Have you noticed how hard it can be to get a consumer issue solve?

With inflation on the rise, stocking the pantry may seem like a challenge. Yet, there are ways to stock the pantry to ensure you save time and money in a pinch. These are some of the ways Beth Eggleston, a Meijer Nutrition Education Specialist, advises people to stock their pantry.

People are adopting more conservative spending habits and adjusting their attitudes toward borrowing and saving, says a new U-M survey.

We asked our viewers what they've been spending money on during the pandemic -- here's what they said.

It’s crazy to say, but gas prices falling below five dollars a gallon would be very helpful to drivers out there, and that could be on the way, according to one gas analyst.

We want to hear from you: What did you spend money on during the pandemic? What were your best and worst purchases?

Here's what to do if you haven't received your Michigan auto insurance refund yet.

Many parents and caregivers across the U.S. are struggling to feed their infants due to a limited supply of baby formula on store shelves in what has become one of the latest consumer crises amid the pandemic.

The residential real estate market in Metro Detroit and across the U.S. is more competitive than it’s been in years.

President Joe Biden is holding a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss how the government is working to battle inflation.

Now that spring has sprung, retailers are working to get you back into their stores by offering spring break Black Friday deals.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel is holding a news briefing Wednesday morning to discuss the county’s response to a rate increase approved by the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Steps are being taken to slow down surging inflation in the U.S., but is it enough to end the nonstop sticker shock?

Gasoline prices are rising sharply in Michigan and throughout the U.S. due to rising oil costs caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tech event CES 2022 welcomed in-person attendees once again after going virtual last year.

With COVID concerns rising just days before Christmas, last-minute shoppers may be looking for contactless options to avoid going into crowded stores.

If you were to buy everything listed during the song “12 Days of Christmas,” it would cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Many stores are offering “buy now, pay later” programs that allow shoppers to pay less up up front. While those programs may sound like a good idea at the time, they could have an impact on your finances.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald sat down with Flashpoint host Devin Scillian to discuss her thought process behind charging Ethan Crumbley’s parents in connection with the Oxford High School shooting.

Supply chain issues are impacting businesses across the U.S. and the world -- but the impact has arguably been greater on small businesses.

While the Friday after Thanksgiving is, for most, dedicated to shopping, the following Saturday is devoted to shopping local.

Black Friday deals are being revealed right now and the Help Me Hank team has been watching for ways to save you big money.

Shopping at local businesses for the holidays isn’t just for Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday.

Thousands of people were without power, some for several days, after severe weather moved through Metro Detroit.

During power outages, people turn to portable generators to keep their lights and appliances working -- but experts warn that if those generators aren’t used properly, they can cause serious consequences.

Randall Foods Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of all Randall beans due to a manufacturing issue.

It is no secret that many of us spend a lot of money on Amazon’s website, but there are ways to keep that spending down.

Flagstar Bank is warning customers that their personal information, including social security numbers, may have been stolen in a ransomeware attack. The company said the hack was discovered in January but customers said they were recently notified. Local 4 learned that the thieves got social security numbers as well home addresses not only of customers but also possibly employees. Flagstar has reached out to customers impacted and offering a credit monitoring service. The one-click Microsoft tool was created to protect against cyberattacks and to scan systems for compromises and fix them.

Families are spending more time at home and that has experts worried that more kids can get hurt from furniture and TVs. A new report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said tip-over incidents have killed 451 children since 2000. Carlson shared video of her daughter for the CPSC’s latest “Anchor It” public service announcement warning about the dangers of tipping furniture and TVs. Parents, grandparents and caregivers should do the following to protect children:Anchor TVs, furniture like dressers and bookcases to the wallPut you TV on a sturdy low base and back as far as possible if you cannot anchor it. The guilt and shame that you feel as a parent for not protecting your child by doing something as easy as anchoring a piece of furniture.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents of scammers posing as law enforcement agencies or other companies, demanding payment for warrants or services via gift cards. “Make sure to be aware that no law enforcement agency will ever contact you by phone demanding that you pay, regardless of payment method, for your warrant to disappear. Spoofing allows scammers to disguise their actual phone numbers and instead show a local phone number on the caller ID. “The framework of these scams – whether it’s a law enforcement, grandparent, or tech support scam – are always the same. AdTo report fraud or if you have a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team online or by calling 877-765-8388.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued an order to stop use of Bamboo brand hand sanitizers. LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) issued a Stop-Use and Stop-Removal order for Bamboo Moisturizing brand hand sanitizer, citing that the product does not meet the labeled alcohol content. “Hand sanitizers have become one of the critical tools for preventing COVID-19. The department’s Weights and Measures section is conducting additional sampling of various hand sanitizers to ensure they meet the minimum criteria. View the Stop-Use and Stop-Removal order below

DETROIT – The Somerset Collection Studio is now open at the Metropolitan Building in Downtown Detroit. “We wanted to bring window shopping back,” said Somerset Collection corporate communications director Linda McIntosh. In early 2021, the space is going from only window shopping to in-store shopping. There will be a rotating selection of merchandise from Somerset Collection stores. Vending machine proceeds are headed to charity.

The day after Black Friday is commonly known as Small Business Saturday, when consumers are encouraged to patronize and support small, local businesses. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. said if Michiganders switched one in every ten purchases from big-box stores to local businesses, it would pump more than a billion dollars into the economy and create more than 10,000 jobs. With the coronavirus pandemic hitting locally-owned businesses extra hard, it’s safe to say that it’s important to support small businesses on more than one day this year to help them stay afloat. Michigan shoppers, we want to know: Are you more likely to shop at small, locally-owned businesses or big-box stores? Take the quick poll and give us your reasoning in the form below.

LIVONIA, Mich. – This Small Business Saturday, consumers are encouraged to patronize small businesses to support their local communities. Even those shopping for holiday gifts for their pets can find those special items at small, local businesses, like Premier Pet Supply in Livonia. Shopping locally can have significant benefits on individual communities and their economies. Watch the full report in the video player above. Related: Michigan leaders encourage residents to support local shops

Scam artists have found many ways during the coronavirus pandemic to try and con people out of their money or personal information. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new text message claiming to offer $1,200 for participation in a local COVID study. “We have heard from consumers that there’s a text message going around that says if you participate in the study, you’ll earn $1,200,” said Melanie Duquesnel, president and CEO of eastern Michigan Better Business Bureau. The difficulty is that you cannot, through a text message, determine if they’re a reputable company.”Click here to view the Better Business Bureau Scam TrackerWhen it comes to phishing scams, beware any unsolicited communication. Never click on links or download anything from a text message or email.

As we inch closer to the holidays, most of us are adapting our celebrations to meet new restrictions and protocols designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. With the pandemic likely affecting your plans and events, we’re wondering if it is also affecting how you’re shopping for holiday gifts -- specifically those for children. Are you buying different kinds of toys for children this holiday season due to the coronavirus pandemic? In what ways -- if at all -- has the pandemic affected what toys you’re shopping for? Let us know using the form below.

READ: Tips for managing your money ahead of holiday season“Retailers are rolling out Black Friday deals earlier than ever. Walmart has been hosting a series of Black Friday doorbusters leading up to Thanksgiving so it’s really changing and impacting what we can expect this holiday season,” Woroch said. Shopping early can help spread purchases out over a longer period and avoid debt or racking up high credit card bills. Woroch said some stores are offering incentives to shop now like cash back and gift cards that consumers could hold onto to use later in the holiday shopping season as well. No matter your shopping plan, consider shopping local and taking advantage of small businesses in your area.

Amazon to hold Prime Day in mid-October after canceling event due to COVID-19 pandemicIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT – If you’ve lost healthcare coverage due to the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan, there are options to find new coverage. Michiganders impacted may have low or no-cost healthcare options available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). “Michiganders who lose employer-based health insurance may have options to continue or replace their coverage,” said DIFS Director Anita G. Fox. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. Consumers should contact DIFS toll free at 877-999-6442 if they need assistance.Act now and applyEnrollment help is available