Current Events in December 2019

Whether you’re looking to escape winter’s chill for a few days or want to find somewhere to take the whole family next summer, now’s the time to dive into travel deals before everyone else starts making their plans.

Bank of America travel ambassador Lee Abbamonte has put together a list of destination ideas for both the U.S. and overseas that fit almost any goal a traveler might have for a trip. Here are his suggestions:

Overseas

Soccer lovers

"The year is a big one for sports," Abbamonte said. In particular, soccer enthusiasts should set their sights on England, Germany, Scotland, Budapest, or their choice of nine other places across Europe given that the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro 2020 will be happening across the continent in 12 cities from June 12-July 12, 2020.

Note: In ConsumerAffairs research of the Euro 2020 playoffs, we found that the window for official ticket applications is closed, but there’s likely to be tickets available from third-party ticket sellers as game dates get nearer.

Australia

The land down under isn’t the shortest trip you’ll ever take, but it’s got every carrot from wildlife to beaches and deserts. As an extra benefit to those who prefer sun over snow, Aussies enjoy warm weather when it’s winter stateside.

"I've been to Australia 10 times and I still can't get enough," Abbamonte said. "One of my favorite cities is Melbourne. While it's one of the largest cities in Australia, the heart of the city is hidden and secretive. It comes to life when you visit the alleys, laneways and arcades. The vibrant city has so much to offer: cafes, a unique street culture and street art."

New Zealand

And, if you’re going to Australia, why not zip over to neighboring New Zealand?  Abbamonte recommends boogie boarding down the sand dunes, hiking up a volcano, and visiting the Moeraki Boulders. For the fearless, he suggests bungee jumping off of Nevis Bungy near Queenstown.

Mexico

Abbamonte and ConsumerAffairs are on the same page here, for sure. 

"Mexico City has two of my favorite things – great food and sports," Abbamonte said. "The street tacos are to die for, and I love going to soccer games at Estadio Azteca."

Rather vacation in the U.S.?

For travelers who feel better not having to traverse all the cultural mazes that a trip to a faraway land might throw at you, Abbamonte picked five all-American vacation spots he considers perfect staycation spots.

Scottsdale, Arizona

“If you enjoy being outdoors, Scottsdale is an ideal place to visit,” Abbamonte said. 

”There are many trails to explore in Camelback Mountain, Papago Park and Hole in the Rock. Scottsdale has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the States, and from The Short Course at Mountain Shadows, I get to enjoy the view while practicing my swing.”

Boston, Massachusetts

If there’s a family that loves both sports and history, Beantown might be the perfect place to make everyone happy. 

If you time things right, you could catch two or three pro sports team games with the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, or Bruins. Plus, all the museums and universities are easily accessible via Boston’s transit system.

Portland, Oregon

Portland has a definite hipster vibe that gives those east of the Rockies some new glimpse into how others are enjoying life.

“What makes Portland unique are the bizarre and wonderful things you can do when you visit,” Abbamonte said. “For example, you can try bone marrow ice cream, stop by Mill Ends Park (the world's smallest park) or attach your wish to The Wishing Tree.”

Tampa, Florida

Between Disney World, the beaches, the Everglades, and the Latin vibe of Miami, the state of Florida is one of those destination spots that has a lot of stuff thrown into its vacation persona. Abbamonte thinks that Tampa may have been lost in that shuffle.

“Tampa might be known for its spring break party scene, but it has so much more to offer. For example,” he said. “The city's zoos and aquariums provide opportunities to interact directly with animals. Then you can take a break at Clearwater Beach, which is known for its soft, white sand and calm waters.”

Santa Barbara, California

Last but not least on Abbamonte’s America to-go list is Santa Barbara, California, a stones throw from Los Angeles.

"I go to Santa Barbara when I want to recharge," Abbamonte said. "I enjoy the food, walking around, talking to the locals and even watching a football game or two. There are wine tours, zoos, beaches, museums and restaurants. While taking in the city, also make time to visit the hidden gems such as Knapp's Castle ruins.”

Paying for that trip

According to a Bank of America survey, there’s a relatively high percentage of Americans who don't use a rewards credit card that earns points or cash back when they’re planning for a trip. Going the no-points route takes some bang out of the buck, especially when consumers could be building up rewards that could help offset some of the cost related to future travel.

What should you do? Bank of America (BOA) suggests the following:

• Use a credit card that helps you accrue and redeem points. The ultimate travel credit card is one that earns the cardholder 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

• “Layer your rewards programs together to maximize points with each purchase.” What that means in layman’s terms is, according to BOA, “when booking a flight and hotel package, include your frequent flier number (layer No. 1) and hotel loyalty program details (layer No. 2). Pay with a rewards credit card (layer No. 3) that's eligible for bonus points with a banking rewards program (layer No. 4).” 

There’s a number of credit card companies offering travel rewards cards that let cardholders earn points on everyday purchases like gas and groceries, but most differ when it comes to points and rewards. That can make things a bit confusing when trying to find the perfect match for your lifestyle and spending habits. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about those offers, ConsumerAffairs has reviewed offers from more than 30 travel credit cards and created a list of our top picks to help you compare and decide which travel credit card is best for you. That guide is available here.

It looks like the Phase One trade deal between the U.S. and China -- a small, first step in ending the trade war -- will soon be signed in Washington.

The Chinese government reported Monday morning that the country’s vice premier had been invited to Washington to sign the agreement. President Trump confirmed the report in a tweet, saying the agreement will be signed on January 15.

On Monday, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro told Fox News that he believed the signing would take place “in the near future.” But Navarro couched his comments by telling his interviewer to “never believe anonymous sources” and to get the information from President Trump. That information came shortly afterwards.

“I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15,” Trump wrote. “The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two!”

No one really knows what’s in the agreement. Specifics have been hard to come by, and neither the U.S. nor China has released a text. While the agreement has been presented as a first step toward resolving larger issues, it reportedly does contain language dealing with U.S. intellectual property rights.

Navarro called that a “good start” on forced technology transfers, which have been a sore point among U.S. technology companies doing business in China. The initial agreement was worked out in mid-December, but both sides were vague on its details. 

Big increase in U.S. exports

It was reported that China would nearly double its imports from the U.S., and President Trump canceled the latest round of tariffs on Chinese goods, which were scheduled to take effect within days.

Under the agreement, China would still pay tariffs, just not as much. The U.S. will continue to levy a 25 percent tariff on $250 billion in Chinese imports, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the 15 percent tariff on $120 billion in Chinese products would be cut in half.

On CBS’ Face The Nation, Lighthizer said China has agreed to significantly ramp up its U.S. imports, which should please manufacturers and farmers. 

“Keep in mind, by the second year, we will just about double exports of goods to China, if this agreement is in place,” Lighthizer said. 

U.S. officials in recent days have said nothing to suggest the deal won’t be signed on schedule. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the deal is in place, but both countries are giving it a technical review.

Back in September, the California State Senate moved forward with Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), a measure that regulators said would protect gig workers by ensuring they get benefits like minimum wage, overtime, paid parental leave, and workers’ compensation. 

But now the soon-to-be law is being challenged by Uber and Postmates in a lawsuit. The companies claim that AB 5 is unconstitutional because it would force them and other similar companies to fundamentally change their business models. 

“Plaintiffs bring this lawsuit to protect their constitutional rights and defend their fundamental liberty to pursue their chosen work as independent service providers and technology companies in the on-demand economy,” the suit states.

“AB 5 is an irrational and unconstitutional statute designed to target and stifle workers and companies in the on-demand economy.”

Hurts companies and workers, suit claims

The major sticking point of AB 5 that affects Uber, Postmates, and other similar businesses is that it would force these companies to reclassify their workers as employees instead of contractors. Of course, this would lead to major increases when it comes to the cost of doing business in California. 

However, the suit claims that the gig workers that AB 5 is meant to support are also being stifled by its passage into law. In particular, the companies claim that the new legislation would hamper workers’ ability to work on a flexible schedule.

“Even with record low levels of unemployment, hundreds of thousands of Californians are flocking to on-demand work. Instead of a daily commute, an outdated workplace hierarchy, and the daily grind of an inflexible 9-to-5 job, these workers enjoy the freedom to be their own bosses, set their own hours, and earn income whenever they want,” the suit states.

Denying benefits

Despite the claims in the lawsuit, some regulators in California aren’t buying what Uber and Postmates are selling. California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who originally authored the bill, said the lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to deny benefits to workers. 

“The one clear thing we know about Uber is they will do anything to try to exempt themselves from state regulations that make us all safer and their driver employees self-sufficient,” she wrote in a statement. 

“In the meantime, Uber chief executives will continue to become billionaires while too many of their drivers are forced to sleep in their cars.”

Experts have compiled the worst passwords of the year for both 2017 and 2018 in an effort to help consumers avoid potential hacks. Now, researchers from the University of Plymouth want to warn consumers about their passwords as we get ready to head into 2020. 

As cybersecurity threats continue to loom, it’s important for consumers to be diligent and creative when setting up new passwords. But despite many sites creating meters that gauge the strength of new passwords, these tools aren’t always the most accurate. In fact, the researchers say they can actually make consumers more vulnerable to cyber attacks. 

“Password meters themselves are not a bad idea, but you clearly need to be using or providing the right one,” said researcher Steve Furnell. “It is also worth remembering that, regardless of how the meters handled them, many systems and sites would still accept the weak passwords in practice and without having offered users any advice or feedback on how to make better choices.” 

Inaccurate password meters

The researchers tested 16 of the most commonly used passwords in an effort to determine how effective password meters are for protecting users’ privacy and information. 

Many sites will require users to create passwords with a variety of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, the researchers from this study found that despite those parameters, many of these gauges, which are designed to ensure that passwords are strong enough not to be guessed by hackers, aren’t operating as planned. 

Over 60 percent of the passwords tested were intentionally weak, as the researchers wanted to see what the meters were capable of detecting. Ultimately, just half of those passwords were rejected by the password meters; the other half were accepted as viable choices. 

“What this study shows is that some of the available meters will flag an attempted password as being a potential risk whereas others will deem it acceptable,” said Furnell. “Security awareness and education is hard enough, without wasting the opportunity by offering misleading information that leaves users misguided and with a false sense of security.” 

Better security

While these findings urge against using common password options like “Password1!” or “abc123,” consumers should feel confident using a pre-generated password offered by a website. The researchers found that these types of passwords yielded positive results in all of their trials. 

“Over the festive period, hundreds of millions of people will receive technology presents or use their devices to purchase them,” Furnell said. “The very least they should expect is that their data will be secure and, in the absence of a replacement for passwords, providing them with consistent and informed guidance is key in the quest for better security.” 

Earlier this year, researchers discovered how tanning salons’ promotional packages and discount deals were great marketing strategies to attract young customers. 

According to researchers from the University of Connecticut, many gyms are also becoming major outlets for indoor tanning, and that may not be good for consumers’ health.

“Gyms appear to be the new tanning salons,” said researcher Sherry Pagoto. “This is surprising because our sense had been that the tanning industry was on the decline. However, it appears that the industry is just moving tanning beds into novel environments -- with gyms being the most common.” 

Exercise-related discounts

The researchers chose three of the biggest gym chains across the country to conduct their study -- Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Gold’s Gym. 

Over 1,700 locations responded to the researchers’ survey regarding their tanning offerings, despite having nearly 2,000 locations combined in operation around the country. According to Pagoto, the researchers conducted this study after discovering the high incidence of skin cancer among frequent exercisers, and the findings could point to why this is the case. 

Of the gyms that were surveyed, nearly 80 percent had tanning beds. Planet Fitness offered customers the greatest chance to tan among the three chains, though the company recently reported it had dropped free tanning from its promotional offerings. 

“Because people associate gyms with health, gyms are essentially putting a ‘health halo’ on tanning beds,” said Pagoto. “The public health community has been trying to communicate the message to the public that tanning beds are not safe or healthy, but gyms with tanning beds are obstructing that message.” 

Doing the research

Though the researchers found that these gym chains had a combined 4,660 tanning beds among them, further research revealed that it can be easy to avoid indoor tanning beds at the gym. 

While this study was focused on Planet Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Anytime Fitness, there are other nationwide gym chains, including both LA Fitness and 24-Hour Fitness, that have avoided such trends to focus strictly on exercise, health, and wellness. 

“The good news is that there are gym chains that do not include tanning beds in their business model, and so consumers have a choice,” Pagoto explained. “I just have to question the motivation of any gym that uses a carcinogen to lure members. Is their priority really my health? Regardless of whether a consumer uses tanning beds, they should take pause when considering their choice of gym.” 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has won a legal case against the Utah-based operators of a mortgage relief scam. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada granted the agency’s motion for a summary judgment against the scammers, who promised victims that they could make their monthly mortgage payments more affordable. 

The scammers reportedly charged consumers an average of $3,900 in illegal advance fees for “expert legal assistance” that they claimed would cut interest rates and save homeowners hundreds of dollars per month. They also used other deceptive tactics, such as claiming to have affiliations with lenders and endorsements from the federal government.

In its final judgment, the court ruled that the defendants violated the FTC Act and the Mortgage Relief Services Rule. It has imposed a penalty of $18.5 million against the defendants and has permanently banned them from working in the debt relief business. 

The FTC says that funds collected from the scammers may be used to help redress the victims of the debt relief scheme. To contact the agency, consumers can reach out to the FTC’s Consumer Response Center or call the agency at 877-382-4357. 

Consumers looking to kick off the start of a new decade with some travel will have plenty of options to choose from, but a promotion by Japan Airlines (JAL) may scratch the itch of those looking to take a vacation abroad. 

The airline company has announced that it will be giving away up to 50,000 round-trip tickets to JAL Mileage members in the new year. Applications for the contest are being opened in February 2020, with the company offering a potential 100,000 seats on four JAL domestic routes that depart from either Tokyo or Osaka, Japan. However, where those flights go will remain a mystery until revealed by the company three days after applications are submitted.

“The twist is that even you don’t know where you are headed until a few days after you apply. Up to 100,000 seats will be available free of charge (zero mile) by only becoming JAL Mileage members.”

Exploring Japan

Consumers who wish to apply for the contest can submit an application for a group of up to four people, with three to five departure/arrival time slots to choose from.

“Japan is much more than the bright lights of its sprawling urban centers. Visitors can discover more about the country’s fascinating history and distinctive cultural practices by exploring Japan’s different regions,” the company states on its website.

The housing market showed surprising resilience in November, as pending home sales rose 1.2 percent from October and 7.4 percent from November 2018.

Pending home sales reflect sales contracts signed but not yet closed and are considered a leading indicator for housing market activity. The gain was largely driven by strong home sales in the western states.

The housing market has faced increasing headwinds as fewer homes have come on the market and buyers have faced rising prices. Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist, says housing inventory has been in decline for six straight months dating back to June but buyers somehow shook it off in November.

"The favorable conditions are expected throughout 2020 as well, but supply is not yet meeting the healthy demand," Yun said.

Favorable interest rates

Mortgage rates have remained low over the last few months, helping to offset higher home prices. Last week, the average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances increased slightly to 3.99 percent for loans with a 20 percent down payment.

For all of 2019, mortgage rates averaged 3.9 percent, hovering near record lows. In fact, Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, reported that the average mortgage rate for 2019 was the fourth-lowest on record.

“Heading into 2020, low mortgage rates and the improving economy will be the major drivers of the housing market with steady increases in home sales, construction, and home prices,” Khater said in his report

More of the same in 2020

Freddie Mac predicts housing will continue its growth in 2020, riding the coattails of an accommodative monetary policy and low interest rates. It expects an average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate of 3.8 percent in the coming year.

Meanwhile, Freddie Mac predicts the price of housing will cool off over the next two years, with the average home price rising 3.2 percent in 2020 and 2.8 percent in 2021. That compares to the 5 percent gain in 2019 recorded by NAR.

"Sale prices continue to rise, but I am hopeful that we will see price appreciation slow in 2020," said Yun. "Builder confidence levels are high, so we just need housing supply to match and more home construction to take place in the coming year."

The lack of new construction over the last decade is largely responsible for the declining inventory of available homes. Because of rising land and labor costs, builders are also producing fewer entry-level homes that first-time buyers can afford.

Toyota is recalling about 3,800 model year 2019 Prius vehicles.

An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to become inoperative.

If the speedometer and the fuel gauge are inoperative, this condition may not meet certain safety regulations and could increase the safety risk by diverting the driver’s attention from the driving task.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check a component within the combination meter and -- if necessary -- replace the combination meter circuit board free of charge

The recall is expected to begin in early February 2020.

Owners may contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

The recently passed SECURE Act, which makes changes to rules governing retirement accounts, is getting a warm reception from retirement planners, who are generally supportive of the changes.

But some of the rules could negatively affect you if you inherit someone’s retirement account. Under the SECURE Act, you’ll have to pay taxes on the money sooner -- and generally faster -- than under the old rule.

Until now, if you inherited someone’s IRA or 401(k), the rules required you to withdraw the money and pay taxes on it over your life expectancy. If you were 30 years-old, that meant you might have 50 years or more to withdraw the money, with each withdrawal adding to that year’s taxable income.

Under the new rules, you will now have just 10 years to withdraw all the funds from the account and pay taxes on it. If there is $500,000 in the retirement account, that averages to increasing your taxable income by $50,000 a year. However, the law does not specify how much you should withdraw at a time -- only that the full amount must be withdrawn and taxed by the end of 10 years.

Exceptions

There are some exceptions to this new rule. A surviving spouse or someone chronically ill or disabled can still take the withdrawals over life expectancy. For a minor child who inherits an IRA, the 10-year clock doesn’t start until they reach age 18.

Beneficiaries who have already inherited an IRA and are taking taxable withdrawals based on life expectancy will continue to do so. Starting in 2020, inherited retirement accounts are subject to the SECURE Act.

The government is motivated to get the money out of tax-deferred retirement accounts at a faster pace because it isn’t taxed as long as it remains in these accounts. By some estimates, the new law will increase tax revenues by $16 billion.

Benefits

However, there are some tax benefits for people who have IRAs. The old rules required account owners to make taxable withdrawals at age 70 ½. The SECURE Act raises the age to 72.

The law’s main objective is to expand the number of people who can participate in a retirement plan at work. A study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that 25 percent of people working for private companies don’t have access to a retirement plan like a 401(k). John Carter, president and COO of Nationwide Financial, says the new law should change that.

"The SECURE Act is a much-needed and highly anticipated step in creating new pathways to retirement security,” he said. “We have new opportunities today to protect people, businesses, and futures in proven and innovative ways." 

Nationwide’s recent survey of business owners found that 80 percent believe the new law will allow them to offer a retirement plan that rivals those offered by large companies.

Consumers worried about their privacy can only hope the axiom “As goes California, so goes the nation,” will be a dream come true.

On January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect, marking the strongest pro-consumer privacy law in the land.

Based on the tenet that every consumer has the right to take back control of their personal information, the Golden State’s new law takes its cue from GDPR -- the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. That legislation has already put Marriott and British Airways in its crosshairs, spurred changes from Google, and elicited standing ovations from Apple and, would you believe, Facebook.

Created by regular people, not politicians

While any law has to make its way through the legislative process before it sees the light of day, one of the benefits of the new California privacy law is that the leadership team behind it is made up of a group of as-close-to-regular people that one could find.

At the top of the organizational chart is the husband wife team of Alastair and Celine Mactaggart, who the New York Times called the “unlikely activists who took on Silicon Valley and won.”

By trade, Alastair is a real estate developer who fell into his activist role one night over dinner with a Google engineer who told him, “If people really knew what we have on them, they would flip out.” 

Here’s how it works

Mctaggart’s go-to sermon is “it's not right that companies you’ve never heard of, can buy more information about you (and sell it for a profit), than even your closest friends know.” And, with that, a law was born. 

Here’s the lay of the land on what rights the California Consumer Privacy Act gives consumers in regards to their private information: 

• The permission to know any and all personal data that any business collects, twice a year, free of charge.

• The guarantee that the consumer can refuse the sale of their information to another party.

• In cases where there was a data breach, the right to file a lawsuit against the company that collected that data IF the company was reckless or negligent about how it protected the data. In other words, think “identity theft.”

• The ability to delete any data a consumer’s posted.

• The right to ask a company exactly what categories of data its collecting (e.g. age, zip code, and education, as well as the categories of third parties with whom data is shared.) As ConsumerAffairs understands that, if one company collected a consumer’s age under a “date of birth” category and shared that information with another company that placed that information under a category it calls “age,” the consumer has the right to know that.

• The mandate that a company must get opt-in approval from any person under the age of 16 if they want to sell their information. 

• A statement explaining the purpose for which the company collecting the user’s information is. An example would be an advertising agency that collects data about a client’s users.

Is this THE answer?

While California’s law may be a step in the right direction for the consumer, it’ll be years before we know if this is the end-all and be-all.

“It still has a long way to go before it can adequately protect the personal data of consumers,” writes Nicholas F. Palmieri III in the Hastings Science and Technology Law Journal. “As such, the law in its current form acts merely as a transparency law for Californian consumers and is truly not a system that consumers would want the country to adopt, at least as the law currently stands.”

“Other states, following California’s lead many still adopt data protection laws of their own. Following a similar trend as when the states adopted data breach notification laws, these data protection laws will likely contain the same broad principles as the CCPA but with some very important variations. While the deviations are important in the data breach context, they do not perfectly map onto a data protection context, but would still provide very important and necessary protections.”

Wyze, a Seattle-based producer of smart home video cameras, has announced details of a data breach affecting approximately 2.4 million of its customers. 

Originally discovered by security researchers at the firm Twelve Security, the company says that its customers’ personal data was left exposed on an unsecured server for over three weeks -- from December 4 to December 26. While the exposed data does not contain financial information, the company says that consumers’ email addresses, camera nicknames, and Wifi SSIDs were compromised. For certain beta users, some health information was also exposed online.

In an update on its forum made on December 29, the company says it will be notifying affected users via email and providing additional information. 

“We are deeply sorry for this situation. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process. We have been reading through everyone’s comments and are continuing to work together on methods to improve our security and ensure that similar occurrences never happen again,” a company representative said. 

Investigation needed.

In a post of their own, the Twelve Security researcher who discovered the unsecured server said that the magnitude of the breach was the largest they had ever encountered. 

The researcher says it’s likely that the hackers responsible for the data leak have Chinese connections, as an analysis of the data showed that none of the 2.4 million records that were compromised came from within the country. They state that a response from U.S. officials is needed to get to the bottom of the issue. 

“If this was intentional espionage or gross negligence, it remains a malicious action that must be answered in the form of a decisive, external, and fast investigation by US authorities,” the researchers said. 

Earlier this month, ConsumerAffairs reported on a data breach affecting over 3,600 Ring users. Though some information about the leak first came to light in September, the number of affected users and the information that was compromised became more prominent in recent weeks.

Now, a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ring and Amazon on behalf of affected consumers. 

“Ring promises its customers ‘peace of mind’ with its Wi-Fi enabled smart security systems. Unfortunately, Ring’s cameras fail to deliver on its most basic promise. Lax security standards and protocols render its camera systems vulnerable to cyber-attack,” the suit alleges.

“Terrorizing” homeowners and children

The suit cites reports detailing how hackers were able to gain unauthorized access to Ring’s security cameras in order to “terrorize” users’ homes. It points to several interactions between hackers and young children, but it also cautions that some hackers who didn’t make their presence known could be doing the most damage.

“Hackers who choose not to interact with occupants have gone unnoticed for days, months and even years during which time they spied on occupants and their homes, gathering an array of private [information] which can subsequently be sold and used for a host of nefarious purposes,” the suit states.

“As a result of Ring’s defective design, and its failure to imbue its Wi-Fi cameras with sufficient security protocols, its customers’ most basic privacy rights were violated along with the security and sanctity of their homes.”

The plaintiff of the suit is seeking relief for themselves and other class members, including awards for damages, costs and expenses, attorney’s fees, and other relief that may be assessed by a jury if the case makes it to trial. 

Now that the holidays are behind us, retailers haven’t stopped offering bargains. In fact, there’s evidence they’re offering even better deals in some cases.

That’s good news if you got some gift cards in your stocking or plan to return some gifts for a refund. Sara Skirboll, a shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot, says the time between Christmas and New Years Day is a great time to find after-holiday sales.

“Plus, it is a great time for shoppers to make any returns or exchanges for those unwanted gifts and use up those gift cards they have received throughout the season," Skirboll said.

Just about every retailer has something on sale this week, with many of the sales extending through most of January. Bath & Body Works has slashed prices up to 75 percent on a number of products. The sale ends on January 20.

Coach has marked down select items up to 50 percent for a sale running until January 7. It’s also offering free shipping.

Express has slashed prices up to 70 percent on a large number of products, with some clearance items marked down 40 percent. The sale runs through January 9.

TVs and video games

Best Buy’s after-Christmas sale features smart and UHD TVs in a variety of sizes, with savings of up to $70. The sale also includes $150 off the X-Box One X 1TB Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order deluxe edition console bundle and up to $200 off select laptops.

The Gap is selling everything for 40 percent off in a sale that ends January 7. JCPenney is holding its big winter wrap-up sale, with discounts of up to 70 percent. The sale ends on January 27.

Yankee Candle has launched its semi-annual sale with online discounts of up to 75 percent. The sale ends on January 21. Michael Kors’ semi-annual sale is also underway, with savings of up to 70 percent. The promotion ends on January 28.

H&M has a 60 percent off winter sale underway through January 3. TOMS is knocking 25 percent off all markdowns in a sale that runs until January 8.

Kohl’s, Lands’ End, Madewell, Macy’s, Target, Walmart, and Amazon started marking down select items right after Christmas, but those deals expire soon.

Sleep is crucial for consumers of all ages, but recent studies have explored how getting more sleep can be particularly beneficial for teens, especially when it comes to starting school later. 

Now, researchers have found that when given the opportunity to come into school an hour later, students were not only performing better in the classroom, but they were also sleeping better at night. 

Reaping the benefits of more sleep

A study based in Germany explored how students’ learning outcomes and sleep patterns changed when they were able to decide for themselves what time the school day started. 

The school involved in the study gave senior students more freedom in how they scheduled their day and completed their assignments. Students could either come in for their first period class as usual, with the goal of completing required assignments, or they could choose to come in an hour later, with the understanding that they’d have to use their free time throughout the day or after school hours to complete required work. 

To best understand how choosing the start time of their school day impacted students inside and outside of the classroom, the researchers had the students report on their sleeping habits for three weeks before the flexible schedule was implemented, and then again for six weeks afterwards. 

The researchers found that most students didn’t jump on the chance to come in later. In fact, most students came in an hour later twice a week on average. However, taking those days to sleep a bit longer proved to be beneficial in countless ways. 

Students reported sleeping for about an hour more when they decided to skip their first classes. They also felt better equipped to tackle new course material and had a deeper understanding of what they were learning in school. 

Benefits of flexibility

The researchers found that students felt these benefits regardless of how often they decided to utilize the flexible schedule, showing how valuable it can be for students to take breaks on a regular basis and how beneficial it can be for students to have the choice in the first place. 

“Perhaps the very fact that one can decide for oneself when to get up in the morning is sufficient to break the cycle and reduce the pressure,” said researcher Eva Winnebeck. “Flexible systems are a viable alternative for implementing later school starts to improve teenage sleep.” 

As more young people continue to struggle with anxiety disorders, experts have started analyzing potential contributing factors. One recent study conducted by researchers from Tohoku University found that evolution could play a role. 

According to the researchers, the way our neurotransmitters function could vary greatly from those of our grandparents or great-grandparents, and those previous generations could have been better equipped biologically to handle anxiety disorders than present generations. 

This study began with the researchers dissecting the vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1), a gene that handles all of the brain’s neurotransmitters, ensures proper brain function, and continues to evolve over the course of generations. 

After analyzing the VMAT1 across different generations, the researchers learned that a specific mutation in the VMAT1 gene, which is more common among modern populations, is associated with a higher risk of mental health concerns, like anxiety and depression. 

The study revealed that earlier generations were less likely to experience this manipulation to the VMAT1, which is why the incidence of mental health concerns was lower for older generations. 

Fighting anxiety

As mental health diagnoses continue to increase, especially among the youngest population, it’s important for consumers to know the options that are available to them and their young ones to help keep anxiety and depression symptoms at bay. 

Researchers have recently found that air pollution, too much screen time, and being too hard on yourself are all potential triggers of anxiety or depression, and those who struggle with their mental health should be mindful of these and other factors that could contribute to worsening symptoms. 

However, other studies have touted the power behind proper food choices, as following a diet higher in fruits and vegetables, while also limiting junk food intake, can be simple first steps for consumers to boost their mental health. 

“Perhaps the time has come for us to take a closer look at the role of diet in mental health, because it could be that healthy diet choices contribute to mental health,” said researcher Jim. E Banta. “More research is needed before we can answer definitively, but the evidence seems to be pointing in that direction.”