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Financial pressure is changing the way consumers pay their bills

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Nearly six in 10 U.S. adults say they don't have enough savings to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense.

• Two-thirds of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, increasing the importance of flexibility in when and how bills are paid.

• Consumers are relying more heavily on debit cards and automatic payments, but overwhelmingly prefer a human when they need help resolving a billing problem.

An unexpected car repair, medical bill, or broken appliance costing $1,000 could create a financial crisis for a majority of American adults, according to a new study.

The 2026 ACI Speedpay Pulse Report found that 59% of U.S. adults don't have enough savings to cover a $1,000 emergency expense. At the same time, two out of three Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

The findings suggest that strained household finances aren't just affecting what consumers buy. They're also changing the way people want to pay their monthly bills.

More than three in five consumers said having control over when their bills are paid is very or extremely important. Half identified clear and predictable due dates as an important tool for managing their finances, while 44% valued real-time payment reminders.

The financial pressure crosses generations. Nearly half of Gen Z and millennial consumers and 40% of Gen X consumers said they don't have enough money available to handle a $1,000 emergency.

Debit cards gain ground

One way consumers appear to be managing tighter budgets is by increasingly using debit cards rather than credit cards.

Debit accounted for 52.7% of usage measured in 2025, putting it 11.4 percentage points ahead of credit cards. Among Gen Z consumers, debit usage reached 74.7%, according to the report.

Debit cards can provide consumers with a clearer connection between what they spend and the money actually available in their bank accounts. Unlike credit cards, they generally don't allow consumers to finance purchases and carry the balance from month to month.

Automatic bill payments are also becoming more common. About 55.4% of consumers now use a combination of one-time payments and automatic recurring payments, compared with 43.4% in 2019.

Mobile payments have grown sharply as well. Forty percent of consumers reported paying a bill through a mobile wallet in 2025, up from 17% in 2019.

Consumers still want a person when something goes wrong

Artificial intelligence is making its way into billing and customer service, but consumers aren't ready to turn everything over to a chatbot.

ACI found that 53.4% of consumers have interacted with AI-powered billing or support tools. However, 89.1% said they still prefer a live person when trying to resolve a billing problem.

Even among Gen Z consumers, 82% preferred human assistance.

That could be particularly important when household budgets leave little room for error. A missed payment can result in late fees, service interruptions, or other costs that make an already tight financial situation worse.

For consumers living paycheck to paycheck, the findings suggest that some relatively simple tools could make bills easier to manage: choosing predictable due dates when companies allow it, setting payment reminders, and using autopay selectively.

Consumers using autopay should still make sure enough money will be in the account when the payment is processed. Otherwise, a tool designed to prevent a late payment could instead result in an overdraft or other bank fee.

The ACI Speedpay Pulse is an annual study of consumer billing and payment trends. Each data set includes at least 3,000 U.S. adults who are responsible for paying at least two household bills each month. Samples are balanced to U.S. Census demographics, and the margin of error for questions answered by the entire sample is less than 1.8 percentage points.

Leasing probably doesnt make sense if you rarely upgrade to a new device

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Apples new Apple Upgrade program lets consumers lease an iPhone for 12 or 24 months rather than buying it outright.

• Monthly payments can be considerably lower than financing payments, but the customer does not own the phone when the lease ends unless they pay the remaining purchase price.

• Consumers should compare the total cost with buying, financing, and carrier promotions and pay close attention to damage charges, early termination costs, and end-of-lease deadlines.

Apple has introduced a new way to get an iPhone that looks a little more like leasing a car than buying a smartphone.

The program, called Apple Upgrade, allows eligible U.S. customers to lease an iPhone for either 12 or 24 months. The leases are provided by Klarna and are available through Apple's website, Apple Store app, and retail stores.

Apple launched the program in July, replacing its previous iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments program in the United States. The important distinction for consumers is that Apple Upgrade is explicitly a lease, not a loan or installment purchase.

That can make the monthly payment attractive, especially for consumers who like getting a new phone every year or two. But there's a trade-off: making all the scheduled lease payments doesn't automatically make the phone yours.

How the lease works

Customers select an eligible iPhone and choose a 12- or 24-month lease. Klarna handles the lease and approval process. Apple says applicants undergo a soft credit inquiry that doesn't affect their credit score.

For example, Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro with 256GB of storage, which has a $1,199 purchase price, can be leased for a typical $34.99 a month for 24 months, excluding taxes and any trade-in credit. A 12-month lease costs about $49.99 a month.

Those payments are much lower than simply dividing the $1,199 purchase price over 24 months. That's because the consumer isn't paying to own the entire phone during the lease.

At the end, there are essentially three choices: return the iPhone and leave the program, return it and enter a new lease for a newer device, or pay the remaining purchase amount and keep the phone. Apple says a consumer who buys the device pays its original list price, less the lease payments already made and applicable remaining trade-in credits.

A trade-in when joining Apple Upgrade can also reduce the monthly lease payment.

There's a carrier requirement

There is one restriction that could make Apple Upgrade unsuitable for some consumers.

An iPhone lease requires the customer to select AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, and prepaid service isn't eligible. However, the leased iPhone itself is unlocked, meaning the customer can later switch carriers, subject to the carrier's terms.

That's something consumers using lower-cost prepaid carriers should consider before being attracted by the advertised monthly lease price.

What happens at the end matters

Perhaps the biggest potential trap is doing nothing when the lease expires.

Apple says that if the customer doesn't return, upgrade, or purchase the device at the end of the initial term, the agreement can convert to a month-to-month lease for as long as six months, and monthly payments may increase.

If the consumer still takes no action when that extension ends, the purchase fee specified in the lease can be charged.

So consumers should treat the lease expiration date much like the end of a car lease and decide beforehand what they intend to do.

Damage could also cost you

Because the phone belongs to the leasing company, its condition matters when it is returned.

If an iPhone isn't returned in good working condition and the consumer doesn't have AppleCare coverage, Klarna can assess a one-time damage charge. Consumers can have a damaged phone repaired before returning it to avoid that fee. With AppleCare, applicable service fees can still apply after the phone is inspected.

Insurance isn't included automatically in the lease, and a lost or stolen device can also result in additional costs.

Consumers should also be cautious about signing a lease if they aren't reasonably sure they'll keep it for the full term. Apple warns that terminating a lease early can result in "substantial fees."

Leasing versus buying

For consumers who routinely replace their iPhone every year or two, leasing offers an obvious attraction: a lower monthly payment and a relatively simple path to the next model.

But someone who normally keeps a phone for four, five, or even six years may find ownership more economical. Once a financed or purchased phone is paid off, there are no more device payments. A lease, by contrast, can create a continuing cycle of monthly payments if the consumer repeatedly upgrades.

Carrier promotions are another consideration. Apple says carrier offers on the new iPhone 18 Pro can provide as much as $1,200 in credits with an eligible trade-in, although such deals generally come with their own eligibility requirements and conditions.

The simplest comparison is to look beyond the advertised monthly payment. Consumers should calculate how much they will have paid at the end of the lease, determine what it would cost to keep the phone, and compare that with buying outright, traditional financing, and available carrier deals.

There are other factors at work besides the cost of food

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Grocery inflation has slowed, but prices remain elevated after several years of increases, and some staples including beef, coffee, and sweets are still rising sharply.

• Higher energy, labor, transportation, and processing costs are built into the price consumers pay, making it difficult for supermarket prices to return to earlier levels.

• Weather, animal disease, and tight supplies continue to create price pressure, while USDA expects grocery prices overall to rise again in 2026.

Consumers looking for relief at the supermarket are getting some good news: grocery prices have largely stopped rising month to month.

The bad news is that they aren't falling much either.

The government's latest Consumer Price Index shows food-at-home prices were unchanged in August from July but remained 2.2% higher than a year earlier. Overall inflation during the same 12 months was 3.4%.

That helps explain a frustration many consumers have experienced. A lower inflation rate doesn't mean groceries are getting cheaper. It means prices are increasing more slowly. After the large food-price increases of the early 2020s, today's smaller increases are being added to an already high base.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts grocery prices will rise about 2.5% during 2026. But what's happening to individual products varies dramatically.

Beef is a major pressure point

One of the biggest problems is in the meat case.

USDA said beef and veal prices in July were 9.4% higher than a year earlier and forecasts a 9.8% increase for 2026. Federally inspected beef production declined nearly 5% in July, and tight cattle supplies are expected to restrain beef production during the second half of the year.

The latest USDA cattle outlook, released Sept. 18, says fed-cattle slaughter remains historically low and forecasts lower beef production in both 2026 and 2027.

That means hamburger and steak prices could remain a sore spot even if overall grocery inflation continues to cool.

Coffee, candy, and produce are also expensive

Other supermarket aisles have their own problems.

Coffee prices were 6.1% higher in August than a year earlier, according to the Labor Department. Instant coffee was up 11%. Sugar and sweets were up 6.1%, including an 8.1% increase in candy and chewing gum.

Produce has also been expensive. Fruits and vegetables as a category were 3.2% higher than a year earlier in August, although prices fell 0.4% from July.

USDA notes that weather and plant and animal diseases can have an outsized effect on particular foods. A drought, freeze, flood, or disease outbreak can reduce supply long before shoppers see the consequences in the supermarket.

The price of food isn't just the price of the food

One reason grocery prices don't immediately fall when farm commodity prices decline is that farmers account for only part of the final supermarket price.

Food has to be processed, packaged, refrigerated, transported, warehoused, stocked, and sold. All of those steps cost money.

USDA says processing and retailing costs generally play a greater role in supermarket prices than the underlying farm commodity. Its Food Dollar research shows that wages and benefits are particularly important: labor represented 54.1 cents of the overall U.S. food dollar in 2024.

That means higher wages, electricity bills, fuel prices, trucking expenses, packaging costs, and rents can keep grocery prices elevated even when the price farmers receive for a commodity falls.

Energy is an especially important factor because it touches nearly every stage of the supply chain from operating farm equipment and manufacturing fertilizer to running processing plants and refrigerated trucks.

That pressure has become more noticeable again in 2026. Energy prices were 16.3% higher in August than a year earlier, while gasoline was up 27.4%, according to the latest CPI report.

Why prices probably won't return to their old levels

Consumers sometimes expect prices to retreat once inflation subsides. Historically, that's not usually how broad food inflation works.

Instead, prices tend to establish a new level and then rise more slowly. USDA data show grocery prices increased 11.4% in 2022, another 5% in 2023, 1.2% in 2024, and 2.3% in 2025.

So even modest inflation in 2026 is being piled onto those earlier increases.

There are exceptions. Egg prices, for example, have fallen substantially as poultry producers rebuild flocks following losses associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza. USDA expects egg prices to decline sharply for 2026 as a whole.

But across the supermarket, the picture is uneven. Consumers may find bargains on eggs, poultry, or some dairy products while continuing to pay significantly more for beef, coffee, produce, and sweets.

The suit claimed Apple advertised Siri features that weren't available

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Eligible iPhone buyers have until Dec. 21, 2026, to file a claim in Apple's proposed $250 million Siri and Apple Intelligence settlement.

• Consumers who qualify are expected to receive about $25 per eligible device, although payments could reach as much as $95 per device depending on the number of valid claims.

• The settlement covers certain iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models purchased in the U.S. between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.

Apple customers who bought certain newer iPhones have until Dec. 21, 2026, to file a claim for a share of a proposed $250 million settlement over allegations that the company advertised advanced Siri features that consumers didn't receive.

Filing a claim is required to receive money. Consumers who believe they qualify must submit a valid claim online or have a mailed claim postmarked by the Dec. 21 deadline, according to the official settlement administrator.

The case, Landsheft, et al. v. Apple Inc., centers on Apple's promotion of Apple Intelligence and a more personalized version of its Siri digital assistant.

Plaintiffs alleged that consumers bought new iPhones expecting to receive Siri features promoted by Apple, only to discover that some of those capabilities weren't available. Apple has denied wrongdoing, and agreeing to the settlement isn't an admission that it violated the law.

Who qualifies?

The settlement covers original purchasers of these devices:

• iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

• iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

• iPhone 16e

To qualify, the phone must have been purchased in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, for personal or business use rather than resale.

Consumers must also confirm that when they purchased the phone they expected to receive certain Siri Apple Intelligence features that they did not receive.

Consumers can submit a claim for each eligible device.

How much could consumers receive?

The settlement creates a total fund of $250 million, from which payments, attorneys' fees, administrative expenses, and other court-approved costs will be paid.

The settlement provides for a presumptive payment of $25 for each eligible device. The actual amount will depend on how many valid claims are filed and the money remaining in the settlement fund.

Payments are capped at $95 per eligible device. The judge noted in granting preliminary approval that there appeared to be a low probability that payments would reach that maximum because of the anticipated number of consumers receiving notice.

That makes the $25 figure a more useful starting point for consumers than assuming they will receive $95.

What the lawsuit was about

Apple introduced Apple Intelligence at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2024, including plans for a substantially more capable Siri.

Among the promoted capabilities were features designed to allow Siri to better understand a user's personal context, recognize information appearing on the screen, and perform actions across apps.

Apple subsequently advertised the technology in connection with its new iPhones. But in March 2025, Apple acknowledged that some of the more personalized Siri capabilities would take longer to deliver.

The lawsuit alleged that Apple's advertising led consumers to believe those capabilities would be available sooner and caused some buyers to pay a premium for phones based on features they expected to receive.

Apple disputed those allegations. In announcing the settlement, the company said it had delivered numerous Apple Intelligence features and was settling claims involving the availability of two additional features so it could remain focused on developing its products.

How to file a claim

Consumers can file through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website. The claim form requires contact information and information sufficient to verify the purchase or ownership of an eligible device.

Claimants must certify that they purchased an eligible iPhone during the covered period and expected to receive the Siri Apple Intelligence features at issue.

Consumers may choose to receive their settlement payment by physical check or digital check.

Receiving an email or postcard about the settlement doesn't automatically produce a payment. A claim must be filed by Dec. 21.

You can return some purchases after the normal deadline, but losing your receipt or mailing an online return can cost you

• TJ Maxx gives you 30 days to return most store purchases and 40 days for online purchases if you want your money returned to the original payment method.

• Miss the deadline and you may still be able to return the item, but you'll generally receive merchandise credit instead.

• Online returns are free at TJ Maxx stores, but returning by mail costs $11.99, making a trip to the store potentially worth the effort.

You bought a jacket at TJ Maxx three months ago, never wore it and just discovered it hanging in the back of your closet with the tags still attached.

Are you stuck with it? Maybe not.

I've spent years digging into retailer return policies, and TJ Maxx's policy has several loopholes and catches shoppers can use to their advantage.

On paper, the basic rules are straightforward. TJ Maxx gives shoppers 30 days for in-store purchases and 40 days from the order date for online purchases to receive a refund to the original payment method.

But what happens after those deadlines and how you make the return is where things start to get interesting.

Missed 30 days? Try returning it anyway

Don't automatically give up on a TJ Maxx return because you're outside the 30-day window.

TJ Maxx says returns accompanied by a receipt after 30 days can still receive merchandise credit.

That's an important distinction.

The deadline isn't necessarily the difference between getting something back and getting nothing. It's often the difference between getting your money back and getting TJ Maxx merchandise credit.

The merchandise still needs to meet their return requirements. Used, worn, or otherwise unsellable merchandise can be rejected.

Pro tip: If you're approaching the 30-day deadline and aren't sure about something, make the decision now. Getting your money back gives you far more flexibility than merchandise credit you'll have to spend at TJ Maxx.

Think twice before throwing away your receipt

TJ Maxx can accept returns without a receipt, but there are some significant strings attached.

You'll generally receive merchandise credit rather than money back, and you'll need to provide a government-issued photo ID along with your name, address, and signature.

There's another reason to avoid making a habit of receipt-less returns: TJ Maxx says it uses refund-verification systems to process and track returns and that returns can be limited or declined. I've personally heard from TJ Maxx shoppers over the years who've encountered warnings after making too many returns without a receipt.

When you're offered the option at checkout, choose an email receipt. You'll have proof of purchase sitting in your inbox even if the paper receipt disappears.

Pro tip: Keeping your receipt is especially important for merchandise that gets marked down frequently. It's your proof of exactly what you paid for the item. Without it, you're giving up your best evidence of the purchase price if there's ever a question at the return counter.

Returning an online purchase? Go to the store

This is probably the easiest TJ Maxx return-policy hack.

Online purchases generally have a 40-day return window, giving you 10 more days than an in-store purchase. But how you return it matters.

Take an eligible online purchase to a TJ Maxx store and the return is free.

Mail it back and TJ Maxx currently deducts an $11.99 return shipping and handling fee from your refund unless the merchandise is defective.

Return three separate packages and those fees suddenly add up to $35.97. For this reason, TJ Maxx itself recommends consolidating items into a single return whenever possible.

Pro tip: Photograph the price tag before removing it. TJ Maxx merchandise can have multiple stickers or markdown labels. A quick photo gives you a record of the item number, price, and identifying information if the tag gets separated from the item.

Keep those plastic bags from online orders

Here's a little detail that's surprisingly useful.

If you order from TJMaxx.com, don't immediately toss the clear plastic packaging that individual products arrive in.

TJ Maxx specifically asks shoppers making an in-store online return to bring the plastic packaging containing the item's barcode.

That makes it easier for employees to identify and process the merchandise.

The same applies when returning online purchases through the mail.

Pro tip: Try on clothing one item at a time and put anything you're unsure about directly back into its original barcode bag. You'll avoid trying to match six nearly identical plastic bags with six pieces of clothing later.

Screenshot your return barcode before going to the store

You don't necessarily need to print your online receipt.

TJ Maxx says your shipping confirmation email can serve as your receipt, and there's also a return barcode and order number available in your online order details.

But here's the smart part: TJ Maxx actually recommends taking a screenshot of the barcode and order number before heading into the store in case the location has poor Wi-Fi or cell reception. That's one of those tiny steps that can prevent an annoying return-counter delay.

Pro tip: Create a temporary photo album on your phone called "Returns" and put return barcodes and digital receipts there until you've gotten your refund. Delete them when the return is complete.

PayPal purchases have an important catch

PayPal users should pay particularly close attention to how they return an online purchase.

According to TJ Maxx, an online purchase made with PayPal that's returned to a store will receive merchandise credit.

So if getting the money returned through PayPal matters to you, check the return options before automatically taking the item to your local store.

It's a good example of why the most convenient return method isn't always the best one.

Don't take your TJ Maxx purchase to Marshalls

TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods may all be part of the TJX family, but their return counters aren't interchangeable.

TJ Maxx says merchandise purchased at a TJ Maxx store must be returned to a TJ Maxx store. You can't simply take it to the Marshalls down the street because it's owned by the same parent company.

Be careful with swimwear and lingerie

Don't rip the tags off swimwear or intimate apparel until you're absolutely positive you're keeping it. TJ Maxx specifically requires the tickets to be properly attached for these returns.

And its general policy says used, worn, or merchandise in unsellable condition won't be accepted.

That's another good reason to resist immediately removing tags when you get home.

Pro tip: Have a designated spot in your closet for new purchases you're still deciding on. Keep the tags attached and the receipt with them until you're sure they're staying.

Don't let the return window make the decision for you

TJ Maxx's 30-day policy sounds fairly ordinary.

But the more important thing to understand is what happens after those 30 days: You may still have options.

The trade-off is that instead of getting money returned to your credit or debit card, you may be left with merchandise credit.

So, if there's a TJ Maxx purchase sitting in your closet that you already know you're never going to use, don't wait. Return it while you still have the most valuable refund option available.

Because $50 back on your credit card is a lot more useful than $50 you have to spend finding something else at TJ Maxx.