Consumer News: The best day to start your Amazon Prime free trial for Christmas shopping — and other memberships worth timing

Make an old laptop useful again: Free software can breathe new life into a slow computer.

Skip buying extra equipment: Turn your laptop into a home entertainment hub or external storage.

Don't spend money unnecessarily: Sometimes the best technology upgrade is making better use of what you already own.

Have an old laptop sitting in a closet because it's too slow, outdated, or no longer supported by Windows?

Before recycling it or spending hundreds of dollars on a replacement, consider giving it another job. A recent Engadget article highlights several creative ways to do just that and repurpose an aging laptop you might have laying around.

Author: Kyle James
Source: Consumer Affairs

More than half of participants following a structured diet and exercise program achieved type 2 diabetes remission after six months.

The study compared an intensive lifestyle intervention with standard medical care and found a significant difference in outcomes.

Researchers say the approach shows promise, but longer-term studies are needed to determine whether remission and weight loss can be maintained.

Managing type 2 diabetes often involves a combination of medication, dietary changes, and physical activity. But new research suggests that a more structured approach to weight loss and exercise could help some younger adults achieve something even more significant: diabetes remission.

The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health Americas, focused on adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before age 45. This group can face a particularly challenging course of the disease, including faster declines in blood sugar control and an increased risk of developing complications earlier in life.

Author: Kristen Dalli
Source: Consumer Affairs

The American Medical Association (AMA) is launching a national campaign encouraging patients to discuss online health advice with their doctors before acting on it.

The campaign comes as medical claims spread across social media, search engines, and AI platforms, making it harder to distinguish reliable information from misleading advice.

The AMA wants patients to bring online health questions to their physicians, who can help determine whether the information applies to their individual health needs.

A quick internet search can turn up thousands of answers to just about any health question. Whether you're researching a new symptom, looking into a treatment, or asking an AI chatbot about a medical concern, there's no shortage of information available. But figuring out which advice is actually worth following can be another story.

That's the concern behind a new campaign from the American Medical Association (AMA). Launched Nov. 9, the national initiative encourages patients to ask their doctors before making health decisions based on something they've read or watched online.

Author: Kristen Dalli
Source: Consumer Affairs

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