Consumer

/

Home & Leisure

/

ArcaMax

Todd McInturf/The Detroit News/TNS

Rocket accused of kickback scheme, hiking cost of homebuying

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

A lawsuit alleging hundreds of thousands of homebuyers overpaid because Detroit-based Rocket Companies' mortgage unit colluded with real estate agents highlights decades-old affordable housing issues and the role of federal watchdogs under President Donald Trump.

Plaintiffs' attorneys in a January lawsuit describe the alleged deal between ...Read more

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/TNS

Sub-6% mortgage rates vanish as Iran war sparks inflation fears

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

U.S. homebuyers had to act fast last week to nab the first sub-6% mortgage rates in more than three years. Now they’re up, and the new conflict in the Middle East threatens to nudge them higher.

The average for 30-year, fixed loans climbed to 6% from 5.98% last week, which was the lowest point since September 2022, data from Freddie Mac ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: Can HOA require me to clean a roof that I don't think is dirty?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: Can my association fine me because they’re saying my roof is dirty and needs to be power-washed? When I asked them what the guidelines were, they just pointed to the section that said I was responsible for general maintenance under the declaration. I think my roof looks fine. Can they make me power wash my roof? — Zach

A: Homeowners ...Read more

Cloe Poisson/Hartford Courant/TNS

New answer to affordable housing? Yes In God's Backyard movement comes to CT

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Affordable housing advocates along with dozens of churches across the state are trying to launch the so-called YIGBY campaign in Connecticut this week by supporting a proposed law making it easier to build apartments on church-owned land.

The Yes In God’s Backyard movement bills itself as a creative way to quickly construct affordable housing...Read more

K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS

Las Vegas lost the most construction jobs of any US city last year, report says

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Las Vegas lost more construction jobs than anywhere else in the country last year, according to a new report.

Data from the Associated General Contractors of America showed the area had the biggest percentage loss, as well as overall numerical loss, of construction jobs out of the largest 360 metro areas in 2025. The valley lost a total of 8,...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Don't Throw That Out!

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Have you ever walked into the kitchen to get that first cup of coffee only to discover someone left the ice cream on the counter all night? Or the milk? I don't hate spoiled food as much as I did before. I found many clever ways to use items I used to throw out.

SOUR MILK

It often happens in warm weather, with even a limited milk supply; some ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: The Real Cost of Dipping Into a Retirement Account

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

More people are taking loans from their retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), etc.) than ever, simply because they can. Here's the problem: seeing one's retirement account as a savings account, or worse, a personal ATM machine. That's so ridiculous I cannot even tell you. Sure, it's your money, but it's not your money now. It's for later. It is ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Random, Useful, Fun Travel Tips

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

Whether you'll be traveling in the next few weeks or have plans for a trip in the summer, it's always a good time for travel tips.

NO ROOM FOR AIR

Sure, you can find cheap plane tickets, but you'll pay many extra fees if you are not aware. Thankfully, most airlines still allow one free carry-on bag. The way to win this game is to make the most...Read more

1miro/Dreamstime/TNS

Tax refunds are larger this year. Make yours a stepping stone for your future

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Tax refunds are the biggest windfall of the year for many American households. And ‘tis the season: Through the week ending Feb. 13, nearly 13 million people had received 2025 federal tax refunds averaging $2,476, according to the IRS.

That average refund amount is up 14% from the same time period last year, and it’s expected to grow in the...Read more

Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS

Redfin to show some non-MLS home listings in deal with Compass

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Redfin visitors will soon be able to see for-sale homes that haven’t been widely advertised — but Washington properties may not be included, as the practice remains restricted in the state.

Rocket Companies, owner of Seattle-based Redfin, announced on Thursday a three-year syndication agreement with real estate brokerage Compass to showcase...Read more

Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times/TNS

The newest trend in LA office space: In-house studios for traveling influencers

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

For the trendiest tenants in Hollywood office buildings, it's the latest fad that goes way beyond designer furniture and art: mini studios

To capitalize on the never-ending flow of stars and influencers who come through Los Angeles, a growing number of companies are building bright little corners for content creators to try products and shoot ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: Small Household Habits That Quietly Drain Your Wallet

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

If money had a sound, the most annoying noise in your house wouldn't be the teenager's subwoofer or the dryer thumping an unbalanced load. It would be silence. The quiet drip of habits so small and ordinary that nobody notices them -- until the checking account screams for mercy.

Most people don't overspend in dramatic ways. What gets them ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: How can I stop neighbor from leaving dogs' waste in my yard?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Q: My neighbor down the block walks their dogs up and down the street. The dogs often relieve themselves on my lawn, and the neighbor doesn’t pick it up. It’s really getting old. What can I do about it? — Irwin

A: Dealing with neighborhood issues can be frustrating, especially when it feels like someone is not respecting your property. ...Read more

Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/TNS

Seattle Airbnb prices are spiking for World Cup. Should you rent your home?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

Seattle residents will have a choice this summer: Get paid to ditch town for a few weeks, or learn to call soccer “football” in their own homes in exchange for hundreds of dollars. Many are considering renting out their homes to World Cup tourists.

Nearly 150,000 fans from around the world will need lodging throughout Seattle’s six 2026 ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: You'll Want to Make a Batch of This Effective DIY Upholstery Cleaner

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

This DIY recipe for upholstery cleaner is easy to make, super effective and (you know what's coming) cheap!

YOU'LL NEED:

-- cheese grater

-- eggbeater or whisk

-- medium mixing bowl

-- 6 tablespoons grated Fels Naptha laundry bar soap*

-- 2 tablespoons borax*

-- 2 cups boiling water

*available in most supermarkets in the laundry aisle, ...Read more

Daniel Mears/The Detroit News/TNS

UWM reports higher fourth-quarter profit, lower full-year net income

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

United Wholesale Mortgage reported another profitable three months to end 2025, posting net income of $164.5 million for the fourth quarter.

That compares with $12.1 million in net income the Pontiac-based company reported in the third quarter of 2025 and $40.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.

For the full year, the company reported net ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: 8 Strategies to Graduate College Debt-Free

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

There was a time when I didn't have much opinion on paying for college with student loans. That was before the advent of email and thousands of messages, all with a similar subject line: "Help! I'm drowning in student loan debt!"

That was before I learned that about 85% of college graduates do not end up working in their major. That was before ...Read more

Everyday Cheapskate: How to Clean Your Keurig Machine and How Often You Should

Consumer / Everyday Cheapskate /

While drinking coffee has health benefits, using your Keurig machine daily without routine cleaning and maintenance can lead to awful consequences.

It's essential to clean a Keurig because it can be a health hazard if not cleaned properly. Like any coffee maker (or espresso machine), Keurigs can grow mold if not properly drained, descaled and ...Read more

Richard B. Levine/Levine Roberts via ZUMA Press/TNS

Pension funds invest in private credit. What are these high risk, high reward loans?

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

When the economy is good, predictions for the next downturn abound: when it will start, what will cause it and who stands to lose.

This time around, Wall Street-watchers are warning about private credit, a high-risk, high-reward debt market that shuttles billions of dollars beyond the constraints of traditional banking.

Defaults on these risky...Read more

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Buyer for Oceanwide Plaza's infamous graffitied towers emerges

Consumer / Home and Consumer News /

A buyer has emerged for the notorious graffiti-bedecked towers in downtown Los Angeles — a Riverside County developer who intends to finish the stalled $1.2-billion project.

The proposed buyer of the residential, hotel and retail project in bankruptcy proceedings is a partnership led by Kali P. Chaudhuri, whose KPC Development Co. owns and ...Read more

 

Related Channels

America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen

By America's Test Kitchen
ArcaMax Chef

ArcaMax Chef

By ArcaMax Chef
Tim Carter

Ask The Builder

By Tim Carter
Dr. Lee Pickett

Ask The Vet

By Dr. Lee Pickett
Jae-Ha Kim

Celebrity Travel

By Jae-Ha Kim
Richard Montgomery

Dear Monty

By Richard Montgomery
Gene and Katie Hamilton

Do It Yourself Or Not

By Gene and Katie Hamilton
Eric Peters

Eric's Autos

By Eric Peters
Mary Hunt

Everyday Cheapskate

By Mary Hunt
Jim Daly

Focus on the Family

By Jim Daly
Georgia Garvey

Georgia Garvey

By Georgia Garvey
Jeff Rugg

Jeff Rugg

By Jeff Rugg
Lenore Skenazy

Lenore Skenazy

By Lenore Skenazy
Kathryn Weber

Living Space

By Kathryn Weber
Cathy M. Rosenthal

My Pet World

By Cathy M. Rosenthal
Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin

Real Estate Matters

By Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin
Zola Gorgon

Recipes by Zola

By Zola Gorgon
Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves' Europe

By Rick Steves' Europe
Eileen Ogintz

Taking The Kids

By Eileen Ogintz
Various authors

Travel & Adventure

By Various authors
Christopher Elliott

Travel Troubleshooter

By Christopher Elliott

Comics

Breaking Cat News Caption It 9 Chickweed Lane BC Monte Wolverton Bizarro