News4JAX went to a local Walmart to see how much Kevin McCallister's shopping list in "Home Alone" would cost now.

Nothing says winter comfort like a steaming cup of hot chocolate. But you’ll want to choose your hot cocoa mix wisely after a Consumer Reports investigation found concerning levels of lead in some popular hot chocolate brands.

Party City, the largest party supply store chain in the United States, is closing all its stores, marking the end of nearly four decades in business, an announcement made Friday said.

Consumer Reports did the homework, so you don’t have to. Here are retailers with the best and worst return policies.

Cleaning up after a holiday meal with family and friends is no easy task. It can be tempting to dump food left on plates down the drain. But plumbers say that will lead to problems.

Consumer Reports has important guidance on what parents should consider when buying or gifting toys.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is introducing a new rule to address hidden fees in ticketing and vacation rental pricing, promising greater transparency for consumers.

From sheets to slippers, mixers to mattresses, the experts at Consumer Reports are constantly testing products for your home and garden and everywhere in between.

Surveys show about two thirds of Americans report feeling stressed about money. And with the holidays upon us, this worry is only amplified.

City officials, JAXUSA Partnership and business leaders will announce Tuesday the details of a financial service company’s expansion in Jacksonville.

More than a third of Americans say rising energy costs are forcing them to make sacrifices with their budgets, according to researchers at Lending Tree.

If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, you’re in luck — the tech experts at Consumer Reports are sharing some advice for gifting gadgets and their favorite tech picks this holiday season.

The experts at Consumer Reports culled together a list of some of their favorite cooking and kitchen gadgets — just in time for gifting or rounding out your own kitchen for the holidays.

The holiday season is a time of giving, but for many Americans, it’s also a time of spending—and that can lead to a heavy financial burden.

On average, nearly half of all residential energy consumption in the U.S. is attributed to heating costs and 85% of adults report that their utility costs have gone up in recent years.

Florida leads the nation with more than 88 reported burglaries per 100,000 people. That’s nearly four times the national average of 22.5 per 100,000.

A St. Johns County gas resident won a $1 million prize from the 500X The Cash Scratch-Off game.

A scheme that scammed millions of dollars out of consumers burdened with student loan debt has been stopped in its tracks, the Federal Trade Commission says.

Products to help manage your lights and kits can offer some extra fun this season.

Smartphones are on the top of the Christmas list for many children, preteens and teen. But are they ready to have one or will it just lead to more screen time and less family time?

Law enforcement agencies are warning about a gift card scam called “card draining.”

Reports show nearly 155,000 children under the age of 12 were treated at emergency departments last year due to toy-related injuries. So, how can parents keep their little ones safe?

Consumer Reports puts together report cards for all the cars it tests to help you make the right choice that will last for years.

Consumer Reports is here to help you navigate sales and make smart buys during this busy shopping season.

What is the right age to gift your child a smartphone, a tablet with more internet access, or a fitness tracker? We have tips on choosing the right tech gifts for kids and teens this holiday season.

A new report from the Florida Policy Institute reveals Live Local Act might not be cutting it for some professions, like educators, firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Far from being the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays are often busy and stressful. But sending holiday cards doesn’t have to be.

We’re getting a better look at the holiday weekend sales numbers -- both online and in-store -- and what they mean for retailers.

The travel industry is offering big savings for Travel Tuesday. Here's how you can score big.

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to generosity, as people worldwide contribute to causes they care about. However, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of charitable intentions.

According to BuildEmpire, 75% of employees who receive feedback feel that it is important to their work, but sometimes others might not be happy to receive it. So how can you make the most out of constructive criticism?

On Jan. 1, 2025, nine new Florida laws are set to go into effect.

The man chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $640,000.00.

If you have a child who’s into science, technology, engineering and math – or one you’d like to inspire – Purdue University’s gift guide could help you pick just the right holiday present.

If you’ve been through an airport this year, you are not alone. NerdWallet reports that the number of passengers has already reached an all-time high and that’s not even counting the upcoming holiday travel season.

Consumer Reports has tips to help you get the best TV for the best price this holiday shopping season.

Jacksonville City Council passed an emergency resolution that will encourage the mayor’s office to come to an agreement with a potential new owner of the Laura Street Trio.

The holidays are upon us and so is the busy shopping season. According to research from Vericast, 74% of people plan to do their holiday shopping in November.

The Jacksonville City Council met on Monday to discuss the future of the historic Laura Street Trio. The meeting highlighted the growing tension between city officials and developers over how to resolve the long-standing issues surrounding the vacant buildings.

Seventy-five percent of Americans fell victim to holiday scams last year, with online shopping and non-delivery scams accounting for a significant portion of the over $281 million lost, or should we say stolen.

You may have money owed to you, but you don’t even know it! Now is your chance to claim it.

What’s the real cost of a Thanksgiving dinner?

Consumer Reports sniffs out the truth so you can decide if whole body deodorants are worth your money.

AI-driven scams and deepfake technology are more enhanced than ever this holiday season.

72% of local apartment complexes are owned by corporate investment firms

With Thanksgiving looming in just over a week, Walmart, Target, ALDI and other grocers are competing for a place on your holiday table.

LendingTree has released its list of the most “debt-ridden U.S. metros,” examining which major cities have the most nonmortgage debt.

Inflation in the United States ticked up in October, driven by costlier rents, used cars, and air fares, a sign that price increases might be leveling off after having slowed in September to their lowest pace since 2021.

In a bold new chapter for one of Jacksonville’s beloved theaters, Sun-Ray Cinema announced Thursday it is moving to a different Florida city.

A Bankrate Study shows Florida already has the highest auto insurance in the nation -- $1,4000 more than the national average.

The city of Jacksonville says it is ending negotiations with the developer of the Laura Street Trio, which means redeveloping that area does not have a path forward for the time being.

Navy Federal Credit Union must pay more than $95 million after an investigation found it charged customers millions in illegal overdraft fees over a five-year period, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

A 57-year-old Jacksonville man won $2 million from a 100X Bonus Cashword scratch-off game, according to the Florida Lottery.

With school back in session and expenses rising, many teens are looking for part-time jobs to earn extra income. While nearly six million 16 to 19-year-olds were employed in June 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest number in over a decade, finding the right balance between schoolwork and earning potential can be challenging.

More than 12 million Americans spend at least half of their paycheck on rent. And new data shows housing prices in 99 percent of U.S. counties are unaffordable for the average wage earner. That’s why first-time home buyers are turning to friends to make their first big purchase.

Consumer Reports hand-picked some of the best November deals to help you start the holiday shopping season.

The IRS has announced new federal income tax brackets and standard deductions. A 2.7% inflation-related adjustment will apply starting in 2025.

It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Consumer Reports has the scoop on the best gadgets and techniques to scoop that poop.

Customers have reported that important packages are being delivered to the wrong states, and in some cases, mail is being lost altogether. These issues have led to calls for a federal audit of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Working hard and rising to the top has long been a marker of career success and happiness. But that notion may be a thing of the past. According to Indeed and a new study, workplace priorities are shifting, especially among younger generations.

There are new rules helping passengers get their money back if a flight is canceled or delayed.

JEA is eyeing a potential rate increase that could affect thousands of households in Northeast Florida.

Driving conditions can change quickly, but knowing how to protect yourself can make a big difference in surviving a crash, fire, flood, or severe storm.

Jim Whited, a Nurse Practitioner in Jacksonville, told News4JAX that Ticketmaster still hasn’t made his situation right, and said almost three months after the theft, he’s still been unable to reach a human in Ticketmaster’s fraud department.

VyStar Credit Union opened a student-run branch at Riverside High School. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for the VyStar Academy of Business was held Thursday, Oct. 24.

Holley’s Bar-B-Q — which has been a staple in Jacksonville since 1937 — located on Moncrief Road has two claims to fame: It’s the oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville -- and it’s said to be where curly fries were invented.

With calls coming from unfamiliar numbers and area codes, FEMA wants applicants to be aware of scam callers pretending to be associates from disaster assistance.

There is a housing crisis in America, and it includes a significant racial disparity in mortgage access, according to studies done by a group called Reinvestment Fund.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the U.S. Even the simplest things can potentially catch fire.

Mark Lamping, president of the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton via Zoom from London to talk about the potential impacts of the "Stadium of the Future" deal on downtown development.

On average, most people spend a thousand dollars on gifts. One way to not feel too guilty is to make some extra cash right now to spend in the coming months.

The Federal Trade Commission this week released a final rule called “Click to Cancel,” which says online subscriptions should require the same amount of clicks to end as they do to sign up, and in-person signups should have the option to cancel online or over the phone.

Last year, 82% of Americans had at least one credit card with an average balance of roughly $6,500.

Holley’s Bar-B-Q — which has been a staple in Jacksonville since 1937 — located on Moncrief Road has two claims to fame: It’s the oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville -- and it’s said to be where curly fries were invented.

No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams.

If you hadn’t noticed, mushrooms are having a moment. Along with finding them in the produce aisle, you’ll see them in snacks, broths, supplements, and even coffee and tea.

Consumer Reports explains why baby walkers are so dangerous and what parents can do to protect their children.

A recent Gallup poll found workers in the U.S. are among the most stressed in the world, but which states have the most stressed workers?

If you have Medicare, Open Enrollment — which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 — is when you can make changes to your health and prescription drug plans.

Catfishing, which happens when a person pretends to be someone else online, is a popular scamming method, and now, AI is making this type of fake impersonation easier than ever.

There are some simple steps you should take to protect your car during Hurricane Milton, especially if you live in an area expecting to get hit with high winds or that is prone to flooding.

Three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Now is the time to prepare your home ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall mid-week along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Microfeminism. It’s the idea of making small changes to empower women, especially at work. The trend is taking off on TikTok.

The federal government is once again offering free COVID test kits.

Going for a new job involves a lot of steps. Applying, interviewing, and waiting for an official offer. But it doesn’t end there.

Fall is in the air, or is that the scent of pumpkin bread, muffins, and pumpkin pie? All recipes that depend on that little can of pumpkin… It might sound like a silly question, but do you really know what’s in the can? It's probably NOT pumpkin.

Florida could face paying nearly $750,000 in legal fees for businesses that successfully challenged part of a 2022 law that Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.”

Consumer Reports reveals products at deep discounts to help kickstart the holiday shopping season.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering disaster loans for businesses and residents in Florida impacted by Hurricane Helene.

As of Monday, JEA customers who want to pay their bills using a debit or credit card will have to pay a service vendor fee.

While there are some government-funded solar programs for households that qualify, “going solar” isn’t free.

The good news is the solution likely won’t require a trip to the mechanic. It’s an easy fix you can do yourself.

Learning how to manage money is an essential life skill. But according to a 2023 Edward Jones survey, 80 percent of respondents said they never learned financial skills in school. So how can parents step in?

People report getting calls in bursts of anywhere from five to even 20 a day, all from different numbers, all with the same story. But there never was a loan application.

As Helene is approaching, the Better Business Bureau is reminding Floridians to be on alert for scammers looking to cash in after the storm is over.

A 2024 survey reveals 69% of job seekers are hopeful that they will land the perfect job this year. But what happens when you sign on the dotted line, but the job isn’t what you thought it was going to be?

Whether you’ve been a victim or want to proactively protect your personal information, Consumer Reports explains what you can do now before the hackers strike.

Consumer Reports is joining the Consumer Product Safety Commission in a warning about “universal” chargers for e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards.

With the holiday travel rush just around the corner, many people are wondering if spending extra on travel insurance is really worth it.