New survey finds texting and messaging scams have jumped 50% in the past year. Here are some tips to protect your money
Read full article: New survey finds texting and messaging scams have jumped 50% in the past year. Here are some tips to protect your moneyYou’re in the middle of something when your phone pings — a text from an unknown number. Is it real, or another scam? A new Consumer Reports survey finds texting and messaging scams have jumped 50 percent in the past year, and it might surprise you that Gen Z is getting hit the hardest. Consumer Reports reveals some smart tips to help you stop those messages and protect your money.
Going Black Friday shopping? Here are strategies for getting the best deals
Read full article: Going Black Friday shopping? Here are strategies for getting the best dealsRemember when Black Friday meant lining up outside your favorite store at midnight? Those days are gone. Now, as Consumer Reports shows, the best deals are often online, and the sales have already started.
Toy guide: Tips to find safe, fun toys for your little ones this holiday season
Read full article: Toy guide: Tips to find safe, fun toys for your little ones this holiday seasonToy season is upon us… and the gift-giving excitement can sometimes overshadow the importance of quality and safety, especially when it comes to toys for children.
The top-tested kitchen appliances to make baking easier, faster and fun this holiday season
Read full article: The top-tested kitchen appliances to make baking easier, faster and fun this holiday seasonThe holiday baking season is in full swing. Before you plug in that mixer or preheat the toaster oven, Consumer Reports reveals its list of top-tested kitchen helpers that make baking easier, faster, and a lot more fun.
St. Johns County incentives aim to entice developers to build affordable housing for essential workers
Read full article: St. Johns County incentives aim to entice developers to build affordable housing for essential workersEssential workers in St. Johns County can’t afford to live there -- even if they’re combining incomes. But county leaders want to change that.
Consumers are cutting back on holiday spending this year. An analyst explains why
Read full article: Consumers are cutting back on holiday spending this year. An analyst explains whyJustin Begley, an economic analyst for Moody’s, joined News4JAX Anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show. They discussed the things that have people keeping a tighter grip on their wallets and focusing on affording necessities rather than buying gifts.
Your home builder’s tax estimate might be off by hundreds of dollars. Here’s how to verify it yourself
Read full article: Your home builder’s tax estimate might be off by hundreds of dollars. Here’s how to verify it yourselfA growing number of Florida homeowners say their mortgage payments jumped by hundreds, even more than a thousand dollars, within their first year of owning a new construction home, and many believe they were never warned it could happen.
They signed the papers to their dream homes. Then learned their taxes were triple what the builder told them
Read full article: They signed the papers to their dream homes. Then learned their taxes were triple what the builder told themDozens of Northeast Florida families say they were blindsided by steep increases in their monthly mortgage payments after buying new construction homes from D.R. Horton, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders.
Where you can get help putting a Thanksgiving meal on the table this year
Read full article: Where you can get help putting a Thanksgiving meal on the table this yearHaving a meal on the table means everything to families during the holiday season, but there is some hope, thanks to local food drives happening across the area.
Addressing A4dability: Golden Isles employers struggle as workforce housing falls short
Read full article: Addressing A4dability: Golden Isles employers struggle as workforce housing falls shortAs the population of Brunswick and the Golden Isles continues to climb, community leaders say the demand for affordable homes is outpacing construction, and the gap is widening.
Tired of spending a fortune on cleaning products? Here’s how to save money on cleaning supplies
Read full article: Tired of spending a fortune on cleaning products? Here’s how to save money on cleaning suppliesTired of spending a fortune on products that promise to make kitchen cleanup a breeze—only to be disappointed again? With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Consumer Reports tips for saving money on cleaning products that really work couldn’t come at a better time!
Holiday online shopping: How to spot a good deal and ensure you’re getting a safe product
Read full article: Holiday online shopping: How to spot a good deal and ensure you’re getting a safe productHoliday shopping is in full swing, and a lot of us are turning to online stores because it’s quick and convenient. But Consumer Reports says there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting a good deal and a safe product. Here’s what to watch for when you shop.
Citizens Insurance no longer Florida’s largest property insurer after major policy drop
Read full article: Citizens Insurance no longer Florida’s largest property insurer after major policy dropFlorida’s once-struggling property insurance market has hit a new milestone: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is no longer the state’s largest insurer for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holiday Money Hunt: How to search Florida’s unclaimed property database to see if you’re owed extra cash
Read full article: Holiday Money Hunt: How to search Florida’s unclaimed property database to see if you’re owed extra cashA state database could hold the key to a little extra cash for your wallet, during the holiday season.
Money and success may not always lead to happiness, research shows. So what does?
Read full article: Money and success may not always lead to happiness, research shows. So what does?We all chase success — financial security, career milestones, bigger goals. But for many, the higher they climb, the less satisfied they feel. One report shows 73 percent of professionals set sky-high expectations for themselves, and more than half admit they rarely meet them, taking a toll on their happiness.
Are you prepared for an emergency? Consumer Reports has 5 tips to make things easier during a crisis
Read full article: Are you prepared for an emergency? Consumer Reports has 5 tips to make things easier during a crisisIt’s not pleasant to think about death or a medical emergency, but one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is being prepared for those situations. You might be familiar with traditional estate planning, but there’s also what’s called digital estate planning. Consumer Reports has five things to do right now to make things easier in a crisis.
Save money and ease the burden of funerals: Why Consumer Reports says planning ahead is crucial
Read full article: Save money and ease the burden of funerals: Why Consumer Reports says planning ahead is crucialFunerals are often one of life’s biggest... and last expenses. Planning ahead can be uncomfortable, but it can save money and help ease the burden on your loved ones. Consumer Reports has practical advice on how to navigate the process and what to watch out for.
From kitchen appliances to TVs: Here are some of the best November deals
Read full article: From kitchen appliances to TVs: Here are some of the best November dealsShoppers, listen up: November is a great month for deals, as retailers compete for your holiday shopping dollars by offering lower prices. Experts from Consumer Reports test labs are here to help you find this month’s best bargains.
Are you a first responder or in the military? Here are some stores that offer special discounts for you
Read full article: Are you a first responder or in the military? Here are some stores that offer special discounts for youWith the ongoing government shutdown leaving many military and federal workers uncertain about their paychecks, money is tight for families across the country. The good news — many companies offer special discounts for military members, veterans, and first responders.
From safety features to insurance, Consumer Reports offers tips to help senior drivers hit the road with confidence
Read full article: From safety features to insurance, Consumer Reports offers tips to help senior drivers hit the road with confidenceShopping for a new car can be stressful. And if you’re an older driver, there are extra things to consider from comfort and visibility to safety features, to how much you’ll pay for insurance. Consumer Reports breaks down the smartest ways to hit the road with confidence without breaking the bank.
‘Building housing for the houseless’: Nonprofit aims to close affordability gap in Nassau County, one property at a time
Read full article: ‘Building housing for the houseless’: Nonprofit aims to close affordability gap in Nassau County, one property at a timeAffordable Housing 1st was created last year by co-founder Carlene McDuffie and president Kevin Harriman to address Nassau County’s growing affordability crisis.
Doing more than your job description? It’s called octo-hire, and it could offer either overload or opportunity
Read full article: Doing more than your job description? It’s called octo-hire, and it could offer either overload or opportunityA new report shows American workers are more burned out than ever. Sixty-six percent say they’re experiencing some form of it, and for many, it’s because they’re doing far more than their job description.
Game day, big pay? City leaders, local business owners hope Monday’s game sparks momentum for Jacksonville’s economy
Read full article: Game day, big pay? City leaders, local business owners hope Monday’s game sparks momentum for Jacksonville’s economyCity leaders say Monday night is about more than what happens on the field. It’s a chance to reshape how the rest of the country sees Jacksonville — and highlight the growth already happening here.
Nearly 1 million renters across Florida are just one ‘curveball’ away from losing their housing, study finds
Read full article: Nearly 1 million renters across Florida are just one ‘curveball’ away from losing their housing, study findsHomelessness among Florida families has surged in the last three years as soaring rents and a shortage of affordable housing push more residents into shelters, motels and the streets, a new University of Florida report says.
Florida among highest-ranking states for debt collection calls, FTC says
Read full article: Florida among highest-ranking states for debt collection calls, FTC saysThe Federal Trade Commission says that Florida is one of the highest-ranking states for debt collection calls. At least 31,000 Floridians have filed complaints about these calls that are persistent and sometimes even aggressive.
Quiet hiring: Is your company shifting employees into new positions without formal job postings, promotions?
Read full article: Quiet hiring: Is your company shifting employees into new positions without formal job postings, promotions?Quiet hiring is when companies shift current employees into new roles, often without a formal job posting or promotion.
Going solar? Do it now to save money before solar tax credits evaporate
Read full article: Going solar? Do it now to save money before solar tax credits evaporateIf you’ve been thinking about getting solar panels, now might be the time to do it. There was a change in the law. And now, you only have a few months left to take advantage of the solar tax credit.
2 Camden County commissioners say they’re against plan to raise property taxes by more than 18%
Read full article: 2 Camden County commissioners say they’re against plan to raise property taxes by more than 18%The Camden County Board of Commissioners announced last week that it has tentatively agreed to adopt new millage rates for 2025 that would increase property taxes.
‘Displacement is gentrification’: Eastside leaders warn stadium renovations could price out longtime residents
Read full article: ‘Displacement is gentrification’: Eastside leaders warn stadium renovations could price out longtime residentsAs the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium undergoes millions of dollars in renovations, residents of the city’s historic Eastside say they’re caught between promises of revitalization and fears of displacement.
Post-grad playbook: How to keep your finances afloat
Read full article: Post-grad playbook: How to keep your finances afloatLife after college can be stressful, especially when it comes to money. But with the right tools, you can stay financially fit — even in a tough market. So, what can grads do to keep their finances afloat?
From frustrated to focused: How to beat job search fatigue
Read full article: From frustrated to focused: How to beat job search fatigueYou spend hours perfecting your resume, days scrolling through job boards, and weeks waiting for a response. If you feel exhausted from job searching, you’re not alone.
How to pick yourself up out of the ‘end-of-summer slump’ and improve productivity at work
Read full article: How to pick yourself up out of the ‘end-of-summer slump’ and improve productivity at workMany workers report a drop in motivation as summer fades. Experts call it the “end-of-summer slump.” A dip in focus and drive that hits hard after time off. But the good news? It’s fixable, and a few simple changes can reboot your energy and efficiency.
