Current Events in November 2012

Pinnacle Foods Group of Fort Madison, IA, is recalling approximately 90,975 pounds of bourbon barbecue sausage products because they may have been underprocessed.

The products subject to recall include:

• 5-oz. cans of “Armour Vienna Sausage Bourbon BBQ Flavored” (24 per case).

Each can bears the establishment number "P-4247" inside the USDA mark of inspection, a UPC Code of “54100 93824” and a Use By date of Sept. 7, 2015. The products subject to recall were produced on Sept. 7, 2012, and sold to retail establishments nationwide.

The problem was discovered by the company, which believes the problem occurred as a result of processing time miscalculations that caused the product to be undercooked during the production process. There have been no reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the company at 1 (888) 299-7646 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

Pramac America of Kearney, NE, is recalling about 7,700 Powermate Sx 5500 portable generators.

The fuel filter on the generator allows gasoline to leak, posing a fire hazard. The company has received 51 reports of fuel filter leakage. No fires or injuries have been reported.

The recalled portable generators have "Powermate 5500" printed on the side of the black generator with wheels. These generators were sold under the model name Sx5500 and model number PM0125500. Both are printed on a plate on the rear of the generators with serial numbers of the recalled units ranging from K003xxxxxQ through K090xxxxxQ.

The generators, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Home Depot stores in northeast, mid-west and southeast United States from February 2012 through August 2012 for about $550.

Consumers should stop using these recalled portable generators and contact Pramac America to receive a free repair kit including a replacement filter, hose and hose clamps for fuel line.

Consumer s may contact Pramac America LLC at (800) 445-1805 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

In an effort to prevent injuries and deaths to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously (3-0) approved a new federal mandatory safety standard to improve the safety of infant swings.

Infant swings are stationary juvenile products with a frame and powered mechanism that enables an infant to swing in a seated position. The swing is intended for use with infants from birth until a child is able to sit up unassisted. Cradle and travel swings are included in the standard.

The standard

The new federal standard, which incorporates provisions in the voluntary standard ASTM F2088 - 12a, requires the following:

• a stronger, more explicit warning label to prevent slump-over deaths. The warning advises consumers to use a swing in the most reclined position until an infant is 4 months old and can hold up its head without help;
• a stability test that prevents the swing from tipping over;
• a test that prevents unintentional folding;
• tests on restraint systems, which are intended to prevent slippage and breakage of the restraints during use;
• the cradle swing surface to remain relatively flat, while in motion, and while at rest;
• electrically-powered swings to be designed to prevent battery leakage and overheating.;
• toy mobiles to be designed to ensure that toys do not detach when pulled;
• swings with seats angles greater than 50 degrees to have shoulder strap restraints; and
• dynamic and static load requirements to ensure that the infant swing can handle specified loads without breaking.

Between May 2011 and May 2012, CPSC received reports of 351 infant swing-related incidents that occurred between 2009 and 2012. Two of those incidents resulted in fatalities, while 349 were nonfatal. Twenty-four of the nonfatal incidents resulted in injuries.

The effective date for the mandatory infant swing standard is May 7, 2013.  

Since the presidential election, attention has turned to resolving deficit negotiations to prevent the U.S. from going over the "fiscal cliff” on January 1. So what exactly is the fiscal cliff and what would going over it do?

The term “fiscal cliff” was coined by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, in testimony before Congress earlier this year. He warned that unless Congress reached agreement on a new deficit-reduction plan, the economy would take a very nasty spill.

A year ago, when Congress was at loggerheads over raising the debt ceiling, the two sides agreed on a temporary solution by putting in place a set of deep government spending cuts to go into effect January 1, 2013, when the “Bush” tax cuts, passed in late 2001, expired.

Unless Congress came up with an alternative plan, the net result would be a steep increase in everyone's taxes and a sharp drop in government spending. It was agreed to because it was so drastic it was supposed to nudge Republicans and Democrats from their dug-in positions and make them more agreeable to compromise, to head off what economists say would be a calamity.

January 1

Here's what is scheduled to happen on January 1: the “temporary” tax cuts put in place in the wake of 9/11 would expire, meaning everyone's taxes would revert to what they were before that time. While not technically a tax increase it would feel like one, since everyone would pay higher taxes.

Economists are worried about the impact because of the weakness of the economy. A tax burden that was seen as affordable during the booming economy of the late 1990s might push the U.S. back into a recession now.

However, President Obama and Democrats in Congress say upper income taxpayers, families earning over $250,000 a year, should have their taxes revert to the old, higher rate while everyone else's stays the same. Throughout the campaign Obama said upper income households “should pay a little more” because they can afford it.

Now that the president has won another four-year term, he and his allies see no reason they should retreat from that position. Republicans, however, have dug in their heels insisting that no one's taxes should rise.

The stalemate

That's the stalemate. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) says Republicans would agree to raise government revenue but only by closing loopholes and deductions, not by raising rates. Ever since President George H.W. Bush said “read my lips, no new taxes, ”then later agreed with Democrats to raise taxes and went on to lose re-election, no Republican has been willing to support a tax increase of any kind.

Democrats, meanwhile, never liked the tax cuts passed under President George W. Bush, but concede taxes can't be raised on most households that are struggling to make ends meet. However, they have said there is no reason rates can't be raised on families earning $250,000 a year or more.

That's how we got to the edge of the cliff, but what happens if we go over. First, the tax consequences.

The current 10 percent tax bracket, for the lowest income taxpayers, would revert to 15 percent. The 25 percent tax bracket would rise to 28 percent; the 28 percent bracket would rise to 31 percent; the 33 percent bracket would rise to 36 percent; and the 35 percent bracket would rise to 39.6 percent.

That final tax bracket -- the 35 percent to 39.6 percent -- is what the stand-off is all about.

How would you be affected? If you fall within the category of a “middle income” taxpayer, the non-partisan Tax Policy Center estimates you would pay about $2,000 more in taxes next year, including the end to the two-year payroll tax cut, which no one is talking about extending.

Because consumers would have less money to spend, businesses would likely cut costs as well and many jobs might be eliminated. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 3.4 million jobs could be lost pushing the unemployment rate past nine percent.

Government spending cuts

The other part of the fiscal cliff is a set of pre-programmed across-the-board government spending cuts. Defense spending would fall 10 percent. Spending on domestic programs would drop eight percent, though in the way Washington looks at spending, a reduction in the planned increase in spending is considered a “cut.” In terms of actual spending, it's been estimated the overall spending would revert to around 2007 levels. Still, in a weak, recovering economy, the impact would be felt.

Is there any way to avoid going over the cliff? Probably. Negotiations have already begun with Republicans and Democrats displaying their best poker faces.

Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol, an intellectual voice of the conservative movement, raised his fellow Republicans' blood pressure by suggesting it wouldn't hurt to raise taxes on millionaires, pointing out most probably voted for Democrats anyway.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) also floated a novel idea this week, suggesting it wouldn't be so bad if we in fact went over the fiscal cliff. She pointed out that once tax rates had reverted to their higher rates, Republicans would likely join Democrats in quickly voting to cut taxes for low and middle-income earners.

Taxes on upper income earners would remain the same. That way, she pointed out, Republicans wouldn't have to vote for a tax hike but Democrats would get the higher rates on upper income taxpayers that they want.

Perhaps because of the pain the fiscal cliff would cause, no one has mentioned the one benefit going over it would bring; the federal deficit, which has mushroomed in recent years, would get smaller.

Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common joint surgeries in the U.S., and is increasing as the baby boom generation ages. It's usually made necessary by the onset of osteoarthritis (OA).

But researchers say the use of a drug, strontium ranelate, may improve knee pain, reduce joint damage and the need for surgery, or at least postpone it for several years.

Cartilage breakdown

Knee osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage breakdown in the knee joint. Factors that increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis include obesity, age, prior injury to the knee, extreme stress to the joints and family history. In 2005, 27 million Americans suffered from osteoarthritis, and one in two people will have symptomatic knee arthritis by age 85.

Strontium ranelate is an osteoporosis treatment that has been shown to prevent vertebral and hip fractures. In non-clinical studies, strontium ranelate was shown to stimulate bone mass by slowing the breakdown of bone and stimulating new bone growth, having a positive effect on cartilage.

Current treatments

Current treatments focus on improving disease symptoms through a combination of medication and non-pharmaceutical therapy, but there is currently no treatment approved to delay the progression of the disease.

An international group of researchers tried to determine if strontium ranelate was effective in reducing joint damage and symptoms caused by knee OA. It found that it was and constitutes something of a breakthrough.

“Osteoarthritis is the most common disease in the elderly and there are currently major unmet medical needs in OA disease management,” said Jean-Yves Reginster, MD, PhD, lead investigator in the study and president and chair, department of public health sciences at the University of Liège in Belgium. “There is currently no medication, approved by regulatory authorities to prevent the structural progression of the disease.”

Currently strontium ranelate is approved in 102 countries for the management of post-menopausal osteoporosis, which has been proven to be safe when used for ten years in this particular indication. Researchers say results of the present trial show also its ability to reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.

“This could be a major step in the global management of musculo-skeletal disorders in the elderly subjects,” Reginster said. “Patients should talk to their rheumatologists to determine their best course of treatment.”

A settlement has been reached that includes the payment of nearly $220 million to compensate employee benefit plans and other investors that suffered losses through investments in Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

The settlement is pending approval by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and resolves U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) litigation, actions brought by New York's attorney general, and several private lawsuits and class actions brought on behalf of plans and other investors that invested with Madoff.

The settlement was reached with Ivy Asset Management LLC, J.P. Jeanneret Associates Inc., Beacon Associates Management Corp., Andover Associates Management Corp., and their current and former owners and officers.

A measure of justice

"The settlement agreement we're announcing today provides a measure of justice for those Americans who worked hard to prepare for their retirement and then saw hoped-for stability disappear," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "My department is committed to ensuring that workers and retirees receive the benefits they've earned and deserve. If approved by the court, this settlement, combined with expected payments from the Madoff bankruptcy estate, will allow worker benefit plans impacted by Bernard Madoff's illegal and reprehensible scheme to recover all, or nearly all, of the money they invested with him."

DOL sued Ivy, Jeanneret, Beacon, Andover and their owners and officers Oct. 21, 2010, for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The suit alleged that they breached their fiduciary duties to a number of benefit plans by recommending, making and maintaining investments with Madoff, thus losing hundreds of millions of dollars in assets needed for the pension and health benefits of thousands of workers.

"Nothing can make up for the years-long agony that plan administrators and participants, and individual investors were put through by these defendants and Madoff," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi. "But this settlement should go a long way toward making victims financially whole and, hopefully, closing a painful chapter for many workers and families."

Settlement terms

Under the settlement agreement, Ivy and its principals have agreed to pay a total of $210 million. Jeanneret and its owners, John P. Jeanneret and Paul Perry, have agreed to pay $3 million. Beacon and Andover and their owners, Joel Danziger and Harris Markhoff, have agreed to pay $3.5 million and relinquish a claim of more than $3.3 million for management fees.

The settlements resulted from investigations conducted by the New York and Boston regional offices of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, an agency of the Labor Department. Litigation was conducted by the Plan Benefits Security Division of the department's Office of the Solicitor in Washington, DC.

Workers in employer-sponsored health and retirement benefit plans who feel that they have been denied a benefit inappropriately, or have questions about benefits laws, can contact an EBSA benefits adviser here or by calling 866-444-EBSA (3272).

Hackers and spammers have learned that social media is an effective way to spread malware around the Internet. That's why you should be very careful when you receive a direct message on Twitter inviting you to click a link to view an outrageous video or photograph.

Panda Security reports the latest Twitter spam campaign making the rounds may compromise user security. It uses a racial slur and promises to show President Obama “punching a guy in the face.”

Of course, there is no such video. If the user clicks the link in the message, he is taken to a bogus Facebook page where he is are prompted to submit his Twitter log-in details.

What happens if you fall for it

However, if the user enters her credentials, the malware will hijack her account in order to send the same malicious message to all of her contacts.

The user is then taken to a Website that displays a fake YouTube video set against a fake Facebook background. This time, the victim is asked to update a “YouTube player” to watch the video. As typical with this type of scam, if the user clicks on the “Install” button, the Koobface.LP worm is downloaded, infecting his computer and attempts to steal all his personal data.

"This attack exploits the two most popular social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, to trick users into believing they are viewing a trusted site," said Luis Corrons, technical director of PandaLabs. "It also relies on its victims' curiosity by using a scandalous story involving U.S. President Obama and racism. Cyber-criminals know people are curious by nature and take advantage of this to trick users and infect them with their creations."

Twitter scams

Security experts point out that this is just the latest example of a cyber-scam that uses Twitter direct messages to spread. Users' accounts receive dozens of them every day with malicious links and enticing messages such as, "What exactly do you think you're doing on this video clip," "Hello this guy is saying bad rumors about u..." and "Did you see this pic of you?", etc.

"Never, ever, click the links within the text of those messages as they could infect your computer," said Corrons. "Every time you receive a direct message you should check with the sender that they have knowingly sent it to you. Make sure it has not been automatically forwarded to you from a hacked account. As a general rule, always keep your antivirus software up to date and be wary of messages offering sensational videos or unusual stories as, in 99 percent of cases they are designed to compromise user security."

Toyota is recalling nearly 2.8 million 2004 to 2009 model year Prius vehicles -- 670,000 of them in the U.S. -- due to a steering problem.

Due to insufficient hardness treatment of some of the extension shafts, the splines that connect the extension shaft to the steering gear box may deform if the steering wheel is frequently and forcefully turned to the full left or full right position while driving at slow speeds. This deformation may create increased internal clearance and the splines may eventually, over time, wear out.

Toyota dealers will inspect the extension shaft to determine if it needs to be replaced and, if confirmed, will replace it. The inspection and repair will take approximately one hour depending on the dealer’s work schedule.

Water pump problem

Approximately 350,000 of these same Prius vehicles are being recalled to replace the electric water pump for the hybrid system.

In the hybrid system, there is an electrically driven water pump that circulates coolant through the hybrid components to provide cooling. There is a possibility that the electric motor installed in the water pump may stop functioning, leading to illumination of various warning lights in the instrument panel. In limited instances, the electric power supply circuit fuse may open, causing the hybrid system to stop while the vehicle is being driven.

Toyota dealers will replace the electric water pump for the hybrid system. The repair will take approximately two hours depending on the dealer’s work schedule.

There have been no crashes or injuries reported for these two conditions. Owners of vehicles covered by these safety recalls will receive an owner notification letter via first class mail starting in December 2012.

Any authorized Toyota dealer will perform these recalls at no charge to the vehicle owner.

This is the second major recall for the Japanese automaker in the last five weeks. In October, Toyota recalled more than 7.4 million vehicles to deal with a problem involving the driver’s side power window master switch that could have led to a fire under some circumstances.

It wasn't long ago that Groupon and LivingSocial were all the rage. Everybody who could rub two digits together was starting some variant of a daily deal site. But the excitement has worn off as analysts and merchants gain experience with the deep discount strategy.

Groupon is increasingly being seen as a bad deal on Wall Street. Investors dumped Groupon stock after the company announced disappointing third-quarter results last week, driving its stock price down 90% from its IPO level and slicing 31% off the company's balance sheet.

Groupon's problem revolves mostly around cash. It has about $1.2 billion in the bank but owes about half of it to its merchant partners. Groupon takes in cash from consumers who buy its coupons and sits on it for a month or so before paying it out to retailers.

This was OK for Groupon when it was growing quickly but now that growth has leveled off as merchants do fewer deals and fewer new consumers sign up, the company's balance sheet is showing more growth in the liabilities column than investors like to see.

Retailers getting savvier

And then there's those pesky retailers. The whole daily deal thing seemed like a good idea when it was introduced but merchants have quickly learned that giving away their products at deep discounts doesn't necessarily win them new customers for life. In fact, many of the coupon clippers are already customers who simply get a great deal on something they would have bought anyway.

Retailers eventually caught on to this and began wondering why they have to wait longer to collect less revenue. Anyway you slice it, this will work out to their offering deals that, while they are still daily, are not quite the barn-burners customers have come to expect – a trend that consumers are catching onto.

Nor is No. 2 LivingSocial exactly on the upswing. The DC-based site appears to be facing the same retailer and merchant fatigue as Groupon, although since it is not publicly traded, it doesn't release detailed financial statements. But published reports say LivingSocial is facing the same cash crunch as Groupon, without the ability to raise capital in the public markets.

What to do

Assuming both sites get through the holiday season, crunch time could come next year. Most observers think Groupon would be a logical candidate to buy LivingSocial. Even though LivingSocial is thought to be only about one-fourth as large as Groupon, taking it out of the picture would allow Groupon to raise revenue and slash costs.

What's all this mean for shoppers and merchants? The most obvious advice for consumers is to use those daily deals coupons quickly.

And for merchants? Well, it's not our place to advise merchants but taking good care of your existing customer base – and maybe even rewarding your regular customers with loyalty promotions and great service – is always a good place to start.

Who doesn’t like a nice piece of steak every now and then? According to recent statistics a lot of people don’t.

A study conducted by the Vegetarian Times shows there are 7.3 million people in the United States who are vegetarians and there's 22.8 million people in the country that who vegetarian-based diets.

Apparently, the city of Los Angeles wants to add to that high number, as officials want residents there to join Meatless Monday--a global initiative that asks people to forego meat one day each week. 

Those involved with the program hope it inspires residents to decrease their meat consumption and lower the amount of illnesses associated with heavy meat eating.

For those who attempt the challenge, they should remember a few key things.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) a vegetarian diet should include a strong focus on calcium and iron, as well as protein, and vitamin B12 consumption. 

The USDA also says meals should be built around sources of low-fat protein and include such foods as rice, beans and lentils.

The government agency also warns against using high-fat cheeses to make up for the lack of meat protein, since cheeses and other high cholesterol foods can easily undo the health benefits associated with eating vegetarian.

Mind games

What’s hardest for many people to do when it comes to cutting down their meat intake is dealing with the huge psychological component.

A lot of meat eaters don’t avoid going vegetarian because they dislike eating vegetables, it’s just that their minds are so used to associating a complete meal with a piece of meat, that eating veggies with a side of rice and beans seems horribly incomplete.

Meat eaters who share this belief should opt for soy-based products like imitation ground beef, veggie burgers and mock chicken, which are made by popular companies like Morning Star Farms, and Boca.

Although there are a countless number of artificial meat brands, Morning Star and Boca are probably the easiest to find and are the cheapest in price depending on where you live.

Nearly real

Out of the two mock meat companies, Morning Star seems to make products that will be easier for the meat eater to handle, as the company’s selections are much closer to meat in texture than the other brands I’ve tried. And with just the right amount of seasoning and cooking methods, soy based meats can actually come pretty close to the real thing.

But close is the operative word here, so meat eaters will definitely taste a difference right off the bat, but that difference should become less noticeable the more the artificial meat is eaten.

Los Angeles is the largest city in the United States to take the Meatless Monday challenge, and Councilwoman Jan Perry along with Councilman Ed Reyes believe the weekly meat fast could  lower the amount of future heart disease and cancer cases.

Many health experts around the globe attribute these ailments to heavy meat consumption.

“We can reduce saturated fats and reduce the risk of heart disease by 19 percent,” said Councilwoman Perry in a statement. “While this is a symbolic gesture, it is asking people to think about the food choices they make. Eating less meat can reverse some of our nation’s most common illnesses.”

Harvard study

The Meatless Monday program pointed to a recent Harvard study that showed that by lowering the amount of fat-rich foods like meat and high-fat dairy, and going with foods high in polyunsaturated fat,  people can lower the chances of developing heart disease by 19 percent, which was a key point made in the announcement of the program.

Polyunsaturated fat can be found in many leafy green foods, as well as in fish, seeds and nuts.

Although there may be a little pressure from Los Angeles officials to join the program, residents shouldn’t worry about being hand-cuffed the next time they're caught eating a hamburger on a Monday. The meatless initiative is only a suggested one, and officials hope the program not only grows in popularity, but also leads to other lifestyle changes when it comes to health and diet.

“The issue is, how does a local municipality engage in this and how do we create change,” asked Councilman Reyes, while discussing the initiative. “If we do it one plate at a time, one meal, one day, we are ratcheting down the impact on our environment. We start with one day a week and then who knows, maybe we can change our habits for a lifetime.”

Stay out of Dodge

But not everyone is pleased about U.S. cities going meatless one day a week.

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said the program is hurting the farming community by telling residents to abstain from meat, and instead of putting pressure on residents to go vegetarian--which many believe is based more on a belief system than anything else--the USDA should be helping out farmers.

“Never in my life would I have expected USDA to be opposed to farmers and ranchers,” said Sen. Moran earlier this year in an interview.

“American farmers and ranchers deserve a USDA that will pursue supportive policies rather than seek their further harm. With extreme drought conditions plaguing much of the United States, the USDA should be more concerned about helping drought-stricken producers rather than demonizing an industry reeling from the lack of rain.”

Although health experts have linked vegetarianism to better health, others have concluded that as long as meat is eaten moderately and properly balanced with other food groups, one can still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Rec-Out LLC of Atlanta, GA, is recalling about 227 Columbus folding camping chairs.

The chairs were found to contain a variety of molds that could cause respiratory or other infections in individuals with chronic health problems or who have impaired immune systems. No incidents or illnesses have been reported.

This recall involves Basin model Columbus folding camping chairs, identified with style # CC3009-N on a label attached to the side of the seat. They are blue, foam-padded, polyester chairs with a cushioned seat and back. The chairs have adjustable side straps and two additional straps used as handles to carry the chair when folded. "Columbus" appears on the outer side of the back of the seat, above a mesh pocket.

The chairs, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Big 5 Sporting Goods stores from April 2012 through October 2012 for about $15.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and return them to any Big 5 Sporting Goods location for a full refund.

Consumer s may contact Rec-Out; toll-free at (888) 885-9129, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for more information. They can also email the firm at customerservice@rec-out.com.

November, besides being the kick-off to the holiday season, is also a critical month in the college application process.

So amid planning for shopping and family feasts, students and their parents are trying to meet college decision deadlines. The College Board has unveiled a tool it says could be helpful in staying on track.

It's called BigFuture, a place where students can create a personalized plan that gives them expert advice on all the steps they need to take to apply to college. It might prove helpful to those who tend to procrastinate or get overwhelmed by decision-making.

How-to help

It offers guidance on how to finalize your application list, how to get a great letter of recommendation and how to craft your application essays.

“The key to minimizing the stress of the college application process, whether you are starting as early as middle school or are a senior just beginning now, is to get and stay organized,” said April Bell, director of counseling at the College Board. “A step-by-step action plan will allow you to keep track of deadlines and various elements of a strong college application.”

Students can get started by answering just five simple questions. Parents can also find action plans on the Website to help guide their children.

It also provides comparative information on almost 4,000 college options.

Finding the right school

Worried about getting into college? The site might prove helpful. College admission isn’t as competitive as many students think.

Fewer than 100 colleges in the U.S. are highly selective, accepting fewer than 25 percent of applicants. Close to 500 four-year colleges accept more than 75 percent of applicants. Open admission colleges accept all or most high school graduates. The site can help students find those schools.

The College Board cites research showing that applying to at least three colleges improves your chances of successfully enrolling in college.

“Also critical is the ability to narrow your list once you’ve explored all of your options,” Bell said. “Most counselors recommend that students apply to five to eight colleges -- more than that may not be the best use of time and resources.”

Of course, paying for college is also a challenge. BigFuture has a tool providing students a personalized cost estimate from more than 300 colleges by using the College Board Net Price Calculator. They can also link to an individual institution’s net price calculator by clicking on the “paying” tab on the school’s profile page on the college search section of BigFuture.

AT&T Wireless is boasting that its customers have literally set the standard when it comes to recycling. The carrier says customers recycled 50,942 old cell phones in one week, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records.

"We know we have the greatest customers in the world and now we have a world record certified by Guinness World Records to prove it," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. "At the same time, we also know that there are millions of wireless devices in people's homes that are not being recycled, so it is our goal that one day all wireless customers will trade in or recycle their wireless devices when they buy new ones."

Sustainability program

AT&T said it launched the recycling campaign as part of its sustainability program. Last year the company collected approximately three million cell phones for reuse and recycling. This year it has launched a new trade-in program it hopes will increase that number. The objective, the company says, is to avoid sending approximately 25,471 pounds of waste to landfills.

But as we have previously reported, old cell phones are not without some residual value. Each year consumers discard millions of old, outdated computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. They are also discarding the gold and silver used in these devices, and it turns out there's more there than you might think.

A staggering 320 tons of gold and more than 7,500 tons of silver are now used each year to make PCs, cell phones, tablet computers and other new electronic and electrical products worldwide. AT&T is not the only company that would like to get its hands on your old devices.

Increasingly you'll see and hear ads for companies that offer to purchase your old cell phone. In some cases that might refurbish it and resell it, but chances are the phone will be mined for the valuable minerals inside.

Competition for your old phone

AT&T is perhaps the largest company to actively seek old cell phones but isn't the only one. Consumers should compare its offer with others from smaller operators. At any rate, the recycling trend is one that the wireless industry wholeheartedly supports.

"CTIA congratulates AT&T for its world record, which highlights the importance of recycling our 'old' devices and accessories," said Jamie Hastings, vice president of External and State Affairs for CTIA -- the Wireless Association, an industry trade group. "CTIA and its members are committed to sustainability, from an individual company's products, services and operations to helping other industries improve their business practices. Everyone plays an important role in helping to protect our environment."

By recycling 50,942 devices during a one-week period, AT&T* customers broke the world record for collecting the most wireless devices in a week as certified by Guinness World Records. As the company applauds its customers for reaching this milestone, it challenges consumers across the nation to increase recycling rates.

AT&T says Texas recycled the most devices during the one-week period with 5,879 devices, followed closely by California with 4,916 devices. Among stores, the Chippenham store in Richmond, Virginia, collected the most devices at 108.

Last month a shopping service raised the hackles of major retailers when it released an analysis showing Black Friday was one of the absolute worst days for consumers to shop. The prices for most gift items were not marked down.

So what is the best day? If you aren't necessarily interested in the best deals but rather a more relaxed, pleasant holiday shopping experience, you need to find the days when stores are the least crowded.

ShopperTrak, a company that analyzes retail foot traffic, says some days are, in fact, quieter than others. The weekdays after the busy Thanksgiving weekend top the list.

No shortage of bargains

"This holiday shopping season -- November and December -- will be busier than in 2011,” predicts Bill Martin, ShopperTrak's founder. “More shoppers will visit more stores. But even though consumer demand will increase, retailers still will offer plenty of specials and discounts.”

Martin has issued what he says are “the 10 best days for shopping. They're the days, he says, that present an opportunity for shoppers to secure the best customer service and potentially the best deals. They are:

1. Nov. 27, Tuesday
2. Nov. 26. Monday
3. Nov. 28, Wednesday
4. Dec. 4, Tuesday
5. Nov. 29, Thursday
6. Dec. 3, Monday
7. Dec. 5, Wednesday
8. Dec. 6, Thursday
9. Dec. 10, Monday
10. Dec. 11, Tuesday

Should you skip Black Friday?

During the Black Friday weekend last year, 684 million store visits resulted in $20.8 billion in retail purchases. ShopperTrak predicts this Black Friday will again be the holiday season's top-performing day for both retail foot traffic and sales. But that doesn't mean it will be best for shoppers.

However, Black Friday presents an opportunity for savvy shoppers. After Black Friday's burst of spending, most shoppers will temporarily reduce their shopping visits. Those who do return to stores Nov. 26-29, however, will be rewarded, as eager retailers will have more time to devote to individual customers as they inspect the sale merchandise.

"Black Friday is not for the faint of heart," said Martin. "Shoppers must brave the crowds to take advantage of good deals. If they can venture back out after just a few days, however, they'll have the full attention of store employees and plenty of remaining discounts."

Or just skip Black Friday altogether. Unless you like being part of the crush of a crowd, battling for limited-quantities of marked-down merchandise, it might be more rewarding to wait until that shopping spree is over. Just don't wait too long.

Martin says the "last-minute" crowds start to shop during the two weeks leading up to Christmas. That's when things will get hectic again.

Frito-Lay is recalling Grandma's Peanut Butter Sandwich Crème cookies and Grandma's Peanut Butter Mini Sandwich Crème cookies because they contain undeclared milk and egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or egg run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

No other Grandma's cookies products or flavors are affected and no complaint or illness has been reported to date.

The products are sold in retail stores nationwide. The affected packages are:

• 3.025 oz. packages of Grandma's Peanut Butter Sandwich Crème cookies that have a sell-by date of March 12, 2013 or earlier and UPC code of 28400-00153; and
• 1.71 oz. Grandma's Peanut Butter Mini Sandwich Crème cookies that have a sell-by date of May 21, 2013 or earlier and UPC code of 28400-00901.

The sell-by date is located on the front of the package.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered the products did not list the presence of possible allergens that are included in an artificial butter flavor ingredient.

Consumers with any product noted above can return it to the retailer for a full refund, or contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations at 1- 877-650-3479.

Operating on the theory that forewarned is forearmed, McAfee is exposing what it calls it “Top 12 Scams of Christmas” that criminals plan to use to rip off consumers as they shop online this holiday season.

According to the security technology firm's 2012 Holiday Shopping Study, 70% of those asked said they plan to shop online this holiday season. Additionally, a surprising 1 in 4 (24%) of them plan to use their mobile devices and -- while aware of the risks -- they are willing to give away their personal information if they can get something they value in return.

Despite the fact that 87% of smartphone or tablet owners surveyed are at least somewhat concerned that their personal information could be stolen while using an app on a smartphone or tablet, nearly nine in ten are willing to provide some level of personal information in order to receive an offer that is of value to them.

Irresistible to criminals

Among those Americans planning on using smartphones and/or tablets to purchase gifts this holiday season, over half are specifically planning to use apps for shopping and/or banking during the holiday season; as such, mobile devices have proven irresistible to cybercriminals, and now they are targeting mobile users through malicious applications.

With roughly three in ten (28%) American smartphone and/or tablet owners admitting they do not pay attention at all to app permissions and 36% paying attention but specifying they do not always do so, Cyber-Scrooge criminals are ready to pounce.

The scams

‘Tis the season for consumers to spend more time online -- shopping for gifts. Eighty-eight percent of those who plan on shopping online during the 2012 holiday season say they'll use a personal computer to do so, and 34% will use a tablet (21%) and/or smartphone (19%). But with nearly half (48%) of Americans planning to shop online on Cyber Monday for sales (45% using a computer, 10% using a mobile device), here are the “12 Scams of Christmas” -- the dozen most dangerous online scams to watch out for this holiday season, revealed today by McAfee:

1. Social media scams -- Cybercriminals know social media networks are a good place to catch you off guard because we’re all “friends,” right? Scammers use channels, like Facebook and Twitter, just like email and websites to scam consumers during the holidays. Be careful when clicking or liking posts, while taking advantage of raffle contests, and fan page deals that you get from your “friends” that advertise the hottest Holiday gifts, installing apps to receive discounts, and your friends’ accounts being hacked and sending out fake alerts. Twitter ads and special discounts utilize blind, shortened links, many of which could easily be malicious.
2. Malicious Mobile Apps -- As smartphone users we are app crazy, downloading over 25 billion apps for Android devices alone. But as the popularity of applications has grown, so have the chances that you could download a malicious application designed to steal your information or even send out premium-rate text messages without your knowledge.
3. Travel Scams -- Before you book your flight or hotel to head home to see your loved ones for the holidays, keep in mind that the scammers are looking to hook you with too-good-to-be-true deals. Phony travel Webpages, sometimes using your preferred company, with beautiful pictures and rock-bottom prices are used to get you to hand over your financial details.
4. Holiday Spam/Phishing -- Soon many of these spam emails will take on holiday themes. Cheap Rolex watches and pharmaceuticals may be advertised as the “perfect gift” for that special someone.
5. iPhone 5, iPad Mini and other hot holiday gift scams -- The kind of excitement and buzz surrounding Apple’s new iPhone 5 or iPad Mini is just what cybercrooks dream of when they plot their scams. They will mention must-have holiday gifts in dangerous links, phony contests (example: “Free iPad”) and phishing emails as a way to grab computer users’ attention to get you to reveal personal information or click on a dangerous link that could download malware onto your machine.
6. Skype Message Scare -- People around the world will use Skype to connect with loved ones this holiday season, but they should be aware of a new Skype message scam that attempts to infect their machine, and even hold their files for ransom.
7. Bogus gift cards -- Cybercriminals can't help but want to get in on the action by offering bogus gift cards online. Be wary of buying gift cards from third parties; just imagine how embarrassing it would be to find out that the gift card you gave your mother-in-law was fraudulent!
8. Holiday SmiShing -- “SMiSishing” is phishing via text message. Just like with email phishing, the scammer tries to lure you into revealing information or performing an action you normally wouldn’t do by pretending to be a legitimate organization.
9. Phony E-tailers -- Phony e-commerce sites, that appear real, try to lure you into typing in your credit card number and other personal details, often by promoting great deals. But, after obtaining your money and information, you never receive the merchandise, and your personal information is put at risk.
10. Fake charities -- This is one of the biggest scams of every holiday season. As we open up our hearts and wallets, the bad guys hope to get in on the giving by sending spam emails advertising fake charities.
11. Dangerous e-cards -- E-Cards are a popular way to send a quick “thank you” or holiday greeting, but some are malicious and may contain spyware or viruses that download onto your computer once you click on the link to view the greeting.
12. Phony classifieds -- Online classified sites may be a great place to look for holiday gifts and part-time jobs, but beware of phony offers that ask for too much personal information or ask you to wire funds via Western Union, since these are most likely scams.

According to a global study commissioned by MSI International and McAfee, consumers place an average value of $37,438 on the “digital assets” they own across multiple digital devices, yet more than a third lack protection across all of those devices.

“Using multiple devices provides the bad guys with more ways to access your valuable 'Digital Assets,' such as personal information and files, especially if the devices are under-protected,” said Paula Greve, director at McAfee Labs. “One of the best ways for consumers to protect themselves is to learn about the criminals’ tricks, so they can avoid them. Beyond that they should have the latest updates of the applications on their devices in order to enjoy a safe online buying or other experience. We don’t want consumers to be haunted by the scams of holidays past, present and future -- they can’t afford to leave the door open to cyber-grinches during the busy holiday season.”

Workmanlike. That's a one-word description that has pretty much summed up the Honda Civic, and its direct competitor the Toyota Corolla, all these years.

Introduced in July 1972, the Civic has provided entry-level automotive transportation for millions of consumers, many of whom have driven their cars until the doors fell off. The car was prized mostly for its value and reliability.

Facelift

In 2013 Honda hopes to broaden the appeal. The carmaker this week provided the first look at the much-anticipated 2013 Honda Civic sedan, in advance of its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29.

The refined styling of the 2013 Civic Sedan, which goes on sale at Honda dealerships on November 29, manifests itself in a host of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements that Honda hopes will further define the top-selling Civic as the best car in the compact class.

At first glance the 2013 Civic looks more expensive that its forerunners. The front end includes a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille, anchored by new integrated fog lights on upper trims.

New front-end

The grill is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights that add to the more premium look. The 2013 Civic's more sculpted front end features a more deeply faceted hood, complemented by a collection of sharp new wheel designs.

A new rear bumper design and new rear trunk lid are just the beginning of the changes to the rear of the car. The tail lights carry into the trunk face as designers try to suggest an upscale style.

"The 2013 Honda Civic exterior refinements infuse Civic with a more youthful, premium style.” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda. “Coupling these with additional changes beneath will ensure that Civic maintains its top-ranked status."

It remains to be seen if the “premium” enhancements also carry a premium price. Honda revealed no price information as part of is sneak peek. That will have to wait for Nov. 29. The starting price of the 2012 Honda Civic is just under $18,000.

If you are among the growing number of people giving gift cards rather than gifts, you're better off staying way from bank cards and credit cards.

New research released by Bankrate.com finds that store-branded gift cards charge fewer fees than the all-purpose versions issued by banks and credit card companies. Of the 55 widely-held store-branded gift cards that Bankrate examined in its 2012 Gift Card Survey, only nine percent charge a purchase fee and only two percent charge a dormancy or maintenance fee.

A range of fees

Bankrate surveyed eight prominent gift cards offered by banks and credit card companies and all of them charge a purchase fee ranging from $2.95 to $6.95. Seventy-five percent charge a dormancy or maintenance fee (up to $3 per month) if the card is unused for 12 or more months.

"The key takeaway for consumers is that they're going to get the most value from store-branded gift cards," said Janna Herron, credit card analyst, Bankrate.com. "The benefit of general-purpose cards offered by banks and credit card companies is that they can be used anywhere, but because of the fees, you would be better off giving cash."

Banks and credit card companies are more likely to charge fees because they need to generate revenue for their gift card businesses. Retailers, in contrast, are less dependent on those fees since the money on the card will be used for goods and services at their stores.

Additional findings

• Federal rules require gift cards to stay open for at least five years. Ninety-five percent of the cards that Bankrate surveyed do not have an expiration date.
• Six retailers that offered reloadable gift cards last year discontinued those offerings, while three others began offering reloadable gift cards this year. At present, 51% of the gift cards that Bankrate surveyed can be reloaded.
• Whereas electronic gift card (e-card) availability rose sharply from 2010 to 2011, the trend over the past year was essentially flat. Two retailers added e-cards and one discontinued its offering. In all, just over half of the issuers that Bankrate surveyed offer e-cards, about the same as last year.
• Two-thirds of gift card issuers will replace the card and/or funds in the event of loss or theft.

Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's this year? Better check with Grandma again. The rising cost of food appears to have lots of people hoping to pass the buck instead of the mashed potatoes.

A new survey conducted by coupon site CouponCabin.com finds that more than one-in-ten consumers have said "no" to hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in the past because of the cost. In addition, 14 percent said they feel pressured to host a Thanksgiving dinner because others in their family and friends group don't want to spend money on hosting their own.

This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive survey was conducted October 18 – 22, 2012, among 2,082 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

Biggest concern

What is it about Thanksgiving dinner that has would-be hosts ducking for cover? The biggest concern appears to be the cost. At a time when average household income is falling, food prices are rising. And as we all know, there's a lot of food at Thanksgiving.

Seven-in-ten who are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner this year said they are at least somewhat concerned that this summer and fall's weather will increase food prices for hosting Thanksgiving this year. Thirty percent say they are not at all concerned.

Of those that have already agreed to host a Thanksgiving celebration this year, 45 percent report they are at least somewhat overwhelmed with the cost. This is in line with last year's survey findings, when 44 percent said the same thing.

What makes a Thanksgiving feast so expensive? Both the types of food and the quantity. There's a turkey, side dishes and beverages. Side dishes are normally made from scratch and the ingredients can sometimes run up the costs.

What people are spending

Nearly one-in-ten consumers in the survey -- about seven percent -- said they plan to spend over $300 on the Thanksgiving meal this year, while 49 percent will spend between $101 and $300.

Others are planning a more frugal Thanksgiving, as 44 percent said they will spend $100 or less. Those hosting Thanksgiving plan to spend an average of $246 on the meal.

"While it's a time for celebration, the price tag that comes with hosting a Thanksgiving meal can be daunting for those hosting," said Jackie Warrick, president and chief savings officer at CouponCabin.com. "Many Thanksgiving hosts have gotten a jump on their shopping already, stocking up on non-perishables and frozen items to supplement their fresh purchases. By combining a head start with other savings strategies, hosts can trim their turkeys and their costs."

The best way to save money on your Thanksgiving feast is to go generic. When you have to buy so many different items to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, going generic means big savings. For staples like flour, sugar, spices, pasta, napkins, paper towels, vegetable oil and more, skip the name brands. Your guests won't even notice the difference.

Also, keep decorations simple. The food is the main event at a Thanksgiving meal, so don't waste time and money on elaborate furnishings.