Consumer News: The hidden cost of being a sports fan

A new proposal would place limits on high earners

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Theres a debate about whether Social Security benefits should be capped at $100,000 annually for couples and $50,000 for individuals at full retirement age.

• The plan, from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), could save up to $100$190 billion over 10 years and reduce a significant share of the programs long-term funding gap.

• The cap would primarily affect wealthy retirees, with most lower- and middle-income beneficiaries potentially seeing stable or even higher benefits over time.

Social Security is six or seven years away from depleting the trust fund, but advocates are floating a plan to buy the retirement system a little more time.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), a nonpartisan fiscal policy group, believes capping benefits for the highest earners could save a lot of money over a decade. The group has introduced what it calls a Six-Figure Limit, a plan that would cap annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples and $50,000 for single retirees who claim benefits at full retirement age.

The alternative, the group warns, is a reduction in everyones benefits. The programs trust fund is projected to run out of reserves by 2032, at which point benefits would automatically be cut by roughly 24% unless Congress intervenes. So far, lawmakers have shown no willingness to do so.

Targeting high earners

Under the CRFB plan, the cap would apply mainly to the wealthiest retireesthose who spent decades earning at or above the taxable maximum and delaying retirement. While relatively few retirees currently receive six-figure benefits, the number is expected to grow as benefit formulas increase payouts over time.

The limits would also vary based on when retirees begin collecting benefits. For example, couples who delay benefits until age 70 could face a higher caparound $124,000while those who claim early at age 62 would be limited to about $70,000 annually.

CRFB argues the approach would make the system more progressive by concentrating reductions among affluent retirees. In early years, the cap would affect only a tiny fractionroughly the top 0.05% of couplesbut its reach would expand gradually.

Impact on solvency

According to CRFB estimates, the policy could generate between $100 billion and $190 billion in savings over the next decade, depending on how the cap is indexed over time.

The organization says the measure could close about one-fifth of Social Securitys long-term funding gapor more if paired with additional reforms.

The group also contends that limiting benefits at the top could allow for increases at the bottom. Its analysis suggests that 70% to 80% of beneficiaries could ultimately see higher payable benefits, with the largest gains going to lower-income retirees.

Debate over fairness

The proposal is likely to intensify an already contentious debate over how to fix Social Security. Policymakers broadly agree the program needs reform, but remain divided over whether to raise taxes, cut benefits, or pursue a combination of both.

Supporters of the cap argue that Social Security was designed as a safety net, not a source of six-figure income for wealthy retirees. Critics, however, warn that limiting benefitseven for high earnerscould open the door to broader cuts or undermine the programs universal structure.

GasBuddy predicts the price will continue to climb

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. national average for regular gasoline has surged to about $4.02 per gallon, according to AAA.

• GasBuddy data shows similar but slightly lower readings in recent days, with prices around $3.95$3.99 per gallon before the latest spike.

• Prices have climbed more than $1 in a month, driven largely by global oil disruptions and seasonal demand shifts.

The national average price of gasoline in the United States has climbed above $4 per gallon for the first time in nearly four years, reflecting a sharp and rapid increase that is squeezing household budgets and raising broader economic concerns.

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline reached approximately $4.018 as of March 31, marking a dramatic rise from just under $3 at the end of February.

GasBuddy, which tracks prices at tens of thousands of stations nationwide, reported similar figures in recent days, with the national average hovering between $3.95 and $3.99 per gallon before crossing the $4 threshold.

Rapid climb shocks consumers

The recent surge represents one of the fastest monthly increases in years. AAA data shows prices jumped roughly $1 in a single month, fueled by a combination of geopolitical tensions and seasonal factors.

Analysts point to disruptions in global oil supplyparticularly tied to conflict in the Middle Eastas a primary driver. The effective closure of key shipping routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel, increasing costs for refiners and ultimately consumers.

The situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable, but upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist as long as global oil supplies are constrained by the continued disruption in the Strait, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, in the company blog.

Were likely to see the national average for gasoline push beyond the $4-per-gallon mark, while diesel could approach $6 per gallon and potentially set new records if conditions fail to improve.

DeHaan said Americans have already spent nearly $8 billion more on gasoline over the past month, a trend that poses growing risks to the broader economy, while surging diesel prices may begin to reaccelerate inflation.

At the same time, the annual switch to more expensive summer-blend gasoline and rising spring travel demand have compounded upward pressure on prices.

Regional disparities widen

While the national average has crossed $4, prices vary widely by region. West Coast drivers are paying significantly more, with California nearing $5.90 per gallon, while some central states remain closer to the low $3 range.

These differences reflect variations in fuel taxes, environmental regulations, and proximity to refineriesfactors that typically create persistent regional gaps even during nationwide price swings.

The spike stands in stark contrast to earlier expectations. GasBuddys 2026 outlook projected a yearly national average of about $2.97 per gallon, suggesting lower prices overall despite expected volatility.

The hidden ways retailers are influencing your cart

• Prices arent fixed anymore AI adjusts prices based on demand and your behavior, so wait two to fivedays and track trends before making significant purchases.
• What you see isnt neutral Retailers personalize deals, search results, and urgency, so compare across devices and browse in incognito mode to avoid getting duped.
• You can use AI tools too Use price trackers to buy at the right time, Rakuten to earn cash back, and Honey to apply coupons, so you save at every step of the purchase.

Both in-store and onlineretailers are using AI algorithms to try and predict what youll buy, what youll pay, and nudge you toward products that makes them more money. And if you dont adjust how you shop, youll likely overpay.

The good news is that once you understand how it works, you can flip the script and start saving more than the average shopper.

AI is quietly controlling prices (and theyre not as fixed as you think)

Dynamic pricing is now popping up at more stores, especially as digital price tags become more widespread.

This allows retailers to change prices based on:

• The time of the day (demand spikes)
• Competitor pricing
• Your behavior (yes, really)

In many cases, stores are teasing that limited-time deal just to see if youll bite.

What smart shoppers should do about it:

• Track before you buy: For big purchases, give items two to threedays. Prices often fluctuate in thattime period.
• Use price history tools: Use Rufus or the website CamelCamelCamel to see if todays price is actually a deal. Then setup price alerts to ensure you only buy when the price is right.
• Watch for patterns: Electronics dip in price mid-week. Seasonal items spike right before demand.

Pro tip: If a price just dropped, dont assume its the lowest. Many retailers drop prices in stages to trigger you to make an impulse buy.

AI is personalizing your online shopping experience

Retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart arent just tracking what you buy, theyre tracking how you behave while you shop.

That includes:

• How long you stare at a product or hover (mouse over) it.
• Whether you scroll past it quickly or click.
• If you compare similar items.
• How often you come back before buying.

All of that feeds the algorithms which then decides the following:

• What products show up first in your search results.
• What items get labeled as a deal.
• What kind of urgency wording you see (Only threeleft!).

Actionable ways to avoid overpaying:

• Use incognito mode for big purchases (appliances, travel gear, electronics).
• Check prices logged out vs. logged in.
• Compare across devices. Mobile vs. desktop can definitely show different results.
• Clear your browser cookies before you re-check a price.

Pro tip: If youve been looking at an item repeatedly online, trying to decide if you should buy it, stop for 2448 hours. Sometimes that short pause will trigger a discount. Make sure youre registered with the site with your current email address.

AI is influencing what you buy (and what you dont even see)

Those Top Picks and Recommended for You sections?

Theyre designed to:

• Push higher-margin products
• Move excess inventory
• Steer you away from lower-profit options

Thats why the cheapest option is rarely front and center.

What to do instead:

• Scroll past the first few results theyre often paid or promoted.
• Search generic terms instead of brand names.
• Look for off-brand alternatives with similar specs.

Pro tip: Click sort by price first, then filter your search results. It completely changes what you see. Then set a mental walk-away price. If its not below that number, dont buy it, no matter how good the deal looks.

AI is making returns easier but also tracking you

Retailers like Amazon now offer very handy online returns.

The idea of making a return and not needing any boxes, packaging material, or even a shipping label, is super handy.

But that conveniencecomes at a price that shoppers need to be aware of.

In particular, with online returns, AI is tracking:

• Your return frequency.
• Categories you return the most.
• Patterns of try and send back behavior.

Too many returns could lead to warnings,restrictions, or even account closures if your return history includes fraudulent behavior.

How to use this to your advantage:

• Batch returns into one trip to save time and gas.
• Make your return quickly as youll have faster access to the funds, and wont risk going beyond the stores return window.
• Use returns strategically (wrong size, defective items), and not as a way to try-on or test items at home.

AI is predicting demand (and raising prices before you notice)

Many retailers now have the ability to anticipate the following:

• Seasonal demand
• Viral product trends
• Weather-driven purchases

Thats why:

• Space heaters spike during cold snaps.
• Fans spike during heat waves.
• Holiday items jump right before the holiday.

The best way to beat AI is to zig when everyone else is zagging.

This means:

• Buy off-season whenever possible.
• Stock up during low-demand windows.
• Avoid those last-minute purchases tied to trends.

Pro tip: A really good rule-of-thumb is that when everyone suddenly wants something, youre probably already too late, and stuck paying top dollar for it.

The good news: AI tools are on your side, too

Youre not powerless here, and there are actually some AI-driven tools that can help you save money.

In particular, use these tools to fight back:

• Honey Auto-applies coupon codes
• Rakuten Gives you cash back on your shopping
• CamelCamelCamel Shows real price history

The real power move is to stack all three of these tools to maximize your savings:

• Check the price first using CamelCamelCamel Make sure its actually a deal.
• Go to Rakuten and click through to the store This activates your cash back.
• Add item to cart and head to checkout.
• Let the Honey browser extension apply any coupon codes at checkout This stacks extra savings.

The quick formula to remember: Price check Cash back Checkout Coupons

Pro tip: One final trick to save some money is to use the abandon cart strategy to nudge the algorithm to give you a lower price.

Heres how it works:

• Add the item to your cart.
• Leave it there for a day or two.
• Revisit via a different device or browser.

Some retailers will respond by dropping the price slightly, or theyll send you a coupon via email urging you to come back and complete your purchase at a discount. Its a worth a shot, especially on expensive purchases like electronics and major appliances.

Some luxury vehicles make their way into this week's recall roundup

Here are the latest vehicle and equipment recalls announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

More older adults say caring for animals is stretching budgets

• Pets can support emotional well-being, connection, and daily purpose for adults over 50.

• A growing share of older adults say pet care is putting pressure on their finances.

• Cost is increasingly a major reason some older adults choose not to own pets.

For many older adults, pets are more than companions theyre a meaningful part of daily life. Results from recent polls out of the University of Michigan suggests that activities like walking a dog or simply having an animal nearby can positively influence health and well-being.

Among adults ages 50 to 80, more than half report having at least one pet, a number that has remained relatively steady over time. But whats changed is how people perceive the emotional value of those relationships. A growing share of pet owners say their animals give them a sense of purpose, and many also report feeling more socially connected and less stressed.

At the same time, the findings highlight a tension: while pets can enhance quality of life, they also come with responsibilities and increasingly, financial strain.

Our two polls, seven years apart, clearly show that animals can play a key role in the lives of older adults, and bring many benefits that can contribute to healthy aging, said researcher Preeti Malani, M.D.

Yet some of the people who could potentially get the most benefit from having a pet may also be the ones who have cost-related challenges to pet ownership.

How the study was conducted

The findings come from the University of Michigans National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed adults age 50 and older about their experiences with pet ownership. The most recent poll was conducted in September 2025 and included responses from adults up to age 93.

Researchers compared these results to a similar poll conducted in 2018, focusing specifically on adults ages 50 to 80 to track changes over time. The survey asked participants about the types of pets they have, perceived benefits and challenges, and reasons for not owning pets.

The data included both Michigan-specific responses and national comparisons, offering a broader look at how pet ownership intersects with aging, health, and lifestyle factors.

The benefits and the tradeoffs

The results paint a nuanced picture. On one hand, many older adults report meaningful benefits from having pets.

Here are some key findings:

• 83% of pet owners ages 50-80 reported having a pet helps give them a sense of purpose up 10% from 2018.

• 70% said that having a pet helps them connect with others.

• 63% said pets help them manage and reduce their stress levels.

• 44% said that having a pet helps keep them physically active.

If were encouraging someone to get more physical activity to improve their physical or mental health, knowing if they have a pet they can take for a walk or play with could be very useful, poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. said in the news release. And discussing ahead of time who will help with pet care if they have a planned or unexpected hospitalization could relieve stress, he said.

However, the report also found that fewer people now report certain benefits compared to earlier years, including help with physical activity and coping with health symptoms On top of that, financial concerns are becoming more prominent.

Some more key findings include:

• In the earlier study, 60% of pet owners said their pets helped them cope with physical or mental health symptoms. In the later poll, just 34% said the same thing.

• The notion that pets helped keep older adults physically active went from 64% to 44%.

• Pet owners reporting that pets helped them balance their stress levels went from 79% to 63%.

• Cost was also a major factor: Roughly 31% of pet owners said that caring for their pet strains their budget up from 18% in 2018.

The findings suggest that while pets can play an important role in healthy aging, the rising costs of care may limit access to those benefits especially for those who might benefit the most.