Time is ticking to ensure on-time arrival for holiday items sent via mail.

An estimated 2.2 billion packages will be shipped this holiday season, according to ShipMatrix Inc. 

The last day for FedEx ground economy is Friday Dec. 13, and Wednesday Dec. 18 is the deadline for U.S. Postal Service ground and first-class mail. Procrastinators have until Dec. 23 for FedEx overnight and UPS Next Day Air.

Making those deadlines requires a workforce of more than 1.5 million drivers nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Here’s a look at how the UPS operates with the holiday season in full swing.

Behind the scenes at UPS

CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen went behind the scenes at a UPS training facility in Chicago. It’s one of 13 so-called Integrad training facilities across the globe where more than 100,000 drivers have graduated since 2019.

“Every driver has to go through this training, including annual training afterwards,” said Ryan King, Chen’s instructor for the day.

King explained they use a see-through truck as a tool to teach organization.

“They have hundreds of stops a day and hundreds of packages, so it’s very important that they’re able to find the package efficiently,” he said.

Chen then learns the basics, including putting on special shoes and a safety harness to simulate icy and slippery conditions.

She also practiced driving on their simulator.

“We have a lot of pedestrians out on the streets here so we need to get eye contact. We’re gonna tap that horn,” King said during the training.

Ride along with UPS

After training, Chen rode along with Sharon Pascoe, who has been accident-free in her 35 years of delivering for UPS.

Pascoe said she likes the people most in this job, but she has a message during this holiday season, “If you shop early, it gets shipped early. That’s the best way to get everything on time,” she said.

Other advice to get your gifts to where they need to go on time include picking the correct packaging to reduce weight. Envelopes can sometimes be less expensive than boxes. 

Also consider printing two copies of the label. One for the outside — just in case something happens to the package — and another for the inside as a backup.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Thursday issued a rule to limit bank and credit union lending fees that it says will save consumers $5 billion annually. 

The rule, which applies to the banks and credit unions with more than $10 billion in assets, gives these institutions three options: They can charge an overdraft fee of $5; charge a fee that covers their costs or losses; or continue to charge fees of any amount, so long as they disclose the terms of the overdraft loan and are compliant with lending laws.

Banks can currently charge as much as they want in overdraft fees. On average, they charge around $35 each time a customer overdraws funds from their accounts, according to the CFPB.

The CFPB expects the rule to save consumers $5 billion annually in overdraft fees, or $225 per household that pays overdraft fees.

“For far too long, the largest banks have exploited a legal loophole that has drained billions of dollars from Americans’ deposit accounts,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement Thursday. “The CFPB is cracking down on these excessive junk fees and requiring big banks to come clean about the interest rate they’re charging on overdraft loans.”

The rule closes a legal loophole that allowed banks to bypass laws limiting how much they could charge consumers in overdraft fees. These fees have driven up consumer costs, and led to tens of millions of consumers losing access to banking services. Negative credit reporting has made it impossible for them to open other accounts, too, according to the CFPB. 

Banks are expected to challenge the rule, which is set to take effect in October 2025. 

It is part of the Biden Administration’s pledge to crack down on so-called unreasonable bank “junk fees.” The U.S. Department of Transportation has also taken steps to curb junk fees charged by airlines. 

The U.S. PIRG on applauded the CFPB’s move, saying that previously banks had penalized those who could least afford to pay overdraft fees, and that the law protects their most vulnerable customers.

“In practice, overdraft fees have functioned as high-cost credit, so it only makes sense to regulate excessive fees as such. The CFPB’s rule makes overdraft fees more reasonable and in line with the actual costs to banks,” PIRG’s Consumer Campaign Director Mike Litt said in a statement. 

National Economic Council director Lael Brainard said in a statement that “for too long, excessive overdraft fees have saddled hardworking Americans with charges that really add up, preventing them from getting ahead.”

“The CFPB’s new rule, which caps overdraft fees as low as $5, is expected to save many families as much as $225 a year. That is real relief for families,” she said. 

The banking industry, however, is expected to challenge the rule, which the American Bankers Association accuses of “demonizing highly regulated and transparent bank fees.” The advocacy group said the rule “will make it significantly harder for banks to offer this valuable service to their customers, including those who have few other options to cover essential payments.”

TD Cowen analysts say they expect the rule to face legislative, regulatory and legal challenges. The savings to consumers will come at the expense of revenue for banks, particularly regional lending institutions, according to the analysts.

Racking up expensive credit card debt is a dangerous route to take in nearly any economic environment, but it’s only become more risky in recent years. Not only are credit card interest rates sitting at historic highs of over 23% right now, but the cost of daily living expenses is continuing to climb as inflation ticks back up. So, if you’re allowing your credit card balances to roll over month after month, you’re running the risk of your debt ballooning out of control at a time when necessities are comprising a large portion of your budget.

For many with high-rate credit card debt, one type of debt relief — credit card debt forgiveness — has emerged as a potential path forward. This process, which involves negotiating with creditors to pay less than what you owe on your credit cards, can provide much-needed relief when handled correctly. However, while debt settlement can reduce your overall debt burden by 30% or more in some cases, the journey toward debt forgiveness is filled with potential pitfalls that could cost you thousands of dollars or, worse, leave you in an even more challenging financial position. 

That’s why it’s important to avoid making the wrong moves during this process or you could face additional fees, higher settlement amounts and unnecessary stress. Being aware of these common mistakes can help maximize your chances of success. 

Find out what your credit card debt relief options are now.

3 expensive credit card debt forgiveness mistakes to avoid right now

Here are a few costly errors you’ll want to avoid when pursuing credit card debt forgiveness right now.

Waiting too long to start the process

One of the most expensive mistakes people make is delaying their debt forgiveness journey. In some cases, they may hope their financial situation will improve on its own or they feel embarrassed about seeking help for their overwhelming credit card debt. However, this waiting game can be incredibly costly for a few different reasons.

For starters, credit card debt typically compounds daily, meaning your balance grows not just monthly but every single day you carry it. With current interest rates exceeding 23% on average, waiting even a few months can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your total debt. This increased balance means you’ll need to save more money for potential settlements and could result in paying more even after negotiating a reduction.

The debt settlement process itself also takes considerable time. You’ll need to save enough money to make lump-sum settlement offers to creditors, which typically takes several months at a minimum — and can take much longer if you’re on a tight budget and don’t have much extra to put aside for settlement offers. The negotiation process with multiple creditors can also stretch out over many more months. Starting early, though, gives you more flexibility and leverage in negotiations, potentially resulting in better settlement terms.

Speak to an expert about getting rid of your credit card debt today.

Skipping out on expert guidance

While it’s technically possible to try and settle your debts on your own, trying to handle debt forgiveness independently often leads to suboptimal outcomes. Many cardholders underestimate the complexity of the debt forgiveness process and the expertise required for successful negotiations.

Professional debt relief companies often have established relationships with major creditors and understand their settlement policies and tendencies. They know when to push for better terms and when to accept an offer based on years of experience and previous settlement negotiations. These relationships and insights can result in better settlement percentages than what cardholders might achieve on their own.

Going solo also means managing all communication with creditors, understanding complex settlement agreements and knowing how to protect yourself legally. Missing crucial details in settlement agreements or mishandling negotiations can result in rejected offers or settlements that don’t adequately protect your interests. Professional debt relief companies can also help you understand the tax implications of settled debt and guide you through the entire process systematically.

Rushing into an agreement with a debt relief company 

Perhaps the most dangerous mistake is rushing into an agreement with a debt relief company without conducting thorough research on the agreement and the company itself. The issue in this case is that, unfortunately, the debt relief industry includes some predatory companies that make unrealistic promises or charge excessive fees while delivering poor results.

Some red flags to watch for include guarantees of specific settlement amounts (legitimate companies know that results vary), pressure to sign up quickly, or requests for upfront fees before any services are provided. The Federal Trade Commission has specific rules about debt relief services, including prohibitions on charging advance fees before settling or reducing debt, so any company that tries to charge you before doing any work is waving multiple red flags that are worth paying attention to.

It’s also essential to verify a company’s credentials, read customer reviews and check their standing with organizations like the Better Business Bureau. Look for companies that are transparent about their fees, provide realistic timelines and expectations and have a track record of successful settlements. A reputable debt relief company should be willing to explain the process in detail and answer all your questions without applying pressure tactics.

Choosing the wrong debt relief company, on the other hand, can result in wasted time and money, damaged credit and even legal issues. So, take the time to research multiple companies, understand their fee structures and verify their legitimacy before committing to any debt settlement program.

The bottom line

By avoiding these common pitfalls and approaching the debt forgiveness process with careful planning, you can set yourself on a path toward financial freedom. Don’t let avoidable mistakes derail your progress — take proactive steps today to reclaim control of your finances and build a brighter financial future.