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The April figures suggest the cushion households built through 2025 has thinned under sustained price increases, with nominal spending rising across both goods and services even as inflation-adjusted disposable income posted its second straight monthly decline.

April’s PCE inflation data signals growing pressure on American households

The PCE price index, which the Federal Reserve treats as its preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.4% from March to April, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported.

On a year-over-year basis, the index climbed to 3.8%, up from 3.5% in March, marking the highest annual reading in roughly three years.

The core PCE price index, which strips out volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.2% on a monthly basis in April. On an annual basis, core inflation rose to 3.3% from 3.2% the prior month, keeping the measure well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

The acceleration in headline inflation was partly driven by annual durable goods inflation of 3.4%, a notable shift from a category that typically experiences deflation, CNN reported. 

Nationwide Mutual chief economist Kathy Bostjancic attributed the durable-goods gain to tariffs and rising Chinese wholesale prices.

The monthly PCE price increase of 0.4% was lower than the 0.7% jump recorded in March, the BEA data showed. That deceleration in the month-over-month pace suggests some moderation in the speed of price gains, even as the annual figure climbs.

Consumer spending rose in April but inflation-adjusted income declined

Consumer spending increased $111.1 billion, or 0.5%, in April, reflecting gains across both goods and services. Services spending accounted for $67.2 billion of that total, while goods spending contributed $44.0 billion to the overall monthly increase.

When adjusted for inflation, the spending picture looked far less encouraging for American consumers heading into summer months. Inflation-adjusted personal consumption expenditures rose by just $18.1 billion, or 0.1%, meaning higher prices absorbed most of the nominal spending growth.

More Personal Finance:

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• Fidelity sounds alarm on 401(k)s, IRAs 

Personal income was virtually flat, decreasing by less than $0.1 billion during the month, the report found. Disposable personal income fell $19.9 billion, or 0.1%.

The income decrease was driven primarily by a decline in farm proprietors' income after the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program closed applications in mid-April. Private wages and salaries continued to rise, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Personal saving rate fell to its lowest level since June 2022

The personal saving rate dropped to 2.6% in April, down from 3.2% in March and 4.3% in January. That is the lowest rate since June 2022, when it sat at 2.2% as four-decade-high inflation and the spend-down of pandemic-era savings collided.

Many consumers still have enough cash for now, but they will have to belt-tighten later this year as the tax refunds are spent and there isn’t any additional income boost on the horizon for most households

Americans saved $611.7 billion in April, representing just 2.6 cents of every dollar of disposable income earned during the month.

The historical average for the saving rate dating to 1959 is 8.4%, putting April's reading far below the long-term norm, according to data hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The saving rate has fallen in each of the first four months of 2026, after averaging closer to 5% through most of 2025.

“I thought 2.6% for April was a typo at first. It is so low,” Heather Long said in an email, CNBC reported. “Outside of the revenge spend era of 2022, the personal savings rate has almost never been this low in the past 65 years.”

What economists and Fed watchers see in the April BEA inflation data

The April data arrives as the Federal Reserve, now led by Chair Kevin Warsh, faces mounting tension between persistent inflation and signs that household finances are deteriorating. 

Following the May 12 CPI report, CNBC reported that CME FedWatch pricing implied about a 37% probability of a rate increase before year-end; that figure has since drifted higher as inflation data has firmed.

Kathy Bostjancic told CNN that the inflation data reflects forces beyond energy alone, including tariff-driven prices. Bostjancic told CNN that households are absorbing the pressure of higher inflation against flat income growth.

The next Personal Income and Outlays release, covering May 2026, is scheduled for June 25, 2026. Whether core PCE inflation continues climbing or shows signs of stabilization will shape the Federal Reserve's next rate decision.

Related: Federal reserve has a message for Americans on inflation, economy

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Why we love this deal

Getting to work with the current gas prices has been far more expensive than it used to be. That's why the popularity of e-scooters and e-bikes has exploded in recent months. They offer the convenience of a car or motorcycle, without all the fuel and repair costs. Thanks to Walmart, you can now get an impressive e-bike at an equally impressive discount, and we think that's the best possible combination to keep you on the move and under budget.

The 5th Wheel Electric Bike is on sale for only $396, which is an incredible 43% off the regular price of $700. If you're in the market for an e-bike that won't break the bank, then you've found it. This is a Flash deal, though. That means you'd probably better act quickly if you want to take advantage before it disappears.  

5th Wheel Electric Bike, $396 (was $700) at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

This bike has everything you want in modern personal transportation. The 350-watt electric motor is quiet and efficient. The battery is removable, which makes it extra convenient for charging. The bike takes roughly 5 hours to reach peak charge and has a distance capacity of 22 to 31 miles when fully powered. Another nice feature of the battery is that it's completely waterproof, so you don't have to worry about it getting damaged when left exposed to the elements.

In addition to the 31-mile max distance, the bike also has a top speed of 20 miles per hour. That means you can likely get to most nearby destinations in roughly the same amount of time that it might take in your vehicle. What's more, you'll be saving money on gas, not to mention saving the environment. There's nothing like a zero-emissions commute to make you start the day off with a smile. A small basket might have been a nice addition, though size and style is more of a personal choice, so it may be best that it wasn't included.

The bike also has a front and rear disc braking system, which offers an added sense of safety, especially considering its high-speed capabilities. An integrated LCD display helps you keep track of your milage, speed, battery level, and any errors. 

While all the technical specs of the bike are worth cheering about, it's quite the looker as well. The dark blue finish is sleek, modern, and stylish. It's also available in a light teal option. While a neutral black model would be nice, this cool look should suit almost anyone. The front light and bell make night riding far safer as well. The bike is available with super suspension as an added option, though that adds to the price.  

Related: Walmart is selling a $1,100 e-bike for 68% off that has a top speed of 25 MPH

Pros and cons of the 5th Wheel Electric Bike

Pros

• Power source: The rechargeable battery makes for a convenient renewable source of energy.
• Mileage range: With a maximum range of 31 miles, the bike allows you to cover long distances without worrying about running out of "juice."
• Max speed: The bike can reach a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour, making it a great option for daily commutes.
• Information display: The integrated LCD screen keeps you informed on a host of info about your ride.

Cons

• Storage: While a basket would be convenient, it's hard to know what style and size might be universally appreciated.
• Colorways: Though the two available color variants are attractive, some might prefer a neutral black option.

Walmart shoppers were thrilled with the bike. One praised it as "excellent quality at an amazing price." The same buyer added, "I couldn't be happier…The quality is outstanding, especially for the price…The frame feels sturdy and well-built…It honestly exceeded my expectations."

Shop more deals 

• Ancheer Foldable Electric Bike, $270 (was $560) at Walmart
• Setohet Electric Bike, $320 (was $360) at Walmart
• Dyu Folding Electric Bike, $249 (was $479) at Walmart

The 5th Wheel Electric Bike will have you zooming to your destination in perfect silence. Of course, that doesn't include your jubilant "woohoos" due to the fun and the savings you'll get with this bike. At just $396, it has us cheering as well.

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Air quality plays a major role in overall health and comfort, especially inside the home where people spend most of their time. During summer months, air purifiers can become particularly valuable as wildfires, increased pollen levels, and other airborne pollutants make their way indoors. Even when doors and windows are closed, particles can enter the home and affect the indoor air quality. Air purifiers help capture these contaminants before they circulate throughout living spaces, creating a cleaner environment for families. They can reduce common household irritants like dust, mold, pet dander, and odors, depending on the type you get. 

Most air purifiers rely on a combination of filters to remove pollutants. HEPA filters are among the most common and are designed to capture very small particles, while activated carbon filters help absorb smoke and other odors. Some units also include washable pre-filters that trap larger particles. Regardless of the type, regular filter replacement is an important part of maintaining performance. A clogged or worn-out filter can reduce airflow and limit effectiveness. Some air purifiers have sensors that let you know when it's time to change the filter, and some of them you have to check on your own, but by following the recommended maintenance schedules, you can get the most benefit from your system. 

Compact and portable purifiers

These purifiers are designed to provide cleaner air without taking up tons of space or being difficult to manage. These smaller units are ideal for bedrooms, home offices, dorm rooms, and small apartments. Many portable or compact models can be moved from room to room, allowing users to focus on the area that needs it the most, and can also be easily carried on car trips. Some models are so small they're handheld and can be packed in your backpack or attached to your bag with a strap. Whether placed on the shelf, nightstand, or office desk, compact purifiers can continuously remove dust and pollen while fitting more easily into a busy lifestyle. 

Convenience and affordability are other advantages of smaller air purifiers. Smaller units often consume less energy than larger models and can provide targeted air cleaning without a major investment. They can be useful for people who spend most of the time in a single room or want additional filtration where they sleep or work. While they don't cover an entire home, compact options offer a practical and easy-to-use solution for improving indoor air quality while remaining easy to operate. 

Homedics True HEPA Air Purifier

Pure Enrichment Portable Mini Purifier

Levoit 3-in-1 Hepa Purifier

Air purifiers for allergies and pet owners

For households dealing with allergies or pets, specialized air purifiers can make a noticeable difference in daily comfort. These models are usually equipped with high-efficiency filtration systems that capture pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and more. By continuously removing these irritants, allergy-focused purifiers can help reduce exposure and create a cleaner environment. This can be extra beneficial during allergy seasons with pollen or if you have kids kicking up dust around the house.

Pet owners may benefit from air purifiers as well, opting for ones that are especially designed to handle higher concentrations of fur and dander. Pets naturally shed hair and skin that can accumulate and trigger allergic reactions, but many allergy-focused models include pre-filters that capture larger particles like hair before they reach the main filters, which helps reduce overall air pollutants. Combined with regular cleaning and grooming, an air purifier can help keep indoor air fresher and more comfortable for both people and pets. 

Filter selection is important when choosing one for allergies. Many of the most effective models use true HEPA filters, which are designed to capture extremely small airborne particles that can contribute to symptoms. Some units also feature carbon filters, but because these filters are constantly trapping particles, regular maintenance is essential for keeping a low-allergy home. Pet owners may need to replace or wash filters more regularly than other users due to higher amounts of dander in the air, but many filters offer bulk filter discounts or packs with multiple types of filters, making it more affordable to keep your air clean. 

Puroair 240 Hepa Large Room Purifier

Levoit Core 3-Stage Filtration Purifier

Ecoself Large Room True Hepa Air Purifier 

Smart air purifiers

Smart air purifiers combine advanced filtration with modern technology features that make managing air quality even easier. Many models include built-in air quality sensors that monitor air continuously and change the fan speeds when needed. Others allow you to connect your smartphone to monitor air quality daily or change settings and operation times. These features provide convenience while helping to ensure efficient operation that you can check anywhere, anytime. 

In addition, smart air purifiers can offer more personalized quality management. Real-time monitors allow homeowners to see how activities, such as cooking, cleaning, opening windows, or seasonal smoke, affect the indoor air quality. Automatic modes respond to the changing conditions without requiring manual adjustments while also keeping you updated, helping to maintain cleaner air with minimal effort. They also offer maintenance reminders from virtually anywhere, allowing you to breathe easy knowing you won't have to keep up with filter changes on your own. For busy households looking for a more hands-off solution, smart air purifiers provide a combination of powerful filtration and technology that help create a healthier and more convenient home environment.

Ter Air Smart Air Purifier 

Renpho Large Room Smart Air Purifier with Quality Monitor

GermGuardian Large Room Hepa Smart Purifier

What's best for your needs?

The best option for you comes down to your space, lifestyle, and air concerns. Compact and portable models are great for busy individuals looking for a bit of extra air quality support in the car, in the office, or in apartments. Households with pets or severe allergies may want to opt for a larger and higher-efficiency option to ensure pollutants are managed. Meanwhile, smart purifiers offer added convenience and support through automatic adjustments and app-based controls that allow you to more easily manage the quality of your home. It's also good to take into consideration the cost of replacement filters, as some allow you to wash the filter while others require buying more filters. 

TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use.

In this interview, Becca Craig, wealth adviser at Focus Partners Wealth, explains how RAP works, who may benefit, who could face higher costs, and why borrowers should focus on long-term outcomes rather than monthly payments alone.

Below is a transcript of the interview with Becca Craig, edited for brevity and clarity.

The federal student loan system is changing

Robert Powell: We have a lot to go through today. Where should we begin?

Becca Craig: Let's start at the beginning. For years, student loan borrowers have had to wade through an alphabet soup of acronyms for different income-driven repayment plans.

As part of the Trump administration's overhaul of the federal student aid system, certain income-driven repayment plans are being phased out over the next several months and years, while the RAP plan is being introduced.

For current and future borrowers, it's important to understand that RAP will be the only new repayment plan offered to new borrowers. There is a lot of nuance within the system, and borrowers need a firm understanding of how these changes affect them.

Why monthly payments are only part of the story

Robert Powell: Are monthly payments what people care most about?

Becca Craig: That's usually where people start because it's the most immediate concern.

About 44 million Americans with student loans will have decisions to make regarding current and future repayment plans. Beginning July 1, 2026, RAP becomes available.

Current borrowers generally can remain in their existing plans, except those enrolled in SAVE. Those borrowers will need to switch to another income-driven repayment plan or a standard repayment plan.

At first glance, RAP addresses some longstanding concerns. Payments are based on adjusted gross income, unpaid interest is waived, and safeguards help prevent balances from growing even when borrowers are making payments.

But there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Personal financial circumstances will determine whether RAP is the most effective choice.

How RAP affects Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Robert Powell: What about Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

Becca Craig: It still matters.

Like previous income-driven repayment plans, RAP qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Monthly payments are based on adjusted gross income, and borrowers must make at least a $10 monthly payment, even during periods of financial hardship or unemployment.

What will be interesting is how income-based payment calculations affect borrowers pursuing forgiveness. Higher earners, including doctors, attorneys, and others earning more than $100,000 annually, could see substantially higher monthly payments.

Who may benefit most from RAP

Robert Powell: Lower-income borrowers may benefit from the combination of income-based payments and interest subsidies?

Becca Craig: Exactly.

There is no good or bad repayment plan. There is only what's optimal for a particular borrower.

RAP may work especially well for lower-income borrowers whose student loan balances are equal to or less than their annual income. Lower monthly payments, interest subsidies, and eventual forgiveness can create a more manageable repayment experience.

That's where RAP may provide meaningful advantages.

Parent PLUS borrowers face special challenges

Robert Powell: Do Parent PLUS loans qualify for RAP?

Becca Craig: No. Parent PLUS borrowers cannot choose RAP.

Borrowers with Parent PLUS loans need to take action if they want access to certain income-driven repayment options. There are resources and financial professionals available to help borrowers understand those options.

New Parent PLUS borrowers will not be eligible for income-driven repayment plans under the new framework.

There's another important point. Taking out a new federal student loan after July 1 can permanently change repayment options. Even borrowers who currently have federal student loans may lose access to older repayment plans if they borrow again to continue their education.

Borrowers should stay engaged and make informed decisions about how they finance their education.

The trade-offs borrowers need to understand

Robert Powell: Your article discusses longer forgiveness timelines. How important is that?

Becca Craig: It's very important.

Historically, borrowers could move among several income-driven repayment plans as their circumstances changed. That flexibility is shrinking for existing borrowers and disappearing entirely for new borrowers.

The challenge is that no single repayment plan fits every situation.

Under RAP, forgiveness generally requires 30 years of payments, compared with 20 or 25 years under some previous plans.

Higher-income borrowers may also face larger monthly payments because of the way RAP calculates payment obligations.

And once borrowers choose RAP, they cannot switch back to previous plans.

Borrowers need to think carefully about how they'll repay student loans over the long term, not just next month.

Comparing RAP with previous repayment plans

Robert Powell: You included several borrower scenarios. Walk us through them.

Becca Craig: Looking at hypothetical borrowers helps illustrate the differences.

In one scenario, a borrower earns $50,000 annually and has $20,000 in student loan debt. Total repayment costs across plans are fairly similar, but RAP produces slightly lower monthly payments.

In a second scenario, the borrower still earns $50,000 but has $100,000 in student loan debt. In that case, total repayment costs under RAP increase significantly because of the longer repayment timeline and forgiveness requirements.

A third scenario involves a borrower earning $150,000 with $100,000 in student loan debt. Monthly payments under RAP are higher than under previous income-driven repayment plans, but total lifetime costs may be somewhat lower because more principal is repaid earlier.

The impact of RAP depends heavily on individual circumstances. Borrowers should evaluate both immediate payments and long-term costs.

Tools borrowers can use before the deadline

Robert Powell: Are there calculators borrowers can use to compare options?

Becca Craig: Absolutely.

Several organizations offer repayment calculators. For my analysis, I used the VIN Foundation calculator, which has been a reliable source of student loan planning information for many years.

Borrowers can create scenarios and compare options before the July 1 deadline.

Why extra payments may or may not make sense

Robert Powell: Should borrowers consider making extra payments to reduce total costs?

Becca Craig: It depends.

Some borrowers ask whether they should refinance into private loans. Others ask whether paying extra toward principal makes sense.

Those scenarios can be modeled using calculators.

The answer depends on income, cash flow, financial goals and competing priorities. A borrower who wants to buy a home may make a different decision than someone focused solely on eliminating debt.

Student loan planning should be considered within the context of an overall financial plan.

One of the biggest student loan changes in years

Robert Powell: Anything else borrowers should know?

Becca Craig: RAP represents one of the most significant changes to the federal student loan system in years.

For some borrowers, particularly those with lower incomes relative to their debt, the plan may provide meaningful benefits. For others, it may create challenges.

As with most financial planning decisions, the right answer depends on the individual.

There are resources available, including financial planners, student loan specialists, and certified student loan professionals.

Focusing only on the monthly payment is like judging a book by its cover. A borrower's student loan journey unfolds over decades.

Related: ABLE accounts open new options for people with disabilities

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Yes, there are plenty of good Samaritans around, but they are far outnumbered by the people who live by the "finders keepers" rule.

So city veterans develop a natural system to ensure they don't lose their hard-earned valuables. That system involves exactly one mechanism: turning around and checking your seat before you leave.

That's it. A quick glance back at your seat before you hop out of that cab or off of that train has saved countless phones, wallets, and keys from being swallowed up and never seen again.

But not everyone is as street smart, and even when you are, it's easy to forget. Still, the items some people are leaving behind in their Uber ride are absolutely dumbfounding.

For the tenth year running, Uber released its annual "Lost and Found Index," and while some of the frequent lost items on the list make sense, many others do not.

Uber Lost & Found Index features mini fridge, wizard wand, and fish tank

Since 2017, Uber has compiled a list of items users leave behind when they exit the ride share. The company lists them in its Lost & Found Index.

This year, on the 10th anniversary of the list, the company decided to do a deeper dive, sharing some of the craziest one-off items they've recovered, along with lost-and-found staples like house keys and cellphones.

Uber has more than 36 million subscribers logged approximately 13.56 billion trips globally in 2025, according to Fortunly. That is a lot of opportunities to be forgetful.

And since Uber is the safest alternative for people who are out drinking, the fact is that Sunday was the worst day for lost items, "likely because 'Sunday Scaries' and brunch mimosas don't exactly boost situational awareness," according to Uber's tongue-in-cheek report.

Apparently, people are most likely to forget their IDs and wallets on Mondays, their headphones on Tuesdays, their phone chargers on Wednesdays, their bags on Thursdays, their keys on Fridays, their phones on Saturdays, and their glasses on Sundays, according to Uber's 2025 data.

Speaking of 2025, the company saw an uptick in Labubu losses as the toy has gained popularity in recent years. People are also leaving their pickleball paddles in the trunk and peptide GLP-1 pills in the car seat.

Some of the items on the list truly make zero sense, such as the people leaving veneers, gold grills, and entire dentures behind. Passengers are even forgetting their portable breathalyzers.

Uber has found a whole mini fridge, a fish tank, and a wizard wand left behind as well.

Uber also logged lost luxury items including a gold Rolex, Alexander Wang heels, and Hermes sandals, as well as tech items such as the Nintendo Switch, AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Pencil, and PlayStation 4.

Which cities have the most forgetful Uber riders?

While we started this piece talking about NYC and ways to navigate living in the metropolis without losing your treasured items, New York ranked top on the list for Uber's most forgetful cities, though that could be a function of sheer volume.

Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles round out the top five most forgetful cities in 2025.

But going back over the last decade, Uber has a special category for what's going on in Texas. "Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio consistently were close to the top of our list of most forgetful cities year over year. Austin took the #1 spot two years in a row in 2021 and 2022," Uber said.

But Texas may be getting its act together because Dallas was the lone city in the state to make the top 10 list this year at number 7.

But for all the weird items people have left behind over the past 10 years, one item stands out the most: phones. Uber passengers reported more than 1 million lost phones last year.

Uber offers new and improved way to reclaim lost items

Filing a lost and found claim anywhere can be a taxing experience, so Uber says it is updating the way it gets items back to their rightful owners.

The new lost and found process is as follows:

Uber's new lost and found process

• Open the Uber app and tap “Activity” on the bottom icon menu.
• Scroll down to “Find lost item” in the Help section, and report your missing item — you will receive a notification when your driver has confirmed they have located the item in their vehicle.
• Select “Request a return trip” with your original driver, enter the address for the item to be returned to you, and confirm the fare for the return.
• Follow along your driver’s return trip in the app, and share the pin number with the driver when they arrive to confirm the return.
  Source: Uber

The new process is already live in California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, with plans to roll it out nationwide by the end of the year.

In the meantime, contact your driver directly if you leave an item behind, and arrange a time and place to pick it up if they have it.

Related: Uber CEO, COO sends stark message on AI spending in 2026

A 2025 Angi’s State of Home Spending Pulse report revealed that of the homeowners interviewed, 71% said they have postponed at least one home project this year, while 58% said they delayed projects because of high materials or labor costs.

With home repair costs weighing on many households and the rising trend of DIY home furnishing projects, spending is somewhere between maintaining and taking preventive measures to avoid costlier issues arising later.

Fixing a loose cabinet handle, a broken dresser, a wobbly chair, or a small outdoor project are the smaller everyday aspects of owning a house that many residents have either learned or are starting to learn. 

And while these fixes may not always require a contractor, they still require the right tool.

And not every shopper feels comfortable walking into a home-improvement warehouse to figure out what they need; it can get overwhelming really fast.

That's where Walmart is trying to move in.

The retail giant is expanding its hardware assortment with new exclusive and private-brand tools, giving shoppers another place to buy power tools, hand tools, and basic project items during a regular Walmart trip.

Walmart is not replacing Home Depot or Lowe’s for contractors, serious remodelers, or experienced do-it-yourself shoppers. But it does open a direct path for the retailer to compete for customers who need tools for smaller repairs and do not want a separate, intimidating trip to a specialty store.

“People who aren’t naturally handy still need basic tools, and Walmart’s new offerings will make it so they don’t have to hunt them down in Lowe’s and Home Depot, which can be intimidating stores for consumers who aren’t builders or DIY hobbyists,” said TheStreet Co-Editor-in-Chief Daniel Kline.

Walmart expands hardware assortment

Walmart said it is refreshing its hardware department with the exclusive launch of Greenworks Pro, a professional-grade line of power tools available only at Walmart.

The retailer is also expanding its Greenworks 24V POWERALL tools and broadening its Hyper Tough lineup with 12V and 20V brushless power tools and batteries, hand tools, and mechanic tools.

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The products are available in Walmart stores nationwide and on Walmart.com, while the Greenworks Pro line is also available through Walmart Business.

Courtney Carlson, senior vice president of merchandising at Walmart, said the launches reflect the company’s effort to bring innovative products and strong value to customers.

“From professional-grade tools to stylish, affordable home décor for families, these launches reflect how we’re continuing to evolve our assortment to better serve the needs of today’s customers,” said Carlson.

For Walmart, the strategy fits a familiar playbook.

The company already uses its scale, store base, and private brands to compete on price in groceries, household essentials, apparel, and home goods. Hardware gives it another way to capture more of the shopper’s basket.

A customer may come in for groceries, pharmacy items, pet food, or school supplies, and leave with a cordless drill, a toolbox, a set of hand tools, or a mechanic's tool kit.

That matters because Walmart is trying to turn routine shopping trips into broader household trips, slowly becoming a one-stop shop for all things home.

Walmart challenges home-improvement rivals

Home Depot and Lowe’s remain much larger and more specialized players in home improvement.

Home Depot, which recently reported its first-quarter fiscal 2026, noted sales of $41.8 billion, up 4.8% from the prior-year period. Comparable sales also rose 0.6%, while U.S. comparable sales increased 0.4%.

These numbers show the scale Walmart is up against. 

While Home Depot and Lowe’s serve contractors, homeowners, landlords, remodelers, and serious DIY customers, Walmart is trying to tap into the needs of its everyday customers, who are not professionals but still need quick access to basic tools at an affordable price.

The home-improvement market is also facing pressure, much like the grocery retail.

Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said the company’s underlying demand was similar to what it saw throughout fiscal 2025, despite “greater consumer uncertainty and pressure on housing affordability.”

Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies said the U.S. remodeling market soared above $600 billion after the pandemic and was expected to remain above that level through 2025. But the report also pointed to inflation and a shortage of skilled trade labor as challenges for the industry.

This helps explain why smaller repairs and everyday maintenance matter.

If shoppers are delaying major remodels, they may still need tools for basic fixes. Walmart can chase those shorter trips without matching the full depth of a home-improvement warehouse.

Walmart wants the casual DIY shopper

Walmart’s hardware expansion is not aimed specifically at shoppers who already spend weekends in Home Depot or Lowe’s.

It is aimed at customers who need a basic tool but do not know where to start.

That customer may not need lumber, contractor-grade materials, or a specialized department. They may only need enough to tighten, replace, assemble, hang, patch, or fix something simple at home.

For Walmart, that is a valuable lane.

Home Depot and Lowe’s have depth of expertise and strong relationships with professional customers. Walmart has convenience and familiarity.

The hardware expansion gives Walmart another way to compete with Amazon, since many shoppers already buy tools online. Walmart can offer some of that convenience while also putting tools in stores where shoppers can grab them during a normal trip.

For Home Depot and Lowe’s, Walmart’s move may not threaten their core Pro business. But it adds more competition for casual DIY shoppers and families trying to handle small repairs on a budget.

For customers, the change is simpler.

Walmart wants to make basic home repair feel less like a special trip and more like part of everyday shopping.

Related: Strip-mall fashion giant quietly closed 246 stores, plans more

The explosive growth of artificial intelligence requires an immense amount of physical infrastructure. Naturally, computing power brings massive environmental concerns. The huge server facilities run by tech firms are coming under intense scrutiny for how much electricity and water they use. To address this, CEO Satya Nadella introduced a new infrastructure blueprint to make sure the company’s rapid growth doesn’t suck up local resources, using as much water as a restaurant.

Microsoft new AI data centers to use same water as single restaurant, CEO claims

Building data centers at an unprecedented pace presents serious challenges. Nadella revealed that Microsoft added more cloud capacity over the last 18 months than during the entire first decade of its Azure platform. The aggressive scaling now includes more than 500 facilities in 80 regions around the globe. However, this has generated community backlash and environmental protests over noise, light pollution and stress on public utilities.

To counter these worries, Nadella highlighted a new, eco-friendly approach to cooling systems. He pointed specifically to the Fairwater facility, a 315-acre campus in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, that opened in September 2025. Thanks to a brand-new internal design, Nadella claimed this giant facility will consume roughly the same amount of water each year as a single neighborhood restaurant (via Techradar).

Stacking chips in three dimensions

The secret to this massive drop in resource consumption lies in a complete architectural rewrite. Instead of spreading server racks across a massive, flat warehouse floor, Microsoft built a vertically designed, two-story structure. Stacking the compute hardware in three dimensions allows the engineers to pack thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) incredibly close together. This layout keeps network latency low and bandwidth high, making the entire cluster function like one giant, cohesive AI machine.

Crucially, this vertical setup completely changes how the building breathes. Engineers filled the facility’s cooling loop just once during construction. As the water recycles constantly through a closed loop, the system operates with virtually zero ongoing consumption. This eliminates the need to continuously pump in fresh water from the local community.

Earning permission from the public

Nadella emphasized that tech companies must earn the right to innovate by protecting the towns where they build. Beyond cutting down on water use, the company’s checklist for new projects includes safeguarding local electricity prices, creating regional jobs, contributing to the tax base, and funding local non-profits.

There’s still a lot of hard work pending to fully decouple tech infrastructure from environmental strain. However, Microsoft’s new approach points toward a viable path forward.

The post Microsoft Redesigns AI Data Centers to Match a Restaurant's Water Usage appeared first on Android Headlines.

Food banks across major states are now reporting heavier demand at distribution sites than they have seen in several years. 

Lawmakers framed the overhaul as a fiscal correction, but state administrators describe a sharper reshuffling of who currently receives benefits.

Congressional forecasters had long warned that expanded work rules and state cost-sharing would push millions off federal rolls within months. 

Those projections are now colliding with new participation data and on-the-ground accounts from charities scrambling to plug widening grocery gaps.

Households on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program face fresh deadlines, paperwork, and time limits that were rare one year ago.

SNAP enrollment falls by 3.5 million as new federal rules bite

SNAP participation fell by over 3.5 million people from July 2025 through February 2026, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The drop equals nearly 9% of beneficiaries, based on Department of Agriculture data analyzed in the think tank's latest tracker update.

Every state has seen a decline, with losses reaching 5% or more in 38 states and topping 10% in 13, the analysis showed.

Arizona recorded the steepest decline, while Louisiana, Virginia, and Tennessee posted double-digit losses that sharply reshaped their food assistance caseloads.

"There’s this mountain of paperwork that households are being required to submit” for SNAP as states seek to lower their payment error rates, CBPP's Joseph Llobrera said.

People are getting cut off because they can’t get through, their paperwork isn’t being approved, or they’re being improperly denied.

CBPP researchers point to expanded work mandates, tighter eligibility checks, frequent work-status verification, and stricter implementation timelines for state administrators built into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

National unemployment has hovered in the low-4% range since July, rising as high as 4.5% in November before settling at 4.3% in March, according to BLS data, suggesting that reduced need is unlikely to be driving the steep enrollment declines.

The Congressional Budget Office projected the law would yield $186.7 billion in SNAP savings by 2034, with 37% tied to work-rule changes.

Roughly 3.2 million Americans were expected to lose access under the work-rule provisions in the House-passed version of the bill, the Congressional Budget Office forecast in its earlier scoring.

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act rewired the food stamp program

President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, after weeks of Senate negotiations over the program's design. 

The law expanded SNAP work requirements to adults aged 55 to 64 and required parents of children aged 14 or older to meet work mandates, according to USDA's SNAP policy guidance.

States must verify work hours at recertification and whenever a household's circumstances change, with most recertification periods running 6 to 12 months under longstanding USDA rules, adding paperwork demands for households newly subject to the requirements.

Starting in fiscal year 2028, states with payment error rates above 6% will cover 5% to 15% of benefit costs, with the share increasing in proportion to the severity of their error rate.

Administrative cost-sharing climbs sharply in late 2026, moving hundreds of millions in operating expenses from Washington to state capitals nationwide.

Before the megabill, SNAP supported 41.7 million Americans on average each month, according to USDA FY2024 participation data, making it the country's largest anti-hunger program by spending. 

The package would reduce SNAP funding by $186.7 billion through 2034, the Congressional Budget Office calculated, roughly a 20% cut, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

State-level SNAP declines deepen from California to New York

California recorded more than a 6% decline in SNAP participation between February 2025 and February 2026, according to SNAP tracker data.

The California Association of Food Banks is now serving 6 million people each month through its network of regional food banks, surpassing the 4.5 million peak reached during the pandemic, Jared Call, the association's director of public policy and advocacy, told CNBC.

In New York, expanded work requirements took effect on March 1, putting many beneficiaries on a clock toward the three-month time limit.

SNAP participation in the state had already dropped by about 150,000 beneficiaries by February, before the federal rule kicked in there.

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Krista Hesdorfer, director of public affairs at Hunger Solutions New York, expects steeper losses as the federal rules are implemented statewide. “We know that the worst is yet to come in a lot of states, including New York,” Hesdorfer told CNBC reporters.

The New York Federal Reserve found that 10% of households surveyed in February 2026 reported not having enough food, up from 4% in June 2020, in a recent blog post analyzing data from the Survey of Consumer Expectations.

Forecasters have sharply raised their 2026 inflation projections, with headline CPI now expected to average 3.5% on a fourth-quarter-over-fourth-quarter basis, up from the 2.6% projected three months earlier, according to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank's latest Survey of Professional Forecasters.

What the SNAP shift means for state budgets and food security

Cost-sharing duties and tighter eligibility timelines will continue to be layered onto state agencies over the next 18 months, the CBPP tracker indicated.

Food charities are already absorbing demand that previously flowed through SNAP, creating a substitution effect that strains donations and operating budgets nationwide. 

Rising food prices compound the impact of benefit losses. The New York Federal Reserve separately found that food insecurity has worsened significantly since 2020.

Each state's payment error rate in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 will determine its cost-sharing burden when the federal-state shift takes effect in fiscal year 2028. 

This gives administrators a narrow window to reduce mistakes, often by tightening verification, before the financial penalties begin. CBPP researchers warn that those same policies are likely to push more eligible households off the rolls.

Related: Jeff Bezos sends stunning message to American workers

Quantum computing is moving from a science experiment to a national priority, and IBM has made a bold bet that America will lead the way.

IBM (IBM) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Arvind Krishna has made it crystal clear: The United States will not cede ground on this technology. 

The moves IBM just revealed are a statement of intent backed by billions of dollars.

IBM's quantum plan

To understand why this matters, it helps to know what quantum computing promises.

Traditional computers process information as ones and zeros, while quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can represent both states at once. 

That sounds abstract, but the real-world payoff is enormous.

Related: IonQ stock spikes on massive quantum announcement

Problems that would take today's best supercomputers millions of years to solve, such as simulating new drugs, cracking encryption, or optimizing complex financial systems, could potentially be solved in minutes.

The technology is not ready for mass commercial use yet.

Notably, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said last year that practically useful quantum computers were still five to 10 years away, Bloomberg reported, and high error rates remain a significant obstacle.

IBM is making a $10B quantum bet

According to Reuters, IBM plans to invest more than $10 billion in quantum computing over the next five years. 

The goal is ambitious: build the world's first large-scale quantum computer capable of reliably and error-free running complex calculations by 2029.

That investment will span research and development, manufacturing, ecosystem partnerships, and acquisitions.

The centerpiece of this push is a new company called Anderon.

IBM and the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a letter of intent in May to build Anderon as America's first pure-play quantum chip foundry, based in Albany, N.Y. 

The Trump administration's proposed $1 billion CHIPS incentive will support the venture. IBM is contributing another $1 billion in cash, along with intellectual property, assets, and workforce. 

Anderon will initially manufacture superconducting qubit wafers and supporting electronics, with plans to expand into additional quantum technologies over time.

The scale of the government's involvement signals something important.

Reuters stated that the Trump administration took $2 billion in equity stakes last week across nine quantum computing companies, with IBM set to receive half of that amount. 

The push is explicitly framed as a counterweight to China's growing ambitions in space.

IBM's Q1 earnings were solid

Beyond quantum, IBM's first-quarter 2026 results reinforce that the company's broader strategy is working.

• Revenue grew 6% year over year. 
• Free cash flow rose 13%, reaching $2.2 billion. The company described it as the strongest first-quarter free cash flow performance in more than a decade.
• Software revenue jumped 8%, with the data segment up 16% and Red Hat up 10%. 
• The mainframe business posted a striking 48% gain. 
• IBM also raised its full-year software growth outlook to 10% or better.

Krishna pointed to IBM Z's mainframe platform as a key driver of AI value.

A fully loaded system can run roughly 450 billion AI inferences per day, with a response time of one millisecond. 

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Financial services clients are already using the Spyre Accelerator to run fraud detection on 100% of their transactions in real time, saving tens of millions of dollars annually, rather than sampling only a fraction.

"IBM has pioneered quantum computing for decades," Krishna said in the Anderon announcement. "With the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Anderon will be well-positioned to fuel America's fast-growing quantum technology industry."

What it means for investors watching IBM

IBM has deployed more than 90 quantum systems to date, more than all other industry players combined.

Its quantum ecosystem spans more than 325 Fortune 500 companies, startups, universities, and government agencies.

The quantum computingmarket is projected to generate up to $850 billion in economic value by 2040, according to the company statement. 

The tech giant remains confident in sustaining revenue growth of 5% or better and in growing free cash flow by roughly $1 billion for the full year. 

With quantum now backed by both corporate and federal dollars at a scale not seen before, IBM is trying to take ownership of the factory floor.

Related: IBM CEO makes bold call on quantum computing

Years of reporting on retirement concerns have shown me that workers regularly rely on guidance from established sources they feel they can trust.

In a preview of its "How America Saves 2026" report (which the investment company says will be out sometime in June), Vanguard finds that overall 401(k) participation and savings rates continue to rise, reflecting steady progress in how Americans prepare for the future.

Yet the data also shows that not all workers are benefiting equally from 401(k) participation. Certain employee groups — often those with lower incomes or inconsistent access to employer plans — are falling behind, missing out on potentially thousands of dollars in long‑term retirement gains.

To begin, let's take a look at exactly what 401(k) plans are.

"A 401(k) is a feature of a qualified profit-sharing plan that allows employees to contribute a portion of their wages to individual accounts," the Internal Revenue Service wrote.

"Elective salary deferrals are excluded from the employee’s taxable income (except for designated Roth deferrals)," the IRS continued. "Employers can contribute to employees’ accounts. Distributions, including earnings, are includible in taxable income at retirement (except for qualified distributions of designated Roth accounts)."

Vanguard reports many (401)k savers are falling behind

While Vanguard reports that many 401(k) savers are doing well (more on that below), participation rates vary by employee demographics.

Income levels are a major determinant of retirement savings participation rates, Vanguard reported, relying on data from recent years.

"Thirty-one percent of eligible employees with income of less than $15,000 contributed to their employer’s DC (Defined Contribution) plan in 2024, while 95% of employees with income of more than $150,000 elected to participate," Vanguard wrote.

"Participation rates were lowest for employees younger than 25, with 54% of these workers contributing to their employer’s plan, while more than 8 in 10 employees between ages 35 and 64 made such deferrals," Vanguard added.

Tenure also played a significant role in plan participation.

"Seventy percent of eligible employees with less than two years on the job participated in their employer’s plan; nearly 9 in 10 workers with tenure of four years or more were participants," Vanguard wrote.

Participation rates for men and women looked nearly identical, but those headline figures mask important income‑based gaps. When earnings levels are taken into account, the similarities in overall participation begin to break down.

"At most income levels, women were more likely than men to join their employer’s plan," Vanguard wrote. "For example, 88% of women earning $50,000 to $74,999 participated in their employer’s plan — compared with 84% of men in the same income group."

Vanguard finds industry sector impacts 401(k) participation

Participation rates also varied by industry sector.

"Employees in the finance, insurance, and real estate sector had the highest plan-weighted rate, with more than 9 in 10 workers participating in their employer’s plan, while employees in the wholesale and retail trade sector had the lowest rate at 75%," Vanguard reported.

I examined the data in an industry sector figure from the report and ascertained the following important notes:

• Finance, insurance, and real estate participation reaches 88% on a plan‑weighted basis (average participation rate of individual plans treating every plan equally regardless of size) and 92% on a participant‑weighted basis (giving more weight to larger companies with more staff).
• Business, professional, and nonprofit participation stands at 87% plan‑weighted and 81% participant‑weighted.
• Transportation, utilities, and communications participation is 87% plan‑weighted and 83% participant‑weighted.
• Manufacturing participation reaches 86% plan‑weighted and 90% participant‑weighted.
• Media, entertainment, and leisure participation is 84% plan‑weighted and 90% participant‑weighted.
• Education and health participation stands at 81% plan‑weighted and 85% participant‑weighted.
• Agriculture, mining, and construction participation is 81% plan‑weighted and 83% participant‑weighted.
• Wholesale and retail trade participation shows the lowest levels at 75% plan‑weighted and 53% participant‑weighted.

Vanguard sees strong 401(k) plan designs helping many stay on track

Those key findings aside, Vanguard found significant positive results when examining how 2025 plan designs made 401(k) participation easier and more consistent. Solid market returns also helped increase contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

"These and other trends will be explored in 'How America Saves 2026,' the 25th edition of our comprehensive annual analysis of retirement saving behavior," Vanguard wrote.

"Preliminary findings from this special edition reveal that, overall, participants remained resilient and stayed focused on their long-term financial goals throughout 2025," Vanguard added.

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Automatic contribution solutions played a key role.

"The continued enhancements in automatic solutions and the evolution of plan designs played a pivotal role in increasing employee saving rates, and the growing adoption of professionally managed allocations has further improved participants' age-appropriate equity exposure," Vanguard wrote.

"Plan sponsors who haven’t yet adopted automatic solutions can consider doing so," Vanguard added. "Automatic enrollment and automatic increases — along with higher default saving rates and larger employer matches — can help their employees be better prepared for retirement."

SECURE 2.0 Act requires auto-enrollment for 401(k) plans

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 expands automatic enrollment in retirement plans such as 401(k)s, and the increased savings seen in recent years are evidence that it is working.

"Automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans — providing for people to participate in the plan unless they take the initiative to opt out — significantly increases participation," according to SECURE 2.0, as published by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance.

"Section 101 requires 401(k) and 403(b) plans to automatically enroll participants in the respective plans upon becoming eligible (and the employees may opt out of coverage)," the SECURE 2.0 Act states. "The initial automatic enrollment amount is at least 3 percent but not more than 10 percent. Each year thereafter that amount is increased by 1 percent until it reaches at least 10 percent, but not more than 15 percent."

Americans have demonstrated that automatic contributions increase their retirement savings.

"Research has shown that people are significantly more likely to participate in a retirement plan if they don’t have to enroll in it themselves," wrote Tamara E. Holmes for AARP, the advocacy organization for Americans over 50.

Related: Charles Schwab, Fidelity sound alarm on Roth IRA rule

Securing your phone during a stressful situation usually requires a lot of presence of mind. You have to remember where specific safety settings live and tap them before anyone takes your device from you. Samsung seems to realize that under pressure, your natural reflexes are much faster than navigating through menus. In the latest One UI 9 beta 2 software, Samsung is testing a neat security trick that turns your basic instinct to grab the power button into an automatic wall of defense by automatically locking down your device’s options under your fingerprint.

Say goodbye to the extra button

For years, Galaxy users could manually trigger a “lockdown mode” from the power window to instantly turn off fingerprint scanners and facial recognition, forcing a PIN entry instead. According to reports, Samsung completely removed the dedicated button for this feature in the new Android 17-based One UI 9 beta 2. In its place, a slot for medical information now appears to assist first responders in emergencies.

However, the safety measure didn’t disappear; it just became automatic. The moment you trigger the power menu and close it, the operating system activates lockdown in the background. If someone snatches your device while it is unlocked and tries to mess with it, closing that menu instantly locks them out. Your biometrics won’t work, and the device will demand a password (via SammyFans).

Trapping thieves in the interface

The upgrades get even smarter if someone actually tries to turn the phone off to avoid tracking networks. Trying to restart or power off the handset now brings up an immediate security gate. You can open the menu freely, but tapping either function forces you to verify your identity with your PIN first.

Even better, if a thief tries to back out of the screen to access your home apps, the system blocks them completely. The phone essentially traps the user on the power screen until they enter a valid password. It also keeps the device turned on and connected to tracking networks so you can locate it.

Currently, these changes are floating around the early testing phase for Galaxy S26 users across select countries. As Samsung hasn’t officially announced these features yet, the development team could still tweak the behavior based on user feedback before the stable public rollout hits.

The post Samsung's One UI 9 Trashes the Dedicated Lockdown Button for a Better Security Trick appeared first on Android Headlines.