Consumers

Use these tips to avoid scam investments because anyone, including Travis Kelce, can get scammed

Rita R. Robison / September 17, 2026

A man who ran a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors in Missouri and elsewhere out of millions of dollars was

Let the FTC know that you don’t like surveillance pricing

Rita R. Robison / September 16, 2026

The Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment period on the proposed enforcement policy statement on personalized pricing. The

man holding past due billing statement

How to reduce your utility bills

Rita R. Robison / September 15, 2026

The cost of everything is going up these days. In addition to testifying locally about increases in electricity, gas, water,

woman standing at end of aisle in supermarket

Californians will get a ‘non-ultra-processed’ food label, if bill is signed by Gov. Newsom

Rita R. Robison / September 14, 2026

Residence of California will get help selecting more healthy food in the supermarket if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill

sleek sports cars parked outside modern building

What to do to avoid overspending on your car or cars

Rita R. Robison / September 13, 2026

American auto loan debt is more than $1.7 trillion. U.S. auto sales had a good year in 2025, rising nearly

Start earlier to buy an airline ticket because you’ll need to compare the cost of classes within the plane, too

Rita R. Robison / September 12, 2026

Recently, I bought a ticket for a trip to Spain to visit my daughter and her family. Although I’ve been

sweet potatoes in a crate

How to enjoy sweet potatoes

Rita R. Robison / September 11, 2026

Ever buy a bag of sweet potatoes? I have. I’m currently working on one right now. I like to rotate

1.5 million rechargeable hand warmers recalled after fires, burns, and one death

Rita R. Robison / September 11, 2026

OCOOPA rechargeable lithium-ion battery hand warmers are being recalled because they can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious

Stay tuned for how to get a refund from Amazon’s $309.5 million settlement with customers who claimed the company shortchanged them on refunds for returned items

Rita R. Robison / September 10, 2026

Amazon.com agreed early this year to a $309.5 million class action settlement with a group of consumers to resolve claims

This week's top 10 money tips

1. Start earlier to buy an airline ticket because you need to compare the cost of classes within the plane, too.

2. Check out these tips on what to do to avoid over-spending on your cars or cars.

3. Let the FTC know you don’t like surveillance pricing. Prices for products and services need to change based upon supply and demand, not people’s web surfing habits or buying history.

4. Take a look at these seven household expenses, in addition to gasoline, that may rise when oil stays above $100 a barrel including groceries, package and food deliveries, airfares, heating and electricity, household products and clothing, and home repairs and construction.

5. Check out these tips on how to reduce your utility bills in addition to commenting on proposed increases for electricity, gas, water, sewer, and garbage.

6. Expect yields for savings accounts, money market funds, and Treasury bills to be slightly lower due to the recent .25 percent interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

7. Build a financial plan by starting with your goals, not someone else’s; be selective about who you listen to; remember that financial planning is about more than investing; and learn the difference between news and noise.

8. Think about September, rather than January, as a better time to set and work toward your big money goals. As the seasons shift, vacations are over and the kids have gone back to school, and you’ve lived enough of the year to know what’s working and what isn’t.

9. Be aware that 63 percent of U.S. consumers have stopped shopping with a retailer or abandoned a purchase because of its return policy, a survey shows.

10. Be aware scammers are using AI to mine information from obituaries to fool family members. Stop and consider if you need to include things such as full names, specific hometowns, employers, schools, and other identifying details.

Sign up for my newsletter and you'll get 10 tips like this every week, for no charge. And, tell your friends and co-workers about it so they can make savvy money choices, too. Here’s the sign up: https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork. And, for a big bonus, you’ll also get my free e-book on how to optimize their personal finance decisions.

September 17, 2026