Over the years, I’ve written many times about kids getting their hands blown off from fireworks. It’s already happened in my state this year. A 14-year-old lost his left hand and injured his other hand while reportedly playing with fireworks in Federal Way, Washington. A firework had blown up in the teen’s hand. Read more →
On the 4th of July, Americans typically celebrate the anniversary of their independence with parades, fireworks displays, family gatherings, beach trips, and more. Celebrations during the past two years have been dampened due to the covid-19 pandemic. However, this year the country has few restrictions so celebrations are picking up. Read more →
In states that allow high-cost loans, excessive interest rates can trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. Caps on interest rates and loan fees are the main way states can protect consumers from predatory lending. Forty-five states cap interest rates and loan fees for some consumer installment loans, depending on the loan size. Read more →
For some reason, the former owners of my home planted 40 rhododendrons and 12 azaleas before they sold the house. I don’t know why. What I do know is that, once I noticed I had so many rhododendrons, I had to learn how to take care of them. Read more →
Only a small number of funeral homes allow consumers to look at their price lists on their websites so they can compare prices. Just 191 of 1,046 funeral homes or 18 percent in a survey posted their prices online, according to a report by the Funeral Consumers Alliance and Consumer Federation of America. Read more →
July is one of the better months for sales. The 4th of July is a big shopping holiday so compare prices and see what bargains you can find. Also, be on the lookout the next few weeks because the back to school sales are coming up. Here are suggestions from DealNews.com on what to look for at the July sales: Read more →
The weather’s been so cold here in the Seattle area that I haven’t gotten out in my yard for as much spring yard work as I would have liked. My garden is growing well and so far I’ve enjoyed lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and one strawberry. Read more →
Although the idea of Father’s Day was conceived in 1909 by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington, to honor her father, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm, it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Read more →
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking at how consumers can get better customer service from big banks. Consumers have the right under federal law to get timely responses when they ask for information about their accounts at large institutions. Read more →
The CPSC is warning consumers not to use infant rockers for sleep due to suffocation risk, after 14 deaths were reported in Fisher-Price and Kids2 infant rockers. At least 13 infants died between 2009 and 2021 in Fisher-Price rockers and at least one infant died in a Kids2 rocker in 2009. Read more →