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The sprawling budget bill signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4 after it squeaked through Congress has many far-reaching effects for consumers, as well as for the economy at large. Taxes top the list.

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  One Tech Tip: ‘Click-to-cancel’ is over, but there are other ways to unsubscribe

The almost 900-page “big, beautiful bill” has plenty to say about taxes, and an array of changes, new credits and deductions are part of the new bill. But at its heart, the bill is about extending the tax provisions passed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, during Trump’s first administration. read more

By CORA LEWIS

NEW YORK (AP) — A “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have made it easier for consumers to end unwanted subscriptions, has been blocked by a federal appeals court days before it was set to go into effect. But there are ways to end those subscriptions and memberships, even if they take some work.

The rule would also have required companies to disclose when free trials and promotional offers would end and let customers cancel recurring subscriptions as easily as they started them. But even without the new federal guidance, here are some ways to stay on top of subscription and membership fees.

Use calendar reminders and regularly review your bills

Experts at the Consumer Federation of America recommend setting calendar reminders for whenever a free trial period ends, to alert yourself to cancel promotional offers before the real recurring costs kick in. The auto-enrollment process, in which the company does not remind the consumer via email that a trial is about to end and higher monthly payments will begin, was also at the heart of the FTC’s rule. read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABGER, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has asked an inspector general to review the cost of the central bank’s building renovations that White House officials have attacked as “ostentatious.”

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A spokesperson for the inspector general, an independent watchdog, confirmed the request and declined further comment. The request was previously reported by Axios.

The Fed has been renovating two of its office buildings in Washington for several years at a current cost estimate of about $2.5 billion, $700 million more than originally expected. The project was first approved by the Fed’s governing board in 2017. Trump administration officials have seized on the expense and some alleged amenities in the remodeled buildings to extend their criticism of Powell, whom the president has attacked for not reducing the Fed’s short-term rate. read more

A ride vehicle from the old, old-school version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction sold for $150,000 at a recent auction of Disney props and memorabilia.

The 9.5-foot-long piece, which came from the Disneyland version of the ride, was sold in the Celebrating the Disney Studio and Parks auction of Van Eaton Galleries, based in Studio City, California.

This particular elephant has an auction history, Van Eaton said. In 1992, during the first Disneyana Convention, it became the first Dumbo ride ever publicly sold by Disney.  After being removed from the ride, the unit was transformed into a grounded photo op.

A certificate of authenticity from Disney says the vehicle is from 1955, meaning a Disneyland original. But the gallery thinks it’s from a 1960s redesign because the sold piece’s ears were not designed to move like the originals did. So, Dumbo buyer, beware.

Other notable sales from the recent auction included a life-size “Star Wars” stormtrooper statue once purchased at Disneyland’s Star Wars Launch Bay. At the recent auction, it went for $10,500. read more

Sesame Workshop was trying to regain full control over its Elmo account on the X platform Monday after a hacker gained access and posted a string of racist and antisemitic messages.

“Elmo’s X account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts. We are working to restore full control of the account,” a Sesame Workshop spokesperson said Monday. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit behind “Sesame Street” and Elmo.

The account was compromised over the weekend and instead of the usual posts of encouragement and kindness, Elmo’s 650,000 followers were given antisemitic threats and a profane reference to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. Those tweets were soon deleted, though Elmo’s account retains a link to a Telegram channel from a user who takes credit for the hack.

X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Elmo’s social media account has lately become a place for mental health awareness. Last year, the red fuzzy monster, eternally 3 ½, caused a sensation when he asked: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” It prompted responses from then-President Joe Biden and Chance the Rapper. read more