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It doesnt address the biggest issue - affordability

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The most sweeping federal housing legislation in decades has become law automatically after President Donald Trump declined to sign it, while also choosing not to veto it.

• The bipartisan law is designed to boost housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers to construction, and limit large institutional investors' purchases of single-family homes.

• Housing economists say the measure is unlikely to lower home prices or mortgage rates quickly, but it could improve affordability over time by increasing the nation's housing inventory.

A bipartisan housing bill aimed at tackling America's affordability crisis is now law, even though President Donald Trump refused to sign it.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially took effect at midnight Saturday after Trump allowed the constitutional 10-day signing period to expire without either signing or vetoing the legislation. Under the Constitution, bills automatically become law if the president takes no action while Congress remains in session.

Trump said he withheld his signature to protest the Senate's failure to pass the SAVE America Act, a separate election bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. He had previously canceled a planned White House signing ceremony for the housing measure after it cleared Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Despite the unusual path to becoming law, housing advocates say the legislation represents the most comprehensive federal housing reform in decades.

What the law does

The legislation focuses primarily on increasing the nation's housing supply, which economists widely identify as a major cause of soaring home prices and rents.

Among its major provisions, the law:

• Streamlines environmental reviews and other federal approval processes for qualifying housing developments.

• Encourages construction of manufactured, modular and mixed-use housing.

• Limits the number of existing single-family homes that large institutional investors can acquire in certain circumstances.

• Reduces regulatory barriers that supporters say have slowed residential construction.

• Provides additional tools for state and local governments to expand housing development.

The legislation seeks to address an estimated national shortage of millions of homes that has pushed prices beyond the reach of many buyers.

Will it lower home prices? Probably not immediately.

Whats holding buyers back

Housing analysts say the biggest obstacle facing buyers remains limited inventory, combined with elevated mortgage rates. While the new law is intended to encourage more construction, new homes take months or years to reach the market.

"The legislation is more likely to have a gradual effect than an immediate one," analysts told MarketWatch, noting that expanding supply is a long-term solution rather than a quick fix.

The timing comes as affordability remains near historic lows. The median U.S. home price recently reached a record $440,600, while mortgage rates remain well above the ultra-low levels seen during the pandemic.

Potential impact on the housing market

If the law succeeds in accelerating home construction, economists say it could eventually:

• Increase the number of homes available for sale.

• Ease upward pressure on home prices and rents.

• Create more opportunities for first-time buyers.

• Reduce competition from large institutional investors in some housing markets.

• Encourage additional development of manufactured and modular housing.

Homebuilder stocks rose ahead of the law taking effect, reflecting investor optimism that the legislation could stimulate residential construction.

Housing experts caution that the legislation is unlikely to solve the affordability crisis on its own.

Many of the biggest barriers to new housingincluding local zoning rules, land-use restrictions and high construction costsremain under the control of state and local governments. Some housing advocates have also criticized the measure for not including stronger tenant protections or larger investments in affordable housing.

However, the legislation's enactment marks a rare bipartisan victory on one of Americans' top economic concerns and gives builders and local governments new tools aimed at increasing the nation's housing supply over the coming years.

The week is starting with a hopeful sign

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Gasoline prices enter the new week with conflicting signals as geopolitical tensions and energy markets pull in opposite directions.

• The national average price of regular gasoline stands at $3.87 a gallon, up seven cents from a week ago and the same as the previous day, according to AAA.

• Analysts say developments in the Middle Eastparticularly the standoff involving Iran and the security of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuzare likely to determine whether prices at the pump continue rising or begin to ease.

Gasoline prices are beginning the week at a crossroads, leaving motorists wondering whether the recent run-up at the pump has peaked or if another round of increases is ahead. Events in the Middle East will likely determine their direction.

AAA reports the national average price of regular gasoline is $3.87 a gallon, seven cents higher than a week ago and the same as the previous day, suggesting that the rapid climb in prices may be losing momentum.

Until last week, drivers had been enjoying steadily declining fuel prices as crude oil retreated from its spring highs. That trend abruptly reversed after President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran was "over," raising concerns about renewed instability in one of the world's most important oil-producing regions. Oil prices quickly surged before moderating, but retail gasoline prices continued moving higher.

Oil and gas prices dont move in tandem

The disconnect between oil prices and gasoline prices often frustrates consumers, who expect pump prices to fall as quickly as crude oil. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says the relationship is more complicated.

"Oil is still the biggest input into gasoline prices, it just isn't the only one," De Haan posted on X. "If flour doubles, bread gets more expensive. But if flour gets cheaper while baking and transportation costs rise, bread won't fall by the same amount. Gasoline works the same way."

In addition to crude oil costs, gasoline prices are influenced by refining margins, transportation expenses, regional fuel inventories and seasonal demand. Retail stations also adjust prices more slowly than wholesale markets, meaning motorists often see increases immediately while declines take longer to appear.

Eyes on the Middle East

AAA said uncertainty surrounding the Middle East remains the biggest wildcard. Although crude oil has settled back into the $70-per-barrel range after its initial spike, any escalation that threatens oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could send both oil and gasoline prices higher again.

In the days ahead, motorists face a mixed outlook. If geopolitical tensions ease and oil continues to stabilize, gasoline prices could begin drifting lower later this month. But another flare-up in the region could quickly reverse that trend, making this week's developments in the Middle East especially important for drivers planning summer travel.

The money will go to various states that brought the suit to fund consumer services

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Block Inc. has agreed to pay $45 million to settle allegations from 46 states that it misled Cash App users about the platform's security and failed to adequately protect them from fraud.

• The company denied wrongdoing but agreed to strengthen fraud prevention, provide live 24/7 customer support, and improve how it handles unauthorized transaction claims.

• The settlement comes on top of a separate agreement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that provides between $75 million and $120 million in redress for eligible Cash App users.

Block Inc., the parent company of Cash App, has agreed to pay $45 million to resolve allegations by a bipartisan coalition of 46 state attorneys general that it misled consumers about the security of its popular peer-to-peer payment platform and failed to adequately protect users from fraud.

The settlement follows a multistate investigation that alleged Block marketed Cash App as offering protections comparable to those of traditional banks while allowing security weaknesses that made it easier for scammers to exploit the platform. State investigators claimed the company did not provide the fraud protections and customer assistance that consumers were led to expect.

According to the states, Cash App allowed users to open accounts with minimal identity verification, including in some cases without providing a Social Security number or date of birth. Investigators also alleged there were insufficient limits on the number of accounts an individual could create, making it easier for fraudsters to operate on the platform.

Focus on customer service

Another focus of the investigation was customer service. Attorneys general said Cash App did not provide an official customer support telephone number for years, forcing locked-out users to search online for help. Many instead encountered fake customer service numbers operated by scammers, resulting in additional financial losses.

The states also alleged that Block continued aggressively marketing Cash App, including encouraging consumers to receive paychecks and government benefits through the service, even as fraud on the platform increased. Officials said those practices disproportionately affected unbanked and underbanked consumers who relied on Cash App as a primary financial account.

Better customer service

As part of the settlement, Block agreed to implement a series of reforms designed to better protect customers. Those changes include offering live customer support around the clock, improving fraud detection and prevention systems, complying with laws governing reimbursement for unauthorized transactions, and eliminating marketing that could mislead consumers about the platform's security protections.

Block denied the allegations and did not admit liability as part of the agreement.

The multistate settlement is separate from a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau case announced earlier. Under that agreement, Block is providing between $75 million and $120 million in compensation to eligible Cash App users in addition to regulatory penalties. Some affected customers have already begun receiving payments through that separate CFPB settlement.

The case reflects increasing regulatory scrutiny of peer-to-peer payment services as millions of Americans use apps such as Cash App, Venmo and Zelle for everyday financial transactions. Regulators have argued that fintech companies offering bank-like services must also provide robust consumer protections against fraud and unauthorized transactions.

Social media wellness trends can sound appealing, but balance may be the healthier choice

• "Health maxxing" trends often promote extreme approaches to diet, exercise, sleep, and supplements.

• Ohio State experts say many of these practices lack strong scientific evidence and may carry unexpected health risks.

• Focusing on proven healthy habits instead of chasing online trends can help support long-term wellness.

If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably come across videos promising to help you "maximize" your health.

Known as "health maxxing," the trend encourages people to optimize nearly every aspect of their lives, from following rigid diets and taking large numbers of supplements to tracking sleep, workouts, and other health metrics in minute detail.

While the idea of improving your health is certainly appealing, experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center say these online trends can sometimes push people toward unnecessary or even harmful extremes.

Often, theres not enough evidence to know whether these health practices are actually beneficial, Alison MacKinlay, MD, family and lifestyle medicine physician and clinical associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, said in a news release.

Depending on the trend, you may not realize you could be causing harm down the road.

What experts looked at

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center team released a recent report that focused on several of the most common "maxxing" trends circulating online rather than on a single research study. These include highly restrictive diets, excessive exercise routines, aggressive sleep optimization, and taking numerous vitamins or supplements in hopes of improving health.

Physicians explain that while some healthy behaviors have solid scientific backing, social media trends often take those same ideas to extremes without sufficient evidence.

Extreme elimination diets can increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies or cause anxiety around food, Dr. MacKinlay said. Taking excessive amounts of certain supplements can reach toxic levels so its important to have lab work done to monitor levels.

If youre spending money on these trends and not having the benefit that you desire or its causing you physical harm or stress, stop. Instead put your time and money into something that actually helps the health concern.

What it means for consumers

Instead of chasing the latest wellness trend, Ohio State experts recommend sticking with habits that have consistently been shown to support good health. That includes eating a balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, prioritizing quality sleep, managing stress, and maintaining meaningful social connections.

The takeaway isn't that every new health trend is automatically bad. Rather, consumers should be cautious about advice that promises dramatic results or encourages extreme behaviors without strong scientific evidence. Before making significant changes to diet, exercise, or supplement routines, it's worth discussing those plans with a healthcare provider who can help determine what's appropriate for your individual needs.

In the end, experts say lasting health is less about optimizing every detail and more about building sustainable habits that can be maintained over time.