Consumer News: Auto Safety Recall Derby - Week of November 02

Shoppers can get the holiday meal delivered right to their homes

• Amazon is offering a complete Thanksgiving meal for $25, including an eight-pound turkey and ingredients for traditional holiday sides and dessert.

• Shoppers can also find frozen turkeys for $0.79 per pound and fresh turkeys for $0.99 per pound during November promotions.

• The meal deal is available through Nov. 26 while supplies last, with same-day grocery delivery available in more than 2,300 U.S. cities and towns.

Putting together Thanksgiving dinner can mean a lot of grocery shopping, meal planning, and money spent before guests even arrive. But Amazon is hoping to make things a little easier on shoppers' wallets this holiday season.

The retailer has introduced a $25 Thanksgiving meal through Amazon Grocery that includes a turkey and ingredients for several traditional holiday dishes. The offer also comes with additional discounts on turkeys, side dishes, and other Thanksgiving essentials throughout November.

For shoppers looking to keep holiday spending under control without skipping the traditional Thanksgiving spread, the deal offers another option for stocking up before the big day.

Customers love the convenience of getting everything they need for the holidays delivered so they can come together with family and friends. Amazon makes it even easier for customers to put a delicious meal on the table, Jason Buechel, Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores and Chief Executive Officer at Whole Foods Market, said in a news release.

With Amazon, customers can get everything they need at everyday low pricesfrom the turkey to the sides to the serving essentialsall in one cart, delivered to their door within hours.

What's included in Amazon's $25 Thanksgiving meal?

The $25 package includes an eight-pound frozen Butterball turkey, along with ingredients to prepare several familiar holiday favorites.

Shoppers will receive Ocean Spray cranberry sauce, turkey gravy mix, Kraft macaroni and cheese, Stove Top stuffing, and the ingredients for green bean casserole. The package also includes five pounds of russet potatoes, corn, carrots, crescent rolls, pie crusts, and pumpkin puree.

Amazon says the meal is available now through Nov. 26, while supplies last.

Customers in more than 2,300 cities and towns where Amazon offers fresh grocery delivery can have their purchases delivered the same day, within hours. Free same-day delivery is available on qualifying orders of $25 or more.

There are also other holiday promotions to consider:

• Frozen turkeys are priced at $0.79 per pound from Nov. 1 through Nov. 26

• Fresh turkeys are available for $0.99 per pound from Nov. 14 through Nov. 26

• Thanksgiving grocery staples are priced under $4 from Nov. 1 through Nov. 26

• Shoppers can get 40% off charcuterie and party snacks from Nov. 2 through Nov. 14, and 40% off premade sides from Nov. 15 through Nov. 26

What this means for Thanksgiving shoppers

Amazon's $25 meal could give budget-conscious shoppers another way to approach Thanksgiving grocery shopping, particularly if they're looking to save on the main meal and several traditional sides at once.

The delivery option may also be helpful for people who would rather avoid an extra trip to the grocery store. Shoppers can search for "$25 Thanksgiving Meal" in the Amazon app or on the desktop website to find the offer and browse additional holiday deals.

However, shoppers should keep in mind that the meal is available only while supplies last, and same-day grocery delivery isn't available everywhere.

It's also worth checking the package contents against your guest list and menu before purchasing, since the included turkey weighs eight pounds and the meal may not cover every dish or serving need.

Still, with turkey discounts and additional grocery promotions available throughout November, Amazon is giving shoppers several opportunities to plan ahead and potentially spend less on their Thanksgiving celebration.

A quick walkthrough can help families spot overlooked hazards, review emergency plans, and make sure essential safety equipment is ready when they need it

• A five-minute annual walkthrough can help families identify overlooked hazards, clear emergency exit routes, and make sure essential safety equipment is ready.

• Getting children involved in safety checks helps everyone understand emergency plans, know where to meet, and feel more prepared.

• Regular tasks like testing alarms, checking emergency kits, and inspecting heating equipment help keep your home safe year-round.

When it comes to keeping your family safe at home, it's easy to focus on everyday maintenance and forget about the bigger picture. But taking a few minutes once a year to walk through your home and review basic safety measures can help identify potential hazards before they become problems.

From checking that hallways and exits are clear to making sure emergency supplies are easy to find, a simple household safety review doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Marcus Clarke, founder of The Prepared Household, says breaking emergency preparedness into a few manageable steps can make it easier for families to stay on top of.

His five-minute walkthrough focuses on five key areas every household should review, helping families feel more confident that they're prepared if an unexpected emergency occurs.

The five-minute walkthrough

Here are the five key areas that Clarke recommends all households should check:

• Clear key exit routes: Check hallways, stairs, and doorways for trip hazards or clutter that could obstruct a quick exit in the dark.

• Locate emergency supplies: Confirm that the household emergency kit and torches are in their designated place, fully stocked, and accessible to everyone.

• Confirm the outdoor meeting point: Remind all family members of the designated safe assembly spot outside the property and clarify responsibilities, such as who assists younger children or pets.

• Support monthly alarm testing: Local fire and rescue services strongly advise testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least monthly. An annual review offers a regular moment to clean unit covers and ensure backup batteries are fresh.

• Inspect emergency equipment: Check the expiration dates and pressure gauges on fire extinguishers, and inspect fire blankets to ensure they are stored correctly and accessible.

Overlooked hazards

Clarke explained that the household hazards consumers regularly miss are almost never dramatic.

They are the ordinary things that have slowly become normal, he explained. Shoes, bags, and laundry baskets gathering at the bottom of the stairs or along the hallway. An extension lead that started with one plug in it and now has five, often tucked behind a sofa where it also gets warm. A key for the back door or the window lock that nobody can find in a hurry.

Going into winter, I would add portable heaters that have crept too close to curtains, bedding or furniture, chimneys and wood burners that have not been swept since last season, and electric blankets that are a few years old and have never been looked at for scorch marks or frayed wires.

Clarke noted that a walkthrough catches these because you are deliberately looking for them, rather than just passing through.

Once you walk your own home as if you were a visitor, the clutter on the landing or the heater against the armchair stands out immediately, he said.

Get children involved

For families with kids, getting them involved in these safety checks is of the utmost importance. It not only helps keep everyone in the family on the same page, but it also ensures that children are aware of safety measures in case of an emergency.

Children take their cue from the adults, Clarke said. If you present it as a calm, routine job the household does, they tend to treat it the same way. If you present it as preparing for disaster, they will absorb that instead.

His best advice: give children a job.

Younger children can be the torch testers or the alarm button pressers. Older ones can walk the exit route and report back on anything in the way, or check the dates on the first aid kit. Framing the exit check as a treasure hunt, where they have to find the quickest way out of each room, works well and teaches them the layout without any sense of threat, Clarke said.

Another tip: Keep the language practical rather than frightening. Saying something like, This is where we would all meet if we ever had to leave the house quickly is enough.

You do not need to describe the scenarios, Clarke recommended. And keep it short. Ten or fifteen minutes with a clear end point, ideally followed by something ordinary like dinner, keeps it in proportion. The goal is that if something does happen, the steps feel familiar rather than new.

Regular safety checks are essential

Beyond the annual household checks, Clarke suggests engaging in routine tasks to ensure safety day-to-day, as these are what keep things working in between. Here are some of his suggestions:

• Testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Fire and rescue services advise at least monthly, and many now recommend weekly. It takes 30 seconds. If an alarm is more than ten years old, replace it regardless of whether it still beeps, because the sensor degrades.

• Have a Gas Safe registered engineer service the boiler once a year. This would ideally be before the heating season rather than in the middle of it. If you have an open fire or stove, get the chimney swept annually. Before you plug in any electric blanket or portable heater for the first time each autumn, look it over properly.

• Check the first aid kit and emergency kit twice a year. The clock changes in March and November are a convenient prompt, and the November one lands right as the risk season starts. Replace anything expired and recharge the power bank.

• Talk about the plan. The meeting point and who helps whom only works if everyone remembers it, and children in particular forget quickly. A two-minute conversation every few months is worth more than a detailed plan nobody can recall.

The thing Clarke wants people to take away from all of this?

Preparedness is not about fear and it is not about bunkers, he said. It is about removing the small frictions that turn a manageable problem into a bad night.

Most of what I have described costs nothing and takes minutes. The households that cope best with a power cut or a burst pipe are rarely the ones with the most equipment. They are the ones who have thought about it once, calmly, in advance. Your local fire and rescue service will publish specific guidance for your area and many offer free home safety visits, which are well worth taking up.

Gas prices are rising, and higher costs could soon spread to groceries, travel, and everyday expenses

• Inflation is picking up again: Consumer prices rose 3.7% over the past year, with gasoline responsible for much of September's increase.

• The impact could spread beyond the gas pump: Higher transportation and operating costs may eventually show up in grocery bills, deliveries, restaurant meals, and other services.

• There are ways to fight back: A few changes to how you shop, travel, and manage debt could help protect your household budget.

Just when consumers were hoping inflation might finally be settling down, the latest numbers suggest otherwise.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices increased 3.7% over the 12 months ending in September, up from 3.4% in August. Gasoline was the biggest culprit, jumping 9.1% in September alone and accounting for more than half of the overall monthly inflation increase.

But here's what consumers should really be paying attention to: Higher gas prices don't necessarily stay at the gas pump.

When transportation becomes more expensive, businesses that move products, deliver packages, or provide services will face higher costs. Those higher costs eventually get passed along to the consumer.

That doesn't mean everything is about to get more expensive. But it does mean there are several areas of your household budget worth watching. Here are six.

1. Groceries: Higher transportation costs could reach the checkout line

Food doesn't magically appear on supermarket shelves.

It travels through a complicated network of farms, processing plants, warehouses, and delivery trucks before reaching your grocery cart. And many of those trucks run on diesel.

When fuel prices increase, transporting food becomes more expensive. Depending on competition, contracts, and other costs, some of that increase could eventually be reflected in grocery prices.

The good news? Grocery prices actually fell 0.1% in September, according to the latest inflation report.

But that doesn't mean shoppers are suddenly getting a break across the board. Grocery prices were still 1.8% higher than a year earlier.

How to save: Start tracking the prices of 15 to 20 grocery staples you buy regularly. Use your phone to photograph shelf prices or keep a simple note of what you normally pay for milk, eggs, cereal, meat, and other essentials. That gives you a personal price history, making it easier to recognize a genuinely good sale rather than trusting a flashy discount sign.

Also, don't overlook store brands. They're often worth comparing against name brands, especially when package sizes are different.

2. Airfare: Rising fuel costs could make holiday travel more expensive

If you're planning to fly for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another upcoming trip, keep an eye on airfare.

The U.S. Travel Association reports that airline ticket prices increased 1.2% in September. Airfares were also 22.4% higher than a year earlier, while jet fuel prices climbed sharply during the month.

Fuel is a major airline expense, although ticket prices also depend on things like demand, competition, and available seats. With holiday travel approaching, waiting for a last-minute bargain could be risky.

How to save: Spend a minute setting up a price alert through Google Flights or another airfare comparison tool so youll only book when the price drops to a number youre comfortable with.

And before booking, take a look at the total cost of competing flights, including baggage fees, seat selection fees, and dont forget transportation to and from the airport. In reality, a ticket that looks $40 cheaper might not be the better deal once you add in all of those extras.

Also, dont forget to check nearby airports. A short drive to a neighboring airport could sometimes save a family hundreds of dollars, particularly during peak travel periods.

3. Package deliveries: Watch for fees

Theres no arguing that online shopping is super convenient and online coupons and promos can help you save.

But getting the item shipped to you can be a different story. Delivery companies obviously use a lot of fuel to move packages between warehouses, sorting facilities, and your front door. When those transportation costs increase, carriers often adjust fuel surcharges or other shipping fees.

Many online stores respond by flat-out raising their delivery fee, or the sneakier trick, they raise the minimum purchase requirement to qualify for free shipping.

If you dont already, start paying attention to the final checkout total including delivery fees. Especially during the holiday shopping season when we tend to pay whatever shipping charge is in front of us without blinking an eye.

How to save: Always do a quick Google search for a coupon code for free shipping at whatever online store youre shopping at. Or start a live chat and politely ask for a free shipping coupon code. Many reps have one on-hand for those who politely ask.

Also, whenever possible, combine purchases into one order rather than placing several smaller orders throughout the week.

Look for free in-store pickup when shopping at retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. And don't add unnecessary merchandise to your cart just to reach a stores free-shipping threshold.

4. Restaurant meals: The menu price isn't the only thing to watch

Restaurants are another business where higher operating expenses can eventually affect customers.

Food deliveries, utilities, wages, rent, and packaging all contribute to what restaurants charge. And while grocery prices dipped slightly in September, eating out continued to get more expensive. The latest inflation report found that restaurant food prices rose 0.2% during the month and 3.5% over the previous year.

That doesn't mean every restaurant is about to raise its prices in unison. But it does suggest that dining out remains an area where household budgets often take a big hit.

How to save: Look beyond just the menu price and pay attention to the total bill. Those pesky delivery charges, service fees, tips, and beverage prices can quickly turn a relatively inexpensive meal into a costly one.

One of my favorite ways to save is to order takeout directly from the restaurant rather than through a third-party delivery app. Its obviously not as convenient, but youll avoid any delivery fees and youll pay less for your meal, as the restaurant's own prices will be lower.

Another option: Make restaurant visits more intentional. Instead of grabbing takeout simply because you're tired, keep two or three easy meals at home that require almost no prep time.

5. Home services: Your next repair or landscaping bill could cost more

Think about the people you hire to work around your house. Plumbers, electricians, landscapers, appliance repair technicians, and cleaning services often spend a significant amount of time driving between customers.

This means fuel costs becomes a large expense for their business. This is particularly true for companies operating multiple diesel trucks or covering large rural service areas.

Some companies may choose to absorb those increases. But many are forced to pass it along to the customer in the form of higher service-call fees, minimum charges, and jacked up hourly rates.

How to save: Before scheduling a nonemergency repair, ask whether the company charges a trip fee or minimum service charge. If you have several small jobs that need attention, ask whether they can be handled during one appointment.

For larger projects, get at least two or three written estimates. And when comparing bids, make sure you're looking at the same scope of work, materials, and warranty coverage. The cheapest estimate isn't always the least expensive option in the long run.

6. Car ownership: It's not just gasoline getting more expensive

Drivers are already feeling the impact of higher prices at the pump. But there are other vehicle-related expenses worth watching.

According to the September inflation report, used-car and truck prices increased 0.7% during the month, although they remained 1.5% lower than a year earlier.

Meanwhile, gasoline prices were up a whopping 34.2% compared with September 2025. Higher fuel costs can also make commuting, running errands, and taking road trips considerably more expensive.

How to save: Combine errands whenever possible and avoid making several separate trips across town.

Keep your tires properly inflated and stay on top of basic maintenance. Both can help your vehicle operate more efficiently.

If you're considering replacing your vehicle, don't focus exclusively on the monthly payment. Compare the total cost of ownership, including insurance, fuel, financing, maintenance, and registration.

And if your current vehicle is reliable and paid off, keeping it a little longer may be one of the most effective ways to avoid adding another major expense to your budget.

One last thing: Lower inflation doesn't mean lower prices

Here's something that often gets lost in conversations about inflation. When economists say inflation is slowing, that doesn't necessarily mean prices are coming down. It usually means they're just increasing more slowly.

For example, if something costs $100 and prices rise 4%, it now costs $104. If inflation drops to 2% the following year, that item could rise to $106.08.

The inflation rate went down, but the price still went up. That's why many consumers don't feel much relief even when economic headlines suggest inflation is improving.

New research suggests outdoor activities may help people feel more connected, especially when they share the experience with others

• A new study found that nature-based activities helped reduce loneliness among older adults in six European, Latin American, and Australian cities.

• Both individual outdoor activities and organized group programs showed benefits, but group activities were particularly helpful for participants with lower emotional well-being.

• The improvements lasted for up to a year, suggesting that gardening, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities could offer a practical way to support social connections.

Spending time outdoors is often associated with relaxation and stress relief. But could activities like gardening, hiking, and birdwatching also help people feel less lonely?

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe suggests they could. Researchers found that connecting with nature through organized activities or independent outdoor experiences helped reduce feelings of loneliness among adults who participated in the study.

The research is part of the RECETAS project, an international effort examining how nature-based activities can support people's health and well-being. Researchers are particularly interested in the idea of social prescribing, which involves healthcare professionals recommending activities outside traditional medical treatment to help address certain health concerns.

Loneliness isn't necessarily about being physically alone. Someone can have plenty of people around them and still feel disconnected from others. Researchers wanted to see whether spending time in nature, particularly alongside other people, could help address that feeling.

There has been a lot of passion about nature-based prescriptions, but not a lot of evidence, researcher Jill Litt said in a news release. We now have randomized controlled trials showing this works and the impacts last.

How researchers conducted the study

The study included 320 adults experiencing loneliness who lived in 12 lower-income neighborhoods in Barcelona, Spain. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to compare different approaches to nature-based activities.

One group participated in a program called Friends in Nature. Participants met in groups of eight to 10 people for two hours once a week over nine weeks. With help from trained facilitators, they participated in activities such as gardening, birdwatching, and nature-inspired art projects. Activities were selected from a list developed with input from the local community.

The second group received information about free, accessible nature-based activities they could pursue independently, rather than attending organized group sessions.

Researchers measured participants' loneliness and quality of life at the beginning of the study and again after three, six, and 12 months. This allowed them to see whether any improvements lasted beyond the initial program.

What the results mean for consumers

Both approaches showed encouraging results. On average, participants experienced a 10.5% reduction in loneliness after three months. Improvements continued over time, reaching approximately 17% after one year.

However, the organized group program appeared to make a bigger difference for people who started the study with particularly high levels of loneliness and lower emotional well-being.

There was one important distinction: While participants reported feeling less lonely, researchers did not find significant improvements in overall health-related quality of life.

For consumers, the findings suggest that spending time outdoors could be one way to build connections and address feelings of loneliness. Joining a gardening club, attending a community nature program, or finding a birdwatching group could provide opportunities to meet people while enjoying time outside.

The researchers hope this type of program will eventually become more widely available through healthcare systems. For now, the study offers encouraging evidence that connecting with nature and other people may be a useful addition to existing approaches to addressing loneliness.

Being out in nature forms this kind of reservoir of calm that we can return to later in life during stressful times, researcher Louise Chawla, an environmental psychologist and professor emerita at CU Boulder, said in the release. Its not just restorative when you are in a place but also when you go back to it in memory.

We need to think in broader terms about how we can create group healing activities in places like parks and community gardens.