The News4JAX I-TEAM has been warning homeowners about “subject-to” mortgage deals. These are legal but risky transactions that can leave sellers financially responsible even after signing over their homes.

Finding a safe, reliable, and affordable car is harder than ever. But Consumer Reports just released its highly anticipated 2026 Top Picks list of the best SUV’s, cars, and trucks to help you shop smarter.

February may be a short month, but it can be a surprisingly good one for winter bargain shoppers. From Presidents’ Day sales to post-holiday price drops, Consumer Reports says there are several smart buys worth your attention right now.

This Number of the Week is also an #AskJAXTDY. Jacksonville Today reader Jane G. wonders what happens to the money Duval Schools collects from property taxes.

Hosting a Super Bowl party is all about good food, great friends, and an unforgettable game-day vibe—but it can also get expensive fast. From snacks and drinks to party platters and wings, the costs add up quickly. The good news? You don’t have to drain your wallet to throw a crowd-pleasing watch party.

First-time homebuyers can save thousands over the life of a loan by “buying down” their interest rate before closing, and consumers who want their cash to work harder are increasingly turning to high-yield savings accounts, local financial advisers say.

Ghost Tapping is a scheme that allows scammers to charge debit and credit cards without physical contact.

JEA shared important advice on Friday for customers to prepare their homes for the extreme cold this weekend.

A Jacksonville nonprofit leader says scammers used JEA’s phone number to try to pressure her into paying a bill she says she didn’t owe.

It can sound like a lifeline for homeowners struggling to sell a house with little to no equity.

Tax experts are encouraging people to file their returns early this season while taking full advantage of tax credits and deductions available for the 2025 tax year.

A former assistant police chief in St. Augustine, Anthony Cuthbert, is under investigation by the state attorney’s office following the discovery of financial discrepancies in the St. Augustine Police Benevolent Organization (PBO).

A young couple thought they had found their dream home in Jacksonville, but they soon found themselves in a rental scam nightmare when they learned a week after they moved into the house that the Facebook Marketplace listing was fake.

Nine months after announcing that he was looking to sell his beloved Intuition Ale Works brewery, owner and founder Ben Davis shared an updated post on Facebook, saying “the right buyer never came” and the eatery will be closing in April after more than 15 years in Jacksonville.

A new study from online real estate company Zillow lists Jacksonville as one of the most favorable markets for homebuyers in the U.S.

If you’re like many families, you may be overpaying each month for streaming services, cell phone plans, and home internet—and those extra costs can quietly add up. Consumer Reports says trimming just a few recurring bills can turn small changes into real savings.

This year brings important changes, including increased standard deductions for the 2025 tax year.

Even as prices climb, many Americans are entering 2026 feeling more confident about their finances, a NerdWallet survey found.

Before you toss that old phone, tablet, or even a game system, you might want to check its value.

The average energy bill for someone living in Florida runs anywhere between $150 and $250 a month, but there are some simple things you can do right now that can easily make a difference.

Since last May, News4JAX has been tackling the tough topic of affordable housing from every angle. Now, we’re taking our efforts a step further by joining a coalition of Northeast Florida news organizations – including digital, broadcast, and print media – to tackle the issue of housing costs as a shared editorial project in 2026.

Many Americans find themselves financially supporting their grown kids long after high school or college. A new survey shows 63 percent of parents say they pay living expenses, phone bills, or debt for their adult kids. And while most do it out of love — experts warn it may not be the best decision for you or your child.

Looking for ways to make a little extra cash without sacrificing time with your family? You’re not alone. Across the country, moms are turning what they already have — their closets, skills, and schedules — into side hustles that are flexible, realistic, and actually work.

With after-Christmas sales underway and President’s Day deals just around the corner, it’s easy to buy something only to see it advertised for less a day or two later. It can feel frustrating, but Consumer Reports says you may not be stuck paying the higher price.

A new bill filed in Florida this week aims to lay out a litany of rules for mobile home parks in the state.

If your grocery bill feels higher every week, you’re not imagining it. Food prices remain stubbornly high, and for busy families, convenience often comes with a cost. The good news? You don’t need extreme couponing or extra store trips to save real money.

Unemployment is rising in Florida, including in Jacksonville and nearby counties in Northeast Florida. The latest report from the Florida Department of Commerce comes just after CSX, a large employer in Jacksonville, announced layoffs of more than 160 workers.

Prices remain high, interest rates haven’t come down much, and more families are struggling to keep up with car payments. That makes staying on budget more important than ever. Consumer Reports says a little preparation and patience can go a long way in protecting your finances.

January is the number one month for career change with nearly one in five workers making a job switch after the holidays. And for many, that means relocating. Research shows 49 percent of people who move for work do it to get a higher-paying job or advance their career.

The National Guard Armory Building in Springfield is one step closer to being sold for redevelopment, according to News4JAX news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.

If you’re feeling a little sticker shock after the holidays, you’re not alone. January is usually a quieter month for sales but there are still smart ways to save if you know where to look. Consumer Reports breaks down the best deals you can expect this month.

From a botched refrigerator installation to complaints filed against a landlord for awful living conditions. Here are the top 10 I-Team and Addressing Affordability stories of 2025.

Last-minute Christmas dinner shopping was in full swing Wednesday morning.

Consumer Reports’ experts share tips on thrifting for the best deals on home goods and electronics, and the inside scoop on which used items to skip.

While in the rush, you want to keep yourself and your newly purchased items safe from people who might be looking to ruin your holiday experience.

Stressed from the holidays? Tired of the crowds? Over the cold? A new survey shows 92% of Americans plan to travel next year, but with airfares and hotel costs on the rise, scoring a deal can feel impossible.

Consumer Reports rounded up some of its top pet gifts that are perfect for everything from winter walks to warm cuddles on the couch.

A Jacksonville family says they are spending the holidays in a home ripped apart after discovering that a roof installed through their insurance company years ago was allegedly never done correctly.

A new Consumer Reports investigation found that some squishy fidget toys can break open, and what’s inside may irritate kids’ skin, or even cause chemical burns.

Florida has paved the way for new SNAP restrictions in 2026.

The holiday season isn’t just about spreading cheer, scammers are spreading fear. The FTC reports consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud last year, with more than 2.6 million reports filed. The top ways scammers strike? Email, phone calls, and text messages. A new Pew Research study finds 73 percent of Americans have experienced some form of online scam.

Consumer Reports says many popular tech gifts from smartwatches to smart-home devices offer basic features for free but may keep their most useful tools behind paid plans. That’s why it’s worth considering if you’re you giving them a cool gift that’ll cost them later, and are you willing to cover those subscription fees, and if so for how long?

The National Retail Federation expects holiday spending to hit a record $900 per person this year. Research shows the “thrill of the deal” can lead to emotional spending and regret. From “buy now, pay later” plans that can hurt your credit to “limited-time offers” that are hard to resist. How do you shop smarter, not spend harder?

A Jacksonville woman said she was terrified this summer when two officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office overstepped their authority and tried to illegally evict her.

Instacart shoppers may be paying very different prices for the exact same groceries — even when they live in the same neighborhood. A new Consumer Reports investigation found that the company has been running AI-assisted pricing experiments across several major grocery chains, and in some cases, the discrepancies were significant.

Friends make life richer, but sometimes, it’s our wallets that pay the price. A new survey shows Gen Z and millennials are spending hundreds each month just to stay connected.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing how we work or create. It’s now changing how we manage our money. A new survey by Empower finds that nearly half of Americans — 47 percent — feel more comfortable using A.I. for financial decisions than they did just a year ago. But can you really trust a chatbot with your savings, your retirement, or your future?

This week, four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at property tax reform in Florida took another step toward becoming law.

Detective Bobby Fultz with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office joined News4JAX anchor Jennifer Waugh on our new streaming show at 10 a.m. to detail five text scams that are circulating in our area.

A St. Augustine couple, Tom and Ann Hill, lost $42,000 in a sophisticated impersonation scam despite following their bank's guidance. The scam began with a text message that led to a call from a scammer posing as a Chase representative, resulting in unauthorized wire transfers. Despite notifying the bank and a fraud alert being placed on their account, the funds were transferred using a spoofed phone number and a one-time passcode. Chase denied the Hills' claim, stating the transfers were authorized, while a detective highlighted the bank's failure to prevent the fraudulent transactions.

Buying a new car isn’t cheap these days. Prices and interest rates are both high, so making the right choice matters. – Consumer Reports tests every car it rates and reviews to determine which ones give you the best value for your money. Today they’re out with their year list of the most reliable brands!

Morning Show anchor Jennifer Waugh invites News4JAX viewers to join her weekdays at 10 a.m. on News4JAX+ for her new streaming show, which will include deeper conversations with guests we invite on the show.

As the holiday shopping rush ramps up, many people are turning to “Buy Now, Pay Later” to help cover gifts, especially if money is tight. But Consumer Reports says these plans, while convenient, can quickly snowball into debt and now they may show up on credit reports. Consumer Reports explains what to watch out for and how to use them safely.

Rising prices, higher interest rates, and the pressure to splurge on holiday gifts. It all adds up to a perfect time for a financial reset. New numbers show U.S. household debt has climbed to a record 18.39 trillion dollars and one-third of Americans now carry more credit card debt than emergency savings.

As home prices continue to climb across Florida, a new analysis suggests it could take the typical household nearly a generation to save for a modest down payment.

The National Retail Federation projects holiday sales will exceed $1 trillion for the first time in 2025, even as retailers combat rising theft and consumers face mounting financial pressures.

You’re in the middle of something when your phone pings — a text from an unknown number. Is it real, or another scam? A new Consumer Reports survey finds texting and messaging scams have jumped 50 percent in the past year, and it might surprise you that Gen Z is getting hit the hardest. Consumer Reports reveals some smart tips to help you stop those messages and protect your money.

Packed parking lots, early doorbusters and shoppers hunting for the best deals — that was the scene at St. Johns Town Center on Black Friday.

Remember when Black Friday meant lining up outside your favorite store at midnight? Those days are gone. Now, as Consumer Reports shows, the best deals are often online, and the sales have already started.

Essential workers in St. Johns County can’t afford to live there -- even if they’re combining incomes. But county leaders want to change that.

Justin Begley, an economic analyst for Moody’s, joined News4JAX Anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show. They discussed the things that have people keeping a tighter grip on their wallets and focusing on affording necessities rather than buying gifts.

A recent state audit revealed hundreds of millions of dollars meant for students have not always been going where they should. However, a new bill hopes to help fix that by tightening rules on Florida’s school voucher system.

Last year, the National Retail Federation reported that 197 million people shopped during that five-day stretch, spending an average of $235 on gifts. But with budgets tightening this year, some people are looking to save that extra cash.

Florida is holding onto more than $2 billion in unclaimed property and some of that money might have your name on it. To show just how easy it is to check, we took our Holiday Money Hunt to the Riverside Arts Market, where shoppers walked away not with gift but with their own forgotten dollars.

City officials will meet Monday afternoon to review Mayor Donna Deegan’s budget.

A growing number of Florida homeowners say their mortgage payments jumped by hundreds, even more than a thousand dollars, within their first year of owning a new construction home, and many believe they were never warned it could happen.

The Clay County School Board recently approved teacher salary increases for the 2025-2026 school year, but nearly half of the district’s teachers won’t receive a raise. However, the announcement is sparking bigger questions of why teacher pay varies so widely depending on the school district, as some educators make thousands of dollars more just by crossing county lines.

Dozens of Northeast Florida families say they were blindsided by steep increases in their monthly mortgage payments after buying new construction homes from D.R. Horton, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders.

The Clay County school board held an impasse hearing with the Clay County Education Association to decide teacher raises for next year. The board ultimately accepted a proposal that would give teachers with 10 years or more experience raises ranging from $400 to $800.

Clay County teachers and school district officials will make presentations to the School Board next week in hopes of resolving an impasse over pay raises.

As the population of Brunswick and the Golden Isles continues to climb, community leaders say the demand for affordable homes is outpacing construction, and the gap is widening.

State elections officials on Monday sent a proposed recreational-marijuana constitutional amendment to Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office, effectively putting an end to a lawsuit that backers of the measure filed to try to trigger a Florida Supreme Court review of the proposal.

According to messages sent to multiple customers that were shared with News4JAX, Kroger will no longer be offering delivery service in the Jacksonville area, beginning in January.

An 11.86-acre parcel of land in St. Johns County is now slated to be the future home of the Dark Horse fitness facility after commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone four acres of the property for development.

A woman accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from a Nassau County church will be in court Tuesday morning for a pretrial hearing.

Tired of spending a fortune on products that promise to make kitchen cleanup a breeze—only to be disappointed again? With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Consumer Reports tips for saving money on cleaning products that really work couldn’t come at a better time!

Holiday shopping is in full swing, and a lot of us are turning to online stores because it’s quick and convenient. But Consumer Reports says there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re getting a good deal and a safe product. Here’s what to watch for when you shop.

Clay County teachers and school district officials will make presentations to the School Board next week in hopes of resolving an impasse over pay raises.

A state database could hold the key to a little extra cash for your wallet, during the holiday season.

Bobby Fultz, a detective with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, investigates scams and sees far too many senior citizens victimized by them.

We all chase success — financial security, career milestones, bigger goals. But for many, the higher they climb, the less satisfied they feel. One report shows 73 percent of professionals set sky-high expectations for themselves, and more than half admit they rarely meet them, taking a toll on their happiness.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many families are already feeling the pinch at the grocery store. From turkey to pie, experts say the cost of putting a holiday meal on the table has climbed steadily over the past few years.

It’s not pleasant to think about death or a medical emergency, but one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is being prepared for those situations. You might be familiar with traditional estate planning, but there’s also what’s called digital estate planning. Consumer Reports has five things to do right now to make things easier in a crisis.

Funerals are often one of life’s biggest... and last expenses. Planning ahead can be uncomfortable, but it can save money and help ease the burden on your loved ones. Consumer Reports has practical advice on how to navigate the process and what to watch out for.

Shoppers, listen up: November is a great month for deals, as retailers compete for your holiday shopping dollars by offering lower prices. Experts from Consumer Reports test labs are here to help you find this month’s best bargains.

With the ongoing government shutdown leaving many military and federal workers uncertain about their paychecks, money is tight for families across the country. The good news — many companies offer special discounts for military members, veterans, and first responders.

A strong push to increase teacher pay took center stage at a Tuesday night Clay County school board meeting. Teachers, parents, and community members flooded the meeting to express their frustration after salary negotiations between the Clay County Education Association and the school district hit an impasse last week.

Much focus has been placed on how the government shutdown is affecting people who rely on food stamps, but there are also people who are not on food stamps who are finding it harder to purchase groceries because of the current higher costs of food.

Upcoming temperature swings could mean a lot of ups and downs on your thermostat, but local utilities warn against making big swings on that dial – because they could affect your wallet.

Affordable Housing 1st was created last year by co-founder Carlene McDuffie and president Kevin Harriman to address Nassau County’s growing affordability crisis.

Florida lawmakers are busy preparing for the next Legislative session, with hundreds of new bills already being filed.

If you have credit cards, loans, and a savings account, the recent cut by the Federal Reserve on short-term interest rates likely impacts you. Consumer Reports breaks down the changes you might see on your next statement.

Amid rising living costs, job uncertainty, and a government shutdown that recently crossed the one-month mark, many Americans are growing increasingly concerned about their finances. The question on many minds: What should I do with my money right now?

A lawsuit claims D.R. Horton and DHI Mortgage worked together to promote “affordable” monthly payments that didn’t include full property tax costs, alleging the companies duped first-time buyers and left homeowners paying hundreds more each month than expected.

In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. government’s gross national debt surpassed $38 trillion Wednesday, a record number that highlights the accelerating accumulation of debt on America’s balance sheet.

Wasted food is a financial and environmental bummer.

Alex Jaquez, an economist with the Groundwork Collaborative, joined News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show to discuss the things weighing heaviest on the economy.

A new report shows American workers are more burned out than ever. Sixty-six percent say they’re experiencing some form of it, and for many, it’s because they’re doing far more than their job description.

Consumer Reports says a few major sales are already creeping in! You’ve got Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Day sale on Oct. 7-8, and big sales from other major retailers.

Homelessness among Florida families has surged in the last three years as soaring rents and a shortage of affordable housing push more residents into shelters, motels and the streets, a new University of Florida report says.