WE WANT TO KNOW: What are you doing to manage the rising cost of living?
Gas prices are higher than theyโve been in years. According to AAA, the national average is $4.67 and in Florida itโs slightly less at $4.64. The rising cost of gas coincides with the rising cost of housing, groceries, airfare, automobiles -- the list goes on and on.
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Consumer prices up 0.4% last month but core prices moderate
The Labor Department reported on Thursday, Dec. 10, that the gain in the consumer price index followed an unchanged reading in October and matched the 0.2% September advance. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer prices increased 0.4% in February, the biggest gain in six months, led by a sharp jump in gasoline prices. The Labor Department said Wednesday that the February advance in its consumer price index followed a 0.3% rise in January and was the largest advance since a similar 0.4% increase in August. Consumer prices are up 1.7% over the past year, a still moderate performance for inflation which is running below the Federal Reserveโs 2% target for price increases. Gasoline costs have been climbing since December, reflecting rising costs of crude oil.
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Costco to raise starting hourly wage to $16; end hazard pay
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)NEW YORK โ Costco will increase its starting wage to $16 an hour, surpassing most of its main competitors. Jelinek said the starting wage for Costco employees would rise to $16 next week, up from $15 the company instituted two year ago. The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages. Walmart's starting pay is $11 an hour. AdThe federal minimum wage is currently $7.25.
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Costco to raise minimum wage to $16 per hour
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: People shop for groceries ahead of Thanksgiving at Costco Wholesale in East Harlem on November 24, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Costco Wholesale is raising the minimum wage for its hourly staff to $16 from next week, according to reports. This announcement comes a week after Walmart raised its hourly wage to an average of $15. RELATED | Walmart raising wages for 425,000 workersThe increase announcement puts its starting wages above Targetโs and Amazonโs. President Joe Biden plans to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025.
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US consumer spending fell 0.2% in December in face of virus
Since making a brief bounce-back from the viral pandemic last spring, consumer spending has barely grown. Friday's government report on consumer spending showed that inflation by a measure preferred by the Fed rose 0.4% in December after no change in October and November. AdThe savings rate remained at an elevated 13.7% of after-tax income in December, up from 12.9% in November. In the final three months of 2020, consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, grew at a 2.5% annual rate. AdโWe believe increased vaccinations, stable household finances and rebounding confidence will lift consumer spending growthโ this year, Daco said.
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US consumer confidence rebounds in January
A sales associate helps customers as they consider the purchase of a big-screen television at a Costco warehouse on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Sheridan, Colo. U.S. consumer confidence fell to a reading of 96.1 in November as rising coronavirus cases pushed Americans confidence down to the lowest level since August. The Conference Board said the November reading represented a drop from a revised 101.4 in October. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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Consumer prices up 0.4% in December led by higher gas prices
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)WASHINGTON โ U.S. consumer prices rose 0.4% in December, led by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. For December, energy prices rose 4% with gasoline prices surging 8.4%. Even with that big jump, gasoline prices are 15.2% below where they were a year ago, when people were still commuting to work. Food costs rose 0.4% in December and are 3.9% higher than a year ago. Core inflation, excluding volatile food and energy, rose a slight 0.1% last month, and just 1.6% over the past 12 months.
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During crucial holiday season, US consumer confidence slumps
โ A closely-watched gauge of U.S. consumer confidence tumbled in December as rising coronavirus cases dragged American optimism to its lowest level since the summer. However, rising pessimism is now spreading during the crucial holiday season, which could make or break a number of retailers, airlines, restaurants other sector that have been hammered financially during the pandemic. It may be an ominous sign for an economy in which consumer spending accounts for 70% of all economic economic activity. The index measuring consumersโ assessment of current business and labor market conditions also fell sharply, from 105.9 last month to 90.3 in December. It remains to be seen how Congress' $900 billion relief bill, which was passed Monday and too late for the survey, will affect consumer behavior this winter.
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Q3 GDP estimate gets a slight upgrade to 33.4% growth
The U.S. economy expanded at a 33.4% annual pace from July through September, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 delivering the last of three estimates on the economys third-quarter performance. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)WASHINGTON โ The U.S. economy expanded at a record 33.4% annual pace from July through September, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, delivering the last of three estimates on the economyโs third-quarter performance. But it's likely that a resurgence in coronavirus cases slowed growth sharply during the last three months of 2020. Employers slashed 22 million jobs in March and April, then began to steadily recall furloughed workers. But the United States is still 9.8 million short of the jobs it had February, and hiring has slowed every month since June.
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Fun advent calendars youโll want to snatch up this holiday season, guaranteed
Itโs not guaranteed that the store listed below will have these advent calendars in stock, so just note that you may want to call ahead to ensure your local Costco has the products weโre referencing. This advent calendar is perfect for anyone who loves to watch the movie during Halloween or Christmas. Trader JoeโsNot only does Trader Joeโs have advent calendars for your pup, but also for the kitty cat in your life. AldiAldi is the KING of advent calendars. The month of December is already pretty magical with the holiday spirit in the air, but these adult advent calendars just make it even better.
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Walmart, Costco enforcing new COVID-19 protocols
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two retail chains, Walmart and Costco, will begin enforcing new protocols to keep shoppers and employees safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Beginning Monday, all Costco shoppers and employees will be required to wear a mask or face shield. Children under the age of two are now the only ones exempt from wearing a face covering under the updated policy. โThis updated policy may seem inconvenient to some, however we believe the added safety is worth any inconvenience,โ said Costco president and CEO Craig Jelinek. Costcoโs original policy went into effect in May and did not require shoppers and employees with medical conditions to wear masks.
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Scam alert: That Costco text message isnโt really from them
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Did you receive one of those text messages asking about your Costco receipt and offering a reimbursement? Donโt click the link. Itโs a scam. โThere is currently a text scam circulating that threatens to cancel the membership unless the user clicks on the link for a survey,โ Costco says on its website. Do not click on the link as these are in no way affiliated with Costco.โAnother version of the message people are receiving says that they are trying to get in touch about your Costco receipt and asks you to click a link to โclaim your overcharge reimbursement.โAgain, itโs a scam.

Viral $75 Costco coupon is fake, Costco says
(CNN) - That $75 Costco coupon floating around Facebook that seems too good to be true is, in fact, too good to be true. The company debunked the coupon scam that promised users $75 off their purchase at the wholesale warehouse. "While we love our fans and our members, this offer is a SCAM, and in no way affiliated with Costco," the company said. The fraudulent offer cropped up on Facebook earlier this year, prompting users to click on a link unaffiliated with Costco to collect their $75 coupon. Costco shares legit deals on its website and doesn't accept any coupons that are not issued by Costco.

These pumpkin-shaped raviolis are perfect for Halloween
We are in the middle of spooky season, and if you're living your best fall life then you will love these pumpkin and bat-shaped raviolis that Costco is selling. A photo of the raviolis was posted by the Instagram account @costcobuys and they are made by Nuovo Pasta. Each container has raviolis shaped like mini orange pumpkins and scary black bats, perfect for a Halloween party. Costco has a great selection, but you should also check out the ravioli and tortellini at Trader Joe's. You have not lived until you've had the lobster ravioli from Trader Joe's.

A burglar hid in a Costco for hours
Authorities in Coweta County, Georgia, say a man cased a Costco and hid in the store for hours before stealing $13,000 worth of jewelry. The burglary took place on October 10 after the man went to Costco and walked around before leaving, the affiliate reported. Deputies say the man hid behind the display sign for nearly five hours, waiting for the store to clear out and close up, the affiliate reported. Video shows the man smashing a glass display and grabbing handfuls of jewelry. Video from a nearby theater shows the man running out of the store and returning to a truck, authorities said.

Five things to know about Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chickens
The company sold more than 90 million rotisserie chickens last year. (David P. Morris/Bloomberg/Getty)(CNN) - Costco is willing to go to extreme lengths to keep its prized rotisserie chickens at $4.99. Costco sold 91 million rotisserie chickens last year, more than double the number from a decade prior. Costco has sold rotisserie chickens at $4.99 since 2009Costco is so determined to keep its rotisserie chickens at $4.99 that it's been willing to lose money selling them in the past. Even as competitors increased their rotisserie chickens to $5.99 in recent years, Costco held its price steady.

'Generator Guy' continuing relief efforts for Bahamas
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's a viral photo of a Jacksonville man at Costco buying 100 generators for people in the Bahamas. About 6 tons of food in total has been sent over by this man and his friends. "At the end of the day, you would like to say there is a happy ending, and there is really not going to be a happy ending for a long time right now," said the man. The donor is from Jacksonville, and he wants the islands to have a happy ending through restoration. Generator Guy says his donations are being sent to the hard-hit islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.

These Realistic-Looking Hooded Figures Are Freaking Out People in California
Residents of Laguna Beach, California, have mixed feelings about five, hooded statues that appeared outside City Hall this week. The figures are part of a public artwork called The Caretakers by Mark Jenkins and Sandra Fernandez, and their realistic look has some people complaining. The five figures are dressed in gray sweatshirts with hoods pulled over their faces and khaki pants. The characters faces are covered from the sun, city officials wrote on Facebook. The artist did a good job, everyone is talking about it, exactly the point, another user wrote.

Boy Throws Birthday Party at Costco, Where Mini-Membership Cards Replaced Name Tags
Many love Costco, but this 4-year-old took his adoration a step further and held his birthday party there. Armando Martinez of California invited friends and families to the bulk stores Norwalk location for an afternoon of samples and pizza. I love Costco, the birthday boy told InsideEdition.com. It was a birthday to remember for Armando and hes already excited for next year's fete, hopefully at Costco again. RELATED STORIESGirl Throws Costco-Themed 5th Birthday Party, Complete With Memberships and Food SamplesCouple Does Wedding Shoot at Costco - Where They First MetThis DIY Wedding Cake Cost Less Than $50 and a Quick Trip to Costco

Costco's first China store so popular it shut down traffic
The country's first Costco store is so popular that it had to shut down early on its first day because of too many shoppers. "The store has been clogged up with crowds," Costco said in a text message alert to its members in China. Police were deployed to restore order and manage traffic jams around the store, with law enforcement urging people to remain calm. But despite the early buzz around its Shanghai store, the US retailer will have to prove it can stick around for the long haul. Day one hypeWhile there are challenges on the horizon, the early hype around China's Costco stores is very real.

The Breakdown Episode 7: Building a DIY Wedding Cake With Just $50
This week, host Luke Mones shares stories of weddings and romance on Episode 7 of InsideEdition.com's weekly digital show. Digital reporter Deborah Hastings chatted with interabled couple Shane Burcaw and Hannah Aylward about their engagement, including how nervous Burcaw was when he asked Aylward's parents for permission. And after Jessica Hoyle-King told InsideEdition.com about how she built a DIY wedding cake for just $50 using Costco sheet cake and flowers from Trader Joe's, Luke was challenged by digital reporter Johanna Li to craft his own. For all this and more, watch Episode 7 of The Breakdown above. RELATED STORIESDisabled Man and Able-Bodied Girlfriend Document Relationship to Show Just How Ordinary It IsInterabled Couple Who Share Videos of Relationship Get EngagedThis DIY Wedding Cake Cost Less Than $50 and a Quick Trip to Costco

Couple Does Wedding Shoot at Costco - Where They First Met
A couples love came full circle when they posed for their wedding photo shoot at Costco. So when it was time to celebrate their nuptials, which happened in May, the couple wanted to do a wedding photo shoot in the place where it all began. "I've literally spent the last two years responding to any compliment about Brandon with 'Thanks, I got him at Costco,' Jessica told Insider. We didnt really think we were going to do it, and we did, Jessica told Costco. Now, the couple spends their 'Sunday Funday' grocery shopping at Costco, and going home to meal prep for their weeks," Costco wrote in its post.