Current Events in December 2017

Ford Motor Company is recalling 10,157 model year 2018 Ford Escapes.

The vehicles' side curtain airbags have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 29, 2018.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.

The impulse of tech start-ups to connect any and every object to your smartphone is beginning to blow up, both figuratively and literally. After Samsung admitted last year that its Galaxy Note smartphones had an occasional tendency to explode, airlines banned the phones and began scrutinizing other objects containing lithium-ion batteries.

The airline industry is now zeroing in on “smart” suitcases, or bags that promise to go above and beyond the normal duty of carrying your stuff. Beginning January 15, all major airline carriers plan to make passengers remove the batteries that power their bags before they clear security, essentially turning a $400 smart suitcase into an overpriced, regular suitcase. And if the batteries aren’t removable, then airlines won’t let the bag get anywhere near the plane.

Customers who love their smart bags can blame the Federal Aviation Administration. "The FAA has been very, very clear in its guidance to air carriers, that lithium-ion batteries stored in the cargo hold present an unacceptable risk,” FAA spokesman Gregory Martin tells ConsumerAffairs.

Smart bag makers face regulatory scrutiny

A slew of companies jumped on the “smart” bag trend several years ago. One company called Raden advertises that it is the only maker of suitcases with batteries that are removable -- allowing travelers to use the bags and remain in compliance next year.

Longtime suitcase maker Samsonite introduced its own GeoTracker line as well, though advertising does not indicate if that battery can be removed. Away Travel, which sells hard suitcases with built-in chargers, says in their advertising that “we don’t make ‘smart’ luggage, we make thoughtful luggage.”

Perhaps no company has received as much glowing press as BlueSmart, the company that claims to be the “World’s First Smart, Connected Carry-On” and launched with the help of 10,000 crowd-sourced investors in 2014.

Since then, BlueSmart and its pricey suitcases have been featured in publications like the New York Times -- at least four times. The company estimates that it has sold 65,000 bags.

There’s just one problem: the batteries in BlueSmart’s luggage cannot be removed, the company admits. Therefore, the bags cannot go on a plane. In statements on its website and to ConsumerAffairs, BlueSmart is trying to assure the public that they will get this turned around.

“DOT [the Department of Transportation] has already reviewed our products and all the technical documentation. The products passed all the necessary reviews and we are now waiting to get the formal letter of approval,” BlueSmart tells ConsumerAffairs in a statement.

But the FAA, the agency that regulates the airline industry, has no record of meeting with any particular smart suitcase company, according to agency spokesman Gregory Martin.

Told of this, BlueSmart says they met with people higher-up in the department.  “It wasn't the FAA that we met with. We went straight to the DOT. The FAA follow the guidelines of the DOT.” (As of publishing, BlueSmart could not name who in the DOT that they actually met with).

BlueSmart’s website similarly downplays the pending airline ban. “While most airlines understand and approve of smart luggage, others might still be getting up to speed,”  BlueSmart writes on its website. “To overcome this, we have organized meetings with the world’s leading airlines to make sure that your Bluesmart will be approved.”

Told of this, FAA spokesman Martin reiterates that his agency is strongly urging airlines to not allow lithium-ion batteries in the cargo hold. He also clarifies that the FAA is responsible for creating its own regulations.

"We're a part of the Department of Transportation, but the FAA sets the regulations that ensure aviation safety,” Martin says.

Batteries must be removed

Away Travel tells ConsumerAffairs that their batteries "are easily removable and therefore, fully compliant with the new airline regulations." Samsonite says that they have stopped selling their smart bags, but adds that the batteries in purchased bags are removable. 

American American Airlines, Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Virgin Airlines say that all customers with smart bags “must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked at any point in the customer’s journey” beginning January 15. The International Air Transport Association, a trade group representing nineteen international airlines, followed suit, announcing the same policy to take effect next year.

Whether the smart luggage industry will adapt by making their batteries removable remains to be seen. But there are other reasons to re-think smart bag purchases, or at least to wait until the technology improves.

Customers reviewing BlueSmart’s application for Android on Google Play complain that the GPS-tracking app does not connect properly to their smartphone. BlueSmart responds that the application is getting improved and updated.

“As for Android, we are constantly working on updates,” the company writes. “We've redesigned the whole app experience and architecture for the iOS app and are constantly rolling out these updates across our Android app too.”

After vetting hundreds of vehicles, the editors at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) have announced their recommendations for the best family cars of 2018. 

Technological additions–push-button start, Bluetooth connectivity, and blind spot warning–define this year’s group. 

While these features have been available for more than six years, they’re still new to the millions of consumers who haven’t purchased a new car recently,,  Kelley Blue Book Managing Editor Jason Allan told ConsumerAffairs.

Safety technologies 

Allan explained that safety, utility, and affordability are three key considerations when choosing a family car. 

“These cars don’t just check all the boxes for families, they’re all well-rounded entries ranking at or near the top of their respective segments in several key areas,” he said.

The 2018 list contains four new SUVs with features like teen-driver monitoring, wireless phone charging, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

“Advanced safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, lane departure prevention and cross-traffic alert are available on most of these vehicles, and at lower price points than ever,” Allan said, adding that cargo capacity and flexibility are helping drive the popularity of SUVs.

Family sedans

The presence of sedans also sets this year’s list apart.

Last year, sedans were notably absent from KBB’s family-friendly cars list, “a reflection of changing consumer preferences and sales trends,” said KBB, noting that SUVs tend to outshine sedans in terms of cargo versatility and other features that are important to families. 

However, sedans’ budget-friendliness, superior fuel economy, and better handling brought four 2018 sedans for KBB’s 2018 list. 

Car seat accommodations 

Child car safety seat accommodations were a primary consideration when deciding which cars made the list, since a vehicle’s capacity to accomodate a booster seat could make or break a parent’s car-buying decision.

“We keep two car seats in the office, each of which has been installed and removed in too many vehicles to count,” Allan said.

“We’re looking for easy-to-access LATCH points, enough distance between the first and second rows to accommodate a rear-facing infant seat and, where applicable, assessing how easy it is to access the third row without removing the car seat.” 

Best family cars

The experts at KBB say the following 2018 models are good choices for consumers with kids:  

• Best two-row SUVs for families: Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback 
• Best three-row midsize SUVs for families: Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Atlas 
• Best three-row full-size SUVs for families: Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition
• Best minivans for families: Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna
• Best family sedans: Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Impala

The official inflation rate remains around two percent, but the cost of living could be a lot higher than that next year depending on where you live.

A study by personal finance site GoBankingRates focuses on the 10 U.S. cities where costs are expected to rise the most in 2018. Topping the list is Portland, Ore.

In Portland, the price of the median home is expected to rise 2.81 percent, while the average rent could surge 5.34 percent. Second on the list is Seattle, where home values should climb 4.86 percent and rents could rise 5.73 percent, the most of any of the 10 cities.

Three key factors

To pick the cities where costs will rose the most, the study looked at three key factors: the year-over-year median home value forecast, the year-over-year median rent forecast, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index change between 2014 and 2017.

Here's the complete top 10 list:

1. Portland

2. Seattle

3. Denver

4. Atlanta

5. San Diego

6. San Francisco

7. Dallas-Fort Worth

8. Phoenix

9. Tampa

10. Miami

Cost factors vary

Gabrielle Olya, the author of the study, says cost increases are not uniform and that factors that are driving up costs vary by location.

"In Seattle rising living costs can be attributed to the tech boom, with more people moving to the city for jobs," she told ConsumerAffairs. "In Denver, the rising costs are due to a high demand for housing and a low supply of available homes."

In fact, Olya says rapidly rising housing costs tend to be the major driver of the cost of living. She points out that housing costs tend to rise much faster than the cost of consumer goods in areas with growing populations, especially if homes and apartments are in demand. However, she says that's not always a hard and fast rule.

"In San Francisco, the cost of goods and services is increasing at a higher rate than in the other cities we looked at, but housing costs are expected to remain pretty stagnant," Olya said.

That may be because San Francisco housing costs are already among the highest in the nation. Of the 10 most expensive cities, San Francisco is expected to see the smallest increase in rent next year -- 0.92 percent.

It's obvious that many other U.S. cities will see a far smaller increase in the cost of living next year. For the nation as a whole, the Consumer Price Index, a measure of the cost of goods and services in the economy, grew at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in November. In 2016, inflation only grew by 1.6 percent.

Research shows that anxiety is becoming a growing problem for children and teens, with experts pointing to a myriad of potential causes. One recent study found that overprotective “helicopter” parents could be partially to blame for rising anxiety levels.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests the increase can also be attributed to digital devices and their impact on the brain. Still, “we can only speculate as to the cause,” said Dr. Steve Levine, a board-certified psychiatrist, mental health expert, and founder and CEO of Actify Neurotherapies.

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Levine explained that these causes and other associated factors are creating undue stress in children and teens.

Causes of anxiety in kids

Levine says that for some teens, anxiety levels may be influenced by sleep -- or a lack thereof.

“We know that teens need more sleep than adults, and there is more competition for the zzz’s than ever these days. Like their parents, many kids are overscheduled, and there are only so many hours in the day,” he said.

Add in teens’ constant access to digital devices like smartphones and iPads, and you’ve got  “perpetual daylight in the bedroom,” Levine said. Each of these devices “comes with its own set of social pressures and expectations, he added. “Plus the mental stimulation of decision making and keeping up with the crowd.”

The holidays can also contribute to kids’ stress and anxiety. In addition to having their normal routine interrupted, kids’ support systems may change or become unavailable due to holiday travel.

“Expectations about it being the happiest time of year, pressures to join in ‘the holiday spirit’, forced family time, keeping up with social pressures, and anniversaries of losses can all contribute [to increased anxiety],” Levine said.

Reducing kids’ anxiety

Signs that your child may be suffering from anxiety include excessive worry and trouble concentrating and sleeping. Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomach aches can also be red flags for parents.

To reduce anxiety, researchers suggest letting kids engage in some forms of risky play (such as climbing to great heights or allowing roughhousing) so that they can learn how to navigate potentially dangerous situations. Doing so can help boost kids’ confidence and resilience and result in lower anxiety levels over time.

Unfortunately, many children try to keep their anxiety and worries to themselves. When this happens, sometimes their first thought can be “what’s wrong with me,” Levine explains. He says education about anxiety and stress, as well as their links to physical symptoms can go a long way towards reducing children’s anxiety. Normalizing anxiety can also help.  

“Kids don’t realize how common this is, and believe they must suffer alone,” Levine said. “If symptoms persist, seeing a counselor or therapist who is trained in techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may help.”

The end of each year is a key time to revisit your retirement accounts, and this year’s tax policy changes make now a particularly important time for diligent attention.

Whether you’re retired and taking distributions or are still making contributions, there are important deadlines and requirements that can impact your taxes for the year.

Here are five things every retirement investor should know.

IRA contributions

IRAs are individual retirement accounts. If you don’t have a retirement account associated with your employment or are looking to set aside extra money, an IRA is a good option for those earning up to $119,000 for 2017. The IRS allows you to contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA for 2017.

Kessler McLaughlin, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, told ConsumerAffairs “you can contribute to an IRA for 2017 up to the tax filing deadline of April 17th, 2018. And while circumstances may vary, contributions to your a traditional IRA generally lower your taxable income as the money is taken out before taxes.”

The reason for this is that your IRA distributions will be taxed when you receive them as income during retirement.

401(k) and 403(b) contributions

401(k)s are retirement accounts usually administered by your employer and are typically matched up to a certain percentage by your employer. While McLaughlin notes that these have the same contribution deadline as an IRA, the contributions are usually taken directly from your paycheck.

Because of that, you may need to work with your 401(k) plan administrator if you’re trying to make a contribution after December 31st.

403(b)s are essentially 401(k)s for government employees and follow most of the same rules. Both accounts have a contribution limit of $18,000 for 2017. Like IRAs, these are tax advantaged accounts, so making a contribution will often lower your taxable income for the year.

Roth accounts

Roth 401(k)s and Roth IRAs are another option for those looking to invest for their retirement. The difference is that the money you put into a Roth account has already been taxed.

The idea is that if you know your taxable income during retirement will be higher than your pre-retirement income, you would be getting a tax break by paying the tax now instead of when you take the distributions.

McLaughlin recommends working with a financial advisor to formulate a plan based on your income and goals so that you know which type of account is best for you, or whether you should use a combination of account types.

Catch-up contributions

McLaughlin explains that catch-up contributions are a way for older consumers to invest if tey didn't have a chance to do so earlier in their life.

“If you’re over 50, you can contribute an extra $6,000 to your 401(k) and an extra $1,000 to your IRA if you are over the age of 55,” he said.

However, he points out that there can be a tax penalty if you contribute more to your account than the annual limit.

Distribution requirements

For retirees who are 70 ½ and over, there are minimum distributions you must take from your traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts by December 31st of 2017. This does not apply to Roth IRAs, which have no requirement for distribution during your lifetime.

But for a Roth 401(k) you are required to take a distribution, but may not have to pay income tax on it.

In a growing number of housing markets, it makes more economic sense to rent a home than buy it, according to a new analysis by real estate marketplace realtor.com.

The authors of the report measured the various costs of renting a home as opposed to owning it and found the gap favoring renting is getting wider. In 57 of the 59 largest housing markets, they say you are better off renting than buying.

That's a big change from just eight years ago, when the financial crisis resulted in a big drop in the number of people buying homes and a surge in the number of renters. Demand for apartments and rental houses drove up rents while home prices and mortgage rates sank.

Rents have leveled off

Today, home prices are continuing to go up while rents have leveled off. On a national basis, the authors estimate that the percentage of household income required to buy a home has increased by 1.4 percent over the last 12 months.

At the same time, the average rent has fallen by 0.9 percent. This gap is widening the fastest where home values have shown significant growth.

"New single-family home construction has lagged demand, and with a large share of the boomer generation staying in place rather than sizing down, we've seen a historic shortage of for-sale inventory this year, leading to higher home prices," Chris Salviati, a real estate economist with ApartmentList.com, told ConsumerAffairs.

"On the flip side, this year has seen a boom in multi-family completions in many markets, which has tempered rent growth."

In the past, it was assumed that buying a home was a better financial decision because you were building equity. Homebuyers thought that their real estate value would gain value as they made payments to reduce their mortgage value.

That assumption was turned upside down in 2008 when the housing bubble popped and home values dropped sharply, leaving millions of recent homebuyers owing more than their homes were worth.

But home values have bounced back over the last five years, helped by an improving economy and a shortage of homes for sale. With home prices back near their historic highs, Congress is poised to make owning a home even more expensive.

Tax bill’s impact

The tax reform bill headed for a final vote this week caps mortgage interest and state and local tax deductions, two tax breaks that have made homeownership more affordable. The measure also doubles the Standard Deductions, meaning it's less advantageous for homeowners to itemize deductions.

"By reducing the value of these itemized deductions and simultaneously doubling the standard deduction, the bill significantly reduces the share of households that would see a tax benefit from owning a home," Salviati said.

Salviati also notes that the tax bill, as currently written, does not affect the mortgage deductions for homeowners who currently receive it. That, he says, could serve as an incentive for these homeowners not to sell, which would further increase the shortage of available homes and make them more expensive.

Findings from the largest indoor allergen study to date showed that over 90 percent of homes had three or more allergens, and 73 percent of homes had at least one allergen at elevated levels.

After looking at levels of eight common allergens in homes, researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that several factors -- including the presence of pests and pets in the home and the type of housing -- had a major influence on allergen levels.

Specifically, the researchers say certain types of homes -- including mobile homes, older homes, rental homes, and homes in rural areas -- were more likely to have elevated levels of multiple allergens. Homes in rural settings were also more likely to have higher levels of cat and dust mite allergens compared to urban settings.

Health impact

Indoor allergens can trigger asthma and cause a number of other adverse effects on health, including itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. In order to reduce your risk of experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to know which allergens you are most affected by.

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Dr. Susan LeLacheur, a primary care clinician and infectious disease expert, explained that allergens come from a variety of sources depending on the individual's specific allergy.

“Common respiratory allergies in homes are from animals, both the welcome kind (pet dander from dogs and cats) to the unwelcome (cockroaches are highly allergenic),” she said. “Allergies are basically an excessive or abnormal immune response to an external thing.”

Reducing allergens in your home

Fortunately, there are several things consumers can do to reduce their exposure to indoor allergens and irritants.

To minimize common household respiratory allergens, LaLacheur recommends keeping things as clean as possible. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture and wash sheets and blankets in hot water every week to kill allergy-triggering dust mites and their eggs.

For some allergy sufferers, it may be best to avoid having pets altogether -- but for others, pet ownership may still be in the cards. LeLacheur recommends consulting an allergist for help determining if you have a specific pet allergy. If you are only allergic to cats, for example, you may be able to share your home with a dog.

Pet owners should keep pets off of furniture and bed linens. Letting pets curl up in your bed isn’t a good idea, experts say; pet dander that settles on bed linens becomes a food source for dust mites. Special allergen-impermeable mattress and pillow covers can be purchased to help keep your bedroom free of dust mites and other allergens.

To keep bugs at bay, seal any possible entry points and remove their food and water sources. Never eat on the floor or on furniture since crumbs can attract cockroaches.

To make your home less hospitable to mites and mold, use a dehumidifier in bedrooms and other areas to keep humidity at 50 percent or less. For more tips on boosting your indoor air quality, click here.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 17,116 model year 2014 Dodge Challengers, Chargers, Durangos, Chrysler 300s, and Jeep Grand Cherokees equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator.

The alternator may fail suddenly, causing the vehicle to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 10, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T75.

As expected, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3–2 Thursday to repeal net neutrality rules for internet use put in place by the Obama administration.

The move is widely viewed as a major victory for large internet service providers (ISP) like Verizon and Comcast, and a setback for internet content providers. But what it means for consumers leaves to be seen.

Aram Sinnreich, associate professor of communication at American University, expects to see higher costs for content, more advertising, less innovation, and less competition from poorly-funded startups.

"However, there are more far-reaching and consequential effects that we might not notice right away," Sinnreich told ConsumerAffairs. "ISPs now have an incentive to block or throttle traffic using encryption, such as VPNs and Tor, which could have negative effects ranging from silencing political dissidents to isolating culturally marginalized users and groups, from LGBT to the disabled."

In short, he says ISPs will have a lot more censorship power than in the past. Barbara Cherry, a communications law expert and Indiana University professor, says the internet was considered a common carrier–with built-in consumer protections–long before the FCC formalized that status two years ago.

Now that providers are no longer considered common carriers, Cherry says ISPs can pretty much do what they want.

No options

"The effect to consumers of this order is you cannot go to the FCC for help, you don't have any state jurisdiction to help you, and you can't go to court because you signed a contract with an arbitration clause," Cherry said in an interview.

The basic principle of net neutrality is that ISPs must treat all legal internet content the same. They can't favor one content provider with faster speeds just because it pays the ISP a premium price.

For example, AT&T is trying to purchase Time Warner, a content provider. Under net neutrality regulations, it would be illegal to favor its own content with faster speeds while slowing down the connection speed when an AT&T customer accessed a rival streaming service. 

Without net neutrality, it can do just that and more.

Prior to the FCC vote, ISPs were also barred from slowing down internet connections for consumers who visit particular websites or apps. In short, ISPs were blocked from prioritizing the content that moves across their networks -- although ISPs have been quick to point out that they own those networks.

Critics among tech companies and consumer groups have warned this move threatens competition. Start-up web companies might be at a disadvantage against their larger, legacy competitors if they can't pay the ISPs for faster, easier access.

Legal challenge

Free Press, a consumer group, has announced it plans to file a lawsuit against the FCC to reverse its action. It also joined other groups in petitioning Congress to use the Congressional Review Act to reverse the FCC's action.

“Net neutrality is the nondiscrimination law of the internet," Free Press Policy Director Matt Wood said in a statement. "It’ll be just as necessary tomorrow as it is today."

Cherry says she thinks a court challenge is the best hope for net neutrality supporters to reinstate the policy, and says there may be firm legal grounds for that.

After Thursday's vote, tech giants ranging from Facebook to Google issued statements expressing their disappointment. Business opposition was not limited to Silicon Valley, however, as top real estate officials warned the FCC action would hurt their industry, now heavily dependent on the internet.

Realtors concerned

"FCC's rollback of the Open Internet Order will mean higher costs and slower service for millions of American consumers and businesses," said National Association of Realtors President Elizabeth Mendenhall. "Realtors have strong concerns about what that might mean for the way consumers search for homes online and real estate is transacted."

Cherry says prior to 2002, access to the internet was considered common carriage service because it was accessed over telephone lines. The problem, she says, began when cable companies that provide internet services began to argue they weren't common carriers.

When the FCC ruled in 2015 that broadband providers are, in fact, common carriers, many thought the issue was settled. The FCC made clear Thursday it isn't.

"We are entering a new era in which, for the first time, there is no presumption of a regulatory mandate for net neutrality," Sinnreich said.

New research from Healthy Paws Pet Insurance shows half of pet parents (50 percent) are planning to spend up to $75 on their furry companions this holiday season.

Nearly half of those respondents (45 percent) said they plan to spoil their pet with toys and treats, but giving too many cookies and snacks could be unhealthy for your pet in the long-run.

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Natasha Ashton, co-CEO of Petplan insurance, explained that many gifts and gadgets can actually help make your furry friend healthier.

“We know that over 95 percent of pet parents consider their pet a part of the family. So it's only natural for us to want to give back to them, especially since our pets unselfishly love us year round,” she said.

Holiday gifts for pets

Here are a few pet gifts that can help boost the health of your four-legged companion:

• For the mind. Toys can help keep your pet’s mind healthy and sharp. To engage all the senses during playtime, choose playthings in varying shapes, sizes, textures, and even scents. Puzzle toys and puzzle feeders make pets problem-solve for food, which satisfies their natural-born need to hunt, says Ashton.

• For the body. Making sure your pet gets sufficient exercise is critical, and many gadgets can help you stay on top of your pet’s daily activity requirements. Ideas include a hands-free jogging leash or bike leash, a dog or cat obstacle course to help your pet get exercise at home when it’s cold outside, a FitBark activity tracker to monitor your dog's everyday activity, and a cat tree for cats to climb.

• For the home. “A pet’s environment is just as important to his health as diet and exercise,” Ashton said. To keep pets from inhaling off-gassed chemicals while they sleep, give the gift of a nontoxic bed made with natural fibers. Aromatherapy diffusers can also benefit pets’ well-being, whether the oils are pheromone-based or in soothing scents like cedarwood, chamomile, or lavender.

Tips to save

With holiday spending expected to reach record highs this year, you may be keeping a close eye on your budget. Fortunately, a few shopping strategies can help you cut costs while shopping for Fido or Fluffy.

“Price matching is huge – stores like Petco and PetSmart price match if you find a lower price through a competitor. This tip can carry you through the holiday season to get you the best deal,” George Bousis, founder and CEO of savings app Raise, told ConsumerAffairs.

Following pet stores socially and signing up to receive emails for exclusive coupons and sales can also help you save, he noted.

Several price monitoring digital tools can also help you save. An app called Earny monitors for price drops at retailers (including pet stores). If the price drops on an item you already purchased, Earny’s bot contacts the company to get your money back.

Toolbars like Honey can also automatically apply eligible coupon codes when shopping online, which can save you money when shopping at a favorite pet retailer.

Several studies have suggested that there’s a link between the holiday season and overeating that leads to weight gain. A recent analysis of data found that the last week of November to the first or second week of January is a critical time when many consumers gain weight.

Researchers say that most adults are bound to pack on a few pounds around the holiday, even if they’re seeking to lose weight and are self-monitoring their eating habits. However, some health experts don’t necessarily agree.

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, nutritionist Allison Bradfield said that it’s important to be careful about which holiday foods you allow yourself to enjoy, since certain staples can lead to unintended weight gain.

She points out that some classic holiday foods can be diet downfalls, but others can be healthy when enjoyed in moderation.

Healthier holiday foods

Bradfield says some of the least healthy holiday foods include creamy dips, casseroles, and pecan pie. But other traditional holiday foods -- such as sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin, and fresh green beans -- can offer health benefits, especially when prepared via simple cooking methods such as roasting, baking, or steaming.

Here are a few healthy foods to seek out at your next holiday gathering:

• Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and have just 113 calories per half-cup. Since they’re naturally sweet when baked, you won’t need to add sugar, butter, or marshmallows. Instead, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Pumpkin. Pumpkin pie is a better choice than pecan pie (which can have up to 800 calories per slice), says Bradfield. Pumpkin is lower in fat and calories and also provides a good dose of beta-carotene. Another way to cut calories? Avoid the crust.

• White turkey meat. Lower-fat white turkey meat is healthier than dark meat smothered in gravy. Bradfield says the healthiest way to enjoy white turkey meat is without the skin and with just a drizzle of gravy made with defatted pan juices, dry white wine, and low-sodium chicken broth.

• Hot cocoa. Instead of egg nog (which can have up to 500 calories a cup), Bradfield recommends warming up with a cup of low-fat dark chocolate hot cocoa.

• Lower-calorie spirits. Wine spritzers and light beer have fewer calories than mixed, sweetened alcoholic beverages. Since alcohol is a high calorie drink, Bradfield recommends setting a limit on the number of alcoholic beverages you allow yourself to have. Drinking water between beverages can also help prevent overindulgence.

Everything in moderation

To avoid consuming excess calories this holiday season, take a mindful approach when eating. Listening to your body can help you avoid overindulgence.

“I’m all for enjoying fabulous food around the holidays; with that being said, I also want to be mindful and balance my diet with healthy foods,” Bradfield said. “I recommend savoring favorite foods in moderation and forgoing anything that is not amazing.”

“It is important to be mindful while choosing foods to eat. Pay attention to your body (hunger and feelings of fullness), slow down, and stay in the moment. Avoid skipping meals, since that strategy can backfire and cause overindulgence later.”

Health officials are warning that this year’s flu season could be worse than previous years, in part due to weaknesses with this year’s batch of vaccines.

Experts also say the fact that Australia had a severe flu season this year suggests we may be in for a harsher-than-usual flu season here in the U.S. Unfortunately, flu season has already gotten off to an early start, which could mean a longer season -- and, in turn, more infected individuals.

Here are some things you can do to stay healthy if you find yourself living under the same roof as someone who has the flu.

Create a sick room

In an interview with ConsumerAffairs, Cindy Weston, assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Nursing, explained that preventing the spread of germs is critical when it comes to keeping everyone else in the house healthy.

“The family member who is ill should stay away from others and stay inside. They need to keep their hands washed,” she said. “They should ‘cover their cough’ and dispose of tissues to help prevent spread.”

Weston adds that family members who aren’t sick should stay well rested, eat well, and give the family member who is ill a private space and quiet area to rest.

Each sick person should have their own drinking glass, washcloth, and towel. Avoid sharing anything with sick family members -- including bathrooms. If you have two bathrooms, designate one to be used only by the sick person.

Protecting yourself

While letting your flu-ridden family member rest and recover, you can tackle a few important cleaning tasks to help prevent the spread of germs.

“Surfaces should be wiped down with diluted bleach water 1:10 ratio,” Weston said. Also be sure to clean bedside tables, doorknobs, and toys (if a child has the flu).

Wash and dry soiled sheets and towels on the “hot” setting and avoid carrying them to the washing machine in your arms -- use a laundry basket instead.

Healthy family members can also take supplements to ward off the illness, Weston noted. Zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea may boost the immune system to help protect against illness.

Once the sick family member is feeling better, be sure to toss his or her toothbrush to avoid reinfection.

Weston added that by the time someone shows symptoms that are clearly a cold or flu, most of the family has already been exposed -- but doing these simple things may limit the exposure and help prevent transmission.

Seven of the 10 highest-paying jobs in 2017 are in health care, and all require a substantial investment in education, according to a new study by CareerCast.

Topping the list is general surgeon, a position earning a median $409,665 in salary. Second is orthodontist, pulling down an average of $208,000. Both psychiatrists and general practice physicians earn annual median incomes of just under $200,000.

In addition to healthcare, a recent ConsumerAffairs study of most lucrative college majors shows science and technical fields -- so-called STEM professions -- pay among the best starting salaries.

For example, an engineering degree carries a median base salary of $50,000 with an expected growth rate of four to five percent.

It takes money to make money

Kyle Kensing, CareerCast's online content editor, says there is a lot of money pouring into the healthcare field, but that's not the only reason these jobs pay well.

"These are highly skilled positions that require a great monetary investment to get started, so the wages reflect the high level of skill required, as well as the challenges of getting into the fields," Kensing told ConsumerAffairs.

Here is the top 10 list, as compiled by CareerCast:

1. Surgeon - $409,665

2. Orthodontist - $208,000

3. Psychiatrist - $194,740

4. General practice physician - $190,490

5. Senior corporate executive - $181,210

6. Dentist - $153,900

7. Petroleum engineer - $128,230

8. Podiatrist - $124,830

9. Air Traffic Controller - $122,410

10. Pharmacist - $122,230

CareerCast projects salaries for all 10 jobs are expected to grow by three to 17 percent, suggesting they will remain the most lucrative in 2018. However, Kensing says other professions are also growing rapidly.

"Increased demand for preventative healthcare could fuel new jobs in that sector," he said. "Fast-growing tech fields, like information security analyst, are also worth following."

Reasons for compensation levels

Kensing says people holding these jobs are highly compensated for a number of reasons. First, the jobs require very specialized and very high levels of skill.

"A common theme among the healthcare positions is the extensive schooling required, so high pay is necessary to offset this," Kensing said.

Most health care professions require many years of school beyond a four-year bachelor's degree. The Association of American Medical Colleges prices a year of tuition in a doctoral program at an average of $36,000.

By the time a doctor is ready to start a practice, for example, he or she has about $150,000 in medical school debt.

The only profession in the top 10 that does not require a college degree is air traffic controller. But Kensing says Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative programs are typically required for entry into Air Traffic Controller positions.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 26,971 model year 2018 Jeep Compasses.

The passenger side air bag assembly may have loose inflator mounting nuts within the module assembly.

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module assembly, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 10, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T73.