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Small or bulk? Here's how to choose the better deal

• The middle size is disappearing. More shoppers are choosing either the smallest package to lower today's grocery bill or buying in bulk for the best long-term value.

• Don't assume bigger is always cheaper. Compare the unit price, not just the shelf price, and only buy bulk if you'll actually use it before it expires.

• Skip the "default" choice. Medium-sized packages often aren't the best value, so compare all available sizes before putting an item in your cart.

If you've noticed yourself buying either the smallest package or the biggest one on the shelf, you're not alone.

Nestl, one of the world's largest food companies, says shoppers are increasingly skipping medium-sized packages in favor of either budget-friendly small sizes or value-priced bulk packs as they look for ways to stretch their grocery dollars. The trend reflects how consumers are adapting to years of higher food prices and tighter household budgets.

For many families, it's becoming a simple math problem: buy less today to keep the grocery bill down, or buy more now to save money over time.

Why medium sizes are losing out

The middle-sized package used to offer a reasonable compromise between price and quantity. But as manufacturers have raised prices and adjusted package sizes, many shoppers are finding those products no longer offer the best value.

Small packages appeal to shoppers trying to stay within a weekly budget, even if the cost per ounce is higher.

Bulk packages, meanwhile, often deliver the lowest unit price for families who can afford the larger upfront cost. It's the mid-sized option that's increasingly getting squeezed.

How to shop smarter

You don't have to buy the biggest package to save money. Instead, focus on these strategies:

• Compare the unit price not just the shelf price: The unit price (cost per ounce, pound, or count) is usually listed on the shelf tag. A family-size cereal for $7 may actually cost less per ounce than the $5 regular box.

• Only buy bulk if you'll use it: Warehouse-size packages aren't bargains if half the product expires or ends up in the trash. Bulk buying works best for pantry staples, paper products, frozen foods, and household items you use regularly.

• Don't assume the medium size is the best deal: Many shoppers automatically reach for the middle option, but that's exactly where retailers sometimes make the highest margins. Compare all three sizes before deciding.

• Stock up when prices are genuinely low: When nonperishable items like pasta, coffee, cereal, or canned goods hit their best sale prices, consider buying several instead of paying full price later.

• Watch for shrinkflation: A lower price doesn't always mean better value if the package contains less product. Compare the unit price to see whether you're actually saving money. Research shows consumers often overlook these subtle size reductions, leading them to spend more over time.

Pro tip: Use your phone's calculator. If the unit prices aren't clearly marked, divide the price by the ounces or count to see which package is actually the best value. It takes less than 30 seconds and can save you money on every shopping trip.

Flexible monthly payments let users switch, keep, or return Apple products

• Apple Upgrade is a new U.S. payment program that lets customers pay monthly for eligible Apple devices.

• The program covers iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, with the option to upgrade, keep, or return the device at the end of the term.

• Customers can apply online or in stores, and monthly pricing starts at $11.99 for some devices.

For many consumers, buying a new smartphone or computer means making a big upfront purchase or committing to a lengthy financing plan.

Apple is introducing another option with the launch of Apple Upgrade, a new program now available in the United States that gives customers more flexibility in how they pay for and replace their devices.

Rather than purchasing a device outright, eligible customers can make monthly payments on select Apple products and decide later whether they want to upgrade to a newer model, purchase the device, or simply return it when their agreement ends. The new offering expands beyond the iPhone to include Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches, giving shoppers more choices across Apple's lineup.

At Apple, we put the customer at the center of everything we do, Karen Rasmussen, Apples vice president of the Apple Store online, said in a news release and were thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, both online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love.

How the new program works

Apple Upgrade is available for eligible purchases made through Apple Stores, the Apple Store app, or Apple's website. Customers apply through the program during checkout, and approved applicants can choose from different agreement lengths depending on the product they select.

According to Apple, monthly payments start at $17.99 for an iPhone, $11.99 for an Apple Watch, $11.99 for an iPad, and $24.99 for a Mac. Customers can also lower their monthly payment by trading in an eligible device. Once the agreement ends, they have three options: return the device, purchase it by making a final payment, or upgrade to a newer eligible model.

Apple says the application process includes a soft credit check, which does not affect a consumer's credit score. Customers who use an Apple Card for their monthly payments can also receive 3% Daily Cash on those purchases.

What this means for consumers

The new program gives shoppers another way to spread out the cost of expensive technology while keeping their options open for future upgrades. Instead of deciding whether to buy a device outright or hold onto it for years, customers can choose the path that best fits their budget and how often they like to replace their electronics.

For people who prefer having the latest devices, Apple Upgrade may offer a more straightforward upgrade path. Others may appreciate the flexibility to purchase the device at the end of the agreement if they decide they want to keep it.

By expanding beyond iPhones to include Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches, Apple is giving consumers a single program that can cover several of its most popular products.

A week-by-week look at when shoppers may find the biggest savings on clothes, electronics, and more

• New research suggests back-to-school discounts are expected to climb through August before dropping off in September.

• Fashion and electronics are projected to see some of the biggest seasonal price reductions.

• Waiting until late August could help shoppers maximize savings on many back-to-school purchases.

As back-to-school shopping ramps up, many families are wondering whether it's better to buy now or wait for bigger discounts.

A new analysis from Decodo suggests that timing could make a noticeable difference, with discounts expected to increase steadily throughout August before tapering off once the school year begins.

According to the report, retailers tend to introduce modest promotions in late July, but deeper markdowns arrive as the season gains momentum. The researchers found that average discounts rise from about 21% before the season begins to a peak of roughly 34% during the last full week of August. After that, prices are projected to rebound quickly, returning to typical discount levels by the middle of September.

"Back-to-school discounts follow a clear pattern, with savings building throughout August before peaking in the final full week of the month, Gabriele Vitke, Product Marketing Team Lead at Decodo, said. While many parents start shopping as soon as school lists are released, our data suggests those who can wait a little longer are likely to benefit from significantly bigger discounts, particularly on clothing and electronics.

"If possible, plan purchases in advance and avoid leaving essential items until the very last minute. Striking the right balance between availability and timing can help families make the most of seasonal promotions while keeping back-to-school costs down."

How the research was conducted

The findings are based on Decodo's analysis of historical back-to-school pricing patterns using data collected through its Web Scraping API and its Dynamic Pricing Index.

Researchers examined pricing trends across U.S. retailers from July through September, using historical 2025 pricing data alongside current seasonal patterns to project this year's shopping trends.

The analysis tracked average weekly discounts across five major retail categories: fashion, electronics, marketplaces, DIY and home improvement, and groceries. Researchers also compared how individual retailers adjusted prices over the course of the season by measuring the difference between their regular discounts and their peak late-August promotions.

What it means for shoppers

The data suggests that patience may pay off for shoppers who have flexibility in when they buy.

Fashion posted the deepest expected discounts, reaching about 36% at its seasonal peak, while electronics showed one of the biggest jumps compared with its usual discount levels, increasing from about 17% to 25%.

Marketplaces, home improvement stores, and grocery retailers also showed larger promotions as the season progressed, though their discounts were generally smaller than those seen in apparel.

Among the retailers analyzed, Nordstrom was projected to offer the largest increase in seasonal discounts, followed closely by Macy's and Kroger. Meanwhile, Walmart's prices changed the least throughout the season, reflecting its everyday low-price approach rather than steep seasonal promotions.

For consumers, the findings suggest that shoppers who don't need supplies immediately may benefit from watching prices throughout August, comparing multiple retailers, and making larger purchases before discounts begin to disappear in early September.

Plaintiffs have waited for years for compensation

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Johnson & Johnson has agreed to commit $5.5 billion to settle approximately 76,000 remaining ovarian cancer claims involving its talc products.

• The agreement requires participation by law firms representing at least 95% of the remaining claims.

• The company continues to deny that its talc products cause cancer and does not admit wrongdoing under the proposed settlement.

The lawsuits have dragged on for more than a decade but a resolution may be in sight. Johnson & Johnson has reached a proposed $5.5 billion settlement that could end 15 years of litigation over allegations that its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer.

The agreement covers approximately 76,000 claims pending in federal and state courts. Johnson & Johnson said it reached the deal with the law firms leading the federal multidistrict litigation and related state proceedings.

The settlement is not yet guaranteed. It is contingent on several conditions, including the participation of firms representing at least 95% of the outstanding ovarian talc claims, according to the companys announcement.

Under the agreement, compensation would be calculated on a per-claim basis. Johnson & Johnson has committed $5.5 billion, with an initial payment of no more than $3 billion scheduled for 2027. Additional payments would not begin before 2028.

The company did not say how much individual claimants would receive. Those amounts will likely vary based on factors established under the settlement process.

Plaintiffs have waited years for compensation

Thousands of women and their families have accused Johnson & Johnson of failing to warn consumers about alleged cancer risks associated with products such as Johnsons Baby Powder. Some plaintiffs have won substantial jury verdicts, while Johnson & Johnson has prevailed in many other cases.

Chris Seeger, one of the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, said the settlement would provide fair and meaningful compensation following years of litigation and three unsuccessful attempts by Johnson & Johnson to resolve the claims through bankruptcy.

Johnson & Johnson had sought to move its talc liabilities into subsidiaries that would file for Chapter 11 protection, a strategy sometimes called the Texas two-step. Courts rejected those efforts, including a proposed settlement of roughly $9 billion that a bankruptcy judge turned down in 2025.

The company then said it would return to the civil court system and fight the claims individually.

Recent ruling altered the legal landscape

The new agreement follows a July 22 court order directing plaintiffs to explain why their remaining cases should not be dismissed over questions about evidence showing that the companys products caused each claimants cancer.

Johnson & Johnson said plaintiffs attorneys withdrew causation experts in two cases selected as tests for the larger litigation. The company argues that those developments support its position that the claims lack reliable scientific evidence.

While we are confident the company would have ultimately prevailed with further litigation, as it has in the vast majority of cases tried to date, this resolution allows the company to put this matter behind it, Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnsons worldwide vice president of litigation, said in the announcement.

Settlement does not mean the company has admitted that its products caused cancer. Johnson & Johnson continues to maintain that cosmetic talc is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause ovarian cancer.

Talc-based powder is no longer sold

Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020 and discontinued it worldwide in 2023, replacing talc with cornstarch.

The company has separately settled about 95% of the lawsuits alleging its talc products caused mesothelioma, a cancer associated with asbestos exposure. It has also resolved state consumer-protection claims and disputes with talc suppliers.

Johnson & Johnson retained responsibility for talc-related liabilities in the United States and Canada when it separated its consumer-products business, now known as Kenvue, in 2023.