Current Events in October 2017

There are plenty of children and adults who plan to pig out on Halloween candy this year, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that eating too much black licorice could lead to serious health problems.

The U.S. agency issued a warning earlier this week saying that eating more than two ounces (roughly the equivalent of four tablespoons) of black licorice per day for at least two weeks could lead to an irregular heart rhythm in consumers over the age of 40.

Experts have connected health problems with black licorice to glycyrrhizin, a sweetening compound found in the licorice root. The substance has been shown to lower potassium levels in the body, which could lead to arrhythmia, high blood pressure, edema, lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

FDA expert Dr. Linda Katz says that the agency received one report of health problems last year related to black licorice consumption, but she says that there are generally no permanent health problems as long as consumers limit their consumption.

To keep consumers safe, the FDA is offering the following guidelines for licorice-lovers this Halloween: 

• No matter what your age, don’t eat large amounts of black licorice at one time.
• If you have been eating a lot of black licorice and have an irregular heart rhythm or muscle weakness, stop eating it immediately and contact your healthcare provider.
• Black licorice can interact with some medications, herbs and dietary supplements. Consult a healthcare professional if you have questions about possible interactions with a drug or supplement you take.

Consumers are urged to contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in their area if they experience any problems related to licorice consumption.

Gasoline prices are moving higher at a time when they normally move lower. The summer driving season is over and refineries are producing cheaper winter grade fuel, which usually drives down the cost of gas.

But the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gasoline is $2.46 a gallon, 25 cents a gallon more expensive than at this time last year. The average price of premium gas is $3 a gallon, while the average price of diesel is $2.74.

Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, says prices surged in August after Hurricane Harvey interrupted supplies from the Texas Gulf Coast. Now that those supplies are flowing freely again, the price at the pump hasn't come down that much. DeHaan say consumers are paying the highest prices for gasoline at this time of year since 2014.

"Oil prices aren’t helping, either," DeHaan told ConsumerAffairs. "They hit their highest levels since March last week, and are within arms reach of their highest of 2017. Moving forward, should oil prices continue to rise, there may be additional pain at the pump."

Back to normal in the Southeast

Gasoline prices in the Southeast, which saw its normally low prices jump after Harvey, are getting back to normal for the most part. But DeHaan says low prices in the Southeast are being offset by rising prices in the Great Lakes region, where area refineries have curtailed production for seasonal maintenance.

In California, motorists are paying an average of $3.03 a gallon at the pump for unleaded fuel, the third-highest price in the nation. Normally, the price in California drops abruptly in November when the state switches to cheaper winter grade gas. It won't happen this year, however.

California has recently approved a 12 cent per gallon increase in the gasoline tax. That's the amount consumers normally save by using winter grade fuel. At best, California motorists won't notice much change in fuel prices on Wednesday as the new gas tax takes effect.

New normal for October

Jeanette Casselano, a spokesperson for AAA, says motorists may be witnessing a new normal for October. In the last couple of years, October gasoline prices have been higher than historical norms and consumers have increased fuel demand beyond the traditional summer driving season.

But Casselano says the rising national average price of fuel is geographically uneven, with consumers in some areas enjoying lower prices while others are paying higher prices than usual.

“Depending on where in the country you are filling up your tank, gasoline prices are playing tricks on some motorists with large increases on the week and treating others to lower gas prices,” she said.

In the last month, the average gasoline price has dropped by 27 cents per gallon in Georgia, by 23 cents in Florida, and by 22 cents in Alabama and Tennessee. But prices are up 16 cents per gallon in Indiana.

In the last week alone, the average price of gasoline jumped seven cents per gallon in Indiana and by six cents in neighboring Illinois.

Relish Foods of Culver City, Calif., is recalling frozen Newport brand tuna loins that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled product was sold in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Idaho and Arizona between August 15, 2017, and September 25, 2017, through food service operations, retail stores, and restaurants.

It was distributed to the following retail locations and may have been sold in an unbranded form:

The product from the recalled lots will have been displayed in the seafood departments of the stores where they sold, and is likely to have been sold as steak loins or pieces of loins on a tray with clear plastic wrap cover.

It also may have been sold out of the fresh case and wrapped in "butcher paper" to the customer's order.

What to do

Customers concerned about whether the tuna they purchased may contain the recalled tuna loin product should check with the store where they purchased the tuna. That store will be able to determine if it used the recalled product to prepare the tuna.

Consumers who purchased the recalled product should return it to the distributor for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-730-3875, Mondays through Fridays, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. (PDT).

Harbor Freight Tools is recalling 173,557 Innova Ultra Runner utility trailer tires, sizes 5.3x12 and 4.80/4.00x12, and Far East utility trailer tires, size 4.80/4.00x8, purchased mounted on replacement trailer rims.

These tires may not be strong enough to support the expected loads. The tires, therefore, fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 119, "New Pneumatic Tires-Other than Passenger Cars."

If the tires cannot meet the strength requirements, the tires may fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Harbor Freight will notify owners, and stores will provide replacement tires mounted on rims, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 6, 2017.

Owners may contact Harbor Freight customer service at 1-800-444-3353.

A new study has found that over one-third of U.S. tanning salons (37.2 percent) violate state regulations banning access to indoor tanning for minors.

Researchers from Loyola University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Marshfield Clinic say the noncompliance puts young people at risk, pointing to previous findings that have connected indoor tanning with increased risk of cancer.

“The US Food and Drug Administration has classified tanning beds as carcinogenic,” the researchers said. “Compliance with state legislation aimed at limiting tanning bed use among U.S. minors is unsatisfactory, indicating that additional efforts to enforce the laws and education of the harmful effects of UV tanning are necessary.”

Over one-third noncompliant

The researchers came to their conclusions after conducting a cross-sectional telephone survey in 42 states and the District of Columbia – all of which have passed legislation that prohibit minors from using indoor tanning services.

Three researchers posed as minors and called a total of 427 tanning salons to request tanning services before an alleged family vacation. In each call, the researchers recorded whether employees would allow tanning services to be administered and the reason why the establishment was noncompliant.

The results showed that 159 of the 427 tanning salons contacted were noncompliant with their state’s laws. In particular, the researchers found that tanning salons in South and in rural areas – as well as independently owned establishments – were the most likely to have decreased compliance rates.

Tanning salons were most likely to be noncompliant if the calling “minor” had parental consent, despite the fact that such consent does not override state bans.

Thousands of deaths and millions in treatment costs

This isn’t the first study to showcase tanning salons’ widespread noncompliance in serving minors. In June, a separate study found that one-fifth of tanning salons still served minors despite state bans.

Researchers from that study also found that many establishments provided false or misleading health information to clients, including that tanning increases vitamin D production, improves the skin cosmetically, and can serve as a treatment for skin diseases.

Researchers from the most recent study point out that proper adherence to state laws – as well as a full and comprehensive ban on indoor tanning for minors -- could help prevent thousands of deaths related to skin cancer and save consumers millions in treatment costs.

“It is estimated that banning indoor tanning for minors younger than 18 years old would prevent 61,829 melanomas and 6,735 melanoma deaths and save $342.9 million in treatment costs,” the researchers said.

The full study has been published in JAMA Dermatology.

Only 31 percent of millennials have a retirement savings plan in place, according to research from three firms engaged in financial research.

People in their 20s and 30s need to be saving for retirement, says Michelle Perry Higgins, author and financial planner. Precisely because they have so much time before retirement, Higgins says planning now will pay off handsomely in the future.

In her book, "College Poor No More," Higgins walks millennials through the process of beginning a career and setting up a budget. Establishing good financial habits early, she says, will make it easier to save for retirement.

"Visualize various buckets and plan to fill them each to overflowing," Higgins said. "Consider one bucket for retirement, one for emergency reserves, one to pay down debt, and one for day-to-day expenses."

Save 20 percent for retirement

Higgins says millennials should earmark 20 percent of their annual earnings toward retirement savings. She acknowledges that can be a tough sell when she's talking to people in their 20s and 30s.

"Retirement seems like an eternity away at this point in your life," Higgins said. “But please don’t wait."

There are two good reasons to begin saving for retirement now. The first is the faster you remove that money from your everyday budget, the less you'll miss it.

The second is the power of time. The longer you have to invest in appreciating assets, the more your wealth will grow.

$1 million by age 65

MoneyUnder30, a personal finance site for millennials, offers up the following example: suppose you put just $50 a month into your company 401(k) plan at age 22 and your company provides a 50 percent match.

After that, you increase your monthly contribution by the same amount as any pay raises. At age 65 you'll have a nice retirement nest egg of close to $1 million.

Higgins says young people should take advantage of their employer's retirement plans, especially if the employer also contributes to it.

Investment services

Other options include a growing number of investment services that provide online stock trading platforms as well as optional investment advice.

Automated investment services like Betterment and Wealthfront are known as "robo advisors," taking some of the time out of wealth management. They offer retirement planning, diversified funds and low fees, along with an investment strategy tailored to individual investors.

Higgins says the important thing is to take the first step -- start saving. She recommends working with a financial planner who can help guide your overall financial position as you get older.

Taking these steps now could mean that 30 years from now, there will be much less need for retirement catch-up advice for people in their 50s.

Target recently announced that it will expand its popular Cat & Jack line to include sensory-friendly clothing made specially for kids with sensory issues, disabilities, or those who are required to wear medical devices.

The new adaptive apparel (which was officially launched Oct. 22) was designed to “make getting dressed easier for everyone (kids and parents),” the company said in a statement. Features include side-entry openings, zip-off sleeves, back snaps, flat seams, and areas with abdominal access.

Expanded collection

Back in August, the company added sensory-friendly long and short sleeve clothing items to its website. Now, the retailer has expanded the line to include bodysuits, hooded sweatshirts, puffer jackets, and leggings with modifications for kids and toddlers with disabilities.

“We heard from our guests — and members of our own team — that there’s a need for adaptive clothing for kids that is both fashionable and affordable, so we set out to create exactly that,” said Julie Guggemos, senior vice president, Product Design & Development, Target.

“Since launching sensory-friendly apparel and receiving such positive guest feedback, we’re focused on continuing to evolve and expand Cat & Jack to meet the needs of even more of our guests,” Guggemos said.

Stylish and comfortable

The new adaptive collection features tagless clothing with flat seams, which are ideal for kids or toddlers who won’t tolerate stiff or itchy clothing. To further minimize irritation and discomfort, the clothing is made from extra soft and comfortable cotton knits.

The line also includes jackets with Velcro seams designed to make self-dressing easier for kids with limited hand and finger strength or fine motor skills.

Modifications aside, most of the items that make up the 40-piece adaptive clothing collection are based off of current designs in the Cat & Jack line, so kids will fit right in with their peers.

The pieces range in price from $4.50 to $39.99 (but most are under $20). The items are available online-only at Target.com.

Young people who are just starting their working lives might be happiest working as a web developer, dental hygienist, or software engineer. Those three professions topped the list when U.S. News and World Report surveyed millennials about the things that matter most to them in a career.

According to the data, millennials first consider salary when evaluating a career, then look for a balance between work and personal life. The U.S. News editors said web developer is attractive because that career offers a strong work-life balance and below average job stress.

Millennials favor dental hygienist work because it provides a highly flexible lifestyle, and a software developer position is attractive to this age group because it pays a good salary, much like other tech jobs.

Here is a list of other top jobs for millennials according to salary:

1. Financial Advisor

2. Actuary

3. Software Developer

4. Computer Systems Analyst

5. Mechanical Engineer

6. Environmental Engineer

7. Radiation Therapist

8. Operations Research Analyst

9. Accountant

10. Loan Officer

Useful career guidance

Dan Schawbel, research director at Future Workplace and author of the book "Promote Yourself," said the U.S. News list should be useful for young people who are looking for jobs. He says this group should also be sure to take advantage of networking events and job fairs.

"These resources make it easier to find companies that best suit individual preferences, such as salary and work-life balance," he said. "You never know when and how you will find a job, but if you're using multiple sources and doing your research, the right one will come along."

The survey looked at professions available to people with a bachelor's degree or less while evaluating the factors that millennials said were most important to them. Other careers high on the list include radiation therapist, massage therapist, interpreter and translator, and insurance sales agent.

Changing jobs

While many millennials are actively looking for their first job, a recent study by LinkedIn found that this group is more likely than previous generations to quickly change jobs or careers once they have one.

The results show that over the last two decades, the number of companies an individual worked for in the first five years after leaving college has nearly doubled.

The researchers point out that those who have graduated most recently are the most likely to change jobs. People who graduated between 2006 and 2010 averaged around 2.85 jobs in the first five years after graduating, while those who graduated between 1986 and 1990 averaged 1.6 jobs over the same period.

Arctic Cat is recalling about 15,500 Arctic Cat recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Heat from the exhaust can melt the plastic panels behind the operator and passenger seat, posing a fire hazard.

The firm has received 444 reports of the plastic panels melting, with 5 resulting in fires. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves all model year 2014 through 2017 Wildcat Trail and 2015 through 2017 Wildcat Sport models of Arctic Cat ROVs.

The recalled vehicles were sold in multiple colors, have four wheels and side-by-side seating for two people.

“Wildcat Trail” or “Wildcat Sport” is printed on each side of the vehicle.

The ROVs, manufactured in the U.S., were sold at Arctic Cat dealers nationwide from December 2013, through August 2017, for between $10,500 and $19,500.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ROVs and contact Arctic Cat to schedule a free repair.

Arctic Cat is contacting all known purchasers directly.

If you need assistance locating an authorized dealer to conduct this repair, contact Arctic Cat at 800-279-6851 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday or online at www.arcticcat.com for more information.

The plastic bins that a Florida couple ordered from Amazon arrived in a box that was oddly heavy. When they finally wrangled their order out of its UPS packaging, they discovered why.

The couple, who asked to be kept anonymous, later told a local ABC news station that their plastic bins were filled with 65 pounds of marijuana. They said they reported the illegal shipment to police, who subsequently seized it. Amazon offered the couple a $150 gift certificate in exchange for their troubles.

Amazon declined to comment about the mix-up but emailed a prepared statement confirming it happened to ConsumerAffairs. “Our customer service team worked directly with the customer to address concerns and will work with law enforcement to investigate the case, as needed,” it says.

Inspection process under scrutiny

It’s not the first time that Amazon’s inspection process has appeared to fail consumers.

The couple purchased the bins through “Amazon Warehouse Deals,” the company’s service for purchasing used items at a discount. Despite claiming to inspect all of its products, Amazon has repeatedly been busted for selling counterfeit goods, as a CNBC report detailed last year.

A Facebook group for people who say that their designs were stolen and sold on Amazon has reached 872 members. Amazon last year promised to crack down on knock-off products, but consumer watchdog The Counterfeit Report continues to receive complaints about fakes, such as a customer who reported on October 20 that her Paul Mitchell straightener had no Paul Mitchell branding anywhere on it.

What to do with a surprise shipment of weed

Marijuana in Florida is worth anywhere from $400 to $4,000 a pound, according to Narcotics News. Given its value and popularity, some people in this scenario may be tempted to just keep the delivery. Experts warn however that accepting and keeping an unwanted order of controlled substances places customers in various risky situations.

“I would just turn it in, because I would hate for the people who sent it to come looking for me,” Karen Goldstein, the executive director of NORML’s Florida chapter, tells ConsumerAffairs.

Goldstein adds that people should never accept a package that appears to have been  flagged as suspicious by authorities, even if the consumer has no knowledge of having ordered anything illegal. “If the police brought it to my door, I wouldn't accept it,” she said.

Not everyone may be comfortable telling police that they are in possession of an illegal substance, even if they were unwilling recipients. Drug Policy Alliance attorney Tamar Todd tells ConsumerAffairs that he is unaware of any law that requires turning an illegal package over to police, should it unexpectedly arrive on one’s doorstep.

However, “it is illegal for a person to continue to possess marijuana after receiving it once they know that the package contains marijuana,” Todd says via email. “So they would need to dispose of it immediately--or not continue to possess it.”

How companies handle suspect packages

There is no specific, consistent protocol for delivery services when they suspect that a package contains illegal drugs. The United States Postal Service says that they seized 34,000 pounds of marijuana from the mailstream in 2015, but does not elaborate how.  

A report that the postal service published last year about marijuana busts is heavily redacted.  “When postal employees suspect a package contains marijuana or any illegal drug, they must [redacted], inform a supervisor, and contact the Postal Inspection Service for guidance,” it says.

The UPS is more transparent than the postal service, telling ConsumerAffairs that employees are instructed to alert a supervisor if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that an illegal substance is in the package. After that, “UPS reports illegal shipments to law enforcement,” says spokesman Glenn Zaccara.

What law enforcement does next varies according to the situation. News reports indicate that Goldstein has the right idea about never accepting a package that has been flagged as suspicious.

In 2015, a Chicago man was arrested after accepting a UPS package containing seven pounds of marijuana. Workers alerted police beforehand that they could smell the product emanating from the package, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

And last year a man in Waco, Texas was arrested after picking up a package from a FedEx office that contained more than 10 pounds of marijuana and 655 grams of promethazine. Police made the arrest after he placed the package in his trunk.

In 2013, a woman sued FedEx after she said that an unwanted marijuana delivery to her home resulted in a drug dealer showing up at her door.

Instead of waking up early to fight the crowds for deals on Black Friday, new research finds more consumers will be staying home this year. 

According to a survey conducted by Accenture Consulting, slightly more than half (52 percent) of shoppers said they are less likely to shop on Black Friday this year, and 42 percent were less likely to shop Cyber Monday compared to previous years. 

Nearly two-thirds of shoppers polled (64 percent) cited crowds are their top reason for avoiding Black Friday shopping. For others, the idea of bargain-hunting outside the home may not seem logical in an age where it’s possible to score great deals on gifts year round.

Age of Amazon

Shoppers plan to do more than half of their holiday shopping from the comfort of their home computer. The expected drop in shopping during the peak holiday shopping days is likely due to the availability of deals and discounts available online 24/7, the study suggested.

Nearly two-thirds of consumers (64 percent) said they shop for holiday gifts throughout the year, taking advantage of discounts available on deal websites. More than four in 10 respondents (44 percent) believed they could get equally good discounts other days of the year, like Amazon Prime day. 

“Given the rise of constant discounts and promotions on sites such as Amazon, consumers are doing more of their holiday shopping year-round, and this is proving to be the biggest competitor to the traditional peak holiday shopping days,” said Jill Standish, senior managing director and head of Accenture’s retail practice. 

Spending less

Consumers who do brave the crowds on Black Friday may be somewhat more frugal this year compared to previous years, likely due to the state of their finances. The study found that the number of consumers who said they plan to spend more this year dropped by 11 percent. 

Fueling consumers’ frugality may be the fact that just 29 percent of respondents said they were optimistic about their financial situation coming into the holiday period, compared with 34 percent last year.

Additionally, shoppers will do their homework before parting with their money to buy holiday gifts. More than four in five shoppers (84 percent) said they check Amazon before looking or buying elsewhere. Three-quarters (76 percent) said they will shop for a product online before purchasing it at a brick-and-mortar store, and roughly the same number said they plan to visit a store to review a product before purchasing it online. 

Findings from the online survey mirrored those of another recent study by Forbes, which found that 75 percent of younger shoppers (those 18 to 35) planned to continue their holiday shopping into the weeks following Black Friday, not just on the day itself. 

Of those who do shop Thanksgiving week, only 35 percent said they would do the majority of their shopping on Black Friday, compared with 51 percent last year and 59 percent in 2015

Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, is home to tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Google, bringing in thousands of professionals traveling for business.

Many fall in love with the city and linger a while, for pleasure.

The city is located between Lake Washington and Puget sound, giving it a famously damp but temperate climate. To the east are the Cascade Mountains, to the West are the Olympic Mountains, creating a scenic backdrop to this bustling city.

Practical tourist stop

Seattle remains a popular tourist destination, in part for practical reasons. Its famous Space Needle–a souvenir from the 1962 World's Fair–is an observation tower that provides a view of the city and surrounding area from 520 feet up.

Recently, the Space Needle became a portal for visitors to access some of Seattle's main attractions. The "See It All" portal is a place to get tickets for and information about 11 tourist destinations, including Chihuly Garden and Glass, Museum of Flight, Woodland Park Zoo and Argosy Cruises.

“With more than 55 years in the tourism industry, the Space Needle and its staff have naturally become the go-to locals for visitors from around the world,” said Eleanor Bradley, Director of Marketing for the Space Needle.

Visitors can also get advice and recommendations from the locals about what to see and do while in the city.

The Seattle Center Monorail is another futuristic artifact from the World's Fair. Still in operation, it transports visitors from the area around the Space Needle to Westlake Center in downtown Seattle.

It's a fun way to begin a sightseeing tour, with the monorail reaching top speeds of 45 miles an hour as it weaves through buildings.

More things to see

Before boarding, however, visitors might want to drop in on the Museum of Pop Culture and the Pacific Science Center, both of which are close by.

The Museum of Pop Culture documents important moments in music, science fiction and pop culture. The exhibits cover everything from the history of indie video games and horror films to Nirvana and the NFL Seahawks.

The Pacific Science Center explores galaxies in a planetarium, displays colorful creatures in the tropical butterfly house, and has a number of family-friendly, interactive exhibits.

Events and festivals

Throughout the fall, Seattle's events and festivals draw locals and visitors alike. Now through November 12 the annual Earshot Jazz Festival presents a series of concerts around the city.

A unique element of the Earshot Festival is that it brings top jazz performers into collaborations with local audiences and artists, including talented students.

The 29th Annual Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show is November 10 through 12, featuring more than 100 of the area's top artists.

Seattle is also famous for its food culture, with its emphasis on fresh ingredients. After all, the national trend of "eating local" largely began in the Pacific Northwest.

Well known Seattle chefs like Tom Douglas, Ethan Stowell, and Renee Erickson bring their creative flavors to the city, while all manner of beverages are locally produced with a special passion.

Getting there

Seattle is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, located approximately 13 miles south of downtown Seattle. It is served by all major domestic airlines, as well as some foreign carriers, and is a hub for Delta.

You can also get to Seattle on Amtrak with trains conveniently stopping at King Street Station in downtown Seattle.

After making strong gains among millennials, Uber has introduced a credit card rewarding the kinds of purchases millennials tend to make. The card's cash-back rewards are unusually generous, according to credit card experts.

The Uber Visa card, available November 2, pays four percent cash back on restaurant purchases, three percent on hotel and airfare, two percent on online purchases (including Uber rides), and one percent on everything else. The card does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and customers can redeem rewards for Uber credits, gift cards, or cash.

The card also features an annual subscription credit that can be used on services like Spotify, Netflix, or an Amazon Prime membership. Included in the cardholder agreement is coverage for mobile phone theft or damage.

Targeting millennials

Nerdwallet credit card expert Kimberly Palmer points out that consumers previously had to choose between the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum cards to receive comparable rewards. However, both cards carried hefty annual fees.

“To directly target millennial consumers, the Uber Visa lets cardholders redeem rewards in Uber rides or UberEATS orders straight from the apps, in addition to getting cash back or gift cards,” Palmer tells ConsumerAffairs.

“If you’re a frequent Uber customer who wants to avoid annual fees without foregoing perks like Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon Prime subscription credits, the Uber Visa is definitely worth considering.”

Uber trending upward

For Uber to target millennials with a new credit card might not seem that surprising when you consider the ridesharing company has made big inroads among that group lately.

When YouGovBrandIndex recently looked at companies favored by millennials, it found Uber led all brands with the biggest gains. Uber's share of millennial customers rose eight percent to 26 percent of all millennials in the first half of 2017. Rival Lyft, meanwhile, gained six percent for a marketshare of 12 percent.

Among the brands favored by millennial consumers, Uber made the biggest gains in the first half of this year, followed by Instagram, Lyft, Snapchat, and TLC.

With the stock market at record highs and the economy posting stronger gains, it's likely consumers will be spending a lot more money this holiday season compared to last year.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts retail sales for November and December -- not counting automobiles, gasoline, and restaurant meals -- will increase by as much as four percent over 2016, to $682 billion.

“Our forecast reflects the very realistic steady momentum of the economy and overall strength of the industry,” NRF CEO Matthew Shay said. “Although this year hasn’t been perfect, especially with the recent devastating hurricanes, we believe that a longer shopping season and strong consumer confidence will deliver retailers a strong holiday season.”

The "longer shopping season" that Shay refers to is the result of Christmas falling on a Monday this year, 32 days after Thanksgiving. That gives consumers an extra weekend day for last minute shopping.

Black Friday is the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season, but more consumers are beginning their shopping earlier each year. A survey by RetailMeNot.com suggests this year will be no different.

Over half of respondents say they plan to begin shopping before Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Nearly as many -- 45 percent -- said they would start making purchases before the start of November.

Timing is critical

To get good buys and stretch your holiday budget, timing is critical. RetailMeNot says you should be shopping for toys, home decor, and apparel right now. These items tend to have the best deals early in the season.

If computers and electronics are on your list, Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday will be the prime time for deals. Savvy shoppers should be able to find discounts as high as 40 percent during that time.

Knowing the best time to spend will help you get the best value for your money and avoid temptation when you suddenly spot better deals after you've exhausted your budget.

Divide up your budget

It's always a good idea to set a budget for holiday spending. If you can stick to it, your spending limits will prevent you from suffering a huge credit card hangover in January.

Phil Dengler, principal of the shopping site BestBlackFriday.com, says consumers should target 75% of their budget for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, but allot the remaining 25% for other times.

"There are a few pre-Black Friday sales that are worth targeting," Dengler told ConsumerAffairs. "Sam's Club will be holding its annual one-day 'Lowest Prices of the Season' sale on November 11 this year. This sale always offers real Black Friday prices on iPhones, video game bundles, televisions, and other popular electronics."

However, consumers should save a little cash for after the Black Friday weekend. Dengler says December 10 through 17 will be the sweet spot for toy purchases, while December 8 through 25 could be the best time to buy jewelry.

Not everyone will spend their entire budget on products, however. The RetailMeNot survey finds 15 percent of consumers plan to increase spending on restaurants and entertainment. Another 15 percent have allotted some holiday money for travel.

Halloween is nearly at the doorstep, and consumers across the country are stocking up on candy for eager trick-or-treaters. Unfortunately, leftover treats may cause some people to put on a few pounds before November arrives.

As with any other time of the year, there are plenty of ways consumers can burn off those extra calories and get in shape. Three methods that should jump to the top of the list include exercise, dieting, and proper meal preparation.

Exercising on a tight schedule

One of the favorite mantras of any gym nut or personal trainer is that if exercise was easy, everyone would be doing it. Unfortunately, dragging yourself outside to take a run, walk around the block, or drive to the gym takes a certain amount of willpower that many consumers find elusive.

If you -- like many others -- run on a tight work or home schedule, you might start your fitness journey by finding little ways to burn calories at home or at work.

For example, try walking or taking your bike to work (if possible) instead of driving; opt to take the stairs over the elevator; and try to incorporate walking meetings into your workday wherever possible.

In some cases, buying fitness equipment that you can keep at home can also be a huge benefit. Taking a half hour in the morning or at night to use a treadmill or elliptical can do wonders for your health and can compensate for a sedentary job or lifestyle.

Meal preparation and dieting

Like exercising, preparing healthy meals takes time; however, replacing unhealthy meals is a must if you want to keep your weight under control. Luckily, there are various options for streamlining better nutrition, whatever your schedule may be.

Instead of cooking up big meals that require many ingredients and a lot of time and attention, consumers should make some meals that are quick and easy to put together. For example, whipping up some healthy parfaits made with fresh fruit, yogurt, and granola can be the perfect way to start your day instead of a labor-intensive breakfast.

Consumers should also consider frozen foods that pack a nutritional punch, such as organic fruits and vegetables. Lean meats like chicken and turkey are also good options and can be kept frozen until there’s time to cook them up later.

Of course, if finding time to go to the grocery store or cook meals is a difficult task, you might consider having meals delivered to you. Meal delivery services like HelloFresh (an Authorized Partner) and Personal Trainer Food – as well as weight loss programs like Nutrisystem and Beachbody (an Authorized Partner) -- can provide pre-portioned ingredients and meals that make meal preparation and dieting a snap.

Whether you’re a strategic car shopper or just check sales once in a while for good deals, now through December is the time to look for discounts on brands and models with lagging sales.

That's why it may pay to take a look at what Fiat Chrysler and Hyundai-Kia have to offer between now and the end of the year. Both brands had a lackluster October, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB).

KBB's preliminary numbers show Fiat-Chrysler will finish the month with an 11.1 percent year-over-year decline in sales, despite strong demand for its popular Jeep product. Hyundai-Kia is expected to be down 11.2 percent.

Nissan's sales are expected to be off by 4.9 percent while Honda sales appear to be nearly flat, down less than one percent.
Strong month for Volkswagen.

All other automakers are expected to see their sales for the month rise, led by Volkswagen, which appears to be recovering from 2015's diesel emissions cheating scandal. KBB puts VW's October sales at an 11.7% gain, increasing its U.S. marketshare by a half a percentage point.

Toyota sales are expected to be 6.3 percent higher while Ford sales appear to have risen nearly four percent.

While consumers in search of the best deal often find satisfaction by going for a slow-selling brand, the Houston area serves as a major caveat to that theory. Just about all dealers in Southeast Texas are reporting strong sales, due to Hurricane Harvey.

Strong sales in Houston

Thousands of consumers are replacing their flooded vehicles, and KBB analyst Tim Fisher says those sales were enough to move the needle nationally, keeping a slight decline in auto sales from being worse. In other parts of the country, he's already seeing signs of increased incentives to attract consumers to new car showrooms.

“Even with production cuts this year, incentives are on the rise and have reached 11 percent of average transaction prices,” Fisher said. “This is an indicator that new-vehicle demand is still contracting, and production cuts could be on the horizon to prevent oversupplies."

Sometimes it’s the type of vehicle that can influence whether or not you’ll find a flexible dealer. In you have your heart set on a small SUV, the dealer might not have much wiggle room, since this segment remains red hot. Small SUV sales are up 10 percent from last October and make up 18 percent of the market, according to KBB.

Instead, consumers might find more attractive deals on midsize sedans, a category that has lost market share for five straight years.

By focusing on unloved brands and categories, consumers can take advantage of attractive financing and cash-back incentives, as well as more money on trade-ins.

After the final accounting, KBB expects October overall new car sales to be down two percent from last October, but off nearly 12 percent from September.

Most people make home renovations because they want a new look, according to a survey by flooring retailer Empire Today.

Homeowners who take on home improvement projects tend to focus their effort in the kitchen, the survey said, adding everything from appliance upgrades to new cabinets and countertops.

About 54 percent of homeowners renovating their homes made improvements to the kitchen, 45 percent updated bathrooms, and 42 percent renovated bedrooms.

Painting, flooring, and outdoor renovations were the the most common home improvement projects. Half of all projects included a fresh coat of paint, often to change a room's overall color scheme.

Painting has two big advantages; it's an easy do-it-yourself project and a can of paint isn't that expensive, when measured against the effect it can have on a room.

Painting tips

Here are some painting tips:

• Soaking brushes in fabric softener after use will keep the bristles soft for the next day of painting. A good mixture is a half cup of fabric softener to one gallon of warm water.
• In addition to painters tape, keep plastic wrap close by. It's perfect for protecting large items that can't be moved.
• Painting around hardware can be a challenge. Smear some petroleum jelly on the metal and if any paint gets on the screws or hinges, it won't stick.

Also, spend a few extra dollars and buy a premium grade paint. It will not only look better on the surface, you might be able to get away with one coat instead of two.

Easy kitchen projects

In the kitchen, you might not need to replace cabinets if they are in good shape. Consider a fresh coat of paint and some custom knobs and pulls to give them personality. Vintage knobs are trendy and you can probably install them on all your kitchen cabinets for less than $100.

Lighting is another area where homeowners can make significant improvements on a budget. According to HGTV, lighting requirements differ for each room.

In a living or family room, the HGTV experts say “layered” lighting often works better than recessed lighting. Light that bounces off the ceiling will provide soft, ambient illumination.

Kitchens usually require a combination of ambient and task lighting. Task lighting is especially functional over counter tops and the sink.

New faucets

Replacing old sink fixtures is an easy and inexpensive way to update a kitchen or bath. Faucets are things you use every day and a modern model that matches your décor will not only add beauty but function too.

Adding molding to a room is an easy project that provides a finished look. Chair rail makes living and dining rooms a little more formal, while crown molding can create a finished look for any room

Great Lakes Cheese is recalling of 60 packages of American Accent Shredded Imitation Mozzarella Cheese.

The product contains whey and casein, milk allergens not declared on the label.

There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products to date.

The following product, sold at Bashas’, AJ's Fine Foods, Food City and Bashas’ Dine Markets stores in Arizona and New Mexico, is being recalled

• American Accent Shredded Imitation Mozzarella Cheese; Size 32 oz, UPC Code 0 365148012 6, Best By JUN 8 2018

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact the Great Lakes Cheese customer care hotline at 1-800-677-7181.

The leaves may have just started to fall, but winter weather will be here before you know it -- and slick, snowy conditions can cause big problems for cars.

Hitting the road in winter weather can cause serious wear-and-tear on your vehicle and also raise the risk of an accident. In fact, nearly one-fifth (17 percent) of all car accidents happen during winter conditions.

What’s more, driving in hazardous winter conditions can lead to increased insurance rates. To avoid accidents and having to pay more for coverage, experts recommend taking time to prepare your car to handle the treacherous conditions that are sure to arrive in the coming months.

Preparation tips

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Seth Birnbaum, CEO and co-founder of online auto insurance marketplace Everquote, points out that winter weather can hurt drivers and passengers and also result in big financial impacts on insurance rates.

“Slick road conditions, limited visibility and freezing temperatures can make for a dangerous driving experience,” he said. “But the fact is, people still need to get from point A to point B and go about their daily activities – many of which require driving.

“To make for the safest experience possible, drivers will need to ensure their vehicles are prepared for cold and hazardous road conditions.”

Here are a few ways consumers can prepare their vehicles (and themselves) for winter driving:

• Check your car’s vitals. Make sure your battery and cooling systems are intact and operating properly. Birnbaum recommends checking your car or getting it inspected before snow is already on the ground since the signs that something could be wrong with a vehicle aren’t always overtly clear.

• Inspect your tires. In order to handle any kind of weather, it’s critical that tires be filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure amount. The age of your tires also affects how well they will perform in inclement weather conditions. Worn out tires are much more likely to fail, says Birnbaum.

• Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t text or engage in other dangerous distractions behind the wheel. To bolster your safe driving skills, consider downloading a driving app like SafeDrive, LifeSaver, or EverDrive.

• Buy (or make) an emergency kit. Having an emergency kit in your car is always a smart idea, but it’s even more important during wintery weather conditions. Stock your kit with driving necessities like jumper cables, a flashlight, a pocket knife, ice scraper, umbrella, duct tape, and a cloth or sign for increased visibility.  Birnbaum also recommends drivers put windshield wipers and freeze-resistant wiper fluid in their kit.