Consumer News: Mortgage rates edged lower this week, offering buyers modest relief

A few changes to your browser, apps and accounts can reduce the amount of information companies collect

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Turn on your browsers strongest tracking protections and limit third-party cookies, which can be used to follow your activity across websites.

• Review app and device permissions, especially access to your location, contacts, microphone, camera and photos.

• Reduce the amount of information companies can connect to you by opting out of targeted advertising, removing unnecessary apps and accounts, and requesting deletion or opt-outs from data brokers when available.

Every click can leave a trail.

Websites, apps, advertisers and other companies can collect information about what consumers search for, where they go, what they buy and which devices they use. That information can be used to personalize services and advertising, but it can also be shared or sold and combined with information from other sources to build detailed profiles.

The Federal Trade Commission says online tracking helps explain why consumers see ads tailored to their interests and why websites and apps remember their preferences. The agency advises consumers to use available privacy controls, opt out of targeted advertising and consider removing their information from data broker sites.

Completely eliminating online tracking can be difficult. But consumers can substantially reduce the amount of information they expose by changing a handful of settings and habits.

Start with your browser

A good first stop is the privacy section of your web browser.

Cookies are small pieces of information stored by a browser. Some are useful: They can keep consumers signed in, remember preferences or maintain a shopping cart. Persistent cookies, however, can remain for months or years and can be used to record activity over time. The FTC says browsers can be configured to warn users about cookies or limit the types they accept.

Consumers should look for settings that block or restrict third-party cookies and cross-site tracking. Browsers may also offer additional tracking-protection settings.

Clearing stored cookies periodically can remove some existing identifiers, although doing so may sign consumers out of websites or reset saved preferences.

And cookies aren't the whole story. Companies can use other techniques, including information about a device, operating system, IP address and other characteristics, to identify or associate users and devices.

That means simply deleting cookies isn't a complete privacy solution.

Take a close look at app permissions

Phones can provide companies with information that isn't available from ordinary web browsing, including precise or approximate location and access to cameras, microphones, contacts and photos.

Consumers should periodically open their phone's privacy settings and review which apps have permission to access those features.

The question to ask is simple: Does this app actually need this information to provide the service I use?

The FTC recommends checking what information an app requests and limiting location sharing when it isn't necessary.

Consumers can also delete apps they no longer use. Fewer apps can mean fewer companies with opportunities to collect information from the device.

Say no to targeted advertising

Major operating systems, websites and online services commonly provide advertising or privacy settings that allow consumers to limit personalization.

Turning off personalized advertising doesn't necessarily mean consumers will see fewer ads. Instead, it can reduce the use of their activity or interests to decide which advertisements they see.

The FTC specifically recommends looking for options to opt out of targeted advertising as one way of reducing online tracking.

Consumers should check these settings periodically. A privacy choice made in a browser doesn't necessarily carry over to an app, another device or a separate account.

Be stingy with personal information

Tracking becomes more revealing when online activity can be tied to a person's identity.

Consumers can limit that connection by thinking twice before providing a phone number, date of birth, location or other personal information when it isn't necessary.

Signing into a service can also make it easier for a company to associate activity across devices. The FTC has previously described account sign-ins as one way companies can deterministically link a consumer's different devices.

That doesn't mean consumers should avoid accounts altogether. But before creating one, it can be worth asking whether an account is actually necessary.

The goal isn't necessarily to disappear from the internet. It's to leave a smaller trail.

Consumers are spending, just not as much

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Walmarts U.S. comparable sales rose just 2.6% in the latest quarter, its slowest growth in more than six years, as lower-income shoppers remained cautious.

• Higher-income households are still spending and Walmart continues to gain market share, suggesting the consumer slowdown is uneven rather than broad-based.

• Walmart raised its full-year outlook, but executives described the consumer environment as softer and are leaning harder on price cuts to keep shoppers spending.

Walmarts latest earnings offered a mixed diagnosis of the American consumer: Shoppers are still spending, but mounting pressure from higher everyday costs is making some households increasingly selective about where their money goes.

The countrys largest retailer said that U.S. comparable sales excluding fuel increased 2.6% in its fiscal second quarter, down from 4.1% in the previous quarter and the weakest growth in more than six years. The result fell short of Wall Street expectations.

That headline number looks somewhat worse than the underlying retail business. New rules lowering prices on some Medicare drugs created a sizable drag on Walmarts pharmacy sales. Excluding health and wellness, comparable sales increased 3.4%. Transactions rose 1.5%, while the average amount customers spent per transaction increased 1.1%.

However, the results add to evidence that the U.S. consumer is losing some momentum after repeatedly defying predictions of a slowdown.

Using tariff refunds to cut prices

But the company said it is also working harder to give customers a reason to buy. Walmart received roughly $2.9 billion in tariff refunds during the quarter and is using some of that windfall to lower prices on thousands of products. The company said it is investing in prices because customers are looking for value, with additional discounts expected as it tries to offset some of the inflation hitting household budgets.

That strategy focuses on one of the central messages in the earnings report: Price sensitivity is becoming more important.

The Commerce Department reported last week that U.S. retail and food-service sales fell 0.6% in July from June, although they remained 5% higher than a year earlier. Walmart executives, meanwhile, described the current environment as softer than it was when the company issued its annual outlook in February.

The pressure is particularly visible among shoppers with less money to spare.

Lower-income consumers are more selective

Lower-income consumers have been more cautious, while households earning more than $100,000 continued to help drive Walmarts market-share gains. Higher gasoline and food costs are forcing some shoppers to devote more of their budgets to necessities, leaving less room for discretionary purchases.

That divide matters because Walmart has increasingly attracted affluent consumers in recent years. The retailers ability to keep gaining share among those households gives it a cushion even as financially stretched customers pull back.

There are other signs that consumers have not simply stopped spending. Grocery, toys and fashion performed well during the quarter, and Walmart said it gained market share across income groups. Online shopping was particularly strong: Walmart U.S. e-commerce sales increased 24%, while store-fulfilled delivery grew 40%. Globally, e-commerce sales rose 23%.

That suggests consumers may be changing how and where they spend as much as how much they spend. Walmarts combination of groceries, low prices and increasingly fast delivery can make it a beneficiary when households become more value-conscious.

The states enormous auto market could influence which tires are sold across the country

• California is setting new efficiency standards for replacement tires, with the first requirements taking effect in 2029.

• Drivers nationwide could eventually feel the impact as tire manufacturers adjust their product lines for California's huge auto market.

• Current tires aren't becoming illegal, so shoppers should still compare price, tread life, performance, and warranties.

If you don't live in California, you might look at the state's new tire rules and think, Whatever, not my problem.

But you may want to keep an eye on this one.

California just became the first state to adopt energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires. In other words, the tires you buy after the factory set wears out.

The rules were approved by the California Energy Commission this week and begin phasing in during 2029, with tougher requirements coming later.

And despite some alarming headlines, California isn't banning aftermarket tires altogether.

Instead, it's setting limits on something called "rolling resistance," which is how much energy a tire requires as it rolls down the road. The lower the rolling resistance, the better the gas mileage. This also extends to an increased driving range in EVs.

Here's why drivers outside California should care.

California could change the tires everyone gets

The regulation technically applies to replacement tires sold in California, not tires sold nationwide. A whopping 70% of tires currently sold in California would not qualify under the new regulation. No small number.

California is a massive automotive market, accounting for roughly one out of every nine registered vehicles in the country. That creates an interesting question for tire manufacturers: Is it worth producing and distributing one group of tires for California and another for everyone else?

Its safe to assume that some tire manufacturers will choose to redesign tire lines or expand their more efficient tire lines. This means consumers around the country could eventually see some of the same tires California requires.

California could also become a test case for other states considering similar standards. For now, however, this is a California-only rule and not a nationwide tire mandate.

Your favorite tire isn't necessarily disappearing

One of the scarier claims circulating is that California is effectively "banning" a huge percentage of today's replacement tires.

Thats absolutely not the case. Instead, the regulation determines what retailers can sell once the requirements take effect; it doesn't suddenly make tires already on your vehicle illegal.

There are also exemptions for certain specialty products, including some off-road, competition, and winter/snow tires.

That means nobody is coming to confiscate the tires on your 4x4 pickup anytime soon.

Could tires get more expensive?

Possibly, and this is where the debate gets interesting.

The California Energy Commission estimates that compliant tires will cost a little more upfront but argues drivers will recover that money through lower fuel or electricity use. Its analysis estimates a gasoline-vehicle driver could save about $179 over the typical four-year life of a set of tires.

Some tire manufacturers and industry groups aren't convinced. They've warned the rules could increase prices, reduce consumer choice, and create enforcement problems, particularly involving imported tires.

So don't assume "more efficient" automatically means "cheaper." Consumers will still want to compare prices, the expected tread life, the warranty, and fuel savings before buying.

Pro tip: Ask about price matching after you buy. Some tire shops will refund the difference if the same tire goes on sale shortly after your purchase. Save your receipt and keep an eye on prices for the next few weeks.

Don't buy tires early because of this

If your tires need replacing now, this rule shouldn't change your shopping plans.

The first requirements aren't scheduled to begin until 2029, giving tire companies and retailers years to adjust their products and inventories.

Pro tip: Given this news, when shopping for tires, don't focus only on fuel efficiency. Be sure to compare treadwear warranties, wet weather performance, road noise, and the total installation price. A tire that saves a little gasoline isn't necessarily the better deal if it wears out significantly sooner.

What drivers outside California should watch

The most important development may not be what happens at California tire shops in 2029. It's what tire manufacturers do beforehand.

It stands to reason that if manufacturers decide it's simpler and cheaper to make more of their tire lines comply with California's standards, drivers from Oregon to Florida could eventually find their tire choices changing even though their own states never passed the rule.

And then if other states follow California's lead with similar rules, that pressure would only increase.

So whether you fall into the camp that sees this as government overreach, or smart consumer policy, the impact will almost surely extend beyond California.

Pro tip: When tire shopping, get the out-the-door price on a new set. Online tire prices often exclude mounting, balancing, disposal fees, valve stems, or TPMS service. Ask for the total installation cost for all four tires before comparing deals.

The consumer takeaway

You don't need to panic and start stockpiling tires.

California hasn't outlawed aftermarket tires, and the new requirements don't start taking effect for several years.

But the rule is worth watching even if you live 2,000 miles away. California is essentially creating America's first large-scale experiment with minimum efficiency standards for replacement tires.

Cheap Flight Day is coming, but the best airfare probably won't depend on one magical date

• Forget the airfare hacks. Booking at midnight, clearing cookies, and avoiding repeat searches arent proven ways to save.

• Compare the true cost. Check one-way fares, nonstop options, and added fees before deciding which flight is cheapest.

• Cheap Flight Day isnt a guaranteed sale. Your best bet is to track fares early, set alerts, and stay flexible on dates.

If you've ever searched for airfare, you've probably heard the tricks. Book at midnight. Clear your cookies. Use incognito mode. Don't search too many times or the airline will notice and jack up the price.

The problem? Many of these supposed airfare hacks don't appear to do much at all.

Ahead of National Cheap Flight Day on August 23rd, CheapOair released a survey of 1,000 U.S. travelers along with an analysis of its own booking data. The results suggest that travelers may be spending too much time trying to outsmart airline websites and not enough time comparing actual fares.

Here are some myths worth forgetting about and what to do instead.

Myth #1: There's a magical time of day to book

Nearly three-quarters of travelers surveyed (74.4%) believe there's a best time of day to purchase airfare.

CheapOair says there isn't.

Airfares can change throughout the day as inventory and demand change, so staying awake until midnight isn't necessarily going to unlock a secret fare.

Do this instead: Set fare alerts for trips you're considering and start monitoring prices before you're ready to buy. You'll have a much better idea when a genuinely good fare pops up.

Myth #2: Clear your cookies to get a cheaper flight

Half of travelers surveyed believe clearing their browser cookies can produce lower fares.

CheapOair says that's another myth. It also says repeatedly searching for the same flight won't cause the price to increase, something 48.2% of travelers believe happens.

So, if a fare jumps $40 after your fifth search, don't automatically assume the airline caught you looking.

Pro tip: Instead of repeatedly searching the exact same itinerary, change something that can actually affect the fare. Try leaving a day earlier or later, compare nearby airports, and try checking different flight times.

Myth #3: Round trip is always cheaper

About 72% of respondents believe buying a round-trip ticket always beats purchasing two individual one-way fares.

Not necessarily.

Before clicking "purchase," be sure to price the outbound and return flights separately. You just might discover that flying one airline there, and a different one home, can produce a better deal.

Just remember that separate tickets can also complicate potential changes and cancellations.

Myth #4: Budget airlines are always cheapest

The headline fare for a budget airline might be $49, but that's not necessarily what you'll pay.

CheapOair found 68.1% of travelers believe budget airlines always offer the lowest fare, even though add-on charges can stack up quickly to erase any savings.

Be sure to always compare the final trip cost, including bags, seat selection, and any other fees you'll be asked to pay.

For example, a $129 fare that includes your checked bag, can beat a $79 fare that doesn't.

Myth #5: A layover automatically saves money

Two-thirds of surveyed travelers believe connecting flights are always cheaper than nonstop flights.

Again, not always the case.

Before volunteering to spend three hours in Denver eating a $19 airport sandwich, be sure to check the nonstop price. If the difference is only $25, your time might be worth more than the savings.

Myth #6: Cheap Flight Day means everything suddenly gets cheaper

National Cheap Flight Day is Aug. 23, but don't circle it on your calendar expecting airlines to simultaneously slash fares.

CheapOair describes it more as the beginning of a broader seasonal window when summer demand starts cooling. Its historical data found that average domestic fares in late August and early September have been about 12% lower than earlier August levels, while international fares averaged about 17% lower.

Keep in mind that those are historical averages, not a guarantee for a particular flight this year.

The company's data also found its most consistent savings occurred when travelers booked 30 to 60 days before departure.

The consumer takeaway

Stop looking for a secret airfare cheat code.

Instead, watch prices early, use fare alerts, compare flexible dates and nearby airports, price one-way tickets separately, and compare the final cost after fees.

The cheapest flight might not appear at midnight, or after deleting your cookies, or even on National Cheap Flight Day.

Sometimes the best airfare hack is simply knowing what a good price looks like and quickly snagging it when you see it.