BUSINESS

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWhen the weather is warm and the daylight lasts longer, it’s only natural to want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. It’s sort of a way of making up for the time we didn’t get to enjoy outside during those cold, winter months. Even something as simple as your morning cup of coffee or your nightly family dinner seems so much better when you get to enjoy it outside, and nothing helps you do that better than a great outdoor furniture set like the Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set. Now that it’s 14% off right now at Wayfair, you can get the high-quality multipiece purchase for an affordable price that won’t set you back too much. Usually priced at $185, you can score it for just $160, and be relieved that you secured a UV-resistant and waterproof patio set that’s built to last and resistant to rusting, scratching, and fading. Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set, $160 (was $185) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at WayfairWhy do shoppers love it?The five-piece dining set is certainly a more simple option in appearance, but it’s perfect for the person who wants something sleek, sturdy, and effective. Constructed from a powder-coated steel frame, the chairs and table are designed for outdoor all-weather conditions. The steel is what gives the chairs and table a solid, sturdy build.  Meanwhile the powder coating, which is usually polyester or epoxy that’s baked onto the steel, creates a hard, protective barrier that makes the metal highly resistant to rusting, scratching, chipping, and fading from exposure to the elements or the sun. The chairs, four in total, each have a PVC-coated polyester fabric along the seating area that’s waterproof and UV-resistant, offering great strength and longevity. Research shows that it can last between five to 10 years all while resisting abrasion, mold, and freezing. The table is topped with a 5-millimeter thick hydrographic glass, created using a specific water transfer printing process for an intricate design that’s resistant to wear and tear, even with lots of sun exposure. Each chair can hold up to 330 pounds. The sitting area measures 19.6 inches off the ground, with a set width of 17.7 inches long and 17.7 inches wide. The backrest height is 22.4 inches.  The chairs also have a 90-degree backrest angle that provides support while still feeling comfortable on your back and waist. The table measures 28.3 inches high, 31.3 inches long, and 31.3 inches wide. It can withstand a weight of 110 pounds. There is a hole in the center for an umbrella. Related: Wayfair is selling a $277 5-piece patio lounge set with matching ottomansWhat’s great about this set is that it can be easily stored. The four chairs are stackable, allowing you to consolidate and save space when necessary. What to expect from a $160 dining set: Pros and consProsQuality construction: The entire set is made from powder-coated steel, PVC-coated polyester fabric, and hydrographic glass, all which provide durability, stability, and contribute to the set’s long-lasting quality.  Space-saving: The stackable chairs make the set easy to consolidate and store when necessary. Super sturdy: The table has a weight limit of 110 pounds and each chair can hold up to 330 pounds. ConsAssembly required: The set comes with detailed instructions on how to assemble the set. Shoppers say that it is fairly low maintenance. Although this five-piece set requires assembly, shoppers find it fairly easy and not too time consuming. Overall, shoppers say that the set is perfect for the backyard, and looks absolutely beautiful. “Attractive and sturdy,” one shopper said. It’s the perfect size for a backyard area, patio, or deck without completely overloading your space. “The perfect addition to our space,” another shopper said. Shop more deals Brayden Studio 4-Person Patio Conversation Set, $560 (was $1,008) at WayfairLark Manor Armyn 3-Piece Outdoor Rocking Patio Set, $138 (was $160) at WayfairBay Isle Home Virgie 2-Person Patio Conversation Set, $163 (was $206) at WayfairPatio sets can cost a fortune, but you don’t have to splurge to get something long-lasting and stylish. Thanks to Wayfair’s sale, you can get the five-piece Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set without going overboard and with the confidence that it’ll last for multiple years to come. 

Congress returns to Washington this week with still no word as to when Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh will appear before the Senate Banking Committee as President Donald Trump’s pick to replace his nemesis Jerome Powell.The hearings, originally expected to begin in March, have been left off the committee’s calendar once again as of April 13.But when that day finally arrives, Warsh, a former Fed governor once known for his hawkish views on monetary policy, can expect a slew of questions (and some pretty harsh ones from both parties) in his attempt to ​succeed Powell when his term as leader concludes in May.Questions will arise about the Federal Reserve’s role, how it functions, and its impact on the economy, prices, and the workforce.USAFacts, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make government data accessible and understandable for the American public, published a March 2026 brief focused on the Fed Chair nomination process and derived a series of eight questions for Warsh from it. (You can read the details here for free.) What do current economic trends indicate? The Federal Reserve is charged with a dual mandate of promoting stable prices and maximum employment. The latest Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index indicates that annual inflation is at 2.8% as of February 2026, above the Fed’s informal target of 2%. More Federal Reserve:Fidelity delivers sobering interest-rate message amid Fed pauseAdditionally, the unemployment rate has risen from 3.4% in April 2023 to 4.3% today, and payroll employment has fallen in five of the last 12 months.So Warsh, a 55-year-old lawyer, can expect to be grilled on the following: What do you think are the reasons that inflation has persisted and that the labor market has weakened in recent years?As Fed chair, what steps would you take to slow inflation and strengthen the labor market?How has economic data informed the Fed’s monetary policy decisions through events of the past two decades, such as the Great Recession, the COVID-19 economic crisis, and pandemic-era inflation?

How valid is the Fed’s use of economic data?The Fed relies extensively on economic data published by the federal statistical agencies when making monetary policy decisions. This has widespread ramifications for interest rates, economic growth, the job market, and consumer prices. Ensuring the U.S. government’s data remains objective, timely, reliable, and easy to access is essential for enabling the Fed to make effective decisions. The government statistical agencies have come under repeated fire, especially during the DOGE period, for using outdated methodology to conduct and report data.Here’s what Warsh can expect on government data and the Fed:What role do you think economic data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau, and other federal statistical agencies should play in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions?What additional data do you think the government should provide to better inform the Federal Reserve’s assessment of the economy and prices?What would you do to ensure that data continues to be foundational to the Federal Reserve’s decision-making?What reform is required for the Bureau of Labor Statistics?The Federal Reserve relies heavily on labor market and price data specifically published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these datasets are based on surveys like the Current Population Survey. However, those surveys have recently faced declining response rates, and, in turn, large revisions.In August 20205, Trump fired the head of the BLS after the agency reported job revisions that the president argued were politically rigged to cast his economic agenda in a poor light. Economists across the globe blasted the move. Here’s what Warsh might expect the senators to ask him about the BLS:What steps do you think should be taken to address these challenges and modernize one of the nation’s most important statistical agencies?What opportunities do you think there are to incorporate private sector and state government data into federal statistics about prices and the labor market?What will the impact of AI-ready data be on the Fed?In March, the White House called on Congress to provide resources to make federal datasets “AI-ready” as part of its National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. As USAFacts recently highlighted, making government data AI-ready means that Americans can ask AI platforms about today’s pressing policy issues, and consistently get accurately cited, contextual government data on return.Here’s what Warsh can expect senators to ask him about AI and the Fed:How do you think AI-ready data would impact the Federal Reserve’s ability to access and analyze government data when assessing the state of the economy?White House wants lower interest rates, smaller Fed balance sheetTrump, who has repeatedly criticized Powell personally (“a moran’’) and professionally (“Too Late’’) for not slashing interest rates to 1% or lower over the last 14 months. There has been little formal movement to ⁠get Warsh in place to take over from Powell, which means as Reuters reported March 7, that the time for a seamless transition is running out. The process is ​further complicated by a widely criticized criminal investigation the Department of Justice led by Trump ally Jeanine Pirro has launched against Powell for allegedly lying to Congress about the $2.5 billion cost of the Fed headquarters renovations. Powell has said the probe is a pretext to pressure him to lower interest rates.The unprecedented probe has prompted one Republican member of the banking committee, without whose vote the nomination can’t be passed to the full Senate, to delay the process until the Powell investigation is shut down permanently.Related: Powell sends message on U.S. economy and AI-related job loss fearMessages to Senate Banking Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the ranking member, were not returned in time for publication.Warsh “understands the Federal Reserve very well” as a ⁠former central ​banker, and “he has a keen understanding of what our mission is, and the importance ​of what we do,” New York Fed President John Williams said earlier this month, according to Reuters.“I haven’t spoken to him lately, but I do expect that when he does get confirmed by the Senate, that he will share his ​views and perspectives as he thinks about…what he wants to accomplish as chair,” said Williams, a close ally of Powell.What’s up with USAFacts? Big money. And lots of it.Steve Ballmer, the founder of USAFacts, succeeded Bill Gates as CEO of Microsoft.After retiring from Microsoft in 2014, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA for a then-record $2 billion. In 2017, he founded USAFacts, a non-profit organization focused on making government data accessible and easy to understand for the general public.Related: JPMorgan has a stark message on the next Fed rate cut

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWhen it comes to versatile bags, very few have the range of a canvas tote bag. It can be used for groceries, as a spare shopping bag, for work and school, and for everyday use. But another option that’s been trending this year is the analog bag. An analog bag — sometimes referred to as a “boredom bag” or “house bag” — is a bag that holds analog hobbies that encourage screen-free activities and time away from phones and computers. Its popularity stems from a need to take a step back from the digital world, offering a pause and reset that can help boost your mental health. Canvas tote bags make the perfect analog bags, as they’re often affordable and spacious. The Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag is the perfect choice, with a structured design compared to cheaper tote bags and extra organization, thanks to additional pockets. It’s on sale at Walmart for just $15 during a limited-time Flash deal. Originally $24, you get 38% off this tote that you can use as an analog bag or an everyday bag.Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag, $15 (was $24) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?If you’re looking for a step-up from your standard tote bag, this Walmart find is a solid choice. It’s both stylish and practical, available in 20 colors and patterns, including beige, checkered, floral prints, and more. Not to mention, it has multiple pockets, including three exterior slip pockets and one zippered interior pocket. For everyday use, these pockets are a game changer for organization, giving you more than enough storage options with easy access. And for an analog bag, the pockets are perfect for holding everything from pens and markers to books and crochet materials.It’s made of 100% canvas, giving it a casual look and feel. However, it has more structure and durability than a slouchy tote bag, which makes it easier to see what’s inside and grab what you need. In addition to a handle, it also has a removable and adjustable strap for shoulder or crossbody wear.Related: Michael Kors Outlet is selling a convertible shoulder bag that’s available in 6 spring-ready colorsDetails to knowDimensions: 13 inches long by 5.5 inches wide by 9.8 inches high.Handle drop: 6.3 inches.Material: Canvas.Colors: 20.”I literally take this everywhere. It’s not too big, but just big enough to hold my important stuff and not be too cumbersome with my purse,” a shopper said. They added that they not only bought one for themself, but also for a friend as a birthday gift.”It has a lot of pockets, and it keeps things separated and organized,” another reviewer said. “I love that it has a flat bottom, so when you sit it down, everything stays in place and is easy to get to!”Others shared that it’s sturdy and holds a lot. Shop more dealsLivhil Large Beach Mesh Tote Bag, $12 (was $13) at WalmartGocvo Multiple Pockets Corduroy Bag, $13 (was $28) at WalmartA New Day Kate Tote Handbag, $26 (was $30) at TargetThe Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag is on sale for only $15, but it might not be for much longer.