Consumer News: Early menopause may come with a hidden mental health challenge

A new report highlights purchases that could drain retirement savings unnecessarily

• Buying used can stretch retirement savings: Cars, RVs, furniture, and golf clubs are among the purchases retirees should reconsider buying brand-new.

• Know where to find the best deals: Estate sales, certified refurbished programs, and secondhand marketplaces can offer substantial savings.

• Don't let a bargain become an expensive mistake: Inspect used items, check warranties and repair costs, and compare prices before buying.

Retirement should be about enjoying the money you've worked hard to save, not spending more than necessary on things that quickly lose value.

That's the idea behind a new Cheapism report identifying 12 purchases retirees should reconsider buying brand-new. The list includes everything from vehicles and electronics to furniture and recreational equipment.

We picked six of the most useful recommendations from Cheapism and added some practical shopping advice to help you save money without sacrificing quality.

1. Cars: Let someone else absorb the depreciation

Cheapism points out that retirees who no longer commute every day may not need the latest vehicle with all the expensive bells and whistles.

Instead, a well-maintained used car could provide reliable transportation at a significantly lower price.

A smart way to save is to start by comparing vehicles that are two to four years old with their brand-new equivalents. Look at certified pre-owned models, too, which often come with additional warranty coverage.

Pro tip: Use CarGurus to compare local prices and before buying, get an independent inspection and a vehicle history report. Don't assume a certified pre-owned designation means the car is problem-free.

2. RVs: Try renting before making a commitment

Retirement and RV travel seem like a perfect match, but Cheapism warns that buying a new motor home can become an expensive decision.

Beyond the purchase price of your rig, owners face expenses like insurance, maintenance, storage, fuel, and campground fees.

Consider renting an RV for a week or two before committing to ownership. Websites like RVshare and Outdoorsy let you try different types of recreational vehicles that fit your needs.

Calculate the total cost of renting versus owning based on how many nights you'll realistically travel each year. If you're only planning a couple of annual trips, renting could be the better financial decision.

3. Furniture: Estate sales can be a gold mine

Another category that Cheapism recommends buying secondhand is living room and dining room furniture. Solid-wood dining tables, dressers, and bookshelves can last decades, making them excellent candidates for resale.

A smart way to save is to search EstateSales.NET, Facebook Marketplace, and local consignment stores before heading to a furniture showroom.

Pro tip: Check for sturdy joints, water damage, odors, and signs of pests. Also, be sure to bring measurements of your room and doorways. A beautiful $200 dining table isn't a bargain if you can't get it inside your house.

4. Computers: Refurbished can be the smarter buy

Cheapism notes that retirees who primarily use computers for email, online banking, and video calls probably don't need the newest or most expensive models.

A refurbished laptop or desktop could handle those everyday tasks for considerably less. A smart way to save is to check manufacturer-backed refurbished programs such as Apple Certified Refurbished and Dell Outlet.

Make sure the computer comes with a warranty, has a reasonable return window, and runs an operating system that still receives security updates. For everyday use, look for at least 8GB of RAM, although 16GB is preferable for longer-term use.

5. Exercise equipment: Cash in on abandoned fitness goals

Treadmills, exercise bikes, and home gyms are another category Cheapism suggests approaching cautiously.

They're expensive when purchased new, but often become secondhand bargains when owners stop using them. Search Facebook Marketplace, local moving sales, and used sporting goods stores such as Play It Again Sports.

Pro tip: Always test out the machine before paying. Check the motor, resistance settings, and display if it has one. Also, ask whether it requires a monthly subscription to be fully functional and whether replacement parts are still available.

6. Golf clubs: You probably don't need this year's model

Golf is a popular retirement hobby, but Cheapism points out that retirees don't need to buy an entirely new set of clubs to hit the links.

A quality used set could be a much smarter starting point, especially for someone just getting into the game. Check Callaway Pre-Owned, eBay, and 2nd Swing for used clubs from major manufacturers.

Its smart to focus on finding clubs that fit your height, swing speed, and skill level instead of buying the newest and greatest. Also, check the condition of the grips and shafts, since replacing them can eat into your savings.

Researchers found a link between legalized sports betting and increased use of treatment for depression and anxiety

• States that legalized online sports betting saw increases in the use of mental health medications and outpatient care.

• Researchers analyzed nearly 62 million insurance enrollee-years to examine the potential connection.

• The findings suggest that expanding access to online betting could create additional demand for mental health services.

Online sports betting has become more widely available across the United States, making it easier for people to place wagers from their phones and computers. But as access to these platforms grows, researchers are taking a closer look at the potential effects on people's health.

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that states legalizing online sports betting experienced increases in the use of treatment for depression and anxiety. The findings suggest that the effects of expanded gambling access may extend beyond financial losses, potentially creating additional needs for mental healthcare.

The research, conducted by investigators affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, examined whether legalizing online sports betting was associated with changes in how often people sought treatment for behavioral health conditions.

How researchers studied the connection

To investigate the relationship, researchers analyzed health insurance claims covering nearly 62 million enrollee-years between January 2016 and December 2023. The data included adults ages 18 to 64 with employer-sponsored health insurance.

Rather than simply comparing people who gambled with those who did not, the researchers looked at what happened in states before and after online sports betting became legal. They compared those changes with states that had not legalized the activity by the end of the study period.

This approach allowed researchers to examine whether changes in access to legal sports betting coincided with changes in mental healthcare use.

The team tracked prescription fills for antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, along with outpatient, emergency room, and hospital visits involving diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders.

What the findings mean for consumers

The results showed that legalizing online sports betting was associated with increased use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, as well as more outpatient visits related to depression and anxiety.

The researchers also found that the associations were generally more consistent for men than women. However, the study did not find a measurable increase in medication use or treatment visits related to substance use disorders. Nor did it identify increases in behavioral health diagnoses in emergency rooms or hospitals.

I hope these results will increase awareness among psychiatrists and primary care doctors who treat mental health, as well as online sports bettors themselves, that these online apps can lead to harms beyond financial risks, researcher Mark Meiselbach, Ph.D., said in a news release.

It's important to understand that these findings show an association, not proof that legal sports betting directly causes depression or anxiety. The study also relied on insurance claims, meaning its findings reflect people with employer-sponsored coverage rather than every person who bets online.

Still, the results highlight a potential consequence of making sports betting more accessible. For consumers, it's worth remembering that gambling can affect more than a bank account. Paying attention to changes in mood, stress, and overall well-being can be just as important as keeping track of how much money is being wagered.

New research compares seven popular eating patterns to see which ones may support memory, thinking skills, and everyday decision-making

• Researchers compared seven healthy eating patterns to explore their potential effects on brain health.

• The Mediterranean and DASH diets were associated with better performance in certain areas of cognition.

• Long-term benefits were less clear, suggesting that diet may be just one part of protecting brain health as we age.

Eating well is often associated with benefits for heart health, weight management, and overall wellness. But could certain eating patterns also help keep the brain healthy as we get older?

Researchers are taking a closer look at that question, particularly as dementia and cognitive decline become growing public health concerns. Although previous research has explored connections between food and brain health, differences in how studies measure diets and cognitive performance have made it difficult to draw consistent conclusions.

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition takes another look at the relationship, comparing seven established dietary patterns to see which ones may be associated with stronger thinking skills and cognitive performance.

How the researchers compared different diets

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 17,368 participants across multiple studies conducted in the United States and Europe.

Rather than asking everyone to follow a particular diet, the team used existing information about participants' eating habits. That information came from food questionnaires, dietary histories, and food records. Researchers then standardized the information to measure how closely participants followed seven different eating patterns.

Those patterns included the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), and the MIND diet, which combines elements of Mediterranean and DASH eating recommendations. The researchers also examined the Healthy Eating Index-2020, Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, EAT-Lancet diet, and a continuous version of the Mediterranean diet.

The team looked at both overall cognitive performance and executive function, which refers to mental skills that help people plan, make decisions, solve problems, and manage everyday tasks.

What the findings could mean for consumers

The results showed some encouraging connections. Participants who more closely followed the continuous Mediterranean diet tended to perform better on measures of overall cognition. Greater adherence to both the DASH diet and continuous Mediterranean diet was also associated with better executive function.

However, the findings were not as consistent when researchers looked at changes over time. Although several eating patterns were associated with better cognitive performance in one-time comparisons, those connections did not consistently translate into better long-term outcomes. Only the MIND diet was associated with more favorable executive function over time, based on data from three U.S. study groups.

For consumers, the findings offer another reason to pay attention to dietary quality, but they don't establish that following a particular diet will prevent dementia or stop cognitive decline.

The researchers suggest that healthy eating may be most helpful when combined with other lifestyle habits, including regular physical activity.

In other words, there's no single dietary change that guarantees better brain health, but maintaining a balanced diet may be one useful part of a broader approach to healthy aging.

Small Bluetooth devices attached to some Target baskets are raising privacy concerns

• Some Target baskets have tracking technology: Small Bluetooth devices can help determine where baskets are located inside stores.

• The technology isn't new: Target has used Bluetooth-based location technology since at least 2015 to help shoppers navigate stores and find deals.

• You can limit personal tracking: Turning off location permissions for the Target app can prevent the retailer from linking your phone's location to its in-store services.

If you've noticed a small electronic device attached to a red Target shopping basket, you might be wondering what it's doing there.

A viral TikTok video posted in late August claimed Target was using the devices to track customers as they move through stores, potentially monitoring their shopping habits.

Turns out, there's some truth to that claim. According to a recent Snopes investigation, some Target baskets contain Bluetooth Low Energy beacons that transmit location signals.

But there's an important distinction between tracking where a shopping basket goes and tracking the person carrying it.

How Target's basket tracking works

The small devices communicate with technology installed in Target's overhead LED lighting system, which can work with the Target app to determine a shopper's location inside the store.

That information can help customers find specific products, navigate aisles, and receive location-based deals. For example, if you're looking for laundry detergent, the app may be able to guide you to the correct aisle rather than leaving you wandering around the store.

And while the technology might sound new, Target has been experimenting with Bluetooth beacons since at least 2015.

In fact, the retailer introduced Bluetooth-powered indoor mapping to its app back in 2017.

Is Target collecting information about your shopping habits?

This is where things get a little murkier for shoppers. The basket-mounted beacons themselves don't collect any of your personal information. What they do is transmit location signals that other devices and systems can use.

However, when you use Target's app with location permissions enabled, the retailer can potentially connect your location with information thats on your smartphone.

Snopes found that it remains unclear whether Target uses your information, like your movement around the store, for reasons beyond helping you find particular products and delivering specific offers based solely on your location in the store.

That distinction matters, especially for shoppers concerned about how retailers collect and use personal data.

How to limit tracking while shopping at Target

If you're uncomfortable sharing your location while shopping, there are a few simple steps you can take.

• Turn off location access for the Target app. On an iPhone, go to the following: Settings Privacy & Security Location Services Target. Then select Never to prevent the app from accessing your location.

• Check your Android permissions. Go to Settings Apps Target Permissions. The exact steps may vary by phone.

• Shop without the Target app. The simplest solution may be to just shop in Target stores without the app on your phone.

• Understand what you're opting out of. Disabling location access can prevent Target from associating your phone's location with its in-store services. However, the Bluetooth beacon on a shopping basket may continue transmitting its location.