Consumer News: Wedding costs keep climbing as couples look for ways to save

Retailer highlights lower supply prices, convenient shopping, and budget-friendly school essentials

• Walmart says it's offering its lowest prices since 2019 on 14 of the most common school supplies, with select items starting at 25 cents.

• The retailer is expanding back-to-school offerings with clothing, lunch solutions, wellness services and college essentials.

• New digital tools and multiple shopping options are designed to help families save both time and money.

Back-to-school shopping is about much more than picking up notebooks and pencils. For many families, it marks the return to school routines, busy schedules, and a long list of supplies, clothing, and everyday essentials.

To help customers prepare, Walmart has unveiled its 2026 back-to-school and back-to-college lineup, emphasizing lower prices, convenience, and a broader selection of products for students of all ages. According to the retailer, it is offering its lowest prices since 2019 on the 14 school supplies most commonly found on classroom lists nationwide, with select items starting at just 25 cents.

The company says its seasonal assortment is designed to cover everything from classroom supplies and dorm room necessities to meals, health services, and fashion, allowing shoppers to complete more of their school preparation in one place.

What's included this year

Beyond traditional school supplies, Walmart says this year's assortment includes trendy accessories, themed merchandise, stationery, and updated clothing collections aimed at helping students personalize their school gear.

The retailer is also highlighting practical everyday needs. Its back-to-school lunch basket features nutritious meal options that average less than $2 per lunch, while its Recipe Hub offers one-click meal ideas that can be delivered through Express Delivery, where available.

Families can also shop for low-cost immunizations, vision care, and health essentials during their school shopping trips, with Walmart Wellness Day scheduled for July 25.

For college students, Walmart has introduced a College Grocery Haul priced under $35, along with dorm dcor, technology, organization products, and new online tools such as College Wishlist, Dynamic Showroom, and Be Your Own Model.

Teachers are also included in this year's campaign, with classroom organization supplies and teacher appreciation gifts starting at $2.48.

What this means for consumers

For shoppers, the announcement means there are more opportunities to tackle back-to-school shopping in one trip or without making a trip at all.

Walmart is emphasizing flexible shopping options, including in-store purchases, curbside pickup, fast shipping ,and Express Delivery, as well as digital features that allow customers to shop directly from classroom supply lists and create classroom registries.

The retailer is also placing a strong focus on value by combining lower-priced school supplies with clothing, groceries, health services, and college products. For families, teachers, and college students preparing for a new school year, the expanded assortment is intended to simplify the shopping process while making it easier to check multiple items off their back-to-school lists in one place.

Before you donate or toss old gear, check what it's actually worth

• Your garage could be worth thousands. One study estimates the average garage holds about $5,035 in resale value.

• Start with bikes and tools. Bikes, gym equipment, tools, and camping gear typically bring the biggest payouts.

• Sell smarter. Check recently sold eBay listings for pricing, and skip listing low-value items that aren't worth the hassle.

If your garage has become the catch-all for old bikes, tools, camping gear and holiday decorations, it may be worth taking a closer look before your next cleanup.

A new analysis by Alan's Factory Outlet estimates the average American garage contains about $5,035 in potential resale value, with used bicycles accounting for more than half of that total.

Researchers analyzed 1,680 recently sold eBay listings for 28 common garage items and found many homeowners are sitting on hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in items they no longer use.

Start with your bikes

If you're looking for the biggest payday, check your bicycles first.

The study found the five most common types of bikes stored in garages have a combined resale value of $2,763, including:

• Mountain bikes: about $848

• Road bikes: about $837

• Electric bikes: about $704

Other high-value categories include:

• Gym equipment: $862

• Tools: $612

• Camping gear: $449

• Holiday decorations: $348

Pro tip: If your goal is to declutter rather than maximizing every dollar, consider pricing your item about 20% below similar local listings. You'll sell stuff much faster and avoid days of back-and-forth negotiations.

Don't waste time selling everything

Not every item is worth the effort to try and sell. The researchers found 13 of the 28 common garage items they examined typically sell for $100 or more, making them good candidates for online marketplaces.

But lower-value items, think stuff worth less than $40, may be better suited for a garage sale or donation once you factor in the time spent photographing, listing, packing, and shipping.

Pro tip: Before creating a listing, check recently sold listings on eBay (not just asking prices). Sold listings show what buyers are actually willing to pay for stuff and can help you price your item to sell quickly.

Americans have a garage clutter problem

The study also found that many homeowners aren't just losing money, but they're losing usable space in their garages.

According to the survey:

• 62% say the garage is the most cluttered area of their home.

• 36% can't even park a vehicle inside because of the clutter.

• 52% are unhappy with how their garage is organized.

Pro tip: Try to time your listings. In particular, seasonal items typically sell best just before they're needed. This means listing camping gear in the spring, snow blowers in the fall, and holiday decorations a few weeks before the season begins to maximize interest.

Consumer takeaway

If you're looking for a simple way to bring in extra cash, start in your garage. Focus first on high-value items like bikes, tools, and exercise equipment, compare recent selling prices online, and skip listing low-dollar items that aren't worth the hassle.

A weekend of decluttering will not only free up some space, but can also put a few hundred dollars, or more, back in your wallet.

Several factors are responsible for the switch

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Newly built homes remained slightly cheaper than existing homes during the first quarter of 2026, extending an unusual trend that has now lasted four consecutive quarters.

• The median new-home price was $403,200, compared with $404,600 for an existing home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

• Builders are keeping prices competitive by constructing smaller, more affordable homes while existing homeowners have been slower to reduce asking prices.

For generations, buying a newly built home typically meant paying a premium over an existing house. But that long-standing pattern has been turned on its head.

A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that newly built single-family homes remained slightly less expensive than existing homes during the first quarter of 2026, marking the fourth straight quarter in which resale homes have carried the higher median price.

According to the report, the median price of a new single-family home during the January-March period was $403,200, about $1,400 less than the median price of an existing home, which was $404,600.

The reversal represents a dramatic shift from historical norms, when new homes almost always sold at a premium because of their larger size, newer features, and modern construction.

Why new homes are cheaper

NAHB economists say several factors have contributed to the unusual pricing dynamic.

Home builders have responded to affordability concerns by designing smaller homes and offering more entry-level options. Many builders have also used incentives, such as mortgage rate buydowns and price reductions to attract buyers facing elevated borrowing costs.

Meanwhile, existing-home prices have remained relatively firm because many homeowners continue to hold mortgages with historically low interest rates and are reluctant to sell unless they receive favorable prices.

The price gap has narrowed considerably over the past year. In the second quarter of 2025, existing homes sold for roughly 5% more than new homes. Since then, the difference has steadily shrunk until the two markets reached near parity in early 2026.

Better affordability, but challenges remain

The report comes as housing affordability has improved modestly from a year ago, helped by slightly lower mortgage rates and softer home prices.

Even so, affordability remains a challenge for many buyers.

NAHB's Cost of Housing Index found that a typical family would still need to devote about 32% of its income to mortgage payments on a median-priced existing home, while lower-income households would need to spend roughly 65% of their earnings, well above generally accepted affordability guidelines.

NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said increasing the nation's housing supply remains the key to improving affordability over the long term.

The organization is urging policymakers to reduce regulatory burdens, accelerate permitting, and invest in workforce training to help builders construct more homes and ease persistent supply shortages.

Although newly built homes have become increasingly competitive on price, affordability remains constrained by mortgage rates that continue to hover above 6%, limiting purchasing power for many would-be buyers. Recent housing market data show home sales remain sluggish even as prices have stabilized.

New daily tablet offers another option for lowering LDL cholesterol

• The FDA has approved Lipfendra (enlicitide), the first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor for adults with high cholesterol.

• The medication is designed to be used alongside diet, exercise, and maximally tolerated statin therapy to further reduce LDL, or "bad," cholesterol.

• Clinical trials found the pill lowered LDL cholesterol by 56% to 59% over 24 weeks, with a safety profile that was generally similar to placebo.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lipfendra (enlicitide), making it the first oral medication in a class of drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors. Until now, medicines that block the PCSK9 protein have only been available as injectable treatments.

Lipfendra is approved for adults with hypercholesterolemia, including those with an inherited form of the condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH).

By harnessing the innovative science of PCSK9 inhibitors and novel macrocyclic peptide technology, LIPFENDRA was designed to significantly lower LDL-C in the form of a convenient once-daily pill, Dr. Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories, said in a news release.

This is a pivotal moment as we bring the first U.S. FDA-approved oral PCSK9 inhibitor to adults with high LDL-C, offering patients an important new option. Were proud of our work with regulators on this rigorous and efficient review process.

The risks of high cholesterol

The medication is intended to be used along with diet and exercise to help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. It is also designed to be used in people who are already taking the highest dose of statin they can tolerate but still need additional LDL-lowering treatment.

High cholesterol often has no noticeable symptoms, which is why many people don't know they have it until a routine blood test reveals elevated LDL levels. Over time, excess LDL cholesterol can build up inside artery walls, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke.

How the treatment was studied

The FDA's approval was based on two Phase 3 clinical trials involving a total of 3,207 adults with severe high cholesterol. Both studies were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, meaning participants were randomly assigned to receive either Lipfendra or a placebo, and neither the participants nor the researchers knew which treatment each person received during the study.

All participants were already taking maximally tolerated statin therapy but still required additional cholesterol lowering. One study enrolled adults with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or those considered at high risk for developing it. The second focused exclusively on adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Researchers measured how much participants' LDL cholesterol changed after 24 weeks of treatment compared with placebo.

The medication is taken as a once-daily tablet and works by blocking the PCSK9 protein, which helps the body remove more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.

What the findings mean for consumers

In the first trial, participants taking Lipfendra experienced an average 56% reduction in LDL cholesterol after 24 weeks compared with placebo. In the second trial involving people with inherited high cholesterol, LDL levels fell by an average of 59% compared with placebo.

The safety results were also encouraging. In one study, side effects occurred at similar rates in the Lipfendra and placebo groups. In the trial involving inherited high cholesterol, diarrhea and dizziness were reported more often among people taking the medication, but treatment discontinuation rates due to side effects were similar between the two groups.

For consumers, the approval introduces a new way to receive a PCSK9 inhibitor without injections. While the medication isn't intended to replace healthy lifestyle habits or statins, it provides another option for adults whose LDL cholesterol remains too high despite existing treatment, potentially making this type of cholesterol-lowering therapy more accessible for some patients.

New research suggests a simple biomarker could help identify older adults at higher risk of future cognitive decline

• Researchers found that a blood test measuring the biomarker p-tau217 helped estimate the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment over the next five to 10 years.

• The study followed nearly 2,700 cognitively healthy older adults from six long-term research cohorts across Australia, North America and Japan.

• Experts say the findings could eventually help identify people for prevention trials and guide future monitoring, though the test is not yet intended to predict an individual's future on its own.

For years, diagnosing Alzheimer's disease has often relied on brain scans, spinal fluid tests, or evaluating symptoms after memory problems begin. Now, researchers say a simple blood test could offer another important piece of the puzzle helping estimate a person's risk of developing cognitive impairment years before symptoms appear.

The study focused on a blood biomarker called p-tau217, a form of the tau protein that's associated with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that higher levels of this protein in the blood were linked to a greater chance of developing cognitive impairment over the following five to 10 years, even among adults who had no noticeable memory or thinking problems when they entered the study.

The findings were presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2026 and published simultaneously in JAMA.

Our findings provide some of the clearest evidence yet that elevated p-tau217 levels may help detect dementia risk years earlier even in adults with no noticeable memory or thinking problems, researcher Rachel F. Buckley, Ph.D., said in a news release.

Once verified, these blood tests could be used to recruit patients for clinical trials of treatments to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. In the future, when treatments are approved for use early in the disease process, these tests could help guide monitoring, treatment decisions, and counseling for patients and families.

How researchers studied the blood test

The study pooled data from 2,684 cognitively healthy older adults participating in six long-running research studies in Australia, North America, and Japan. Participants had blood samples collected at the start of the study, allowing researchers to measure p-tau217 levels before any cognitive symptoms developed.

Participants were then followed for as long as 13.5 years, with regular assessments of memory, thinking abilities, and daily functioning. Researchers used those real-world outcomes to estimate each participant's likelihood of progressing to cognitive impairment over two-, five-, and 10-year timeframes.

The researchers also compared the predictive value of the blood test with other established Alzheimer's risk measures, including brain imaging and genetic testing. Statistical models accounted for multiple factors to better understand how p-tau217 levels related to future cognitive decline across the study population.

What the findings could mean for consumers

Researchers found that participants with very high p-tau217 levels more than twice the average level seen in the study had an estimated 38% chance of developing cognitive impairment within five years and a 78% chance within 10 years.

Even people with moderately elevated levels faced a higher estimated risk, with approximately 15% risk over five years and 45% over 10 years. The blood test also provided predictive information beyond what brain scans and genetic testing alone could offer.

Still, researchers caution that the test is not a crystal ball. A person's p-tau217 level is only one factor influencing Alzheimer's risk. Age, genetics, kidney function, obesity, and racial and ethnic background can all affect biomarker levels and the likelihood of developing dementia.

For consumers, the findings are promising but not yet practice-changing. Researchers say the blood test could eventually help identify healthy older adults who are good candidates for Alzheimer's prevention trials or, in the future, guide earlier treatment and counseling if additional therapies become available. More research is still needed before the test can be used as a standalone tool to predict an individual's future risk.

It is especially encouraging that the findings were so consistent across different groups and analyses, suggesting that we can now provide meaningful information to people about their future risk of developing impairment due to Alzheimers, researcher Reisa Sperling, M.D., said in the release. This information may become more relevant if current trials provide clear evidence that we can prevent cognitive decline with treatment if started before symptoms.