Consumer News: Student loan borrowers in the SAVE program must act fast

The scammers hope to collect reams of personal data

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The FTC is warning consumers about a resurgence of a mail scam claiming recipients are entitled to millions of dollars in unclaimed life insurance proceeds or an inheritance from someone with the same last name.

• The letters are not from legitimate law firms, but from scammers trying to steal victims' personal information, banking details and, ultimately, their money.

• Consumers should never respond to the letters and should instead report them to the FTC and use official government websites to search for legitimate unclaimed property.

An old inheritance scam is making the rounds again, prompting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to warn consumers not to believe letters claiming they are the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar life insurance policy.

The FTC issued a consumer alert after receiving reports from people who received official-looking letters from supposed law firms claiming that a deceased client with the same last name had left behind an unclaimed life insurance policy worth millions of dollars.

According to the letters, no heirs have been found, and the recipient is offered a chance to share the proceeds with the law firm and one or more charitable organizations.

The catch: none of it is real.

"This is not a letter from a lawyer it's from a scammer," the FTC said in its alert. The agency says the life insurance policy, the deceased client and the promised inheritance simply do not exist.

How the scam works

The scheme typically begins with a letter delivered through the mail rather than email, making it appear more credible.

The sender claims to represent the estate of someone who died without heirs and says the recipient was identified because they share the same surname as the deceased. The letter often suggests there is limited time to claim the money before it is turned over to the government.

The scammer's goal is to get recipients to respond.

Once contact is established, the fraudsters attempt to collect sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account information and copies of identification documents. Victims may also be asked to pay bogus legal fees, taxes or processing charges before the supposed inheritance can be released.

Unclaimed property is real

The FTC emphasizes that unclaimed property is a legitimate program administered by state governments. However, government agencies do not recruit random people to claim someone else's life insurance proceeds because they share a last name.

Consumers looking for legitimate unclaimed money should use official government resources. Florida residents can search the state's unclaimed property database through Florida Treasure Hunt, while people who have lived in multiple states can search official state programs through USA.gov's unclaimed money portal.

How to protect yourself

The FTC offers several tips for avoiding the scam:

• Don't respond to unsolicited letters promising large inheritances or life insurance payouts.

• Never provide personal or financial information to strangers who contact you unexpectedly.

• Never send money to pay "fees," "taxes" or "processing costs" in order to receive an inheritance.

• Share information about the scam with friends and family, especially older adults who may be targeted.

• Report suspicious letters to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Officials say consumers should be especially skeptical of any unexpected offer that promises millions of dollars in exchange for little more than a signature or a willingness to keep the arrangement confidential.

As the FTC notes, if an unsolicited letter promises a life-changing windfall from someone you've never met, it's almost certainly too good to be true.

Here are some tips for weddings that dont break the bank

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Wedding spending is up 8.5% so far in 2026, with higher prices for venues, flowers, catering and other services driving costs higher.

• Gen Z is fueling much of the wedding market's growth, while many couples are cutting costs on items like formal attire and opting for lab-grown diamonds.

• Financial experts say couples can keep costs under control by setting a firm budget, trimming the guest list and prioritizing the expenses that matter most.

At some point in the 1980s, weddings went from simple family ceremonies to elaborate and costly events, with formal attire and limousines.

As getting married has become more expensive, couples in todays economy are finding creative ways to celebrate without breaking the bank.

A new report from the Bank of America Institute found that wedding-related spending increased 8.5% during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. The increase extends a multi-year trend of rising wedding costs and reflects both higher prices and continued demand for wedding services.

The report, which analyzes aggregated Bank of America credit card, debit card and ACH payment data, found that spending continues to rise despite inflationary pressures that have made everything from flowers to catering more expensive. According to Zola data cited in the report, the average U.S. wedding cost reached $36,000 in 2025, up from $33,000 the previous year.

Some of those higher costs stem from tariffs and supply-chain issues affecting small businesses that serve the wedding industry. Imported flowers, cocoa used in desserts and other specialty products have become more expensive, leading many vendors to pass those increases on to customers.

Gen Z takes center stage

The report also highlights a generational shift in the wedding market.

Bank of America found that the number of Gen Z weddings has tripled since 2019, while millennial weddings have declined by about 20% over the same period, suggesting younger adults are becoming the primary drivers of wedding demand.

Wedding activity remains highly seasonal, with May consistently emerging as the busiest month, followed by October and September. The South and West also posted the strongest growth in wedding spending this year.

Even as couples spend more overall, the report found evidence that many are becoming more selective about where they splurge. Fewer people are buying expensive formal attire that may only be worn once, while lab-grown diamonds are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to natural stones because they typically cost much less.

Tips for managing wedding expenses

With the average wedding costing tens of thousands of dollars, financial planners generally recommend keeping emotions from driving financial decisions. Some practical ways to reduce costs include:

• Set a realistic budget before booking vendors and decide how much you can comfortably afford without taking on excessive debt.

• Prioritize the guest list. Because catering, seating and venue costs often rise with each additional guest, trimming the list can produce significant savings.

• Choose an off-peak date or weekday wedding. Venues and vendors may offer lower rates outside the busiest spring and fall weekends.

• Consider less expensive alternatives. Lab-grown diamonds, seasonal flowers and digital invitations can lower costs without sacrificing quality.

• Comparison shop. Obtain multiple quotes from venues, caterers, photographers and florists before signing contracts.

• Build a contingency fund. Setting aside 5% to 10% of the budget can help cover unexpected expenses without relying on credit cards.

The Bank of America report suggests that while couples remain willing to invest in memorable celebrations, many are becoming increasingly intentional about how they spend, balancing rising costs with careful budgeting and value-conscious choices.

Shop ALDI like a pro and keep more cash

• Shop the deals first: Walk the store before buying, grab markdowns, and build meals around what's on sale.

• Compare prices: ALDI isn't always cheapest check unit prices and buy national brands elsewhere when sales are better.

• Avoid impulse buys: Skip unnecessary ALDI Finds, freeze markdowns, and use the Twice as Nice Guarantee on new store-brand products.

ALDI has earned a loyal following by keeping prices low, but simply shopping there isn't enough to maximize your savings.

The chain's smaller stores, private-label focus, and no-frills approach already help keep grocery bills down. But shoppers who consistently spend the least know that ALDI rewards strategy just as much as bargain hunting.

The biggest savings don't come from buying everything in sight they come from knowing when to buy, what to skip, and how to let the store's pricing work in your favor.

Here are eight ALDI shopping secrets that can help stretch your grocery budget even further.

1. Shop ALDI backward

Most shoppers enter ALDI with a shopping list and immediately begin filling their cart. Instead, try making one quick lap around the entire store before buying anything.

This simple habit gives you a chance to spot markdowns on meat, produce, bakery items, and refrigerated foods before you've committed to a week's worth of meals. Rather than forcing your menu to fit your shopping list, let the discounts help decide what's for dinner.

You'll also get a better sense of produce quality. Some days the berries, avocados, or lettuce look fantastic. Other days you may be better off choosing frozen options or skipping that item altogether.

Shopping this way makes your grocery budget far more flexible and often leads to meals you hadn't considered.

Pro tip: Instead of writing "chicken tacos" on your meal plan, write "protein tacos." If discounted pork, turkey, or steak catches your eye, you've instantly saved money without changing dinner very much.

2. Master your store's markdown routine

Every ALDI store has its own rhythm.

Items approaching their sell-by date are often discounted with brightly colored stickers, especially meat, bakery products, refrigerated foods, and produce. Those markdowns can cut prices dramatically, but timing matters.

Some ALDI locations discount products first thing in the morning. Others wait until later in the day after employees have worked through overnight deliveries.

Spend a few weeks paying attention, or simply ask an employee when your location typically marks down fresh items. Knowing that schedule turns bargain hunting from luck into a routine.

Pro tip: If you find markdown meat you'll use within a month or two, freeze it immediately. A deep discount today can become next month's inexpensive dinner.

3. Don't let 'ALDI Finds' empty your wallet

The middle aisle is where ALDI Finds live and they have become an attraction unto themselves.

One week you'll find patio furniture. The next week it's espresso machines, camping gear, cast-iron cookware, children's toys, or holiday decorations.

Some ALDI Finds are outstanding bargains, while others simply feel like bargains because shoppers know they may disappear next week. That's exactly why they're so tempting and why some shoppers have labeled ALDI Finds as the Aisle of Shame, as its very easy to leave with unplanned purchases.

With that said, before adding anything from the aisle to your cart, pause and ask yourself: Did I come here planning to buy this? Would I still buy it if it wasn't labeled "limited-time?" If the answer is no, you're probably responding to urgency, not any real value.

Pro tip: Take a photo instead of buying an ALDI Find immediately. If you're still thinking about it after you've finished your shopping, and it still fits your budget, go back and grab it. Otherwise, leave it for the next shopper to overspend on.

4. ALDI isn't always the cheapest and that's okay

One of the biggest myths about ALDI is that every single item costs less than everywhere else. That's simply not true.

Aldi usually shines on fresh produce, dairy, eggs, cheese, pantry staples, frozen vegetables, and private-label products.

But national brands like cereal, soda, chips, toothpaste, paper towels, and laundry detergent can often be purchased for less at traditional grocery stores when using digital coupons, loyalty rewards, or buy-one-get-one promotions.

Pro tip: Buy about 80 to 90% of your groceries at ALDI, then stop at another grocery store only for a handful of heavily discounted weekly specials.

5. Let unit prices do the math for you

Price tags at ALDI can often be deceiving. Specifically, a smaller package often looks like a better bargain simply because the sticker price is lower.

Instead, train yourself to glance at the price per ounce, pound, or serving listed on the shelf tag and compare similar products that way. Sometimes buying the larger package will save you money and other times the opposite is true.

This habit becomes especially useful when comparing products like cheese, coffee, cereal, snacks, meat, and frozen foods. A few seconds of math can save far more than clipping coupons ever could.

Pro tip: If you're only feeding one or two people, don't buy the largest package unless you'll actually finish it. Paying a little more per ounce is still cheaper than throwing half of it away.

6. Build your meals around bargains not recipes

Many shoppers write detailed grocery lists based on recipes they found online. Instead, reverse the process.

See what's discounted first, then build meals around those ingredients.

If chicken is marked down, maybe tacos become chicken fajitas. If mushrooms and spinach are discounted, pasta night suddenly becomes creamy mushroom pasta.

This approach dramatically reduces impulse purchases while helping you take advantage of ALDI's everyday low prices. It also introduces more variety into your weekly menu.

Pro tip: Keep five or six "flexible meals" in your rotation that can use almost any protein or vegetable depending on what's on sale.

7. Don't overlook ALDI's Twice as Nice Guarantee

Trying unfamiliar products always carries some risk with it. That's where ALDI's Twice as Nice Guarantee comes into play.

Many ALDI-exclusive food products are covered by a policy that allows customers who aren't satisfied to receive both a replacement product and a refund. It removes much of the hesitation that comes with trying an unfamiliar private-label item.

The takeaway is that instead of assuming you'll prefer the national brand, give ALDI's version a chance. You just might discover a permanent way to reduce your grocery bill.

Pro tip: Always hang on to that receipt when trying several new ALDI products. If one doesn't meet your expectations, you'll have an easier time taking advantage of the guarantee.

8. Your freezer is your secret savings account

One of the easiest ways to waste money is throwing away food you intended to eat. Instead, start to think of your freezer as an extension of your pantry.

Discounted meat, bread, shredded cheese, cooked rice, soups, fresh herbs, and even milk can all be frozen for future meals.

Buying a marked-down rotisserie chicken or family pack of chicken breasts becomes much more economical when you divide everything into meal-sized portions before freezing.

You're not just preserving food but you're preserving your future grocery dollars.

Pro tip: Label freezer bags with both the contents and the date. It's amazing how quickly mystery packages become freezer burnt.

Researchers say everyday environmental exposures may affect heart health more than many people realize

• Heat, air pollution, and other environmental conditions can put added stress on the cardiovascular system.

• Researchers found that long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution was linked to subtle changes in heart function, even in older adults without diagnosed heart disease.

• Experts say understanding environmental risks can help people take simple steps to better protect their heart health.

Most people think of air pollution as something that mainly affects the lungs. But researchers say the weather outside and the air you breathe can also have important effects on your heart.

According to experts at Yale School of Medicine, high temperatures force the cardiovascular system to work harder by sending more blood to the skin to help cool the body. Heat can also make blood thicker, increasing strain on the heart.

A big risk of heat waves is not just the heat itself, but the independent risk for heart attacks and strokes, researcher Andrew Chang, MD, PhD, said in a news release.

As extreme temperatures become more common, its important for the medical community to help people understand the risks and how to prevent any complications.

How researchers studied the connection

One of the studies highlighted by Yale examined whether long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution, known as PM2.5, was associated with early changes in heart function before heart disease had been diagnosed.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,576 adults between the ages of 65 and 92 who participated in the long-running Cardiovascular Health Study. None of the participants had a history of major heart disease. The team estimated each person's exposure to PM2.5 based on air pollution levels near their homes between 1990 and 1995.

To evaluate heart function, researchers used a specialized ultrasound imaging technique called speckle-tracking echocardiography, which can detect subtle changes in how the heart muscle contracts. Rather than looking for obvious heart disease, the researchers focused on identifying very early signs of reduced heart function that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What the findings mean for consumers

The study found that higher long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with small but measurable reductions in heart muscle function.

Participants with higher pollution exposure were about 32% more likely to have abnormal measurements of left ventricular function than those with the lowest exposure levels. While these changes were subtle, researchers say they suggest that air pollution may begin affecting the heart before symptoms or diagnosed heart disease appear.

The Yale experts say environmental exposures should be viewed as another factor that can influence heart health, alongside more familiar lifestyle factors. They recommend that clinicians discuss environmental risks with patients and encourage practical precautions when appropriate, such as staying hydrated during hot weather, seeking cooler indoor spaces during heat waves, monitoring air quality reports, and using air filters or well-fitted N95 masks when air pollution is especially high.

While these findings don't mean that occasional hot days or poor air quality will cause heart disease on their own, they add to growing evidence that everyday environmental conditions can play a role in long-term cardiovascular health and are worth paying attention to.

In general, Americans are aware that the environment can harm their health. The problem is that no one thinks they will personally be affected, Dr. Chang said. Part of our job is to explain to our patients that they are part of a vulnerable population and must take precautions, like visiting a cooling center and staying hydrated on hot days or using air filters or N95 masks when the air quality is poor.