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About 13% on deals fell through in March

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 50,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in March, representing a significant share of pending sales.

• The spike reflects growing economic uncertainty, high housing costs and shifting market power toward buyers.

• The trend signals continued instability in the housing market during what is typically the busiest homebuying season.

The housing market has definitely turned in favor of buyers. More than 50,000 home purchase contracts fell through in March, highlighting mounting strain in the U.S. housing market as buyers grow increasingly cautious.

A new report from real estate brokerage Redfin found that roughly 52,000 home-sale agreements were canceled during the month, accounting for about 13% of all pending transactions. The elevated cancellation rate illustrates a housing market where deals are increasingly fragile, even after contracts are signed.

The rise in failed transactions comes amid a larger slowdown in housing activity. Existing-home sales dropped 3.6% in March to an annual rate of 3.98 million, as high mortgage rates, elevated home prices and weakening consumer confidence discouraged buyers.

Industry analysts say buyers now have more leverage than in recent years, allowing them to walk away from deals more freely. A growing imbalance between the number of sellers and buyers has created more options for house hunters, leading some to cancel contracts over pricing concerns, inspection issues or changing financial conditions.

Economic uncertainty

Economic uncertainty is also playing a role. Concerns about job security, inflation and rising borrowing costs have made prospective buyers more hesitant to commit, particularly when mortgage rates fluctuate between the time an offer is made and finalized.

At the same time, housing affordability remains a major hurdle. Even as sales slow, home prices have continued to climb due to limited inventory, pushing the median price to a record high for March and further squeezing buyers.

The surge in contract cancellations suggests that the spring homebuying season typically the busiest time of year is off to a weak start. Analysts expect continued volatility in the coming months as economic conditions and borrowing costs remain uncertain.

Struggling consumers seek value, more affluent consumers seek quality

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Specialty and discount grocers are gaining market share and foot traffic, outpacing traditional supermarkets

• Consumers are splitting spending between low-price retailers and premium specialty stores

• Traditional supermarkets are losing share as shoppers prioritize value, convenience and targeted purchases

Higher prices are changing consumer behavior, especially where they shop for groceries.

A new analysis from Consumer Edge shows a growing divide in the grocery industry, with specialty and discount chains outperforming traditional supermarkets as shifting consumer habits reshape where Americans shop for food.

The report finds that value-oriented and specialty grocers are capturing a larger share of customer visits and spending, while conventional supermarkets are gradually losing ground. The shift reflects broader economic pressures and changing shopper priorities, particularly around price and product differentiation.

Rising food costs have pushed consumers to seek out lower prices, boosting discount chains such as Aldi and Grocery Outlet. Transaction data shows discount grocers have increased their share of the grocery market in recent years, driven by widespread value-seeking behavior across income groups.

But not all consumers are struggling. Specialty grocers including chains focused on organic, fresh or unique products are attracting shoppers willing to pay more for quality and curated assortments. These retailers have posted stronger traffic growth than traditional supermarkets, with consumers often traveling farther to shop their offerings.

Two kinds of consumers

Together, these two segments are driving what analysts describe as a bifurcation of grocery spending: budget-conscious shoppers gravitating to discounters, while higher-income consumers increasingly favor specialty stores.

Traditional supermarkets, meanwhile, are caught in the middle. While they still account for the majority of grocery visits, their share has been steadily eroding, with foot traffic slipping in recent years as shoppers spread purchases across multiple store types.

The shift is also changing how people shop. Instead of making one large weekly trip, consumers are making smaller, more frequent visits often across multiple retailers to manage costs and find specific items.

Industry insiders say supermarkets are responding by emphasizing private-label products, promotions and value-focused formats, but the competitive pressure is intensifying. The long-term outlook suggests continued fragmentation, with no single grocery format dominating as consumers balance price, convenience and quality in new ways.

An extended drought is affecting key food-producing regions

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than half of the United States is experiencing drought conditions, stressing crops and livestock

• Reduced yields and higher feed costs are expected to push grocery prices upward in the coming months

• Consumers could see the biggest increases in produce, beef, and dairy

After a wet winter, a widespread drought stretching across much of the United States is raising new concerns about food prices, as farmers grapple with shrinking water supplies and declining crop yields.

Recent data show that large portions of key agricultural regionsincluding the Midwest, Plains, and parts of the Westare experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions. For consumers, the effects may soon show up at the grocery store.

That would be on top of the inflation shoppers have already experienced. The March Consumer Price Index showed grocery prices were up nearly 2% in the last 12 months, with fruit and vegetable prices rising at twice that rate.

Crops under pressure

Dry conditions are already affecting staple crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. These commodities form the backbone of the U.S. food systemnot only for direct consumption, but also as feed for livestock.

When yields fall, supplies get tighter. That can push prices higher. Farmers are also facing higher irrigation costs where water is available, adding another layer of expense that often gets passed on to consumers.

Fresh produce may be particularly vulnerable. Fruits and vegetables grown in drought-stricken areas can be smaller, scarcer, or more expensive to harvest, leading to noticeable price increases at supermarkets.

Meat and dairy costs could rise

The impact doesnt stop with crops. Ranchers are dealing with parched grazing land and rising feed prices, forcing some to reduce herd sizes. While that can temporarily increase meat supply, it often leads to higher prices later as production tightens.

Dairy products may follow a similar path. Higher feed costs and water scarcity can squeeze dairy farmers, potentially resulting in more expensive milk, cheese, and other staples.

That can create ripple effects for consumers. Economists warn that the drought could contribute to broader food inflation, especially when combined with other pressures like energy costs and supply chain disruptions.

For households already coping with higher living expenses, even modest increases in grocery prices can add up quickly.

What shoppers can expect

While price spikes may not be immediate, experts say consumers should be prepared for gradual increases over the coming months, particularly in:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Beef and dairy products

• Packaged goods that rely on grain inputs

If drought conditions persist into the growing season, the impact could extend well into next year.

For now, much depends on weather patterns in the weeks ahead. But with little relief in sight, the dry spell is shaping up to be more than just an agricultural problemit could soon become a household budget issue nationwide.

The company denies the claims and vows to fight them in court

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has filed a lawsuit accusing Meta of failing to protect users from widespread scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.

• The suit alleges Meta misled users about its anti-fraud efforts while profiting from fraudulent ads that proliferated on its platforms.

• Meta denies the claims, saying the allegations misrepresent its work and that it will fight the lawsuit.

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has filed a lawsuit against Meta, claiming the social media giant failed to adequately protect users from scam advertisements, and misled the public about its efforts to combat fraud.

Filed in Washington, D.C., the complaint claims Meta allowed fraudulent ads to proliferate across Facebook and Instagram while publicly asserting it was cracking down on . The lawsuit focuses specifically on scam advertising such as fake government benefit offers and misleading financial promotions rather than direct person-to-person fraud.

According to the CFA, Metas practices violate consumer protection laws by understating the risks users face and overstating the companys enforcement efforts. The group alleges Meta knowingly adopted policies that increased revenue at the expense of user safety and misled consumers about the prevalence of on its platforms.

The lawsuit also points to evidence that scam ads remain easy to find through Metas own advertising tools and libraries, suggesting enforcement gaps. Critics have argued that such ads frequently promote offers that appear too good to be true, including fake stimulus payments or government giveaways.

CFA is seeking financial damages, as well as changes to Metas advertising and moderation practices.

Meta pushes back

Meta has denied the allegations and signaled it will contest the case.

These allegations misrepresent the reality of our work and we will fight them, a Meta spokesperson said in response to the lawsuit.

The company says it has taken significant steps to combat , including removing millions of fraudulent ads and accounts. Meta maintains that it aggressively enforces its policies and continues to invest in systems designed to detect and prevent before they reach users.

The lawsuit adds to growing pressure on Meta from regulators and advocacy groups over scam advertising. A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general has previously urged the company to strengthen oversight of ads and improve safeguards for users, citing persistent fraud despite existing controls.

Consumer advocates argue that online have become a major economic threat, with losses reaching into the tens of billions of dollars annually, and that platforms like Meta play a central role in how such schemes spread.

The CFAs legal action underscores increasing frustration among consumer groups, who say enforcement and policy responses have not kept pace with the scale of online fraud.

The hidden couponing system most Sams shoppers miss

• Couponing at Sams Club is all about strategy (not clipping),using Instant Savings, knowing the timing, and tracking prices to know when deals are actually worth it.

• Smart shoppers stack savings by combining Instant Savings with rebates from apps like Ibotta and even vendor checks to push prices lower.

• The biggest savings come from discipline: only buying true bulk deals, using the app to plan ahead, and avoiding impulse purchases that cancel out discounts.

Couponing at Sams Club doesnt look anything like traditional grocery store couponing.

You cant use stacks of paper manufacturer coupons and there are no extreme coupon hauls. And thats exactly why most shoppers assume theres nothing to game, but thats not entirely true.

The savings at Sams are baked into the pricing, promotions, and timing. And if you dont understand how it works, youll overspend without realizing it.

1. Master Instant Savings at Sams (this is your foundation)

Instant Savings are the closest thing Sams Club has to actual coupons and theyre definitely where most of your savings will come from.

These are pre-loaded discounts for specific items that:

• Automatically apply at checkout
• Rotate products every few weeks
• Often range from $3 to $20+ off bulk items

Theyre heavily promoted in-store, and the products with a discount have a yellow shelf tag with the words Instant Savings in bold letters. Theyre hard to miss.

You can also find them on their website, their app, and in their monthly savings book. Before you head to Sams, I highly recommend downloading their appand checking out the current items with Instant Savings.

With that said, many shoppers dont realize that not every Instant Savings deal is a stock-up deal.

How experienced shoppers approach this:

1. They track price cycles:Many staple items like detergent, paper towels, and snacksgo on sale on a predictable cycle (typically every six to 10 weeks.)
2. They dont buy just because its on sale:If something is discounted but still higher than previous sale prices, theyll wait unless they absolutely need the product right now.
3. They buy in volume only when it makes sense:The biggest savings come from buying at the lowest price point per-unit, not just any discount that looks like it could be a deal.

Pro tip: I like to keep a running note in my phone of good prices for the items I buy the most often. Then over time, Ill know instantly whether something is worth stocking up on or not.

2. Stack savings with Ibotta rebates (this is where real value happens)

This is the most overlooked part of Sams Club shopping.

Even though traditional coupons arent accepted, you can still use a cashback rebate app like Ibotta to save money at Sams.

Aside from their Instant Savings, Sams Club rarely discounts items, but when you use Ibotta rebates, you can easily push prices significantly lower than traditional grocery stores.

How to earn cash back in-store with Ibotta:

1. Find Sams Club in the Ibotta app:Search for Sams Club in the Ibotta app and select the in-store option.
2. Add your offers:Browse available deals and tap (+) to add them to your list before shopping.
3. Shop like normal:Buy the items in-store and check out as you usually would.
4. Upload your receipt:Submit your paper Sam's receipt through the app after your purchase.
5. Get your cash back:Cash back is typically credited to your Ibotta account within 72 hours.

Important: Scan & Go purchases at Sams are not eligible for cash back with Ibotta. You must submit a paper receipt to get your rebate.

Pro tip: Build a quick habit of always scanning Ibotta before you head to Sams (or while youre in the aisle). It takes less than a minute and can save you a surprising amount over the course of a year.

3. Sams accepts 'vendor checks'

Vendor checks are similar to manufacturer coupons in that the maker of the product creates them, but they actually look like check, not a coupon.

And unlike manufacturer coupons, Sams Club absolutely accepts them.

Brands where youll see these include:

• Enfamil
• Similac
• Gerber
• Purina

Youll often receive them in the mail, or when you get home from the hospital with a new baby, or when you adopt a new puppy or dog from a shelter.

Examples include:

• Save $5 off any Enfamil product
• Save $30 off any infant formula over $30 from Similac
• Save $10 off any dog food from Purina

Also, keep in mind that vendor checks cannot be used with Scan & Go, as they need to be ran through the check reader at a checkout register.

4. Know when bulk pricing actually works (this is where most people fail)

Im not afraid to say itbuying in bulk doesnt automatically save you money.

Sams Club feels cheaper because of the volume aspect, but the math doesnt always support it.

When bulk works:

• You know youll use the product consistently.
• The unit price is clearly lower.
• Its a non-perishable item.

When it doesnt:

• You dont finish it before it expires.
• Its not discounted via Instant Savings or Ibotta.
• Its simply a nice-to-have purchase and not a necessity.

Smart shoppers always checkthe following:

• Price per ounce/unit
• Competing store sales
• Household consumption rate

Pro tip: If its not on sale and not a staple, its probably smart to skip it. Most overspending at Sams Club happens when you let your guard down and start deviating from your shopping list.

5. Use the Sams app like a couponing tool

The Sams Club app is one of the most powerful and underused tools for saving money.

Inside the app, you can:

• Browse Instant Savings before you shop
• Scan items in-store to verify pricing
• Access online-only deals
• Create lists so you can track your most-shopped products

How smart shoppers use the app

• They pre-plan their trip and their meals. They check deals before entering the store so they know exactly whats worth buying.
• They price-check everything: Sometimes the shelf tag doesnt reflect the latest discount. Youd be surprised how often this happens.
• They use Scan & Go: This avoids checkout lanes, as you can finish your transaction right from any aisle in the store.This also helps you avoid last-minute impulse buys, as they tend to put those towards the front of the store near checkout.

Pro tip: Treat the app like your digital coupon binder. If its not in your favorites list, dont buy it.