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Experts share how to find the real deals and avoid overspending

• The Big Spring Sale isnt the same as Prime Day:The best deals are in seasonal categories like home, beauty and travel, not big-ticket tech.

• Shopping with a plan is key: Compare prices across retailers, stack discounts and cash back, and focus only on what you actually need.

• The biggest risk is overspending: Urgency tactics and endless deals can lead to impulse buys, so set a budget and dont be afraid to wait for better sales later.

Amazon kicked off its Big Spring Sale on Wednesday, March 25, and it will run through Tuesday, March 21.

Despite the hype, this event isnt quite the same as the retailers Prime Day. Many consumers may go in expecting deep discounts across the board especially on electronics and end up missing where the real savings are actually hiding.

That misconception is one of the biggest mistakes shoppers make. While the sale can feel a lot like Prime Day, the strongest deals tend to land in more seasonal categories, like travel gear, home products and beauty items. That means shoppers who come in with a game plan (instead of clicking on every discount they see) often walk away with the best bargains.

With the sale kicking off March 25, knowing what to buy, what to skip for now, and how to shop strategically can make a big difference especially when the sheer number of deals can feel overwhelming.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with RetailMeNots Retail Insights Expert to break down the best and worst categories to shop during the Big Spring Sale, smart ways to maximize savings, and expert tips to help you stay focused so your cart doesnt spiral out of control.

Best and worst buys

With the sale already kicking off, what are the categories to jump on immediately and which ones can wait for future sales? Carls gave us all the details.

Amazon is running deals across 35 categories this week, she said. The sweet spot is anything youd actually use this season: spring cleaning products, small kitchen appliances, beauty, home organization. Brands like Shark, Apple and KitchenAir are seeing real markdowns, some up to 50-60% off. If a robot vacuum has been sitting in your cart since January, its time.

Another tip: Dont skip the winter clearance.

Some of the best value during a spring sale has nothing to do with spring, Carls said. Coats, boots, cold-weather layers are getting pushed out right now and you can stock up for next year at prices that wont come back around until next March.

On the other hand, not everything is a must-buy right now.

Skip big-ticket tech and major appliances, Carls said. Youll see discounts, but theyre basically appetizers. The real meal is Prime Day or Black Friday.

Patio furniture and grills same story. Retailers put out spring teasers and then slash prices in July when theyre actually trying to get rid of the stuff. If you wouldnt have bought it without the sale, the discount didnt save you anything.

The sale is not equivalent to Prime Day

Carls warns shoppers not to get ahead of themselves and add everything they see to their cart. The Big Spring Sale is not the same as Prime Day that means the discounts arent the same, either.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale leans seasonal: warm-weather fashion, beauty, travel gear, gardening, bedding, Carls said. Prime Day goes wide. This goes specific. And specific can work in your favor if youre shopping the right categories.

One thing that actually makes this interesting: the sale is open to everyone, not just Prime members. Prime members get exclusive deals with a badge, but you dont need a subscription to shop.

How to make the most of the sale

If you want to know how to make the most of the week-long sale, Carls shared her best tips for shoppers:

• Make your list before you even open the app. Amazon is dropping different deals every day for seven days. That rotating format is built to give you a reason to come back tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. Without a list, youre not shopping. Youre just wandering through a very well-designed store with no closing time.

• Check other stores. Walmart, Best Buy, Target and others are running competing sales the same week and some of them are actually beating Amazon on the same products. People default to Amazon out of habit. That habit has a cost.

• Stack everything. Sale price, promo code, cash back, credit card rewards. Most people look at the listed sale price and stop there. But once you start stacking a promo code and cash back on top, that math shifts. A product that looks cheaper on Amazon at the sale price might actually cost you less at Target or Walmart after you apply a code and activate cash back. The lowest sticker price and the lowest final price are often at two different retailers. The final price after everything is applied is the only number that matters.

Avoid overspending

As Carls mentioned, Amazon isnt the only retailer hosting a sale this week. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by the seemingly endless stream of deals and discounts, here are some tips to help you shop smarter and avoid overspending.

• Pick a budget before you start scrolling. By category. Actual dollars. When its gone, close the app. Not wind down. Close it.

• Notice the built-in sense of urgency. Amazon is rotating themed deals daily, running doorbusters at 40% off, and dropping curated Top 100+ lists throughout the week. Countdown clocks. Limited stock badges. Little orange banners telling you 73% of the inventory is claimed. Amazon built every bit of that on purpose. Once you see the urgency for what it is, it loses most of its power.

• Make a plan. The people who overspend during sales like this didnt have a plan going in. The sale did. Show up with a plan and you are fine. Show up curious and suddenly theres a sunrise alarm clock on your doorstep that seemed like a great idea at 11pm.

Amazon now runs three major sale events a year Big Spring Sale, Prime Day, and Prime Big Deal Days in October, Carls said. Thats a lot of urgency packed into 12 months. And thats kind of the point. Every few months theres a new reason to feel like youre missing out if you dont buy now.

Youre not missing out. If the price isnt right this week, Prime Day is a few months away. The most underrated shopping skill right now is being totally fine with saying 'not yet.'

A new bipartisan push aims to make a life-saving drug more affordable for millions of Americans

• Lawmakers are proposing a nationwide $35 monthly cap on insulin for all Americans not just seniors.

• The plan builds on existing Medicare savings but would expand relief to privately insured and uninsured patients.

• If passed, it could lower costs for millions who currently pay far more out of pocket.

For millions of Americans living with diabetes, insulin isnt optional its essential. But for years, the cost of that life-saving medication has been anything but manageable.

Now, a new bipartisan proposal in Congress aims to change that by capping insulin costs at $35 per month for all Americans.

The push builds on a major change already in place: thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare recipients now pay no more than $35 a month for insulin. But until now, that relief has largely excluded people with private insurance and those without coverage leaving many still facing steep bills at the pharmacy counter.

Lawmakers from both parties are working to close that gap, arguing that no one should have to ration or skip a medication they need to survive.

What the new legislation would do

The proposed bill often referred to as the Affordable Insulin Now Act would extend the $35 monthly cap to everyone, including those with private insurance and even the uninsured.

Under the plan, insurance companies would be required to cover insulin at no more than $35 out of pocket per month. For people without insurance, the legislation would create a system to ensure they can still access insulin at that same capped price, with providers reimbursed for the difference.

The effort has gained bipartisan traction, with lawmakers arguing that insulin a drug thats been around for over 100 years shouldnt be financially out of reach.

And the stakes are high: about 7 million Americans rely on insulin, and high costs have historically forced some patients to ration doses, which can lead to serious health complications.

Recent reports suggest momentum is building again in Congress, with senators from both parties working toward a deal to make the $35 cap a nationwide standard.

Im proud to have expanded the bipartisan coalition of Senators who agree insulin should be affordable for everyone, including uninsured Americans, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) said in a news release.

Our legislation also provides a pathway of funding to community health centers so they can continue reaching people who would benefit from insulin priced at $35 or less. No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they cant afford insulin or dont know where to get it.

What it means for you

If passed, this legislation could bring immediate financial relief especially for people who currently pay well above $35 a month. Research shows that a significant share of insulin users with private insurance already exceed that amount, meaning many households could see meaningful savings.

For consumers, the biggest takeaway is simple: help may be on the way, but its not here yet. Until a broader law is passed, costs can still vary widely depending on your insurance, location, and the type of insulin you use.

In the meantime, experts recommend checking with your insurance provider, asking about manufacturer discount programs, and comparing pharmacy prices small steps that can sometimes lead to big savings.

Costco gas is cheap, but thats not the only reason it stands out

• Bigger price gap = bigger savings: Costco can be 50+/gallon cheaper, which really adds up as gas prices climb.

• Theyre not chasing gas profits: Fuel is a membership perk, so prices tend to stay consistently lower than nearby stations.

• Stack savings + skip the lines: Use a rewards card and the wrong side pump trick to save both money and time.

As gas prices start climbing again, Costco is quietly reminding members why its fuel pumps have become one of the most practical perks of an annual membership.

Right now, in my hometown in northern California, Costco gas is priced at $4.99/gallon, while the Chevron near my house is a whopping $5.69/gallon. When gas prices rise broadly, the fuel savings that Costco provides starts to feel even more valuable.

That matters because gas prices are moving higher yet again. AAAs national average for regular gas was $3.983 per gallon on March 25, 2026, up from $3.790 a week earlier, and AAA has also warned that springs shift to summer-blend gasoline and rising travel demand can push prices up further.

Why Costco has an edge

Costco does not operate like a typical gas station trying to maximize profit on every gallon. Instead, gas is part of the retailers larger membership ecosystem.

The company uses fuel, along with their bulk goods and bargain rotisserie chicken, as one more reason to keep members loyal and visiting often.

That model helps explain why many drivers treat Costco gas as a budget-defense tool, especially during price spikes. The fuel savings may not seem dramatic on a single fill-up, but over weeks or months, it can help offset the entire membership fee, particularly for commuters or families with multiple vehicles.

Costco fuel is also a Top Tier certified gasoline, which means it meets higher standards for engine-cleaning additives set by automakers. In plain English, youre not just getting cheaper gas, youre getting fuel designed to help reduce engine deposits and maintain performance over time.

Pro tip: If youre not a Costco member, you can still take advantage of the bargain gasbut you need a Costco Shop Card to do it. Just have a member buy you one, and load up to $500 on it. You can then use it to buy gas or anything inside the warehouse.

What shoppers should do

First, do the membership math honestly. If you already shop Costco regularly, the gas perk is an easy bonus. But if you would only join for fuel, calculate how many gallons you buy each month and how much cheaper Costco gas usually is in your area before assuming it is a slam dunk.

Second, pair Costco gas with a rewards credit card when possible. That is where the savings stack gets much better, especially for drivers filling up every week.

Third, be strategic about timing. Costco gas stations can get crowded, so it often makes sense to fill up early in the morning, later at night, or on a weekday. Keep in mind that many Costco gas stations stay open for one hour past closing, making that a good time to fill up.

Pro tip: Most Costco gas stations are set up with one-way traffic lanes, and most drivers automatically line up on the side where their gas tank is, making the line quite long at times.

But did you know that Costco pumps are designed with extra-long hoses that reach both sides of your car? So even if your gas tank is on the left, you can pull into a right-side pump (which is often way shorter), stretch the hose across the back of your car, and fill up just fine.

Scammers usually hang up when asked to identify themselves

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Call screening tools are becoming a frontline defense against scam calls and robocalls.

• New built-in features from Apple and Google can automatically ask unknown callers to identify themselves.

• Third-party apps are expanding the concept with AI assistants that filter, transcribe, and block suspicious calls.

Americans are no strangers to unwanted calls. From fake IRS threats to your package is delayed , robocalls remain one of the most persistent annoyances and risks consumers face.

Now, a new wave of call screening technology aims to stop those calls before they ever reach you. Both smartphone makers and app developers are leaning into a simple idea: make unknown callers prove theyre legitimate before your phone even rings.

How call screening works

Call screening flips the traditional phone experience. Instead of your phone ringing first, the system answers unknown calls automatically and asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling.

You then see that information often as a live transcript and decide whether to:

• Answer the call

• Send it to voicemail

• Block it entirely

The goal is straightforward: Scammers and robocall systems typically wont respond to prompts or provide meaningful answers, making them easier to filter out.

Built-in features from Apple and Google

Major phone makers are now building this technology directly into their devices.

Apple has introduced call screening features that automatically intercept unknown callers and request identifying information. Users can review the callers response in real time before choosing to pick up.

Googles version, powered by Google Assistant, goes a step further by interacting with callers and transcribing responses instantly. It can also suggest whether a call isspam based on what the caller says or doesnt say.

These built-in tools are appealing because they dont require downloading additional apps and are tightly integrated with the phones operating system.

Third-party apps add AI to the mix

Several apps are expanding on call screening with more advanced features:

• Truecaller Assistant uses AI to answer calls and summarize what the caller wants.

• RoboKiller screens calls and can block known scam numbers, while wasting robocallers time with automated responses.

• KONTXT and similar apps act as virtual receptionists, handling unknown calls and filtering out suspicious ones.

Many of these apps maintain large databases of known scam numbers, adding another layer of protection.

Why scammers struggle with screening

Call screening works particularly well against scam calls for a few reasons:

• Robocall systems often cant respond to open-ended questions like What are you calling about?

• Scammers rely on urgency and surprise, which screening removes by giving you time to evaluate the call.

• Callers who refuse to identify themselves are easy to ignore or block.

In short, screening forces friction into a system that scammers depend on being fast and automated.

What consumers should know

While call screening can significantly reduce unwanted calls, its not foolproof.

Legitimate callers like doctors offices or delivery drivers may not always respond clearly, and some users worry about missing important calls. Others may find the feature unfamiliar or confusing at first.

Still, for many consumers, the tradeoff is worth it.

Call screening represents a shift in how we handle unknown calls from reactive to proactive. Instead of deciding whether to answer after your phone rings, you can now decide before you ever pick up.

As scam calls continue to evolve, tools that put control back in consumers hands may become less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

The two issues in question both increase the risk of an accident

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Ford is recalling more than 260,000 vehicles due to a software issue that can disable rearview cameras and key driver-assistance features.

• A separate recall affects over 7,000 Super Duty trucks with faulty fuel pumps that can lead to sudden loss of power.

• Both recalls will be fixed free of charge, with owner notifications beginning March 30, 2026.

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 260,000 vehicles across two separate safety campaigns, addressing issues that could increase the risk of a crash.

The larger recall covers an estimated 254,640 vehicles, including certain models of the 20222025 Lincoln Navigator, 20242025 Lincoln Nautilus, and 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a software problem in the vehicles Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may cause the system to reset unexpectedly.

If that happens, drivers could lose the rearview camera image along with several advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The loss of these features can reduce a drivers ability to detect hazards, increasing crash risk.

Ford plans to fix the issue with a software update that can be installed at dealerships or delivered over the air (OTA). Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 30, 2026.

F-Series trucks being recalled

In a separate recall, Ford is also addressing a problem affecting 7,105 heavy-duty trucks, including certain 20202022 F-250 through F-550 Super Duty models, 20212022 F-600 trucks, and 2022 F-750 vehicles.

These trucks were previously repaired under an earlier recall but may still have defective high-pressure fuel pumps. NHTSA says biodiesel deposits can form on internal pump components, potentially causing the pump to fail. If that occurs, the vehicle could lose drive power, raising the likelihood of a crash.

To fix the issue, dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software at no cost to owners. Notification letters for this recall are also expected to be sent March 30, 2026.

Consumers can check whether their vehicle is included in either recall by searching their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website. Ford customer service can be reached at 1-866-436-7332 for additional information.