Consumer News: How to coupon at Kohl's: The playbook that can cut your bill in half

Before you click "Buy," read these Prime Day tips

• Prime Day is moving up: Amazon's biggest sale of the year runs June 23-26, giving shoppers an earlier chance to score summer and back-to-school deals.

• Track prices before the sale: Create a wish list now and screenshot current prices so you can tell if a Prime Day discount is actually a good deal.

• Shop around: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy often run competing sales during the same time period. Always compare prices before clicking "Buy."

Amazon has officially announced that Prime Day 2026 will run from June 23 through June 26, marking a major shift from its traditional July timing. The sale will once again last four days, giving shoppers extra time to score discounts.

The move to June is a notable change. Amazon says it considered major summer events, including the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th birthday celebrations, when selecting the dates. The earlier timing could also help shoppers get a jump on summer purchases and back-to-school shopping before prices potentially rise later in the season.

But before you start filling your cart, remember that Prime Day is not automatically the cheapest time to buy everything. Some deals are excellent, while others simply look impressive because Amazon compares them to inflated list prices.

Here's how to shop Prime Day like a savvy consumer instead of an impulse buyer.

Start a wish list now

The smartest Prime Day shoppers start planning a few weeksbefore the sale begins.

I always add the items Im already planning to buy to an Amazon Wish List or save them for later in my cart. This gives me a baseline so I can quickly see whether a Prime Day discount is actually worth it.

Too many shoppers wait until the sale begins and end up buying things they never intended to purchase simply because the discount appears large.

Pro tip: Take screenshots of current prices on any big-ticket items you're considering. That way you'll have proof if the Prime Day "deal" is really a deal or not.

Focus on categories that historically see the best discounts

While every year is slightly different, Prime Day tends to offer its strongest discounts on:

• Amazon devices
• TVs
• Laptops and tablets
• Small kitchen appliances
• Robot vacuums
• Home security products
• Back-to-school supplies
• Everyday household essentials

Amazon says shoppers can expect discounts across electronics, kitchen items, apparel, beauty products, groceries, and household goods this year.

Meanwhile, products from Apple, Dyson, Shark, Ninja, Samsung, and other major brands are expected to be heavily featured again.

Compare prices before clicking 'Buy'

One of the biggest mistakes Prime Day shoppers make is assuming Amazon automatically has the lowest price.

Every year retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and others launch competing sales during Prime Day week. Be sure to check these competitors around Prime Day as theyll often have pricing thatll undercut the Amazon sale price.

A quick comparison can save you money and sometimes get you faster pickup options if it's something you need right away.

Pro tip: The price tracking toolCamelCamelCamel is going to be very usefulon Prime Day. You can use it to quickly tell if the Prime Day price (on any item) is actually a sale price or the same price the item was a couple weeks ago.

Watch for Lightning Deals

Lightning Deals are limited-time offers that can sell out quickly, especially during Prime Day sale events.

While these discounts can be excellent, be aware that theyre designed to create a sense of urgency and a fear of missing out, which often leads to impulse buying.

Before grabbing a Lightning Deal, I like to ask myself one simple question:

"Was I planning to buy this before I saw the discount?"

If the answer is no, skip it altogether. A 50% discount on something you don't need is still money spent.

Stock up on everyday essentials

Prime Day isn't just about gadgets and electronics.

Some of the best savings can come from boring household purchases you'll use anyway. Think of things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, coffee, pet supplies, vitamins, batteries, and cleaning products.

Buying these items when they're heavily discounted can reduce your grocery and household spending for months.

Don't forget the October sale

Many shoppers feel pressure to buy everything during Prime Day.

Keep in mind that Amazon has another regularly held Prime-exclusive event in October, often called Prime Big Deal Days. Historically, many of the same products go on sale during this event.

Bottom line: If you're unsure about a purchase during Prime Day, there will most likely be another opportunity to buy the item on sale before the holiday shopping season begins.

Nearly 50 years of data reveal changing trends in who faces the greatest danger

• A new study found that breast cancer deaths are increasingly affecting younger women, while survival rates have improved among older women.

• Young Black women with triple-negative breast cancer remain the highest-risk group, but researchers also identified elevated risks among some younger Hispanic and Asian women.

• Researchers say age, race, and tumor subtype should be considered together to better identify women who may face higher risks.

Breast cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the United States, but researchers have increasingly recognized that not all patients face the same risks. Factors such as age, race, ethnicity, and tumor subtype can influence both treatment outcomes and survival rates.

To better understand how these patterns have changed over time, researchers at Houston Methodist conducted a large-scale analysis of breast cancer trends spanning nearly 50 years.

Their goal was to determine whether certain groups have benefited more than others from advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, and to identify populations that may continue to face elevated risks.

How the study was conducted

The researchers analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, a national cancer registry that tracks cancer incidence and outcomes across the United States. The study covered the period from 1975 through 2022.

Using this extensive dataset, the team evaluated breast cancer incidence, mortality, and survival trends among women of different ages and racial and ethnic backgrounds. They also examined outcomes according to molecular subtypes of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer, which is often associated with poorer outcomes and fewer targeted treatment options.

Rather than looking at age, race, ethnicity, or tumor subtype independently, the researchers analyzed how these factors interact with one another. This approach allowed them to identify patterns that may be missed when each factor is studied separately.

What the researchers found

The analysis revealed a notable shift in breast cancer mortality patterns over time. While older women have experienced substantial improvements in survival, younger women are accounting for a growing proportion of breast cancer deaths.

Rising mortality among younger women alongside improved survival in older women shows how breast cancer risk is shifting, researcher Stephen Wong, Ph.D., said in a news release. Importantly, we found that Asian women under 50 experience poorer outcomes and face elevated risk of mortality than previously recorded.

Researchers also found significant differences among racial and ethnic groups. Young Black women with triple-negative breast cancer continued to experience the highest mortality risk. However, the study also identified elevated mortality risks among younger Hispanic and Asian women with certain breast cancer subtypes, particularly triple-negative disease.

According to the researchers, these findings suggest that age, race, ethnicity, and tumor biology should be considered together when assessing breast cancer risk and outcomes. The results highlight persistent disparities and may help guide future research aimed at improving detection, treatment, and survival for populations facing the greatest challenges.

Age, race and tumor type should not be treated as separate issues as they interact to drive these disparities, said first author Lin Wang, research fellow in the Wong Laboratory at Houston Methodist. When we look at them together, we uncover risks that would otherwise remain hidden.

New month-long promotion offers daily discounts on food, barbecue essentials, travel items, and Fourth of July favorites

• Dollar General is rolling out a new "Stars, Stripes and Savings" event featuring a different deal every day throughout June.

• Weekly promotions will focus on seasonal categories like food, grilling supplies, outdoor fun, and travel essentials.

• Shoppers can find patriotic decorations and party supplies at budget-friendly prices ahead of Independence Day.

As summer kicks into high gear, bargain hunters have a new reason to visit Dollar General.

The retailer has announced its new "Stars, Stripes and Savings" promotion, a month-long event designed to help shoppers save on seasonal essentials leading up to Independence Day. Running throughout June, the promotion features a different deal every day, giving customers fresh opportunities to stretch their budgets during one of the busiest spending seasons of the year.

For more than 85 years, our mission has been to bring affordability to consumers who rely on us for convenient access to everyday essentials, Tony Rogers, chief marketing officer at Dollar General, said in a news release.

Customers can unlock even more value with each shopping trip by signing up for a myDG account, where theyll find digital coupons and cash back offers. Were also bringing convenience to your doorstep with myDG Delivery, where your first delivery is free using your myDG account, plus the option to receive your order in an hour or less with an additional $1 ASAP fee making it easier than ever to save on your summer stock-up.

A month of rotating discounts

Dollar General's 30-day savings event officially began on June 1 and is organized around weekly themes that align with summer activities.

Heres a breakdown of what shoppers can expect during every week of the sale:

• Week 1 (June 1-6): Food and Beverage

  • Deals to jumpstart summer entertaining, including savings on two-liter Coca-Cola products, ice cream, chips and pantry favorites.

• Week 2 (June 7-13): Backyard Barbecue Essentials

  • Savings on everything customers need to fire up the grill including charcoal, propane, brats and franks, coolers and paper goods.

• Week 3 (June 14-20): Patriotic & Outdoor Fun

  • Discounts on patriotic and outdoor dcor, pools and water toys, select apparel and gift cards to help customers celebrate in style.

• Week 4 (June 21-27): Travel & Staycation

  • Value on sun care, personal care products and more to keep summer adventures affordable.

• Week 5 (June 28-30): Countdown to July 4

  • Special daily deals on food and beverage items, each featured daily deal priced at just $2.50 to kick off Independence Day celebrations

In addition to the daily promotions, Dollar General is stocking stores with a wide assortment of patriotic merchandise for summer celebrations. According to the company, more than 85% of its patriotic-themed products are priced at $5 or less, with many items available for just $1.

What shoppers should know

For consumers looking to maximize savings, it may be worth checking Dollar General's website, app, or weekly advertisements regularly since new deals will rotate throughout the month.

The retailer is also encouraging shoppers to use its myDG loyalty program, which offers digital coupons and cash-back opportunities that can be combined with sale pricing in some cases.

With costs remaining top of mind for many households, promotions like this can help families save on everything from cookout supplies to holiday decorations. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a road trip, or a Fourth of July gathering, keeping an eye on the daily deals could make summer spending a little more affordable.

From customer service to sales, these fast-growing remote roles offer new graduates a chance to launch their careers from anywhere

• New graduate hiring is expected to rise 5.6% for the Class of 2026, creating more opportunities for entry-level job seekers.

• Customer service, administrative, and sales roles saw some of the biggest increases in remote entry-level openings over the past year.

• Major employers across healthcare, technology, and finance are actively recruiting Gen Z talent for remote and hybrid positions.

Landing that first job after graduation can feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive job market.

To help job seekers navigate the changing workplace, FlexJobs recently released its 2026 New Grad Guide to Remote Work, highlighting the industries, job titles, and employers offering the most opportunities for entry-level talent. The report found strong demand in fields such as customer service, administration, and sales, with remote openings in these areas growing by more than 30% over the past year.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Toni Frana, Career Expert Manager at FlexJobs, who explained that whether you're preparing to graduate or looking for your first professional role, knowing which jobs are in demand can provide a valuable roadmap for launching a career in today's increasingly flexible workforce.

The top 10 list

FlebJobs report breaks down the entry-level remote job market in a few key ways: the top 10 industries for remote entry-level jobs, 10 companies leading hiring for entry-level remote jobs, and the most in-demand entry-level remote job titles. Heres a look at whats currently trending.

Top 10 Industries for Entry-Level Remote Jobs

1. Customer Service

2. Administrative

3. Sales

4. Project Management

5. Medical & Health

6. Communications

7. Operations

8. Accounting & Finance

9. Business Development

10. Education

10 Employers Leading Hiring for Entry-Level Remote Talent

1. Mass General Brigham

2. Thermo Fisher Scientific

3. HCA Hospital Corporation of America

4. State of North Carolina

5. T-Mobile

6. IQVIA

7. Stride, Inc.

8. Raymond James

9. Centene Corporation

10. Toast, Inc.

Most In-Demand Entry-Level Remote Job Titles

1. Sales Development Representative

2. Customer Service Representative

3. Business Development Representative

4. Account Executive

5. Financial Analyst

6. Staff Accountant

7. Administrative Assistant

8. Software Engineer

9. Registered Nurse

10. Project Coordinator

The impact of AI in the entry-level job search

Frana explained that there are a few key ways for entry-level job seekers to be mindful of AI in their job search.

First, in terms of the application and hiring process, the increased usage of AI tools that help make applying for jobs more efficient, has increased the number of applicants per opening, especially for remote roles, Frana said.

Beyond this, AI is impacting the way many entry-level jobs are done, with many required tasks able to be done by an AI tool. Its important for job seekers to have a good understanding of how these tools work and how they can be used effectively so they remain a competitive applicant for entry-level roles.

Even with the competitive nature of the entry-level job market, AI has also brought new opportunities for AI specific roles, AI support staff, and the need for people to bridge the space between the technology and the important human aspect of the work we do.

Advice for job seekers

Whether youre a recent grad or you know a recent grad, Frana has some tips for the entry-level remote job search.

Knowing short and long term career goals will help with creating a structured job search, which is a key to success, Frana said. Outlining daily, weekly, and monthly tasks will help with focus to ensure the right activities are being completed.

Also, persistence is key. For many, even with the increase in hiring, the job search is taking several months. Be kind to yourself, keep up with applications and networking, evaluate your efforts periodically to determine what is working, make adjustments where needed and your job search will be a success.