The medical community and consumers are excited about the new injectable weight-loss drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy. The drugs suppress appetite and slow digestion. Celebrities, including Orpha Winfrey, are taking the drugs. Most doctors and health care providers like to have a pill or shot that will fix patients’ problems. Read more →
It’s that time of year again. It’s unbelievable that 2023 has rolled by so fast. That means that the 2024 election is getting even closer and closer, an election with so many consequences for consumers and their financial lives. As usual, I’m one of the few reporters writing about the top consumer and personal finance stories of the year, research that I enjoy. Read more →
Be sure research any company carefully if you’re considering a land deal. A Texas-based developer and lender operated an illegal land sales scheme and targeted tens of thousands of Hispanic borrowers with lies and predatory loans, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Justice Department. Read more →
Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates this joyous day. I’m lucky to be able to celebrate with my daughter Mona and her family. We’ll be opening presents soon. I hope your holiday can be a joyous one without having to worry about finances. I was concerned when I read that nearly one in four Americans still have holiday debt from last year. Read more →
Millions of people around the world are excited about the holidays. Shopping for gifts, gathering with friends and family, and attending religious events heighten excitement this time of year. Americans are expected to spend between 3 percent and 4 percent more in 2023 than last year, about $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion, according to a survey. Read more →
The holidays are a big time for spending and gift giving. Americans are expected to spend between 3 percent and 4 percent more in 2023 than last year, about $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. That’s about $875 per person on gifts, decorations, food, and other holiday-related purchases. Read more →
Are you eligible to receive money from a Google settlement? Google agreed to pay $700 million to settle a lawsuit charging that the company used its monopoly power to charge consumers as much as 30 percent for purchasing apps and making in-app purchases in its Play Store. The agreement requires Google to pay restitution and change procedures. Read more →
There are rules debt collectors are supposed to abide by when they deal with consumers. However, many may break the rules if you’re uninformed. Commonwealth Financial Systems, a medical debt collector, illegally tried to collect unverified medical debts after consumers disputed the validity of the debts, Read more →
About 50 percent or more of price increases driving recent inflation is caused from price gouging. On Thursday, finally, President Biden called out the pharmaceutical industry for raising prices too much. Dozens of pharmaceutical companies will be required to pay rebates to Medicare for outrageous price hikes on prescription drugs. Read more →
High-powered magnets are dangerous to kids. About 2,400 cases of magnets being ingested were treated in hospital emergency departments from 2017 through 2021. Seven deaths occurred. When the magnets are swallowed, they can cause perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning, and death. Read more →