Current Events in October 2017

U.S. college students have run up $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, but some college majors have apparently prepared borrowers to pay down that debt at a faster rate.

CometFi, a resource site for college grads with student loan debt, has drilled down into the student debt numbers over the past decade and unearthed some surprising facts.

When it measured student loan debt against fields of study and subsequent careers, the study determined that graduates in journalism and broadcasting have done the best job of paying off their student loans.

This group graduated with an average of $27,000 in loans but now owes an average of $12,000, reducing balances by 55 percent. Graduates in publishing, construction, and real estate have all paid off at least 47 percent of their loans.

Graduates working in telecommunications have paid only 16 percent, while those in scientific jobs have reduced their debt by only 19 percent. Those in medical and health care have paid back just 20 percent.These results are particularly surprising because graduates in the so-called science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, including healthcare, have made the slowest progress paying off their student loans.STEM grads have made less progress

"So why is it that journalists have paid off almost twice as much debt?" the authors ask. "Perhaps it’s because medical professionals were more likely to have other types of debt – business loans to buy into a practice or personal debt incurred during residencies they were simultaneously paying off. Perhaps it’s because people who choose these professions value lifestyles that require more spending, or it may be that medical degrees aren’t quite the financial windfall we think they are."

The survey also analyzed students’ financial reliance on parents or family, finding that 51 percent of students paid for their education themselves while 24 percent relied on their parents.

It also looked at where students attended school, finding that a large majority -- 57 percent -- attended public, in-state institutions where tuition is typically lowest. Twenty-four percent attended more expensive private schools.

However, those attending private colleges graduated with the most debt but have simultaneously done the best job of paying it back, reducing their loan balances by an average 32 percent. Technical and trade school graduates have paid off 30 percent of their loans, barely outstripping 29 percent paid off for public, in-state graduates.

Giving advice to their younger selves

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the survey involves looking back. Knowing what they now know, graduates were asked to give advice to their younger selves.

If they had it to do over, 49 percent of graduates said they would spend the first two years of school at a community college and live at home. Eighteen percent said they actually did that.

Fifty percent of graduates said they would choose to attend a less expensive college and only 54 percent agreed that the cost of attending college was worth it.

Student debt has had significant economic impact on the generation that has graduated in the last decade, making many major purchases (in particular buying a home) more difficult. Moreover, the weight of student loans has left this group cash-strapped even on a small scale; forty-six percent of respondents said they did not have the cash on hand for a $400 emergency.

The survey found a direct correlation between student loan debt and the ability to meet that unexpected expense, with those with the least amount of debt most able to handle it.

The Senate has voted to overturn a rule allowing consumers to sue banks and credit card companies as part of a dispute resolution.

The House had already approved the legislation, so the bill will head for President Trump's desk, where he is expected to sign it into law.

The measure rolls back a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule announced in July that banned the use of mandatory arbitration clauses in financial services contracts, including those for cellphones.

When consumers sign up for a credit card or open a bank account, the terms of service they must agree to specifically state that disputes will be resolved through arbitration. That means consumers are unable to take part in class action suits if something goes terribly wrong.

In arbitration, the consumer and the financial institution present their arguments before an independent third party. That entity, the arbitrator, hears both sides and then makes a decision. In many cases, the decision is binding, and there is no right to appeal.

'Escape accountability'

CFPB Director Richard Cordray criticized arbitration clauses, charging they allowed companies to escape accountability to their customers. Under the new rule, he said, consumers would be more likely to receive justice.

Congressional Republicans led the effort to overturn the rule. The measure nullifying the rule easily passed the House but required Vice President Pence to break a 50-50 vote in the Senate late Tuesday.

Two GOP Senators -- Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Kennedy of Louisiana -- voted with Democrats against the resolution and for keeping the CFPB's arbitration rule in place.

"Senators who voted in favor of this resolution just handed a gift to bad financial actors," said Melissa Stegman, senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending. "Companies, like Wells Fargo and Equifax, frequently bury forced arbitration clauses in the fine print of agreements, giving them the ability to cheat consumers with impunity. These rip-off clauses deny Americans the freedom to seek justice through our court system – a right embodied by the Constitution's Seventh Amendment."

Reasons for overturning the rule

But those who voted to roll back the arbitration rule contend it is part of Obama-era regulations that have reduced economic growth. President Trump has said he supports the repeal because he believes it harms community banks and credit unions.

Assuming Trump signs the legislation, consumers who have a dispute with their bank or credit card company must continue to resolve it through arbitration.

Lauren Saunders, associate director of the National Consumer Law Center, has called arbitration clauses "a license to steal" when a company commits fraud.

The American Bankers Association (ABA) sees it differently. ABA CEO Rob Nichols said the vote was a "win for consumers," claiming the rule would have ultimately led to higher costs.

Despite being the generation most likely to treat their pet as if it were a child, many millennials may not be financially prepared to save their four-legged family member in an emergency.

According to a recent poll, nearly half of millennials (48 percent) said they probably or definitely could not come up with $2,000 in case of an emergency. That’s a problem, considering millennials are now the largest pet-owning demographic in the U.S.

Unexpected emergencies and accidents can happen at any time to a pet, which is why pet experts say it’s critical to take steps to prepare financially for unforeseen expenses.

Providing preventative care

Scraping together $2,000 in case of a pet emergency may seem like a daunting task, especially to millennials who may be facing financial obstacles like overcoming student loan debt or saving up to buy a house.

But saving up for an unforeseen pet emergency may not be as difficult as millennials think. Staying ahead of expenses through preventative veterinary care can help ensure young pet owners are prepared to care for their furry companion if the worst happens.

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Rob Jackson, co-founder and CEO of Healthy Paws, recommended that millennials commit to preventative care for their pet. Doing so can help consumers avoid expensive vet bills and complications later, he said.

“Keeping pet care costs down over the long-term means committing to preventative care, seeing your vet annually to nip conditions in the bud, and enrolling in pet insurance as early as possible to avoid pre-existing conditions,” Jackson said.

“Just like humans, everything from dental check-ups to vaccines help your pet live a longer, healthier life,” he continued, noting that preventative care safeguards pets’ basic health.

For example, Jackson says that staying up to date on shots, heartworm medication, and other preventative health care measures can help protect pets from big diseases like heartworm or rabies.

“While you can’t prevent every accident or illness, taking these precautionary steps can save a lot of stress for both you and your pet further down the road,” he said.

Catching diseases early

Routine wellness exams go “hand-in-paw” with preventative care and can also help stave off expensive medical bills.

“A quick physical and a few tests can rule out any illnesses in the early stages, possibly saving your pet’s life,” Jackson said. “Again, just like humans, discovering illnesses in their earliest stages means a better chance for recovery and survival.”

According to a recent survey by Nationwide insurance, the following cat and dog conditions can be avoided by preventative veterinary care: dental diseases, internal and external parasites, infectious diseases, reproductive organ diseases, and respiratory infections.

Buying pet insurance

Another way consumers can avoid big vet bills is by buying pet insurance that covers their dog or cat. Having this coverage can be a lifesaver if a chronic illness or condition presents itself down the line.

“A limping injury may need diagnostic tools like x-rays and MRIs that can run up to $5,000,” Jackson pointed out. “We regularly see small claims – an allergy diagnosis and treatment may be $250 – as well as catastrophic claims – spinal diseases that can run over $40,000.”

“With veterinary science evolving to treat our pets better and faster, the price tag is higher as well,” he said. “Pet insurance protects your pets by giving you the financial freedom to seek out the best care possible.”

How many times have you looked at your bank account at the end of the month and wondered where the money went?

In a new survey, TD Bank tries to answer that question, examining what consumers buy and how they pay for it.

The typical U.S. household earns $62,000 a year and spends, on average, $25,000 of that amount paying the monthly bills and making purchases.

The average household spends around $2,000 on travel and $1,700 on dining. Millennials tend to spend nearly $300 more than the average consumer on restaurants, pushing that total to around $2,000 a year.

Earlier this year Business Insider broke down the costs and found the average consumer spends most of his or her money in three areas -- housing, transportation, and food.

Higher spending level

It also found that consumers spend a lot more than the average TD Bank came up with. Citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the report says households spend an average of $56,000 a year.

Housing, transportation, and food claim about 62 percent of that, the report found. To save money, the report suggests consumers try to lower their housing costs, eat more meals at home, and drive a used car or take public transportation.

TD Bank, meanwhile, says its research shows the way consumers pay for their purchases is actually costing them money. Failing to prudently use a rewards credit card and cashing in accrued rewards is leaving money on the table.

The survey found that 46 percent of consumers regularly pay for purchases with a debit or check card and 21 percent pay with cash. That means two-thirds of consumers could be earning generous cash rewards on gasoline, groceries, restaurant meals, and other purchases.

TD Bank says it recently boosted the cash-back rewards on its credit card from two percent to three percent on restaurant charges. It also added grocery purchases as a new rewards category, paying two percent cash-back.

Advice to consumers

"If I could offer advice to consumers who use a credit card, it's to be sensible in spending and mindful about cashing in rewards," says Julie Pukas, head of US Bankcard and Merchant Solutions at TD Bank.

Pukas says consumers need to be smart in the way they use their credit cards for daily purchases like groceries and dining, then have the discipline to pay off the entire balance at the end of each month.

"For those who can make it work, it's a very savvy credit strategy that makes your credit card work for you," she said.

It's one thing to rack up credit card rewards, but they don't help until you cash them in. Nearly one in five consumers with credit card rewards admit there have been times they let them expire.

More millennials have a rewards credit card than any other generation, yet this age group is the one most likely to let their rewards go to waste.

Pukas' advice? Go into your credit card account and automatically apply any rewards to each month's bill, ensuring the rewards get used before they expire.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued new guidelines which recommend having children stay away from toys in the waiting room at the pediatrician’s office to avoid contact with germs.

The group says that doctor’s offices should avoid stocking their waiting room with plush toys, like stuffed animals, which are difficult to clean and can harbor germs. Even contact with items like books and toys are discouraged because they can be breeding grounds for germs, especially during cold and flu season..

The group also recommends that doctor’s offices implement the same infection control initiatives as hospitals. For example, the guidelines suggest that hand sanitizer and masks be made available to parents in the doctor's office, cough and sneeze etiquette be enforced via visual reminders, and tissues be properly disposed of.

Bring your own toys

Instead of letting kids play with toys and games that may be available in the waiting room, AAP recommends bringing books and toys from home. To further curb the risk of infection, parents can keep their infant or toddler in their stroller until they are taken into an exam room.

Parents can also check with the front desk about how long the wait is likely to be, then take a walk or wait in the car and ask the staff to call their cell phone when it’s their child’s turn, Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, co-author of the policy statement, told the New York Times.

The updated infection-prevention guidelines also state that kids should get all of their recommended vaccines, including the flu shot if they are over the age of six months. Doctor’s office personnel should also make sure to get their annual flu shot, the group says.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,101,107 model year 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty trucks.

The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch.

Either condition can result in the doors opening while while the vehicle is being driven although they appear to be closed, posing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 13, 2017.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S33.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 443,545 model year 2011-2014 Sonata and model year 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under an earlier recall.

The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.

If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin in October 2017.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.

Students choose their college for a variety of reasons, so personal finance site WalletHub drew up a list of most influential factors and ranked how schools met them.

If you value small classes, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology tied for lowest student-to-teacher ratio. Princeton, Yale, Holy Names University in California and Sweet Brier College in Virginia also ranked well in this category.

If graduation rates are an important factor, Pamona College in California graduates the largest percentage of its students each year. Davidson College in North Carolina and Georgetown University also made a strong showing.

Student loan debt

Many students are understandably concerned about graduating with a lot of student loan debt. 

If that is a worry, consider Paul Quinn College in Texas, where students graduate with the least amount of debt, according to the WalletHub report. Lane College in Tennessee and the University of Tennessee-Chatanooga also perform well by that measure.

On the other hand, the WalletHub report found Texas Christian University graduates leave school with the most debt, followed by Graceland University in Iowa.

Measuring by student loan default rate, the California Institute of Technology has the lowest student loan default rate in the nation. Two other California schools -- Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College -- also excel in that area.

Meanwhile, Central State University in Ohio and Paine College in Georgia have the highest student loan default rate among its students.

Salary after graduation

Harvey Mudd College earned another distinction for delivering the highest return on students’ education dollars, followed by MIT and the California Institute of Technology.

It's no surprise, then, that MIT leads all schools with the highest median salary after graduation, followed by Harvard and Georgetown.

The WalletHub reports concludes Livingston College in North Carolina provides the lowest return on investment, followed by Wheelock College in Massachusetts and the University of Pikeville, in Kentucky.

Spring is typically perceived as peak homebuying season, but a new report from real estate marketplace Trulia suggests now is a better time to look if you are a millennial in the market for your first home.

Contrary to popular wisdom, the inventory of “starter homes” peaks in October and rises seven percent during the Autumn months. In 70 of the top 100 housing markets, the survey finds the strongest season for starter homes is between October and December.

Prices are lower as well. With more homes on the market, listing prices tend to be around 4.8% less in the winter than in the summer.

The Trulia Inventory and Price Watch report also finds the fall season is especially good for first-time buyers who are looking in the western states. It recorded the largest increase in fall inventory levels and steepest drop in list prices in California, Colorado, Oregon and Arizona.

San Jose, which tends to be one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, leads with a 42 percent seasonal difference in number of starter homes on the market in the fall and spring.

Homebuyers in Wichita, Kansas stand to enjoy the best affordability and seasonal price drop. Trulia predicts starter homes will list for 18.6 percent less in the fall than they will in the spring.

Inventory levels continue to fall

House-hunting during the Autumn months does not guarantee you'll find what you're looking for, however. The housing market continues to deal with a shortage of homes for sale, especially in the categories of starter and trade-up homes.

The number of starter homes has dropped 8.7 percent during the past year while the number of trade-up homes – the homes people buy when they sell their starter homes – has declined by 7.9 percent. The decline has emboldened sellers to increase asking prices, making affordability a pain point in many markets.

“Realtors this fall continue to say the primary impediments stifling sales growth are the same as they have been all year: not enough listings – especially at the lower end of the market – and fast-rising prices that are straining the budgets of prospective buyers,” said Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors' chief economist.

First-time buyers who wait until spring and summer to shop for a home are going to find fewer homes to consider and will likely have to pay more for it if they find the one they want.

This past summer, the Trulia report found the volume of starter home listings plunged 20.4 percent from the sale period in 2016. Trade-up shoppers found 12.5 percent fewer homes on the market

Halloween is meant to be a fun-filled night for young trick-or-treaters, but it can also be dangerous if homes aren’t prepared for visitors. To reduce the chance of an accident or injury, it’s important for consumers to prepare their porch and front yard for the arrival of Halloween visitors.

By making sure your home is scary for all the right reasons, you can help ensure that trick-or-treaters have a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are a few safety precautions you can take to prepare for the spookiest night of the year.

Prepare your lawn and walkway

When candy and excitement converge, giddy little ones may sprint to your door instead of walking. To reduce the risk of falls or injuries, make sure your lawn, driveway, walkway, and stairs are clear of trip hazards.

Cut off access to exposed tree roots or other unsafe areas, and be sure to repair any wobbly railings, cracks in stairs, or loose pavers. You should also sweep the sidewalk leading to your home to clear away loose gravel, sticks, or wet leaves.

If your front yard is decked out in light-up seasonal decor, make sure electrical cords are safely out of the way so they don't trip up young children or their supervisors.

And although Fido might want to mingle with Halloween revelers, it’s probably best to keep him indoors. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends restraining pets so they don’t jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Light up the night

Another way you can get your home ready for the holidays is to make sure it’s well-lit. Signal trick-or-treaters that you’re open for business by turning your porch light on. You can also brighten up the path to your door by turning on floodlights, laying down rope lighting, or putting up walkway lights.

However, it’s important to ensure that all exterior illumination is safe and won’t cause a fire hazard. Consider using battery-powered lighting in candles and jack-o-lanterns, and keep any candle decorations on a sturdy, level surface that is well away from anything that could burn. Halloween is unfortunately one of the top five days for candle fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Without proper precautions, “a seemingly innocent candle decoration or a flowing costume can quickly turn the holiday into a true horror,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications.

Make safe candy choices

When buying Halloween candy, consider avoiding treats that pose a choking hazard to toddlers. You might also want to purchase candy that will be safe for children with peanut allergies.

When shopping for allergy-safe candy, check the candy bag’s label carefully. Even if it doesn’t contain peanuts, it may have been made in a facility that processes peanuts. Another option is to purchase alternative treats for kids with food allergies, such as stickers, coloring books, or games from the party favor aisle.

If you plan to provide a non-food trick-or-treat alternative, be sure to put a teal-colored pumpkin on your doorstep. Participating in the teal pumpkin project lets others know you have allergy-friendly treats on hand.

If you've decided to pick up some extra cash driving for Uber, Lyft, or any of the other so-called transportation network companies (TNC), you'll need to review your auto insurance.

Your personal auto policy may not cover you while transporting passengers you picked up through a ridesharing app; in most cases it won't.

As ridesharing became a market force in the last few years, auto insurance companies responded by creating hybrid policies that are more than personal policies but less than those designed for a business.

However, not all insurance carriers provide them and they aren't available in every state. You may be able to modify your existing policy but it could require switching companies.

Here are the offerings by some major insurance providers:

Allstate

Last week Allstate expanded availability of its ridesharing coverage to seven more states -- Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Vermont -- bringing the total to 43.

Allstate's riding coverage is called Ride For Hire and is designed to fill gaps between your personal policy and the commercial coverage typically provided by the TNC you're driving for. Allstate says this extra coverage can cost as little as $15 to $20 per year extra.

Geico

Geico offers a ridesharing auto insurance policy that replaces a personal auto policy. It is valid at all times, whether you are picking up passengers or just driving yourself.

There are restrictions on the number of miles that can be driven and it is limited to passenger vehicles. The company recommends a commercial policy for full-time drivers.

The Geico ridesharing policy is currently available in 40 states. Rate information is provided online through a custom quote.

State Farm

State Farm insurance extends your personal auto policy to cover you when you drive as part of a ridesharing operation. Most parts of your personal policy are in effect when you are working for a TNC. Your full personal policy is in effect when you are off the clock.

Rideshare Driver Coverage can add 15 to 20 percent to your personal State Farm premium. The amount is going to depend on your personal policy coverage, discounts and other rating factors.

Farmers

Farmers provides a gap insurance to cover the time TNC drivers are on the road, but only when they have a TNC passenger in the vehicle. Otherwise, your personal auto policy covers you during this time.

The policy, available in 29 states, provides comprehensive and collision coverage that pays for damages to your car; uninsured motorist coverage, if you are hit by an uninsured driver; medical and personal injury protection.

Progressive

Progressive offers what it calls an endorsement to existing personal auto policyholders, enabling the customers to be covered while driving for Uber or Lyft.

The company says the endorsement fills most of the coverage gap between a personal auto policy and the commercial coverage held by a TNC. It extends roadside assistance, comprehensive and collision through all phases of TNC activity.

Currently, this coverage is only available in Pennsylvania and Texas

Even though we haven’t quite reached November, smart consumers are already planning out their holiday shopping.

According to The NPD Group – a global information company – online shoppers will spend an average of $793 this holiday season, while those who plan to do all their shopping at brick-and-mortar retailers anticipate spending an average of $467.

Regardless of where you choose to shop, looking for discounts and sticking to a budget are always advisable–especially if you want to start the new year without holiday debt.

Ways to save

Here are eight tips and tricks that can help you avoid paying top dollar for the items on your holiday shopping list.

• Shop during Cyber Week. According to a recent study, the best time to get the deepest discounts is between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. During this period, shoppers can snag gifts for an average of 28 percent off. After Cyber Monday, December 11 is predicted to have the deepest discounts and greatest free shipping availability.

• Use Amazon’s price comparison app. Avoid the remorse of realizing you could have gotten an item for cheaper online by downloading the Amazon app. This app (available for iOS and Android) lets you pull up the Amazon price of any item you see in a store simply by scanning its barcode.

• Get the online price in-store. Some retailers will give you the online price for an item if you shop in-store. Check out this list to find out which retailers let you price match their online stores.

• Set price drop alerts. If your child drops a hint about a toy they would love to have, set a sale alert on the app ShopSavvy (available for iOS and Android) and you’ll get an alert as soon as the price drops. This app can also let you know when there are sales at major stores.

• Get free shipping on December 15. There are plenty of great deals to be found online, but unfortunately those deals don’t factor in the cost of shipping. However, on December 15 (free shipping day), some merchants will offer free shipping and guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. Here’s the full list of participating retailers.

• Get discounts on gift cards. If you’ll be buying gift cards for anyone on your list, order them online at a cheaper price. GiftCardGranny.com sells gift cards at an average discount of around 12 percent off.

• Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime. If you sign up for a free 30-day trial on November 19, you’ll get free shipping from Black Friday until just before Christmas.

• Download the Honey app. If you’ll be doing a lot of online shopping this holiday season, consider installing Honey, a browser extension that finds coupons you can use for the websites you browse.

General Motors has reached a settlement with 49 states and the District of Columbia, resolving charges that it concealed safety issues related to ignition switch defects in certain GM vehicles. The states will share a $120 million settlement, with each state determining how to use the money.

This issue goes back to 2014 when the carmaker issued a total of seven recalls because of problems with the ignition switch in some of its cars and trucks. Under certain conditions, the defective ignition switches could move out of the run position into "off" or "accessory."

When that happened, the electrical system controlling the power steering and power brakes failed, forcing drivers to try to control a speeding automobile without these necessary functions. The problem affected more than nine million vehicles and has been linked to over 300 deaths by the Center for Auto Safety.

Also affected airbags

Making matters worse, the failed electrical system could also cause airbags not to deploy in the event of a collision. This fatal defect has been attributed to more than a dozen deaths.

As we reported at the time, the ignition switch issue was a long-standing one, eliciting a number of consumer reports. This prompted the states to mount a joint investigation into GM to determine whether it acted in a timely manner once it learned of the defect. They concluded it did not.

“Instead of prioritizing customers, General Motors turned a blind eye for years and chose to conceal the safety defects associated with several models of their vehicles,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Knew of the problem 10 years earlier

The states claimed GM knew about the ignition switch issue as early as 2004. However, the states accuse GM executives at the time of ignoring the problem and continuing to sell cars with a problem that could cause safety features to fail.

“GM’s priority must always be drivers’ safety,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “GM should have quickly informed vehicle owners that if its ignition switches malfunctioned while driving, it could cause deadly safety problems.”

Under the settlement with the states, GM will:

• Ensure a vehicle is safe before describing it as safe;    

• Repair all certified pre-owned vehicles with open recalls before selling them;    

• Make sure repaired used cars are inspected before they are sold;    

• Instruct its dealers that all recall repairs must be completed before vehicles sold in the U.S. are eligible for certification; and   

• Complete the required repair before a recalled vehicle is delivered to a customer.

New York is one of America's most exciting cities, especially during the autumn months.

Most travelers tend to have a list of “must-see” sights when making a visit -- like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty -- but the city also hosts hundreds of off-beat, out-of-the-way attractions that can increase the pleasure of an autumn visit.

Historic train station

While a typical New York subway station probably isn't anyone's idea of a tourist attraction, City Hall station -- on the original Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) track -- is a journey back in time.

In its day, City Hall station featured lavish architectural details that were so common in the early 20th century. It had vaulted ceilings and skylights and was lit by elaborate chandeliers.

However, the station was never very popular with commuters and eventually closed in 1945. Today, the public can catch a glimpse of it as they ride a train that passes through without stopping.

If you're a fanatic about seeing old train stations, you might consider becoming a member of the New York City Transit Museum in advance of your visit. Members are allowed to take periodic tours through the Victorian era station.

Crumbling ruins

Europe is known for the crumbling ruins of old castles, but you don't have to cross the Atlantic to have that experience. On the southern tip of Roosevelt Island stands the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital, or what's left of it.

Designed in the Gothic style in the mid 19th century, the hospital housed smallpox patients in one of the city's most isolated regions. It operated in that capacity throughout the mid-1800s before being converted to other uses. By the mid-20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair and was abandoned.

The ruins were declared a historic landmark in 1975 and efforts were made to preserve it, but the site was allowed to remain in a ruined state. Today, you can view the site from behind a fence but can't go inside because of its fragile condition. You can get there by taking the F train to Roosevelt Island and making your way to E Road.

Graceful estates

On the other end of the spectrum, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum reminds visitors that New York City isn’t all skyscrapers. Travelers can view the lush, graceful estate in the northern section of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.

Thomas Pell obtained the property in the 1600s when he signed a treaty with the Siwanoy Indians and got what is now the Bronx in return. The majestic house that is home to the museum was built between 1836 and 1842 and opened as a museum in 1946, which offers tours of the buildings and grounds.

A Harlem gem

If you're a fan of popular music and early show business, a visit to Harlem's Apollo Theater should be on your list. It opened in 1914 as a whites-only entertainment venue but closed its doors two decades later. However, it got a new life in 1934 when it became the premier showcase for African American talent.

During the 1940s, the Apollo hosted legendary musicians such as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Chick Webb. Today, the venue draws an increasing number of tourists who can learn about its history and the struggles of African Americans in the performing arts.

Dinner and a stroll

A trip to New York wouldn't be complete without dining at one of the city's great restaurants. While there are many famous eateries, there are some excellent spots that are far less well-known.

For example, you might try ABC Carpet & Home, a well-reviewed restaurant located in a home furnishings store. In addition to a great meal, diners are encouraged to shop around afterward.

To cap off your Autumn visit to the Big Apple, consider a stroll through Central Park, which is beautiful in the fall. Check out the stunning Autumn footage below.

A new poll conducted by a student loan company suggests that a third of people judge romantic prospects based on their credit card debt.

LendEDU, a company that refinances student loans, polled 1,000 people for their views on dating and personal finance. According to their results, 30 percent of people consider credit card debt a “critical factor” in deciding whether to date someone. 

Another striking trend among respondents’ attitudes was that a third of them would like to have their own debt paid off by a hypothetical mate.

“Thirty percent of people judging credit card debt as a critical factor in their dating partners definitely was one of the more eye-catching statistics,” says Mike Brown, a research analyst with LendDU, “especially because it received so many more votes than did student loan debt or annual income.”

“A person with a serious amount of credit card debt could be seen as irresponsible and lacking sound judgement, two qualities that are not exactly desirable when looking for a significant other,” he writes to ConsumerAffairs.

Less concerned with other debts

The respondents polled were less judgemental about people who owed student loan debt, with only 11.8 percent describing it as a “critical factor” in their romantic choices, an encouraging figure, given that Americans also owe more than $1 trillion in student loans. Salary is a little more important to people, though less so than credit card debt--18.6 percent of people judged potential dates on their annual income.

Modern Americans are saddled with more debt than any other generation in U.S. history; the average American household is carrying approximately $16,000 in credit card debt, according to the US Census Bureau and Federal Reserve. That totals more than $1 trillion, the highest amount of credit card debt in United States history.

The median income for Americans rose to just over $59,0000 in September, in what economists say is a positive sign. But previous research has warned of an unhealthy disparity between wages and between annual incomes and the cost of living. 

According to a June 2017 report by the National Low Income Housing coalition, earning the federal minimum wage is not enough to afford the average rent in any state.

With millions of Americans struggling to pay off bills on their homes, cars and education, credit cards can present a tempting opportunity to spend in the short-term, particularly as wages remain out-of-step with the cost of living.  

“It is more than common to see couples in their 30s and 40s with tens of thousands of dollars in debt because they bought a house outside of their price range, or a new sports car that they did not necessarily need,” investment banker Chris Markowski wrote in an editorial decrying the nationwide credit card debt as “terrible news for our future.”

The question of who pays for a dinner is a likely to cause more social anxiety than long-term financial concerns. The bigger issues impacting single people’s finances are credit card debt, student loan debt and the ever-persistent gap between wages and the cost of living.  It’s perhaps no surprise then that people hope that a romantic partner can give them an easy out.

An eighth child -- a 2-year-old California boy -- has died as the result of the tip-over of a recalled IKEA Malm dresser, prompting consumer advocates to make another call for action from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and IKEA.

It's not the first time the agency and the retailer have been under fire. In August 2016, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and Kids In Danger criticized IKEA for placing countless children at risk and resisting a recall for too long.

A coalition comprised of the American Academy of Pediactrics, Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, Kids in Danger, the National Center for Health Research, Public Citizen, Shane’s Foundation, and U.S. PIRG issued a statement on the latest death earlier this week.

“This death highlights the risks to children of tip-over incidents. Companies must be held accountable for their products’ safety and the CPSC must be strong enough to force companies to take action in ways that successfully get recalled products out of homes,” the groups said.

The groups said CSPC must make a greater effort, “to reach every home with an IKEA dresser, urging families to return any unsafe dresser for a refund, and providing incentives for consumers to remove such a dresser from their homes.”

IKEA agreed late last year to pay millions of dollars in damages to families whose children died due to tip-overs.