Consumer News: The labor market remained solid in February

Customers nationwide will get hundreds of millions of dollars

• Capital One will pay $425 million in restitution and raise interest rates for affected savings customers

• The money willl go to consumers who held 360 Savings accounts

• The deal follows objections by New York Attorney General Letitia James to an earlier, smaller settlement

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday praised a revised settlement with Capital One that will return hundreds of millions of dollars to customers who were allegedly shortchanged on interest payments for years.

Under the agreement, Capital One will provide $425 million in restitution to customers nationwide, including an estimated $34 million to New Yorkers who held 360 Savings accounts. The settlement also requires the bank to raise interest rates for those accounts, ending what state officials described as a misleading two-tier savings system.

The deal more than doubles the value of an earlier proposed class action settlement that James and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general successfully challenged in court.

Allegations of misleading savings customers

James sued Capital One in May, accusing the bank of misleading customers by marketing its 360 Savings accounts as high interest products that would outperform average savings accounts.

According to the lawsuit, Capital One kept interest rates on 360 Savings accounts artificially low even as national interest rates began climbing in 2022. At the same time, the bank introduced a nearly identical product 360 Performance Savings that offered significantly higher rates, at one point more than 14 times higher than those paid to existing 360 Savings customers.

State officials said the practice allowed Capital One to avoid paying higher interest to long-time customers while steering new deposits into the higher-yield account.

Capital One customers were counting on growing their savings accounts, but their bank misled them and cheated them out of valuable interest payments for years, James said in a statement. Today we are delivering justice for those customers nationwide.

Court rejects earlier deal

In September, James led a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing an earlier proposed settlement in the class action case.

That deal would have provided less than $300 million in restitution and would have allowed Capital One to continue paying lower interest rates on 360 Savings accounts. After the objections were filed, the court rejected the proposed settlement.

The newly negotiated agreement, which received preliminary court approval on Monday, significantly expands consumer relief.

Interest rates must now match

In addition to the $425 million restitution fund, the settlement requires Capital One to match interest rates between its 360 Savings and 360 Performance Savings accounts going forward.

State officials estimate that the change will provide an additional $530 million in future interest payments to consumers nationwide, effectively dismantling the two-tier system at the center of the lawsuit.

The Office of the Attorney General said it will voluntarily dismiss its case against Capital One if the revised settlement receives final court approval and takes effect.

Final approval of the settlement is still pending, but if approved, payments to affected consumers would follow under the terms set by the court.

ICEs ballooning budget fuels major expansion of surveillance technology

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement is set to receive $28.7 billion in fiscal year 2025, nearly triple its 2024 funding

• The agency is projected to receive at least $56.25 billion more over the following three years

• Civil liberties groups warn the funding surge will dramatically expand ICEs already vast domestic surveillance capabilities

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing for a massive expansion of its surveillance and data-collection operations after receiving one of the largest budget increases of any federal law enforcement agency under the current administration.

ICEs fiscal year 2025 budget stands at $28.7 billion, nearly three times what the agency received in 2024. Budget projections indicate at least an additional $56.25 billion will be allocated to the agency over the following three years, placing ICEs overall funding on par with the defense budgets of many nations, according to a report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

By comparison, the agencys annual funding would rank it as the 14th most well-funded military force in the world, between Ukraine and Israel, according to global military spending figures. While ICE is a civilian law enforcement agency, critics argue its scale, resources and operational scope increasingly resemble those of a national security force.

ICEs role within DHS

ICE operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees a wide range of agencies with missions extending far beyond immigration enforcement. DHS components include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates disaster response.

ICE serves as the enforcement arm of the federal immigration system. According to the agency, its mission is to protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.

The agency carries out that mission primarily through two divisions: Enforcement and Removal Operations, which handles detention and deportation, and Homeland Security Investigations, which conducts criminal investigations related to immigration, trade, financial crimes and national security.

Surveillance reaches far beyond undocumented immigrants

Although ICEs mandate centers on immigration enforcement, the agencys surveillance activities have extended well beyond undocumented immigrants, according to civil rights advocates and investigative reports.

Advocacy groups and legal organizations have documented cases in which ICE investigations and enforcement actions involved individuals with work permits, asylum seekers, lawful permanent residents, naturalized citizens and, in some cases, U.S. citizens by birth.

Those concerns have fueled criticism that ICEs intelligence-gathering practices lack adequate oversight and safeguards, particularly when data collected for immigration enforcement is used in broader criminal or intelligence investigations.

A vast data dragnet already in place

ICEs surveillance capabilities were detailed in a 2022 report by Georgetown Laws Center on Privacy and Technology, which described the agency as operating one of the most expansive domestic surveillance networks in the country.

According to the report, ICE had scanned drivers license photos for approximately one in three adults in the United States and had access to drivers license data for roughly three-quarters of the adult population. The agency also had the ability to track the movements of drivers in metropolitan areas home to three in four adults.

The report found that ICE could locate roughly 75% of U.S. adults using utility records and other commercially available data. Much of that information was obtained not through warrants but by purchasing data from private companies or accessing state and local government databases.

Between 2008 and 2021, ICE spent an estimated $2.8 billion on surveillance, data collection and data-sharing programs, according to the Georgetown analysis.

A new era of surveillance spending

The scale of ICEs new budget dwarfs its previous surveillance investments. The agencys 2025 funding alone is roughly ten times the amount it spent on surveillance technologies over the prior 13 years combined.

Privacy advocates warn that the influx of funding will accelerate ICEs adoption of advanced surveillance tools, including biometric identification systems, real-time location tracking, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence-driven data analysis.

While agencies such as the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are often most closely associated with domestic surveillance, experts say ICEs expanding reach deserves equal scrutiny.

With this level of funding, ICE is positioned to build one of the most comprehensive domestic surveillance machines in U.S. history, the Georgetown report warned, noting that much of the agencys data collection operates outside traditional criminal justice oversight frameworks.

ICE officials have defended their practices as lawful and necessary for enforcing immigration laws and protecting public safety. Civil liberties groups, however, argue that the agencys growing technological footprint poses significant risks to privacy, due process and constitutional protectionsparticularly as its surveillance increasingly affects Americans with no connection to immigration violations.

As ICEs budget continues to climb, those debates are likely to intensify, raising new questions about how far immigration enforcement should extend into the daily lives of people living in the United States.

The subsidies expired last year and politicos fear the voters' wrath in November

Senate Republicans say they are nearing a bipartisan deal to revive expired Affordable Care Act subsidies, though abortion coverage remains a major obstacle.
The emerging framework would extend the enhanced subsidies for two years, add income caps and impose new antifraud measures.
Any agreement would need broad Republican support and buy-in from the White House to clear both chambers of Congress.

Senate Republican negotiators say they are closing in on a deal with Democrats to extend and overhaul enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that expired at the end of last year, as rising insurance costs add pressure on lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections.

The developing framework would extend the enhanced subsidies for two years while adding new eligibility limits, antifraud provisions and other changes designed to attract Republican support. Abortion-related language, however, remains a significant sticking point and could derail the negotiations.

Republicans outline a narrower, temporary extension

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio), who is leading the talks alongside Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), said lawmakers are close to finalizing a framework and could release legislative text as early as Monday. Moreno said his goal is to craft a proposal that can win support from more than half of Senate Republicans.

Republicans have long opposed the enhanced ACA subsidies, which Democrats enacted in 2021 and allowed to expire at the end of last year. But with premiums rising sharply for millions of Americans, some GOP lawmakers have backed a short-term extension to buy time for broader healthcare changes.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D., N.H.), a lead Democratic negotiator, said a draft proposal should be ready soon but declined to provide details.

House action adds urgency to Senate negotiations

The talks are intensifying as the House prepares to vote Thursday on a three-year extension of the enhanced subsidies. Four centrist Republicans crossed party lines last month to support the Democratic-backed bill, despite opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.).

An identical measure failed in the Senate last month, but negotiators could amend a House-passed bill if a compromise emerges. Senate negotiators are expected to meet Thursday with House members eager to strike a deal.

Abortion coverage remains a central dispute

Several Republicans warned that abortion policy remains a major hurdle. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) said talks have been productive but unresolved issues remain, including whether to impose new restrictions on abortion coverage in ACA plans.

Theyre working hard trying to find something that threads those various needles, Thune said, but as of right now, Im not aware at least that theres a landing spot just yet.

Johnson has also pointed to abortion language as a deal-breaker for many Republicans, saying the GOP will not authorize taxpayer funding for abortion services. Under current law, ACA subsidies can be used to purchase plans that cover abortion, though enrollees are required to pay separately for that portion of coverage. Antiabortion groups argue that the structure still indirectly subsidizes abortion.

President Trump told House Republicans this week that they should be a little flexible on abortion policy, comments that some Democrats viewed as a positive signal. His press secretary later said Trump was urging flexibility from both parties to reach a healthcare deal, though Trump has previously opposed extending the ACA subsidies and instead favors health savings accounts.

What the proposed framework would change

About 20 million Americans benefited from the enhanced ACA subsidies before they expired. The Moreno framework would restore those subsidies for two years and extend the ACAs open enrollment period, while adding several new restrictions.

Key provisions under discussion include cutting off subsidy eligibility for households earning more than 700% of the federal poverty level roughly $225,000 for a family of four and requiring enrollees to contribute at least $5 a month toward their coverage. That contribution could take the form of a $60 annual payment.

The plan would also impose penalties on insurers that deliberately sign people up fraudulently, including fines of $100,000 per violation. In the second year of the extension, enrollees would be given the option to place subsidy funds into prefunded health savings accounts.

Requiring a minimum monthly payment would mark a significant shift. Roughly 40% of ACA enrollees currently pay nothing toward their premiums, more than double the share before Democrats expanded the subsidies in 2021.

Whether negotiators can bridge the remaining political divides particularly over abortion will determine if the effort succeeds or joins previous failed attempts to extend the subsidies.

From digital health support to lower prices on essentials, Walmart wants to be your go-to for feeling good without breaking the bank

• New Better Care Services bring easier access to health care support and nutrition guidance.

• Price rollbacks on 1,000+ wellness products help stretch your budget on items that support your health.

• Extra tools and resources help you make smarter, more personalized health and food choices.

If one of your New Years resolutions was to feel better physically and mentally Walmart just made that a whole lot easier.

The retail giant recently introduced Better Care Services, a new digital hub designed to centralize a range of health and wellness support in one place. Its part of Walmarts effort to make health care and everyday wellness less confusing and more affordable for shoppers.

We know that when health care feels hard, many people dont get the care they need. We can fix that, Kevin Host, senior vice president, health and wellness, pharmacy, said in a news release.

Better Care Services is about making wellness simple and affordable to fit into your life; were removing barriers so more people can get the care they deserve, right when they need it.

Getting the care you need

With Better Care Services, customers can connect instantly to a network of third-party providers for urgent care and behavioral health support, and even tap into LillyDirect services for managing conditions like diabetes and migraines.

After a same-day consultation, Walmarts pickup and delivery options including free delivery for Walmart+ members make it simple to get prescriptions and over-the-counter products quickly. Theres also a limited-time $15 discount on select telehealth consultations making it an especially welcome launch for anyone watching their budget.

But Walmart didnt stop at consultations. Because wellness is more than doctors and meds, the new hub also includes an AI-powered Nutrition Hub that offers personalized food recommendations and recipe ideas to help you eat smarter without spending more.

Big savings on wellness must-haves

Speaking of budgets, Walmart also rolled back prices on over a thousand wellness-focused products. The discounts cover a wide range of items, from healthy foods and supplements to fitness gear and over-the-counter essentials.

Shoppers can find deals on popular brands like Lemme vitamins, high-protein snacks, and even Oura wellness rings plus expanded affordable recipe options for specialty diets like keto, gluten-free, and high-protein eating plans.

Walmart also continues to expand its own private-label offerings with chef-inspired products under its bettergoods brand many items priced under $5 and has announced plans to phase out certain artificial ingredients in its store brands by next year.

Tips for shoppers: Make wellness work for you

Whether youre new to wellness goals or just want to shop smarter, here are a few ways to take advantage of Walmarts expanded health offerings:

• Start with the digital tools: Explore Better Care Services early if you need health care support or ideas for healthier eating especially while the telehealth discount is available.

• Watch for price rollbacks: Plan your shopping list around the wellness items with reduced prices to get the most value for your budget.

• Try the Nutrition Hub: Use the AI-powered recommendations to find affordable, nutritious meals tailored to your goals.

With these new services and savings, Walmart is making it easier than ever to turn health goals into habits without overcomplicating your life.

Why the cheapest option often costs you more in the long run

• For items you use daily or rely on heavily, higher upfront costs often mean fewer replacements, lower repair bills, and better long-term value.

• Products with strong warranties and proven reliability can turn a higher price into a one-time purchase instead of a repeat expense.

• When you factor in how often you use something, how long it lasts, and what failure would cost you, spending more can actually protect your budget.

Sometimes the cheapest option isnt the frugal one. For many everyday purchases, spending a bit more upfront can prevent frequent replacements, costly repairs, major frustrations, and wasted time.

Its not about buying luxury items as much as its about considering durability, reliability, and long-term value. Heres how smart shoppers consistently turn higher upfront prices into lower costs over time.

1. Cookware that pays off over years of use

Most cheap cookware warps, loses nonstick coating, or cooks unevenly within a year or two. And thats before you count the frustration and extra energy costs from inconsistent heating.

So instead of replacing low-end cookware every couple of years, invest in a quality set which will mean fewer replacements and better results:

• Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven Classic enameled cast-iron that can last decades with proper care.
• Caraway Ceramic NonStick 12Piece Cookware Set Premium ceramic non-stick and oven-safe pieces that sharply reduce replacement needs.
• AllClad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel 10Piece Cookware Set A professional-grade kit built to last a lifetime.
• Tramontina Gourmet 10Piece TriPly Clad Cookware Set Combines durability with a more moderate price point.

Contrast that with low-cost kits that often degrade quickly: their short lifespan means you might replace them two or three times over the life of a single quality set.

2. Tools with lifetime warranties save replacement costs

Home projects require reliable tools, and heres a shocker: many seriously cheap tools dont last. A cordless drill from a brand that youve never heard of, that fails after a few uses, means youre having to buy another, not to mention the wasted time and project delays.

Thats why tools brands with strong warranties actually reduce total cost of ownership. Take Craftsman hand tools for example: theyve long been known for an unlimited lifetime warranty on many hand tools, meaning replacements are free in many cases even without a receipt.

Higher-end tools from companies like Craftsman, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita may cost more upfront, but they often hold up under heavy use, require fewer repairs, and come excellent customer service when you have an issue. The result? You buy once instead of multiple times.

3. Quality electronics: skip the cheapest, avoid frustration

Think about how often you use your smartphone, TV, laptop, or tablet. These devices are so deeply integrated into daily life that poor performance or short lifespan isnt just annoying, but it costs you time and productivity.

While ultra-budget tablets or laptops might save $100$200 upfront, brands like Apple, Lenovos ThinkPad lines, and Dells XPS series tend to hold value, receive software updates longer, and have better resale value. So not only do you get a more reliable machine upfront, but you get more resell value later when you upgrade.

This aligns with research showing that durable products hold their worth and can even fetch better resale prices, helping offset the initial cost.

Pro tip: When shopping for electronics, at the very least, skip the bottom tier of brands youve probably never heard of and look at the next tier up in terms of price and quality. This is often where build quality, processors, and long-term product support jump significantly without doubling the price.

4. Appliances with reliability rankings win over time

Cheaper appliances often get the job done at first, but frequent breakdowns quickly erase any upfront savings. Reliability rankings from product testers like Consumer Affairs shows that certain brands consistently outperform budget alternatives.

Over a typical appliance lifetime, a reliably performing unit can save you hundreds or thousands in repairs, replacement parts, and early replacement costs.

Pro tip: When shopping for major appliances at Lowes, Home Depot, or Best Buy dont be afraid to start an honest conversation with the salesperson. Ask them questions like, What models tend to not get returned?, or What brand tends to have the most repairs? They want you to be satisfied with the purchase, so Ive found that theyre happy to be honest with you and give you some great insight.

5. Outdoor gear that actually withstands wear

If you hike, camp, or spend time outdoors, you know the difference between gear that makes adventures smoother and gear that fails when you need it the most.

Brands like Patagonia, The North Face, L.L.Bean, and REI Co-op cost more than fast-fashion alternatives, but their jackets, backpacks, and boots last years longer and often come with robust repair or warranty programs. That durability eliminates the need to rebuy gear every season and also improves resale value, again lowering your total cost.

Pro tip: REI has a 1-year warranty, Patagonia offers a lifetime guarantee, L.L. Bean offers 1-year, and North Face offers a lifetime limited warranty. Buy quality gear from the start and take advantage of these guarantees if you have any issues.

How to decide before you spend more

Not every expensive item is worth it. But heres a handy checklist to help you decide:

1. Will you use it frequently? Weight the cost per use.
2. Is it hard to replace? For appliances and electronics, downtime has its own cost.
3. Does it have a strong warranty? Better coverage can offset initial price.
4. Do reviews show long-term reliability? Look beyond just review stars and read the reviews from real users.

If you answer Yes to 23 of these questions, paying more can actually be the frugal and smart choice.

Conclusion: Frugality isnt cheap its smart

We live in a world of throwaway goods, where people are happy to toss stuff in the garbage and replace it at the drop of a hat. Its time to consider changing that mindset.

A frugal shopper isnt someone who always buys the cheapest option. Instead, its someone who considers the true cost of owning something and how long it might last. By strategically spending more on items that last longer, and cause less frustration, you can actually save money over time.