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When I bought my first house, I had already been reporting on mortgages and real estate for a couple of years. I knew the statistics about how much it cost to buy a home.Somehow, I still found myself shell-shocked when the total amount due at closing was printed in bold, black ink in front of me. I felt overwhelmed and even confused.According to the January 2026 Best Interest Financial True Cost of Home Buying Survey, most homebuyers have a similar experience.Real estate agent-matching service Clever Real Estate and mortgage broker Best Interest Financial surveyed 947 Americans who bought homes in 2023, 2024, and 2025. They conducted this research from mid-to-late January 2026. The survey revealed just how much buying a home cost Americans on average — and how these costs impacted buyers afterward.The report revealed that homebuyers spent an average of $31,502 in upfront costs, not including the down payment. This was roughly four times what they expected to pay, which was $8,083 on average.The number represented closing costs, moving costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.Costs that surprised homebuyers the mostThe surveyed homebuyers had bought homes in the last three years, and the typical cost of buying a house totaled $31,502. Here’s how those expenses broke down:Moving costs: $3,032Closing costs (e.g., appraisals and underwriting fees): $5,719Seller concessions (e.g., paying a portion of the seller’s closing costs): $7,678Repairs and renovations in the first year: $15,073Of those polled, 18% said repairs and renovations were the most surprising cost. Sixteen percent chose closing costs, and 14% said property taxes. (Property taxes are both a closing cost and an ongoing homeownership expense.)It wasn’t so long ago that sellers were entirely responsible for covering both seller and buyer real estate agents’ commissions. However, a 2024 settlement with the National Association of Realtors removed the rule that sellers must cover both parties’ fees.”Although most sellers continue to pay the buyer’s commission cost as a way to attract home shoppers, some buyers may be responsible for their agent’s compensation,” according to the report.Related: Financial influencer shares if buying a home is a waste of moneyA Clever Real Estate survey found that the average commission for a buyer’s real estate agent is 2.82%. The average sales price of houses sold in America was $534,000, according to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. If a buyer paid a 2.82% agent commission on $534,000 house, they would owe an additional $15,058 at closing.Using the national averages, the typical cost of buying a home (not counting the down payment) would jump from $31,502 to $46,560 for homebuyers in this position. And since not all buyers have to pay this fee, I can understand how it would take someone by surprise.Three-fourths of homebuyers experienced regretsAbout 75% of those surveyed reported that “the cost of buying significantly impacted their finances in the first year of owning their home.” Twenty-nine percent claimed they had to cut back on discretionary spending, 23% drained most or all of their savings, 17% accrued more debt, and 16% put less toward other debt payments.Almost three-fourths of participants (72%) said they have regrets about their home purchase, and 73% claimed that if they could go back in time, they would make different decisions.More on mortgages and home affordability:Financial influencer warns homeowners about this mistakeTrump signs 2 executive orders to improve home affordabilityFannie Mae predicts shifts in mortgage rates, housing marketThe most notable home-buying regrets were that they didn’t negotiate with the seller more (21%), were unprepared for home-related expenses in the first year (18%), and went over budget (17%).Looking back, a large chunk of participants said they wished they had been more aggressive in the negotiation process and made lower offers. Many also would have planned for more post-purchase expenses (such as repairs and maintenance) and requested more seller’s concessions. The homebuyers thought they could have saved $38,082, on average, had they handled the home-buying process differently.First-time homebuyers impacted more than repeat buyersThe Best Interest Financial True Cost of Home Buying Survey evaluated both first-time and repeat buyers. Both groups spent more than expected, but first-timers faced the brunt of the surprise. “First-time buyers are often unprepared for this major expense, with 41% saying they did not feel fully informed about the total cost of buying a home before making an offer,” the study said.First-time homebuyers spent roughly 30% more on these buying expenses than repeat buyers — $36,460 versus $28,260, respectively.”Without a complete understanding of the cost, many first-timers miscalculated how much they’d need for their home purchase,” according to the study. Sixty-one percent of first-time homebuyers reported going over budget, while 44% of repeat buyers said they overspent. First-time buyers were almost twice as likely to buy a fixer-upper than those who had bought before, so they spent an average of $1,079 more on repairs in the first year.On average, repeat homebuyers spent $5,556 on seller concessions, while first-timers spent almost double at $10,928. The study showed that first-time buyers were more eager to buy, and many paid more to meet that goal. Sixty-eight percent of first-time buyers wished they had done more negotiating.When it came to closing costs, first-timers spent about $1,000 more on average. It seems this was because they were less likely to make a large down payment or negotiate lender fees compared to people who had previously bought a house.
Source: Best Interest Financial True Cost of Home Buying Survey, January 2026
Related: Trump signs 2 executive orders to improve home affordability

You pay thousands of dollars every year to keep your kids in daycare so you can show up to work each morning.Then you sit down to file your taxes and discover that the IRS has a credit specifically designed for that expense. You might expect some meaningful relief, but the dollar amount you qualify for could leave you genuinely stunned.The child and dependent care credit is one of the most misunderstood provisions sitting inside the entire U.S. tax code. Millions of families claim it every single filing season, but most are surprised by how little they receive.If you belong to the so-called sandwich generation, caring for your kids and your aging parents at the same time, the gap between your spending and your tax benefit is even wider than you might expect heading into this tax filing season.The child and dependent care credit sounds generous until you run the numbersThe IRS lets you claim a percentage of your work-related child care expenses through the child and dependent care credit. Depending on your adjusted gross income, the credit covers between 20% and 35% of your qualifying care costs.Your maximum qualifying expenses are capped at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children. For a family earning $60,000 per year with one child, the resulting credit works out to roughly $600 after doing the math.Compare that to what you actually pay out of pocket at a daycare center, and the disconnect becomes painfully obvious. The average annual cost of center-based child care now runs approximately $13,254 per child nationwide, according to the Economic Policy Institute.Who qualifies for this credit and what expenses count toward itYou qualify if you paid someone to care for a child under 13 or a disabled dependent so you could work or job-search. Both you and your spouse must have earned income to claim this credit if you are filing a joint tax return.Qualifying expenses include daycare center fees, after-school programs, babysitting services, and even summer day camp tuition for your children. Overnight camps, however, do not qualify under the IRS rules that govern this specific credit for the 2025 filing year.Daycare center fees and preschool tuition for children under 13 qualify as eligible work-related care expenses for this creditAfter-school programs and babysitting services while you work also count toward your maximum credit limit under IRS rulesYou cannot claim expenses paid to your spouse, your child’s other parent, or anyone you already claim as a dependentThe credit is nonrefundable for the 2025 tax year, meaning it can reduce your tax bill to zero but cannot generate a refundChild care costs are rising faster than this federal credit can possibly keep upAccording to Child Care Aware of America, the average annual daycare cost for two children recently reached $28,168 nationwide. That figure represents roughly 35% of the median annual income of a single-parent household in the United States today.Related: Parents need a $257K raise to afford child care for two kidsThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable child care as no more than 7% of a household’s annual income. Yet no single state in the country meets that standard for center-based infant care at currently reported pricing levels.The real-dollar gap leaves families covering over 90% of costs on their ownYou can claim a maximum credit of $1,050 for one child or $2,100 for two or more children in this current tax year. When your actual daycare bill runs above $13,000, you are recovering less than 10 cents on every dollar you spend on child care.A family in Massachusetts paying roughly $20,913 per year for infant care receives a maximum credit of approximately $1,050. That means approximately 95% of your actual spending on child care gets zero federal tax relief under this specific credit.More Personal Finance:Why selling a home to your child for a dollar can backfireElon Musk says ‘universal high income’ is comingFTC, 21 states sue Uber over ‘shady’ subscription billingEven states with the lowest costs, like Mississippi at roughly $6,560 per year, still leave parents covering most expenses themselves. The credit’s $3,000 and $6,000 expense caps were set decades ago and have never been adjusted for inflation at all.The child tax credit is bigger now, but there is a catchSeparate from the care credit, the child tax credit provides up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 for the 2025 tax year. This amount was permanently increased under the One Big Beautiful Bill that was signed into law in July 2025.The credit begins phasing out once your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 if you file as a single taxpayer. For married couples filing jointly, the phaseout threshold starts at $400,000 in modified adjusted gross income for the year.The refundable portion has a ceiling that limits your cash benefitIf the child tax credit exceeds what you owe in federal taxes, you may qualify for the refundable additional child tax credit. For 2025, the maximum refundable amount is capped at $1,700 per qualifying child, according to the IRS instructions for Schedule 8812.Starting in 2026, the child tax credit will be indexed to inflation for the first time in its nearly three-decade existence. Both you and your qualifying child now need valid Social Security numbers to claim the credit on your 2025 tax return.Your child must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year and must have lived with you for more than half of itChildren who turn 17 during the current tax year no longer qualify for the child tax credit going forward from that pointThe $500 credit for other dependents is available for aging parents or older children who do not qualify for the child tax credit

Understanding how the child care credit works can prevent disappointment and help you plan more realistic financial expectations.Prathankarnpap/Shutterstock

This generation faces a tougher equation when claiming elder care deductionsAccording to a Pew Research Center survey, roughly 23% of U.S. adults now fall into the sandwich generation at the same time. About 15% of adults in their 40s and 50s provide financial support to both a parent and a child simultaneously.Related: Top unexpected retirement costs (and solutions)If you pay for a parent’s home health aide, nursing facility, or adaptive medical equipment, those costs may be tax-deductible. The IRS allows you to deduct qualifying medical expenses for a dependent parent on Schedule A of your tax return this year.The 7.5% adjusted gross income threshold creates a hurdle for taxpayersYou can only deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, which is a steep hurdle for most families. For a household earning $100,000, that means only the portion of medical costs above $7,500 produces any deduction at all.You also need to itemize your deductions rather than claiming the standard deduction to benefit from this medical expense break. The 2025 standard deduction of $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly makes itemizing harder.Home health aides, wheelchair equipment, prescribed medications, and certain assisted living costs can all qualify under this provision. But if your parent has gross income above $5,200 in 2025, they may not qualify as your tax dependent under current IRS rules.Education credits are the benefit most parents overlook when filing If you have older children heading to college, the American Opportunity Tax Credit could be worth up to $2,500 per eligible student per year. Up to $1,000 of that credit is refundable, meaning it can generate a refund even if you owe zero in federal income taxes.Your modified adjusted gross income must stay below $90,000 as a single filer or $180,000 if you file a joint tax return. The credit covers tuition, required fees, and course materials during the first four years of postsecondary education for your child.The Lifetime Learning Credit differs for graduate school and career training programsThe Lifetime Learning Credit applies to a broader range of educational expenses, including graduate school and professional development programs. You can claim 20% of up to $10,000 in qualified education expenses for a maximum annual credit of $2,000 per return.Unlike the American Opportunity Credit, the Lifetime Learning Credit has no limit on the number of years you can claim it. Tax expert David Perez of Tax Maverick called education credits the benefit most commonly overlooked by parents at tax time today.Practical strategies to stretch your tax savings when federal credits fall shortThe child and dependent care credit alone will never come close to covering what you actually spend on daycare every single year. Your best approach combines multiple credits, deductions, and pre-tax savings tools to reduce the total financial burden you carry.Use your employer’s dependent care flexible spending accountA dependent care FSA lets you set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax dollars each year to cover qualifying child care expenses directly. If you are in the 22% federal tax bracket, that $5,000 contribution saves you roughly $1,100 in federal income taxes alone.You cannot use the same care expenses for both the FSA exclusion and the child and dependent care credit. Run the numbers on both options carefully, because the FSA often delivers greater savings for families earning above $43,000 per year.Stack the child tax credit alongside other family-specific benefits for maximum savingsClaim the $2,200 child tax credit per qualifying child, then claim the care credit separately for your work-related care expensesCheck your eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides up to $8,046 for families with three or more qualifying childrenReview whether you qualify for the $500 credit for other dependents if you also support an elderly parent financially each yearAdjust your W-4 withholding to receive more of your tax benefit in each paycheck rather than waiting for a lump-sum refundKeep detailed records throughout the year so you never miss an eligible deduction at filing timeTrack every receipt for daycare, medical expenses, after-school programs, and elder care costs throughout the entire calendar year. The IRS requires you to identify your care provider by name, address, and taxpayer identification number on Form 2441.If your care provider refuses to share their identification number, you can still claim the credit by documenting your due diligence. Attach a written statement to your return explaining that the provider did not give you the requested identification information.Coming changes in 2026 could offer slightly more reliefStarting in tax year 2026, the child and dependent care credit’s maximum percentage rate increases from 35% to 50% of qualifying costs. This change, included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, allows eligible families to claim a larger share of their annual care expenses.The expense caps of $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children remain completely unchanged under the new law, however. A family with two children and $6,000 in qualifying expenses could receive a maximum credit of roughly $3,000 starting in 2026.For the 2025 tax year that you are filing right now, the old credit rates still apply across the board for every taxpayer. Use the time between now and year-end to evaluate whether a dependent care FSA or adjusted withholding could improve your total outcome.The bottom line is straightforward for your family heading into tax season: federal child care credits cover only a small fraction of real costs. Closing that gap requires stacking credits, leveraging pre-tax accounts, and keeping detailed records throughout every single year that you file.Related: The IRS Says Tax Refunds are Up 10%

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 dealFew watchmakers are as widely known or respected as Citizen. The famed Japanese brand has been making high-quality watches for over a century, and we expect they’ll be doing so for the next one as well. One of its most technologically advanced models is currently on sale at Amazon, and we think it’s worth checking out. However, deals on luxury items like this one usually go fast, so we wouldn’t recommend taking too much time.The Citizen Promaster Sea Eco-Drive Watch is available for only $290 at the moment. That’s 39% off the original price of $475. Even at the regular price, this watch is an amazing deal, so slashing it so significantly makes it an absolute marvel.Citizen Promaster Sea Eco-Drive Watch, $290 (was $475) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?As referenced above, the Promaster Sea is a high-tech timepiece that takes watchmaking to the next level. It’s powered by the legendary Citizen Eco-Drive movement, that’s quite unlike anything else on the market. Most commercially produced watches operate either through a series of mechanical gears that must be wound or a lithium-ion battery that requires regular changing. The Eco-Drive movement collects sunlight through small solar panels hidden underneath the dial and releases it throughout the day with ticks of the watch. The rechargeable battery inside never needs to be changed for the life of the watch.While the inside of the watch is indeed impressive, the outside is exquisite. The case and bracelet are made from 316L stainless steel. It’s durable and rustproof, making the perfect watch for fun in the sun. Add to that an impressive 200 meters of water resistance, and you have a piece that you can swim with, making it the ultimate go anywhere do anything watch. A unidirectional rotating dive bezel adds to its dive watch DNA and allows you to keep tabs on your dive time, or anything else you wish to track. It also has a case diameter of 44 millimeters, which makes the watch highly legible under water.With so many world-beating tech specs under its belt, you might not expect it to be much of a looker. Nothing could be further from the truth. A matching deep blue dial and bezel insert mimic the color of the deep blue sea, and applied geometric hour markers surround the outside of the dial. The hour markers and handset have generous amounts of luminescent coating, making the watch easy to read in low-light conditions. A small date window at the three o’clock position is the perfect cherry on top of this lovely little sundae. It’s available in three colorways as well.Related: Amazon is selling noise-canceling earbuds for $21Details to knowMaterials: 316L stainless steel case and bracelet.Case diameter: 44 millimeters.Water resistance: 200 meters.Movement: Citizen solar-powered Eco-Drive movement.Colorways: Three variants.Amazon shoppers were very excited about this watch. One praised its “excellent quality and value,” before adding, “I absolutely love the way it looks and feels…This is a superior watch to many of the high-end dive watches on the market that command premium prices.”Shop more deals Citizen Classic Eco-Drive Sports Watch, $169 (was $219) at AmazonCitizen Eco-Drive Weekender Brycen Watch, $208 (was $425) at AmazonBulova Marine Star Series B Watch, $290 (was $525) at AmazonThe Citizen Promaster Sea Eco-Drive Watch may be your best chance for a luxury watch at an affordable price. Currently, it will only cost you $290, but that may not be true for long. Time is ticking on this deal, and you’ve already done the deep dive on its specs. Now all that’s left to do is click the buy button.

Your monthly energy spending has gradually become one of the single fastest-growing line items in your household budget over the past several months. Your electric bill climbed noticeably higher without you changing a single daily habit, while gas station receipts tell an increasingly painful financial story. The heating season may be winding down, but natural gas prices remain stubbornly elevated and are still keeping your utility bills uncomfortably high. Each of those costs would be manageable on its own, but all three are rising at the exact same time during this challenging spring. This convergence is driven by a volatile mix of geopolitical conflict, aging grid infrastructure, and surging electricity demand from commercial data center operations. If you feel like your energy spending is draining your savings account, recent federal data from multiple government agencies fully confirms your instincts. Financial adviser Katharine George of Wealthstream Advisors recently outlined practical strategies on Yahoo Finance to help you build a buffer against rising costs. The real question is not whether energy prices will keep climbing but whether you are positioned well enough to absorb the ongoing financial pressure.Gasoline prices surged past $3.90 as Middle East conflict disrupts global oil supplyThe national average price for regular gasoline reached $3.91 per gallon as of March 20, 2026, according to AAA’s weekly Fuel Gauge Report. That figure represents an increase of more than 30% since the start of the year, when prices hovered comfortably below three dollars per gallon.The primary driver is the ongoing military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran that has destabilized the entire Middle East region. Related: Costco members get good news on rising gas pricesIran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted roughly 20% of global oil supply, sending crude oil prices sharply higher worldwide. WTI crude oil surged above $98 per barrel in mid-March 2026, representing a staggering increase of more than 57% since early January alone.California already tops $5 per gallon while some states remain closer to $3Your personal experience at the pump depends heavily on your specific zip code, because regional price differences across the country are enormous right now. California currently leads the nation at $5.36 per gallon, while Kansas sits at a comparatively low $3.04 per gallon, per AAA data from March 12.More Oil and Gas:Energy giant sends blunt $20 billion message on dividend growth147-year-old oil giant just raised dividend 4% in 2026Top energy stocks to buy amid Venezuela chaosThe spread between the most and least expensive states has ballooned to $2.33 per gallon, driven by fuel taxes and supply chain constraints. If you live in a high-cost state like California, Washington, or Hawaii, the monthly pressure on your transportation budget is significantly more intense.Electricity bills climbed 21% in five years with no sign of slowing down soonGasoline may grab the front-page headlines, but your electric bill has been rising for years. The national average residential electricity rate reached 18.05 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2026, according to Electric Choice, sourcing EIA data.That represents a 21% increase from 14.92 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2022, making electricity one of the fastest-growing household expenses across the nation. The U.S. Energy Information Administration confirms that monthly electricity bills have been outpacing inflation since 2022 and expects these increases to continue through 2026. The average monthly residential electricity bill rose from approximately $121 in 2021 to an estimated $156 in 2025, representing a nearly 30% jump in spending.Data centers, grid upgrades, and tariffs are three forces pushing your rates higherThree structural forces are pushing your electricity rates upward at the same time, and none of them are likely to resolve anytime soon. Data centers now account for roughly 4% of total U.S. electricity consumption, and their demand is expected to more than double by 2030. These facilities operate around the clock and consume electricity at a scale that directly competes with your residential usage on the same grid. Much of the American electrical grid was originally built in the mid-twentieth century and now operates well past its originally intended functional lifespan. Utilities plan to spend up to $1.4 trillion on infrastructure upgrades from 2025 to 2030, and those costs pass directly to you as ratepayer. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates that up to four million households experienced utility disconnections in 2025, nearly 500,000 more than the previous year.A financial adviser says cash reserves are your first and most important line of defenseKatharine George, a financial adviser at Wealthstream Advisors, told Yahoo Finance that accessible cash is the single most important tool you need now. She recommends thinking well beyond this month and carefully considering your spending needs over the next six months to two full years ahead.Having enough accessible cash prevents you from selling investments during a downturn just to cover rising day-to-day expenses when costs spike suddenly. Your cash reserve does not need to sit in a zero-interest checking account that earns nothing for you while consumer prices continue climbing rapidly. Money market funds, treasury bills, and online savings accounts all offer competitive yields without locking your money away for an extended period of time.Your emergency fund target probably needs a serious upgrade right nowMost financial planners recommend keeping three to six months of living expenses in reserve, but that old target may not stretch far enough. When your energy spending jumps 20% to 30% in a single quarter, your previous emergency fund calculations no longer reflect your actual monthly costs.Recalculate your monthly essential spending across gas, utilities, groceries, and insurance to make sure your reserve amount reflects what you actually spend today. If you carry high-interest credit card debt alongside thin cash reserves, prioritize paying that balance down before you attempt to expand your savings further.Portfolio diversification protects you when energy price shocks rattle the broader stock marketRising energy costs do not just drain your checking account directly, because they also rattle the broader stock market and shake your investment portfolio. George stressed that having a diversified portfolio in place before turmoil strikes is critical, not after the scary headlines have already started appearing online.She specifically noted that the assets people assume will benefit from a conflict often do not move in the direction that investors typically expect. Overexposure to U.S. large-cap technology stocks has been a common portfolio vulnerability heading into the historic volatility surge that defined early 2026 trading.

Diversifying your investments can help protect your finances during periods of energy-driven market volatility.voronaman/Shutterstock

True diversification means owning different asset typesHolding stocks from different countries is helpful, but genuine diversification also means owning fundamentally different types of assets within your overall investment portfolio. International and emerging market equities have actually outperformed the U.S. market in both the final months of 2025 and the early weeks of 2026.Related: Do single people with few assets need a will?Bonds, real estate investment trusts, commodities, and Treasury securities all respond differently during energy-driven inflation cycles that push consumer prices higher broadly. A portfolio combining multiple asset classes meaningfully reduces the chance that one single economic shock drags down your entire accumulated net worth over the years.Tax-loss harvesting turns a market downturn into immediate savings on your tax billIf the market drops significantly, George pointed out that investors in higher tax brackets can take advantage of a strategy called tax-loss harvesting. The approach involves selling investments that have declined in value and then using those realized losses to directly offset your capital gains tax obligations.You can offset up to $3,000 in ordinary income per year with realized capital losses under current IRS rules for individual tax filers annually. Losses that exceed the annual limit carry forward to future tax years, effectively giving you a multi-year tax benefit from one carefully timed decision.The IRS wash-sale rule limits how aggressively you can harvest investment losses The IRS prohibits you from repurchasing the same security or a substantially identical one within 30 days of selling it at a recognized loss. If you violate the wash-sale rule, the IRS will disallow the loss deduction entirely, meaning you forfeit the tax benefit you were counting on.A common workaround involves selling one index fund and promptly buying a different fund that tracks a slightly different index covering the same space. Consider speaking with a qualified tax professional or licensed financial adviser before executing any harvesting strategy to make sure you follow all applicable rules.Reacting emotionally to rising costs could end up costing you moreThe biggest mistake you can make right now is panic-selling your investments or making drastic financial changes based purely on alarming daily news headlines. George specifically warned against trying to predict which assets will perform best based on current events, because those speculative bets very rarely pay off.By the time a breaking headline reaches your phone screen, financial markets have typically already priced in the information you believe gives you an edge. Instead, George recommends sticking firmly to your existing financial plan, or building one immediately if you do not currently have a written plan in place.A plan that includes adequate cash reserves, a diversified portfolio, and regular rebalancing can weather almost any short-term shock the economy delivers to you. Rebalancing your accounts periodically ensures that your target allocations stay exactly where they should be, even as volatile market movements shift your portfolio around.Practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure to rising energy costsYou do not need a financial adviser to start protecting yourself from rising energy costs right now, though professional guidance can certainly help you. Several straightforward moves can reduce your immediate exposure to price increases and build longer-term resilience against the continued climb in household energy spending.Immediate actions worth considering this weekAudit your current monthly energy spending across gasoline, electricity, and heating to establish an accurate updated baseline for your household financial planning.Recalculate your emergency fund target based on your current actual costs, not the numbers from one or two years ago that may be outdated.Move excess cash sitting idle into a high-yield savings account or money market fund that earns competitive returns while keeping your funds fully liquid.Review your investment portfolio for excessive concentration in any single sector, geographic region, or asset class that leaves you overexposed during energy shocks.Look into your utility provider’s time-of-use rate plans, which charge lower rates during off-peak hours and can meaningfully reduce your total monthly electric bill.If you own your home, check whether your state currently offers energy-efficiency tax credits or rebates for insulation upgrades and smart thermostat installations today.None of these steps require any extreme sacrifice from you, but each one reduces the cumulative financial pressure that rising energy costs create over time. Your most effective financial defense right now is not a single dramatic action but rather a series of small, consistent, and well-informed practical adjustments.Related: Jim Cramer sounds the alarm on energy stocks

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 dealSpring is a great time for biking, but it can be difficult to lug a full-sized bike to the trail if you don’t have the necessary equipment or a car that’s big enough. Whether you’re looking for something for the family to use or something easy for you to grab to meet up with friends for a weekend ride, we’ve found an affordable bike option at Walmart.The Marknig 26-Inch Folding Mountain Bike is part of Walmart’s Flash sales, offering a full mountain bike with Shimano gears and a compact frame for just $170. Shoppers save $20 on this deal and can enjoy free shipping. It’s one of the lowest-priced bikes we’ve seen yet!Marknig 26-Inch Folding Mountain Bike, $170 (was $190) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?This foldable and adjustable bike features a durable, triangular high-carbon steel frame and a full suspension with front fork and rear shocks that can hold up to long rides and bumpy trails. The dual-disc brakes offer great stopping power in all conditions, and the anti-slip tires help prevent slipping and sliding. The Shimano gears offer 21 speeds with smooth shifting, allowing you to easily ride up the steepest hills or down the longest slopes. It rides well on gravel, slopes, ceramic tiles, streets, and more.Related: REI is selling a $3,199 electric bike for 40% off that offers a ‘5-star experience’The folding design makes it easier to store your bike when not in use and also makes it easier to bring it to the trails without a truck or bike rack. The folded size of the bike measures 33.8 inches tall and 27.8 inches long, and the full bike weighs 40 pounds. The 26-inch wheel size is recommended for people between 5 feet and 3 inches tall and 6 feet tall, and it has a max weight capacity of 300 pounds. It’s perfect for casual rides around the park, mountain trail rides, off-road commuting, and the whole family can use it. This bike comes in five colors, but black is the best price at $170, while white, pink, and purple are going for $220.Pros and cons of a folding mountain bikeProsCompact frame: The ability to fold this bike makes it more accessible for people who want to trail ride but don’t have the car capacity for a full bike.Shimano 21-speed gears: Shimano is a leading manufacturer of high-quality bike parts, and 21 speeds offer tons of help on super steep terrain and long stretches.Full suspension: The full suspension offers a smoother ride on bumpy trails.Cons Features: When compared to a bike that costs thousands of dollars, this bike is not super high-end, but it still does the job for fun rides. Weight: Some reviewers have stated that lifting the 40-pound bike into the car was a bit difficult.One reviewer said, “This bicycle is such a hit in my family, I’m having to get another one.” Another shopper said, “I love this bike! It’s easy to assemble and rides great.”Shop more dealsHykolity 29-Inch Mountain Bike, $189 (was $260) at WalmartUbesgoo 26-Inch Folding Mountain Bike, $200 (was $320) at WalmartLuxuriaz 4-Digit Bike Lock, $27 (was $31) at WalmartWhether you want to exercise more and love to bike around the neighborhood park, or you’re going on a weekend trip and need a bike that can travel, the Marknig 26-Inch Folding Mountain Bike is a great choice. The price point is super affordable for a mountain bike, and the 21-speed Shimano gears offer ease of use on steep terrain. Shoppers can get this bike for just $170 at Walmart.

Samsung just ended one of mobile’s most persistent frustrations. The Galaxy S26 series can now send files directly to iPhones, iPads, and Macs using Apple’s AirDrop protocol through Quick Share. No third-party apps. No cloud links. No QR codes. Just tap, select, and send.The rollout of native AirDrop compatibility began March 23 in South Korea. The United States is set to follow, with Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan also in the expansion roadmap. Samsung has not specified exact dates for regions outside Korea.How to enable AirDrop file sharing on Galaxy S26AirDrop support for Quick Share is not turned on by default. Galaxy S26 owners need to activate it manually. Here is the full setup process.On your Galaxy S26: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share and toggle on “Share with Apple devices.”On the iPhone: Open Control Center, long-press the AirDrop icon, and set it to “Everyone.” This allows the Galaxy to detect it.To send a file: Open Gallery or Files, select what you want to share, tap Share > Quick Share, and nearby Apple devices will appear automatically.Technical requirement: Your Galaxy S26 must have Google Play Services version 26.11 or newer, Android Authority notes. If the toggle does not appear, check for a Play Services update in Settings > Apps > Google Play Services.Samsung also notes that the device may temporarily disconnect from Wi-Fi networks while searching for or transferring to Apple devices. This is something worth knowing before you use it in the middle of a video call.AirDrop support on Samsung Galaxy: what works and what doesn’tAirDrop support works on the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. That’s it for now — older Galaxy devices, including the S25 series, foldables, and A-series phones, are not yet supported. Samsung has confirmed additional devices will follow, but it has not yet shared a device list or a timeline for that expansion.More Tech Stocks:Morgan Stanley sets jaw-dropping Micron price target after eventNvidia’s China chip problem isn’t what most investors thinkQuantum Computing makes $110 million move nobody saw comingThe reverse direction works, too. iPhones can AirDrop files to the Galaxy S26, and Samsung receives them through Quick Share. That bidirectional capability is what separates this from the earlier Pixel implementation, which initially only supported receiving from Apple devices. Both users need to have their respective sharing settings open for discovery to work.How AirDrop compatibility on Quick Share came to existGoogle introduced AirDrop compatibility on Quick Share with the Pixel 10 in late 2025. It expanded to the Pixel 9 series more recently. The development was driven in part by EU regulations that required Apple to implement Wi-Fi Aware technology in iOS’s native file-sharing feature, opening the door for Android manufacturers to build compatible implementations.Samsung is now the largest Android manufacturer to add AirDrop support, and it will not be the last. Other companies including Nothing and Qualcomm have already confirmed compatibility. Google’s Android VP Eric Kay stated in February that AirDrop support would expand to “a lot more devices” across Android in 2026. The standard is becoming universal rather than exclusive.Why this matters for consumersSharing files between an iPhone and an Android phone has been unnecessarily complicated for years. The standard workarounds involved emailing files to yourself, using Google Drive or iCloud links, or downloading third-party apps that both people needed to have installed. All of that friction has now gone away for Galaxy S26 owners and anyone they interact with on iPhone.

Samsung is now the largest Android manufacturer to add AirDrop support.Cros/GettyImages

Mixed-device households, offices, and social situations are the obvious beneficiaries. Think of the parent trying to share a child’s birthday video with grandparents on different phones, or colleagues passing a presentation file across platforms before a meeting. The use case is simple, and the demand has always been there. The only thing missing was the technical bridge.For Apple, the development is a quiet erosion of one of the ecosystem advantages that made iPhones stickier for users who also owned other Apple products. AirDrop was not the reason most people bought an iPhone, but it was a feature that made staying in the Apple ecosystem feel frictionless. That frictionlessness now works across the Android divide, too.The bigger picture here is a broader shift toward interoperability across mobile platforms. RCS messaging between iPhone and Android arrived in 2024. AirDrop compatibility is now here for Galaxy. The walls between the two ecosystems are coming down piece by piece, driven by a combination of regulatory pressure in Europe and competitive pressure from manufacturers who want to remove reasons to switch. For consumers, that is a straightforward win.Related: Apple just got a brutal iPhone 18 warning

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 dealWhile we don’t hibernate like our fuzzy forest friends during winter, it can feel that way when the cold and dreary days keep us indoors for days on end. As the spring grows warmer by the day, it’s the perfect time to get up and active again. After a prolonged period of sedentary behavior, it can feel overwhelming to get back into a productive routine, whether you want to start exercising at the gym, take daily walks around the neighborhood after dinner, or stay better connected with friends. With a savvy smartwatch, all these tasks can be streamlined into one tiny wrist-sized package.Thanks to one limited-time Flash deal at Walmart, you don’t need to break the bank to get a smartwatch with the bells and whistles. The bestselling Tikland P98 Smartwatch has a massive markdown of 89% off. This brings the regular $190 price tag down to just $22 for the smartwatch with a black band. There is also a more feminine pink style available, and it’s on sale for just a buck more at $23. The wearable tech is also compatible with most Apple and Android devices, so there are options for everyone. With such significant savings, you could buy up to eight smartwatches for yourself, friends, and family, and still pay less than what you’d pay for one originally.Tikland P98 Smartwatch, $22 (was $190) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?Equipped with a large 1.96-inch touchscreen display, this smartwatch is easy to view and navigate. This spacious screen looks like one on a higher-end watch brand. According to shoppers, this smartwatch doesn’t just have a comparable appearance to the name brands. “It’s a great substitute for the Apple Watch,” one shopper who praised the smartwatch said, because “it functions very similarly.” This is even more impressive when you consider Apple Watches retail for $249 or more.So what exactly can this smartwatch do? By pairing it with the Bluetooth on your phone, you’ll have the ability to take phone calls, get real-time message alerts, and see social media notifications. The fitness tracking is where this smartwatch really shines. When you hit the gym, this smartwatch has numerous sports modes to track your workouts, including running, cycling, basketball, yoga, and more, so you can see your progress over time to improve your performance.Related: Amazon is selling a $79 10-inch Android tablet for $62, and it has ‘plenty of storage’More than 1,500 shoppers have given this smartwatch a perfect five-star rating, so you can feel confident in its quality and functionality. One shopper, who “loves the convenience” of this smartwatch, reported, “I love that I don’t have to search for my phone whenever it’s ringing, I can see who is calling right on my watch, and answer or ignore the call.”Details to know Screen size: 1.96-inch display.Compatibility: The smartwatch is compatible with devices operating on (or higher than) Android 5.0 and Apple iOS 9.0.Is it a waterproof smartwatch?: Yes.Designed for everyday life, this smartwatch is waterproof and has a long-lasting battery. Thanks to its IP68 waterproof rating, this wearable device is suitable for water sports, swimming, rain, and extra-sweaty gym sessions. Its long-lasting battery runs for seven days on a single charge, or up to 30 days in standby mode. When it’s time to recharge, it takes just two hours to fully power up.Shop more dealsTikland Slim Fitness Tracker, $23 (was $130) at WalmartTikland Thin Face Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker, $26 (was $190) at WalmartTikland Sports Smartwatch, $30 (was $160) at WalmartWalmart’s Flash deals only last until the end of the week — if they don’t sell out before then. Don’t miss your chance to score the Tikland P98 Smartwatch for just $22 with these limited-time savings. 

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 dealFor some people, music is something to put on in the background, and for others, it’s a necessity. I fall in the latter camp, and after an audiophile friend convinced me to invest in Sennheiser headphones about 10 years ago, I’ve never looked back. Of course, there are countless audio options on the market that cost much less than Sennheisers do. But none of them produce the same results, and that’s why I believe the investment is worth it.Amazon is having a rare sale on a terrific pair of entry-level Sennheisers ahead of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale that shouldn’t be missed if you’re interested in a better listening experience. Normally $275, the Sennheiser HD 560S Over-Ear Wired Headphones are on sale for 49% off, bringing the price down to $140. That’s an absolute steal for headphones that provide this level of audio fidelity.Sennheiser HD 560S Over-Ear Wired Headphones, $140 (was $275) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at AmazonWhy do shoppers love it?While I have since upgraded my own Sennheisers to the Momentum 4 (which are also 50% at Amazon right now and a truly sublime listening experience), the 560S is a great entry point to the world of this brand. This pair features precision-tuned transducers that bring every detail of music to life, and the open-back design contributes to the depth of sound you’ll hear. These Sennheisers utilize angled drivers, which recreate the triangular listening position found in hi-fi loudspeaker setups. This produces crisp sound, you can hear all of the elements of, from thumping bass to clean treble. I use my Momentum 4’s for gaming a lot as well as listening to music, and it’s truly transformed the experience for me, especially in competitive games where sound design plays a key role.These headphones are wired, which may be a turn-off to those who love the freedom of Bluetooth connectivity. But audiophiles know that wired headphones are the way to go, as they produce uncompressed, high-fidelity sound with no latency. The HD 560S comes with a 1.80-meter cable with a 3.5 millimeter (mm) plug and a 3.5 to 6.35 mm screw-on adapter, so you can plug them into your PC, record player, laptop, and more. These headphones are also compatible with all HD 500 series cables, so you can swap them out as needed.While Sennheiser’s pedigree is all about sound, the comfort is also unrivaled. These headphones are lightweight and feature a breathable earpad with a velour covering that’s replaceable once they wear out. Shoppers praise them for long wear, saying, “The airy ear-cups let you listen for hours.” It is worth noting that these do not come with a case, but there’s no shortage of compatible cases on the market, so be sure to grab one if you want to protect these.Pros and cons of the $140 Sennheiser HD 560S Over-Ear Wired HeadphonesPros:A rare 49% discount: Getting a pair of Sennheisers for close to 50% off is an incredible deal on a high-quality product.Trusted brand: Sennheiser is known for its top-tier sound technology.Comfort: Many reviews mention how comfortable these are for long wear.Cons:Wired: Many headphone users prefer wireless headphones.Lacking color options: Black is the only color available on this listing. Related: Amazon Prime members can score these bestselling wireless earbuds for only $17These headphones have more than 2,800 five-star ratings at Amazon, and many shoppers rave about them. “I’d comfortably call these the best headphones at their price point and perhaps up to $300, as they easily trump my Audeze Maxwells,” one shopper wrote. “If you’re on the fence, have an amp, receiver, or dedicated sound card, and don’t mind their open back config, pull the trigger. You’ll love them.”Shop more deals Sennheiser HD 599 Ivory Open Back Headphones, $149 (was $240) at AmazonSennheiser HD 600 Open Back Wired Headphones, $276 (was $500) at AmazonSennheiser HD 650 Open Back Dynamic Headphones, $371 (was $580) at AmazonWhether you make your own music and want the best tool for mastering, or simply want to experience your favorite albums in an elevated way, the Sennheiser HD 560S Over-Ear Wired Headphones are an incredible choice — and at 49% off, the price is unbeatable.

Wells Fargo has been bearish on hyperscalers for years. That position just shifted. Oh Sung Kwon, the firm’s chief equity strategist, told CNBC on March 23 that the group is starting to look attractive again. “I think hyperscalers are starting to look a lot more interesting,” he said.The shift is notable precisely because of where it is coming from. This is not a firm that has been bullish on this group.Kwon’s previous bearish view was rooted in deteriorating free cash flow. With massive capital expenditure commitments across Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Oracle, FCF estimates for the group fell by roughly two-thirds over the past year. That was the bear case. Now Wells Fargo thinks the math is changing. The selloff has created an entry point the firm was not willing to recommend before.What made Wells Fargo change its mindKwon pointed to two things. First, the selloff itself. The Nasdaq has derated by 25% since October. Kwon called it “one of the most extreme deratings that we have seen in history.” That kind of compression, in his view, creates a margin of safety that was not there before.More Wall StreetBillionaire Dalio sends 2-words on Fed pick WarshTop analyst bets these stocks will boost your portfolio in 2026Bank of America sends quiet warning to stock market investorsSecond, he sees an inflection point in free cash flow. “Our analysts think that we are actually at an inflection point where free cash flow could actually come in above where consensus is,” he said. He also pushed back on Wall Street’s revenue estimates. “I think the street is still underestimating their potential top line growth story.”On the overinvestment question, Kwon was direct. “If AI is truly that transformative, then hyperscalers are probably not overinvesting,” he said. “There might be a little bit of delay on the return on investment, but if AI is really that good and we’re just gonna need more compute power too.”The capex picture investors are wrestling withThe concern Kwon is pushing back against is real. The five largest hyperscalers are on track to spend over $600 billion on infrastructure in 2026. That is a 36% jump from 2025, according to CreditSights estimates. About $450 billion goes directly to AI infrastructure.For two straight years, Wall Street’s capex estimates for this group came in too low. Actual spending exceeded consensus by more than 50% each time.Amazon alone is spending $200 billion on capex this year. Analysts expect that will push its free cash flow negative in 2026. Evercore has flagged a “red flag” threshold: if hyperscaler FCF turns negative in aggregate, it signals a major shift in the investment case.Kwon’s counter is straightforward. If AI demand continues to outpace supply, the capacity being built now will generate returns that more than justify the cost. The risk is timing, not direction. And in his view, the street is already pricing in the worst-case timing scenario.The barbell trade Wells Fargo recommendsBeyond the hyperscalers, Kwon recommended pairing technology with commodities. Wells Fargo remains underweight on consumer discretionary and consumer staples. It holds overweight positions in energy and materials.

Microsoft, Amazon and Google have all pulled back in recent days. Cros/GettyImages

The logic is simple. The same geopolitical environment weighing on tech stocks is directly benefiting energy and materials companies. The Iran war and elevated oil prices are the clearest example. Pairing the two gives investors exposure to AI’s long-term upside while hedging the near-term macro risk.What investors should watchSeveral near-term catalysts will test whether Kwon’s inflection point thesis holds:Q1 earnings in April. Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud growth rates will either validate or undermine the top-line growth story Kwon says the street is underestimating.Free cash flow guidance. Any signal that FCF is stabilizing ahead of consensus expectations would directly confirm the inflection point Kwon described.AI demand signals. Enterprise contract announcements and hyperscaler capacity utilization data will show whether demand is genuinely outpacing supply as Kwon contends.The stocks have pulled back sharply. AMZN is around $211, MSFT around $383, and GOOG around $298. Each is well off highs set earlier in this cycle.Wells Fargo spent years on the bearish side of this trade. The firm is now saying the selloff has created the entry point it was waiting for. That is a meaningful signal from a firm with a track record of conviction on this group. Q1 earnings will be the first real test of whether that call holds up.Related: Wells Fargo has a message for investors on Nvidia stock price

From its modest start as a mall food court restaurant in 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia, Chick-fil-A has grown into one of the most dominant quick-service restaurant brands in North America, despite maintaining a limited global footprint.Sustained growth at that scale requires more than expansion alone. It depends on operational consistency, customer loyalty, and supply chain efficiency. Chick-fil-A continues to outperform competitors in customer satisfaction. For the 11th consecutive year, the chain ranked as the top quick-service restaurant in the American Customer Satisfaction Index 2025 Restaurant and Food Delivery Study, earning a score of 83 out of 100.Now, the company is making a strategic, multi-million-dollar investment to strengthen the infrastructure behind that performance in one of its fastest-growing regions.Chick-fil-A reveals plans for a new distribution facility in TexasChick-fil-A is opening a new distribution and warehouse facility in Lubbock, Texas, designed to store food and support delivery operations across its West Texas locations, according to the announcement in partnership with the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.The facility is expected to improve logistics efficiency, streamline transportation, and strengthen its infrastructure to meet increasing demand for its growing restaurant footprint. “Lubbock provides access to quality talent and strategic advantages that allow us to better serve the needs of our owner-operators and restaurants in the region, and we are excited about our investment into this community,” said Chick-fil-A Supply Operations senior director Dan Marques in a statement.Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026. Once completed, the project is expected to generate approximately $50 million in capital investment and create about 80 new jobs in the region. “Their commitment to community and strong company values align well with the values we prioritize as a city. This investment will create long-term opportunities for families across our great community,” said Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer about Chick-fil-A in a statement.

Chick-fil-A reveals plans for a new distribution center in Lubbock, Texas, to strengthen its supply chain amid expansion.Shutterstock

Chick-fil-A’s supply chain expansion strategyThe Lubbock facility is part of Chick-fil-A’s ongoing logistics investments. Since opening its first full-scale Chick-fil-A Supply distribution center in 2020, the company has rapidly scaled its network.Today, Chick-fil-A Supply operates 15 locations listed as open or coming soon across 12 states, each capable of serving up to 300 restaurants, according to its Chick-fil-A Supply website.Current and planned distribution centersColorado: Denver (open)Florida: Fort Lauderdale (open); Lakeland (planned)Georgia: Cartersville (open)Kansas: Kansas City (open)Kentucky: Cincinnati (planned)Missouri: St. Louis (open)North Carolina: Mebane and Charlotte (open)Ohio: Cleveland (open); Cincinnati (planned)South Carolina: Columbia (open)Tennessee: Nashville (open)Texas: Dallas and San Antonio (open); Lubbock (planned)Utah: Salt Lake City (planned)This growing network reflects a long-term shift towards vertical integration, giving the company more control over how products move from suppliers to restaurants as it continues to expand. Why Chick-fil-A is investing in its own distribution networkOwning and operating distribution centers allows restaurant brands to reduce reliance on third-party logistics providers, an increasingly important advantage amid current supply chain volatility.Key benefits of proprietary distributionGreater product consistency and freshnessLower transportation costsFaster and more reliable delivery timelinesImproved operational visibility through dataBetter scalability to support rapid expansionRestaurant industry expert Alicia Kelso noted that this approach also unlocks valuable data insights.”Such data could provide a more seamless distribution process throughout the rest of the chain and identify how to drive cost savings and performance,” Kelso told Restaurant Dive.Food distributor Quirch Foods said food distribution networks play a vital role in ensuring that restaurants are consistently stocked with the ingredients they need.”A strong food distribution network ensures that the right products arrive at the right time— without delay and with the quality guaranteed,” said Quirch Foods.Chick-fil-A’s continued restaurant growth and strong financial performanceChick-fil-A currently operates about 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.K., and Singapore, according to Technomic data.Financial performance suggests the company’s strategy is working. Chick-fil-A generated more than $9 billion in total revenue in 2024, representing a nearly 14% increase, and achieved $22.7 billion in systemwide sales, according to QSR Magazine.Chick-fil-A’s total yearly sales 2024: $22.7 billion2023: $21.6 billion2022: $18.8 billion2021: $16.7 billion2020: $13.7 billion2019: $12.2 billionThese results place Chick-fil-A among the top three U.S. restaurant brands based on domestic systemwide sales. McDonald’s (MCD) leads with $53.5 billion in 2024, followed by Starbucks (SBUX) at $30.4 billion.More Chick-fil-A Business News:Chick-fil-A reveals seven new menu items for Spring 2026Chick-fil-A is making a major change to 425 restaurants nationwideChick-fil-A quietly rolls out six new sandwiches for 2026Why it matters for Chick-fil-AChick-fil-A’s investment in supply chain infrastructure signals a strategic shift from rapid expansion to operational optimization at scale. By strengthening logistics capabilities in key regions like Texas, the company is positioning itself to sustain growth, improve efficiency, and maintain customer satisfaction.Fast-food competitors with their own supply chainsMcDonald’s: Partner-driven but highly controlled global distribution network, according to McDonald’s CorporateChipotle Mexican Grill (CMG): Centralized distribution with strong supplier control, per ChipotleDomino’s Pizza (DPZ): Fully vertically integrated, according to Domino’sYum! Brands (YUM): Plans to consolidate supply chain management, per Supply Chain DiveRestaurant Brands International (QSR): Centralized procurement across brands, according to RBIRelated: Starbucks rival launches coffee shops in cult favorite chain