Lunchbox Challenge: We crunched the numbers on how much it really costs to pack school lunches
Read full article: Lunchbox Challenge: We crunched the numbers on how much it really costs to pack school lunchesNews4JAX reporter Caleb Yauger went shopping at Winn-Dixie to find out exactly how much it costs to feed two teenagers lunch every day of the school week (5 days) — and how much money you can save if you’re smart about it.
Back-to-school sticker shock: How to cope with higher prices for supplies
Read full article: Back-to-school sticker shock: How to cope with higher prices for suppliesAngela Hanks, Chief of Policy Programs at The Century Foundation, joined us on The Morning Show to discuss the back-to-school affordability issue for parents and how they can better cope and offset these higher costs without going into debt.
Buying a home is 332% more expensive than it was in the ’90s. But household incomes have only risen 174%
Read full article: Buying a home is 332% more expensive than it was in the ’90s. But household incomes have only risen 174%A Realtor.com analysis found the median age of a first-time homebuyer has climbed to 40, up from 30 in 1990, as rising home prices, larger down payments and higher costs of living make homeownership more difficult for younger Americans.
How much do ‘swipe fees’ cost credit card users & businesses every year? More than you probably think
Read full article: How much do ‘swipe fees’ cost credit card users & businesses every year? More than you probably thinkUsing your credit card to pay for purchases is quick and easy. But that simple swipe can come with a lot of hidden fees, like “swipe fees” that keep going up. And they’re costing businesses and consumers more money every year.
Home warranty warning: Plans might not offer protection you’re expecting. What to ask before you buy a policy
Read full article: Home warranty warning: Plans might not offer protection you’re expecting. What to ask before you buy a policyA home warranty may help cover repair costs, but Consumer Reports says these plans may not protect as much as many homeowners expect.
Skilled trades on wheels: Mobile lab brings hands-on career demos to Jacksonville-area students
Read full article: Skilled trades on wheels: Mobile lab brings hands-on career demos to Jacksonville-area studentsBe Pro Be Proud is bringing its mobile learning lab to Northeast Florida, giving middle- and high-school students a hands-on look at careers they might not have considered.
Should you trust AI to answer your health questions?
Read full article: Should you trust AI to answer your health questions?More people are turning to ChatGPT and other AI tools for health questions. The answers are fast, and they often sound reassuring and trustworthy, but, as Consumer Reports says, they aren’t always accurate.
What you need to know about the health impacts of fast fashion & toxic knockoffs
Read full article: What you need to know about the health impacts of fast fashion & toxic knockoffsU.S. officials say most counterfeit goods seized at the border come from China and Hong Kong. Now, concerns are growing that some of these bargains may carry something else: Chemicals you didn’t pay for.
Looking for some retail therapy but tired of the big bill? Try this new trend out of South Korea
Read full article: Looking for some retail therapy but tired of the big bill? Try this new trend out of South KoreaA new trend out of South Korea is trying to give people that “shopping buzz” without the bill.
Local gas prices back on the rise as Iran conflict disrupts global supply
Read full article: Local gas prices back on the rise as Iran conflict disrupts global supplyAs we head into the weekend, we are checking on our local averages compared to the national average, which hit $4.11 a gallon on Friday morning.
Consumer Alert: Feds warn customers after more than 200 fires sparked by immersion water heaters
Read full article: Consumer Alert: Feds warn customers after more than 200 fires sparked by immersion water heatersThe Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning on Wednesday about Lakkzoom immersion water heaters after the devices reportedly sparked more than 200 fires.
How you can get a back-to-school haircut for your child for less than $10 at Great Clips
Read full article: How you can get a back-to-school haircut for your child for less than $10 at Great ClipsFrom July 20 through Aug. 14, Great Clips salons in Jacksonville are offering a special $9.99 back-to-school promotion.
St. Augustine caps pedicab operators, adds new rules for tour businesses
Read full article: St. Augustine caps pedicab operators, adds new rules for tour businessesNew rules are now in effect for businesses that help visitors experience downtown St. Augustine, including pedicabs, smaller tour operators and horse-drawn carriage companies.
Trade Up: Inside J-Tech, where students train for high-demand skilled trade jobs & leave ready to work
Read full article: Trade Up: Inside J-Tech, where students train for high-demand skilled trade jobs & leave ready to workNews4JAX toured Jones Technical Institute (J-Tech Institute), a nonprofit vocational school with programs ranging from HVAC to diesel, welding, marine/RV – even commercial truck driving.
Consumer Alert: How to tell a legit class action settlement notice from a scam
Read full article: Consumer Alert: How to tell a legit class action settlement notice from a scamA letter. An email. A message promising money. Millions of Americans receive class action settlement notices every year. It sounds great until you start wondering, is this legit? And it’s a question you should definitely be asking because real class action settlements do exist, but so do scams designed to look like them.
Picking the safest used car for your teen driver doesn’t have to break the bank
Read full article: Picking the safest used car for your teen driver doesn’t have to break the bankConsumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety teamed up to identify the safest used cars for teen drivers at different prices.
Entering adulthood already in debt? How to avoid (or dig out of) the Gen Z credit trap
Read full article: Entering adulthood already in debt? How to avoid (or dig out of) the Gen Z credit trapNearly half of Gen Z admits they don’t fully understand how credit scores work, even though the average Gen Z credit card balance is about $3,500. That can be costly because one bad money move can get expensive fast.
Dish soap isn’t just for dishes — but there are some places in your home you should never use it
Read full article: Dish soap isn’t just for dishes — but there are some places in your home you should never use itDish soap isn’t just for dishes. This kitchen staple can be a surprisingly handy household helper for everything from stained hands to clogged drains. Consumer Reports breaks down the surprising do's and don'ts of dish soap.
What to do if you’re drowning in debt: A local woman’s story and a four-step plan
Read full article: What to do if you’re drowning in debt: A local woman’s story and a four-step planVyStar financial educator Marc Streebel says a warning sign of “unmanageable debt” is when you’re only making minimum payments—or missing payments on multiple accounts.
How one woman paid off $9K in credit card debt — and the steps experts say can help you break the cycle
Read full article: How one woman paid off $9K in credit card debt — and the steps experts say can help you break the cycleCertified financial planner George Pakounis with Burns Estate Planning and Wealth Advisors said inflation is only part of the reason Americans are falling deeper into debt.
Don’t skip a beat this summer — Consumer Reports ranks the best portable speakers to keep the hits bumping
Read full article: Don’t skip a beat this summer — Consumer Reports ranks the best portable speakers to keep the hits bumpingWhether it’s music, podcasts, or your favorite beach-day mix, Consumer Reports says the best portable speakers combine good sound with durability and easy portability.
Family-owned Jacksonville Beach trade business thrives amid skilled worker shortage. How you can start building wealth
Read full article: Family-owned Jacksonville Beach trade business thrives amid skilled worker shortage. How you can start building wealthA Jacksonville Beach family trade business thrives amid a skilled worker shortage, highlighting how trades and smart financial habits can rapidly build wealth.
New bipartisan national housing law aims to close gap on 10 million home shortage
Read full article: New bipartisan national housing law aims to close gap on 10 million home shortageA bill to help make housing more affordable has become law. CNN Consumer Watch reporter Jenn Sullivan explains how it will help ease the housing crisis.
Does your car remind you of a sweaty gym sock? The musty smell might not be what you think. Here’s how to clear the air
Read full article: Does your car remind you of a sweaty gym sock? The musty smell might not be what you think. Here’s how to clear the airIf the odor in your car reminds you of a damp basement or a sweaty gym sock, the experts at Consumer Reports say there’s a good chance the problem is hiding inside your vehicle’s climate-control system, and lucky for you, there’s an easy fix!
Bills overwhelming you? How to negotiate monthly expenses to save you money
Read full article: Bills overwhelming you? How to negotiate monthly expenses to save you moneyIf your bills feel like they’re piling up faster than you can pay them off, you’re not alone—and you may have more options than you think.
Fraud investigation targets Massey Contracting as customers, employees, subcontractors say they are owed nearly $1M
Read full article: Fraud investigation targets Massey Contracting as customers, employees, subcontractors say they are owed nearly $1MA Jacksonville roofing company once known for giving away free roofs on social media is now under investigation by the State Bureau of Insurance Fraud, as customers, employees and subcontractors say they are owed a combined total of nearly $1 million.
Consumer Reports finds concerning levels of arsenic in 52 rice products
Read full article: Consumer Reports finds concerning levels of arsenic in 52 rice productsConsumer Reports’ latest food safety investigation found some rice products contain concerning levels of inorganic arsenic, a dangerous form of a heavy metal and known carcinogen.
Subscription Detox: How forgotten monthly charges could be draining your budget
Read full article: Subscription Detox: How forgotten monthly charges could be draining your budgetIf your monthly budget feels tighter than it used to, the culprit may not be one big expense. It could be a handful of small ones you forgot about.
High summer energy bills? These cool savings tips will have you — and your wallet — breathing a sigh of relief
Read full article: High summer energy bills? These cool savings tips will have you — and your wallet — breathing a sigh of reliefDid you know JEA offers a FREE program that will send experts to your home to look at how much energy you’re using and how to save you money?
Fernandina Beach Publix reopens after more than a year with upgraded amenities
Read full article: Fernandina Beach Publix reopens after more than a year with upgraded amenitiesA newly renovated Publix opened its doors to welcome customers back after residents were left with limited grocery options for more than a year.
The questions to ask before opting for an EV rental to save gas money on your road trip
Read full article: The questions to ask before opting for an EV rental to save gas money on your road tripAre you planning a summer road trip? With gas prices taking a bit out of travel budgets, you might be wondering if it’s cheaper to rent an electric vehicle. The experts at Consumer Reports can help you decide.
Corporate Code: What you need to know about the hidden language, invisible rules of the workplace
Read full article: Corporate Code: What you need to know about the hidden language, invisible rules of the workplaceStarting your first corporate job can feel like walking into a room where everyone else knows the rules, except you. But experts say this “hidden language” can be learned.
Why you should always wash new clothes before you wear them & how to do it without ruining your new ‘fit’
Read full article: Why you should always wash new clothes before you wear them & how to do it without ruining your new ‘fit’Before you put on that new sweater, shirt, or baby outfit straight from the store, Consumer Reports says you should wash it first because you’re not just wearing a new outfit, you’re wearing everything it picked up along the way.
Data shows that mid-career panic prompts millions to rethink work
Read full article: Data shows that mid-career panic prompts millions to rethink workNew data shows millions of Americans continue to change jobs each month, with more than three million people quitting their jobs in a typical month last year.
UNF trustees vote to increase housing rates by 5%, out-of-state student fees by 15%
Read full article: UNF trustees vote to increase housing rates by 5%, out-of-state student fees by 15%UNF is moving forward with higher costs for some students starting in Fall 2026, including a 5% increase in on-campus housing rental rates and a 15% increase in out-of-state tuition-related fees.
Grocery growth Downtown: ALDI opens as City Council considers public funding for Publix tower
Read full article: Grocery growth Downtown: ALDI opens as City Council considers public funding for Publix towerOver the past week, shoppers have been getting used to the new ALDI at Market and Union. At the same time, Jacksonville City Council members are preparing to take up an incentives proposal tied to Gateway Jax’s planned N7 development at 119 W. Beaver St., a mixed-use tower that would set aside space for a Publix-sized grocery store downtown.
