ICYMI: GLP-1 Drugs and Muscle Loss, Inexpensive Used Cars, and June Product Deals
Also last week at CR: Compact washers and dryers, and updates in CR’s Price Tracker for 16 consumer products
Our In Case You Missed It series highlights recent ratings, news, and investigations.
- Health: Weight Loss Drugs
- Cars: Used Cars
- Shopping: Deep Discounts in June
- Money: CR’s Price Tracker
- Latest Ratings
We highlighted that muscle loss may be a concern for people taking popular weight loss drugs because it may account for a significant portion of their weight loss, which is especially concerning for older adults. We found that owners of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles report fewer problems than owners of traditional used cars, and what that means for your shopping journey. Our deals editors combed through the many seasonal sales advertised this month to find real savings, like this stroller travel system that’s about $90 off its original price, and over 30 percent off this dishwasher. We updated CR’s Price Tracker with some significant changes, like this popular mattress that dipped from $1,895 to $1,325 and this wireless speaker that’s now $50 less than it was last month. We also highlighted the latest product ratings updates from our labs.
Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
We took a deep dive into the latest GLP-1 studies to find the info you need.
Up to 40 percent of weight loss from GLP-1s can come from muscle and bone loss. This is concerning, especially for older adults, because of the increased risk of falls and frailty. And that’s just one point in our article, which details the pros and cons of taking weight loss drugs like Wegovy. The benefits, side effects, and possible safety issues will all depend on your particular circumstances.
In addition to the possibility of muscle (and bone) loss, we included several other points to consider when it comes to these drugs:
- Many older adults stop taking semaglutide within a year.
- Stopping can often mean regaining much of the weight.
- That said, benefits can be substantial, including a reduced risk of death from heart disease for people who are overweight or obese.
These drugs are being advertised practically everywhere and all the time, so it’s important to not just understand how they work, but also know the pros and cons as they apply to you. Read our full article for all the details, plus check our article about the obesity paradox for older adults.
Illustration: Jack Richardson Illustration: Jack Richardson
The sweet spot for auto shoppers is a used car that’s 3 to 5 years old.
If you’re considering buying a used car, it’s good to know that vehicles in this age range have already experienced their steepest depreciation but typically still have most of their useful life ahead of them.
We analyzed data from over 300,000 vehicle owners we surveyed in 2024, covering models that came out between 2000 and 2023. We found a variety of reliable models across a range of car types that performed well in CR’s rigorous testing.
Here are a handful of examples, organized by price:
- In the $15,000 to $20,000 price range, the Toyota RAV4 offers reliability, strong safety features, and easy-to-use controls.
- In the $20,000 to $25,000 price range, we found the Honda Accord to be spacious, comfortable, quick, and efficient.
- And although not everyone may consider a $30,000 to $40,000 car particularly budget-friendly, we also list solid picks in this price range, including the Lexus RX. Luxury, comfort, reliability, and strong owner satisfaction make it one of the safest premium used-car bets.
Helpful hack
No matter what your price range, a relatively inexpensive inspection can prevent a costly purchase mistake. The prepurchase service from a mobile mechanic service can uncover hidden issues that don’t appear in vehicle history reports. This is just one of many shopping tips in our extensive buying advice and recommendations.
Graphic: Consumer Reports, Manufacturers Graphic: Consumer Reports, Manufacturers
Prime Day, Father’s Day, and early July Fourth sales make this a great month for scoring deals.
Here are a handful of our favorites:
- At $79, this cordless drill is 53 percent off its original price. That’s $90 in savings.
- We found this SPF 50 sunscreen for $7.88, 40 percent off.
- This smartwatch is on sale for $204.99, which is about 41 percent off its original MSRP (and 18 percent off the current list price).
These are just a small sampling of the many deals we found for the month of June, so check our article for the full (and detailed) list that has helpful one-click shopping options. You’ll find deals on electronics, large and small appliances, power tools, personal care, and more. Note that some sales will change in real time. The highlighted deals above were available at the time of publication, but prices are subject to change.
Want to know what’s on deep discount during the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.
Compact washers and dryers cost more up front, but they offer savings in the long run.
These appliances use less water and energy, and we’ve found that they increasingly offer the same features as full-sized ones. But before you buy, here are some other factors worth noting:
- As with all front-load washing machines, compact washers vibrate.
- Compact clothes dryers are only electric.
- Ventless dryers will take longer to operate.
We do some 850 loads of laundry each year to help you find the washing machine and clothes dryer that are best for you. There are several models from different brands at various prices that did well in our lab tests. For details, read our full article.
Fresh from the labs:
We’re constantly testing the latest products and retesting existing stock. Here are last week’s drops we didn’t mention above:
- Our TV ratings include several new additions.
- We now have more models in our air-fryer ratings.
- And just in time for summer, we’ve added new exterior paints to our ratings.