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Forty-four percent of consumers feel more financially stressed than last year, while one-third usually take on holiday debt or expect to this season.

Shoppers are setting budgets and reconsidering spending, but sales promotions and convenient financing can complicate those plans.

Buy now, pay later services can spread out purchases, but missed payments and overlapping repayment schedules can create additional financial pressure.

Holiday shoppers are heading into the 2026 season with tighter budgets and growing financial anxiety, making decisions about how to pay almost as consequential as what to buy.

The Electronic Transactions Association and payments consulting firm TSG found that 44% of consumers feel more financially stressed than last year, compared with 27% in 2025. One-third say they usually accumulate holiday debt or likely will this year, up from 19%.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Federal officials have issued a public health alert for frozen meat and poultry products containing sesame that is missing from their labels; the beef product also contains undeclared fish.

The affected Bami Rolls, Sat Kroketten and Bitterballen were sold online nationwide through Lowlands House.

Consumers should discard the products or return them. No adverse reactions have been confirmed.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for several frozen meat and poultry products because their labels fail to disclose ingredients that could pose a risk to people with food allergies.

The products contain undeclared sesame. In addition, the beef product contains Worcestershire sauce made with anchovy, meaning fish is also missing from its allergen labeling, according to the agencys Nov. 6 alert.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Amazon is rolling out a new way to shop by texting its Alexa for Shopping AI assistant.

Shoppers can use the service to find products, reorder household essentials, build grocery carts, and track price drops.

The feature is initially available by invitation, with plans to expand access to more U.S. customers in the coming weeks.

Amazon is giving shoppers another way to use artificial intelligence when making purchases. The company recently introduced a text messaging option for Alexa for Shopping, allowing customers to communicate with its AI shopping assistant without opening the Amazon app or visiting its website.

The idea is pretty straightforward: Instead of searching for products yourself, you can send Alexa a text explaining what you need and let it handle much of the legwork. The assistant can search for products, compare options, make recommendations, add items to your shopping cart, and even complete purchases on your behalf.

Author: Kristen Dalli
Source: Consumer Affairs

Inflation eased slightly in October, with the Consumer Price Index rising 0.4%, compared with a 0.6% increase in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Food, housing and energy costs continued to rise, with grocery prices increasing 0.4%, shelter costs climbing 0.3% and energy prices advancing 0.7%.

Gasoline prices remained a major source of inflation, rising 1% in October and 37.4% over the past 12 months, while used vehicle prices provided some relief.

Inflation slowed in October, but American consumers continued to face rising prices for many everyday necessities, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The CPI increased 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis in October, following a 0.6% increase in September. While the slowdown suggests some moderation in price pressures, the report shows that inflation remains a significant challenge for household budgets.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs