Heres what it means for your watchlist (and your wallet)

• Paramount is combining HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service as part of its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

• Together, the new service will serve roughly 200 million subscribers worldwide, giving it more scale to compete with Netflix and others.

• Pricing, launch timing, and branding are still up in the air but the aim is more content and a simpler streaming experience.

Paramount Skydance the newly formed company after Paramounts merger with Skydance is planning to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service.

This transformation is part of Paramounts takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal worth around $110 billion that temporarily outpaced a competing offer from Netflix. Paramount CEO David Ellison shared the news during a recent call with investors.

"We will combine the streaming portfolios of the two companies into one stronger platform over the coming years," Ellison said during the call. "Across the two platforms, there are over 200 million DTC [direct to consumer] subscribers today and more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, positioning us to compete effectively with the leading streaming services in today's marketplace."

This would make the new streamer a competitor to Netflixs roughly 325 million paid users, and on par with some of the largest services like Amazons Prime Video.

Preserving brand identity

Right now, HBO Max and Paramount+ each operate as separate platforms with different apps, price tiers, and content.

The plan is to fold them into one unified service so subscribers can access both HBOs premium shows and movies and Paramounts deep library including sports, kids content, and major franchises all under one roof.

Ellison says that Paramount intends to preserve the HBO brand identity, even as it combines the technology and catalogs of both services.

What consumers should know

This merger isnt happening overnight, and many of the details still need to be ironed out.

Regulators will first need to approve the specifics of the Paramount-Warner Brothers deal, and the technical work of merging platforms will take time.

But heres what you can expect and think about as things unfold:

• One log-in, bigger library: Eventually, instead of juggling two separate apps and subscriptions, youll likely get access to all HBO Max and Paramount+ content in a single place.

• Pricing changes could be coming: Theres no official price yet for the combined service. Industry experts expect the options to mirror what other streamers offer consumers, including a range of tiered options, and possibly ad-supported and ad-free plans.

• Transition time: Even after approval, it may take months or longer to fully integrate everything into one service. Dont expect the apps to disappear immediately!

Expanded work requirements is at the center of the change

• Able-bodied adults ages 1864 without a child under 14 must work, volunteer, or train 80 hours per month to keep benefits. Some previously exempt groups may now be included.

• Up to 2.4 million people could be affected. The Congressional Budget Office estimates millions could lose eligibility under the expanded rules.

• Watch the three-month limit. If you dont meet the requirement, youre generally limited to threemonths of SNAP in a three-year period. The months dont have to be consecutive, and the clock doesnt reset quickly.

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food assistance beginning March 1, as sweeping changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect nationwide.

According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), roughly 2.4 million people in an average month could lose access to benefits under the new eligibility rules over the next decade.

At the center of the change is expanded work requirements.

What changed on March 1?

Under the updated rules, if you dont live with a child under 14, and are an able-bodied adult aged 18 to 64, you must now:

• Work
• Volunteer
• Participate in approved education or job training

Combined, you must do one of these three things for 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week), to continue receiving benefits.

Groups that were previously exempt, including some veterans and people experiencing homelessness, may now be required to meet the 80-hour threshold unless they qualify for another exemption.

Valid exemptions still include:

• Pregnancy
• Receiving disability benefits
• Physical or mental conditions that limit ability to work

Any qualifying activity must be approved by the local social services agency.

Pro tip:Even if youre between 18-64, theres a chance you can qualify for an exemption due to a medical issue, pregnancy, disability, or if youre a caregiver. Donot panic. Instead call your local office and confirm your status before you immediately exit the program.

Who could lose benefits?

The CBO estimates the impact will break down roughly like this:

• 800,000 able-bodied adults through age 64 without dependent children
• 300,000 adults ages 1864 living with children age 14 or older
• 1 million adults ages 1854 who previously qualified for work-requirement waivers

Importantly, benefits are not automatically cut on March 1. Instead, individuals who fail to meet the requirements can receive SNAP for only three months within a three-year period unless they come into compliance.

For many households already living paycheck to paycheck, that time limit could have serious consequences.

Pro tip: If youre considering volunteering, or picking up more work hours, be sure to first get your hours pre-approved. Before you rely on a job-training class, side gig, or volunteer work to meet the 80-hour requirement, make sure your local agency confirms it qualifies in writing.

Why this matters

SNAP, which is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides monthly food benefits via an EBT card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.

Benefits can be used for:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread, cereal, and snacks

They cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, or nonfood household items.

The benefit amount depends on income, household size, and other assistance received.

Food banks across the country have warned they are already operating at capacity and expect increased demand if participation drops.

What recipients should do now

If you receive SNAP benefits and fall within the affected age group, here are some things to consider to make sure youre protected.

1. Confirm your exemption status with your local benefits office.
2. Document all work, volunteer, or training hours.
3. Make sure your activity is approved before assuming it counts.
4. Watch for official notices as changes are often enforced when you apply for recertification.

Because this is a federal change, similar rules apply nationwide, though enforcement can vary slightly from state to state.

Pro tip: Track every hour as if you were tracking a companys payroll. This means keep all your pay stubs, get your supervisors signature, create a volunteer-hours log, and hold on to any training certificates you earn. If theres ever a dispute, documentation will be the difference between keeping benefits and losing them.

The little-known SNAP time limit most people miss

Under SNAP work rules, if youre NOT meeting the 80-hours-per-month threshold, youre generally limited to the following:

Three months of benefits within a 36-month (three-year) period.

After those three non-compliance months are used up, your benefits stop.

Heres where it gets tricky:

1. The months dont have to be consecutive

In other words, you dont have to miss three months in a row. If, for example, you miss January, May, and October, that still counts as your three months.

Many folks dont realize theyve used up their months until its too late.

2. The clock doesnt automatically reset

The 36-month period is fixed by your states tracking system. This means:

• You cant simply wait three months and start over.
• The three-year window continues running in the background.

Some people assume it resets every calendar year. Be warned that it does not!

3. You can restart benefits but only if you comply

If your benefits stop after the three months, you can regain eligibility by doing the following:

• Meeting the 80-hour work requirement for 30 days, or
• Becoming exempt (for example, new disability status or caregiving change)

But its up to you to actively prove your compliant with the new work rules.

4. Why you shouldnt use up the months casually

Some recipients treat the three months as a short cushion while between jobs.

But thats risky. For example, if you face another job problem later in the same three-year period, you may not have any months left.

Also, be warned that once you get cut off, it could potentially take weeks to get reinstated.

Subaru and Kia are part of this week's recall

The Costco discount most members completely miss

• Costco Direct automatically saves you money when you buy 2+ qualifying big-ticket items (appliances, TVs, furniture). Look for the red Costco Direct label.

• Combine items in the same promo (washer + dryer, fridge + dishwasher). The discount applies automatically at checkout.

• Shop around major holiday sales and use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi to earn up to 4% back plus most appliance orders include delivery and haul-away.

Costco has a lesser-known online program for members called Costco Direct, and its a game changer when buying big ticket items like furniture, electronics, and appliances.

Heres what it is, how it works, and how to squeeze the maximum savings out of it.

What exactly is Costco Direct?

Costco Direct is an online-only savings program that offers automatic discounts when you buy multiple qualifying items at the same time.

Youll usually see promotions like:

• Spend $1,999 on 2+ items Save $300
• Buy 5+ qualifying appliances Save $500
• Buy any 3 Costco Direct items Save $200

The item description must have the small red label titled Costco Direct.

They dont advertise the deals very well on the Costco website. Ive found the best way to find them is to actually search Costco Direct directly from their search bar.

The search results will typically include the following:

• Appliances
• TVs
• Laptops
• Furniture
• Whole home generators
• Patio furniture
• Outdoor gazebos
• BBQs
• Toilets

They also occasionally have high-end seasonal items.

Unlike the regular Costco warehouse markdowns, this is an online only, bundle-based discount, that automatically applies at checkout.

The point of Costco Direct is simple

Its designed to reward you for buying multiple big-ticket items at once.

Instead of discounting just one refrigerator or one TV, Costco gives you a bigger automatic discount when you bundle qualifying items together.

Think of it like this:

• Buy 1 appliance regular sale price.
• Buy 2 or more qualifying appliances automatic extra savings.

Its Costcos way of:

1. Encouraging larger online purchases.
2. Moving high-value inventory faster.
3. Competing with big-box appliance package deals.

If youre already planning to replace multiple items, say a washer and dryer, or a fridge and dishwasher, Costco Direct can knock hundreds off your total.

But its not meant for small, everyday purchases. The savings is also beneficial if youre building a new home or doing a big remodel and replacing multiple appliances, furniture, or electronics.

Its built specifically for bundled, higher-dollar buys.

How to use Costco Direct

Go to Costco.com and search Costco Direct.

1. Click into the current promotion page.
2. Filter by category (appliances, TVs, etc.).
3. Add qualifying items to your cart.
4. The discount applies automatically once you hit the quantity threshold.
5. No coupon codes. No membership upgrade required.

Where the real savings happen

Dont assume that the savings Costco Direct provides is only useful if youre remodeling your entire house. Thats just not true.

Heres how the majority of us can take advantage of the savings:

1. Mix and match strategically

You dont have to buy two refrigerators.

You can combine:

• A washer
• A dryer
• A microwave
• A dishwasher
• A couch
• A reclining chair
• A dining table set

As long as theyre in the same Costco Direct promotion, youre good to go.

This is perfect if you're outfitting a rental, helping a kid move out, or replacing multiple aging appliances or furniture items at once.

2. Time it around seasonal transitions

Heres when Costco runs the most aggressive Costco Direct promos:

• Before Memorial Day
• Before Labor Day
• Around Black Friday
• During appliance clearance cycles

If a manufacturer model refresh is coming, then know that youll be able to stack:

• Manufacturer markdowns
• Costco Direct bundle savings
• Credit card rewards

Stacking like this is when your discounts quietly creep into the 2035% off range.

3. Stack with the Costco Credit Card

If you use the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa, you can earn:

• 2% Executive Membership reward (if youre Executive)
• 2% from the Costco credit card on Costco purchases

Thats potentially 4% back on top of the Direct discount.

On a $4,000 appliance package, thats another $160 back.

4. Dont forget about delivery perks

Costco Direct appliance purchases typically include:

• Three- to- five-day delivery in most areas
• Basic installation
• Haul-away of old units
• Extended warranty (often two years total)