Consumer News: Homeowners insurance rates are projected to rise again in 2026

In February, the Producer Price Index rose at the fastest level in months

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Wholesale inflation accelerated in February, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) rising 0.7%, the fastest monthly gain in months.

• Goods prices surged 1.1%, driven by sharp increases in food and energy, including a nearly 49% spike in vegetable prices.

• Core producer prices (excluding food, energy, and trade services) climbed 0.5% for the 10th straight month, signaling persistent underlying inflation.

Economists keep an eye on wholesale prices, because they eventually affect the prices consumers pay. The trend is not good.

Wholesale prices picked up momentum in February, reflecting broad-based increases across goods and services, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.7% for the month on a seasonally-adjusted basis, following gains of 0.5% in January and 0.4% in December. On a year-over-year basis, producer prices increased 3.4%, matching the largest annual gain recorded since February 2025.

The February increase was driven by both goods and services, though goods prices showed the strongest acceleration. Prices for final demand goods climbed 1.1% the largest jump since August 2023 while services advanced 0.5%.

The biggest drivers

Food and energy played a major role in the goods increase. Food prices surged 2.4%, accounting for roughly 40% of the overall rise in goods. Energy prices also rose sharply, up 2.3%.

A standout contributor was a dramatic 48.9% spike in prices for fresh and dry vegetables, which alone accounted for more than one-fifth of the overall increase in goods. Other notable increases included diesel fuel, gasoline, jet fuel, chicken eggs, and tobacco products. In contrast, prices for jewelry fell 4.0%, while home heating oil and soft drinks also declined.

On the services side, the 0.5% increase marked the third consecutive monthly gain. Much of the rise came from services excluding trade, transportation, and warehousing, which climbed 0.6%.

Trade services and transportation and warehousing services also posted gains of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively.

Within services, a sharp 5.7% increase in traveler accommodation prices was a key driver, accounting for about one-fifth of the overall services advance. Prices also rose for food and alcohol wholesaling, financial services such as securities brokerage and investment advice, and inpatient care. However, some sectors saw declines, including a 4.5% drop in retail margins for apparel and accessories, as well as decreases in airline passenger services and gaming receipts.

Meanwhile, core producer prices which exclude food, energy, and trade services rose 0.5% in February. This marked the tenth consecutive monthly increase, pushing the 12-month gain to 3.5%.

The steady climb in core prices suggests that underlying inflation pressures remain persistent, even as some categories show volatility.

Seven cases have been confirmed in three states so far

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Federal and state officials are investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw cheddar cheese.

• Seven cases across three states have been reported, with two hospitalizations and no deaths.

• Health officials say Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese is the likely source and advise consumers to avoid it.

U.S. health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections that may be tied to raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm, LLC, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC, working alongside the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state health agencies, has identified seven confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection across three states. Two people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.

Illnesses linked to the outbreak began as early as September 1, 2025, with the most recent case reported on February 13, 2026. Officials caution that the true number of infections is likely higher, since many people recover without seeking medical care or undergoing testing.

Reporting delays also mean additional cases may still be identified.

Young children among those affected

Preliminary demographic data show that the outbreak has disproportionately affected very young individuals. The median age of those infected is just 3 years old, with patients ranging in age from 1 to 28. About 71% of reported cases are male.

Among patients with available racial data, most are white, while a smaller portion are African American. The majority of those infected are non-Hispanic.

Raw cheddar cheese identified as likely source

Investigators are focusing on Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese as the likely source of contamination. Of the three patients interviewed so far, all reported consuming the product in the week before becoming ill.

Laboratory analysis supports this link. Using whole genome sequencing, scientists found that bacterial samples from infected individuals are closely related genetically, indicating a common source of exposure.

The CDCs PulseNet system, which tracks DNA fingerprints of foodborne bacteria nationwide, played a key role in identifying the outbreak.

Health officials urge caution

While the investigation continues, public health officials are advising consumers to avoid eating Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese.

Consider not eating affected raw cheddar cheese produced by Raw Farm, LLC, while this investigation is ongoing, the CDC said.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious complications.

Why waiting to upgrade could end up costing you

• AI is driving up costs: Tech companies are buying up memory chips, leaving fewer for phones and laptops.

• Prices likely rising into 2026: Shortages wont ease quickly, so expect higher device prices.

• Buy smart now: Shop earlier, consider last years models, and track prices to avoid overpaying.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence isnt just changing tech, its also starting to hit your wallet. A new Bloomberg analysis shows that surging demand for AI is creating a major shortage of memory chips, a key component inside of our smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles.

Right now, tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are pouring hundreds of billions into AI data centers. These systems require massive amounts of memory, including high-speed chips designed specifically for AI workloads. The problem? There simply arent enough to go around.

Thats pushing everyday consumer devices to the back of the line.

And this isnt a quick fix. Building new chip factories takes years, and manufacturers are being cautious about expanding too fast. This means the supply shortage, and subsequent higher prices, could stick around all of 2026 and beyond.

What consumers can do now

• Buy sooner rather than later: Prices are likely to rise in the coming months. If youve been thinking about replacing an old phone or laptop, now would be a good time to start researching and price comparing your various options.
• Skip the latest model: Last years devices can often be bought at a steep discount, typically in the 30-40% off range. Unless youre looking for specific features, they are nearly identical in terms of performance for the average user.
• Track prices before you buy: Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to spot price spikes on laptops and tablets so you dont get fooled by fake sales. Theres a good chance rising chip costs will translate to sales that arent always real deals anymore.
• Prioritize RAM and storage over brand-new models: With memory costs rising quickly, its smart to figure out now how much RAM youll potentially need and lock in higher RAM now. Not only will you extend your devices lifespan, but youll avoid a costly upgrade later.
• Time your purchase around major sales windows: Back-to-school sales, Amazon Prime events, and Black Friday deals may be your best shot to offset AI-driven price increases before they fully hit store shelves.

Researchers connect everyday habits to stronger emotional flexibility

• Regular breakfast, sleep, and exercise habits are linked to better stress resilience.

• Psychological flexibility plays a key role in how people respond to stress.

• Small, consistent lifestyle choices not extremes were associated with stronger outcomes.

Managing stress often feels complicated, but new research suggests some of the most effective tools may already be part of your daily routine.

A study from Binghamton University looked at how habits like eating breakfast, getting enough sleep, and exercising might influence how well people handle stress.

Rather than focusing on stress itself, researchers zeroed in on something called psychological flexibilitythe ability to pause, process emotions, and adapt to challenges. This trait helps people avoid getting stuck in stressful moments and instead respond more thoughtfully. According to the findings, everyday behaviors may help strengthen that flexibility, which in turn supports resilience.

You might know someone who stays cool under pressure, researcher Lina Begdache said in a news release. The kind of person who misses a flight and, instead of panicking, calmly adapts to the situation. This person may still feel stressed, but theyre better able to manage it through psychological flexibility.

People may say that these are resilient people, but they also have whats called psychological flexibility. Theyre able to change the way they think about the situation and then use brain resources to handle the stress.

The study

To explore this connection, researchers surveyed roughly 400 college students about their eating habits, sleep patterns, exercise routines, and supplement use. The survey was anonymous and designed to capture a broad snapshot of participants lifestyles and mental well-being.

The study specifically examined how these lifestyle factors related to psychological flexibility and resilience. Researchers then analyzed how different habits like how often someone ate breakfast or how much they slept were associated with participants ability to adapt to stress.

Importantly, the study didnt test a single intervention or controlled experiment. Instead, it identified patterns and relationships between daily behaviors and mental health traits, offering insight into how these factors may work together in real life.

What the researchers found

The results point to a clear pattern: consistent, healthy habits were associated with greater psychological flexibility and, in turn, better resilience to stress.

For example, eating breakfast at least five times per week was linked to higher resilience through its connection to psychological flexibility. Getting fewer than six hours of sleep was associated with lower flexibility and resilience, while regular exercise even as little as 20 minutes showed a positive relationship with both.

The study also found that certain habits tended to cluster together. Lower psychological flexibility was associated with patterns like insufficient sleep and frequent fast-food consumption. On the flip side, healthier routines appeared to reinforce one another, contributing to stronger adaptive responses to stress.

When were under stress, we feel like we fuse with the stress. We live the stress. But psychological flexibility is like stepping back and thinking, I feel this because of that. What can I do? Identifying your emotions sometimes helps you find the solution for these emotions, said Begdache.