CONSUMERS

Buy now, pay later companies are giving people extra credit, but the government warns there are some downsides — fees, charges and data harvesting.

Ursula von der Leyen says the EU must act amid concerns within the bloc over US climate legislation.

With inflation on the rise, stocking the pantry may seem like a challenge. Yet, there are ways to stock the pantry to ensure you save time and money in a pinch. These are some of the ways Beth Eggleston, a Meijer Nutrition Education Specialist, advises people to stock their pantry.

People are adopting more conservative spending habits and adjusting their attitudes toward borrowing and saving, says a new U-M survey.

The chocolate is another casualty of supply chain disruptions blighting manufacturers.

Experts and watchdogs warn UK investors that when crypto firms fail, getting money back is unlikely.

Federal securities regulators on Wednesday adopted rule and form amendments that impose new requirements on mutual funds and exchange traded funds.

With the pandemic came a surge in 'thrifting' and secondhand shopping. Now the resale market is growing even faster than traditional retail.

Our produce is likely to be smaller, odd-looking, or even leathery after the hot, dry weather.

Consumers are expected to have spent just slightly more in July, but they may have boosted what they spent online in a big way.

If you receive a surprise call or letter about unpaid debts of which you are not aware, don't panic. Take these steps first.

We asked our viewers what they've been spending money on during the pandemic -- here's what they said.

It’s crazy to say, but gas prices falling below five dollars a gallon would be very helpful to drivers out there, and that could be on the way, according to one gas analyst.

The finance director for parent company ABF blames rising costs for its decision to hike some prices.

We want to hear from you: What did you spend money on during the pandemic? What were your best and worst purchases?

Here's what to do if you haven't received your Michigan auto insurance refund yet.

Many parents and caregivers across the U.S. are struggling to feed their infants due to a limited supply of baby formula on store shelves in what has become one of the latest consumer crises amid the pandemic.

The residential real estate market in Metro Detroit and across the U.S. is more competitive than it’s been in years.

Higher prices are causing Americans to increasingly lean on their credit cards. As the Fed raises interest rates, it will get more expensive to carry a balance.

President Joe Biden is holding a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss how the government is working to battle inflation.

The announcement comes as the streaming giant makes cost cuts after subscriber numbers fell.

Now that spring has sprung, retailers are working to get you back into their stores by offering spring break Black Friday deals.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel is holding a news briefing Wednesday morning to discuss the county’s response to a rate increase approved by the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Steps are being taken to slow down surging inflation in the U.S., but is it enough to end the nonstop sticker shock?

A top official says Russia may close its gas lines to Germany if the West halts oil imports.

Gasoline prices are rising sharply in Michigan and throughout the U.S. due to rising oil costs caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tech event CES 2022 welcomed in-person attendees once again after going virtual last year.

Consumers submitted more than 700,000 complaints about the Big Three credit bureaus over the last two years, the CFPB reports.

With COVID concerns rising just days before Christmas, last-minute shoppers may be looking for contactless options to avoid going into crowded stores.

This year, Americans say they’re focusing on practical gifts — air fryers, sweaters, gift cards — for a select few: “I’m done buying stuff for the sake of buying it."

If you were to buy everything listed during the song “12 Days of Christmas,” it would cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Many stores are offering “buy now, pay later” programs that allow shoppers to pay less up up front. While those programs may sound like a good idea at the time, they could have an impact on your finances.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald sat down with Flashpoint host Devin Scillian to discuss her thought process behind charging Ethan Crumbley’s parents in connection with the Oxford High School shooting.

Supply chain issues are impacting businesses across the U.S. and the world -- but the impact has arguably been greater on small businesses.

Many independent small businesses are still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Here's how shoppers can support them this holiday season.

While the Friday after Thanksgiving is, for most, dedicated to shopping, the following Saturday is devoted to shopping local.

Black Friday deals are being revealed right now and the Help Me Hank team has been watching for ways to save you big money.

A visit to King of Prussia, the East Coast’s largest mall, during our second covid holiday season — now with supply-chain and employment woes.

Shopping at local businesses for the holidays isn’t just for Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday.

British retailer Next sees light at the end of the supply chain crisis tunnel. But the journey will rumble on through 2022.

Experts say consumers will likely have to pay more for some products.

Thousands of people were without power, some for several days, after severe weather moved through Metro Detroit.

Consumer group Which? says one retailer raised the price of a shed by 155% during the past two years.

Insurer Zurich says residential outbuilding fires rose by 16% last year compared with 2019.

TOWN SQUARE | One service matches buyers' down payment money. Another offers a credit card that offers rewards for making rental payments on it.

According to a Which survey a pint of printer ink could cost up to £1,300.

PORTAGE, MI – East Centre Road is closed while crews repair power lines after a crash. The two-vehicle crash happened before 12:45 p.m., July 8 on East Centre Road between Lovers Lane and Portage Street, Portage Department of Public Safety said. The road is closed until around 3 p.m. while Consumers Energy repairs downed power lines, police said. About 500 customers are without power at this time, per the Consumers Outage Map. Police said there were injures in the crash but did not release additional information.

Consumer group Which? says people with tickets to gigs or major events are often unaware of the extent of cover.

During power outages, people turn to portable generators to keep their lights and appliances working -- but experts warn that if those generators aren’t used properly, they can cause serious consequences.

Randall Foods Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of all Randall beans due to a manufacturing issue.

It is no secret that many of us spend a lot of money on Amazon’s website, but there are ways to keep that spending down.

The Department of Justice has received reports that fraudsters are creating fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine surveys for consumers to fill out with the promise of a prize or cash at the conclusion of the survey. Unless from a known and verified source, consumers should never click on links in text messages or emails claiming to be a vaccine survey. Carefully examine any message purporting to be from a company and do not click on a link in an unsolicited email or text message. When in doubt, contact the entity purportedly sending you the message, but do not rely on any contact information in the potentially fraudulent message. Further information about major scams targeting American consumers can be found at the Justice Department’s Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force website: https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch/transnational-elder-fraud-strike-force .

Flagstar Bank is warning customers that their personal information, including social security numbers, may have been stolen in a ransomeware attack. The company said the hack was discovered in January but customers said they were recently notified. Local 4 learned that the thieves got social security numbers as well home addresses not only of customers but also possibly employees. Flagstar has reached out to customers impacted and offering a credit monitoring service. The one-click Microsoft tool was created to protect against cyberattacks and to scan systems for compromises and fix them.

Families are spending more time at home and that has experts worried that more kids can get hurt from furniture and TVs. A new report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said tip-over incidents have killed 451 children since 2000. Carlson shared video of her daughter for the CPSC’s latest “Anchor It” public service announcement warning about the dangers of tipping furniture and TVs. Parents, grandparents and caregivers should do the following to protect children:Anchor TVs, furniture like dressers and bookcases to the wallPut you TV on a sturdy low base and back as far as possible if you cannot anchor it. The guilt and shame that you feel as a parent for not protecting your child by doing something as easy as anchoring a piece of furniture.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents of scammers posing as law enforcement agencies or other companies, demanding payment for warrants or services via gift cards. “Make sure to be aware that no law enforcement agency will ever contact you by phone demanding that you pay, regardless of payment method, for your warrant to disappear. Spoofing allows scammers to disguise their actual phone numbers and instead show a local phone number on the caller ID. “The framework of these scams – whether it’s a law enforcement, grandparent, or tech support scam – are always the same. AdTo report fraud or if you have a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team online or by calling 877-765-8388.

Travel-starved consumers want to get back to their jet-setting ways in 2021, and the COVID-19 vaccine has some feeling more optimistic. Airlines and tour operators are trying to reassure customers with more flexibility and outdoor, crowd-free destinations, but many travelers are still hesitant to make plans.

Consumers Energy customers will see their electricity rates go up starting Jan. 1. On Thursday, Dec. 17, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a Consumers rate increase on customer bills that will bring the utility an extra $100 million. One of the Consumers bill credits given to customers via the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is also expiring, boosting rates by another $34 million. “We are thankful that the Michigan Public Service Commission cut the egregious rate hike Consumers Energy sought for its operations and maintenance,” said Charlotte Jameson, program director of energy, drinking water and legislative affairs at the Michigan Environmental Council. RELATED STORIESRooftop solar market poised to nosedive, advocates warnConsumers Energy to raise gas rates by 9.1%, totaling $144 millionMichigan rejects Consumers Energy request to pin 2019 fire costs on customers

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued an order to stop use of Bamboo brand hand sanitizers. LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a Stop-Use and Stop-Removal order for Bamboo Moisturizing brand hand sanitizer, citing that the product does not meet the labeled alcohol content. “Hand sanitizers have become one of the critical tools for preventing COVID-19. The department’s Weights and Measures section is conducting additional sampling of various hand sanitizers to ensure they meet the minimum criteria. View the Stop-Use and Stop-Removal order below

DETROIT – The Somerset Collection Studio is now open at the Metropolitan Building in Downtown Detroit. “We wanted to bring window shopping back,” said Somerset Collection corporate communications director Linda McIntosh. In early 2021, the space is going from only window shopping to in-store shopping. There will be a rotating selection of merchandise from Somerset Collection stores. Vending machine proceeds are headed to charity.

The day after Black Friday is commonly known as Small Business Saturday, when consumers are encouraged to patronize and support small, local businesses. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. said if Michiganders switched one in every ten purchases from big-box stores to local businesses, it would pump more than a billion dollars into the economy and create more than 10,000 jobs. With the coronavirus pandemic hitting locally-owned businesses extra hard, it’s safe to say that it’s important to support small businesses on more than one day this year to help them stay afloat. Michigan shoppers, we want to know: Are you more likely to shop at small, locally-owned businesses or big-box stores? Take the quick poll and give us your reasoning in the form below.

LIVONIA, Mich. – This Small Business Saturday, consumers are encouraged to patronize small businesses to support their local communities. Even those shopping for holiday gifts for their pets can find those special items at small, local businesses, like Premier Pet Supply in Livonia. Shopping locally can have significant benefits on individual communities and their economies. Watch the full report in the video player above. Related: Michigan leaders encourage residents to support local shops

Scam artists have found many ways during the coronavirus pandemic to try and con people out of their money or personal information. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new text message claiming to offer $1,200 for participation in a local COVID study. “We have heard from consumers that there’s a text message going around that says if you participate in the study, you’ll earn $1,200,” said Melanie Duquesnel, president and CEO of eastern Michigan Better Business Bureau. The difficulty is that you cannot, through a text message, determine if they’re a reputable company.”Click here to view the Better Business Bureau Scam TrackerWhen it comes to phishing scams, beware any unsolicited communication. Never click on links or download anything from a text message or email.

As we inch closer to the holidays, most of us are adapting our celebrations to meet new restrictions and protocols designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. With the pandemic likely affecting your plans and events, we’re wondering if it is also affecting how you’re shopping for holiday gifts -- specifically those for children. Are you buying different kinds of toys for children this holiday season due to the coronavirus pandemic? In what ways -- if at all -- has the pandemic affected what toys you’re shopping for? Let us know using the form below.

READ: Tips for managing your money ahead of holiday season“Retailers are rolling out Black Friday deals earlier than ever. Walmart has been hosting a series of Black Friday doorbusters leading up to Thanksgiving so it’s really changing and impacting what we can expect this holiday season,” Woroch said. Shopping early can help spread purchases out over a longer period and avoid debt or racking up high credit card bills. Woroch said some stores are offering incentives to shop now like cash back and gift cards that consumers could hold onto to use later in the holiday shopping season as well. No matter your shopping plan, consider shopping local and taking advantage of small businesses in your area.

Just 29% of consumers said they plan to host or attend a Thanksgiving meal with family they don’t live with this season, down from 48% last year, according to Chicago-based market research firm IRI. More than a third said they will prepare a meal just for themselves or their household, up from 27% last year. A median of five people will attend, while last year it was eight.

The e-commerce giant Alibaba's annual Singles Day shopping event could be a boon for Chinese brands, according to a new survey. Sixty-six percent of Chinese consumers say they'll be shopping for domestic brands over foreign labels during the shopping event, which is held on Nov. 11 each year. Spending overall is expected to eclipse previous records, as Chinese consumers rebound from the shutdowns put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Thirty-nine percent of Chinese consumers plan to spend more on Singles Day this year compared with last, the survey found. Fifty-seven percent of Chinese consumers plan to spend less money on American products this year, AlixPartners found.

Amazon to hold Prime Day in mid-October after canceling event due to COVID-19 pandemicIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT – If you’ve lost healthcare coverage due to the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan, there are options to find new coverage. Michiganders impacted may have low or no-cost healthcare options available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). “Michiganders who lose employer-based health insurance may have options to continue or replace their coverage,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if they need assistance.Act now and applyEnrollment help is available

Consumer sentiment rose slightly in December as President Donald Trump's impeachment had a "barely noticeable impact" on economic expectations, the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said Friday. The index of consumer sentiment reached 99.3 for the month. Current economic conditions also improved among consumers while overall expectations ticked higher in December. He also said the impeachment hearing "had a barely noticeable impact on economic expectations, as it was mentioned by just 2% of all consumers in the December survey." In fact, the S&P 500 is up more than 7% since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal inquiry in September.

The bird flu in the United States is disrupting the egg market in significant ways. As Adriana Diaz reports, consumers can expect to see soaring egg prices.

Consumers are keeping their spending in check, disappointing forecasters who expected falling gas prices to fuel stronger economic growth. CBS MoneyWatch Anthony Mirhaydari explains.

Retails sales have made a comeback since the lull seen during the winter months. CBS Contributor Anthony Mirhaydari explains how

Will consumers ditch their wallets for Apple Pay? Apple says its new mobile payment system, Apple Pay, is convenient and secure, but will it win over consumers? CNET's Kara Tusboi reports.