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 deal

Stud earrings are one of the most comfortable jewelry designs you can wear. They don’t dangle or get in the way, like some long earring options, and they tend to be very versatile. These types of earrings can be worn casually, for formal occasions, or on the days you want to get dressed up. There’s a lot of variety with the designs, too, making them all the more appealing to jewelry lovers.

The Swarovski Ariana Grande Heart Earrings are stud earrings with extra flair, and they’re on sale for only $64 at Amazon. They typically retail for $139, but thanks to a major discount, the price is marked down by 54%. It’s one of the best deals on these earrings you can buy right now, as they’re currently available at their regular price at stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s. And with more than 500 pairs of these earrings sold in just the last month, they’re worth grabbing for yourself or as a gift ahead of the holiday season.

Swarovski Ariana Grande Heart Earrings, $64 (was $139) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Why do shoppers love it?

These earrings have an eye-catching heart-shaped design that’s a step up from simple, single-stone earrings. Measuring ⅜ inches long by ⅜ inches high, they sit nicely on the earlobes and add a ton of sparkle to any outfit. Each earring features a larger heart-shaped crystal in the center that’s surrounded by smaller accent stones. With a halo-like look and multiple stones, there are more opportunities for the light to catch it perfectly.

The heart-shaped stud earrings are crafted from rhodium-plated brass and come in a striking silver hue. Rhodium is known for being durable and corrosion-resistant, so you can wear these earrings daily without worrying about wear and tear.

As part of Swarovski’s Ariana Grande collection, there’s a lot more to love than just these earrings. The heart-shaped necklace is Amazon’s bestselling pendant necklace, and it’s 62% off. The heart-shaped bracelet and dangle heart necklace with stones and pearls are also customer favorites.

Related: Walmart’s bestselling Swarovski birthstone earrings are now 50% off

Details to know

Dimensions: ⅜ inches long by 3/8 inches high.

Style: Stud.

Material: Rhodium-plated brass and Swarovski crystals.

According to Amazon shoppers, these earrings are the “perfect gift,” especially for fans of the pop star and actress. One reviewer said they look “very elegant.” Another customer who bought them as a gift called them “any-occasion earrings,” adding that they shine beautifully. 

Shop more deals

Swarovski Attract Crystal Earrings, $40 (was $49) at Amazon

Swarovski Una Angelic Crystal Stud Earrings, $60 (was $85) at Amazon

Bestyle Birthstone Stud Earrings, $24 (was $29) at Amazon

The Swarovski Ariana Grande Heart Earrings make an incredible gift for yourself or for a loved one. They’re perfect for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life, but don’t necessarily need a price tag to prove it. On sale for only $64, with 54% off, it’s a deal you’re going to want to grab before it’s gone.

Samsung’s Fan Edition phones were predicated on a simple promise: Give consumers much of the flagship Galaxy experience without paying blockbuster costs.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is testing that notion.

Samsung’s base model costs $699.99, $50 more than last year’s Galaxy S25 FE. Exynos 2500 processor is the biggest hardware upgrade, but the phone still has a 6.7-inch display, 4,900-mAh battery, and 50-megapixel-led triple-camera setup.

WIRED awarded the phone a 6/10 for that trade-off, saying the extra price is difficult to explain given the modest upgrades year after year. The report also mentioned a decrease on USB-C, from USB 3.2 to USB 2.0, meaning no wired DeX or DisplayPort Alt Mode compatibility.

The pricing decision looks more interesting when you consider Samsung’s financial results.

Its smartphone business is still growing sales, but higher component costs are putting profitability under pressure.

The price choice becomes more fascinating when you look at Samsung’s financial performance.

Its smartphone industry is still seeing sales growth, but increased component prices are hurting profits.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE asks buyers to pay more for familiar hardware

The Galaxy S26 FE is packed with a host of compelling features.

It also has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 4,900 mAh battery with 45-watt wired charging, and cameras that include a 50-megapixel primary sensor and 3x optical telephoto lens.

It comes with Android 17 and One UI 9, and Samsung guarantees seven generations of operating-system upgrades and seven years of security patches.

But the value proposition is being stretched on both ends.

The base model Samsung Galaxy S26 begins at $899.99 for 256GB of storage, while the S26 FE starts at $699.99 for 128GB. That means consumers are $200 short of Samsung’s entire flagship lineup before any incentives or trade-ins are applied.

At the other end, Samsung’s Galaxy A37 starts at $449.99, $250 below the S26 FE.

Samsung’s mobile business is facing a profitability squeeze

The $50 rise comes amid an unfavorable financial background for Samsung’s smartphone unit.

Samsung Electronics generated record companywide sales of 171.5 trillion Korean won in the second quarter, while its Mobile eXperience and Networks divisions reported revenue of 33.2 trillion won and an operating loss of 700 billion won.

Samsung said mobile revenue nonetheless rose year-over-year, driven by strong Galaxy S26 sales and progress in the Galaxy A series, but earnings fell due to industrywide component cost increases.

It wasn’t all that fresh a pressure, though. Samsung said its Device eXperience segment profited from the introduction of new flagship devices in the first quarter, but the increased expenses still impacted its profits.

Those findings don’t indicate that Samsung boosted the S26 FE pricing expressly to safeguard profits.

But they do illustrate why selling more costly phones is important as hardware prices climb.

Samsung’s $700 S26 FE faces cheaper Android rivals.Bloomberg / Getty Images

Samsung faces a crowded fight for the $700 smartphone buyer

The bigger difficulty is that there are many choices for customers.

Google’s (GOOGL) Pixel 11 begins at $899, making Google’s latest flagship $200 more than the S26 FE.

However, most genuine Android rivals are far below Samsung’s $700 asking price. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro costs $499 for 128 GB of storage, which is around $200 cheaper than the S26 FE.

Motorola’s Moto G Stylus 2026 joins the party with a 6.7-inch 120-Hz AMOLED display, 8 GB of RAM, a 5,200-mAh battery, and 68-watt cable charging, adding to the competition for consumers who don’t require a flagship.

More Tech:

Anthropic-powered AI model sends shocking message to employee

Rocket Lab clears 1st hurdle in its biggest satellite deal

Apple’s $54 billion iPhone machine may be about to break its biggest ritual

Samsung still provides major benefits, like extensive software support, a telescopic camera, and tight interaction with the greater Galaxy ecosystem.

But the S26 FE poses a tougher difficulty for the corporation.

As its Fan Edition cost comes closer to flagship level, the more consumers may wonder why they shouldn’t just wait for a Galaxy S26 deal and acquire the stronger phone instead. Meanwhile, value-driven customers may save hundreds of dollars by going farther down Samsung’s own portfolio or picking a competition.

That makes the Galaxy S26 FE more than an incremental smartphone launch.

It is a test of how much pricing power Samsung really has in the middle of the market.

The phone itself may be perfectly capable. At $700, capability may no longer be enough.

Related: Samsung is shutting down two apps it once bragged about

Brent Headrick barely earns more than the MLB minimum salary for the New York Yankees. Yet he leads everyone in games pitched as a key part of the team’s relief corps.

Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” and “S&M” both reach new peaks on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. as her catalog continues to surge worldwide.

After decades of being able to fly into cities like London and Edinburgh with nothing but a plane ticket and a valid passport, both North Americans and Europeans who traveled to the United Kingdom since 2025 learned that they now need to apply for an online electronic travel authorisation (ETA) prior to their first trip.

The process is relatively easy: Most will, after applying online on the British government portal and paying £20, be approved within minutes for multiple entries over two years. But those who do not remember to do this and do not have an ETA attached to their passport can be refused boarding by the airline or entry by the border guard upon arrival.

With the ETA requirement now in place for more than a year, the “transitionary period” in which a tourist can pass it off to not being aware has mostly come to an end. Last week, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for the UK to reflect the British government’s message of “no permission, no travel.”

‘All U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom must have an ETA before travel:’ U.S. State Department

“All U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, or short-term study for six months or less must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel,” the State Department now states in the “Travel Requirements” section of its travel advisory page for the UK.

An added section says that the U.S. government “cannot help with your UK visa application and also “cannot press for your admission into the UK” if one is denied entry.

Related: Country reintroduces travel restrictions for Americans and Brits

The ETA is meant to vet low-risk travelers and automate the entry process once one arrives to a British airport. Most travelers without a history of past overstay or criminal offenses get approved within a few minutes and, once they have the authorization digitally attached to their passport, can then use the same e-gates as British citizens.

If those do not open automatically, one gets redirected to a customs agent for additional questioning.

Travelers are being warned of scammers who try to capitalize on confusion around ETA requirements.Shutterstock

As UK requires travel authorisation, ETA scams are on the rise

The United States has had a similar Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirement for UK and European travelers since 2008.

Amid widespread confusion around the ETA and how to apply for one, countless scammers have been operating websites that seize upon Google search optimization to deceive travelers into paying for unnecessary application help.

More Travel News:

Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.

There is a very cool Irish version of swimming pigs in The Bahamas

Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026

Low-cost airline launches easier way to get to Sri Lanka

The most common scheme is an application website that either impersonates the British government website or promises to “fast-track” an application without any ability to do so. The website is optimized to be one of the first things a traveler sees when they type things like “apply for travel authorization to UK” into a search engine.In each case, the company will charge a fee substantially higher than the £20 that the ETA would cost for the traveler to apply through the government app independently. Meanwhile, any promised “application help” they provide cannot go beyond entering one’s personal passport details into an online application portal already accessible to all.

Travelers without a history of criminal conviction or past visa overstay are already usually automatically approved within minutes, while those who got flagged will go through a government vetting process over which a private company would have no control.

Related: The latest tourist tax could soon come to all of England

The oil exporting kingdom is now dealing with the shutdown of its East-West pipeline. Energy prices ‘are only going to rise on the back of this.’

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 deal

Bedrooms of all sizes can benefit from multifunctional furniture. Rather than buying a bed frame, side tables, and a lamp separately, there are options that combine them all effortlessly. And even though that sounds expensive, that’s not always the case. Luckily, places like Walmart are stocked with multifunctional bed frames that provide storage and so much more.

The Satifur Storage Bed Frame and Headboard is currently on sale at Walmart. Thanks to a limited-time Flash deal, the queen-size option is now $133, which is 43% off its regular price of $234. It offers comfort and convenience, all for under $150.

Satifur Storage Bed Frame and Headboard, $133 (was $234) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Why do shoppers love it?

This bed frame is more than just a place to put your mattress. With extra features, it provides additional storage, as well as added bonuses that make it possibly one of the most convenient pieces of bedroom furniture you can buy. For starters, it has under-bed storage. At the foot of the bed, there are two pull-out drawers that measure 29.1 inches long by 11.8 inches high each, which offer ample storage for clothing or extra bedding. They have upholstered panels that look like they’re part of the bed frame, making them concealed and stylish. There’s also ample under-bed space to hide away other items or add extra storage bins. 

With this bed frame, you don’t have to go out and buy a headboard either. It comes with its own headboard that gives you a ton of bang for your buck. The bottom half of the headboard has a tufted channel design that’s padded for comfort, but on top, there’s extra storage and more. The built-in shelving system has four compartments and a long top shelf where you can store everything from books to small pieces of decor. There are built-in multicolor light strips that provide ambient lighting that you can control with an app or a remote. Then, there’s a charging station that includes two AC outlets, a USB port, and a USB Type-C port that allows you to charge your devices from the comfort of your bed.

Related: Macy’s has a $80 3-piece comforter set with a 2-in-1 reversible design for 70% off 

Details to know

Sizes: Full, queen, and king.

Storage: Headboard shelves and two under-bed drawers.

Features: RGB LED lights and charging station with AC outlets and USB ports.

Walmart shoppers raved about this bed frame, highlighting everything from its storage to its lighting. One reviewer said they like how it’s set up, saying it’s “perfect” for their small room, thanks to its many compartments. Shoppers say they love the lights on the headboard, adding that they “work well.”

When it comes to assembly, some reviewers say it was quick while others say it took them longer. A reviewer noted that while it took them “most of the day” to put together, they shared that “it wouldn’t take long for two people.”

Shop more deals

Satifur Bed Frame with Upholstered Storage Headboard, $115 (was $173) at Walmart

Lifezone Bed Frame with 2-Tier Storage Headboard, $140 (was $225) at Walmart

Blotout Storage Bed Frame with LED Light and Charging Station, $140 (was $230) at Walmart

The queen-size Satifur Storage Bed Frame and Headboard is on sale for only $133. Since it’s a Flash deal, it’ll be gone by the end of the week, making it one discount you don’t want to sleep on.

Which credit card issuer is best in 2026?

The answer likely depends on the personal experiences of the people you ask.

But if you ask enough people, you’ll start to see some clear trends on which issuers you should consider and which you should avoid.

That’s exactly what J.D. Power did. And the consensus winner is: American Express for the seventh consecutive year.

The popular consumer insights, data and analytics research company recently unveiled the results of its 2026 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. (More information on how this study was conducted can be found here.)

Let’s take a look at some of the results and see how they apply to some of Team Clark’s favorite rewards credit cards.

American Express Wins Top Card Issuer Crown Yet Again

One of the top areas of interest in J.D. Power’s annual credit card survey is the “customer satisfaction” score. This measures cardholders’ overall satisfaction with their credit card issuer.

And it’s becoming clear that one issuer stands above the rest in this area.

American Express ranks highest in customer satisfaction among credit card issuers for a seventh consecutive year with a score of 668. Chase (635) ranks second and Bank of America (630) ranks third.

AmEx’s 668 score is a marked improvement from last year’s winning score of 643.

Known for its premium credit cards with sometimes costly annual fees, you may be wondering why AmEx continues to score so well in this measure.

J.D. Power offers insight into the type of consumer likely to find “satisfaction” with their card provider in today’s financial climate.

“The widening gap in financial health means value perception with credit cards is tilted toward debt-free rewards hunters,” said John Cabell, managing director of payments intelligence at JD Power. “It’s a tough balance. Issuers should recognize where customers are financially, deliver clear and tangible value to those who can benefit from premium perks and enhance product support for those under greater financial pressure. At the same time, strong, effective fraud protection is a must before customers start looking elsewhere.”

With this in mind, it makes sense that American Express can score well in a survey like this. They offer reward hunters some intriguing value propositions on cards with big annual fees.

For example, the American Express® Platinum Card touts more than $3,500 in annual benefit value, a very healthy welcome bonus offer and premium perks like airport lounge access. All great things that would satisfy customers willing to stomach the $895 annual fee.

Once they have that high-end consumer in their ecosystem, they tend to treat them well, with a strong user experience that includes a user-friendly app and easy-to-access customer service.

One of Our Favorite American Express Cards Is Affordable

If you’re interested in experiencing this customer treatment that has helped American Express to its seven-year winning streak in the J.D. Power survey, you don’t necessarily have to splurge on a premium travel credit card with a high annual fee.

One of Team Clark’s favorite American Express credit cards has a more manageable annual fee and is one of the very best options for purchasing groceries at U.S. Supermarkets:

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Learn More →

Annual Fee:

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Rewards Program Details:

6% CASH BACK on Groceries on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets.
6% CASH BACK on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% CASH BACK on Transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.
3% CASH BACK on Gas at U.S. gas stations.
1% CASH BACK on Other Eligible Purchases.

Bonus Offer:

As high as $300 Cash Back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Bonus Offer Disclaimer:

Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Terms apply.

But if that modest annual fee is a deterrent for you, American Express offers a “sister” card that has no annual fee:

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Learn More →

Annual Fee:

$0

Rewards Program Details:

3% CASH BACK on Groceries on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%) at U.S. supermarkets.
3% CASH BACK on U.S. Online Retail Purchases on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%) on U.S. online retail purchases.
3% CASH BACK on Gas on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%) at U.S. gas stations.
1% CASH BACK on Other Purchases.

Bonus Offer:

As high as $200 Cash Back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Bonus Offer Disclaimer:

Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Terms apply.

Are you a fan of American Express? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the credit card issuer in the Clark.com community.

All information about American Express Platinum Card® has been collected independently by Clark Howard, Inc and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
The post #1 Credit Card Issuer According to Americans appeared first on Clark Howard.

The evolution of AI agents from chatbots to advanced systems capable of autonomously executing complex tasks is becoming increasingly evident. Here are three foundational principles to effectively integrate AI agents into businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.

Payoneer CEO John Caplan explains why he loves helping entrepreneurs and how any founder can borrow his transformation playbook.