What are the most popular national parks in the U.S.? - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

Did you get to enjoy a national park during National Parks Week, which is just wrapping up? It’s the 110th […]

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‘We will see,’ citizens’ group says about the effectiveness of Meta’s $17 billion settlement on the harms its platforms pose to kids - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

Meta will pay more than $17 billion and make changes to Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims brought by dozens […]

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Alcohol industry fails to provide voluntary nutrition and ingredient information on labels, study finds - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

Do product labels from the top 150 beer, 150 spirits, and 150 wine brands sold in the United States contain […]

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At last: Meta’s $17 billion settlement shows action can be taken to address the harms to kids by media - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

For years, I’ve written about the harms that violence in the media does to children. While the American Academy of […]

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What to buy and not buy in September 2026 - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

Unfortunately, summer is winding down. Although it’s difficult to think about the winter that’s coming, September is a great opportunity […]

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McDonald’s, Subway, and Taco Bell fail to honor their pledges to reduce the use of antibiotics in the beef they serve customers, report says - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

Available data suggests that McDonald’s, Subway, and Taco Bell appear to have failed to honor their commitments to reduce, or […]

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How to prune hydrangeas - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

It probably would have been a better idea to write this article before I did the pruning. Hydrangeas don’t like […]

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Take a look at the best and worst real estate markets for 2026 - Unlocking the Power of Your Money

The cost of housing is on everybody’s mind these days. Rents are climbing. Young people and families are being priced […]

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How to make a basic plan to protect your buildings, fences, and trees if you don’t like to do yard work

It really surprises me. When my daughter comes from Madrid to visit we’ve done a home exchange or an Airbnb in Seattle for a week. Often, the house is nice, but the yard isn’t well kept. It’s O.K. if yard work isn’t your thing and creating a flower garden like the one pictured above doesn’t interest you.

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Let the FTC know your comments on online food and grocery delivery fees and pricing

How’s your food budget these days? Do you have food or groceries delivered? Have you ever been upset because the you were surprised you had to pay for fees you didn’t know about? Reports to the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and recent FTC enforcement actions suggest that hidden or misleading fees and charges continue to be an issue for people using online food delivery platforms.

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Making it to your flight at the airport on time these days

Although, for right now, the long lines at airports due to TSA workers not being paid are over, getting to your flight on time can still be a challenge. Recently, I went to Chicopee, Mass., for my grandson’s graduation from Elms College. Busy with two projects, I didn’t start packing until the day before I left, a mistake. When talking over my trip with my daughter, who I was going to meet at the Boston Logan International Airport, I told her I planned to leave at 9 a.m.

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Is your purse too heavy?

Most women’s purses weigh about six pounds, and carrying a heavy purse can lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain. I tend to carry a heavy purse, although I know it isn’t that great for my body. I’d already taken my checkbook out of my purse. I use my credit card for most purchases, so that was extra weight. When I was getting ready for a trip, I realized I was carrying around three batteries for my Canon camera.

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CBC Group is recalling Stephan kids toys due to choking and laceration risks

The CBC Group is recalling about 227,500 toy plastic cubes that were sold in the United States. An addition 1,400 were sold in Canada. The toys can break into small parts or sharp edges, posing a risk of serious injury from choking and laceration hazards. The recall involves all Stephan Baby-branded Boo Bunnie and Friends children’s toys. The recalled toys are a small plush animal with a removable, water-filled plastic cube that can be chilled for comfort.

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How to get intimate photos and videos posted without your permission removed from platforms

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters Monday to more than a dozen technology companies reminding them of their obligation to comply with the Take It Down Act, or TIDA, no later than May 19. The TIDA requires covered platforms to establish a process allowing victims, including children, to request removal of intimate photos or videos shared without their consent.

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Consumer groups ask Congress to oppose 100%-plus ARP bank loans

Congress needs to stop predatory bank loans by opposing the national bank applications of Enova and OppFi, to adopt a national interest rate cap, and to support the right of states to establish rate limits, including stricter caps, nearly 100 consumer, civil rights, and community organizations said in letter sent Thursday. “Strong bipartisan majorities of the American public support interest rate limits, which are the simplest and most effective way to stop unaffordable lending,” the groups wrote.

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Memories of my mom and Mother’s Day

I have many fond memories of my mom, Ruth L. Slingsby. She helped me to love school and develop a keen interest in learning. Research and writing are among my favorite things in life. My mom was a great cook. We lived on apple ranches, and my mom grew great gardens and prepared wonderful meals. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, pancakes, apple pie, lemon meringue pie.

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Happy Mother’s Day

Daughters are about the best thing that a mom can get. I was lucky and got two of them. I love celebrating Mothers' Day with my daughters and grandchildren. I like having the special day to remember how fortunate I am to have them and all the memories that we've made along the way. It seemed like no time at all that it took my daughters to grow up and leave home.

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How to wash produce to reduce pesticide exposure

Affordable, simple household practices can reduce pesticide levels on fruits and vegetables and help consumers lower their daily dietary exposure to potentially harmful farm chemicals, a new study by Environmental Working Group, or EWG, scientists finds. The study offers helpful information to be used in addition to EWG’s pesticide consumer guidance in the annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. …

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Let’s celebrate International Chameleon Day

Today is International Chameleon Day. It’s celebrated every year on May 9 to bring worldwide attention to one of Madagascar’s most threatened group of animals. “Chameleons are among the most extraordinary and evolutionarily unique animals on our planet, yet many species are disappearing before the world even has the chance to know they exist,” Debra Erickson, executive director of Wildlife Madagascar, an organization that works to protect Madagascar’s wildlife and conserve its lands and forests, said in an email.

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Thermos is recalling more than 8 million food jars and bottles after reports of permanent vision loss

About 5.8 million Stainless King Food Jars and about 2.3 million Sportsman Food & Beverage Bottles are being recalled by Thermos. If perishable food or beverages are stored in the container for an extended period of time, the stopper can forcefully eject when opened, which can result in serious impact injury and laceration hazards to the consumer. Thermos has received 27 reports of consumers who were struck by a stopper that forcefully ejected from these containers upon opening, including complaints of impact and laceration injuries requiring medical attention.

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What’s the latest in scams?

Every year, the Federal Trade Commission gets millions of fraud reports from consumers and shares information about the top scams. Not surprisingly, imposter scams were the No. 1 scam for the ninth year in a row. What’s the latest on imposter scams? In 2025, the FTC received more than 1 million reports about imposter scams, with reported losses increasing by nearly 20 percent to $3.5 billion.

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Do you need to separate the lights from the darks when doing laundry these days?

My daughter and I had a discussion recently. Is it really necessary to wash lights and darks separately? Years ago, it was important to sort laundry because dyes weren’t colorfast. I remember pink pillow cases when a red item accidentally got put in with lights. Then, when cold water laundry was possible due to new detergents, you could put more kinds of laundry together.

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Apple agrees to pay $250 million over charges consumers were misled about AI

To settle a class action lawsuit, Apple has agreed to pay $25 million to settle charges it misled some iPhone users about AI features that were advertised but weren’t available or were delayed. People who purchased some of the iPhone 15 and 16 models may receive $25 to $95 per phone. The settlement needs to be approved by a judge in the U.S.

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California files legal action against State Farm after investigation finds mishandling of claims for the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires

State Farm significantly mishandled claims filed by survivors of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, according to investigation by the California Department of Insurance the results of which were announced Monday. The investigation documented a pattern of unlawful behavior in more than half of the claims reviewed, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said in a statement. State Farm policyholders filed about 11,300 residential claims related to the Los Angeles wildfires, nearly one-third of the 38,835 claims filed across all insurers, according to the Department’s claims tracker.

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How to remove dandelions naturally

While I’ve been busy blogging this spring, dandelions have been busy growing in my yard. What to do? The Washington's Toxic Free Future recommends removing them by hand to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals. Dandelions are a common perennial weed that invades both lawns and gardens, according to the coalition’s publication “Weed Management for the Lawn and Garden.” They’re established through wind-dispersed seed.

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States that are the best at teaching personal finances in schools

For decades, I’ve been working to inform people about consumer and personal finance issues. It’s important, and having the knowledge myself has served me well. However, a recent analysis by WalletHub, a personal finance website, shows that my home state, Washington, isn’t very good at personal finance education. It ranked 43rd in a ranking of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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How did ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ get started?

It’s May 4. It’s my birthday. Now, I’ve had my birthday on May 4 for decades. When did “May the Fourth Be With You,” come along to horn in on my birthday. In the 1977 film “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the phrase “May the force be with you” is said by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker and is mentioned many more times throughout the movie series.

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Think water safety for Memorial Day fun

Every year in the United States there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, according to Stop Drowning Now, a group that works to eliminate drowning. Drowning remains the second leading causes of unintentional injury-related death from 5 to 15 years old. About 80 percent percent of child drownings happen in a residential pool while an adult was present.

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