The Daily Money

ALL THE MONEY NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fri Nov 15 2024

Betty Lin-Fisher | Consumer reporter

@blinfisher

Good morning and Happy Friday! This is Betty Lin-Fisher with Friday's consumer-focused The Daily Money.

Don't panic, but Christmas is only 5½ weeks away. Hanukkah this year also falls on Dec. 25 and Kwaanza starts on Dec. 26.

So where are you with your holiday shopping?

Are you among the 48% who told Bankrate you were starting before Halloween? Or the 58% who, according to the latest National Retail Federation Survey, started as of early November?

If you haven't started, that's OK.

The National Retail Federation says a record 183.4 million people are planning to shop in stores and online during the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday. That's up from a record 182 million shoppers in 2023, and 18.1 million more people than five years ago.

Here's also the scoop on what to know for Black Friday shopping.

Black Friday deals are already in swing at many retailers.

Leon Neal, Getty Images

Potential credit relief for medical debts

Medical debt, even for consumers who have health insurance, can be financially debilitating.

Medical bills accounted for 58% of debt collection on consumers' credit records, according to a 2022 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Medical collection appeared on more than 43 million credit reports for consumers, according to the CFPB.

Here's how a new rule from the federal agency would help protect consumers' credit.

📰 Consumer stories you shouldn't miss 📰

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•	When is the best time to use an airplane bathroom?

🍔 Today's Menu 🍔

McDonald's newest Happy Meal comes with two toys to encourage kids to share. The new Pet Simulator Happy Meal, available Nov. 26, will come with a toy for your child and a gift-wrapped toy to give to a friend.

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.