Save buying car at the end of the year
If you’re in the market to buy a car, now could be the best time. Late December is when dealers discount inventory to make room for new models. Plus they must meet sales quotas and can offer big incentives, like rebates. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with James Bell with Kia America to get insights from an automaker on how to score a good deal.
If you’re in the market to buy a car, now could be the best time. Late December is when dealers discount inventory to make room for new models. Plus they must meet sales quotas and can offer big incentives, like rebates. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with James Bell with Kia America to get insights from an automaker on how to score a good deal.
Social Security January payment schedule: Here's when recipients get their checks
Social Security payments for millions of Americans are set to begin as we move into the new year.
Social Security payments for millions of Americans are set to begin as we move into the new year.
Dresser recall: Over 16,000 sold on Amazon pulled due to tip over, severe injury risk
The affected dressers were sold on Amazon between 2023 and 2025.
The affected dressers were sold on Amazon between 2023 and 2025.
Ford shatters decade-old recall record with 152 safety alerts issued this year alone across multiple models
Ford Motor Company logged far more recalls in 2025 than any other automaker, according to federal safety data, eclipsing a decade-old industry record and underscoring ongoing quality issues affecting millions of vehicles across multiple model lines.
Ford Motor Company logged far more recalls in 2025 than any other automaker, according to federal safety data, eclipsing a decade-old industry record and underscoring ongoing quality issues affecting millions of vehicles across multiple model lines.
Returning holiday gifts? Some retailers have changed their return policies
Before you head to the return counter with the gift you received, be aware some stores have new return policies and a few of them will charge you a fee.
Before you head to the return counter with the gift you received, be aware some stores have new return policies and a few of them will charge you a fee.
Electrical safety during the holiday season
If you've decked your halls with lights, candles, or a Christmas tree, the U.S. Fire Administration warns that 156,000 fires happen each holiday season, often from dry trees or faulty wiring. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Joe Bany with John Moore Services on ways to keep your holiday decor safe.
If you've decked your halls with lights, candles, or a Christmas tree, the U.S. Fire Administration warns that 156,000 fires happen each holiday season, often from dry trees or faulty wiring. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Joe Bany with John Moore Services on ways to keep your holiday decor safe.
Holiday return policies you should know
If you're thinking of returning some of the gifts you received this holiday sense, it's important to keep in mind the policies in place. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan has details on store changes and what to know.
If you're thinking of returning some of the gifts you received this holiday sense, it's important to keep in mind the policies in place. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan has details on store changes and what to know.
Real vs. fake Christmas trees: An expert guide on what to buy this year
From cost and maintenance to sustainability, an industry expert weighs in on how to choose the right Christmas tree for your home and budget.
From cost and maintenance to sustainability, an industry expert weighs in on how to choose the right Christmas tree for your home and budget.
H-E-B gives customers free groceries for Christmas after computer glitch
Shoppers at an H-E-B store in North Texas were surprised with free groceries just in time for the Christmas holiday.
Shoppers at an H-E-B store in North Texas were surprised with free groceries just in time for the Christmas holiday.
Stimulus payment December 2025, IRS direct deposit relief payment & tariff dividend fact check
Hold off on that purchase! Online rumors of new stimulus checks by year’s end are out there.
Hold off on that purchase! Online rumors of new stimulus checks by year’s end are out there.
Leaving cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer now costs over $8, study finds
Before children around the world get ready for a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve, they’ll leave out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.
Before children around the world get ready for a good night’s sleep on Christmas Eve, they’ll leave out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.
Houston stores open and closed on Christmas Day 2025
Make sure you have everything you need before Christmas Day, because if you have to get some last-minute groceries or gifts, your options will be limited.
Make sure you have everything you need before Christmas Day, because if you have to get some last-minute groceries or gifts, your options will be limited.
Paramount–Skydance boosts hostile Warner Bros. Discovery bid with $40.4 billion equity financing guarantee
Paramount Skydance hasn’t given up on acquiring Warner Bros.
Paramount Skydance hasn’t given up on acquiring Warner Bros.
Instacart ending price test program after backlash
Instacart is ending a program where customers saw different prices for the same product ordered at the same time from the same store. Here’s what they’re saying about the price testing strategy.
Instacart is ending a program where customers saw different prices for the same product ordered at the same time from the same store. Here’s what they’re saying about the price testing strategy.
Prevent falling behind on your car note using these steps
People falling behind on their auto loans has hit a 15-year high after many paid high prices for cars or trucks and high interest rates. But there are steps drivers can take when they're struggling to pay their car notes. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Andrew Pentis, a Consumer Lending Analyst with Bankrate.
People falling behind on their auto loans has hit a 15-year high after many paid high prices for cars or trucks and high interest rates. But there are steps drivers can take when they're struggling to pay their car notes. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Andrew Pentis, a Consumer Lending Analyst with Bankrate.
Power strips sold on Amazon recalled over serious injury, fire risk
The products were sold on Amazon between 2023 and 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
The products were sold on Amazon between 2023 and 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
Houston restaurants open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day 2025
Many restaurants in the Houston-area will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if you decide to skip cooking for the holiday.
Many restaurants in the Houston-area will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day if you decide to skip cooking for the holiday.
How to save money with dynamic pricing
When retailers use dynamic pricing, we can end up paying much more for in-demand items and services. But that also means there's a best time to buy them at lower prices. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Gabriele Vitke with Decodo, which analyzed prices from 37 U.S. retailers to find the best days and times to buy appliances, electronics, and apparel.
When retailers use dynamic pricing, we can end up paying much more for in-demand items and services. But that also means there's a best time to buy them at lower prices. Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan talked with Gabriele Vitke with Decodo, which analyzed prices from 37 U.S. retailers to find the best days and times to buy appliances, electronics, and apparel.
Frozen shrimp sold in multiple states recalled due to possible radioactive contamination, FDA says
The recalled shrimp products were sold in multiple states, including New York, Illinois, Nevada, and Oregon.
The recalled shrimp products were sold in multiple states, including New York, Illinois, Nevada, and Oregon.
Ointment sold at Walmart, Target recalled over child poisoning risk
About 50,000 containers of a pain-relief ointment sold nationwide have been recalled due to packaging that fails to meet federal child-resistant safety standards,
About 50,000 containers of a pain-relief ointment sold nationwide have been recalled due to packaging that fails to meet federal child-resistant safety standards,