Current Events in April 2012

Up until recently, smoking was far and away the biggest issue health advocates attacked. Lately, however, the health problems related to obesity have shared the attention.

While both are serious threats, James P. Moriarty, MSc, and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic have determined that obesity now adds more to health care costs that smoking does. Fewer people are smoking but obesity rates are rising.

The researcher came to there conclusion after analyzing the incremental costs of smoking and obesity among more than 30,000 Mayo Clinic employees and retirees. All had continuous health insurance coverage between 2001 and 2007.

If you smoked or were obese, your health care costs were generally found to be higher. Compared to nonsmokers, average health costs were $1,275 higher for smokers.

The incremental costs associated with obesity were even higher: $1,850 more than for normal-weight individuals. For those with morbid obesity, the excess costs were up to $5,500 per year.

Hidden costs

The costs associated with obesity appeared lower at first, the researchers said, since they showed up in other health problems that, on the surface, didn't appear related to obesity, but were.

"This may lead to underestimation of the true incremental costs, since obesity is a risk factor for developing chronic conditions," Moriarty and colleagues write.

Smoking and obesity place a growing strain on an already stretched healthcare system. If you are an obese smoker, your drain on the health care system is even more severe.

In the workplace, employers have responded with wellness programs—such as quit-smoking and fitness programs—in an attempt to lower costs by reducing health risk factors. Since companies pick up a large portion of health insurance premiums, they have a strong incentive.

It was the generation told to “never trust anyone under 30.” Now, many of its members are over 60. How's that working out?

The answer is, for some better than others. Nick and Bobbi Ercoline, the couple depicted on the “Woodstock” soundtrack album cover, have now been happily married for over 40 years. However, a new special issue of The Gerontologist showing the Ercolines as they look today — a portrait of successful aging — finds that their unmarried baby boomer counterparts generally fare much poorer in terms of economic, health, and social outcomes.

In 2011, the first of the 79 million American baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, reached age 65. Among this population, approximately one in three people are unmarried; the vast majority are either divorced or never-married, while only 10 percent are widowed.

Researchers I-Fen Lin, PhD, and Susan L. Brown, PhD studied data from the 1980, 1990, and 2000 Census and the 2009 American Community Survey. What jumped out at them was this: the number of boomers that are unmarried has grown by more than 50 percent since 1980, and that these singles also face increasing difficulties.

Less money, poorer health

“Unmarried boomers are disproportionately women, younger, and non-white,” the authors write in their article. “They tend to have fewer economic resources and poorer health. The prevalence of disability is twice as high among unmarrieds as among marrieds.”

And despite this higher rate of disability, single boomers are less likely to have health insurance.

Among women, widows appear to be the most disadvantaged as they enjoy fewer economic resources and have poorer health than divorced and never-married women. In contrast, those who never married are the least advantaged among men. Despite having relatively high levels of education, never-married men have poorer economic circumstances and are most likely to live alone.

Overall, 19 percent of unmarried boomers said they received food stamps, public assistance, or supplemental security income, while only six percent of married boomers indicated they used these services.

Is it the future yet?  Maybe so. Two flying cars are revving their engines and heading for the runway.  Or driveway, as the case may be. Mark Huffman takes a look:

A vehicle called the Personal Air and Land Vehicle or PAL-V, from a Dutch company of the same name, is setting out to prove that what many have considered a futuristic dream for decades could soon become a reality. The PAL-V is a gyrocopter, a lean, agile two-seater that can speed down motorways, launch from airstrips, and actually fly. New developments this month could have a huge impact on transportation planning for the future, as industry experts release more information on how “flying cars” could work in various countries around the world.

With its advanced rotor and propeller design, the PAL-V is easier to control than a helicopter; it can reach speeds above 100 miles per hour and launch from a short runway. Landing is also easy, and the safety of the design means that stalling out will not cause the vehicle to crash. The PAL-V can be flown under 4,000 feet in the air, meaning that it will take less training to operate and won’t interfere with more complicated air traffic. The company's detailed web site shows much more of the unique vehicle’s design, and lists U.S. schools that are currently preparing flight enthusiasts and others to be the “flying car pilots” of the future.

Although the oddly timed release of new announcements on the feasibility of the PAL-V and other flying car designs may have some thinking that the whole thing is just an April Fool’s joke, the planning and research behind the PAL-V gyrocopter is very real. The PAL-V company has been around since 2001, but its products are just now getting some lift, with current realtime testing underway and the International Flying Car Association or IFCA preparing global audiences for what they are going to see from companies like PAL-V in the very near future.

According to a recent Washington Post review, the PAL-V will likely be available commercially to U.S. customers sometime next year, at a price ballparked around $300,000.

Not airborne yet

Though it looks like researchers have finally figured out the effective design of these personal flyers, there’s still a long way to go before American drivers will be taking to the skies to avoid traffic jams, or jetting comfortably between the home and office. Preparing the U.S. for flying cars also means writing effective insurance policies and expanding the set of municipal laws and ordinances governing transportation.

In addition to PAL-V, an American company called Terrafugia is also promoting their new flying car design, the Transition, that looks much more like a small plane, with wings and a larger body. Many consider the FAA approval of the vehicle as a "light sport aircraft" to be a major coup, and expect that it will eventually translate into a relatively easy process for getting one of these models off the ground from small, local airstrips across the country.

Even if we can’t currently take our commutes airbound, PAL-V and Terrafugia are showing us what the flying cars of the future (now the near future rather than a utopian fantasy) will look like, and from there, the rest is more or less red tape. Look for more on these high-tech hybrids as their makers continue to work through the elaborate processes of changing how the world views the automobile.

Reusable grocery totes are a popular, eco-friendly choice to transport groceries, but only 15 percent of Americans regularly wash their bags, creating a breeding zone for harmful bacteria, according to a survey by the Home Food Safety program, a collaboration between the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) and ConAgra Foods.

It's an issue that is likely to become more urgent as cities and towns encourage -- and, in some cases -- require shoppers to use reusable bags.  The Los Angeles City Council is considering a proposal today to charge supermarket customers 10 cents for each paper bag they take on their way out of the checkout line. City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana opposed banning paper bags altogether, although he said he doesn't mind banning plastic bags, as another pending proposal would require. Similar debats are going on around the country.

"Cross-contamination occurs when juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects come in contact with cooked or ready-to-eat foods like breads or produce," says registered dietitian and Academy spokesperson Ruth Frechman. "Unwashed grocery bags are lingering with bacteria which can easily contaminate your foods."

Each year, 48 million Americans are affected by food poisoning caused by foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli.

"Food poisoning can easily be prevented with practical steps, such as cleaning grocery totes and separating raw meats from ready-to-eat foods when shopping, cooking, serving and storing foods," Frechman says.

According to Frechman, bacteria can be eliminated by:

• Frequently washing your grocery tote, either in the washing machine or by hand with hot, soapy water;
• Cleaning all areas where you place your totes, such as the kitchen counter;
• Storing totes in a clean, dry location; and
• Avoiding leaving empty totes in the trunk of a vehicle.

"When grocery shopping, wrap meat, poultry and fish in plastic bags before placing in the tote, and use two different easy to identify totes; one for raw meats and one for ready-to-eat foods," Frechman says.

It's also important to separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods when preparing food, she says. To stay safe in the kitchen, use two cutting boards: one strictly to cut raw meat, poultry and seafood; the other for ready-to-eat foods, like breads and vegetables.

"Don't confuse them, and always wash boards thoroughly in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher after each use," she says. "Discard old cutting boards that have cracks, crevices and excessive knife scars."

Visit www.homefoodsafety.org for additional safety tips on how to avoid cross-contamination and food poisoning.

Conventional wisdom holds that most consumers are drowning in credit card debt. But according to a nonprofit credit counseling agency, conventional wisdom is wrong.

In fact, according to the Federal Reserve, more than a quarter of Americans have no credit cards at all. Among consumers who do have credit cards, only half carry a balance. That leaves 63 percent of the population free of credit card debt.

"If you feel compelled to overspend on credit cards because your friends are doing it, you should get new friends," said Karen Carlson, Director of Education and Creative Programs at InCharge Debt Solutions. "Headlines that tout average credit card debts of $10,000-$20,000 are really talking about average debt levels for people who carry debt, not the general population."

While this might seem like good news, think of it another way. All that credit card debt – about $780 billion at last count – is weighting down a much smaller group of people. That means the consumers who do have credit card debt usually have a crushing amount of it.

"If you carry credit card debt, you put yourself at much higher risk for bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce and other negative situations, including the inability to retire in later years," Carlson said.

Toxic debt

Credit card debt is among the most toxic of debt. It was probably spent on consumables like restaurant meals and vacations, rather than assets. Worst of all, it carries interest rates as high as 30 percent.

InCharge Debt Solutions says the 60 percent who have no credit card balances should serve as role models. What do they do that others don't?

According to Carlson, they probably have a budget that they stick to, do without things they can't afford, only used credit cards for things they can pay for when the bill arrives and have a vision of where they want to go financially.

If you are among the 37 percent drowning in credit card debt, avoid the easy fixes offered by debt settlement companies. If you seek the advice of a credit counselor, make sure its one associated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, which has been around for more than a half-century.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed charges and requested that a U.S. district court put a stop to the allegedly deceptive tactics of two California-based auto loan modification operations. The FTC asserted that the two separate operations charged hundreds of dollars in up-front fees, based on bogus promises that they could reduce consumers’ monthly car loan payments and help avoid repossession of their vehicles.

Consumers were instructed to pay fees to the companies, and to stop paying their auto lenders.  Subsequently, at least one consumer’s car was repossessed, and one set of defendants told other consumers to “hide [their] car[s] to avoid repossession.” 

Moving on from mortgages

These are the FTC’s first cases against companies offering auto loan modifications. They come at a time when the volume of auto repossessions remains high.  Recognizing that a car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers make, the FTC has been highly involved in auto-related consumer issues.

The FTC charged that Hope for Car Owners, LLC, NAFSO VLM, Inc. and Kore Services LLC (doing business as Auto Debt Consulting), and several individual defendants deceived consumers with false promises, and then did not provide promised refunds when they failed to obtain car loan modifications. The FTC has asked the court to order the defendants to stop the allegedly illegal conduct while the FTC moves forward with the cases.

The FTC alleged that the Hope for Car Owners defendants typically promised to reduce consumers’ monthly auto loan payments by 30 to 50 percent, for fees ranging from $200 to $500.  One supposed consumer testimonial represented:  “I was 4 months late and on the verge of losing my car to the repo man. Hope 4 Car Owners stepped in and not only stopped the repossession, but they negotiated to reduce my payments from $1200 a month to $548!!”

The FTC alleged that the Auto Debt Consulting defendants typically promised to reduce consumers’ monthly auto loan payments by 25 to 40 percent, for fees ranging from $350 to $799. According to one of the defendants’ websites, “If you have engaged the services of Auto Debt Consulting for negotiating with your lender or bank on your behalf, and if for any reason you are dissatisfied with our services or we are unsuccessful in the negotiation process we will provide a 100 percent money back guarantee.” 

Big promises

According to the FTC’s complaints, both groups of defendants marketed their services on company websites, with statements like:  “Join the thousands who have already SAVED! (Hope for Car Owners) and “Lower your monthly vehicle payments by as much as 40% regardless of your credit score!” (Auto Debt Consulting).

The FTC alleged that the defendants provided toll-free numbers for consumers to call so that telemarketers could sign them up.  Many consumers were told to stop making payments on their auto loans, which increased the risk that their vehicles would be repossessed. But the FTC asserts that once the up-front fees were collected, neither operation did anything to obtain the promised loan modifications, consumers who tried to get refunds were denied, and one consumer’s vehicle was repossessed by the finance company.

Hope for Car Owners allegedly took $400 from one consumer and told her not to make any more payments on her vehicle.  The consumer did not send her next payment to her auto lender, and the lender soon informed her that her vehicle was going to be repossessed.

The FTC has a new publication for consumers who are looking for help managing their auto loans.  For more information, see:  Ads for Auto Loan Modifications: You May Be Able to Drive a Better Deal with Your Lender.

The April 17 federal income tax filing deadline is closing in. If you haven't filed your return by now, you may feel you are under increasing pressure to do so.

Just don't let that pressure force you into making common last-minute filing mistakes.

"Each year, there are many who wait until the final days to file their taxes," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. "With the last minute rush, it is important to carefully check your tax return prior to filing because even the simplest of mistakes can cause delays in the issuance of a refund."

Common last-minute mistakes

According to Steber here are the top five most common mistakes made when filing a return:

1. Incorrect Filing Status – Choosing a filing status is usually one of the first steps when preparing a tax return, but it can also be a confusing decision that leads many to choose an incorrect status. The wrong filing status can significantly impact the amount of a tax refund or tax liability.
   
2. Providing Incorrect Information – Another common mistake is when taxpayers misspell a name or incorrectly record their Social Security numbers. It is vital to clearly record the correct name, Social Security number and address (including zip code) directly on the return. Names and Social Security numbers for a spouse, dependents and qualifying children should be documented exactly as they appear on their respective Social Security cards. For those who changed their name due to getting married or divorced, or for any other reason, make sure the name used on the return is your legal name.
   
3. Mathematical Errors – Another error on tax returns is bad math, which remains common on paper returns. Making mathematical miscalculations can greatly impact your tax return by reducing your expected refund or positioning you to owe more money than you actually do;
   
4. Claiming Ineligible Exemptions – With so many complex rules, taxpayers often claim exemptions for which they are not eligible. Some examples include claiming a grown child who no longer qualifies as a dependent or claiming an exemption for a live-in significant other.
   
5. Forgetting to Claim Items – In the rush to file, forgetting to claim certain items is a mistake that is made all too often. For example, certain charitable contributions, medical expenses and IRA contributions can all be claimed on a return, if you have the proper documentation.

 Getting an extension

If you don't think you can get your return prepared in time, you may file for an extension, using Form 4868, and get an additional six months to submit your return. However, you needed to pay any additional tax that you owe by the April 17 deadline.

If you file your Form 4868 electronically, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says you will receive an acknowledgement or confirmation number for your records and you do not need to mail in Form 4868. If you need to pay additional taxes when filing Form 4868 electronically, you may do so through the outside service provider or through e-file. You can refer to your tax software or tax professional for ways to file electronically using e-file services.
Several companies offer free filing of Form 4868 through the Free File program that you can access on the IRS.gov website. If you wish to file electronically, be sure to have a copy of last year's tax return. You will be asked to provide the Adjusted Gross Income from the return for taxpayer verification.

A second way of requesting an automatic extension of time to file your individual income tax return is to pay part or all of your estimate of income tax due by credit card or debit card. You may pay by phone or Internet through one of the service providers listed on Form 4868. Each service provider will charge a convenience fee based on the amount of the tax payment. At the completion of the transaction, you will receive a confirmation number for your records.

A U.S. Geological Survey research team has linked oil and natural gas drilling operations to a series of recent earthquakes from Alabama to the Northern Rockies. The researchers say the spike in earthquakes since 2001 near oil and gas extraction operations is “almost certainly man-made.” The research team cites underground injection of drilling wastewater as a possible cause.

The authors of a study published by the Seismological Society of America found that the frequency of earthquakes started rising in 2001 across a broad swath of the country between Alabama and Montana. In 2009, there were 50 earthquakes greater than magnitude-3.0, the abstract states, then 87 quakes in 2010. The 134 earthquakes in the zone last year is a sixfold increase over 20th-century levels.

The USGS authors said they do not know why oil and gas activity might cause an increase in earthquakes but a possible explanation is the increase in the number of wells drilled over the past decade and the increase in fluid used in the hydraulic fracturing of each well. The combination of factors is likely creating far larger amounts of wastewater that companies often inject into underground disposal wells. Scientists have linked these disposal wells to earthquakes since as early as the 1960s. The injections can induce seismicity by changing pressure and adding lubrication along faults.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that between 1991 and 2000, oil and gas companies drilled 245,000 wells in the U.S. compared to 405,000 wells between 2001 and 2010 – a 65 percent increase. As an example of how much more fracking fluid is used, New York state’s review of oil and natural gas drilling regulations in 1988 assumed that companies would use between 20,000 and 80,000 gallons of fluid for hydraulic fracturing per well. The state’s 2011 review of regulations for natural gas drilling in shale formations assumed that companies would use 2.4 million to 7.8 million gallons of fluid per well – a 100-fold increase.

The USGS report is likely to be of particular interest in California where earthquakes are a part of life largely as a result of the 810-mile long San Andreas Fault. An Environmental Working Group (EWG) investigation recently discovered that companies are engaged in hydraulic fracturing, mostly for oil, in a number of counties throughout California, including several directly above the fault line. It is unclear how the companies are disposing of their wastewater.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use “France T253,” a product for sexual enhancement.  This product is promoted and sold on various Web sites, such as ebay.com.

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that “France T253” contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, an FDA approved prescription drug for Erectile Dysfunction (ED).  Sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.  Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates.

Consumers should stop using these products immediately and throw them away.  Consumers who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible. 

For years, Burger King has been playing catch-up to McDonald's in the burger battles. Then last month Burger King found itself slipping to third place, behind Wendy's.

Consumer sentiment about the chain has see-sawed over the past year. A ConsumerAffairs sentiment analysis of about 1.1 million consumer comments on social media finds Burger King's net positive sentiment slipping to just 39% today, down from its peak of 65% last May.

The company has announced changes it hopes will make it more competitive. While McDonald's in recent years has moved toward a McCafe branding and emphasized healthier fare, Burger King now appears to be following in that direction.

As for just what's troubling Burger King customers, well, it's a little hard to say. While the fries are popular, the biggest complaint seems to center around "no real wonder."  Frankly, we're not sure what that's all about but maybe you know.

New menu

The fast-food chain plans to offer snack wraps, salads, smoothies made from real fruit and frappes. It's taking on a distinctive international flavor as well, featuring jalapeno and kung pao sauces on various chicken meals.

Will it be enough to turn the tide? Consumers offering reviews on the chain at ConsumerAffairs usually have other gripes. For example, Brian of Rimersburg, Pa., complains that, even though Burger King promises you can “have it your way,” you don't always get it the way you ask for it.

“I asked for a Double Whopper with cheese, no tomato, no pickle,” Brian wrote in a post. “I got my sandwich, and guess what was on my sandwich? Tomato and pickle only! This was not the only time this has happened at this particular Burger King.”

Sandra, of Greenwood, La., has been a Burger King fan, but has recently grown frustrated.

“Burger King has always been my favorite burger restaurant but due to the extremely long wait time, I will not be going back,” Sandra wrote in a post at ConsumerAffairs. “I kept going back thinking something would change but it has not. As I sat in line, I saw three cars behind me pull out and leave. A car in front of me left after placing order. BK must be losing money at this store.”

Not so fast

Tom, of Tampa, Fla., also complains that Burger King seems to be taking the “fast” out of fast-food.

“I ordered my food at 12:23 and was served at 12:40,” Tom said. “Although my meal was good, I really didn't want to wait that long at a fast food establishment. For the amount of employees I witness and it was lunch time, I expected faster service.”

Burger King's changes, meanwhile, include remodeled stores, new employee uniforms and a new ad campaign, along with the new menu items. All good, but Brian, Sandra and Tom probably hope someone looks at the system that produces the product.

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Sentiment analysis by NetBase

Consumers sound off frequently about offshore call centers, usually complaining the overseas customer service reps are hard to understand and, often, not familiar with American customs and business practices.

Actually, it's not just Americans who complain. Donna of Scarborough, Ontario, called TransUnion to complain about a serious case of identity fraud on her account.

"When I asked to speak to a manager to complain, that's when I was told that I was reaching a call center in India and that they don't have the same privacy rules as Canada and therefore they really don't care who reports on your file," Donna said. "I knew something was wrong when he asked me where I was from and I said Toronto, then he asked me if that is considered Ontario. Wow! What a great country we have here."

Donna's case is hardly unique. Several major investigations have unearthed fraudulent and criminal activity emanating from overseas call centers.

The trend has not gone unnoticed in Congress, where Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) of Long Island said yesterday that more than 100 cosponsors have signed onto his legislation to bar American companies that outsource call centers from receiving federal grants and loans.  

Bishop's bill, the U.S. Call Center and Consumer Protection Act (HR 3596), has gained 106 co-sponsors including Congressman Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island). The legislation continues to gain momentum in the House as identity theft and sale of customers' personal information by call center employees in India and the Philippines have been exposed in new reports by the British and Australian media.

Australian TV Newsmagazine Today Tonight reports that an employee at a call center operated in the Philippines for Australian phone company Telstra offered to reduce a customers' $557 (AUS) mobile phone bill to $99 (AUS) in exchange for a $60 (AUS) bribe.

“After I sort of had a chuckle at it, I realized it was like this is quite serious ‘cause this woman has access to my credit card account details in Telstra and all my personal details,” said Telstra customer Sam McNeil in the report, which has received over 100,000 views on YouTube. 

Sting operation

The Times of London set up a sting operation to snare one of the criminals who make up what it called an "army of data traders selling swathes of personal information - ranging from credit card details and medical records to loans data and satellite TV information - that has been stolen from India’s enormous network of call centres," 

“These recent reports of theft and misuse of sensitive information from British and Australian customers of Asian call centers are deeply disturbing, and it is impossible to believe that the financial and medical information of Americans has not been similarly compromised,” said Bishop. “It is clear that overseas call centers simply cannot provide the same level of security for sensitive personal data as facilities in the US, and Americans should be guaranteed the option of a domestic call center to conduct their business. Taxpayer dollars should not be supporting companies that choose protecting their bottom line over protecting their customers.”

“American companies should be taking all measures necessary to protect the identities and personal information of their customers, and these incidents strengthen the case to keep call centers in the United States,” said Rep. Michael Grimm, a former FBI agent. “Furthermore, it is important that we do all we can to preserve American jobs and prevent them from moving overseas. This bill ensures that companies receiving taxpayer-funded federal aid or tax incentives don’t use those incentives to move their call centers abroad. I stand behind this legislation that not only protects American jobs but ensures that the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn are protected by American laws that safeguard their personal information and protect them from identity theft.”

Ineligible for loans

The U.S. Call Center and Consumer Protection Act would require the U.S. Department of Labor to track firms that move call center jobs overseas; the firms would then be ineligible for any direct or indirect federal loans or loan guarantees for five years. The provision is partially a response to the practice of companies taking millions in incentives from local taxpayers to open call centers in the U.S., only to off-shore their operations a short time later and leave local communities devastated and still paying the bill.

Bishop's bill also requires overseas call center employees to disclose their location to US consumers and gives customers the right to be transferred to a US-based call center upon request.

The Communications Workers of America, who represent 150,000 call center employees across the United States, have been strong supporters of the U.S. Call Center and Consumer Protection Act.

“Americans are fed up with good-paying, family-supporting call center jobs here in the United States being shipped overseas,” said CWA Chief of Staff Ron Collins, who began his career in a U.S.-based Verizon call center. “Now, to hear that personal information is being stolen at overseas call centers just days after T-Mobile USA announces it will be closing seven call centers in the USA -- affecting 3,300 American workers - just makes your blood boil.”

A new concept car from Mazda, just unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, is blending brand cachet and curb appeal with a series of new technologies that have been under development for quite awhile. For a car company that loves articulating its mission statement in bold and expressive ways, the Takeri expresses Mazda’s hope for the future in a different way, with a lot of the new technology and engineering that’s likely to drive Mazda’s lineup through the next few model years.

A press release on the new Mazda Takeri model, which Mazda has revealed as part of its KODO “Soul of Motion” campaign, describes the build and shape of the car almost poetically, alluding to “pronounced body lines which …create katana-like strokes, evoking a tempered intensity,” as well as a “sharp five-point grille and lean, chiseled front fascia,” but along with the deliberate visual setting that the Takeri provides structurally, there are a lot more reasons for buyers to look closer at this model.

What powers the Takeri is a Mazda SKYACTIV engine design that has been part of the automaker’s strategy to provide cars with higher mpg for a new market focused increasingly on saving drivers money at the pump.

The SKYACTIV engine design seeks to rival hybrid and other emerging technologies through specific changes to the fuel combustion process – the Takeri will be powered by a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine that uses a two-stage turbocharger and optimized timing, giving the engine a low compression ratio and allowing Mazda diesel vehicles to burn cleaner, avoiding NOx aftertreaments. As promised last year, Mazda has already put a SKYACTIV engine into this year’s Mazda 3, so it’s possible to test drive one of these new engines at local dealers.

Stop-start

The SKYACTIV diesel power isn’t the only innovation that Mazda is putting into the Mazda Takeri concept car. There’s also a stop-start system and other features meant to make the most of the engine’s power to conserve fuel, as well as the i-ELOOP, which Mazda calls “the world's first capacitor-based regenerative braking system.”

While this sounds like something futuristic, (remember the “flux capacitor” on Doc’s DeLorean?) a more detailed description doesn’t disappoint: as revealed by Mazda engineers, the capacitor is what allows the car to do without an actual electric motor. By storing electricity elsewhere, the car achieves a kind of hybrid power, without really being a conventional “hybrid.” There’s no battery involved, either, just a reuse of engine power through a low-resistance electric double-layer capacitor attached to a DC converter.

The new Mazda Takeri represents part of the cutting-edge engineering coming from Mazda’s four design studios. From Hiroshima and Yokohama in Japan, to Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California, Mazda researchers and design teams continue to build vehicles “inspired by nature” that will compete handily with other offerings from “big 5” makers Toyota, Honda and Nissan, as well as re-emerging giants like Ford and General Motors.

Look for the best local offers on new Mazda models to cash in on some of the finer points of the company’s unique “zoom-zoom” design philosophy.

For taxpayers receiving refunds, it's often viewed as a windfall, even though it's their own money the government has been holding for months, interest-free.

Even so, the arrival of a refund was often the occasion of a shopping spree, a new vehicle or maybe a vacation. Not so much, these days.

A new poll from Cricket Communications shows that 50 percent of people expecting a tax refund say they plan to spend the money on bills or other household expenses.

Smarter this year

The survey also noted that more than three-quarters of Americans receiving their refund say they will be "smarter" about how they spend it, with more than half - 55 percent - pledging they are more likely to use refund dollars on practical "needs" instead of "wants."

A number of taxpayers posting at ConsumerAffairs early this year expressed frustration when they didn't receive their tax refunds as quickly as they expected. Many blamed their tax preparer.

“We asked our agent if our taxes would be late, and she said that no everything was fine now with IRS,” James of Sidney, Ohio, wrote in a ConsumerAffairs post. “We still have not received our refund. Why do we have to pay H&R for filing our taxes electronically if we did not get them in a timely manner?”

In most cases, however, tax preparers were not to blame. The Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) enhanced anti-fraud efforts resulted in slowdowns for some refunds to be processed.

Meanwhile, if you find that you need your tax refund in order to meet everyday expenses, it may be a sign that you need to revisit your budget.

Best uses

According to the personal finance company Kiplinger, the five best uses of a tax refund are:

1. Pay off high-interest credit cards
2. Rebuild your emergency fund
3. Add to retirement savings
4. Build savings for college
5. Help your children save for the future

Filed your tax return yet? The deadline is closing in and millions of taxpayers may be cringing over income tax bills they simply can't afford to pay.

Stiffing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is never a good idea, but what if you have no money to pay the taxes you owe? Are there any options?

"If you can't pay what you owe all at once, you should still file your tax return and make payment arrangements with the IRS," said Mark Luscombe, and analyst with CCH, a provider of tax, accounting and audit services. "If you don't file because you can't pay, you're immediately facing a failure-to-file penalty as well as interest, additional costs and potentially a tax lien or levy down the road."

Kinder, gentler IRS

Believe it or not, it's a little easier to deal with the IRS on payment issues than it used to be. Last year, the tax agency issued new rules to help soften the blow for taxpayers who can't afford to pay their taxes when owed, including increasing the threshold at which the IRS files a tax lien, as well as expanding the installment and offers in compromise programs to allow more taxpayers to qualify.

But to take advantage of these changes, taxpayers need to act in a timely, forthright manner. There are procedures and specific steps you must take to take advantage of these options.

Fresh Start 

The IRS has a program called the “Fresh Start” initiative. To take part, you must fill out a new Form 1127A to request the 2011 penalty relief if they are in one of these two categories:

Wage earners who have been unemployed at least 30 consecutive days during 2011 or in 2012 up to this year's April 17tax deadline; or

Self-employed individuals who experienced a 25-percent or greater reduction in business income in 2011 due to the economy.

How to qualify

To qualify for this penalty relief, the taxpayer's adjusted gross income must not exceed $200,000 if married filing jointly or $100,000 if filing status is single, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widower.

However, a taxpayer's 2011 balance due can not exceed $50,000. The penalty relief only extends to October 15, 2012, and interest continues to accrue during that period.

Penalties 

You cannot simply ignore the April 17 filing deadline. If a taxpayer does not file a return and pay the taxes owed when due, the IRS can take several steps, including filing a five percent penalty on the tax due for every month or any fraction of a month the return is overdue. The penalty is capped at 25 percent.

The IRS can also file a substitute tax return for the taxpayer based on information it has from other sources. I may start a collection process that can include a tax levy or tax lien against the taxpayer's property, bank account or wages. Tax liens can impact credit ratings and make it difficult to buy and sell property and even get a job.

All of this can be avoided by alerting the IRS to your problem and seeking to work with the agency.

The Federal Reserve Board today announced it has reached a consent order against Morgan Stanley to address a pattern of misconduct and negligence in residential mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processing at its subsidiary, Saxon Mortgage Services, Inc.

Morgan Stanley also faces financial penalties that have not yet been finalized.

In 2010, Morgan Stanley agreed to pay $102 million to affected Massachusetts homeowners and the Commonwealth for its role in securitization and financing of Massachusetts subprime loans.

Sold Saxon

Morgan Stanley sold a substantial portion of the assets of Saxon to Ocwen Financial Corporation on April 2, 2012, and has taken other actions to cease to conduct residential mortgage servicing. Prior to the completion of these actions, Saxon was the 34th largest mortgage servicer in the United States.

The consent order requires Morgan Stanley to retain an independent consultant to review foreclosure proceedings initiated by Saxon that were pending at any time in 2009 or 2010.

The review is intended to provide remediation to borrowers who suffered financial injury as a result of wrongful foreclosures or other deficiencies identified in a review of the foreclosure process. The foreclosure review will be conducted in a manner consistent with the reviews currently underway at several large mortgage servicers that consented to enforcement actions brought by the banking agencies last year.

If Morgan Stanley re-enters the mortgage servicing business while the Consent Order is in effect, it will be required to implement enhanced corporate governance, risk-management, compliance, borrower communication, servicing, and foreclosure practices comparable to what the mortgage servicers subject to the 2011 enforcement actions were required to implement.

As noted in the announcements relating to the 2011 enforcement actions, the Federal Reserve said it believes monetary sanctions are appropriate and plans to announce monetary penalties in these cases.

The monetary penalties against Morgan Stanley will be in addition to the corrective actions that Morgan Stanley will be taking pursuant to today's action. Morgan Stanley has acknowledged that it will be responsible for satisfying any civil money penalty that the Board of Governors could have assessed against Saxon for its conduct.     

Al Baghdadi Food Inc., a Hazel Park, Mich. establishment is recalling approximately 5,400 pounds of a stuffed potato product with beef filling because of misbranding and undeclared allergens. The product contains soy and milk, which are known allergens not declared on the label. 

The product subject to recall is: 

• Packages containing 12 pieces and labeled Al Baghdadi Food "Fully Cooked Potato Chop Middle Eastern Brand Mashed Potato Stuffed with Beef Filling Artificially Colored."

The product bears the establishment number "EST. 44182" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product label. The products were produced between Aug. 16, 2011 and April 2, 2012 and were sold to retail stores, institutions and wholesale establishments in Arizona, Illinois and Michigan.

The problem occurred when an ingredient supplier reformulated their product and the change was not reflected on the finished product label. The problem was discovered during a routine verification activity by FSIS. FSIS and the company have not received any reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider. 

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and steps are taken to ensure the product is no longer available to consumers. 

A chemical called (S)-N’-nitrosonornicotine, or (S)-NNN, is present in smokeless tobacco products. Researchers say it is a strong oral carcinogen.

Although smokeless tobacco products have long been linked with certain cancers, including oral cavity cancers and esophageal cancers, researchers haven't been sure why. Now, they say they have a very good idea.

A chemical called (S)-N’-nitrosonornicotine, or (S)-NNN, is present in smokeless tobacco products. Researchers say it is a strong oral carcinogen.

“(S)-NNN is the only chemical in smokeless tobacco known to cause oral cancer,” said Silvia Balbo, Ph.D., research associate at the Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn. “This finding provides mechanistic underpinning for the epidemiologic observations that smokeless tobacco products cause oral cancer.”

Lab rats

Balbo and colleagues reached their conclusion after a study using laboratory rats. They say the results overwhelming suggest the linkage between the chemical and oral cancers.

“Measures should be taken to reduce this chemical in smokeless tobacco,” Balbo said. “If it is not possible to stop the use of smokeless tobacco products, we should advocate for a reduction of this chemical in these products.”

Because the Food and Drug Administration regulates tobacco products, Balbo said she hoped these results will inform regulatory decisions. In the future, she and her colleagues hope to identify other chemicals that may be carcinogens in smokeless tobacco and to understand what level of these chemicals is present in smokeless tobacco products.

And it goes without saying, Balbo believes these findings are yet another reason that tobacco products should be avoided.

The financial media is focusing new attention on the changes at retailer J.C. Penney, pointing out that consumers appear to be resisting them.

Business Week reports J.C. Penney has taken a big hit in revenue, a result it says of the company's new pricing policy.

In an article headlined “Most Customers Don't Have A Clue About J.C. Penney's New Pricing Plan,” Forbes cites a survey showing 67 percent of shoppers said they did not know about changes to Penney's pricing policies.

Many of the consumers who do know about it don't seem all that impressed. Jeannette, of Enfield, N.C., doesn't mince words.

Hates it

“I hate the new pricing that J.C. Penney recently implemented,” Jeannette wrote in a post at ConsumerAffairs. “All of my coworkers, family and friends feel the same way. I hope the CEO or whoever that made these changes will change things back to the way they were or at least improve the pricing! I predict that many stores especially in my small community area will be closing if something does not change. Listen to your customers!”

New J.C. Penney CEO Rob Johnson instituted the changes in February, doing away with sales and coupons and going to what he called a three-tiered pricing system. Wanda, of Panama City, Fla., said she used to be a regular Penney's shopper until the changes went into effect in February. But over the over the weekend, she says she and her husband decided to see what had changed at their local store.

Prices are higher

“This was the first time my husband had been in the store since the change,” Wanda wrote. “He has always liked to shop for his clothes here and he also was in shock. We purchased three polos for him which costs us $60 plus. In the old days those same shirts would have cost us at least $20 less with our 'coupon' savings and 'rewards' we would received by doing the survey on the back of our receipt. St Johns Bay polos use to be around $10-$15 when on sale....now a SJB polos regular everyday price is $20. How is that fair and square?”

Candy, of Morgantown, WVa., says she also hates the new pricing, and is additionally upset that Penney's has discontinued its catalog.

“I believe the changes have made it clear that J.C. Penney no longer wants any money from senior citizens,” Candy wrote. “Senior citizens needed the catalogs and were good customers. Senior citizens needed the coupon sales to save due to fixed incomes.”

The arrival of Johnson at Penney's from his former position at Apple was cause for widespread optimism about Penney's on Wall Street. But now it appears that some of that optimism is fading. Forbes cites a report from a Citi analyst predicting J.C. Penney's sales will fall by $1.2 billion in 2012. Bloomberg reports Johnson, meanwhile, earned $53 million in compensation from Penney's last year.

While consumers like Jeannette, Wanda and Candy don't feel they are benefiting from Penney's make-over, Forbes sees some possible winners – Walmart, Target and Khol's.

The number of children's products recalled last year dropped 24% from the previous year. That's good, right? Well, maybe but then again, maybe not.

Unfortunately, despite a much-hyped Congressional overhaul of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), much of what the agency does still goes on behind closed doors, thanks to sustained lobbying by manufacturers eager to avoid the damaging publicity and other costs associated with recalls.

An annual report by the non-profit group Kids In Danger finds that nursery products were once again the most-recalled category, making up 30% of total 2011 recalls, followed by toys at 26%.

The largest recalls were for 1.7 million infant monitors that can cause strangulation -- and which were blamed for two deaths in 2011. The other of the year's three deaths occurred when a child became entrapped in a bunk bed. 

Sleeping is, in fact, dangerous for infants and toddlers.  There were 14 recalls of cribs, bassinets, bunk beds, canopy beds and other sleeping products.

The second-largest recall was for 1.7 million toy workbenches and tools that caused some near-misses when toddlers got the pieces stuck in their throats. Little girl's Keds shoes with decorative stars caused 27 lacerations before they were recalled.  

Target had the dubious honor of having the most recalls, six of them. Next up were Battat and Build-a-Bear, with three each.

So, to return to the opening question: If the number of recalls is down, doesn't that mean manufacturers are starting to test their products more thoroughly and putting out safer toys, furniture, tools and appliances?

Unfortunately not. As Kids in Danger put it: "With the secrecy surrounding the process, that is difficult to ascertain."

The group noted that many products that have not been recalled have nevertheless been reported in the CPSC's own database as causing serious injuries.

In other cases, it took hundreds of reports before anything was done. The Adventure Playset Swingset was the subject of 500 consumer repports before it was recalled.