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A new survey finds that more Americans are turning to AI chatbots at night but the habit may be linked to longer sleep delays and less consistent rest.

• A new Amerisleep survey found that 1 in 8 Americans regularly use AI chatbots in the hour before bed, with millennials leading the trend.

• People who used AI before bedtime took significantly longer to fall asleep about 34 minutes on average, compared to 22 minutes for those who limit screen time before bed.

• Sleep experts say AI may keep the brain more mentally and emotionally engaged than social media, making it harder for users to fully unwind at night.

For years, sleep experts have warned about the effects of late-night screen time, especially endless social media scrolling before bed.

But now, a new bedtime habit is entering the conversation: AI chatbots.

Whether people are using tools like ChatGPT to ask questions, vent about their day, get advice, or simply unwind, more Americans are making AI part of their nightly routine. According to a new survey from Amerisleep, that growing habit may come with a downside.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jordan Burns, Sleep Expert at Amerisleep, to learn more about how AI use is affecting consumers sleep habits.

Key findings from the study

The survey explored how Americans are using screens including AI chatbots in the hour before sleep.

Researchers surveyed 1,003 Americans in March 2026, including 127 people who said they regularly use AI chatbots before bed.

The survey examined screen habits, how long it takes people to fall asleep, sleep duration, and participants emotional state at bedtime. Respondents also shared whether AI use had changed their nighttime routines, including replacing social media scrolling or even late-night conversations with other people.

Some key findings from the study include:

• 1 in 8 Americans (13%) regularly use AI chatbots in the hour before bedtime

• Millennials do so most often (17%)

• 1 in 3 AI users are deliberately trading social media scrolling for bedtime chatbot sessions.

• Regular AI bedtime users took 55% longer to fall asleep (34 minutes) than those who forgo screen time before bed

AI is keeping us awake

With AI prolonging bedtime by over 50%, Burns explained that the tech is keeping consumers minds active.

AI chats tend to keep the brain more engaged than scrolling or streaming, Burns said. Specifically, respondents who regularly engage with AI reported taking 34 minutes to fall asleep, compared to 27 minutes among social media users, and 22 minutes among those who reduce screen time before bed.

This suggests that blue light, coupled with interaction, might be preventing the brain from unwinding.

AI is different than social media

The survey found that many Americans are choosing to use AI over scrolling social media both habits that can impact sleep and overall restfulness. However, experts say that AI has a different impact on the brain than social media use before bed.

AI interaction is more cognitively and emotionally engaging than scrolling, Burns said. In addition to the fact that users who spend more time talking to AI take more time to fall asleep, conversations with AI can be hard to end because certain systems are engineered to increase user engagement.

Reduce screen time before bed

If you find yourself stuck in an endless chatbot loop before bed, Burns recommends limiting screen time as part of your nighttime routine.

The biggest recommendation here is to replace constant stimulus with predictability, Burns said. Do things to reduce screen time an hour before going to sleep and transition to low-stimulus activities such as reading or even stretching.

If you're really committed, it'd be useful to establish a screen curfew and create a tech-free bedroom.

Costco lets shoppers return almost anything but there are limits

• Costco allows returns on most items with no official deadline, but the company does track return history and can flag shoppers for excessive returns.

• Costcos generous policy does not apply to most electronics, including TVs, laptops, and major appliances, which have a stricter 90-day return window.

• Members usually dont need a receipt because purchases are tied to their membership account, and Costco will even refund most opened food items.

For many members, Costcos generous return policy is one of the biggest reasons the annual membership feels worth it.

The company famously promises a 100% satisfaction guarantee on most merchandise, which means shoppers can often return products months (and sometimes years) after buying them.

But the real story is a little more complicated than what youll find posted on Costcos website. Over the years, Costco shoppers and employees have revealed plenty of unofficial quirks, hidden exceptions, and gray areas that many members dont fully grasp until theyre standing at the return counter.

Heres a full breakdown of how Costcos return policy actually works in the real world.

Most Costco items have no return deadline

This is the part that makes Costco famous.

Unlike many retailers that give only shoppers 30 or 90 days to make returns, Costco generally allows members to return most products at any time if theyre not satisfied.

That includes clothing, furniture, small appliances, kitchen items, toys, bedding, food, seasonal items, and outdoor equipment.

In practice, that means members have successfully returned items years later, especially if products stopped working unexpectedly. Online discussions are filled with stories about shoppers returning old vacuums, broken grills, and worn mattresses.

Costco absolutely tracks your return history

This is one of the biggest things not clearly emphasized on Costcos website.

Every purchase is tied directly to your membership account. That means Costco can see:

• What you bought
• When you bought it
• How often you return things
• Patterns of suspicious returns
• Whether you frequently return expensive items

And yes, Costco can revoke memberships for excessive return abuse. Multiple reports from former employees and longtime shoppers suggest habitual serial returners can eventually get flagged internally.

The exact percentage that gets you banned from returning items is not known, but one employee said that members who return at least 50% of their purchases will get flagged. This is especially true for shoppers who appear to use products temporarily and then bring them back after heavy use.

Examples that employees often complain about include:

• Returning patio furniture after summer
• Bringing back a dead Christmas tree after the holidays
• Returning large TVs the day after the Super Bowl
• Returning mattresses years later because they became uncomfortable"

Pro tip: Think of Costcos return policy as a customer satisfaction tool not a free rental program. Occasional legitimate returns are no problem. Its the repeated high-dollar returns that will attract their attention.

Electronics follow a completely different set of rules

Due to excessive abuse, Costcos generous return anytime reputation does not apply to most electronics. Those products fall under a much stricter 90-day return window. Although 90 days is still liberal, especially compared to other stores like Best Buy who adhere to a 14-day return window.

The 90-day rule applies to TVs, laptops, tablets, cell phones, smart watches, projectors, and major appliances.

For online orders, the countdown starts from the date you receive the item, not necessarily the order date.

Pro tip: If you buy electronics at Costco, save the packaging for at least 90 days. While Costco often accepts opened products, having original accessories and cables makes the return process much smoother.

You dont need a receipt to make a return

One of Costcos biggest advantages is that your membership card acts like a permanent digital receipt system. Employees can simply scan your membership card and locate old purchases instantly.

Thats why shoppers are often able to return items years later even without paperwork.

However, some members have recently reported stores becoming stricter about requiring receipts for certain returns, particularly higher-dollar items or situations where the system struggles to locate the transaction.

Pro tip: Use the Costco app or website to access your digital purchase history before visiting the return counter. By doing so, it will speed up the process dramatically.

Food returns are surprisingly flexible

Costco will often refund food products even after theyve been opened.

If a product tastes bad, spoils early, causes an issue, or simply disappoints you, Costco employees frequently approve refunds under the satisfaction guarantee.

This flexibility is one reason shoppers feel comfortable trying giant bulk-sized products theyve never purchased before.

That said, abuse absolutely does exist. Employees and shoppers online regularly share stories about half-eaten food being returned months later.

Pro tip: If youre returning food, be sure to bring back at least part of the product or packaging. By doing so, it will help avoid questions about the return and any possible hassles.

Mattresses are one of the most controversial return categories

Mattress returns have become somewhat infamous at Costco.

Because mattresses are expensive and difficult to evaluate quickly, many shoppers test them for months, or even years, before deciding theyre uncomfortable.

And yes, Costco accepts most of these returns. This creates a strange gray area where shoppers technically follow the policy while employees and other members sometimes view it as taking advantage of the system.

Pro tip: Its smart to buy your mattress from Costco online and take advantage of their white glove delivery service where theyll haul in the mattress and set it up for you. Then, if you need to return it at any point, you dont have to haul it back to a Costco warehouse.Theyll come and haul it away for a full refund.

Some items are non-returnable

Costcos website lists several important exceptions that many members overlook.

Items that are non-returnable include:

• Airline and event tickets
• Gift cards and shop cards
• Precious metals like gold bars and silver coins
• Cigarettes and alcohol (in certain states)
• Custom-installed products
• Some special-order items

Also, diamonds over a certain value will require authentication inspections before refunds are issued.

Tires and car batteries often fall under separate warranty programs instead of normal Costco returns because they naturally wear out over time.

Costco.com returns work differently

Online Costco purchases can usually be returned either:

• By mail
• At a Costco warehouse
• Through Costco.com return tools

Costcos online return system has improved significantly in recent years, including prepaid labels that are generated automatically, making for an easy return.

But keep in mind that oversized online purchases like appliances, furniture, or patio sets sometimes involve freight pickup coordination instead of shipping labels. For this reason, returning Costco.com items directly to a warehouse is often easier than mailing them back, especially for those really bulky products.

Pro tip: Your annual Costco membership is also refundable. If youre unhappy with your membership for any reason, Costco will refund you in full. That means shoppers who try Costco for many months, and then decide its not worth it, can get their annual fee back with no questions asked.

Employees sometimes quietly make judgment calls

While Costcos return system is standardized across all locations, many returns still come down to manager discretion, local warehouse culture, and whether employees believe a shopper is acting reasonably.

Thats why one customer may return an old product with zero issues while another gets questioned over missing accessories or heavy wear.

Online forums are filled with wildly different return experiences depending on the store and situation.

Pro tip: The key to an easy return at Costco is to be polite. That matters more than many shoppers realize. Those who remain calm and reasonable generally have much smoother experiences at the return counter.

Why Costco keeps the policy so generous

At first glance, Costcos return policy might seem financially reckless. But the company understands the fact that shoppers tend to buy more when they feel protected and can return almost anything at any point.

The confidence of knowing I can always bring it back encourages members to:

• Try unfamiliar products
• Buy expensive items
• Try bulk buying
• Automatically renew annual memberships
• Purchase higher-ticket electronics and furniture

The loyalty generated by their return policy is definitely significant. Thats why the company has kept one of retails most customer-friendly policies for decades with very few added restrictions.

A new consumer survey reveals that price cuts and coupons are driving shopping decisions in 2026

• A new CouponFollow survey shows that discounts and promo codes now influence brand loyalty more than brand names or even product quality for many shoppers in 2026.

• 73% of consumers say they stay loyal to brands that consistently offer discounts, while most shoppers will switch immediately if a competitor offers a better deal.

• Rising prices are pushing consumers to actively hunt for savingssearching for coupons, waiting for sales, and even switching brands when promotions disappear.

For years, companies have counted on brand loyalty to keep customers coming back. But in 2026, rising costs and tighter household budgets are changing the way many Americans shop.

Instead of automatically reaching for familiar brands, more consumers are comparing prices, hunting for promo codes, and switching when a better deal appears.

A new survey from CouponFollow suggests that savings now play a bigger role in shopping decisions than brand recognition alone. In fact, the study found that consistent discounts are becoming one of the biggest drivers of customer loyalty even outranking product quality for many shoppers.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Clay Cary, Senior Trends Analyst at CouponFollow, who explained that consumers are becoming increasingly loyal to value, not necessarily to the brands theyve trusted in the past.

Key findings from the study

The survey highlights just how much shopping habits are changing as consumers continue looking for ways to save money.

Heres a look at what they found:

• 73% of shoppers say they stay loyal to brands that consistently offer coupons and discounts

• 5% would remain loyal at full price if a competitor offered a 20% discount

• 44% of consumers have stopped buying from a favorite brand after discounts disappeared

• 61% said they permanently switched brands after first discovering a company through a deal or promotion.

• Price and consistent discounts (67%) rank slightly higher than product quality (63%) as the top factor influencing brand loyalty

• Nearly 9 in 10 shoppers said they search for a coupon before making a purchase

• 80% admitted they sometimes delay purchases while waiting for a sale or discount

How will this affect loyalty programs?

Cary predicts that more retailers will offer discounts or rewards exclusive to their loyalty programs.

Since 73% of shoppers report that regular discounts influence their loyalty, it's likely that brands will continue to advertise savings and coupon-based rewards, he said. Another finding states that 86% of respondents are more likely to purchase things when discounts are personalized. Shoppers are really just responding better to immediate and tailored savings opportunities.

Does focusing on price come with consequences?

Cary says if price is the only thing that matters, there may be some unintended consequences.

A sole, primary focus on prices might lead consumers to regret their decisions, as they buy items impulsively without considering whether the product will actually be used, he said. Seventy-seven percent of shoppers confessed to having bought something they didn't plan to due to discount availability.

Essentially, discounts can strongly influence purchasing behavior and cause unexpected purchases.

Where to find discounts

According to the survey, shoppers most commonly find out about brands while looking for discounts on search engines, by using loyalty/reward apps, visiting coupon websites, receiving emails from companies, or getting acquainted with special promotions posted on social media accounts.

Seniors may be shopping on the wrong day without realizing it

• Senior grocery discounts are getting less predictable, with many chains changing dates or limiting deals by location.

• Harris Teeter still offers 5% off every Thursday for shoppers 60+, while many Frys Food Stores locations offer 10% off monthly for shoppers 55+.

• Many Kroger stores now focus more on digital coupons and app-based rewards instead of traditional senior discount days.

For years, senior discount days were one of the easiest ways for retirees to stretch a grocery budget without much extra effort. But according to a recent report from SavingAdvice, many grocery chains have adjusted, limited, or regionalized those savings programs.

These changes have left some seniors unknowingly shopping on the wrong day and missing their well-deserved 5% or 10% grocery discount entirely.

Heres how some of the biggest grocery chains are currently handling senior discounts, and more importantly, how older shoppers can avoid missing savings.

Harris Teeter

While many grocery chains have scaled back senior savings, Harris Teeter continues to offer one of the more dependable programs available.

Shoppers age 60 and older can receive 5% off purchases every Thursday when using a VIC loyalty card. The discount applies after VIC savings and coupons are deducted, though exclusions usually include pharmacy items, fuel, gift cards, and event tickets.

Pro tip: Stack the Thursday senior discount with paper coupons, VIC card promotions, and weekly sale prices. Many experienced shoppers purposely schedule their largest grocery trip around Thursdays to maximize their savings.

Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer locations in many regions continue offering shoppers age 55 and older an extra 10% discount on the first Tuesday of each month.

But unlike many grocery discount programs, the savings applies more heavily to apparel, home goods, kitchenware, and private-label products rather than every grocery item in the store. This definitely makes the discount less valuable for those on a fixed income.

That means some shoppers expecting blanket savings may be disappointed if they dont check the exclusions ahead of time.

Frys Food Stores

Most Frys Food locations still offer a 10% discount for shoppers 55+ on the first Wednesday of every month.

The 10% discount is good for both in-store shopping as well as same-day curbside pick-up or delivery. Specifically, the discount includes grocery items, health and beauty, pet food, produce, meats, bakery, apparel, housewares, baby items, toys, and more.

The only exclusions include prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, event tickets, postage, lottery, transit services, Western Union services, money orders, fuel, and gift cards.

Hy-Vee

While some Hy-Vee locations still offer weekly senior savings days, others have shifted to monthly events or changed the eligible weekday entirely.

Discounts range from 5% to 10% for shoppers age 55 and older, but participation now varies heavily from store to store.

The smart thing to do is ask aboutyour local Hy-Vees senior discount directly. It seems that even locations in the same area may follow different rules.

Kroger

Kroger has phased out many of their traditional senior discounts.

Years ago, many Kroger locations offered regular weekly or monthly senior savings events. But today, many stores now focus more heavily on:

• Digital coupons

• Fuel points

• Loyalty rewards

• App-only deals

• Personalized offers

For seniors uncomfortable using smartphone apps, that shift can feel frustrating because most potential savings is no longer automatic when you reach the checkout register.

Foodland

If you live in Hawaii, and are over 60 years of age, you need to be shopping at your local Foodland grocery store on Thursdaysso you can save 5% on your purchase.

You simply show your ID at checkout and collect your 5% discount. Excludesprescriptions, stamps, bus passes, liquor, tobacco, gift cards, taxes, and bottle fees.