Consumer Confidential: Prices down, foreclosures up, Double Downs survive

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Here’s your wiki-Wednesday roundup of consumer news from around the Web:

-- Did you notice that life was cheaper last month? Me neither. But, apparently, consumer prices dropped in April for the first time in a year. That means mean old Mr. Inflation was nowhere to be found, which means interest rates likely will stay at rock-bottom levels. And that should be good news for anyone shopping for a home or car loan. Meanwhile, major retailers such as Wal-Mart are cutting prices to get people shopping. All of this adds up to happy times for consumers -- that is, if you have any money to spare.

-- Which brings us to our next point: One in seven U.S. homeowners is now either late with mortgage payments or in foreclosure. That sad stat comes courtesy of the Mortgage Bankers Assn., which nevertheless sees the economic cup as half full because unemployment could be peaking. If so, maybe homeowners will start clawing their way back to solvency.

-- Looks like we really enjoy our high-calorie, high-sodium junk food. Our friends at KFC say they’ll keep offering Double Down sandwiches -- bacon and cheese wrapped in chicken filets. The bunless Double Downs were supposed to have been shut off on Sunday, but now KFC says they’ll stay on the menu as long as demand holds up. The fried version has 540 calories, 32 grams of fat and 1,380 milligrams of salt. The grilled version boasts a modest 460 calories and 23 grams of fat, although its sodium count jumps to 1,430 milligrams. Experts say you shouldn’t eat more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.

-- David Lazarus