year may be worth starting in the grocery aisle.

This is especially true if you know you'll need baking supplies, drinks, candy, snacks, and other shelf-stable foods later in the season. Watch prices early and stock up when the deal is good.

And don't assume Black Friday is only about TVs and Christmas presents. If the grocery items you'll need in December are discounted in October or November, buying them early can spread out the cost of the holidays and keep one very expensive grocery trip from hitting your budget at once.

Here are some ways to enjoy restaurants without blowing your budget

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Two-thirds of consumers say theyre spending less at restaurants than they did a year ago, according to a new Popmenu survey.

• Diners are trimming bills by drinking water, picking up takeout instead of using delivery, using rewards, and ordering appetizers instead of entres.

• Planning ahead checking specials, joining loyalty programs, and choosing lunch or happy hour instead of dinner can produce additional savings.

As food costs have risen, so have menu prices. Eating out hasn't disappeared from Americans' budgets, but consumers appear to be getting much more strategic about how they do it.

A new study from restaurant technology company Popmenu found that consumers currently spend an average of $100 a week at restaurants. That's up from $90 in February, but still below the $115 reported in June 2025. Two-thirds of consumers surveyed said they're spending less at restaurants than they did a year ago.

Rather than giving up restaurants altogether, many diners are finding ways to shrink the check. Some of their tips may allow more nights out while staying on a budget.

"Around 30% of monthly food budgets go to restaurants today, down from a high of 40% in 2022," said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. "What that tells us is consumers are spending intentionally, not reluctantly. Restaurants have pushed menu prices about as far as they can go. Consumers are looking for value and incentives to come back. They're also looking for the whole experience to be easy, and that starts with the restaurant's digital storefront."

Ways to save

Popmenu found that 52% drink water rather than buying another beverage, while 50% pick up restaurant orders more often instead of having them delivered. Nearly half 48% use coupons or rewards points, and 47% are choosing less expensive restaurants.

Other strategies are a little more creative. Twenty-nine percent said they sometimes order an appetizer instead of a full meal, 28% are buying less alcohol, and 16% have ordered a children's meal for an adult.

Taken together, the findings suggest consumers don't necessarily have to stop dining out to reduce restaurant spending. Here are some ways to make the dollars go further.

Skip the drink

This may be one of the easiest savings because beverages can quickly increase the check. Ordering tap water instead of a soda, iced tea, cocktail, or glass of wine eliminates an expense without reducing the amount of food on the table.

Alcohol can make an especially large difference when several people are dining together. Popmenu's finding that 28% of consumers are cutting back on alcohol purchases suggests diners are already identifying it as an optional expense.

Pick it up yourself

Delivery can be convenient, but convenience often comes with extra costs. In addition to delivery and service fees, menu prices on third-party platforms may be higher than restaurant prices. A 2026 Federal Register notice cited reports indicating restaurant meal prices on delivery platforms can be more than 20% higher than prices at the restaurant, even before additional fees are considered.

Popmenu found that 94% of consumers would rather order through a restaurant's own website than a third-party service, where fees tend to be higher.

Before placing an order, compare the final delivered price with the cost of ordering directly from the restaurant and picking it up.

Don't automatically order an entre

An appetizer may contain enough food for a light meal and cost considerably less than a full entre. That's apparently becoming a mainstream strategy: nearly three in 10 consumers surveyed by Popmenu said they're doing it.

Another option is splitting a large entre. Some restaurants charge a sharing fee, so check first. If the portions are large enough, taking half of an entre home for another meal can also effectively reduce the cost per serving.

Restaurant apps and loyalty programs increasingly serve as gateways to discounts, free items, and special promotions.

Popmenu found that 48% of consumers are already using coupons or rewards points to keep restaurant costs down. Forty-six percent said they're more likely to choose restaurants offering loyalty programs, while 79% said they'd be willing to download a restaurant's app.

The National Restaurant Association has also found that discounts and value promotions play an important role in restaurant choices, with 70% of full-service restaurant customers saying a discount or value promotion is important when deciding where to eat.

Scammers know you're probably not comparison shopping when you're standing outside your house without your keys

• That locksmith at the top of Google isn't necessarily legit: Scammers and questionable operators can use online advertising to get in front of people searching for emergency help.

• Watch for the bait-and-switch: An unusually cheap quote over the phone can turn into a bill for hundreds of dollars once someone arrives.

• Do this now: The Better Business Bureau recommends finding a reputable locksmith before you have an emergency and keeping the number in your phone or wallet.

You're locked out of your house. It's late, you're frustrated, and you need someone there ASAP.

So you grab your phone, Google "locksmith near me," and call one of the first businesses you see. Turns out this is exactly what scammers are counting on you doing.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has warned that locksmith are on the rise and can begin with a simple online search. Some operators advertise using names and logos that resemble legitimate locksmith companies, then lure desperate customers with extremely low prices.

Once someone shows up at your house, the price can suddenly skyrocket.

And the part thats particularly concerning is that these scammers are simply paying for prominent placement in Google search results to lure you in.

Google actually restricts locksmith ads

Google knows the industry presents enough risk that locksmiths can't simply start running ads like most businesses.

Locksmith advertisers in the U.S. must complete Google's "Advanced Verification" process before they're eligible to advertise. Google says the process can include reviewing business registrations, professional licenses where applicable, publicly available information, and even conducting video interviews.

Google says businesses can be disqualified if there's evidence of deceptive or misleading practices.

Still, consumers shouldn't assume that appearing prominently in search results (sponsored or otherwise) means they can skip doing their own homework. This goes for any service company youre looking to hire, not just locksmiths.

The $29 quote can become a $400 bill

Interestingly, one of the biggest red flags is an incredibly cheap quote.

BBB says a scammer might quote a price as low as $15 over the phone, only to discover complications after arriving. Then theyll conveniently jack up the price of your bill or estimate by hundreds of dollars.

Recent consumer complaints show the problem hasn't disappeared.

In one December 2025 report submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, a Seattle-area consumer said a locksmith quoted $80 to $120 over the phone, with $170 described as a worst-case scenario. The consumer reported ultimately being charged $473 and being pressured to pay through Cash App. The complaint represents the consumer's account and isn't an independent finding by BBB.

That makes getting the price nailed down before the work starts all the more important.

Things to ask include:

• What the service call costs

• Whether there are mileage or after-hours fees

• Approximately what the actual lockout service will cost

At that point, ask for a written estimate before allowing any work to begin.

Be suspicious if they immediately want to drill your lock

Another big red flag is when the locksmith arrives and quickly tells you your lock can't be picked and instead needs to be drilled out. That conveniently creates another problem you'll have to pay them to fix, which of course is replacing the lock.

BBB says drilling shouldn't routinely be necessary and that skilled locksmiths can open most locks without destroying them.

Also look at who actually shows up. Does the person have identification? Did they arrive in a clearly marked company vehicle? Does the company name match the business you thought you called?

If something doesn't add up, don't be afraid to send them away before any work begins.

The smartest locksmith hack takes about 5 minutes

Here's probably the best advice of all: Don't wait until you're locked out to find a locksmith.

BBB recommends finding a reputable locksmith before you have an emergency and keeping the company's number in your wallet or phone.

I'd take that advice even one step further: Find two legitimate local locksmiths today. Check their history and reviews, verify any licensing required in your state, and save both numbers in your contacts. You could even label them "LOCKSMITH VERIFIED."

Then forget about them. Hopefully you'll never need either number.

But if you eventually find yourself standing on the wrong side of a locked door, you'll have something far more useful than the first sponsored search result Google happens to show you: a locksmith you've already checked out when you weren't desperate.

The auto industrys inventory problem is as much about whats on the lot as how many vehicles are there

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Dealers have millions of new vehicles in stock, but fewer freshly designed models to show shoppers.

• Inventory is uneven: affordable cars and some popular brands are relatively scarce, while certain higher-priced vehicles are plentiful.

• For buyers, the best bargaining opportunities may be on slow-selling models and outgoing model years.

A shopper walking into a dealership this fall may find rows of new vehicles but little that feels new. That is the distinction behind a seemingly contradictory picture of the auto market: Some dealers have more vehicles than they can readily sell, yet they say they need fresh models to attract customers.

The Wall Street Journal reports that automakers are introducing fewer newly designed vehicles, leaving dealers to sell familiar designs at higher prices. The shortage it describes is principally one of new model launches and redesigns, rather than a nationwide lack of unsold cars.

The inventory numbers bear that out. Cox Automotive counted 2.68 million new vehicles available at the end of August, enough to last 73 days at the recent sales pace. Cox said overall supply remained adequate, even after inventory declined for a third consecutive month.

But the national average hides large differences. Toyota had just 33 days of supply, while Stellantis brands, Buick and Lincoln carried some of the highest inventories. Vehicles priced at $30,000 or less had 54 days of supply; those priced above $60,000 had more than 90. A buyer looking for an affordable car may therefore face limited choices while another dealer is eager to move a more expensive vehicle.

Sales figures present a similarly mixed picture. Cox expects third-quarter sales volume to be lower than a year earlier, but forecasts September sales to rise 6.5% from last September. It recently raised its full-year forecast from 15.8 million to 16.1 million vehicles, citing stronger demand than it had expected.

What it means for automakers

Fresh designs give shoppers a reason to visit a showroom and can help an automaker compete without relying as heavily on discounts. When launches slow, dealers may be left trying to sell aging vehicles against newer offerings from rival brands. That can put pressure on manufacturers to offer incentives on models that linger, even as popular vehicles continue to sell with less help.

A new model year does not necessarily solve the problem: A 2027 vehicle may differ only modestly from its 2026 counterpart. The transition is running slowly, too. At the end of August, 2027 models made up 12.4% of available inventory, compared with a 23% share for 2026 models at the same point last year.

What it means for shoppers

Buyers should expect deals to depend heavily on the specific vehicle. A slow-selling model or an outgoing model year may offer room to negotiate. An affordable model with a short supply may offer much less. Comparing prices and financing offers across several dealers will be more useful than assuming that either shortage or glut describes the whole market.

Price remains a hurdle regardless of inventory. Kelley Blue Book put the average amount paid for a new vehicle at just over $50,000 in August. For shoppers who do not need the latest styling or features, an older design could still be a good buy if its price, equipment and total financing cost are right.

However, several Sun Belt markets are recording declines

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. home prices rose 1.4% from a year earlier in August and 0.2% from July, according to First American Data & Analytics.

• Annual price growth has stayed below its pre-pandemic average of 3.4% for 17 straight months.

• The national figure hides sharp differences: prices rose 5.5% in Chicago but fell 5.0% in Dallas.

The rapid rise in U.S. home prices has slowed, but that does not mean homes have become cheap. Prices were 1.4% higher in August than a year earlier, according to First American Data & Analytics latest Home Price Index. They also rose 0.2% from July.

Annual growth has remained below the companys nearly three-decade, pre-pandemic average of 3.4% for 17 consecutive months. Even so, August prices were approximately 80% above their average for the same month during the five years before the pandemic, First American said. Slower growth offers prospective buyers some relief from rapid price increases, but it has not erased the earlier surge.

First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming attributed the subdued national pace to forces pulling in opposite directions. Higher mortgage rates are holding back buyers, while homeowners reluctant to give up lower-rate mortgages are limiting the supply of homes for sale.

The result, he said, is relatively steady but modest price growth.

Where prices are rising and falling

Conditions vary considerably by location. Among the 50 largest metropolitan markets covered by the index, Chicago posted the strongest annual gain in August at 5.5%. Hartford, Connecticut, followed at 5.3%, and New York at 5.2%.

Dallas recorded the largest decline, with prices down 5.0% from a year earlier. Prices also fell in Austin, Texas, by 3.4%; San Antonio by 2.9%; and Tampa, Florida, and Denver by 1.9% each. Fleming described the declines in several Sun Belt and Western markets as a rebalancing after years of rapid gains.

The picture also differs by price range. Prices for homes in the least expensive third of their local markets rose 5.5% in Cleveland and 5.3% in Philadelphia. Those gains matter particularly to first-time buyers looking for lower-priced homes, even as national price growth cools.

For buyers and sellers, the national average is only a starting point. A buyer in a market with falling prices may have more room to negotiate, while someone shopping in a city with strong gains could still face rising costs. First Americans latest index figures are preliminary and may change as more transactions are recorded.